"L-Lady Helia!" A young man, clad in a butler's suit, donning a badge with a blue flower encircled by a river of gold, hastily adjusted his glasses as he rushed towards Lady Agatana of the Household, cradling a dirt-covered child.
Upon reaching the entrance, the young butler was just in time to open the gates. Lady Helia Ylian Agatana gazed at him, her eyes filled with a resolute determination. "Call Benny; we need her healing abilities. Now!" She commanded. The young man was taken aback by her sudden shift in demeanor; she wasn't usually like this. Lady Helia was known for her cheerful and considerate nature, yet here, she displayed a stern, authoritative side.
The young butler adjusted his glasses once more and saluted before rushing inside the household to find Benny. His sprint led him to the kitchen, a bustling hub of activity, with an elderly head chef, armed with a giant axe, energetically chopping a giant boar's head. His call captured the attention of everyone present.
"Benny! The Lady needs your help now!" he shouted. Benny, the Head Chef, cast a stern glance his way while gripping her enormous axe, which doubled as her butcher knife. She moved swiftly in response, her entrance quelling the kitchen's momentary chaos.
As the butler and Benny rapidly made their way back to Lady Helia, he couldn't hide his delight. "What is this emergency problem, Wilr?" Benny inquired. Wilr, the butler, beamed at her.
"She needs healing," he began, but Benny's reaction was swift, cutting him off.
"A child, not her, but I saw another side of her today, Benny. Her commanding and serious side," Wilr expressed, admiration evident in his tone.
Upon their arrival at the garden of the Agatana household, they found Lady Helia along with the child she'd been carrying, resting on a table in the center of the garden.
"Lady, as per your request—," Wilr began, but Lady Helia dashed toward Benny so abruptly that the butler was momentarily stunned by her agility.
"Benny! Please save this child. I found him in the forest, and he was completely drained of energy—both mana and physical!" she explained.
Benny and Wilr bent down to examine the child lying on the ground. They shared a common query—how had a child managed to get lost in the Ylian forest, a place accessible only through their household or the formidable river that served as the forest's boundary.
"I can help, but I'll need to prepare some food," Benny stated, her response leading her back to the kitchen. Wilr, however, couldn't help but ponder the boy's presence; he appeared human, but there was something peculiar about him.
"Why was he lost in the forest, Lady?" he inquired. Lady Helia regarded him with curiosity.
"I have no idea, but I saw him flying in the sky," she replied.
"In the sky...?" Wilr repeated, flabbergasted. The forest's sky was dense and unsuitable for flight, unless magic had been involved. He reached out to touch the child's hand and detected a familiarity within his magic.
"Elf..." he whispered, the only word that escaped his lips. Lady Helia fixed her gaze on the boy.
"An elf? A half-elf?" she asked, to which Wilr could only shrug.
"No, Lady, this child is unmistakably human. His appearance lacks any trace of elven heritage. But his mana, it's similar to an elf's..." he explained.
Lady Helia observed the boy with a sense of intrigue just as Benny returned, bearing a plate filled with sweet desserts.
Benny set a pot of honey beside the boy, along with a blueberry cupcake and a red candy. Lady Helia stepped aside, watching intently. Benny scooped up a spoonful of honey and fed it to the child. As the golden sweetness touched his lips, it transformed into mana, gently flowing into his body. Benny repeated this process until every last drop of honey was gone. She then crushed the red candy in her powerful hands and sprinkled it over the child; it dissolved into his body upon contact.
"That should do it... When he awakens, feed him the cupcake I just prepared. I've infused all three of these treats with life magic, enough to restore his mana and energy. The cupcake will further enhance his recovery and provide some immunity," Benny explained.
Lady Helia knelt before Benny, filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Benny," she said, before turning her attention to Wilr, her butler. "And thank you for your quick response," she added.
Lady Helia's words touched both Wilr and Benny, their faces lighting up with joy. In unison, they replied, "We are your guardians; we follow your desires, Lady Helia Ylian of Agatana!" Lady Helia chuckled at their response.
"Enough with the formalities, both of you. I've asked you not to call me that," she said while smiling.
Lady Helia's curiosity got the better of her as she turned to Wilr and inquired, ''Wilr, if I may ask, are you a half-elf?'' Her gaze shifted between Wilr and the mysterious child, sensing an unusual connection.
Wilr responded, ''Yes, indeed. My mother was an Elf, hailing from the northern tribe. The only elven settlement I knew of on this continent lies to the west.'' He gestured toward the garden's western expanse, adding, ''The vast river that separates this forest from the other side of the continent is usually teeming with dangerous creatures. It's a considerable distance from the nearest elven encampment. That's why I'm so surprised to find a human child in that forest.'' His voice carried a note of genuine wonder.
Benny chimed in, her curiosity equally piqued. ''The real question is how he managed to traverse through the air in an environment brimming with dense, rich mana capable of disrupting even formidable magic.'' Her words only added more layers to the mystery that now enveloped the three of them.
Lady Agatana expressed her motives, stating, ''All I know is that I was driven by the desire to save a life. Back at the academy, I learned about the Elven Clan in the western part of the continent, which has a reputation for being hostile to humans.''
Sensing that the conversation might delve into unknown territories, Benny excused herself momentarily, returning to her tasks in the kitchen.
''You may carry on,'' Lady Agatana said, acknowledging Benny's departure with a grateful nod and a whispered thank you. She then turned her attention back to Wilr.
Wilr cleared his throat to draw Lady Helia's focus, explaining, ''To address your question, yes, the western part of the continent has long been dominated by the Silvercrown Elven Clan. While they used to be less hostile, it appears a change in leadership has spurred a shift in their disposition. Strangely, their newfound animosity isn't directed at humanity or other races but rather towards the desire for their goddess's attention – our goddess.''
'Our goddess? You mean the Deity of Life?' Lady Agatana inquired, her intrigue growing.
Wilr nodded in confirmation. ''Yes. In our world, there are three major gods: the Goddess of Life, the God of Experience, and the God of Horror.''
''The Goddess of Life created the first life on Earth, including the Elves, faes, and the very essence of nature itself. They were the original practitioners of life magic and the first beings to inhabit this world. Later, the God of Experience sought to create life but required the Goddess of Life's assistance. Together, they brought Humanity into existence. Lastly, the God of Horror, consumed by jealousy, gave rise to monsters, mimicking the process of creation.''
Lady Helia inquired further, ''So, the Elves were jealous because the goddess they served created something similar to them? But aren't Elves supposed to be nearly immortal?''
Wilr's emotions took a rollercoaster ride, his initial sadness shifting into evident disgust. Lady Agatana approached him, taking his hands gently. ''You don't have to continue if it upsets you,'' she reassured.
Wilr shook his head. ''No, it's essential to share our history to prevent its repetition,'' he said resolutely, adjusting his glasses.
He continued his narrative: ''Within the kingdom of the Elves, there are three major clans – Silvercrown, Goldenlight, and Wintergale – alongside two minor clans – Gaias and Oceania. These clans, though sharing a common ancestry, have distinct appearances and serve different purposes. A point of division emerged when the three major clans decided to pursue varying goals.''
Wilr paused momentarily before delving deeper into the story. ''Upon discovering Humanity, these clans feared being replaced, especially as both major gods favored this new race. Consequently, they initiated separate attempts to conquer the world, each with the intention of presenting it as an offering to the Goddess of Life. Paradoxically, these three clans continued to fight one another, igniting the flames of the first Great War. In the midst of these great wars between the three major clans, they inadvertently ensnared humanity, subjecting them to years of enslavement until the two minor clans stepped in. The Gaias and Oceania lent their support to humanity, advocating for equality in all forms of life, in line with the Goddess of Life's ideals. Upon discovering these intentions, the three major clans abandoned their internal disputes and united, launching an attack against the two minor clans. Fortunately, the two minor clans, with the help of humanity, successfully defended their territories. This explains why humanity possesses knowledge of life magic, as they were not only created by the Goddess of Life but also instructed by the two minor elf clans.''
Lady Agatana listened attentively and then raised her hand to pose a question. ''So, after the Great War, did the three major clans join forces with humanity, supported by the two minor elf clans?''
''That's correct, they did, though it's somewhat embarrassing that the first war they initiated resulted in no victor, only losses. Astonishingly, they even fell to humanity, thanks to the aid of the minor clans,'' Wilr explained with evident enthusiasm.
Lady Helia, still engrossed, inquired further, ''But the three major clans were believed to be incredibly powerful. How did they come to be defeated?''
Wilr playfully teased, ''It seems you weren't paying close attention to our professors back at the academy.' Lady Agatana responded with a playful gesture, sticking out her tongue. Wilr continued his tale, 'Their downfall resulted from humanity's discovery of a unique form of magic already existing in our world, although previously overlooked – Experience Magic.''
Lady Agatana interjected with her knowledge, ''Experience Magic utilizes the body's physical energy to enhance one's abilities or debuff enemies. I remember that much from my studies.''
Wilr acknowledged her contribution and continued, ''With Experience Magic, humanity managed to create the first combination magic, shifting the tide during the first war.'' Before he could complete his thought, a sound interrupted their conversation.
'Ughmm…' Both of them heard the groan of a child. Their expressions changed to one of concern as they realized the child lay uncomfortably on a cold stone table.
''I think we should move him to a proper bed,'' Lady Helia remarked. She made a motion to pick up the child, but Wilr was quick to intervene, cradling the child in his arms.
''I can handle this,'' Wilr stated confidently, taking charge of the child and the magical cupcake. Together, they made their way into the Agatana household and proceeded to the infirmary room.
''You know, I had forgotten about the existence of this room,'' Lady Helia admitted with a tinge of guilt. Wilr gently placed the child on a more comfortable bed, and Lady Helia sat beside him.
''What do you think this child might have experienced, akin to the Great War?'' Lady Helia inquired, her concern evident.
Wilr considered the question carefully. ''I'm not certain, but the type of magic I sensed from him earlier, before Benny interrupted, resembles the nature magic commonly associated with the Silvercrown clan.''
Lady Helia looked at Wilr with a puzzled expression. ''Do you believe that one of the Silvercrown Elves might have adopted this child?'
''That... that's unlikely, but it's not impossible,'' Wilr replied hesitantly. A closer look at the child revealed that he was well-nourished and bore no signs of abuse. 'Someone within the clan had cared for and educated him.' Wilr thought to himself.
The child began to stir in his sleep, prompting Wilr to sigh softly. "I'll fetch some spare clothes for him before he wakes up, Lady Helia," he offered, nodding to her before leaving the room.
Helia sat beside the child and gently touched his face, causing his eyes to flutter open. "Good noon?" she awkwardly greeted him.
The child appeared taken aback. "A... a human..." he whispered, his gaze darting around the unfamiliar room. All he could recall was the forest and thoughts of his grandmother. "Grandma," he murmured.
Lady Helia was perplexed, unsure of what to do. She waved to the child, but he simply stared at her. It dawned on him that he was lying in a bed in a room with dark blue walls adorned with flower carvings.
Studying Lady Helia, the child realized that she, too, was a human. This was his first time encountering another human, and he felt a mixture of fear and fascination. "Sometimes, I thought humans weren't real," he thought to himself before hesitantly introducing himself. "I'm Arlo."
Lady Helia beamed at him. "I'm Helia Ylian Agatana!" she cheerfully introduced herself. Arlo was both confused by her name's length and intrigued by her accent.
"Helia... Ylian Agatana?" Arlo repeated, with Lady Helia confirming with a nod.
"Your name is just Arlo?" Lady Helia asked, and Arlo simply nodded. Just as the conversation was progressing, the door swung open, revealing Wilr carrying neatly folded clothing.
"Milady, the cupcake!" Wilr exclaimed suddenly. This caused Lady Helia to panic, which, in turn, startled Arlo. She grabbed the cupcake and handed it to him, despite Arlo's confusion.
Arlo looked at the cupcake, a colorful, sparkly confection with a sweet and enticing aroma. Wilr, urging him with a gesture, put his hand to his mouth, suggesting Arlo should eat it. Arlo hesitated, closed his eyes, and took a bite. The unfamiliar yet delightful flavors filled his mouth, leaving him in shock. In his surprise, he quickly devoured the cupcake.
"Slow down," Lady Helia cautioned, concerned. Wilr sighed and placed the neatly folded clothes on the table. He then handed Arlo a glass of water, as he observed Arlo's emotional response to the cupcake.
Arlo, still chewing the cupcake, wiped away the tears that had welled up in his eyes. He had been reminded of the fruit his grandmother used to grow, a fruit that was sweet and savory. His emotions overwhelmed him as he sobbed while munching on the delicious cupcake. "Grandma," he cried.
"Grandma..." Arlo sob.
Lady Helia gently comforted him, hugging him as he had been used to with his grandmother. "Don't worry, Arlo. I'll do my best to help you," she reassured, her smile making Arlo feel safe and cared for.
"Lady, can we talk in private?" Wilr whispered to Lady Helia as he grasped her shoulder.
"Okay," Lady Helia replied. She withdrew from the embrace with Arlo, who stayed in bed and lay down. She and Wilr stepped outside the room.
"Lady, I'm concerned that we can't help them," Wilr began in a hushed tone.
"Why not?" Lady Helia inquired.
"We're talking about King Ravi, the new leader of the Silvercrown Clan. If we take action, they might retaliate immediately, and we could find ourselves in the midst of a war," Wilr explained, his anxiety evident. "We can't initiate a war solely to help a child."
Lady Helia regarded him with a questioning expression. "Based on Arlo's story, the king attacked his home and destroyed it. That alone is enough to recognize their actions as wrong."
"Lady, consider this. If we assist Arlo and the King of the Silvercrown Clan finds out, it might lead to an all-out war. The other two major elven clans have also been showing aggression toward humans recently. If this situation is part of their plan to trigger a war, they won't hesitate," Wilr cautioned.
Lady Helia bit her lip, pondering the situation. She was aware that their status alone might not justify starting a war, but she couldn't bear to leave a child in the forest with those aggressors. She closed her eyes briefly and turned to Wilr. "Do you have another plan? I can't just leave a human child behind with those maniacs. Guilt will consume me."
"Think about this, Lady Helia. Right now, we only have Arlo's perspective. We need to investigate further before making a decision," Wilr suggested.
"Okay," Lady Helia agreed, gazing back at the infirmary room where Arlo lay. "It's just that he reminds me of someone..." She sighed deeply, her emotions a whirlwind of determination and concern.
Wilr gazed out of the hallway window, where the weather had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. Dark clouds loomed ominously, hinting at an impending heavy rain. He shifted his attention back to Lady Helia, who had returned to comfort Arlo.
"The King of the Silvercrown," he murmured to himself. He studied Arlo, who seemed to be drifting into sleep, cradled in the care of Lady Helia. "What did he do to attract the attention of the new tyrant king? According to his story, his grandmother was probably the elf who raised him... I need to investigate this."
Arlo found it hard to sleep, haunted by the thought of his grandmother and Malek still trapped in the forest. He opened his eyes, finding Lady Helia still at his side.
"Trouble sleeping?" she asked gently, noticing his wakefulness. Arlo simply nodded.
"My grandmother might still be alive. I have to save her. They might do to her what they did to Malek..." he shared, his voice filled with determination.
Lady Helia clenched the bedsheets with her right hand, her mind racing with the grim details of Arlo's tale. "She's going to be fine. You said your grandmother is strong, right? She will be okay," she assured him. Arlo felt a sense of comfort and reassurance wash over him after her words.
"Avianna Nightshade..." Arlo suddenly said. The name seemed to catch Lady Helia off guard, her voice rising in shock.
"That's your grandmother?!" she exclaimed, her tone taking him by surprise.
"S-sorry," Lady Helia quickly apologized, regaining her composure. "The Elven hero Avianna Nightshade... She is the main reason why our lineage still exists today," she explained.
"Really?" Arlo asked with excitement, this being his first time hearing a story about his grandmother's past.
"Yes! She was one of the few heroes who saved this continent from the horrors that raged five hundred years ago," Lady Helia shared with enthusiasm. "Because—"
Her narrative was cut short by a cough from outside the room. It was Wilr, who spoke with urgency, "Lady Helia, it's time."