Chapter 31: A Noble Lady’s Day (Part Two)
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The Ancient Elves were born, either directly or indirectly, from the Creator Goddess Kaya herself. Their language was therefore the one closest to the divine tongue of creation. Even the languages of the three Primordial Gods—the Earth, the Sky, and the Sea—and those of their descendants were all based on the language of the elves.
As life continued to multiply throughout the world, Kaya created two more gods: Death and Rebirth. Together with the original three, they became the Five Primordial Gods of Creation.
No one knew how many years later, Kaya fell into slumber and ceased responding to gods and believers alike. The Primordial Gods and their children took control of the land.
For reasons unknown, conflict arose among the Primordial Gods. The earth was torn apart, the sky divided, and the oceans overturned. The World Tree collapsed, countless lives perished, and the divine authorities of the Five Primordial Gods were scattered and seized by their children.
Thus, the world assumed its present form: the gods dwelt in the divine kingdom above, or ruled over the deaths of all living beings from the underworld.
“Very little has been uncovered about the fate of the Ancient Elves. As for the elves of today, some say they are descendants of the Ancient Elves, while others believe they were cultivated by the Ancient Elves from seeds of the World Tree. Perhaps even the gods themselves do not know the truth. That history lies too far in the past. Even the ancient God of Fire is only a third-generation god.”
Noy spent several minutes enlightening Lu Xing about the ancient history.
“Teacher, are you a half-elf? Was either your father or your mother an elf?”
Lu Xing asked curiously.
“No.”
The tall, slender Mr. Noy smiled and shook his head. “My mother was a half-elf, and so was my maternal grandfather. According to the traditions of the continent, anyone who displays even the slightest elven trait may be called a half-elf. Annie, why do you ask?”
The one-drop rule.
The thought surfaced in Lu Xing’s mind. He then smiled and shook his head. “I… Please forgive me, Teacher. My memories are somewhat confused.”
The half-elf Noy continued, “In fact, like the other ancient races, pure-blooded elves have become extremely rare. Most of them live in the divine kingdoms, or in secluded corners of the continent. The moment they are disturbed, they leave. For instance, the angelic dragon slain by Lady Vizi had lived deep in the northern snow mountains for more than a thousand years… We have wandered rather far from the subject. Let us return to Ancient Elven.”
He began the day’s lesson.
Lu Xing spent some time digesting the knowledge acquired from the Life-Exchange System and barely managed to keep up.
His performance struck Catherine, seated behind him, as strange. This mysterious fellow knew nothing about anything, yet somehow he knew Ancient Elven?
“Until next lesson, Annie.”
After organizing his teaching materials, Noy smiled at Lu Xing. “We have five lessons remaining. Once they are over, I will give you a small examination covering Ancient Elven magic. You may wish to prepare in advance.”
“Goodbye, Teacher. I will.”
Maintaining the bearing of a noble young lady, Lu Xing rose and gave him a simple bow as he saw him out.
Only after Noy had left did Lu Xing collapse into the chair without a shred of grace. He tipped his head back and stared blankly at the ceiling.
He looked like a noble young lady who had been thoroughly worn out.
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The expressionless maid appeared. “As a noble lady, you should not make such a rude display!”
Lu Xing waved a hand, too lazy to argue. When he saw the pure-white gloves on his hands, he removed them and tossed them to her. Flexing his five slender fingers, he asked, “I’m hungry. Is there anything to eat or drink?”
Who in their right mind had decided that one should wear a little dress and gloves to class, all while maintaining perfect decorum?
Just then, the system displayed a notification:
You have completed an Ancient Elven lesson in the identity of Miss Annie and received a score of eighty. You may choose the following reward: spend fifty experience points to upgrade your Ancient Elven knowledge to the intermediate level. Miss Annie will receive the corresponding knowledge as well.
Lu Xing’s spirits lifted. The system, which had been silent for so long, had finally moved again?
There had been no such notification after Jiang Xuannv’s lesson. Was it because he had failed to keep up with the knowledge of the future world?
Regardless, spending fifty experience points to obtain intermediate Ancient Elven knowledge was a bargain, especially with an examination still to come.
“Choose the reward.”
Lu Xing made his selection silently. The system delivered the reward almost at once and informed him that Annie would receive the corresponding knowledge once she returned.
Was this a benefit of exchanging lives with him?
“Please wait.”
Despite all her complaints, Catherine would never let Annie go hungry. She soon brought Lu Xing a small plate of pastries and a cup of black tea.
Lu Xing asked her, “Aren’t you eating? You attended the lesson with me.”
Catherine gave him another glance and replied indifferently, “I already ate some while bringing in the pastries.”
Lu Xing nodded, picked up his knife and fork, and began enjoying the little cakes.
When he had finished, Catherine reminded him, “It is time to change clothes and attend alchemy class.” Then she added, “Miss Annie likes alchemy class best. Remember to look happy later. Do not let the teacher see through you.”
“Like this?”
Lu Xing put on a smile. After receiving the previous reward, he was even more committed to completing his tasks.
“No. Your smile is too fake. It is nothing like Miss Annie’s delighted smile. Your expression lacks liveliness!”
Catherine instructed him.
Lu Xing sighed. “I have never even met Annie. Why don’t you imitate her?”
He looked at the maid expectantly. The sight of this cold-faced maid skipping about like Annie, acting spoiled and adorable, would surely be amusing.
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“…”
Catherine stared at him for a while before finally looking away.
The meaning was obvious: You are asking the impossible.
“Exactly.”
Lu Xing spread his hands. “No one can imitate Annie, so stop making things difficult for me!”
“Who was it that shamelessly claimed to be Miss Annie?” Catherine retorted.
“Annie said it.”
Lu Xing was not lying. Annie had instructed him to say it in her letter.
“Heh. Did you learn your shamelessness from Miss Annie as well?” The maid fixed him with a stare.
“Are you calling Annie shameless?”
“No. When Miss Annie says such things, she is mischievous and adorable. You are shameless and despicable!”
“Thank you for the compliment, you double-standard maid. But you should know that baseness is the passport of the base!”
Lu Xing ended the exchange with a line of poetry, then rose and ordered the maid, “Take me to change.”
“Your shamelessness exceeds my imagination.”
The tall maid, whose long legs made her look even more imposing, delivered the remark coldly. She then approached with Annie’s white silk gloves, bent slightly, and carefully slipped them onto Lu Xing’s hands.
She served him with a frigid expression.
Lu Xing could hardly stop laughing. Ignoring the murderous look in her eyes, he walked calmly out of the classroom.
The maids were already waiting. As they descended the stairs—though there were only three steps—Catherine still extended her hand and guided him down in her capacity as a maid.
The changing room was right next door. Once inside, the maids removed his golden dress and changed him into an outfit more suitable for alchemy and easier movement: a shirt, vest, and trousers. They then placed a black hat on his head, tucking all his long golden hair inside to prevent accidents during the alchemical work.
Once dressed, Lu Xing stood before the mirror.
The beautiful and adorable Annie looked rather different in this outfit, gaining a touch of mischief and handsomeness. Her snow-white neck was slender and graceful. Lu Xing could already imagine her riding a horse in such an outfit.