Chapter Twenty-three: The Girl Outside Is So Unique

"Five hundred gold coins!"

"Mother, do I look like a fool to you?"

"One thousand gold coins, not a single coin more!"

"There are more than three thousand coins in the chest of this carriage."

Inside the carriage, Winnie was forced to split the loot—no, the money—with her son.

Linley sat opposite her, grabbing handfuls of gold coins and stuffing them into his earrings, his eyes nearly blinded by the glittering gold.

Winnie was in a quandary. Though this child had no idea exactly how much he'd earned, his fierce determination never to be cheated meant that even if she satisfied him now, the moment he discovered she was still selling projection stones, he'd surely come back for more.

"If you're reluctant, Mother, I do have another idea," Linley said, seeing Winnie hesitate. He stopped what he was doing. "I'll take two thousand coins, that's enough for now. If you let me stay in Snow City for a while, I won't ask you for more money afterwards."

Winnie's face lit up. "You only want two thousand?"

"Of course." Linley had long wanted to leave the palace and have a look around.

"Deal!"

Winnie answered crisply; the matter was settled. Snow City, the second largest city of the Forest Elves, was where Winnie served as the dean of the Priest Academy, alongside five other academies. Snow City was a city of learning, second only to Sky City, the largest academic metropolis built by humans.

From above, Snow City appeared as a perfect fan shape. More than half of adult Forest Elves had studied here; Winnie herself had spent her girlhood in this place.

"You may play, but you must not reveal your identity," Winnie reminded him. Her situation in Snow City was awkward enough; she didn't want Linley causing her more trouble.

"That's easy, I'll just change my appearance," Linley replied carelessly. In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a typical elf: golden hair, blue eyes, and aside from the mask, there was hardly a trace of his original features.

The carriage arrived at Snow City at dawn. Snow City had six grand gates. Linley poked his head out, catching sight of only two nearby academies—each vast enough to be a city on its own, while the other four were out of sight.

Between them lay a silvery lake. To the left, the city gleamed with golden buildings; to the right, immaculate white structures and soaring church spires rose high.

"The left is the Paladin School, the right is the Priest School," Linley commented, nodding. "The architecture really gives it away."

"No," Winnie said. "The white one is the Paladin School."

Linley turned in surprise. "So the golden place is the Priest Academy?"

"That too is the Paladin School," Winnie replied, rubbing her head.

"The white buildings were indeed the Priest Academy, but when I owed some money building the mechas, I sold the school to the Paladins."

She pretended to be indifferent. "Now both schools belong to the Paladins."

Linley's eyes widened. "Then where do the priests study?"

"Look carefully," Winnie instructed. "Right by the lake."

Linley leaned out again. Far across the lake, rows of tents stood, and many priests and nuns in white robes moved in and out, cooking over boilers by the lakeshore. Their lives resembled those of primitive societies.

"Mother, that's outrageous! You actually made the priests live in tents!" Linley shouted. Even the leopard beside Winnie looked at her with indignation—he’d thought the little fellow’s selfishness was boundless, but his mother was even more ruthless.

Seeing Linley's fury, the leopard felt a touch more sympathetic toward him. At least the young master hadn't turned rotten to the core.

But the feeling lasted only three seconds before Linley spoke again: "It's fine if they live in tents, but surely the dean has a room?"

Winnie laughed heartily. "Tents are actually quite nice."

Linley laughed along. "Mother, I'm off to explore!"

Winnie was stunned as Linley swiftly grabbed the leopard and hopped out of the carriage.

Who would want to stay in a tent! Two thousand gold coins are enough for the most luxurious villa—if you can sell off the school, following you would risk losing even this money!

"Follow His Highness. Report anything to me," Winnie called out. Something quickly vanished from view. She wasn't worried about Linley's safety; instead, she watched his back with excitement. "He always chooses what's best for himself—he must be my own son."

Linley headed towards the glittering Paladin Academy. Winnie had already heard tales of his mischief in the royal palace; it was just as well he would bother the paladins now.

"But he can't possibly want to study..." Winnie mused. The leopard, walking alongside Linley, was curious—if Linley enrolled, it would have more chances to escape.

"Who wants to go to school?" Linley had not the slightest interest in academic life. He'd spent twenty years in school in his previous life; there was no way he'd go back.

"I'll play for a few days and then return," Linley said, full of anticipation. He turned to look at a passing carriage. "Wow, the girls out here are really unique!"

The leopard looked too. On top of the carriage stood a silver-haired girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, holding a small lantern. Her tight, trailing skirt swayed in the wind. Both her attire and demeanor—and her choice to stand atop the carriage—were anything but ordinary.

"Carrying a lantern in broad daylight..." The leopard looked back at Linley. "No wonder such a strange character caught your eye."

"Hey, miss!" Linley waved and shouted at the carriage. "What are you doing up there?"

The girl turned her head at his voice. Linley was even more delighted—she wore a veil, adding to her individuality.

"I'm watching the rising sun," she answered softly. The wind lifted her delicate veil, revealing the faint smile at the corner of her mouth.

Her voice was small, but clear in Linley's ear.

"A martial arts master, too!" Linley exclaimed in awe. "What's your name? Let me join you in watching the sun—I love it, too!"

But the girl's carriage had already moved on.

Linley looked regretful, but then cheered up as another thought struck him.

"The world outside is truly fascinating!"

On the roof of the carriage, the girl vanished after watching the sunrise.

Inside, an old man opened his eyes. "Do you truly wish to learn astrology from me, and not stay here?"

"I don't want to be a Paladin, and..." The girl suddenly appeared beside him. "It's too peaceful here."

"Is peace a bad thing?"

"Not at all," the girl smiled. "It's just not for me."

Born and raised on the battlefield, she had never felt comfortable during her days in Snow City.

Yet the boy she'd just met... seemed a little familiar...

She glanced at the box in the center of the carriage.

The old man noticed her gaze. "Do you like this gift?"

"Yes, thank you, teacher," she replied with a gentle smile. Of course, that adorable little sun couldn't possibly be in Snow City.