Chapter 129 – Reporting the Team

The third day after moving into the big villa. Finally, no one came to disturb her today.

After finishing a book, during a quiet midday break, Teresa twirled the Crown Gem in her hand, her gaze flickering with faint glimmers.

She initiated a self-assessment.

Since awakening her Domain and experiencing the battles of the Crown Tournament, Teresa noticed that aside from the [Verdant Fragrance] Divine Authority, none of her other Divine Authorities or her Domain had shown any sign of improvement.

Her [Sanctuary of Sacred Wood] Domain remained stuck at LV1. So did [Blade of Destruction and Creation: Sacred Oblivion]. As for [Sovereignty of All Forests], it couldn’t be leveled up at all. Teresa couldn’t even imagine how it could be upgraded.

She stared at her slender palm, trying to summon light energy and manifest a knightly lightsword—but received no response.

Once [Sacred Oblivion] was materialized, all functions tied to it became sealed. The cooldown period was five days, and even now, Teresa hadn’t recovered from it.

As for [Sovereignty of All Forests], while its activation had strict conditions and high costs, it wasn’t usually debilitating for days.

Though life had been calm lately, Teresa hadn’t slacked off. She spent considerable time analyzing things, and she realized—she still didn’t fully understand her Domain and Divine Authorities.

For instance: why had only [Verdant Fragrance] leveled up, while the others remained unchanged?

The biggest perk of staying in the Crown Villa was its private library, which had many books on Domains and Divine Authorities.

From Divine Princess textbooks, Teresa learned that a Divine Princess’s Domain and Divine Authorities were independently leveled—but influenced each other.

Put simply, the level of a Divine Authority could not exceed the Domain level by much. If the Domain stagnated, the Divine Authorities would soon follow. So, although [Verdant Fragrance] was currently higher, it wouldn’t surpass the Domain level by too much—it would soon hit a ceiling.

To refine a Divine Authority, one had to first level up the Domain. According to the books, leveling up a Domain required proficiency—the more often it was used, the faster it gained experience. Upon reaching a limit, one would need to undergo a Shackle Breakthrough to level further. The same applied to Divine Authorities.

Lower-level powers were easier to improve. Considering how long the Crown Tournament had gone on, Teresa found it hard to believe she hadn’t reached a higher level just because she lacked proficiency.

As she had suspected, the problem wasn’t experience—it was something else. And the breakthrough seemed to lie in the gemstone in her hand.

This Crown Gem, awarded to the champion, was said to originate from a certain mountain range—but who knew the truth. Teresa had no idea why it was in Coleman Academy’s treasury.

Yet ever since she obtained it, Teresa felt a strange, inexplicable affinity with it—like it had always belonged to her.

From the moment she touched it, a foreign yet oddly familiar energy had poured into her body—like a dried-up river being filled with life again.

The flow gradually diminished. Whether it was just her imagination or not, Teresa felt that the gem’s luster had faded significantly.

She didn’t know the mechanism, but her instincts told her it was connected to her Domain.

When that strange power finally vanished completely, the Crown Gem clearly looked dimmer.

Teresa opened her internal inspection panel—and to her surprise, saw a purple gem embedded into the Domain section, identical in shape to the Crown Gem. More importantly, her Domain level had jumped from LV1 to LV10.

This shocked her and confirmed her hypothesis: the issue with her stagnant powers wasn’t experience—but rather that her Domain had a unique method of growth.

Had the gem’s energy been absorbed to level up her Domain?

Tossing the gem in her hand, Teresa noted that aside from its dimmed luster, it hadn’t changed—same weight, no loss of mass.

Ding-dong~~A pleasant chime rang out. Teresa glanced at the clock on the wall and stood up.

Right on time.

The cracked wall had been repaired overnight. As agreed, she should be here by now.

Teresa adjusted her appearance slightly and stepped out, holding the Crown Gem.

“Good morning, Lady Teresa...” Sure enough, Lillin stood hesitantly at the gate, offering a timid greeting.

“Good morning, Miss Lillin.”

“Then, just as we agreed.” Teresa handed her the Crown Gem. “A single Artisan-Class weapon, as promised~”

“I get it... even if this weapon ends up being for you, it’s fine...” Lillin muttered as she accepted the gem.

“Nope. I said yesterday—I’m not the one using it.”

“An apology needs sincerity, remember?”

“I understand.”

Lillin’s father was a highly skilled Elven craftsman—how skilled exactly, Teresa wasn’t sure. She’d only learned this info during Lillin’s tearful “confession” yesterday.

The Crown Gem itself was a refined forging gem. With even average craftsmanship, the resulting weapon would be decent. With high-level craftsmanship? It could be exceptional.

Since it was an apology... might as well make the most of it.

“So, Lady Teresa, what kind of weapon would you like forged?”

“A flintlock,” Teresa answered without hesitation.

As a Divine Princess who could create her own weapons, Teresa didn’t need anything besides a bow. Better to use this opportunity to help someone else who lacked offensive power.

“A... flintlock?? Are you sure?” Lillin hesitated.

“What, is it not possible? Or does your father lack experience with flintlocks?”

“Not at all! My father’s a renowned craftsman among the Elves. He’s seen all kinds of weapons. Making a flintlock isn’t a problem... It’s just, flintlocks aren’t exactly practical, you know? Are you sure you want one?”

“Yes. I’m sure.”

“Any special requests?”

“Hmm... Just make it practical, but also aesthetically pleasing,” Teresa replied after thinking.

“Eh? Really?”

“What, is that too much to ask?”

“No, not at all...” Lillin shook her head like a rattling drum. “Actually, for an Elven craftsman, that’s the bare minimum.”

“Then just meet the basics.”

“Alright, understood... Honestly, even if this wasn’t an apology, Lady Teresa, you could’ve just come to me to commission a weapon. You could’ve asked for something even more demanding...” Lillin murmured, then walked away, glancing back every few steps.

***

Tower of Sages

“Elder, I don’t think Lady Teresa has any intention of replacing her Divine Child. Maybe... we should stop pressing the issue...” Lillin stood with the Crown Gem in hand, eyes blank, staring at the sky as though her soul had floated off somewhere.

“I see.” Diderlay rose with his staff.

The Elf Tribe ultimately still didn’t trust outsiders, but Teresa’s attitude made it clear—pushing harder would backfire.

“Also, Lady Astrid said the same yesterday—she wants to join Dylin’s team.”

“...”

Diderlay shook his head, a trace of doubt rising in his ancient heart.

Having lived a long time, he knew—everything had its signs. Fate was real. Most of the time, mortals could only do their best and leave the rest to destiny.

To be so deeply connected to so many royal Elves—even favored by them—wasn’t something sweet talk alone could explain.

Maybe this Dylin... was special?

Could he have ties to the Elves? Otherwise, why would two noble princesses be so drawn to him?

But that was only Diderlay’s speculation. As Lillin had said, there was no point investigating further. Pressing on would only draw Teresa’s ire.

Let things unfold naturally. The Saintess and the royal heirs likely had sharper eyes than an old man like him. They wouldn’t misjudge character.

As for Lillin—right now, her mind was a storm of worry, haunted by one thought:

What if Teresa really hates me now? If that were true, how could she go on?

In that instant, it felt like her whole world had lost its meaning.

***

With two days left until the official start of school, most students had heard the news.

Upon learning that the Crown Team had moved into the Crown Villa, the place was immediately swarmed by buzzing crowds—no, scratch that—filled with noise and chaos.

Most of the upperclassmen were there to spectate, but the majority were freshmen, and their purpose was obvious.

Seeing the crowd so early in the morning, Dylin wiped cold sweat from his forehead.

After a rushed wash, he came downstairs and stood at the gate.

“Ahem, everyone, please settle down!” he called into the crowd.

“Eh? Where’s Miss Teresa?”

“Why’s there a guy talking? Where’s Lady Teresa?!” The noisy crowd only grew more agitated upon hearing a male voice from within.

“Hey, you guys! Coming to someone else’s door and yelling at the crack of dawn—don’t you think that’s too much?” Maybe Teresa had rubbed off on him, because Dylin’s scolding was now far more restrained. It lacked bite.

“Who are you? What makes you worthy of living in the Crown Villa?”

“Wait—isn’t he Teresa’s Divine Child? That freeloader?”

“No way! The one who didn’t even make finals? Teresa ditched him, didn’t she?”

“Alright, quiet! You’re here to submit team applications, right?”

“Too bad! Our team is already full! From now on, no more applications will be accepted. Lady Teresa asked me to pass along her message: she wishes you all luck finding your new teammates, and hopes you get along well!”

“What?! Already full?”

“Dang it! I missed my chance...”

No, even if you hadn’t, I still wouldn’t have let you in, Dylin thought grimly.

Some refused to accept it and demanded to speak with Teresa directly, doubting Dylin’s authority.

The ruckus was nearing deafening. Dylin’s ears ached.

Without a word, he pulled out the Golden Butterfly Hairpin and placed it by his hair.

In the next moment, a golden-haired Elven girl opened her emerald eyes.

Teresa quietly entered her room, picked up the large bow hanging on her door, and looked out at the scene. Her smile faded.

“Such noisy, ill-mannered people...”

She spread her lightwings, drew her bow.

Thwip thwip thwip!

“Whoa?!”

A piercing sound shattered the sky. Glowing arrows struck the courtyard.

Silence.

Everyone recognized the Light Arrows—especially the gray paper strip tied to the last one.

It was a clear expulsion notice from Teresa.

Reluctant as they were, the crowd had no choice but to leave.

But the arrow had a positive side effect: learning Teresa’s team was full, many freshmen started forming teams right outside her door.

In no time, they were gone.

Peace returned. Teresa rubbed her throbbing temple.

The noise had been torture for her Elven ears.

Removing the hairpin, she returned to the study. Before her sat the two team applications from earlier, and the team registration form she’d just received from the academy.

Dylin twirled his marker.

The team had to have at least four members. With no better options, Astrid and Felicia—both of whom had decent character—would do just fine.

And so, as the team’s captain, Dylin signed both their names and filled out the form.

The form required member info, creation date, team motto, creed, and—of course—the team name.

Coming up with a name?

That was the part Dylin dreaded most.

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