I Became a Cub in the Elven Kingdom - Chapter 18

Chapter 18 – So I’m a Millionaire?

As the owner of a shop in the commercial district, the Boss actually loved welcoming Fairy Cubs fresh from the Nursery.

The items they brought to trade were things one might only see once a decade.

The Nursery was a sacred garden created by the ancient gods. Every ten years, a new batch of Fairy Cubs was born there. The creatures that grew within were blessed by the Light God and were exceptionally precious.

Due to the Nursery’s unique nature, its treasures could only be taken away by the cubs when they left.

These were gifts bestowed upon the cubs by the Light God. Adult Fairies, aside from caring for the cubs, were forbidden from taking anything. Violators would face the Light God’s wrath.

The cubs collected items from the Nursery entirely based on personal preference. Most gathered glittering seeds, beautiful leaves, and adorable pebbles. A cub like the golden-haired one, who even picked up insect molts and tree bark, was utterly unique.

The bark of the Kabbalah Tree was a crucial ingredient in certain potions. When ground into powder and added in small amounts, it could transform the potion’s quality.

On the continent, an apothecary who obtained even a small piece of Kabbalah Tree bark could ascend from a Grand Apothecary to a Divine Apothecary.

Unfortunately, Kabbalah Trees only grew within the Nursery in the Faerie Forest.

Even the Fairies themselves rarely obtained it, let alone other races outside the forest.

The number of cubs who collected tree bark as treasures was vanishingly small.

Though the Boss ran an armor shop, he was also well-versed in various matters. Gazing at the treasures in Shu Li’s bag, he licked his lips greedily, wishing he could take them all.

Alas, the little shoes weren’t worth much.

Fairies were curious creatures but never greedy. After his initial surprise at seeing so many treasures, the Boss chose the least valuable item: a moonlit stone.

Even so, a pair of small shoes and a moonlit stone weren’t of equal value.

Adult fairies never took advantage of cubs.

“Besides the shoes, is there anything else you need?” The Boss brought out a pile of armor suitable for cubs under three years old, including enchanted clothing, wrist guards, knee pads, head ornaments, necklaces, belts—everything imaginable.

Shu Li was particularly interested in the clothing.

The outfit he was currently wearing was Aisha’s “starter gear” for cubs. Though it was waterproof and stain-resistant, wearing the same clothes for too long could get boring.

The armor shop’s clothing came in various styles, made from high-quality materials, with exquisite craftsmanship and a comfortable feel. He picked out four pieces in a row.

He also took a liking to a medium-sized crossbody bag, large enough to hold five notebooks with room to spare. The bag had two small side pockets perfect for storing small items.

The Boss cheerfully packed everything up for him. “You can pick out a few more things.”

“Huh?” Shu Li was astonished.

A tiny stone could get him all this? He felt a bit embarrassed, like he was taking advantage of the boss.

But the boss insisted he pick out more items. After a moment’s thought, Shu Li made a small request.

“Um… do you have… underwear?”

He’d been so focused on choosing clothes that he’d forgotten he needed underwear too.

In all his life, he’d never worn a single pair of underwear for three months straight. Even though he washed it every other day, it still felt awkward. While waiting for it to dry, he had to avoid making big movements, afraid of taking too large a step and accidentally flashing someone.

“What?” The boss looked confused. The cub had mumbled the last three words, making them impossible to understand.

Shu Li’s cheeks flushed slightly as he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “I mean… the small… things you wear underneath…” he stammered.

“Underwear!” Angele, thinking Shu Li didn’t know how to express himself, helpfully finished the sentence. He even lifted his robe to reveal the boxer briefs underneath.

Shu Li froze for a moment before darting forward like lightning and yanking Angele’s robe back down.

“Don’t just show your underwear like that!” he blurted out, managing a rare complete sentence in his panic.

“Oh—” Angele responded blankly.

Shu Li felt a headache coming on and wanted to bury his face in his hands.

Fairy cubs have simple minds, lacking any awareness of gender or shame. Their occasional innocent actions often left Kumandi sweating profusely.

The Boss chuckled at the cub’s innocent naivety, laughing heartily. “Just like the shoes, we can make them right here!”

He turned to fetch the finest Snow Silk Fabric, ensuring comfort and breathability to prevent rashes or prickly heat on the cub’s bottom.

Kumandi glanced at the golden-haired cub sitting obediently on the chair, waiting thoughtfully.

He really does understand shame.

Did I have such a strong sense of modesty when I was his age?

I don’t think so.

For a long time, he and the other cubs had flown around naked, never even considering wearing underwear.

Cubs’ skin is delicate and dislikes confinement; if they could, they wouldn’t wear clothes at all.

The Boss snipped and cut the fabric with practiced ease, then retrieved needle and thread to meticulously sew together a set of exquisite, adorable little underwear.

Whatever Shu Li wanted, the other three cubs wanted too.

The Boss made twelve pairs in one go, giving each cub three pairs.

Shu Li snatched his underwear and quickly stuffed them into his travel bag.

Decio and Angele looked up to Shu Li as their leader, so whatever he bought, they wanted too. Budno, the newest member of their group, deeply valued Shu Li as the friend who shared his food, and he followed suit without hesitation.

Having purchased their desired items, the four cubs happily left the armor shop with Kumandi.

The Boss stood at the doorway, beaming as he watched them depart.

Decio wanted a silver bow, so Kumandi led them to the weapons shop.

The Boss of the weapons shop, like the one at the armor shop, warmly welcomed the adorable little cubs.

With Kumandi’s help, Decio and Budno found bows and arrows that fit them perfectly, while Angele chose a short sword.

Shu Li hadn’t planned to buy a weapon, but seeing his friends get theirs, he decided on a dagger.

The dagger’s golden sheath, inlaid with tiny gemstones, hung at his waist like a beautiful ornament.

He loved it and traded a Sun Gold Grass to the Boss for the dagger.

The Boss, feeling the dagger wasn’t enough for such a valuable herb, added a pair of gauntlets and wrist guards to prevent Shu Li from cutting himself while playing with the weapon.

Leaving the weapons shop, the group headed straight to the general store.

The general store stocked everything imaginable, from daily necessities to toys for cubs, resembling a large supermarket.

The four cubs gleefully dove into the shop, buying with unrestrained enthusiasm until their luggage bags were stuffed to bursting, too heavy to lift.

Kumandi, ever the good Samaritan, contributed his own storage bag and escorted them home.

Shu Li stood at his doorstep, a bulging luggage bag at his feet. He tilted his pale, delicate face upward, his bright green eyes sparkling as he gazed at Top Student Jingjing.

“Thank you… This is a thank-you gift. Please accept it.” He extended his hand, a Red Crystal Flower seed nestled in his palm.

“No need,” Kumandi said, shaking his head. For him, taking the cubs to the commercial district was a mere trifle, not worth mentioning.

“I insist!” Shu Li stubbornly pushed his hand forward. Without Top Student Jingjing’s help, they might still be lost!

Seeing the little cub’s persistence, Kumandi frowned. “One Red Crystal Flower seed can be exchanged for three spatial storage devices. Are you sure you want to give it to me?”

“Mm-hmm!” Shu Li nodded emphatically. He had plenty more Red Crystal Flower seeds at home anyway—one more or less made no difference.

Kumandi stared at the little cub for a long moment before finally accepting the seed.

Shu Li’s eyes curved into a joyful smile as he saw Kumandi accept the seed.

After placing the seed in his storage pouch, Kumandi said, “I’ll set aside time each day to help you learn Elven.”

“Huh?” Shu Li blinked in surprise. What did the Top Student mean by that?

“I’ll visit again after dinner.”

Before Shu Li could react, Kumandi lightly fanned his dark purple butterfly wings and flew away like the wind.

Shu Li stretched out his Er Kang hand, silently opening and closing his mouth as he watched Kumandi’s silhouette disappear into the sunset.

Did he mean what I think he meant?

Top Student Jingjing… is going to tutor me?

Shu Li was dumbfounded.

Unbelievable! Such good fortune!

Waaah~~

Top Student Jingjing is such a great, great, great person!!

Shu Li’s spirits soared as he dragged his luggage inside. He then called his friends to meet him at the school cafeteria for dinner.

Cubs at this age loved to show off, so they brought their newly acquired treasures from the commercial district to the cafeteria.

“Wow, Decio, your silver bow is so beautiful!”

“Budno’s golden bow is pretty cool too!”

“Angele, Angele, is that longsword heavy when it’s hanging from your belt?”

“I think Sperien’s dagger is the best for us!”

“Your shoes are so cool! I want some too~”

“Is that a storage ring? Yay! I’m buying one right now!”

“Do they have storage bracelets, necklaces, or earrings?”

“Angele, is that a toy? Wow! It opens its mouth automatically—so cool!”

“The commercial district is so much fun! I’m going shopping tomorrow!”

“Waaah~ I only brought a few seeds from the Nursery. What if I run out?”

“Don’t cry! I have plenty. I’ll share half with you.”

“Thanks, a little is enough. You don’t need to give me much.”

The Fairy Cub’s dining table buzzed with excitement. The four who had visited the commercial district were basking in the glow of their newfound status.

Shu Li hadn’t intended to show off—after all, he was already eighteen. But caught up in the enthusiasm of his younger companions, he found himself unconsciously joining in, displaying his shoes and the dagger hanging at his waist. A swarm of cubs surrounded him, peppering him with questions.

After dinner, he promised to take the other cubs to the commercial district for a shopping trip after school tomorrow.

The Boss of the armor shop would be thrilled.

Because all the other cubs wanted shoes and new underwear.

Back in the dormitory area, Shu Li waved goodbye to his friends and returned home, his heart brimming with satisfaction as he began organizing his day’s haul.

He pulled item after item from his travel bag:

Clothes, underwear, a teapot, teacups, a water bottle, plates, a mirror, a comb, toilet paper, a small stove, tea leaves, a rug, a wall painting…

There was so much! He spent most of the day sorting through it all, working up a sweat.

He truly loved buying things and collecting them.

During his three months in the Nursery, he’d spent every day exploring with Reddy and Whitey, gathering all sorts of odds and ends to store in his Flower Bed as collectibles.

He never imagined his collection would be so valuable outside.

A single pebble, a blade of grass, a seed—they had traded for all this!

Suddenly, Shu Li felt like a billionaire.

His cabinet still held plenty more treasures, including over a hundred Red Crystal Flower seeds alone.

Shu Li went to the bathroom for a shower, hoping to calm down. Afterward, he changed into his new clothes and underwear, feeling completely refreshed.

Emerging from the bathroom, he sat down at his desk and opened the new notebook he’d bought that day.

It was a magic notebook.

Though it appeared thin at first glance, the notebook unfolded to reveal countless pages within—one volume equivalent to a hundred ordinary notebooks, enough for Shu Li to write endlessly.

After hearing the general store owner’s description, Shu Li immediately claimed it without hesitation.

This miraculous magic notebook was practically a treasure tailor-made for him.

Jackpot!

Touching the magic circle etched on the notebook’s cover, Shu Li felt a surge of excitement.

The fluid lines, intricate patterns, superior craftsmanship, and smooth paper all bore the unmistakable mark of a grand alchemist’s hand.

He retrieved five ordinary notebooks, lined them up on the desk, cracked his knuckles, picked up his quill, and resolved to transcribe all his previous notes into the magic notebook.

It was a monumental task, but as the saying goes, “Reviewing the old helps one understand the new.”

Just think of it as revision!

Just as he began working, a polite knock echoed from outside.

Huh?

At this hour, with dusk approaching, who could be visiting?

Knock, knock, knock—

The rhythmic knocking sounded again.

Shu Li slapped his forehead in sudden realization.

It’s Jingjing!

His private tutor!

Spreading his wings, Shu Li swiftly flew to open the door.

Outside stood a black-haired, violet-eyed young fairy, greeting him with refined courtesy, “Good evening. I apologize for the intrusion.”