Chapter 137 - Nathan And His High Elf Hair

Nathan Evenhart:

I was standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom of my room at the Evenhart mansion in Apsalon, trying to make sure my hair still managed to hide the stubborn streak of silver that insisted on showing. The number of strands turning silver was increasing quickly, way beyond what a simple trim could fix.

I desperately need that dye...

Apsalon, being a city famous for its cosmetic companies and specialty products, was the perfect place to find what I needed. As a neutral zone between the three kingdoms, many businesses set up shop here, making it easier to import materials for everything from healing potions to specialized cosmetics. And I definitely needed something to keep my hair black.

If this change keeps going, I’ll have to say goodbye to black hair and be stuck using dye forever. I hope the day comes soon when I can reveal I’m descended from a High Elf.

“Nathan, are you done yet?” my mother asked, knocking on the door.

I opened the bathroom door and showed her the problem.

“You said there was dye here at the mansion. Can I use it?” I asked, a little desperate.

She stepped closer, running her fingers through my hair, inspecting each strand carefully.

“It’s getting worse. And what’s this?” she exclaimed, pulling out a large silver streak in surprise.

“I told you, it’s gotten worse.”

She sighed, but started fixing my hair. "Don’t worry, we can still hide it. You just need to tie your hair up and keep the silver under the black strands. We’ll let Aunt Margie take a look before you head out."

She brushed my hair skillfully, hiding the silver with the darker strands.

“We can still dye it, there’s time,” I suggested.

“We don’t have time for that now,” my mother said. “You need to wet your hair, apply the dye, and as it dries naturally, activate the mana strand by strand.”

Just hearing that nearly gave me a heart attack.

“That sounds way too complicated! How am I supposed to do that at the academy?” I asked, horrified.

She laughed.

“This is nothing compared to what women go through to look good every day,” she teased. “Don’t worry, I’ll help and teach you how to apply the magic dye,” she said, finishing up with my hair and planting a loving kiss on top of my head.

“Mom!” I complained, embarrassed. “I’m already 15…”

“You could be 100, and you’d still be my son,” she replied with a smile.

“And if… I were more than 500 years old?” I asked, remembering my true age.

She kept smiling, not missing a beat. “You could be a thousand, and you’d still be my baby,” she said, gently pinching my cheek.

Only she can make a General feel this way…

We left the bathroom, and she helped me tie my hair back. I was dressed in elegant clothes for the initiation ceremony of the new students and their parents at Apsalon Academy. The night was calm, and tomorrow would mark the official start of my journey at the academy.

‘Meow,’ I heard a familiar sound. It was Cylla in her small Moon Panther form.

“You’re staying here, Cylla. Tonight’s a private event,” I informed her.

“I’ll rest and sleep. Call me tomorrow,” she responded, jumping onto my bed.

I headed downstairs, where my aunt was waiting for me. Before I could say anything, I was interrupted by Chloe’s voice.

“How do I look?” she asked, appearing in a stunning red dress.

I had to quickly avert my gaze, which had, out of reflex, been drawn a little lower than her neck... to where two soft, round things were.

"You... you look great," I said, trying to maintain control and avoid direct eye contact.

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"You look really handsome too," she replied, grabbing my arm. And then, without warning, I felt my arm pressed against those two soft, round things.

"Wait... hold on... don't hold me like that..." I stammered, embarrassed.

"I see you're finally ready," my aunt said, standing up to meet us.

Martha appeared from some corner of the house.

"The carriage is waiting for you outside," Martha announced with her usual efficiency.

My mother and my aunt exchanged glances, and we headed toward the door. I walked alongside them, but Aunt Margie stopped me just before we reached the exit.

"Hold on a second, dear. Let me take a look at you," she said as she began to inspect my hair.

Aunt Margie carefully examined it, making sure the silver strands were well hidden. When she finished, her eyes locked onto mine, her expression showing more than just concern over my appearance.

"And lastly, those beautiful eyes," she commented with a soft smile. "The blue shade is changing slowly. It's subtle, but noticeable to anyone paying close attention. Are you sure those incidents with your eyes have stopped?"

"Yes, ma'am. They haven't happened," I replied firmly.

She sighed, still a little worried. "The bleeding was worse than the usual tears of blood you used to have. I know you're responsible, Nathan, but if it happens again, let your mother or Adrihna know. We can't let anyone find out about your Special Eyes... at least, not yet."

The memory of the bleeding unsettled me for a moment.

It was the result of me overdoing my training with the Celestial Aspects...

Once I was sure I was ready, we headed for the carriage. The driver was patiently waiting for us. I glanced out the window, letting my eyes wander over the city. Apsalon, the city that would be my home for the next five years.

What does the future hold?

My thoughts mingled with the lights that gleamed along the streets of Apsalon, while the sound of the carriage wheels filled the air. This was just the beginning, and I hoped the next few years would be peaceful, without any trouble.

***

As we approached, I couldn’t help but admire the view. Apsalon was a magical city, vibrant and brimming with diversity. Everywhere my eyes wandered, I saw different races. On the streets, it was common to see an elf walking alongside a demi-human, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And, in truth, it was.

The city not only housed inhabitants from the three kingdoms but also welcomed visitors from other countries, something rare in other regions.

In that moment, I began to grasp what it truly meant to live in a magical city. Everything seemed to run on magical devices, from the floating lights to the mechanisms that kept the city moving. Apsalon was surrounded by wild regions from the other kingdoms, but this didn’t seem to intimidate its residents. On the contrary, the city thrived because of its proximity to an ancient magical labyrinth, where many adventurers earned their living by hunting creatures and extracting crystals.

The crystals, small and gleaming, contained mana within them. They were the power source for the magical devices, providing a solution for those who didn’t possess mana gems like mages did.

In addition, the labyrinths hid rare creatures, whose materials were highly valuable. For example, minotaur horn powder was an excellent fertilizer when mixed with manure from two-headed goats. This kind of knowledge was essential in my family’s agricultural duchy, but here, in Apsalon, the focus was on the abundance of magical technology.

Our duchy, with its economy rooted in agriculture, seemed worlds apart from this reality, but within the kingdom, magical technology was vital, especially in the Royal Capital and Apsalon, where innovations flowed in from all three realms. Even the academy where I would study had its own dungeon. Yet Apsalon offered more than just that for adventurers: the wild forests, the vast labyrinth, and another dungeon farther out, where only the most experienced dared to venture.

The dungeon of Apsalon Academy was a key training ground for students. It was no wonder that the academy was considered the best of the three realms; it had its own dungeon. It wasn’t just a place for theoretical study but an arena where each student had to put their skills to the test. Until graduation, it was mandatory to reach a certain level in the dungeon floors. This was part of the process that produced the best mages. They didn’t just learn in the classroom but faced practical challenges where theory met reality.

But the academy wasn’t only for battle mages. There were various specializations, from engineers to healing mages, and even those students, at some point, had to descend into the dungeon. Aside from training, many essential materials were found there, rare ingredients and artifacts that could only be obtained in its depths.

As I looked at the city through the carriage window, a new feeling began to grow inside me. Apsalon, with its massive walls, seemed like a protected fortress but also a hub of technology. The streetlamps, with magical globes that lit up automatically at dusk, were just one example of how advanced the city was.

On the streets, I saw carriages pulled by exotic animals I had never seen before, and various shops displayed magical devices in their windows, highlighting the practical and technological aspect of the city. Every corner seemed filled with opportunities and mysteries waiting to be uncovered.

I’ll miss the castle.

When we left Evenhart Castle, we bid farewell to the legacies still there. In truth, we had already said our goodbyes to most of them over the past month, as not everyone would be present on the day of our departure. My old combat instructor, the monk Sifu, promised he would visit me occasionally, bringing a sense of continuity. Martha accompanied us, as always, but Hugo had to stay at the castle, given his important role in the family’s army.

Looking out the carriage window again, I took in the vastness of the city that would now be my home for the coming years.

I’ve lived as Nathan Evenhart for 15 years. Slowly, the former General I once was feels like the memory of a story from a distant past, something that never truly existed. Emperor Icarus and Sovereign Icarus are names that belong to a time I no longer wish to revisit. Today, I am simply Nathan.

Over time, I’ve experienced something I never had before: childhood. I played in a peaceful home, surrounded by the love of a devoted mother. I ate simple, wholesome meals, and I was treated with kindness.

I no longer want to be an Emperor. I no longer wish to bear the burden of being the Sovereign. I am content to be human, with human worries. I will continue acting my age, enjoying my youth, but I’ll also have the caution needed to ensure nothing disrupts my future. After all, what I desire most now is this simple, peaceful life.