Chapter 172: Apprentice Magician Estelle.

“N-No, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s a lovely name, haha.” Shu Li laughed awkwardly. “Um... if you don’t mind me asking, what is your family name?”

The mage answered in confusion, “My name is Ace Tell. Tell is my family name.”

The three young Fairies suddenly understood.

So they had misunderstood. His given name was Ace and his family name was Tell. Combined, they formed Ace Tell, which had nothing whatsoever to do with the Elven King’s family name.

The world was vast. Inevitably, they would encounter a few humans with similar names.

Shu Li explained apologetically, “Your name sounds very similar to the family name of one of my elders, so we were a little surprised.”

“I see.” Ace Tell did not take offense and continued recounting how he had encountered the bandits.

The young dragon and two young Fairies riding on the other carriage craned their necks, wanting to hear the mage’s story as well. Unfortunately, the carriages were traveling one behind the other with some distance between them, so they could not make out his words.

Budno puffed out his cheeks in frustration.

If only he had insisted on fighting Disio for a place on that carriage earlier. Now he could not hear the exciting story, and the suspense was driving him mad.

“I come from the Izera Empire. I’m an Intermediate Mage Apprentice. Half a month ago, I received a letter of recommendation from a teacher at Saint Velia Magic Academy, so I said farewell to my family and set out alone for the Central Court...”

A week ago, while crossing the Westsand Mountains on the border between the Izera Empire and the Dalia Empire, he had been robbed by bandits.

Those bandits were unusually capable. Not only did they know swordsmanship, but they could also use dark magic. Ace was merely an Intermediate Mage Apprentice. After struggling against them for an entire day, he had ultimately been captured.

The bandits took his magic staff and storage pouch, bound him, and locked him in a small dark room without food or water. He overheard a patrolling guard say that the bandit leader found him attractive and intended to send him to be auctioned at the black market.

Ace Tell did not want to be sold, so he had no choice but to save himself.

On the day before he was due to be taken to the black market, he escaped from the dark room while the guards were distracted. Relying on sheer determination, he successfully fled the bandits’ lair.

Only after escaping did he realize that he was still in the Westsand Mountains. Afraid that the bandits might capture him again, he did not dare lower his guard for even a moment. Drawing on what he had learned, he found a branch and a stone capable of storing magic, fashioned them into a crude magic staff, and felt his way down the mountain.

“...Light God above, I encountered no terrifying magical beasts and entered the territory of the Dalia Empire safely. But although I managed to escape, I didn’t dare stop, much less speak to the villagers nearby—I was afraid they might be connected to the bandits.”

Ace Tell’s voice was low and soothing as he calmly recounted his robbery, abduction, and escape. His language was simple and unadorned, yet his story was captivating.

“What happened next?” Disio pressed.

“I avoided crowds whenever possible and traveled through desolate mountains and forests,” Ace Tell replied. “Without realizing it, I eventually made my way here...”

Afraid that the bandits would catch up with him, he had fled without sleeping or resting for two days, eating only a few sour wild fruits along the way.

Today was the third day since his escape. Once he believed the bandits were no longer pursuing him, he finally dared to use the main road. After cautiously asking some local villagers for directions, he learned that Kesheng Town was the nearest settlement. He pressed onward, hoping to arrive before sunset.

But he had been too exhausted, hungry, and thirsty. When his strength reached its limit, he pitched forward and lost consciousness.

“Thank you,” Ace Tell said sincerely. “If you hadn’t saved me, I might never have opened my eyes again.”

“There’s really no need to thank us. Our meeting was simply fate.” Shu Li sighed as he glanced at the crude magic staff beside Ace Tell and the badly worn shoes on his feet.

His escape must have been extremely arduous.

“Fate?” Ace considered the word carefully. His expression softened as he gazed gently at Shu Li. “A wonderful twist of fate.”

Under the scrutiny of those emerald-green eyes, Shu Li felt slightly uncomfortable.

No wonder the bandits had wanted to sell him at the black market.

Not only was he young and handsome, but he also possessed rare, pure-gold hair and a pair of beautiful green eyes. He attracted far too much attention.

“What do you plan to do now?” Kumandi asked.

Ace shifted his gaze to the black-haired, black-eyed youth. “First, I’ll visit the Magic Association in Kesheng Town and ask one of its mages to help me find work. Once I earn enough money for the journey, I’ll travel to Saint Velia Magic Academy in the Central Court and enroll.”

“That sounds so difficult!” Disio sighed before turning to Shu Li. “Since we’re going the same way, why don’t we take him with us?”

“That...” Shu Li hesitated. “I don’t know whether he’d agree.”

From the way Ace Tell spoke, Shu Li could tell that he was proud. He might not accept their offer.

Ace asked in confusion, “The same way? Are you going to the Central Court too?”

Disio grinned. “Yes. Like you, we also have letters of recommendation from a magic academy.”

Ace looked astonished. “Then won’t we be classmates in the future?”

Shu Li nodded. “Yes. If nothing unexpected happens, we should be magic students in the same class.”

An incredulous expression crossed Ace’s face, and he murmured, “Now I truly believe our meeting was fate.”

“Haha!” Disio beamed and nudged Ace’s arm with his elbow. “So, do you want to travel with us?”

“Hiss—” Ace groaned softly, frowning as he clutched his right arm.

Startled, Disio raised both hands. “I-I didn’t do anything!”

Ace hurriedly said, “N-No, it wasn’t your fault. I fell while escaping and injured my arm. That’s why it hurts.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Disio apologized, his face full of sympathy.

“It’s all right. I gathered some medicinal herbs along the way. Once we reach town, I’ll find somewhere to boil them. I’ll be fine after I drink the medicine.” Ace lowered his eyes. His thick, fanlike lashes trembled, and the pallor of his face made him appear even more fragile.

The young Fairies felt sorrier for him than ever.

The Human World was so dangerous. A moment’s carelessness could lead to robbery and abduction—or even being sold. No wonder the Elven King had never allowed underage Fairies to venture outside for training. Without sufficient strength, they were truly powerless when faced with danger.

This Mage Apprentice named Ace Tell had refused to await his fate. Brave, resourceful, and willing to take risks, he had managed to escape from the bandits’ clutches. However, he had also sustained serious injuries and had nearly lost his life.

“May I examine your injury?” Shu Li could not resist asking. His backpack contained some basic medicines that could treat ordinary bruises and sprains.

Ace readily rolled up the broad sleeve of his robe, exposing his arm.

Shu Li looked carefully and saw a large bruise marring the snow-white skin.

Although the skin was unbroken, they could not dismiss the injury. If the bone was fractured, it would be troublesome.

“May I touch it?” Seeing Ace’s surprised expression, he hurriedly explained, “I know a little medicine.”

Medical care was a required subject for young Fairies. Shu Li had studied it for seven or eight years and acquired considerable knowledge. As long as the ailment was not unusually complicated, he could treat it.

“Then I’ll have to trouble you,” Ace murmured.

Shu Li gently ran his fingers over Ace’s arm and pressed the bruised area several times. Despite the pain, Ace remained silent.

After a while, Shu Li released his arm and smiled reassuringly. “The bone isn’t broken. That’s fortunate.”

Ace breathed a sigh of relief. “If it’s only muscle damage, it should heal in a few days.”

He was about to lower his sleeve when Shu Li stopped him. “Wait. Let me apply some ointment for the bruising.”

With that, he quickly opened his backpack and took out a plain wooden box.

When he lifted the lid, the fresh fragrance of medicinal ointment filled the air.

“This is...” Ace looked slightly surprised.

“Ointment I made myself.” Shu Li grinned, took out a handkerchief, and carefully wiped his fingers clean. Then he scooped out a small amount of ointment and spread it over the bruise on Ace’s arm.

“It’s cool and very soothing,” Ace murmured. His green eyes gazed sincerely at the black-haired youth applying the medicine. “Thank you.”

“You’re far too polite.” Once Shu Li finished, he pressed the wooden box into Ace’s hand. “We’re going to be classmates, so it’s only right that we help one another.”

Ace tried to return it. “This ointment is too precious. I can’t accept it.”

Shu Li frowned. “You’ll need to apply it for at least two days before the bruising disappears.”

After such a terrible fall, there was no chance his arm was the only place he had injured. He must have bruises elsewhere as well.

Seeing the two of them at an impasse, Kumandi said, “Accept it. Consider it a gift from your future classmates.”

Ace hesitated for a moment before finally accepting the ointment. Looking at the youths who had helped him, he said earnestly, “If you ever need anything from me in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“All right.” Kumandi nodded in acceptance. Only through mutual give-and-take could a friendship endure.

“By the way, I still don’t know your names,” Ace asked curiously.

“Uh...” The young Fairies exchanged glances at the sudden question.

Whenever they interacted with ordinary people while traveling, they used aliases. But once they entered the magic academy, they would have to use their real names.

Since they were posing as Mage Apprentices, they had to include their true names when reciting magic incantations.

Ace was going to be their classmate, so naturally, they could not deceive him with aliases.

Just as Shu Li was about to answer, Barry called from below, “Young men, we’ve reached Kesheng Town!”

At his shout, the youths sitting atop the timber raised their heads in unison and looked toward the weathered old town gate ahead.

A few minutes later, the youths who had hitched a ride the entire way thanked the drivers. Rubbing their nearly numb bottoms, they gathered together.

Budno, Angel, and Amanda crowded around and bombarded Ace with questions, practically begging him to recount his encounter with the bandits from the beginning.

They had been too far away and had caught only fragments of the story, leaving them anxious and curious throughout the journey.

Ace did not mind telling it again, but for now, entering the town took priority.

Although Kesheng Town was merely a remote border settlement, visitors still had to present identification before entering. Anyone of unknown origin without a guarantor was refused entry.

Shu Li remained calm. He had a magic badge and belonged to the Magic Association, so he could vouch for his companions.

However, he had not expected his magic badge to be too low in rank to guarantee more than three people.

When the guards began making things difficult for them, Ace produced his own magic badge and resolved the problem without incident.

With two Mage Apprentices vouching for them, Team Light successfully entered Kesheng Town.

“Should we visit the Magic Association first, or should we eat?” Budno asked, clutching his growling stomach.

It was lunchtime. Standing in the street, he could smell food drifting from a nearby restaurant, and his mouth watered with longing.

One of his goals in coming to the Human World for training was to sample every delicacy under the sun.

Now that they had finally entered their first town, surely filling his stomach and satisfying his cravings should come first.

He sniffed eagerly and swallowed his saliva.

Seeing him like this, Shu Li poured cold water on his enthusiasm. “That’s the smell of roasting meat. Are you sure you want to eat it?”

Young Fairies were vegetarians. They had never eaten animal flesh in their lives. Before trying meat for the first time, they would have to overcome a psychological barrier. Adapting to its texture would not be nearly so simple.

Budno immediately fell into a dilemma.