The Queen of Scrolls never admits defeat

The rest of the time turned into a joyful chase game.

Moran was pulled along by Polly and Celine, tiptoeing towards the agile forest sprites, but these little creatures were exceptionally nimble, always disappearing into the mushroom thicket with a "whoosh" at the very moment they were about to be touched, leaving only a string of clear laughter like wind chimes echoing in the air.

Although they never managed to touch the forest spirit, the process itself was full of laughter.

Gradually, Moran also started to enjoy herself, running and hiding on the soft moss with her short legs, feeling the wind brushing past her ears, listening to Polly and Celine's suppressed laughter, and Dominic's frustrated yet excited mutterings after each missed attempt.

This kind of pure, childlike joy was something she hadn't experienced in a long time.

In Valen, her heart was always with the planet Earth, and her time was always filled with learning and self-improvement.

Although I found joy in learning and enjoyed it, I gradually forgot how to enjoy life.

She's fine when she's with friends, but when she's alone, she always fills her time to the brim, and she feels uneasy if she doesn't learn something new.

And here, in this ancient forest, amidst the fragrance of flowers, the laughter of elves, and the playful forest spirits, a forgotten corner deep within her heart seemed to be gently touched.

As she played, she completely forgot about studying.

Since she can't learn magic now anyway, when she grows up and her body is strong enough to support her independent actions and she can use the Mirror Space without the gaze of other elves, she can make up for the "wasted" time by using its ability to adjust the flow of time.

By then, there will be enough time to master even the most extensive knowledge; there's no need to rush things right now.

Having figured this out, she simply let go of her worries completely and, like a true little elf, enjoyed this rare, carefree time.

As the setting sun began to gild the canopy of the Tree of Life with a brilliant golden edge, and the mischievous forest spirits quietly hid in the dense canopy, transforming into indistinguishable leaves, the Italian expedition team finally embarked on their journey home.

When Moran returned to Chief Matilda's treehouse, her little face still had a healthy flush from exercising, and her wicker clothes were still covered with a few specks of green moss and bright yellow pollen.

As she soaked in the small bathtub that the clan chief had specially prepared for her that evening, she was still savoring the feeling of running freely and without distraction when chasing the forest spirits on the mossy ground that afternoon.

The next morning, Celine came to find her as promised to make water-washed ink together. After a moment's thought, she picked up her little basket and ran out without hesitation.

On the evening of the third day, Polly excitedly ran over and mysteriously invited her to go into the forest to catch those fireflies that looked like floating stardust, to decorate their treehouse. Moran did not hesitate, and after telling the clan chief, she enthusiastically joined this little nighttime adventure.

On the morning of the fourth day, she and her friends had just returned from splashing and playing in the stream, completely soaked, with water droplets still dripping from their hair, and a joyful smile on their faces.

Just as she was thinking about which berries to eat for lunch, Grandma Mathil called out to her.

"Moran, don't rush to change your clothes." Matilda's voice pulled Moran back from the lingering joy of the playful moment. "The Tree Spirit has given a revelation today, and it has already chosen a location for you to build your dwelling."

"Huh?" Moran was stunned for a moment, looking up at her still-damp face, somewhat caught off guard: "Build...my own residence? I can live alone?" This news came so suddenly that she almost thought she had misheard.

After all, Grandma Mathil had said that she was only temporarily taking care of her in place of the Tree Spirit Mother. When she was older, she would move out and live on her own, and then the Tree Spirit Mother would personally teach her.

Thinking of this, she eagerly asked, "What about magic? Can I learn that soon too?"

She felt as if she had only just managed to shed the burden of being the "Curly King" and fully immerse herself in the role of the "Mischievous Little Elf" a few days ago!

Seeing Moran's surprised and delighted expression, Mathilde smiled, knelt down, and used magic to dry Moran's body, patiently explaining:
"Yes, your Elvish is already very fluent. Once your dwelling is built and you settle in, you should be able to unlock the basic magical knowledge from your inherited memories. At that time, the Tree Spirit will personally teach you."

"Great!"

The slight reluctance to part with the relaxing time vanished instantly, overwhelmed by the thirst for knowledge about magic.

Moran eagerly grabbed Grandma Mathil's hand, shook it vigorously, and asked urgently in her clear voice:
"When shall we begin? Shall we go check out the spot Mother Tree Spirit chose now?"

Mathilde was amused by her impatient manner: "Alright, since you're in such a hurry, let's go now. The place chosen by the Tree Spirit will surely please you."

She led Moran straight to the trunk of the Tree of Life, stopped, looked up, and gazed at the spot about ten meters above the ground: "Look there, child."

Moran strained to tilt her head back and look in the direction she was pointing, but she couldn't see very clearly.

Mathilde carried her and quickly climbed to that spot.

There is a natural tree cavity at the intersection of the thick trunk and a huge branch that extends horizontally.

The edges of the tree hole were smooth and rounded, as if they had been carefully polished. The entrance was about the height of an adult elf, and the inside seemed to be a hidden world.

Beside the tree hole, the huge horizontal branch is flat and wide, like a natural terrace, with some smaller aerial roots hanging down naturally, forming a semi-hidden fence.

"The spot that the Tree Spirit Lord chose for you is right here," Mathil said.
"This tree hollow is a meditation room specially created for you by the Tree Spirit. Inside, you can better perceive the power of nature and communicate more easily with the Tree Spirit."

The branching platform outside is quite spacious; it's perfect for building a treehouse next to the tree hollow, and there's even a small terrace—ideal for enjoying the view, practicing magic, and entertaining friends.

Moran nodded. Having spent the last few days playing with Polly and Celine, he had come to understand how honored it was for elves to live on the Tree of Life.

Of the entire tribe, only Matilda was allowed by the tree spirits to live under the tree trunk; the other elves could only live in the surrounding woodlands.

If the elves knew, not only was she allowed to build a dwelling on the Tree of Life, but the Tree Spirit even personally made her a hollow tree that extended deep into the trunk. They'd probably be green with envy! (End of Chapter)