Chapter 152 - High Elves and Common Elves
The princess answered with confidence, and Professor Adrihna listened carefully before offering her correction.
"You're both wrong and right," Adrihna began. "I asked how a common elf is born, not how they originated. However, your answer is historically accurate within the context of millennia ago. Currently, a common elf is born when two common elves come together."
With a swift motion, Adrihna turned a page in her book, and the image on the board shifted to show a pair of common elves.
"A common elf can also be born from the union of a common elf and a human. But historically, my elven kingdom and the human kingdom have been culturally distinct, with few venturing outside their own cultures. We elves cherish the simplicity of our lifestyle and regard our kingdom as sacred."
Turning another page, the image transformed to display a serene and majestic high elf.
"Only here, in the city of Apsalon, will you find common elves living outside the borders of our kingdom, and also in rare communities on the other half of the continent," Adrihna explained. She pointed to the high elf figure, continuing, "Common elves exist because of this high elf. She lived about two thousand years ago and sealed an alliance with the Founding Emperor, uniting the human and elven peoples. From that union, common elves were born, the product of the mixing of our races."
Adrihna paused for a moment to take a sip of water, then resumed her explanation with a more contemplative tone.
"My race, the high elves, noticed that common elves had notable differences from us. They do not possess the pale skin, the silver hair, or the ethereal appearance, nor the mastery over the Light element, which is exclusive to high elves. Over time, our race adopted the term 'high elf' and chose to reproduce only among ourselves to preserve our lineage and the traits we consider unique. In the eyes of the high elves, common elves were little more than humans with pointed ears. Some rare few, by luck, inherited the plant element, but nothing more."
Adrihna flipped the page in the book, and now the image on the board displayed a common elf woman and a high elf man, as she continued her narrative. The distinction was clear, becoming even more apparent through her storytelling, drawing the class into the intricacies of her culture.
"There was a concern with the common elves," she said, "as they were assimilating into human culture, which was at odds with the traditions of the original elves. This raised fears among the high elves that their own culture might vanish. It was then that the Founding Emperor, on his deathbed, decided to divide his vast Empire into three kingdoms."
She pointed to the elf woman depicted on the board.
"This is Nemesia, our great queen and a common elf. She respected elven traditions, and by marrying the high elven king from the Rhiannon lineage—the purest of our race—she united both groups. This union brought cultural harmony and gave rise to the royal lineage that governs our kingdom to this day, blending the bloodlines of both common and high elves."
Adrihna shot me a brief glance before turning back to the board.
"Here's an interesting fact for you all. In history books, you will find detailed information about royal families of the three kingdoms from centuries past, but rarely about current families. Details such as the number of family members, their ages, or even their names are kept hidden to preserve their safety. While certain names, like that of the king, are public, most information, even the king's magical element, remains secret. This protects the royal family from being exposed through something as simple as buying a history book."
She paused, giving the class a moment to reflect before continuing.
"Now, I'm going to reveal something even more particular about the High Elf race. As you know, the common elf Nemesia, daughter of the Founding Emperor, married the High Elf king of that time, symbolizing the union of the two peoples. However, few know that the king's brother, another prince of the Rhiannon lineage, maintained a separate line and, in adherence to the tradition of 'extreme purity,' strictly followed this rule. This family refused to mingle, even with other High Elves, unless they were deemed worthy. In other words, to this day, the royal family of elves has two branches: one of common elves and another of High Elves."
The revelations hung in the air, shedding light on a hidden piece of history that few knew about.
Wait, the royal family also has High Elves? I thought they were just common elves.
"Sadly, that branch of my family perished along with the archduke…" Syvis murmured quietly.
Oh, that's right, she's a princess… Sometimes, her casual way of speaking makes me forget.
"And, in this room, we have descendants… I mean, a direct descendant of the royal family. Lady Syvis is indeed a direct heir to our great queen and, in the future, she will occupy the position of ruler of my kingdom," Adrihna announced with a proud glance.
All eyes turned to Syvis, and I noticed a few elves, even while seated, making subtle bows. Her face flushed, which only made her appear more distinct.
Adrihna clapped her hands to regain the class's attention.
"Does anyone have any questions?"
Several hands shot up, and Adrihna pointed to a student nearby.
"Why is a baby born of a High Elf and a human called a common elf, rather than a High half-elf?" the student asked, curious.
"To be considered a High half-elf, one would have to inherit at least half of the core traits of a High Elf, right?" Adrihna began with a faint smile. "Common elves, as they are known, inherited only enough elven traits to have pointed ears. Some, if fortunate, may awaken with our control over plant mana, but that's about it. That's why they were called common elves. Now, to be considered High half-elves, they would need to inherit far more traits… such as, for instance, our famous silver hair."
She said this while avoiding my gaze for a moment, which made me uncomfortably alert.
"High Elves do not consider pointed ears as essential, but rather the silver hair," Adrihna explained, still avoiding eye contact, even as I tried to hold her gaze.
If anyone finds out, I'm in trouble...
She gave a slight, clearly fake cough before continuing.
"Anyway, half-elves exist when a common elf and a human have offspring. These half-elves have slightly less pointed ears, but the difference is so minimal that we also consider them common elves," she explained. "Anyone else have questions? This will be on the test, and I need to cover this biological aspect before we dive into culture."
More hands went up, and Adrihna selected another student.
"Do High Elves still reproduce exclusively among themselves, or do they now intermarry with common elves?" the student asked.
Adrihna shot me a quick glance before looking away again.
"For two thousand years, High Elves have maintained a pure lineage, reproducing only among themselves. Those who have kept it this way are the ones who have never mingled with humans or common elves. In other words, we High Elves are direct descendants of the first elves," she said. "No High Elf would dare break this ancient tradition... no one would dream of it…"
Maybe it's just because it's the subject matter, but my luck really is something… now everyone's going to know how to identify a High Elf descendant.
"As everyone knows, High Elves rarely fall in love. So it would be practically impossible for a High Elf, with a lineage considered perfect, to dare break this custom. If it were to happen, it would only be because of a truly overwhelming love…"
I felt like the center of attention, as if everyone were looking at me.
I'm only feeling this way because I know about myself, right?
The girl raised her hand again, with that insatiable curiosity that seemed to want to dissect every detail.
STOP! ENOUGH! NO MORE QUESTIONS!
"Professor, is it true that the symbol of a High Elf is really not the pointed ears?"
Adrihna avoided my gaze when our eyes met, my frantic eyebrow movements silently pleading with her to change the subject. I knew her answers were part of the lesson, but with every word, I felt my disguise slipping through my fingers.
PLEASE, LIE! MAKE SOMETHING UP, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GODS!
"As this will be on the test, I have to answer…" she told the class, though it felt like she was apologizing to me.
"Our hair is silver, and that represents the purity of our species. A descendant of a High Elf who mingled with another race has never inherited our complete traits... silver hair is the mark of our species, and only High Elves possess it. We are the only ones in the world to have this color. To identify a High Elf, all you need to do is look at their silver hair."
I WANT TO DIE...