Raelor, the revered Chief of Alveron Elvendom and beloved father of Lunaria, embarked on a noble quest to the grand capital city of Luminaire Kingdom to find his wayward daughter, who had vanished without a trace.
His eyes held the wisdom of ages, reflecting the passage of time like a tapestry of memories, while his flowing hermit-like beard added an air of ancient wisdom to his noble countenance.
Astonishingly, despite his venerable age of over five centuries, he exuded an enduring vitality that was a testament to the timeless spirit of the elven kind.
With an old cane in hand, Raelor traversed the bustling streets of Luminaire Kingdom's capital. To blend in amongst the humans, he cleverly disguised his distinctive elven ears.
At last, his keen eyes settled on an establishment where he sensed the familiar aura of his daughter. Fueled by a mixture of anticipation and worry, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.
•••
The melodic chime of the doorbell echoed through the store, signaling the arrival of a customer.
As the sound reached Lunaria and Luke's ears, their attention involuntarily shifted towards the entrance, where they caught sight of an old man.
Lunaria's eyes widened in astonishment as she beheld her father. Her mouth fell agape, and her words stumbled as she stuttered, "F-Father!? Why are you here?!"
The old man's gaze shifted between Lunaria and Luke, acknowledging Lunaria's outburst but choosing to ignore it for the moment.
His perceptive gaze then shifted to Luke, who showed a genuine look of respect. Notably, Luke had a natural inclination to treat elders with honor, and it was evident in his demeanor towards the old man.
Upon hearing Lunaria's exclamation, Luke's respect for the old man deepened as he realized that he was the affluent father of his "credit machine 01."
The wisdom etched in Raelor's eyes made Luke realize that this was no ordinary old man; there was something extraordinary about him.
Feeling a bit uneasy about Luke's gaze, Raelor shifted his focus to Lunaria.
With a mix of frustration and concern, Raelor approached his daughter and delivered a gentle smack to her head, expressing his exasperation, "You silly daughter! Why didn't you tell us where you were going? Your mother said she will kill me if I can't find you!"
Lunaria winced, holding her head in response to the scolding, understanding that she had caused her father unnecessary worry.
"Ehh? That can't be, mother is not that strong," Lunaria couldn't help but retort in defense.
"That's not the point! *Smack" Raelor responded, giving another gentle smack to his little elf daughter.
"I'm sowwy," Lunaria apologized, instinctively reverting to a childlike demeanor in the presence of her father's authority.
As Luke witnessed the heartfelt display of affection between Raelor and Lunaria, he couldn't help but be moved by the familial bond. It reminded him of his own family back on Earth, and how he would lovingly tap his little siblings on the head when he was worried about them.
Letting out a sigh, Luke's eyes fell upon the old man's frail cane, appearing as if it could snap at any moment. An idea sparked in his mind as he recalled that elders often cherished antiques. He recalled seeing something similar in the weapon section of the shop.
With determination, he busied himself browsing the shop, eager to find the perfect meeting gift for this warm-hearted elder.
"Anyways, is this lad the reason why you left?" Raelor inquired, once again directing his gaze towards Luke, who was behaving somewhat peculiarly.
Lunaria felt a sudden panic, uncertain about how to respond. Her father was addressing Luke as a "lad," even though he might be older than her own father. She nervously sweated, feeling the weight of the situation.
"Lad," Raelor called out to Luke, seeking an answer to his question.
Feeling anxious, Lunaria reached out and gently grasped her father's arm, hoping to get his attention and prevent any potential disrespect towards Luke.
However, Luke, having finished his perusal of the shop, shifted his gaze towards the old man. With utmost respect, he addressed Raelor as "elder" and began to speak on behalf of Lunaria.
"Hello elder, I'm always in the care of Luna—"
But before Luke could finish, Raelor's anger flared up. He interrupted sharply, disapproving of the use of Lunaria's nickname. "What Luna??? That's 'Miss Lunaria' for you!"
Suspicion crept into Raelor's mind, considering the possibility of a romantic relationship between his daughter and this human man, which could potentially pose complications he couldn't easily explain to his wife.
"Father!!" Lunaria shouted at him, conveying her disapproval through her intense gaze. Her stern look had the desired effect, causing Raelor to calm down.
Meanwhile, Luke was taken aback by the sudden turn of events but quickly recognized the genuine love and concern Raelor held for Lunaria. Despite the elder's initial reaction, Luke remained unaffected, knowing he harbored no ill intentions towards Lunaria. In fact, witnessing Raelor's affection for his daughter only deepened Luke's respect for him.
*Ku-hum
Clearing his throat with a fake cough, Luke decided to address the situation diplomatically, speaking out his intentions.
"Elder, you have raised Luna to be a good girl(credit machine), and I deeply respect you for that," Luke began earnestly, expressing his admiration for Raelor's role as a father. "This is a meeting gift, an antique cane, for you. I noticed that your current cane appears quite old and fragile. While it may hold sentimental value, using it in such a state could be risky."
Hearing Luke's words, Raelor's anger surged, and he felt the urge to react aggressively towards Luke's well-intentioned gesture.
'What old cane!? This is a staff made from the fallen branches of the world tree! What would a human man know. How dare you desecrate the world tree!' Raelor's internal anger flared at the misunderstanding, but he refrained from speaking those thoughts aloud, conscious of Luna's presence.
The urge to discard or break Luke's gift as a way to show its supposed weakness and insignificance overwhelmed him. However, he managed to control his emotions, not wanting to cause a scene in front of his daughter.
As the tips of Raelor's fingers touched the staff Luke gifted, a mystic transformation began to unfold. An ethereal and indescribable aura wrapped around him, like a gentle yet powerful breeze from the realms beyond.
In that profound instant, a deep-rooted connection manifested between the ancient staff and the venerable elf. It was as if the staff recognized its rightful owner, awakening a long-dormant bond that spanned ages.
A surge of arcane energy coursed through Raelor, causing his mana pool to expand and his magical essence to flourish. The boundaries of his power seemed to dissolve, as he became one with the forces of the universe.
With each heartbeat, the staff's enigmatic energies harmonized with Raelor's very soul, filling him with an otherworldly lightness. It was as if he could transcend the physical realm and dance among the celestial stars.
"This!" Raelor muttered in disbelief, his eyes fixed on the exquisite gift. Upon closer inspection, Luke's present revealed itself as a thing of wondrous beauty. Crafted from an enigmatic and unknown material, the staff's surface possessed an alluring texture that seemed to beckon to him, inviting endless exploration. Its intricate design exuded an air of antiquity, and the sight filled Raelor's heart with delight, akin to a child captivated by a splendid treasure.
Clearing his throat, Raelor's expression softened, and a warm light danced in his eyes as he turned to Luke. "What's this staff called?" he inquired with genuine curiosity.
Luke's voice resonated as he replied, "Ah, that's called the 'Yggdrasil Staff'."
"Eh? This. The world tree!??" Raelor gasped in astonishment, the realization dawning upon him. The very essence of the world tree, a fabled source of life and wisdom, was now embodied in the very gift he held in his hands.
Raelor's mind raced with astonishment and wonder. He marveled at the sheer power emanating from the Yggdrasil Staff, surpassing even his own cherished staff made from the fallen branches of the world tree. A realization slowly crept into his thoughts, filling him with a mix of excitement and disbelief.
"Could it be...?" Raelor's gaze locked onto Luke, his eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions as he considered the implications of this extraordinary gift. The possibility that this human, standing before him, possessed a connection to the world tree itself left him awestruck, and he found himself eager to learn more about the enigmatic young man who had bestowed such a remarkable present.
Before Raelor could say anything, Lunaria couldn't contain her emotions any longer. She took her father by the hand and led him to a secluded corner, where she shared something of great importance with him.
Raelor's eyes widened in bewilderment as he absorbed the gravity of Lunaria's explanation. The implications of what he had just learned were beyond his wildest expectations.
After their hushed conversation, Raelor returned to face Luke, his heart still racing from the revelations. With a newfound understanding, he addressed Luke with a mix of awe and respect, eager to continue their conversation with a fresh perspective.
The aura of mystery and enchantment that surrounded Luke only intensified in Raelor's eyes, and he was filled with an eagerness to know more about this intriguing young man and the incredible bond he seemed to share with the world tree.
"Lad. Ahem. Please take care of Luna from now on. If she brings you trouble, just say it to me, and I will smack her," Raelor said, his tone laced with a restrained smile. "And... I really like this gift."
Luke was unaware of the private conversation between Lunaria and her father, but he could sense that Raelor's disposition had shifted positively.
Seeing the old man's smile and hearing his words of trust, Luke returned the gesture with a warm smile of his own. "Of course, elder, haha. It's truly a pleasure to meet you," he responded graciously, grateful for the acceptance and understanding he had received.
With a genuine smile, Raelor extended his warm invitation to Luke once more, "You're welcome to come to our place anytime."
He then handed over an amulet, explaining its significance, "And this, please keep it with you. This amulet means that you're one of us."
Luke accepted the amulet with gratitude, recognizing its importance, even though he didn't fully understand its purpose at the moment. With a sense of honor and humility, he kept the precious token in the system storage.
Lunaria had been on edge throughout the encounter, feeling a mix of emotions as she witnessed her father's conversation with Luke and the revelations that unfolded. As the meeting concluded, she bid farewell to Luke with a sense of relief and gratitude for the understanding they had reached.
Taking her father's hand, she guided him out of the shop, making sure he was composed after the profound revelations.
Before they left, she turned to Luke and kindly shared information about the landmarks and famous establishments in the area, ensuring he had some guidance during his tour.