120 – A Clear and Unblemished Feeling

Teresa's gaze changed slightly.

She remembered that Bilodis had once told her she’d been selected by the Academy because of her unique soul — proof that Coleman Academy had some sort of connection with the Gold Elves, or perhaps more directly, with Bilodis herself. It was even highly likely that they had maintained a long-standing relationship.

After several rounds of probing, Teresa didn’t believe Diderlay, the headmaster, was one of those in the know. He seemed entirely unaware of what was happening behind the scenes.

If not Diderlay, then who?

“Eh? You didn’t know there’s a segment of the enrollment process called ‘Soul Test’?” Teresa feigned surprise, covering her mouth with one hand.

“Our Academy has never had any such thing as a ‘Soul Test.’” Diderlay wasn’t a fool. From her words, he was already starting to grasp something. His expression darkened slightly, and he rapped the tabletop with his knuckle.

“Elica.” A red-clad figure appeared behind him.

“Go retrieve this year’s new student admission records. Check whether there's a testing category called ‘Soul Test.’”

“Yes, Elder.” With that, the red-haired Wood Elf girl vanished into the crystalline tower.

Before long, the Wood Elf girl returned to Diderlay’s side. She attempted to whisper in his ear, but he waved it off.

“There are no outsiders here. Speak plainly, Elica.”

“Yes, Elder.” Elica glanced at Teresa and straightened up.

“Following your orders, I reviewed the documentation for this year’s incoming students. Whether it be demihumans, Elves, or humans, the only recorded tests were the standard assessments — ‘Academic Evaluation,’ ‘Divine Authority Compatibility,’ and ‘Magical Aptitude.’ There’s no such test labeled as ‘Soul Test.’”

“Eh? Is that so?” Litt interjected in confusion. “But I clearly remember doing that kind of Soul Test during my admission.”

“I thought it was a required part of Coleman’s enrollment.”

“.........”

Diderlay sat silent on the bench, his expression growing increasingly grim.

“Your Highness Teresa, do you remember which instructor conducted your Soul Test?”

“I think it was probably the same one who tested Miss Litt,” Teresa replied, mostly because she wasn’t sure whether Divine Princesses and Divine Children followed the same procedure. Besides, her enrollment had been mid-semester — decided on the spot by three instructors. And clearly, those three hadn’t known about any soul assessment either.

It was safest to toss the question over to Litt.

“Eh? We had the same instructor, Your Highness?” Litt tilted her head. “Now that you mention it, I think the Soul Test was added last-minute after all the other exams were done. The ones conducting it wore brown robes and masks…”

“Unregistered faculty?!” Diderlay’s brows knotted. “How did unregistered personnel get access to the admissions authority? How could they be allowed to oversee freshmen testing?”

“I apologize, Elder — this was my oversight,” Elica bowed her head.

“No, this isn’t your fault… I was appointed as headmaster by the Moon Elf King himself. In other words, this Academy isn’t solely under my management, nor is it my personal property.”

“Then aside from you, who else could override the headmaster’s authority?” Teresa asked.

“That… I fear only…” Diderlay didn’t finish the sentence, but everyone present understood.

The Moon Elf King.

“I don’t quite understand what he would gain from this,” Diderlay frowned. “The soul and the body are separate matters. If you want to assess a Divine Child’s aptitude, testing spiritual strength is sufficient. Why test the soul?”

Teresa shook her head, indicating she didn’t know either — but in truth, she understood very well.

The Soul Test had almost certainly been added on Bilodis’s instructions.

And for her to coordinate things so precisely, undetectably, from afar — it had to be with the cooperation of the Academy’s top leadership.

If her “remote-control knife” wasn’t Diderlay, then it had to be the Moon Elf King. Or, possibly, another Moon Elf Elder.

One thing was clear: the Moon Elf upper echelons could not possibly be completely unconnected to the Gold Elves. Either other elders or the King himself had made contact with Bilodis — and had been following her orders all along.

Diderlay could be ruled out — if he were involved, there would’ve been no need for all this subterfuge. Once he discovered Teresa’s presence and identity, he’d have informed Bilodis immediately. Not to mention, he’d even sworn an oath upon the Sacred Tree.

Then… could it be the Moon Elf King?

If so…

Teresa clenched her fingers.

The situation didn’t look optimistic. If the Moon Elf King truly had ongoing contact with Bilodis, then it was very likely that, via Astrid, he already knew of Teresa’s existence — and he would certainly report it to Bilodis.

Especially once he learned that the human Dylin hadn’t truly died, but instead took over his sister’s body and even wandered out of it for air every so often… that yandere empress would tear him apart like a teddy bear.

No — it might not be that bad. Perhaps Bilodis simply issued orders and didn’t explain her reasons to the Moon Elves. It was possible that the other elders, not being directly involved in the Academy, didn’t even know who Dylin was — and certainly wouldn’t care whether an insignificant human was alive or not.

There was something else bothering Teresa — the Elf War Goddess Diderlay had mentioned earlier.

A Gold Elf, titled as War Goddess, named Teresa, and the second daughter of the Elf King.

It wasn’t far-fetched to speculate that the former Elf King perished in battle against the Demon Race, the second princess fell fighting a Demon Lord, and only the eldest daughter of the Elf royal family remained. She would naturally ascend and become the Elf Empress.

Of course, that was just Teresa’s guess. Whether the body she now used was that of the War Goddess remained unknown, but…

Considering Teresa’s Divine Authority — the cataclysmic blade, the masterful archery, and her unparalleled understanding of swords and bows even after her bow broke — she did live up to the title of “War Goddess.”

“Lord Diderlay, the Elf War Goddess you mentioned who shares my name — have you met her?”

“No,” Diderlay shook his head honestly. “I wasn’t an elder at the time. How could I have seen a noble second princess of the Elves?”

Teresa nodded.

At this point, she had come to trust Diderlay — at least partially. Everything he said had proven true, and he’d even been willing to swear an oath to prove his sincerity.

Harboring a secret brought pressure — and eventually, no secret stayed hidden forever.

She now faced a dilemma: should she tell this Moon Elf Elder that Dylin and Teresa were the same person, and ask for his help in keeping the secret?

After weighing it, she decided not to.

The reason was simple. Her true identity as a Gold Elf was, in fact, that of a human. She didn’t know if the Elves present could accept that — especially given what had just been said. It was clear the Elves held many prejudices against humans.

Elves might be able to trust fellow Elves unconditionally — but not humans.

They might see her as a liar. And even if not, the trust they’d just begun to build might start to fracture.

After all, many Elves were perfectionists. Even the slightest blemish on a flawless gem was intolerable to them.

On top of that, this secret touched too many things. The fewer people who knew, the better. This was her first proper meeting with Diderlay — she couldn’t afford to show all her cards.

In conclusion — it was better if no one knew.

If, at first, Teresa stayed at Coleman Academy to find a way forward, and because the orphanage was nearby — then now, with Diderlay as a natural ally and protective shield, she no longer needed to keep walking a tightrope under the Elves' noses.

The tea was nearly finished. The conversation, too, had run its course.

“At the risk of overstepping, Your Highness — may I offer a word about your personal affairs?” Diderlay asked, glancing toward Litt, who had stood so long her legs were beginning to wobble.

“What’s your opinion, Elder?”

“I heard from Litt that your chosen Divine Child is a human?” Diderlay tried to phrase it delicately, but in the end, opted for bluntness.

“That’s right.”

“And a male.”

“Exactly.”

“...Forgive me, but I fail to see what makes him stand out.”

“Exactly! What’s so great about that human male?” Litt chimed in quietly.

Diderlay had chosen his words carefully, but he clearly didn’t understand Teresa’s criteria in selecting her Divine Child.

“I don’t mean to pressure you, of course. But… that human Divine Child — he didn’t even make it to the top ten of the Freshman Crown Tournament, did he? In fact, he was eliminated quite early.”

“If Your Highness is willing, I can offer you many other options,” Diderlay said tactfully. But the message was clear: he didn’t trust humans.

Which confirmed Teresa’s earlier concerns.

His suspicion wasn’t unfounded. Few humans could resist the beauty and romantic loyalty of an Elf — especially when living under the same roof.

Diderlay knew exactly how weak-willed humans could be. To put it harshly, they weren’t much better than animals obsessed with mating… No, no — what he meant was, humans were driven by instinct.

He didn’t feel safe letting Teresa live with a human male. For all he knew, they’d “buy one, get one free,” and produce a half-Elf — he wouldn’t be able to face the Elf Mother Goddess if that happened.

“Yeah, yeah!” Litt rushed over. “Your Highness, I’m telling you — this Academy lacks for nothing except Divine Children! We’ve got loads in the Elf Tribe — all types! Why stick with a human? What’s so great about them?”

“There’s no need. I appreciate your concern,” Teresa refused. “But I have no intention of replacing my Divine Child now that I’ve formally enrolled.”

“I see…” Diderlay sighed. “If I recall correctly, your human Divine Child is named Dylin?”

“That’s right.” Teresa wasn’t surprised Diderlay knew his name — likely, he’d already pulled all the records of everyone associated with her once her identity was exposed.

Seeing that name gave Diderlay a headache. It brought back unpleasant memories.

If he recalled correctly, that human had once been Astrid’s Divine Child — and their relationship had grown dangerously close. Just one step away from being tied together by the red thread of fate. Too late to cut the cord.

Knowing that humans and Elves had no happy endings, Diderlay — far older and more experienced than Astrid — had decisively sent someone to break them apart.

Even if Dylin had been a one-woman man, wholly devoted to Astrid, it wouldn’t have worked. A hundred years later, he’d be buried in the ground — and Astrid wouldn’t have even lived a tenth of her lifespan.

He couldn’t allow Astrid to spend the next few millennia mourning a lost love. So even if she resented him, he had to be ruthless.

Now the same thing was happening with Teresa.

First Astrid, then Teresa. He didn’t understand what was so appealing about that human — nor did he care. He only knew that love between Elves and humans would never end well.

“...Your Highness Teresa, Moon Elves live up to 5,000 years.”

“I know.” Just hearing the opening, Teresa knew what he was about to say.

“And Gold Elves live even longer — beyond 5,000.”

“Mhm, I understand all that.”

“But humans?” Diderlay changed his tone. “Surely, someone as wise as you sees where I’m going.”

“Elder Diderlay, didn’t you just say Elves should be clear and unblemished?” Teresa looked up.

“I did.” Diderlay was confused why she brought it up.

“Well, I agree. Loyalty to our kin, honesty in our feelings, unwavering fidelity in love — these are what define true purity.”

“A love that can be stopped by ‘worldly norms’ — that’s not Elven love.”

“......”

Diderlay was momentarily speechless, unable to argue.

“Please be at ease on this matter, Elder Diderlay. I know what I’m doing. I won’t be taken advantage of, nor will I be deceived.” Teresa rose and gave a graceful bow.

“Thank you for the support you’ve shown me, Elder. I’m deeply grateful.”

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