"Good morning."
"Ugh..."
Even after waking up from my second sleep, the elf was still there.
So, it wasn't just a dream after all.
"Rest assured. I have no intention of harming my savior."
"I-I see... Huh?"
Something felt off. Yeah, definitely off.
First of all, why was she here? And how did she know I was the one who saved her?
"Let me explain everything from the beginning."
The elf, Katarina, must have noticed my confusion.
She was sitting on the floor of my rundown house, but she straightened her posture and began explaining in a polite manner.
So, the late Mother... Is it really true that elves are arrogant and look down on other races?
Because this elf was being incredibly humble towards me, a mere brat. Was it just because I was her savior?
"First, let me introduce myself. My name is Katarina. As you can see, I am an elf. I am 101 years old. I was exiled from the elven kingdom after reaching 100."
"Exiled?"
That matched what I had seen with my appraisal skill. But more importantly...
"Oh, my name is Raymond."
I should at least introduce myself as well. It's only polite. Who knows when an elf might lose their temper? I still don't fully trust this polite elf.
Well, not that I have any escape routes. And even if I did, I doubt I could actually get away.
"The reason I was exiled is a long story. But first, Raymond-sama, thank you for saving me. To be honest, I thought I was going to die. I never imagined I would survive."
"Well, I just used light magic."
And then I left her alone afterward. That makes me feel a little guilty.
"Now, as for why I'm here and how I found you..."
Yeah, that was bothering me. Was it my scent? I do purify myself every time I leave the underground sewers, though. Besides, she was unconscious when I saved her. There's no way she could have known it was me.
"The truth is, I have been able to see spirits since birth. Spirits exist everywhere in this world, but as far as I know, I am the only one who can truly see them."
Huh? Is that something she should be saying out loud?
This sounds like trouble. I can sense the complications already.
"Aren't elves supposed to be able to see spirits? At least, that's the common perception."
"Since elves worship spirits, that misconception exists. However, in reality, no elf can see them. That's why I was exiled for being an anomaly."
Wait a minute. I don't quite understand what she's saying.
Why would they exile the only elf who can actually see spirits?
Wouldn't that be something to celebrate? Shouldn't she have become a priestess or something?
"At first, they were skeptical of my ability to see spirits. Then, there was jealousy."
Ah, I see. Mostly the latter, I bet.
Expelling a talented person out of jealousy... Some things never change, no matter the world. Oh, but she's an elf, not a human.
Apparently, all elves learn to use spirit magic from a young age.
Spirit magic involves lending magical power to spirits in exchange for them casting spells. Normally, elves can only get help from spirits of their affinity.
However, Katarina could ask any spirit, regardless of affinity, to help her.
That's amazing. My appraisal skill only told me that her "Spirit Eyes" let her see and talk to spirits. Her element was listed as non-attribute.
Mysterious. Maybe spirits prefer pure magic?
"There's an old elven legend about an elf who could use all elements. That elf supposedly could see spirits and served the World Tree as a priestess in the capital."
Katarina was expected to follow that path as well. At first, things seemed to be going that way, but then, for some reason, she was exiled.
That makes no sense.
"Wait, you can use all elements, right? Then why didn't you heal yourself with light magic?"
"There were no light spirits nearby. In fact, light and dark spirits are rarely seen. I have used spirit magic once before when I encountered a light spirit in my country. However, I was shocked when I arrived here. Raymond-sama, you are surrounded by both light and dark spirits."
I can't see spirits, so I have no idea what she's talking about.
But maybe they have been helping me? If so, I owe them my thanks.
I bowed my head just in case.
Wait, was it the spirits that made me go rescue Katarina?
Is that even possible?
"After waking up in the underground sewer, I spoke with the spirits. That's how I learned that you saved me. Then, the spirits guided me here."
"Spirits are way too competent."
They're like the ultimate search tool—finding lost people or objects would be a breeze.
No doubt about it. The elven kingdom let go of an incredible asset.
"So? I get why you came here and how you found me. But why were you collapsed in the first place?"
"Please, just call me Katarina."
Uh, okay. Calling a 101-year-old granny by her first name feels weird.
She looks like a late-teen or early-twenties beauty with a slender figure, though. It's just unfortunate that she's flat-chested.
I'm a boob guy, after all.
As I was thinking that, she suddenly gave me a sharp glare.
What? Can she read my mind?
No way spirits are that powerful, right?
If she keeps glaring at me like that, it's just going to make me happy.