It took a year for me to sneak out of the main house.
The children of the main house weren't allowed to leave until we turned six.
I was currently strolling around the city with Ava and my sister, Luna.
My father was here too, accompanying us.
The city was a breathtaking sight, with crowds bustling about, buildings towering to the sky, and vendors all around.
It made me think that I really was in a different world.
I know I was the one who made this world, but it's different when you're actually there to witness it.
"Wow!" said Luna as she scanned the surroundings.
"Amazing isn't it?" Ava nodded with pride.
Since Ava wasn't a child of the main house, she was allowed to go to the city.
"Make sure you stick close to me, kids.
If something were to happen, Camilla would kill me," said my father with a worried look.
Did I follow his instructions?
Nah, I sneaked out to the forest.
I felt bad for my father, but I needed to get something to get a head start with my system.
As an extra, I needed to do something cliché, just like in those extra novels I've read.
As for the item, what I needed to get was the 'Mana Amplifier.'
Mages in this world would have their mana capped to a certain number depending on their level.
As a level one, my mana was capped at 100, but if I were to use the item, it would be boosted significantly to 500.
That's right, a x5 boost.
It was an item that was supposed to go to the main character.
Eh, don't care, it's his fault for not being the author.
As the author, I knew where to get this item, and it honestly wasn't that hard.
It would be situated around the forest outside the city.
The problem was it's near the elven domain.
If you were to enter the domain, you'd have to ask the elves for permission.
And that's exactly where I'm heading.
"..."
I approached the main entrance of the elven domain.
"State your business here, child," said the elven guard.
Of course, he'd have silver hair.
I was honestly pretty unoriginal when I was designing the elves…
Now how should I respond?
Actually, elves were a pretty gentle race.
Just like the human domain, they allowed anyone to enter their domain.
But the item I needed wasn't something as ordinary as picking up a pebble on the street.
It was in their royal family's home.
I needed to sneak in there somehow.
"Uhm… I'm here on the orders of the human domain," I stuttered.
"Ah, you must be the son of Baron Desmond!"
'Who?'
"Haha? Yes, that's right."
"You may pass.
The Elf King is waiting for you in their estate," the elf said as he gestured to the entrance.
Wasn't that too easy?
Eh, whatever.
"..."
As I stepped through the gates, my eyes widened in wonder at the sight before me.
The air was so fresh, it felt like I could bottle it up and sell it as "Elven Essence" on the black market.
The trees stretched out their branches toward the sky with leaves rustling gently in the wind.
Flowers of every hue were neatly arranged on the ground, as birds sang sweet melodies from their perches among the branches, filling the air with their chirping.
In the distance, I could see waterfalls flowing down the mountainside.
The sound of rushing water filled the air, mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves and the chirping of the birds.
It was honestly a breathtaking scene, unlike anything I had ever seen before.
And there, not so far from me, was a carriage waiting for me, probably to escort me to the estate.
I was worried I'd have to walk.
After all, I was still in a six-year-old body.
The limbs were pretty small compared to what I was used to.
"..."
I stepped into the carriage and was greeted by yet again another elf with silver hair.
Only this time, it was a woman.
"Greetings Sir?..."
Of course, I knew the names of most of the nobles in the human domain.
Not.
I was the author, sure, but I have to think of a fancy name.
Hmm, let's see.
If the Duke was named Desmond, then…
"Damian."
"Ah right, Sir Damian Milverton, son of Duke Desmond Milverton, correct."
'Who?'
"T-that's correct, Miss…?"
"Ah, apologies.
I've yet to introduce myself.
I'm Vera Leaflet, retainer of Princess Amelia Ataraxia."
Oh, that's right.
I remember writing that character, though she was only a major character for one arc.
But for some reason, she was a fan favorite.
Not sure why—her character was pretty bland to me, or maybe I didn't write her that well.
But I did get some hate.
The readers kept asking me to bring her back.
Didn't care enough.
It was my story, after all.
"..."
I stepped foot off the carriage and arrived at the gate of the royal elven family's estate.
The gate was huge and golden, with carvings of animals that probably had some deep symbolic meaning.
But to me, they just looked like a bunch of fancy doodles.
And of course, it opened automatically when I approached, because why bother with regular gates when you're an elf?
Inside, it was like a scene from an elf soap opera.
Everyone was prancing around like they were auditioning for the cover of *Elf Vogue*.
I mean, seriously, why are elves always so good-looking?
And the buildings?
Oh boy, were they fancy.
They probably had a butler for the butler too.
They're filthy rich!
Even as an heir to a noble household, we'd probably look dirt poor if we stood beside them.
I went inside the mansion with Ava by my side to guide me.
"The King will meet you shortly, Sir Damian."
Ava left to go fetch the king or something.
I scanned the surroundings of the mansion, and once again, my jaw dropped.
If I were to steal a single item from this place, they wouldn't notice they lost anything, and I'd probably be able to feed myself for the next five years.
"..."
Snapping me out of my thoughts, I felt a cold stare from across the room.
I turned my gaze to it, and what met my line of sight was a little girl with silver hair and white pearlescent eyes, peeking at me from behind the door frame.
If my suspicions are correct, she must be Princess Amelia Ataraxia, the sole princess of the Elf Domain.
I mean, with those descriptions, this must be her.
That's how I described her as well when I wrote her character.
Only that she seems to be younger than when I initially introduced her in my book.
"Hello?" I said as I waved my hand awkwardly with a wry smile.
"..."
"Uhm, my name is Damian, er… Milverton."
"..."
Is she just gonna keep staring at me like that?
"Come here for a second."
Oh never mind, thought she was a mute.
I nodded and approached her.
"Who are you?" said Amelia as she tilted her head.
"Oh, you must've not heard me.
My name is Damian Mil… er—Milverthorn."
That was their surname, right?
"Liar."
What?
Does she know?
"What do you mean?"
"I've met Sir Damian a few years back, and you look nothing like him."
As she spoke those words, I felt a chill down my spine.
'Shit.'
Wait?
She's met Damian before?
So did I coincidentally get the name right?
Crazy.
"Don't worry, I won't snitch."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"Ah, thank God."
I bet there's a catch.
"But…"
Here it comes.
"Only if you play with me."
I felt dumbfounded.
I mean, I could, but how do I play with someone mentally younger than me?
"How old are you?" she said.
"I'm currently six years old, but mentally I am…"
Just kidding.
"Ah, just like me!
But could you tell me your name?" she said as her eyes lit up.
I pondered to myself.
Should I tell her?
Well, she is still a child, and she's bound to forget me in the future.
Probably.
"Ezra Ashford."
"Okay, uhm… Ezra Assford?"
"..."
This damned brat.
Does she even know what "ass" means?
Eh, whatever.
"So what do you wanna play?"
"Come."
She took my hand and pulled me away.