"I understand, Father," Angel replied.

"How's your preparation for the preliminary test coming along?"

"Not bad, Father."

"But I heard from your coach that your archery is terrible. Unless a miracle happens, it's impossible for you to pass."

Angel lowered his head and silently ate his food, not daring to respond.

After a pause, his father continued, "Actually, we all know you can't pass. Your mother and I just don't want to regret it later, that's all. Anyway, give it a try—what if a miracle really happens? Even if it doesn't... that's normal. When the time comes, I'll arrange a job for you."

"Father..." Angel cautiously raised his head.

"Is there a problem?" Kou Li asked.

"I... I want to find a job on my own. Can I handle it myself?"

"Can you find one?" Kou Li looked a little surprised.

"Let me try," Angel said seriously. "How will I know if I don't try? What if I manage to find one? If it doesn't work, I'll ask you to help me arrange something then."

Watching his son silently for a long moment, Kou Li finally sighed lightly and said, "I'm glad you have this idea. At least you're starting to rely on yourself. Many children can't become independent because their parents help too much. I'm relieved that you're not one of those children."

"So... Father, does that mean you agree?" Angel said, his excitement barely contained.

"Yes, I agree," Kou Li nodded and said. "But there's a time limit. If you can't find a job within a month, you'll have to follow my arrangements. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes, Father! Thank you, Father!"

"Also, when you're looking for a job, don't be too picky. There's no such thing as a perfect job in this world. Every job starts from the ground up. You can admire others, but never envy them. Maintain a balanced mindset. Stand firm first, and then consider development. The biggest difference between maturity and immaturity is that mature people accommodate others and cooperate, while immature people are selfish and only think about having others accommodate them. If they don't get what they want, they wallow in self-pity instead of figuring out how to move forward. In the end, they waste their time. Age has nothing to do with whether a person is mature."

"Are you talking about me?" Debi interjected icily.

"No, of course not," Kou Li quickly explained. "I'm just teaching the child, that's all. After all, he may need to start working soon."

At that, Debi slowly turned her gaze elsewhere.

"Understood, Father," Angel responded cheerfully. "I get it, Father!"

"You're looking for a job? I thought you were going to study at the Magic Academy!" the devil's voice echoed in Angel's mind.

"No, I am going to study! That's why I can't let him help me find a job. I have to do it myself, even if it's fake! Otherwise, he'll arrange for me to become a gardener with him, and then I won't have any way to go to school!" Angel whispered in his mind.

...

At this moment, Jones was already seated with the Blood Elf Queen.

The location?

On one of the mighty branches of the sacred tree. It looked like a cave carved into a massive tree branch, with a balcony that overlooked the city below. From the balcony, most of Cartier could be seen at a glance.

A long, oval table had been set up. On one side sat the Blood Elf Queen, Tini Shabasi, and the Blood Elf Governor, Lady Cornelia.

Cornelia had changed into a black evening gown.

Queen Tini Shabasi looked incredibly young, much younger than Cornelia—so much so that she appeared almost childlike. She had long black hair and wore a flower crown woven from fresh blooms. Her face was so perfect it seemed like a mask, with sharp and delicate eyebrows, ever-smiling eyes, and gem-like black pupils. And then there was her stature.

By elven standards, her figure would be considered petite. She looked no taller than a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old human girl, standing at a little over 1.5 meters—certainly less than 1.6 meters. She wore a white gown that shimmered like diamonds under the soft glow of nearby candlelight, exuding a majestic aura.

On the other side of the table sat Jones, Belle, Dora, and William.

One couldn't deny how awkward this dinner was. On one hand, the guests outnumbered the hosts. On the other, none of the guests touched their food.

Plates and spoons filled with fish blood were set in front of Jones, Belle, and Dora. As for William, his plate and spoon held a single flower—perhaps as a gesture of respect from the Blood Elf maids.

Well, at least it wasn't completely empty, was it?

But this clearly did little to alleviate the awkward atmosphere, at least not entirely.

Jones quietly communicated with Belle via telepathy.

"She looks so small..."

"That's normal. But as far as I know, she's already in her sixties."

"'Already'? Isn't a Blood Elf at sixty still considered underage?"

"Yes, still underage."

"So we're negotiating with someone who's technically an underage 'child'?"

"Ahem!" Belle coughed lightly, glancing at Jones before responding via telepathy, "We also sent an underage 'child,' didn't we?"

"Uh... fair enough. I'm underage too. In fact, I'm even farther from adulthood than she is."

As their eyes met in mutual silence for a moment, the Queen stretched out a hand and smiled, saying, "Please."

The single word "Please" left Belle stunned. "What does she mean? Is she asking us to drink the fish blood?"

"I think so..." Turning his head slightly, Jones noticed Belle looking at him with sheer terror. Nearby, Dora had bowed her head so low that it was nearly under the table, sneaking occasional glances at Jones.

"Sir Hydra Knight, please," the Queen urged again, her ears twitching lightly. "You are a guest, so of course, you should go first."

"Alright... fine." Left with no other option, Jones braced himself, picked up the spoon, scooped a bit, and brought it to his lips. Naturally, he didn't actually drink it—when the spoon left his lips, the fish blood remained entirely intact, though it wasn't visible from the Queen's vantage point.

Finished, Jones smiled at the Queen.

The Queen smiled back and took a small sip of the soup herself.

Dora and Belle exchanged glances before mimicking Jones and pretending to drink the fish blood.

William, seemingly isolated from the group, stared at the lone flower on his plate, hesitating whether to chew on it or not.

"Your Majesty," Jones began, "I trust Lady Cornelia has already informed you of the purpose of our visit. We are here for the Modo Ore."

The Queen glanced at Cornelia, then smiled. "Yes, she has informed me."

Cornelia also nodded and smiled.

"In that case, I'll get straight to the point," Jones continued with a polite smile. "I understand that the greatest opposition to this matter comes from the Blood Elves. The principal concern seems to be that Modo Ore is used to create magical weapons, which might eventually be supplied to human armies. Your Majesty, you don't quite support this, correct?"

"Correct," the Queen replied with a calm smile. "However, it's not a matter of 'not quite supporting'; it's outright opposition—or, more accurately, strong opposition."

"Alright, that's indeed a troubling matter," Jones said before taking a deep breath. "I have an idea that might resolve this issue."

"Do tell."

Jones inhaled deeply, then said, "The Blood Elves oppose arming humans out of concern that they may pose a threat to the Blood Elves. While, in truth, arming humans is part of the White Bone Holy Light Court's strategic endeavors and is not aimed at the Blood Elves, I understand that mere words will not persuade you, Your Majesty. I recall that when my father, Gray Gruggle, was a Holy Knight, Your Majesty wrote him a letter suggesting a collaboration to uncover the Krimasha Relics. I know Krimasha represents a glorious magical civilization. Once unlocked, the Blood Elves would reap immense benefits. Comparatively, the weaponry humans might gain would pale in significance and would pose no threat whatsoever. My proposal is this: I will assist the Blood Elves in unlocking the Krimasha Relics and uncovering their magical secrets. In exchange, Your Majesty will permit the export of Modo Ore to Giant Snake City and increase its output. What do you think?"

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