"So have you had enough then?" The Ancient One asks me curiously.
"No, Teacher, my luck was just a tiny bit bad," I say, eager to experience even more paths—especially after visiting Asgard, albeit briefly, through one of them. A grin spreads across my face as I float towards a new path. "I will choose another this time. I know my luck is good."
[Path 16 (Roll: 46/100) Luminous White: This path glows softly, its light gentle yet unmistakably radiant.]
The first path I chose was green; the second was rainbow-colored. Keeping with the theme, I select the luminous white path. Its soft, radiant glow draws me in, exuding a quiet promise of wonder.
As I float along the path, curiosity gets the better of me. "Teacher, about the things I brought back—the green glass vial and the condensed vibranium coin—how is that possible?"
"Think of your astral form as surrounded by a coating of my magic," the Ancient One explains patiently. "Unless that magic is destroyed, you can keep physical objects with you—like carrying them in your pockets. But be cautious. If these items leave your aura in the vacuum of space, they will be frozen or destroyed."
I nod thoughtfully, grateful for the clarification. "Thank you, teacher."
Moments later, I reach the crack at the end of the path and after taking a deep breath I step through.
In the blink of an eye, I find myself in the middle of a forest—a forest unlike any I have ever seen.
The light here is dazzling, almost blinding in its brilliance. The Crossroads was vibrant, but this feels as though someone has turned on a celestial lamp, flooding the world with illumination.
As I stand beside a small stream, the sheer vividness of the surroundings overwhelms me. Plants, flowers, and foliage shimmer with a faint, otherworldly glow. Even the tall, narrow trees seem to radiate a subtle inner light.
I take a deep breath, and even the air feels sweet, carrying hints of honey, wildflowers, and a subtle, otherworldly perfume that invigorates my senses. It feels alive, like a melody waiting to be heard.
I feel fortunate that once again, the path I chose has led me to a place teeming with life. The vibrant greenery and thriving plant life around me leave no doubt—this world is alive, brimming with vitality. Whether this is Earth or another place entirely, one thing is certain: life flourishes here.
Using my Astral form's flight ability, I rise above the treetops to survey the land. I can see that the trees here are not even half as tall as the ones in the Savage land.
Above the treetops I catch sight of Forests stretching endlessly in every direction, punctuated by towering mountains in the distance. Rivers and waterfalls cut through the verdant expanse like silver veins. I am likely in the heart of a vast, deep valley.
The scene is beautiful, like a masterpiece come to life.
The air is alive with movement. Birds with shimmering, jewel-like plumage glide gracefully through the sky, their songs harmonising in a natural symphony.
Giggle
Bell-like laughter draws my attention. Turning around, I spot a group of winged females—fairies—playing among the treetops far away. They flit and dart through the air, chasing one another and laughing melodiously.
My heart quickens as the realization settles in: "This isn't Earth," I murmur. The reality of this discovery sends shivers down my spine.
My gaze shifts upward, drawn to the sky. A fiery orb blazes there, reminiscent of the sun but smaller and more concentrated. It seems alive, casting a warm, luminous glow over everything.
I glance back at the fairies flying far away. They aren't small like I would expect from myths and stories. They are human-sized, their elegant wings proportional to their forms. Every single one of them have wings of a different, vibrant color, reminiscent of butterflies.
Their attire catches my eye—dresses of fine fabric, each uniquely styled. This isn't a primitive world. These beings have civilization, art, and culture.
Intrigued but cautious, I descend back to the forest floor.
Taking a few steps forward on the mossy, soil-covered ground, I reach the small stream. Its water is so pure that it's almost invisible, save for the rippling distortions it creates as it flows. I decide to follow the stream, my mind sifting through all of my meta-knowledge for any places with fairies that might resemble this.
As I walk, the sound of laughter and giggles drifts towards me. At first, it's soft—like whispers carried by the wind—but it grows louder with each step. Along the way, I encounter smaller creatures, entirely different from any found on Earth. Like in front, a rabbit-like creature with glowing blue stripes on its white fur peeks out from behind a tree, it seems curious about me.
I kneel down and gently stroke its soft fur, and it seems to enjoy the attention. Above me, squirrel-like creatures with colorful, shimmering tails peek down from the trees, their bright eyes watching my every move. The animals here are unusually unafraid, radiating an air of carefree serenity. This is all very much in stark contrast to my tense experience in the Savage Land.
"This feels like a real fairytale world," I murmur with a smile, grateful for my apparent good fortune in teleporting to such a peaceful place.
As I continue walking, marveling at the glowing plants and flowers around, I come across a clearing in the forest. The grass here is low and soft, and a large green leaf hovers just above the ground. Curious, I approach and am surprised to see four small girls sprawled across the broad leaf.
They look identical, with golden-brown hair and pointed ears—an unmistakable trait that makes my heart skip a beat. "Elves," I whisper in astonishment.
The girls, dressed in soft silk garments, are peacefully asleep. Their chests rise and fall in a serene rhythm, their radiant skin glowing faintly. They look adorable and innocent, and though I yearn for answers about this place, I am unwilling to disturb their tranquil slumber.
This must truly be a peaceful and secure world if young girls can sleep so care freely out in the open without any need for defenses. Also the hovering leaf below them is a clear indication that this world is rich in magic.
I activate Mana Sight to confirm my suspicions. Vibrant gases of magic fill the air, making this world feel alive with energy. Even the sleeping girls emanate magic from their small bodies. As I glance further ahead, my senses pick up a massive concentration of magical energy not far from here. Intrigued, I move towards it.
Not far away, I find another enormous leaf hovering above the ground. I approach the leaf and discover a figure lying there, so breathtakingly beautiful that I am momentarily frozen in place. In this instant, I am reminded why elves are always described as ethereal and enchanting, as there are no other words to adequately capture the beauty of the woman before me.
Before me is an elf woman, her form bathed in the forest's soft glow. Her silvery-white hair cascades like a waterfall, and her flawless skin seems to shimmer faintly, as though lit from within. Her long lashes flutter slightly as she sleeps, her features exuding a serene beauty that feels almost divine.
Her white silk dress's slightly open design offers a glimpse of her fair, mounds hidden within. Yet, despite the allure, my mind cannot entertain any lustful thoughts. She looks so serene, so soft, and so profoundly beautiful that such notions are effortlessly filtered away, leaving only a sense of awe.
A single green leaf drifts lazily from above, landing gently on her face. Compelled by an instinct I don't fully understand, I approach her. The closer I get, the more entranced I become.
Kneeling besides her, I carefully lift the leaf from her face. "Beautiful," I whisper, the word escaping my lips before I can stop it.
Her eyes flutter open, revealing crystalline blue irises that seem to pierce through me. She sits up gracefully, her gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.
"Who are you?" she asks, her melodic voice carrying a subtle authority.
I take a breath, realising that she is the source of the immense mana my Mana Sight had detected. I compose myself and reply, "My name is Lucas Watson, my fair lady." Standing, I offer her a charming smile. "I am a traveler among the stars, and I have arrived here by chance… you can say I was randomly teleported here," My tone is as sincere as you can make it.
She rises with an elegance that seems almost otherworldly, her long white hair cascading over her fair skin like a waterfall of silk. Even this simple act of standing exudes grace. Her calm blue eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that feels both probing and serene, and I hold her gaze just as steadily, determined to convey my honesty.
"I can sense truth in your words," she says at last, her voice softer now. "Where do you come from, Lucas Watson?"
"I am from Earth," I say carefully, studying her reaction. "May I ask where I have arrived?"
Her brows knit in confusion. "Earth?" she repeats, the word foreign on her tongue. "This is Alfheim, and you stand in the forests on the outskirts of it's capital Ljolsfgard."