121 – Chieftain’s Fate

“Humans live less than a hundred years—less than one-fiftieth of an elf’s lifespan. That’s true.”

“But... is an elf falling in love with a human really a mistake that must be corrected? I can’t agree with that. Every love is sacred. You all say that falling for a human means enduring a long, painful life of loneliness... and sure, from a rational perspective, that’s not wrong. But neither humans nor elves are purely rational beings,” Teresa said, lifting her gaze to meet Diderlay’s evenly.

“If anything, the love that drives two people to overcome racial prejudice and cultural divides in pursuit of one another—that is flawless, pure love. That is elf love.”

“Of course, it’s a two-way street. Without effort from both sides, it collapses.”

“That’s how I view love.”

To Diderlay, Teresa’s words were hard to argue with.

“Besides, my relationship with Mister Dylin isn’t what you all think it is,” Teresa added.

From an outsider’s view, a man and woman alone together must seem like a powder keg ready to blow. But only Teresa knew the truth—there was no way she could have feelings for Dylin, and vice versa.

How was she supposed to fall in love with herself? Even if she did like herself that way, it’d be physically impossible!

“Well, since Your Highness puts it that way...” Diderlay shook his head.

Teresa was a Gold Elf, a special case. It wasn’t his place to meddle in her choices or control her freedom—otherwise, wouldn’t he be repeating the same mistakes he’d made four hundred years ago?

“I don’t support your decision, but I do respect it.”

“Wahh...” Litt pouted from the side, mumbling discontentedly. Teresa didn’t bother paying attention.

There was no use trying to persuade her further—and Diderlay didn’t have the right to, anyway. So he gave up.

Thus concluded the tea meeting in the Sage’s Tower. As Teresa left, Diderlay watched her with a heavy gaze, as though placing the weight of four centuries of hope upon this one Gold Elf who had finally reappeared.

“By the way, this is one of your rewards and privileges as tournament champion. It was meant to be awarded at the ceremony, but I’m giving it to you early. Litt, Her Highness is new and may get lost—please escort her.”

“Leave it to me!” Litt straightened up and nodded enthusiastically.

Rewards and privileges?

Before Teresa could ask, Diderlay waved his staff. A golden shimmer floated down like a feather, landing gently in her palm.

It was a black crystal card, with her name engraved in sparkling crystal script—written in Elvish.

“This is your official student ID. As champion, yours is special—crafted from obsidian with alchemical precision. It’s also the key to the ‘Crown Mansion’—the exclusive residence of tournament champions, located at the very heart of the campus,” Diderlay smiled.

“Thank you,” Teresa nodded.

“No need. This is your earned privilege as champion—not some backdoor favor.”

Diderlay could tell Teresa still held some reservations toward the Moon Elves—but that was fine. He hadn’t expected centuries of division to heal overnight.

Patience was something elves never lacked.

“Also, your championship reward—the Crown Gem—isn’t just for show. It’s a top-tier forging material. You can find one of the Academy’s master smiths to craft a weapon worthy of you.”

“Understood. Farewell, Elder Diderlay.”

“Anytime you need something, you’re welcome to come to me.”

Leaving the Sage’s Tower, Teresa followed Litt while deep in thought. More and more unanswered questions buzzed in her mind. Litt, on the other hand, was still bouncing with energy like a little magpie, chattering nonstop beside her.

“Your Highness, if you’re ever bullied in the future, make sure you tell me!” Litt said, punching the air with her pot-sized fists. “If anyone dares touch you and you don’t want to dirty your hands, I’ll beat them up until they cry!”

“Yah! If someone dares lay a hand on Her Highness, I’ll make sure that scoundrel can never reproduce!” Litt even threw a shadow kick toward empty air, like she was striking down some invisible offender.

Teresa sighed to herself. From now on, she’d have to be careful when walking around as Dylin—lest she get ambushed by Litt out of nowhere and be forced to live as a girl forever.

And the “someone bullying you” Litt kept mentioning? That was obvious.

She’d been shadow-boxing Dylin the whole time.

“All right, all right. No need to act it out. No one’s going to lay a finger on me.”

“You say that, but what if he uses your goodwill to get handsy?” Litt pouted, balling her fists. “If I find out he’s that kind of guy, I’ll break his criminal weapon!”

“Where did you even learn these things?” Teresa asked, amused. She bent down and poked Litt’s forehead with a soft finger.

“For someone your age, you sure know a lot. Studied it in depth, have you?”

“Wha—I did not study it! This is basic biology stuff, right...?!” Litt’s voice trailed off in embarrassment.

Laughing and chatting along the way, they soon reached their destination.

“Here we are, Your Highness—this is the Crown Mansion.” Litt pointed ahead at the garden estate and gem-like mansion beyond.

“The Crown Mansion sits at the very center of campus—super close to the lecture halls, shopping streets, entertainment zones, and training grounds. Just a few steps away from everything!”

“It’s got luxury amenities, too—every bedroom has a private bath and alchemy lab. There’s a basement, storage rooms... The garden is maintained by the Academy’s gardeners, and every three months, specialists check the house’s systems. Velvet beds, golden silk carpets—it’s comfort incarnate! There’s even a reading room stocked with novels, textbooks, essays, and magazines…”

Watching Litt reel off her pitch like a real estate agent, Teresa couldn’t help but think of a certain career from her past life—real estate sales.

“You can open the door with your ID card. The coronation of the Uncrowned King unlocking their estate—it’s got a real sense of ceremony!”

“With an ID card?” Teresa recalled the card readers from her old world. Was this the same?

Noticing a black slot by the silver archway, she instinctively inserted the ID.

“Identity confirmed. Verification complete.” A cold, mechanical voice chimed. The double doors opened wide, revealing a fragrant, flower-filled paradise.

With long, elegant strides, Teresa entered the radiant mansion alongside Litt.

“Isn’t it a bit too big?”

“Of course not! To house a noble elf like Your Highness is the highest honor this estate could ever receive. Anyone else staying here would only bring down the value.” Even after entering, Litt couldn’t resist taking another jab at Dylin.

Inside, the mansion was flooded with natural light, not shadowed at all. Furnishings were tidy, everything immaculately clean—as if regularly maintained.

“The first floor is the living and dining area, plus the kitchen. There’s a cold-storage enchantment box with plenty of food. Upstairs you’ll find tea rooms, lounges, a grand library, alchemy and enchantment labs with leftover materials. The third floor has bedrooms, balconies, and bathrooms on both sides,” Litt explained.

“You seem pretty familiar with the layout.”

“Well, it’s based on traditional elven architecture, so the structure’s pretty similar.”

“Your Highness can stay here starting today~”

“Oh, and there’s also a certain unspeakable presence…” Litt suddenly made a face.

Unspeakable presence…?

After tea and some small talk, Litt remembered something and left.

Once alone, Teresa headed to one of the third-floor bedrooms and exhaled slowly, removing the butterfly hair ornament from her temple.

The radiant and elegant young lady vanished in a flutter of butterflies, replaced by a youth with visible weariness on his face.

Though things felt natural when acting as Teresa, it was undeniably exhausting.

As books often said, maintaining elegance was tiring—especially for an ordinary human like Dylin. Being himself again was simply more relaxing. At least now he could let go of all that poise and etiquette.

He pulled over a round wooden stool, took a seat, and looked around, reflecting.

A month ago, he wouldn’t have even dreamed of winning the Freshman Crown Tournament.

Although...

There was one problem: he was still wearing Teresa’s school uniform. That was just a bit...

But that wasn’t what mattered now.

Sitting down, he activated the Golden Butterfly Ornament’s gacha interface.

Even though he’d been slacking on his dailies after the tournament, there was one thing he hadn’t forgotten.

In the “Quests” section, the “Win First Place in the Freshman Crown Tournament” task now showed “Completed.”

He tapped to claim the reward.

“Congratulations on completing your first limited-time quest. Fifty tokens have been added to your balance.”

Looking at the healthy balance, Dylin felt wealthier than he’d ever been.

Limited UP: Spiritual Power Boost Elixir.

With this much capital, even Dylin felt powerful.

He rubbed his hands together, hoping to spark some luck. As he reached to draw, he suddenly felt a familiar nervousness—just like back when he played gacha games as a hoarding “turtle” in his past life.

Pity pull required 130 spins. He didn’t have that much.

He stared at the elixir icon on-screen, eyes blazing.

With over fifty tries, he could make it.

Maybe he’d even get it on the first pull!

Dylin started his first ten-draw. A deep purple light shimmered out.

Well, no luck on the first try. Totally normal.

Let’s see what he got...

Five Flash Potions, a Thousand-Handed Alchemy Vase—not bad. Three Thunder Alchemy Jars—not bad. A Kiss of Frost—decent. Napalm Grenade—jackpot...

Overall, not bad for a warm-up. But the second ten-draw was key!

He rubbed his hands again, breathed on them, and tapped to start.

…Was it his eyesight? Or a hallucination? Why did this gold light look... white?

Staring at a full row of white Flash Potions on-screen, Dylin’s expression began to stiffen.

Ah… ahh…

No big deal. Still thirty tries left. Only twenty in.

Then—

Blue light erupted from the screen, casting a cool glow across Dylin’s blank face.

How could this be?

Why was it all flashbangs and grenades?!

Had he brought his cursed gacha luck from Blue Star to Kaleburn too?!

His heart sank as he looked at his remaining tokens: 23.

These fifty tokens were his hard-earned prize. If he failed, it would all be for nothing...

His hand trembled. Muttering Buddhist chants under his breath, he tapped the ten-draw button and immediately covered his eyes.

He wouldn’t look. If he didn’t look, it might still work!

If only he had the SL (Save Load) trick now...

...

Slowly, he peeked through his fingers. The blinding white glow lit up his face.

More flashbangs. A bunch of useless white alchemy and magic materials...

Thud—Dylin collapsed face-first onto the bed, head spinning.

The fifty pulls from his limited-time quest—almost all gone.

He’d hoped this new world might bring new luck. But no—he’d brought his cursed tribal spear from Blue Star right into this fantasy realm...

The crushing disappointment made him too afraid to continue.

This wasn’t like dropping $100 back in his old world. There was no way to “whale” his way out now.

Please, miracle gods... grant this African chieftain a spark of hope!

He tapped again. The prize sack spun open—and out came a blue glow.

Just like that, his last sliver of hope was gone.

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