Elven Kingdom (2)
“The information relay to the dwarves of Titania and various races of the Enamel Continent has been completed.”
“Well, considering that we haven’t had direct involvement until now, the response has been a bit lukewarm, but this situation is truly serious, so we need to raise our vigilance.”
“The fact that he can go beyond dimensions means we should be prepared, as the Undead King could appear at any time in the Enamel Continent.”
This place was the conference room of the Elven Kingdom, the only building directly connected to the World Tree.
Naturally, those attending this meeting were all remarkable figures, not just anyone could enter.
High Elves, including the queen, as well as central figures guiding the nation in various fields were gathered together.
“We have requested information from the church. Aside from what Lord Laforey has brought, we have no knowledge of this Undead King at all.”
They were preparing measures regarding the incident that had occurred.
Previous Undead Kings had mobilized from the Ion Continent, and the various races, including elves, suffered no major losses aside from the casualties of the auxiliary forces they dispatched.
In both cases, they had collapsed before even crossing the sea, hence there had been no significant impact on the mainland of the Enamel Continent.
However, this time, the Undead King had shown extraordinary abilities from the outset, putting them on high alert.
The ability to invade the shrine of the sacred place disregarding the constraints of space meant that he could leap across the seas between continents at any moment.
Laforey had already transmitted information to the Elven Kingdom before moving to the Enamel Continent, enabling them to start preparing quickly.
They alerted neighboring countries, raised their defenses by several levels, and dispatched regular patrols to detect dark magic in each region.
“Hoo… I can’t understand why we’re dealing with this situation instead of celebrating the birth of a new High Elf.”
Once important discussions concluded and a moment to catch their breath arose, attendees began to voice their grievances one by one.
Of course, while a few days of celebrations were planned for the capital after Cecily awakened, due to the need to prepare against the Undead King, the duration and scale had to be significantly reduced.
Originally, it was intended to be a grand national event, so that gap was quite large.
“Still, it’s a great fortune that Cecily has appeared at this time. It’s been time for both me and the queen to start thinking about retirement.”
“Indeed. I’ve had many worries, but this alleviates some of them.”
At Laforey’s gentle words, the Elven Queen, seated in a place of honor, nodded in agreement.
The term of the throne, elected among the High Elves through their consultations, lasted until retirement, so she had been in that position for quite a long time.
“By the way, Laforey, didn’t you bring another suitable person from the Ion Continent? The rumors are already spreading that you offered a branch to the World Tree during the awakening ceremony.”
“Haha, from the very first meeting, it seemed unusual; the World Tree appears to take an interest. It seems my eye wasn’t mistaken.”
As soon as the queen mentioned Harris, Laforey smiled warmly.
“His talent is exceptional, and his growth is astonishing. I see a high probability that he will qualify.”
Harris, the promising candidate who sought Laforey right after saving Cecily.
Laforey brought him to the Elven Kingdom and enrolled him in the kingdom’s best educational facility, ‘Drasha Academy.’
Hoping he could receive the best education and qualify as a High Elf.
‘Looks like he might have a good connection with Shapiron. Their situations are somewhat similar.’
Normally, High Elves didn’t inherit traits, but she was born with aptitude just like him.
Truly a blessed lineage.
‘If they become friends, it could be beneficial for both.’
For that reason, Laforey had deliberately arranged for Harris to study alongside her.
He had no doubt that she would take good care of the kind boy.
Laforey smiled softly at the thought of his lovely only daughter, whom he had received later in life.
*
At lunchtime in Drasha Academy.
Enjoying the fresh breeze, he leaned back under a big tree, munching on a sandwich while watching performances by elves.
“Hmph, how about acquiring some culture? How long are you going to act so vulgar like a mercenary?”
Suddenly approached by Shafiron, she threw a jab and turned haughtily without waiting for his response, strutting away.
‘…Did she really come all this way just to say that?’
Harris relaxed against the tree, watching her retreating figure as he chewed on his sandwich.
‘So that lady is the daughter of that guy…’
Laforey had sky-blue hair and deep blue eyes, so there were definitely similarities.
‘They say that once you become a High Elf, you inherit the surname ‘Granwood.’ Since elves have a matriarchal society, ‘Silvesty’ must be her mother’s surname.’
Suddenly, the last time he saw Laforey came to mind, his warm expression as he thought of family while smiling contentedly.
Overlaying that image was the slightly scrunched face of the picky young lady staring at him.
‘Hmm… I can’t really imagine that good-natured guy having such a daughter.’
It hadn’t been long since he arrived, but he could tell that everyone found her difficult due to her arrogance, condescending mask, and sense of superiority typical of nobles.
Of course, there were those who followed her, but it never looked like an equal friendship.
‘People will be people regardless of where they are. Guess elves aren’t any different. But she’s particularly sensitive around me.’
Based on what he observed over the past few days, she seemed to build walls around herself, looking down coolly, yet didn’t seem to start trouble with anyone.
Except with him, of course.
‘Still, it’s just annoying childlike banter. If I get involved, it could turn tedious, so best to ignore her. Especially since that guy is also my benefactor.’
Besides, he had asked Laforey to process the branch of the World Tree he received as a gift, so it wouldn’t be good to create conflict with that young lady.
“Ah… the weather is nice…”
With the sunny day, cool shade under the tree, and the gentle breeze.
Harris, filled with languor, closed his eyes, enjoying the distant sound of songs sung by elves.
In truth, the main reason he’d been feeling lazy lately was quite significant.
Ever since coming under the influence of the World Tree and acquiring ‘Nature Affinity,’ his physical body had begun to relax more and more as he trained continuously with it.
‘Although I can force myself to move at any time, simply leaving things as they are seems more beneficial for increasing affinity. It feels like it helps with mental and physical stability.’
Is this what it feels like to be one with nature?
Harris embodied the union of man and nature, remaining motionless until lunch break was over.
“…What a healing feeling.”
Already, thoughts of Shafiron Silvesty had long faded away.
After all, they wouldn’t have any reason to entangle with each other, and as long as they maintained their distance, there wouldn’t be any issues.
*
‘That’s what I thought.’
Harris looked blankly at the figure of Shafiron standing in front of him.
She frowned slightly, glaring at him.
They ended up facing each other because of the Spirit Magic class at Drasha Academy.
‘Uh-oh,’ suddenly the professor mustered his determination and paired them in the same group.
“Alright, everyone has their groups set. Now, since we have transfer students, let’s do a review. While you all surely know it well, the bond with spirits is extremely important. Once we delve into the advanced curriculum…”
A bond with spirits, a major element for spirit practitioners.
And for elves, there were extremely effective techniques related to this that had been passed down.
And that was dance and song.
‘Now I get it, it makes sense that I’ve seen a ton of performances since arriving in the Elven Kingdom.’
Elves, being beloved by nature, could harmonize with spirits effortlessly with their movements and the resonance of their voices.
The sounds of the instruments they played were also similar.
Indeed, it was an advantage and secret that elves possess, which other races’ spirit practitioners could only dream of.
“This method also prevents becoming overly immersed in nature and becoming lazy. Well, even if one were to become immersed, it usually only leads to a little laziness, but still, isn’t it better to be diligent?”
As the professor’s lecture went on, Harris immediately realized it wasn’t unrelated to him.
Without much thought, it was literally about his own situation.
‘But I don’t think I’m just a little lazy.’
Even now, he was only moving his body forcibly because he was concentrating, the moment he turns off his senses, he would immediately end up slouched right there.
When that happens, he would fall into an extreme state of tranquility, which would indeed help relieve stress, but…
‘It certainly became somewhat annoying. That was a side effect of excessive immersion.’
Since he was located close to the World Tree, and with the ‘Child of the World Tree’ skill, ‘Spirit Magic,’ ‘Nature Affinity,’ all focused on affinity, it made sense.
Along with the High Elf bracelet he received from Laforey.
Thanks to that, the lightning spirit ‘Watt’ had just leveled up, and the fire spirit ‘Kali’ he signed a contract with a few days ago and the wind spirit ‘Pascal’ were also on the verge of evolution.
Considering the period he spent learning Spirit Magic, it was an outrageous growth speed.
“By the way, a festival is being held for the new High Elf Cecily soon, right? Stages will be prepared all over the capital, so…”
The professor’s voice trailed off, looking around at the students he had captivated.
“With that, we’ll set up a special stage solely for Drasha Academy. Since it’s in a central area, perhaps Cecily herself might get to see it.”
In that moment, the atmosphere became noisy with the murmurs from students.
“Now, groups, work together to decorate your unique stages. How well you can bond with spirits will be evaluated on the day of the performance.”
Thus, after the lecture ended, a space was created for the group members to share ideas.
Harris’s group had two other elves aside from Shafiron.
“Wow! I’m in a group with Shafiron and Harris! How lucky to be with celebrities! I’m Timer Kohin. Nice to meet you!”
“……”
They were a lively man who looked somewhat oblivious, and a shy woman who carefully bowed her head while glancing nervously.
“Nice to meet you. It’s quite surprising to suddenly have group activities. I’ll work hard so as not to be a burden.”
Harris greeted them as gently as possible.
He had heard plenty about the infamous group assignments, but now he was supposed to be the weak link in this one…
With less than a week remaining until the actual stage, it felt utterly daunting for him, a transfer student without any preparation.
However, it seemed Shafiron shared his sentiment as well.
“Why… am I dealing with a mercenary with no background… why?”
Frowning and muttering to herself again, she soon closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Hoo… Well, since it has come to this, there’s nothing I can do. So, do you have any dance or song skills? Anything will do.”
Naturally, she asked in a way that held no expectations, as if giving him a courtesy.
Her gaze looked down on him, devoid of hope.
Well, given that she had learned little about Spirit Magic, and considering he claimed to be a mercenary, it was a natural reaction.
At her question, the other group members also shifted their gaze toward him.
Though they didn’t say it openly, they must have been worried too.
“Nothing at all? The rest of us can harmonize with you.”
‘…It’s just making me more competitive the more they point it out.’
Of course, since they had all learned their dances and songs, doing it immediately would be impossible.
He had seen street performances a few times, but none were the same.
‘But does it really need to be the traditional elves’ dances?’
After all, this wasn’t a specific ritual but a resonance using the traits of their respective races.
So, if he could harmonize with spirits, the genre shouldn’t matter too much, right?
“Hmm… I do have a song I used to enjoy singing back home…”
Clearing his throat lightly, he cautiously spoke up.
Even though he might not look it, back in school, he’d played the guitar a bit and had earned decent reviews for singing.
‘And if I combine it with Harris’s elven voice…?’
His voice possesses an extraordinary ability; in fact, he had never scored under 80 points in karaoke, not even once.
