PROLOGUE
As I stepped into this mystical realm, the atmosphere thickened with an otherworldly essence. Mythical creatures roamed the landscape, their forms a blend of wonder and terror. Dragons soared the skies, their scales glinting like polished gemstones. Elves moved with ethereal elegance, their eyes shining with ancient wisdom. Yet, amidst this tapestry of enchantment, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. With such diversity, could true harmony ever be achieved? Or would the differences between our kinds forever divide us?
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Two years had passed since the witch incident, an event that had left an indelible mark on my life. I had spent my time living and learning among the elves, who had accepted me as one of their own. At nearly fourteen, I had grown significantly in both physical prowess and magical abilities under the tutelage of Old Man Gosu and Zuria.
My time in this mystical realm had been a crash course in the intricacies of magic. I had learned that elemental magic was not absolute, as I had previously believed. Instead, every individual possessed a unique Attribute that determined the type of magic or power they would wield. For instance, those who commanded fire, earth, water, or air magic possessed the Nature Attribute, which had its own subdivisions. Old Man Gosu's Attribute, Force of Nature, granted him control over the very fabric of the natural world. Zuria, on the other hand, possessed the rare Light Bearer Attribute, whose secrets remained unknown due to its exclusivity.
As for me, I possessed the Shadow Vessel Attribute – a curse, in truth, that had been placed upon me. Despite this, I had made significant strides in my physical combat abilities and intellectual understanding of this mystical realm. The elves had come to trust me, even referring to me as the Elf Prince Born a Human – a title that still felt surreal.
---
The sun was at its peak as I engaged in my daily sparring match in the training grounds behind the ancient Elenfond family castle. The castle's worn stones seemed to hold secrets of their own, while the beautiful landscape hosted a statue of the First Elenfond King of the Elves. A breathtaking path of roses led to the house, filling the air with their sweet fragrance.
As I stood in the center of the training ground, Gosu and Zuria watched from the sidelines as I prepared to face off against four elven trainees. "Don't hold back!" Zuria cheered, waving from the sidelines, while Gosu stood silent, his eyes fixed intently on me.
The four trainees surrounded me, their movements a blur as they attacked in unison. However, their Nature Attribute made their movements predictable, allowing me to defeat them with ease. "Work on your reaction time," I advised, offering them words of encouragement.
As I finished my sparring match, Reynod, a renowned Elfin knight, landed at the center of the training field. His short silver hair and piercing eyes seemed to command respect, while the scar above his left eyebrow told a story of its own. "Are you ready, Milady?" he asked, his deep voice commanding attention.
Zuria and Reynod faced off against each other, their tension palpable. Reynod struck first, his speed a marvel to behold. However, Zuria countered with a spell that temporarily blinded him, allowing her to claim victory.
As Zuria celebrated her win, Gosu approached, a faint smile on his face. "Well done, Milady," he said, his voice filled with pride.
Without warning, Gosu turned to me, his eyes gleaming with a fierce intensity. "The hell do you think you're going, boy? Fight me!" he exclaimed, dragging me to the center of the field.
After our sparring match, we attended classes where we learned about the mystical realm's history, its various races, and the intricacies of magic. However, my true priorities lay elsewhere. I had been secretly reading books on curse removal, hoping to find a way to break the Shadow Vessel curse that had been placed upon me.
Luna, the ghost of the shadow witch, appeared beside me, her ethereal voice a constant annoyance. "Don't you ever get tired?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "You've been trying to break the curse for two years now. It's about time you gave up."
...Luna's words stung, but I refused to give up. "I need to study so I can get rid of both you and this damn curse," I muttered, flipping through the pages of my book.
For a moment, Luna was silent. I dared to hope that she had finally left me alone. But I was mistaken. She burst into an uncontrollable laughter, her voice echoing through the library. "You don't get it, do you? You can't break the curse. It'll be with you till your death."
I chased her off, my mind reeling with the implications. Ever since I'd been cursed, I'd experienced strange occurrences. I could interact with the spirits of the dead as if they were living, and I'd been having vivid dreams about a mysterious temple and the unknown figure who'd cursed me.
I kept these developments to myself, hiding my true nature and the secrets of my Attribute. Everyone believed I possessed a strong battle Attribute, but the truth was far more complex.
As time passed, I learned to cope with the whispers of the dead and the weight of my curse. But the question remained: for how long?
I delved deeper into my research, driven by a fierce determination to break the curse and reclaim my life. The journey ahead would be fraught with danger, but I was ready to face whatever challenges lay in store.
With a newfound sense of purpose, I closed my book and stood up, my eyes scanning the library as if searching for a hidden truth. The shadows seemed to stir, as if sensing my resolve.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the trials to come. The curse might be powerful, but I was determined to overcome it. I would uncover the secrets of my Attribute, and I would break free from the Shadow Vessel's grasp.
The journey began now.