If there's a High Elf familiar to humans, it would undoubtedly be Tegris, the Supreme Archmage of the High Elves. This eminent High Elf arrived in the Old World 160 years ago during the Great Holy War and joined the forces of the Savior Ludwig. In the war, Tegris alone eradicated nearly an entire legion of Chaos spawn with a single spell. Without Tegris, history might have been rewritten.
After the Great Holy War, Tegris remained in the Old World for a while and accomplished two major tasks: he established the "Pyramid of Light," sealing a multitude of Chaos creatures defeated during the war (later destroyed by the corrupted Light Mage, Egrem van Hostman), and helped Ludwig establish the Imperial Royal Wizard Academy, appointing the nearly century-old mage, Volan, a Light Mage, as the first Royal Chief Mage (Volan's staff later became a symbol of the Royal Chief Mage).
At the time, Tegris was not yet the Supreme Archmage of the High Elves. He only assumed this role after returning to Osuan, but his name has been revered among humans ever since.
When Tegris announced his name, Duke Bodric of Bolthro immediately came out to greet him, leading the Sea God Knights in formation to welcome Tegris and the High Elves: "Welcome, Archmage Tegris!"
"Ah, it's you, Bodric." Tegris hummed lightly, his expression unchanged, casually greeting him in High Gothic.
"Welcome, welcome." Duke Bodric wondered why Tegris would appear here: "May I ask, what brings the High Elves here?"
"I am here for Ryan Macado."
"Hey! What a coincidence, I am also here for Ryan Macado!" At that moment, the dwarf spoke up.
Clark the Stern approached Tegris, chewing on something, his words unclear: "I've heard your name, pointy-ears. Are you that high elf supreme (great) mage?"
Such a disrespectful remark might have enraged many high elves, but it caused no such reaction, only a nod from Tegris.
The alliance between elves and dwarves was a thing of millennia past, and now, elves who understood Dwarvish were few and far between, but Tegris was one of those rare few.
"Hmm~" Tegris held his staff, looking at Clark the Stern with a still expressionless face, mimicking the dwarf's tone: "Doom Anvil, longest beard... are you that Dwarf Rune Craftsman Guild's (great) chairman?"
The elf and dwarf faced each other, each snorted dismissively, Clark turned his head away, and Tegris looked askance.
Duke Bodric sweated at the sight.
The chairman of the Dwarf Rune Craftsman Guild?
The Supreme Archmage of the High Elves Safrui Hos White Tower Mage Council?
Both here because of Ryan?!
Ryan... that guy really has clout!
"Forget it, forget it, pointy-ears, I came down the mountain on an invitation, not to fight with you, the grudges of old have been wiped clean millennia ago," said Clark the Stern, shaking his head.
"I as well," Tegris nodded faintly.
Relations between elves and dwarves, especially between High Elves and dwarves, were notoriously bad, with the first Phoenix King's crown still stored in the dwarves' vault.
The current détente was thanks to the current Phoenix King "Navigator" Finubar, not skilled in warfare or magic but an excellent politician and diplomat. Before becoming Phoenix King, as a navigator, he traveled the world, touched every order-based power, and even controversially visited Karaz-a-Karak, conversing with the then High King of the dwarves.
Clark snorted again, leading his group of dwarves away.
"Archmage Tegris, would you like to rest here?" Duke Bodric approached with the Sea God Knights, speaking in High Gothic: "I've ordered my men to prepare accommodations for you."
"Osuan's folk do not take well to human dwellings; we will camp ourselves," Tegris declined Bodric's invitation flatly, pulling out a map: "Glamorgan... should not be far."
"Forward! Osuan!"
"Ah!"
The High Elf army turned, forming a tight square formation. Their line, whether seen from the side or top, was a perfect straight line, their movements identical. The army of hundreds moved with a single footstep sound.
"Thud~ Thud~ Thud~" A regiment as orderly and elite as this, marching rhythmically, perfectly coordinated like art itself, this was the High Elves.
Tegris, expressionless, looked at the towering and magnificent Castle Bodric, then followed the army's steps.
Two days later, at Glamorgan Earl's Castle, Morgiana and Teresa resumed their lessons, and Ryan, after greeting them, returned to
the inner castle.
"Earl!"
"My Lord Earl!"
Along the way, many knights and attendants greeted Ryan, and he nodded back politely, his pace brisk. The Lake Fairy's chosen champion had just received a divine revelation, directing him to the Lake Fairy's Tower.
Lake Fairy Lilith was already waiting.
Following the castle walls, Ryan quickly passed through the dense fog near the Lake Fairy's domain, which dispersed automatically as he approached, revealing the Lake Fairy's Tower before him.
Lake Fairy Lilith had descended, standing in front of the tower, awaiting Ryan's arrival. Today, the goddess wore a light pink long strapless dress speckled with frost dew, a lace floral wreath around her shoulders, her face beaming with a radiant smile, her lips curled upward, her golden hair cascading down to her ankles. Hairpins, a crown, earrings, rings, bracelets adorned her, and even a golden fleur-de-lis anklet on her delicate left ankle.
Her dress trailed a dozen ribbons, each inscribed with moon-white scriptures, covered in white gold and diamonds, the fabric tight across her chest, outlining a deep décolletage.
Lake Fairy Lilith was carefully pruning her medicinal herbs when Ryan appeared. She set down her shears and smiled, "Tegris has arrived in Bolthro."
"High Elf Supreme Archmage Tegris?" Ryan was curious, his expression intrigued: "Your first chosen?"
"Yes, I sent for him. You are now a powerhouse of the Holy Realm, having slain 'Red Eye' Egil Styrbjorn. Even the High Elves have heard of your name and acknowledge your strength, so I believe it's time for you to meet Tegris," Lilith said, her bright teeth gleaming as she stared at Ryan: "So we should proceed with our plan."
"Your plan?" Ryan stepped closer to the Lake Fairy, his expression neutral.
The First Chosen and the Chosen Champion are distinct; if the Chosen are the special class in a school, the Chosen Champion is the top student of that class, and the First Chosen is akin to the class president.
Appointed by a deity, the First Chosen might not be the strongest, but must be obedient, willing to undergo any trial for their deity. Tegris was such a person, like his brother, Teryon, both descendants of the original Phoenix King Elarion. When Teryon was chosen as the Eternal Queen Elariel's champion, Tegris was neglected due to his frail health; the High Elves' God of Wisdom, Hos, did not want Tegris.
At that time, the Moon Goddess Lilith stepped in, declaring Tegris her First Chosen and even gave him her staff, "Lilith's Moon Staff," to use. For centuries, Tegris proclaimed Lilith's name across the world, her divine power sustaining his weak constitution and unstable life, enhancing his casting abilities. In a way, Lilith was Tegris's lifesaver and sustenance. Without Lilith's divine protection, the physically weak Tegris would have died many times over.
"Ryan~ I didn't want to hide this from you, but before now, you weren't strong enough, and there was no use in telling you," the Lake Fairy quickly explained, detecting a hint of accusation in Ryan's tone: "But now, I believe the time is right."
"Alright." Ryan's previous lack of strength was a fact, and he couldn't argue with that.
Without the power to match one's ambition, the more one knows, the faster they die.
"You are truly outstanding, Ryan. I don't know what your lineage is, but we must face the fact that the power of the blood in your veins is comparable to the glorious yet cursed bloodline of the original Phoenix King, Elarion," Lilith knew Ryan was still not quite pleased, she linked her arm with his: "Come with me!"
A flash of light, and the pair instantly arrived at the sacred site in Charlon Forest, enveloped in the goddess's mystical fog—the Isle of Lilies, featuring a crystal-clear lake, lush vegetation, and sparse elven architectural remains. They landed on the grass beside the lake.
This was the founding site of the Knightly Brotherhood.
"Walk with me, Ryan," the Lake Fairy's azure eyes held an indescribable sentiment.
Ryan nodded silently, sensing that the Lake Fairy had something important to tell him.
They strolled along the lake's edge.
"Teryon, Tegris, these brothers are descendants of the original Phoenix King Elarion. They inherited their ancestor's powerful blood from an early age. How powerful is this bloodline? Ryan, perhaps only you can understand the power of bloodlines," the Lake Fairy, barefoot, her long dress trailing on the ground, said: "When they were just of age, possessing only the initial legendary strength, they together slew the great
demon En-Kali. And you, you possess a talent and bloodline comparable to theirs."
Ryan nodded silently. Sometimes the world was indeed unfair. If he were not the emperor's son, the Gray Knight's genetic prototype, he could not possibly have achieved Holy Realm strength by the age of thirty.
Yet, that's how unfair things can be. Almost every genetic prototype establishes dominance in their respective worlds upon arrival. For instance, his brother Fogen, who took fifteen years to progress from a miner to an engineer, then spent another fifty years to become the supreme ruler of his world.
(As for the popular belief that genetic prototypes are invincible rulers from birth, that is nonsense. Each genetic prototype starts weak and grows strong, from nothing to something, climbing up from the lower echelons.)
After arriving in this world, Ryan took fifteen years to become a noble, and another twelve years to become a world-renowned human hero, a grand noble with his own lands.
But Ryan knew his time was limited; the end was drawing ever closer.
"My lady, you mean to suggest I collaborate with Tegris," Ryan pondered the recent sequence of events, gradually grasping the Lake Fairy's intentions.
"Listen to me first," the Lake Fairy shook her head: "My suggestion is for you and Tegris to get to know each other first. One is my chosen champion, and the other my first chosen. You must harmonize, or my plan cannot unfold."
"What about Morgiana?" Ryan suddenly joked.
"Morgiana and you aren't harmonious enough?" the Lake Fairy looked meaningfully at Ryan: "I was wondering if you two might try something new."
Knight Sulia and Lake Witch Morgiana were both strings the Lake Fairy held in her hands, tying Ryan firmly to her chariot.
"Uh... okay, my lady, continue, I'm listening."
"This time, at your and Sulia's wedding, I will be present throughout. You can..." the Lake Fairy leaned close to Ryan, whispering her plan into his ear.
They walked around Lily Island for a long time, until noon arrived.
"I understand," Ryan nodded after hearing the Lake Fairy's plan: "It's perfect and fits my expectations, my lady, I agree."
"Good, I will descend frequently during this period. If you have any questions, come find me in the tower," the Lake Fairy tiptoed to kiss Ryan's cheek: "Any~time, and remember to keep supplying me with power, otherwise I won't be able to attend your wedding."
"I understand." The Lake Fairy's descent into the mortal realm heavily depended on Ryan's power supply; otherwise, her divine power would deplete quickly.
A flash of white light, and the Lake Fairy and Ryan were transported back to the valley of the Lake Fairy's Tower.
"You go ahead, I want to be alone for a while," the Lake Fairy sat on a swing, gently swaying, signaling Ryan to leave: "The chairman of the Dwarf Rune Craftsman Guild you hired has already met with your brother."
"Tegris will also arrive soon, go and prepare, Ryan," the Lake Fairy brushed her fingers across Ryan's face: "Go, you and your brother both need new weapons, and tonight remember to bring Morgiana and Olica here, I will personally prepare a dinner."
"Alright." Ryan was concise, nodding and turning to leave.
Watching Ryan's departing figure, the Lake Fairy furrowed her brows.
As his power grew, Ryan was becoming less dependent on others, even deities; his few words today were his way of expressing dissatisfaction, both with her reluctance to reveal her plans and Tegris's sudden arrival.
In other words, he was becoming harder to control.
The Lake Fairy gently swung on the swing, her bare feet like jade, her long dress fluttering, fragrance filling the air. After a long contemplation, her furrowed brows slowly relaxed.
No matter, as long as she controlled Sulia, Ryan would not be hard to keep in hand. This wedding was the Lake Fairy's meticulously planned event, aimed at controlling Ryan.
Moreover, according to her plan, her relationship with Ryan would only grow closer, not farther...
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