Chapter 39: Stacie, the Fairy Tamer

The elven girl’s skin was as pale as freshly fallen snow, faintly shimmering with a delicate blue radiance that made her appear both pure and mysteriously enchanting.

Her ears, elegantly pointed and slightly tilted upward, marked her unmistakably as one of the elven race. Her eyebrows were long, slender, and refined, perfectly framing her eyes in a harmonious balance of grace and sharpness.

Her small, cherry-like lips were vividly red, and a gentle smile played across her face, lending her an air of warmth and approachability.

Her figure was slender and graceful, clad in the academy uniform of the Beast Taming School. The pleated skirt swayed lightly in the breeze, each subtle movement causing the nearby boys’ hearts to flutter uncontrollably.

“What a beautiful elf,” Merlin found himself silently thinking, awe and admiration mingling in his chest.

The elf girl before him, upon noticing Merlin, seemed equally taken aback. After all, his appearance was remarkably striking—handsome, even beautiful enough that she had initially assumed he was of the same race. A human? And one this attractive? It was almost impossible to believe.

“You are…?” Merlin asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

Jean immediately approached the elf, and the girl greeted him warmly. Then, turning to Merlin, she bowed politely and introduced herself: “Isabelle Stacie, first-year student of the Fairy Department at the Beast Taming Academy.”

Merlin, returning the bow out of courtesy, replied, “Leo Merlin, first-year student of the Alchemy Department at the Alchemy Academy.”

In the first year at the Alchemy Academy, students were not yet allowed to choose a specific branch of alchemy, so all were generally assigned to the Alchemy Department.

“Merlin… so you’re the one they call the Academy Prince?”

“Academy Prince?” Merlin couldn’t help but frown in confusion. What kind of title was that? Still, Isabelle Stacie—that name sounded vaguely familiar.

Isabelle… it seemed to be the surname associated with the Elven Queen. Could this elf before him really be a member of the royal family?

“Stacie… you’re part of the elven royal family?” Merlin asked, his mind already racing with calculations. If she truly was, forming a good relationship could prove very useful—perhaps even crucial—in the future.

At that, Stacie’s expression stiffened slightly, and her eyes dimmed just enough to hint at unease. Jean, sensing the tension, quickly leaned toward Merlin and whispered discreetly, “Boss, though Stacie is technically a member of the royal family, she’s actually a half-elf. Her surname is Isabelle, but the royal family has never publicly acknowledged her status.”

Among elves, bloodline mattered immensely—especially in the royal family. Centuries ago, any hint of a half-elf among them would have been punishable by death.

“I remember now,” Merlin murmured, recalling the news he had once read about her. “Isabelle Stacie… she was hailed as the most talented fairy tamer in nearly a hundred years. Her enrollment caused quite a stir at the time.”

Stacie could hear every word of their conversation. She said nothing to refute it, offering only a strained smile. Then, with a hint of curiosity, she asked politely, “Merlin, may I ask… what exactly is going on here?”

Almost every first-year student at the Beast Taming Academy knew Stacie. Unlike many of her haughty peers, she treated every student with kindness and warmth, earning her widespread respect and affection.

“Nothing much,” Merlin replied lightly. “Just hiring some classmates to help me out with some work.”

Gaining a small measure of courage, Stacie spoke up hesitantly, “Um… Merlin, may I work here as well?”

Her question struck Merlin as odd. Stacie… working? Why would someone of her heavenly status need to come here for labor?

“Boss,” Jean whispered urgently, “Stacie was specially recruited into the Arcane Academy. The elven family hasn’t provided her with any support, so she pays all her academy expenses herself.”

In truth, Stacie had come to Merlin precisely because she was desperate for money. The elves offered her no assistance—and constantly sought to suppress her, making her life at the Arcane Academy unbearably stressful.

With her parents gone, she had no one to rely on. The elven royal family considered her a disgrace. Returning to the Elven Forest would be like stepping into a cage. No matter how difficult life at the Arcane Academy became, leaving was not an option she would consider.

“Work here? No problem at all. So, what can you do? Slaughter chickens? Gather lotus leaves? Or…” Merlin trailed off, glancing at the petite and delicate girl. The thought of her performing menial chores felt almost uncomfortable.

To his surprise, Stacie rolled up her sleeves, resolute. “I can handle anything. I’m skilled at slaughtering chickens. As long as there’s work, I’ll do it.”

Merlin realized then that this girl had endured countless hardships, suffering the harsh lessons of life, and had honed herself into a survivor. Killing a chicken was nothing—she could even slaughter a pig with ease if asked.

Jean interjected quickly, “Sending her to kill chickens would be a waste, Boss. We could have Stacie chop wood instead. She has two high-level fairies under contract, and each is incredibly powerful.”

Hearing Jean’s words, Stacie immediately raised her hands and summoned her fairy companions. A sudden gust of wind spiraled around her, and countless wind elements coalesced into smooth, glossy emerald feathers—so vividly green they resembled the freshest leaves of spring or the crystal-clear waters kissed by morning sunlight.

Beside Stacie appeared a bird. Its head bore a bright, majestic crest of feathers that fluttered elegantly with each beat of its wings, adding an air of regality and dignity. Its eyes shone brightly, black pupils encircled by a golden ring, giving it a sharp yet mysterious gaze. Its beak was a vivid orange-red, contrasting strikingly with its emerald plumage. Each powerful flap of its wings traced elegant arcs through the sky. Its long, pointed tail bore unique markings, and when it circled in the air, its movements were as rhythmic and graceful as a dancer on stage.

This was a high-level wind fairy—the Windspeaker, legendary for summoning the first summer storm with its fierce gusts.

Her other companion was a majestic elk.

Towering in stature like a colossal yak, its muscles rippled beneath thick forest-green fur streaked with deep, night-sky blue markings that shimmered under the moonlight like scattered stars. Its antlers branched magnificently, each split etched with intricate, naturally-formed runes that glowed faintly with magical power, granting it dominion over nature itself.

This was a high-level natural fairy—the Forest Guardian, said to exist only in the purest, most untouched forests, and rare even within the Elven Forest itself.

Fairies’ powers were intrinsically tied to their summoners. No matter how strong a fairy was before being bound, it would be limited by the summoner’s strength. A weak summoner could not bear the fairy’s power, and the fairy’s overwhelming magic could destroy them.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter