Chapter 63 (continued)

... Now, looking at Anna's perspective, I realize I'm even more stubborn than the elves; I need to reflect on that.

In the legendary era, humans distinguished between ordinary elves and high elves by whether or not the elves glowed.

Well... that's a superficial view of ancient humans, because the glowing elves themselves don't consider themselves "superior." In the eyes of elves, life is precious, and their main responsibility is to protect and care for the Elven Sacred Tree, which is why they call themselves Holy Tree Elf.

However, perhaps because there are too many humans who spread misinformation and use incorrect terms, and because the media has such a great influence now, they still always use wrong words in their reports, so over time the elves have become too lazy to correct them. Therefore, according to human classification, the little elf in my arms is definitely a high elf.

"The Holy Tree Elf don't have their own language because there are too few of them. They generally speak Woodland Elvish and Common Elvish." Mel frowned, pinching the little elf's ear. "Go back and check it out; see if it's injured or can't hear properly."

Then we rushed to the room and discovered why Anna and Moli only rescued one elf—we had misunderstood the two children; they weren't always so superficial.

The dwarves were huddled together, fast asleep, their snores rising and falling like a grand chorus.

In this state, the two mage apprentices indeed had no way to carry them all away.

I checked with a headache, and it was clear we were indeed in a terrorist base, not on a sunny resort beach. These dwarves were definitely prisoners, their feet still chained together with electronic ankle bracelets! I'd never seen hostages this thick-skinned before. We'd fought our way here, though not with much trouble... I'd read in local gazetteers that dwarves were generally thick-skinned, and the Gray Mountain dwarves especially... but...

Seeing that the hostages were unresponsive, I had to check their vital signs.

... They were indeed just asleep.

This is truly the most absurd rescue scene I've ever seen.

Next, we need to figure out how to move these sleeping dwarves out. I feel that using Levitation to transport them might not look very dignified. Perhaps because they were imprisoned, these dwarves look disheveled, and some of their pants are torn. Fortunately, their leg hair is long enough, but I can't guarantee that after I make them float, their leg hair will still be able to perfectly cover their private parts.

Just then, Mel suddenly said calmly, "There's ore! A huge piece of ore has fallen to the ground, a top-quality ore of grade 3S."

"Mine! Mine!"

The dwarves awoke from their deep sleep, looked around blankly, and pairs of sleepy eyes opened from behind their large beards, staring at us with dazed expressions.

Finding no ore, the dwarves stared blankly up at us. After a long while, they suddenly snapped out of their daze and began shouting. Some of them pointed at Mel and yelled, "Wow! I recognize you! You're the 'Evil Shadow Manipulator'!"

"They must have sent the Federation to rescue us!"

Mel and I both shuddered, mainly because the dwarves' gazes were so intense. Besides, being called such a... such a childish title to someone's face was really testing one's mental fortitude. I couldn't help but imagine what would happen if someone pointed at me and called me "Flame of Fury"—I'd probably tremble even more than I was now.

I suddenly tensed up— Reynold has videos of my battles!

No, I have to make him delete it. I... I don't want to walk down the street and suddenly someone pounces on me, kisses my robe, and loudly calls me the great "Flame of Fury"! That title would be so embarrassing!

"Ah, you've rescued Luokexiweinan!" they chattered excitedly.

This strange-sounding string of syllables is the name of this little elf? It doesn't sound very elf-like at all...

I tried calling her that, and the little elf turned her head and looked at me quietly.

The leader, a Gray Mountain dwarf, rubbed his hands together excitedly and told us, "This little girl doesn't seem to talk much. She was already here when we were imprisoned. She wouldn't answer any of our questions. One day, while I was reviewing engineering exam questions, I came across Cauchy's integral formula and residue theorem, and I found her intently studying them. So we named her Luokexiweinan!"

... I saw the dwarf hostages proudly showing off the "Senior Engineer Qualification Examination Review Questions" they had secretly carried in their beards to avoid inspection. I don't know whether I should applaud and cheer for these studious dwarves.

But... once you're arrested, can't you focus on figuring out how to escape instead of busy studying for exams?

"... If we fail the exam, our wages will be docked," the dwarves said aggrievedly.

Okay... it seems I misunderstood. You guys are just like my assistants, you only study hard because you'll get your pay docked!

"Luokexiweinan?" Mel held the little elf's hand. "Although it's not authentic Elvish, it sounds a lot like 'flower stamen.' If you don't remember your Elven name, may I call you Ruiduo for now?"

The little elf remained silent, looking at Mel. Mel softly repeated, "Ruiduo?"

She smiled.

"Wow... Teacher, that's so unfair!" Anna suddenly exclaimed. "Why did you name me Anna, a name that's so common among human girls?!"

Mel turned and glared at her. "That was the name you chose yourself, how can you blame me?"

Anna pouted indignantly, snorted, and then whispered to me, "Teacher Field, you know what? When my teacher infiltrated the orc camp to rescue me, she used Transformation Spell to turn herself into a cute and delicate girl. She even pretended to be captured by the orcs, crying her eyes out. And then my 'female' teacher told me her name was Anna..."

"Anna!" Mel shouted sharply, but I noticed that Mel's entire face turned red.

Mel, transformed into a girl, cries softly and adorably... I suddenly thought, she must be incredibly beautiful.

Mel's face turned even redder, and he turned to me, asking, "What are you thinking about!"

"No, no." I hurriedly shook my head, her bright blue eyes narrowing, which inexplicably brought back a wave of weakness and soreness... But seeing the redness welling up in Mel's eyes, I couldn't help but look a few more times. This time, Mel stomped her foot—

"That ungrateful dark-skinned elf! I should have just let you become the orc's dinner. I went to great lengths to rescue you, and you've made a fool of yourself with it afterwards!"

"Wow!" Anna exclaimed dramatically from behind me, "The teachers' argument is affecting the students!"

I stroked Mel's hair to prevent him from suddenly turning into a cyborg ally and blowing his own apprentice into the air. Mel glanced at me quickly, then his face suddenly turned even redder.

He whispered, "Xipei, shall we try... becoming a woman next time?"

"Didn't we agree that I'd take the initiative next time?" I looked back at him. Mel said "Oh," smiled expectantly, and then suggested:

"Then next time?"

Hmm... Mel would look stunning in a dress. Judging by Anna's discerning eye, Mel's female form must be incredibly alluring. Otherwise, why would this discerning dark elf admire Mel and even use Mel pseudonym? So I readily agreed. Mel nodded in satisfaction, letting Anna off the hook.

Suddenly I sensed a subtle fluctuation. I frowned and carefully sensed it. It seemed to be coming from my teacher, but I couldn't determine what was happening... It seems I need to practice using my teacher more in the future. This is the consequence of being rusty with magic. When I'm too far away from my teacher, he just mechanically executes commands, not flexible at all, and can't provide me with accurate information in the first instance.

Mel asked about the situation and reassured me, "Don't worry, Speaker Reynold... even if there are enemies, who would have designs on him!"