"Ditching the Elf Slave? Are You Insane?"
"Ditching the elf slave? Are you out of your mind?"
No. Keep it down. Someone might overhear and get the wrong idea.
Anyway, what's the big deal? Sure, I admit elves are versatile. They all have exceptional affinity for spirits and solid mana reserves. But that's not the whole story. Elves have plenty of strengths, but their weaknesses are just as glaring. In my book, an elf slave offers no real advantages over a human who can cast spells well—except maybe looking pretty. We're not keeping one as a pet, so why bother with that race?
"What's with the fuss? I just think it'd be better to bring in someone else. Funds are tight for two people as it is."
"Ah! Is she really young?"
"You could say that. Around two hundred, from what I hear. Young for an elf..."
"You're joking!"
Ah, damn. Nearly jumped out of my skin. He slammed the table so hard the liquor spilled everywhere around his glass. No more drinking contests with this guy from now on.
"I know what you're getting at. Great at magic, handles spirits like pros. Yeah, and they're usually smart. You think I haven't met one or two elves?"
"Then why say no?"
"If this were my third or fifth, I'd consider it. But it's the first. The first one. I'll be stuck with her alone for at least six months—probably a year. You think I can handle that frustration?"
"Suck it up."
"You said settling in would be like setting up house from scratch. Elves' senses are too different from ours. No go. Humans only—or bust."
"Good thing you're not in politics. So shortsighted, fixated on one angle..."
I barely held back from snarking, Pot calling the kettle black? Hearing that from a guy constantly biting at his rivals and stirring up scandals? If not for his favors, I'd have let it rip.
"Isn't it? Their sense of money is so lax. Already swamped, and now I have to handle every purchase and account myself?"
"Can't be helped."
"Pass. I'll hire a human. Got a good candidate lined up. Besides, you hardly ever see elves in this line of work! It's obvious they don't fit."
"That's exactly why we need to snag this rare case! Money stuff? Just do it yourself. She's talented enough to make it worth it. First year's rough anyway—think of it as a bit more grind. You won't regret it. I guarantee."
It's not just the money. You need someone reliable for the little things too. Different races mean differences down to the tiniest details.
"Bigger issue: long-lived races have weird time sense! The elf I worked with before was so laid-back, I thought I'd burst a vein. I need someone quick on their feet."
"Tsk tsk... That's their biggest strength, and you don't see it."
How's that a strength? The start's make-or-break—you need to hustle to get established. Isn't it obvious I want someone who anticipates without me spelling it out?
"You're right. Long-lived folk let time slip by like sand through fingers."
He must've noticed my bored expression. No pause before he continued.
"That's why," Professor Thornton said with a meaningful smile. What followed made even my eyes widen.
"She won't mind delaying graduation by about ten years."
No way. Was this the wisdom of experience? That's how I ended up with an elf grad student.