Chapter 1 – The Contract
I spent time looking for a well-paying job on the extra-net. Which was essentially the internet. Once I’d found a job I figured was worthwhile I sent the Creator that posted the job offer an email.
I received a reply shortly after. Their reply said that they were happy I accepted the job. Their reply also included a “Transfer” link. Clicking the link my room fell away. I felt that stomach churning sensation of sudden motion. Then I was there. In a large room, across from me sat a young girl that seemed to be in her teen. She had deep blue eyes that were speckled with what look like stars. Her hair was a golden brown. Her skin pale like chalk, and she wore a light green dress with heavy brown boots.
“So good to meet you Anier.”
I raised an eyebrow, “No my name is Daniel.”
The girl seemed surprised, “Oh I’m sorry. It’s just that your Creator status has your name as Anier. That’s strange.”
“Really?” I opened my status and sure enough it had my name as “Anier”.
I narrowed my eyes, “That’s strange. Why does it have that as my name…? I guess there’s nothing I can do about that?”
As Metra shook her head I realized I somehow got screwed by that weird screen that claimed to be me.
“Well… It’s nice to meet you, I’m Daniel as I said.”
The girl stood, “Nice to meet you Daniel, again I’m sorry for my mistake. I’m Metra. Please. Sit down.”
She motioned to a comfy looking couch across from her. Walking over I took a quick glance around and noted that the room was overly ornate. Filled with finely carved wood furniture. As well as a surprising number of plants, all species of which I’ve never seen before. As I sat, so did Metra. Metra explained many things to me about her world before I left. She spoke about how she shares her world with another creator. Not failing to mention that lately they’ve had disagreements. To be specific, these disagreement have been on how to manage their world.
Metra wants to balance order and chaos. So she can focus on gaining MaP as the world adjusts to their newest creations. While the other creator ‘Oulosc’. Wants to continue to add new things regardless of how much chaos it causes... Oulosc is a Rank D Creator who always wants to make something new, he makes a lot of MaP selling ideas. Which is part of why Metra invited him to work on her world. Sharing worlds is good for when you’re having trouble coming up with ideas. The amount of income you receive also increases. You can also pool your funds with other creators that are a part of your world to make big projects.
For example if you wanted to make a magic system in your world. It’s really expensive and requires a lot of work. In some cases creators end up changing their entire world. Purely so they can accommodate a magic system. A badly made magic system can restrict your access to the world. In some cases you can even be kept out. In some of the worst cases a badly made magic system might explode. destroying your world. These kinds of mistakes are common when trying to make magic systems. It takes a lot of MaP to make a good magic system.
It should be obvious. A good magic system is anything that doesn’t won’t come back to bite you. For example, If you leave any loop holes you might be visited by people from your world. People that mean you harm. You won’t actually die, but you will be incapacitated for a few days. As that's the most they can do. The bigger issue is all the stuff they steal. Needless to say. While useful, magic can be dangerous to both you and your world. Once a magic system is set it can be incredibly difficult to change it. So it’s just a good idea to work together with another creator when making a magic system.
“I see… a magic system seems like more trouble than it’s worth to be honest.” I commented to myself.
A smile flickered across Metra’s face, “Only if you try to make it flexible and useful. A magic system is more for making influencing the world easier for the Creator. Though if you mess up you could find yourself completely cut off from your world. Or worse.”
“So what do you want me to do exactly Metra?”
“I just need you to assist a VIP. I’ve checked and rechecked my world’s history. A certain someone would be able to act as a linchpin of order. It is unfortunate. But without intervention they die at a young age… I need you to protect them. Prevent their death essentially. Though there is one issue that will make this difficult. I have to assign them as Hero and we can’t just lock them in a room and hope our problems go away. As a result. I unfortunately can’t give you the benefits of a hero. These benefits are things I would normally grant to a Hero under my use. There for you will be acting as what we Creators refer to as an Agent. I only explain this because I assume you’re new. Considering you don’t have a solid form yet.” She waved her hand towards me, gesturing to my body.
“Yeah… you could say I’m new to all this.” I admitted.
“It shouldn’t be an issue.” Metra said before quickly moving along.
“I’ll assign missions to you that I help in enforcing order in. Besides you're guarding of our VIP. I will tell you now, but our VIP must become a hero recognized by everyone. At that point your role will be served and you can spend the rest of your days how you wish.”
“The rest of my days?”
“Yes. Unfortunately I will need you to be reborn in my world. I don’t much want to have the beginning of my world time-line pushed forwards. It’s rare that you’ll find someone that won’t want you to be reborn. With being reborn comes the fact that you will be unable to leave until you die. Most commit suicide after they finish their job. It’s not unheard of for an employee to spend the rest of their days in a Creator's world. As a kind of holiday after a job well done.”
“Wait people commit suicide?”
“Yes. Really it shouldn’t be a surprise. Jobs done and now they can go home and get on with their lives. No reason not too really.”
“That’s stupid.”
“Not really Daniel. It starts making sense to the individual.” Metra smiled as she said that. A forced smile.
I didn’t have anything to say to that, so I stayed silent. Then Metra spoke again.
“I’d have you meet Oulosc but he’s not answering my messages. He was supposed to meet you here with me.”
“What’s wrong? Why would he ignore your messages?”
Metra sighed heavily, “We had a fight. Burning skies, dragons, armies, and the works. He just refuses to listen to me. Oulosc wants throw our world towards chaos. It lets him create more Ideas and faster. I prefer order because I rely on the civilizations of my world to gain income. So it’s fair to say that we’re at odds. For the longest time we had a balance. But then he started pumping out ideas. This was after realizing that he can churn ideas out faster. If our world is tipped towards chaos. Then things got violent between us after I asked him to stop and now he just ignores me. Not my best moments I admit. We’ve been fighting for far too long already. All I can do now is damage control and hope that Oulosc eventually gets over it.”
“I’m hired then?” I asked getting ready to get up.
“Yes, the sooner I have someone on this the better. You’re hired, I’ll send you a message and add you to my contacts. You should also be able to begin the transfer to my world from your Personal Space.”
“Thanks, then I’ll see you when I’m done I suppose.” I said standing.
Metra nodded to that.
“Personal Space.” Metra and her room fell away from me and I felt the sudden pull that gave me a sense of motion.
After moments of nothing but whiteness my room came together around me. I sat on my bed and opened my laptop and noticed that the interface indicated I had a new message. There was also a new shortcut called “Metra’s World”. I opened my messages by going into the “Myself” program. The Window that opened showed myself, a grey silhouette of a person. Beside the rotating image of myself were links to my customization options. Something called a skill workshop and my Inbox.
I opened my Inbox. The newest message titled “Employment” from Metra. There was also another message titled. “I will Destroy you” from Oulosc which I ignored. How did he find my email address? I thought to myself for a moment before moving past it. I opened Metra’s message,
“Oulosc isn’t happy, he just messaged me after you left. Too bad you can’t hide the list of employee’s from Creator sharing your world. *Sigh*
“Never the less. I look forward to when you start. Just know that Oulosc will do everything in his power to obstruct you. He’s got it into his head that I’m trying to cut off his income… I’m not. I’m trying to stop him from screwing me over. I can’t get anything done if my worlds in this much chaos.”
“Also there’s some information I have on the magic of my world in its window once you open it. Read up Anier.”
Under Metra's short message was a notice. It informed me I should be able to begin transit from the Metra’s world window. I'd already noticed the shortcut, but redundancies are good.
Metra seems like a nice person, I think? I can’t really say for sure. Though I question my getting involved. Especially in a dispute between two creatures that form worlds. Then again I suppose I’m the same kind of being as them.
Thinking about whether I made a mistake. I sat on my bed with my computer on my lap, leaning against the wall by the door. I eventually decided it didn’t really matter, work is work. I will admit I am a little excited, not to mention that I get to experience a different world. Isn’t it generally a life time dream to be summoned to another world as a hero? Though I’m not a hero or being summoned, it still has that sort of feel to it.
I close my “Myself” window. being shrunted back to the desktop I stared at the “Metra’s World” Shortcut. I continued to stare at it for a time before double clicking it. The room went dark and fell away. Surrounded by sudden darkness. When since my death I’d experienced nothing but perfect lighting. Left me dreading that I had signed away who knows how many years.
A screen appeared before me. Providing a faint glowing light. It stung my eyes because of the contrast with the darkness. A display of Metra’s world slowly rotated. Almost completely water. Most of the land masses were covered with trees. The tree's only parting where mountains reached their peaks. The rare desert in certain parts of the world. On the side of user interface was “Transit”, “Contract information” and “Info”. I clicked info.
The screen changed to a brief list descriptor of recent events. I mostly skimmed that as I scrolled down. Then an introduction to the world’s magic with a link to a list of compatibilities. Apparently the magic’s of Metra’s world are all elemental based. Mostly only useful for combat purposes. Though things like earth magic can be used in making housing. As well as other inventive application of the elements. Like starting a camp fire using fire magic. Creating drinking water with water magic and so on. I clicked the compatibilities list. I was curious and the screen changed to a blank one. At the top was “Not compatible with any Worlds you know of.” Should have expected that to be honest.
I went back to the main display for Metra’s World and clicked contract information. “Contract – Hero’s Agent. Mission classification – Bodyguard. Rank C+. Accepted by Rank D Creator Anier. Difficulty estimated to be high. Agreed upon payment, 100000MaP + Bonus. Contractor Creator Metra.” Good, just thought I’d make sure…
I returned to the main screen for Metra’s World. For a short while I stared at the transit button and then clicked it.
‘Contract – Hero’s Agent. Mission classification – Bodyguard. Rank C+. Activated, beginning transfer of G rank Creator Anier’s Personal System Settings.’
‘Unauthorized access. Creator Oulosc has disabled statistics percentage carry over’
‘Unauthorized access. Creator Oulosc has altered the details of the contract. Species changed.’
‘Unauthorized access. Creator Oulosc. You are now afflicted with the “Blind” defect.’
‘Creator Metra has intercepted further unauthorized access to Creator Anier by Creator Oulosc.’
The screen flickered through each message almost too fast for me to read. To this occurrence I could only think of how much of an asshole Oulosc is. Seriously. Blind? Fuck you. My awareness faded. Kind of like drifting off to sleep.
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
I regained awareness of my surrounding. Only to realize I was suffocating. Surrounded and pressed upon by an incredible pressure from all around me. It felt like I was being crushed. Then at last I felt that pressure release me from its grip and felt the air enter my lungs. My skin flared up in pain all over my body like it was on fire. I couldn’t help but cry out in pain. I heard the high-pitched screaming cry of a baby and realized I’d just been born. Well wasn’t that an experience. Glad I didn’t remember that the first time around.
I felt a now familiar sense of motion. Then realized I’d been placed in someone’s arms. Well at least I guess I was placed in someone’s arms. I couldn’t actually tell since everything was pitch black. Born and I can’t see a thing, two horrible things in one day. Courtesy of Metra and her “friend”. The ridiculous part is that I don’t care as much as I should. That doesn’t mean I won’t get back at Oulosc if I get the chance.
A feminine voice spoke to me tenderly in a language I don’t understand at all. Sounds like crazy gibberish. Definitely a language though. I’ve heard someone actually spout genuine crazy gibberish. This has too much structure to it. It’s at this point I got a notification of a new message.
“Personal Menu”
The menu opened and I proceeded to my messages.
“That Blindness is going to cause issues. I was expecting him to pull something but not this. I expected this to be far too petty for him. Sadly I thought to highly of him. I’ve sent you an advanced payment as compensation. There are skills to work around Blindness. It can be removed though. It just costs far more than a work around. You should be able to access your Skills Workshop now. Use it.”
‘You have received 10000MaP’
I didn’t seem to be going anywhere, at least for now. So I opened my skill list and sure enough. There was the “Skill Workshop” right under equip/remove skill. I’m kind of curious why I can still see my menu. It might be either because it’s in my head or it’s just a Creator thing. I have no idea. I selected the skill workshop and a complex looking menu popped up. There was also another “Advanced tab” which I decided I wouldn’t touch. At least not for now. Navigating the menu I found that there were three categories. I could make use of these three categories to create a skill. The first is genetics, then magic and finally world. With this I can assume two things. The skills I create on this world will be skills that need a magic system. And also need me to be using this body. Which I came to assume. Because the genetics tab has a lot of things about something called a green elf.
A quick check of my stats screen confirmed I was a Green Elf, whatever that was. Oh and that I was female… oh well I used to play some virtual reality games as a female character. No point in getting uncomfortable about it. Never the less in the genetics tab at the top were recommended options. “Lesser eyesight” would cost 8000Map. “Normal Eyesight” would cost 10000MaP. Below that but still in the recommended area was “Sonar” and “Enhanced senses”. Sonar required enhanced senses and getting both would cost 39000MaP. So not exactly an option. I switched over to the magic tab. “Mana sight” and “Comprehend language” were the only two recommended options for magic. I feel like Comprehend language would be something I direly need. I don’t want to learn a new language it’s such a pain. It took me 19 years to learn Arruana. I say 19, but actually it only took 1 year to learn to the point that I could understand and respond. I spent the rest of my life perfecting my understanding of the language. All while I build relations with the Arruana.
Getting the both Mana sight and Comprehend language would only cost me 6000MaP. 4000MaP for Comprehend language and 2000MaP for Mana sight. Thinking 2000 was a bit too good to be true, I checked Mana sights descriptor. “Mana sight uses the residual mana given off my all life in worlds with Magic systems. The area within a ten meter radius around the magician is mapped perfectly. Advantages are that Mana sight can be used to see through walls. Anything and everything within range is clearly visible to the magician. Disadvantages are that creature releasing large amounts of mana will disrupt Mana sight. Making it useless against strong opponents.” I decided on getting Comprehend languages and Mana sight.
‘Mana sight has been learned.’
‘Comprehend languages has been learned.’
I can get lesser or normal eyesight latter. At the moment Comprehend languages is more important, at least to me. I equipped my new skills.
“I’m so, so, sorry my daughter.” Said the feminine voice from before, this time I understood it.
“Enough of that, you’ve said your goodbyes.”
I deep grimy voice came from a new set of hands that grabbed me and lifted me away. I opened my eyes and looked up at the man. Shapes burst around me in every direction and took form. It was strange not seeing colours or light, I could feel them, but not see them. I could see the depth and the lines and edges of the man’s face as well as the womens. I stared up at this man, an ugly man. He might have been a good-looking man. If not for the pox scars covering his cheeks and forehead. His aged and sagging skin did help his looks much either. The women had long pointed ears and was laying down. It didn't seem like she had the strength to stand as she flailed her arms uselessly. Trying to protest against the distance between me and her.
“No. Please, she’s only just been born you can’t take her she needs me!”
My mother fell over as she reached towards me, she had a voice like bells. It was nice to listen to.
“I’m not taking care of your child you stupid bitch. I’ve a client that’s been asking to by a baby for some time. Two-hundred Iron sticks he’s offering I could live carefree for years off that.”
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“No, no, please, I do anything you want! Please just don’t take my child.” She was crying at this point as she pushed herself off the ground.
“No you won’t, your husband sold you to me and ran off. You’re going to be sold with the rest of the slaves in Dorendu.” The scoffed.
My mother just broke down crying while the man turned and walked away with me in his arms. It seems we are in a barn, I took note of the piles of hay and a cart. As we got close to the barn door I took notice that just outside the barn were five caged carriages. Some men where wearing normal kinds of clothing. Some wore armour made from leather, but every one of them carried weapons. Long sword, short swords, maces, one even had a great sword. What no pikes, halberds or spears? They seem like a bunch of uneducated idiots. As I thought this to myself a smallish man approached us. He began to speak to the ugly man carrying me.
“That elven women whelped her brat then I see?” the smallish man squawked in an annoying tone.
The ugly man nodded.
“What ah, do we do with it?”
“I know someone in the area that’ll buy it for 200 iron sticks. I’ll go sell it to him and then we can go on our way to Dorendu. Sell these useless shits and get paid"
The smallish man nodded with a great deal of energy. Then walked away and joined with a group made up of some other men where they began talking.
The ugly man carried me through many streets. The stone paved streets straight and well proportioned. The buildings being carved stone. Moss and plants showing how old and aged the building are. He walked until we reached the back end of a small back alley. Where he knocked on a wooden door with a simple pattern painted on it.
“I’m here Bog-gobi.” The ugly man announced, his voice raised.
From the other side of the door something thumped and rustled. After a short moment the door clicked many times. Then swung open revealing a small green goblin. The goblin only just reached the ugly man’s hip.
“Karago Stal, what’re you doing here?” the small goblin, Bog-gobi, asked. Scratching behind his ear as he did. The ugly man “Karago” spat on the ground by Bog-gobi.
“I’m here with your “request”. I don’t care what you do with it, just pay up.” Karago shook me gently, indicating me as said request. The goblin, Bog-gobi smiled and trembled with excitement.
“Ah! So you changed your mind? Good, good, come in I’ll get your Iron.” He clapped his hands. Karago took a few steps inside and stood by the door watching the goblin. The goblin scurried about picking up sticks of iron the length of my arm. He grabbed them from here and there around the room. We waited for some time until the goblin returned. Coming from one of the back rooms with a large cloth sack. He threw it at the ground by Karago’s feet.
“It’s all there, feel free to count it, now gimme the child.” Bog-gobi laughed his lack of confidence seeming obvious. He stretched his arms to reach me. Karago handed me over to the goblin and retrieved the bag from the ground.
“I’ll count it latter. I don’t think you’d want to die… so I’ll assume it’s all there Bog-gobi.” Karago narrowed his eyes at Bog-gobi for a time before turning to the door. Karago stepped out the door and closed it behind him. Leaving me with the goblin. The goblin put me down in a chair and locked the door with many locks each of a different size. Before returning to pick me up again. He carried me into one of the back rooms. The back wall of this room was a stone entrance to a cave that seemed to reach far underground. We walked down through the cave for some time. Reaching a goblin with armour and a spear. As we approached the goblin in armour waved at us.
“It’s a bit early for your next report isn’t it Bog-gobi?”
“I got a daughter so I’m going to take some time off. Tell Gab-Bagi to fill in for me. He’s better at mixing in with the above people anyway.” Bog-gobi shrugged and continued walking.
The Goblin in armour sighed and walked off further into the cave tunnel. Bog-gobi pinched my cheek as we walked. It hurt a lot and I pushed away his hand without success. That made him laugh. We reached a split in the tunnel and took the right path. I felt like making a joke. About it being the “right path” but my vocal cords didn’t work yet. And it’d just be weird and out of context. Bog-gobi continued to walk in silence while carrying me. We walked past a door carved into the side of the tunnel. Past the door were many goblins in armour. As well as a tall man with pale skin, blue hair and wearing armour in the same style as the goblins. The tunnel kept going further and further down. The further down we got the wider and taller the tunnel got. After some time I could no longer see the ceiling or the sides of the tunnel. Walking further we reached a stone wall. It was guarded by more goblins that walked along it. There were also some people who looked like how I imagined elves would look. There where also short stocky people who were dwarves. There where also a few other creatures I didn’t recognize. This, other than being blink, seemed like it’ll be a good experience. A complete fantasy setting. That must without a doubt have magic and countless kinds of creatures and monsters. Though I find it strange that a goblin is adopting me for some reason. I see no point complaining. We reached a large stone gate in the wall. Bog-gobi entered a door in the side of a tower attached to that wall that I assumed to be the guard post.
“Hey Boss I’m back.” Bog-gobi waved to an elven women with purple skin. She looked like she was happy to see Bog-gobi.
“Do you bring important news from the surface?” The elven women asked, seeming unimpressed with the goblin.
Bog-gobi frowned and shook his head.
“No… I, ugh… came to ask for some time off.”
The elven women became confused.
“What? Why? You never take time off, are you getting old?”
“No, no, nothing like that. I found a daughter. Gonna look after her myself.”
The Elven women dropped her demeanour of professionalism and came to Bog-gobi’s side,
“Your being serious?” She looked down at me. Studying me for a moment.
“Looks like a surface elf, where’d you get her? I assume she’s not yours.”
“A surface man sold her to me for some iron.”
The women scratched her head.
“I see… well instead of taking time off. You could leave her with me. besides you don’t know how to look after a surface elf. Not to mention Gab-Bagi is busy with work from the council.”
Bog-Gobi’s face droped into a frown and he looked like he was going to cry.
“But I’m gonna look after her… can’t do it from the surface.”
“Bog-gobi, we need the those market trade prices from the surface. We need them so that we can get a fair price for our ores. Look, you keep up with your work until Gab-bagi is done with his. Then we can work in the city as guards and be a happy family, okay?”
“But- I- Okay….” Bog-gobi slumped forward slightly.
The women gave him a light punch on the shoulder.
“Come on, you this is no time to abandon your job. Besides she’ll be fine, I’ll leave her with my sister in town.”
Bog-gobi, seemed to give in and just nodded. He patting me on the head, handed me over to the elven women and walking out of the guard post. The elven women looked down at me and smiling. For the next two hours she sat there filling out papers. She seemed to of forgotten me and held me in her left arm close to her chest as she worked. It's during those two hours that I realized she was a Dark Elf. Though it should have been obvious because her skin was a sleek purple shade. Not to mention her almost white hair. I realized her hair was tinted blue ever so slightly, almost unnoticeable. She wore well fitted leathers. With some kind of carapace that seemed to serve as armour. The Carapace was a darker shade of purple than her skin. It covered her chest, hips and upper arms. Her eyes somehow shone a pale blue light. I assume the glow from her eyes is what allowed her to see without any sources of light nearby. She was beautiful. Every few minutes she would give me a quick glace and then return to her work. Writing slightly fast after each glance. Until she was done. The Dark elf women let out a long sigh after she finished her paper work. She leaned in her office seat for a time before standing and carrying me out of the room.
The door opened up to a bustling street. I could feel all the colours and the many lights in the streets. She carried me past stalls with so many varieties of foods, equipment and items. For the first time the fact that I was in a completely different world hit me. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I felt somewhat homesick. But more than that I felt a sense of adventure flare to life inside of me. Something I thought I’d lost, the wish to know more about the world around me. We stopped at a small stone house with a wooden roof. The Dark elf women knocked on the door. The door swung open, another dark elf women stood inside the door.
“Hey there sis!” the Dark elf women holding me said.
“Go away.” Replied the other women her annoyance evident. The other women was about to swing the door shut but stopped once she caught sight of me.
“Did you steal that child?”
“What? No-“ The women holding me said trying to quickly clear up the misunderstanding. The other women interrupted before she could say anymore.
“Then it’s yours?” The other women seemed shocked, her jaw hanging open after speaking.
The women holding me sighed deeply.
“No, it’s not mine, Bog-gobi adopted it. It was being sold on the surface.”
“Oh… They sell children?”
“Seems so. I don’t understand surface people.” The women holding he shrugged.
The other women nodded seeming to accept that. The women holding me spoke up again.
“You have a child. Could you look after this one as well until Bog-gobi finishes his current assignment?”
The other women squinted her eyes. I guess that cute expression means she’s glaring.
“I suppose I’ll have to. You’ll push it on my anyway and guilt trip me if I don’t take care of it and it dies.”
The women holding me smiled deviously.
“You know me so well sis. You’re the only one I can rely on for this, here take her.”
I was handed over to the other women and she took me in her arms with great care.
“What’s its name?” the other women asked looking at me, now with a gentle expression.
The women that brought me here frowned. Then thought for a moment while looking at me and nodding after some thought.
“Her names Knife. If Bog-gobi doesn’t like it, then he can fight me for the right to rename her.”
The other women that was not holding me sighed and then slammed the door in her sister’s face. I’ll spare you the details, but I was fed and I slept. Over the next few months I learned that this women’s name was Hipria. Her son’s name was Shushen and the same age as me. Hipria’s sister was called Rixal. Hipria and Rixal’s job involved carrying weapons around and patrolling. As well as other work that I didn’t entirely understand, maybe military? I didn’t learn much about it. Some more time passed and nothing interesting happened. Just being so bored that I resorted to playing with Shushen to ease me of some boredom. Getting fed, going to sleep, waking up, rinse and repeat. We were cleaned and changed out of dirty cloths each day. I had no control over my bowels so I soiled myself as often as Shushen, I didn’t enjoy that.
Years passed by. I became stronger and could walk. Sometimes I did some rolls because it seemed to amuse everyone, Shushen especially. But, yet my voice still didn’t work. When I tried to speak I only made sounds like bark rubbing against bark. I grew slower, actually I grew much slower. Children my age where already twice my height. I overheard Hipiria wondering if I was one of the “little people”. I had no idea what that meant All I knew was that I didn’t like it being put that way. I spoke my first words at the age of seven. Shushen had already been speaking for around six years, so I was behind. Hipiria has begun to wonder if I was simple, that was pretty harsh. I actually didn’t mind being treated like a child. It was all a big learning experience. Learning how my new body works. Simple things about the upbringing of this societies children. It also helped that I was in fact a child at this moment.
Bog-gobi would often finish his assignments. Then return as fast as possible so he could come visit. But, yet it was never for long as there always seemed to be more work for him to do. I didn’t mind. He cared and I knew that I was taken care of, that’s all that mattered to me. Though I knew that it must be hard for him not being around to raise his little girl himself. Hipria tries to make him feel better by saying I will need someone to look after me my entire life. Thanks Hipria, play the “Your daughters dumb as a rock” card. Just you wait, I’ll make you feel silly for doubting me.
Hipria started taking me to market with her, Shushen had been going for a while. Shushen had for some reason gotten attached to me and taken it upon himself to look after me. He’s just copying his mother. But he’s a good kid either way. Always well-behaved and never get into any fights with the other children.
When I turned 10 they finally realized I was blind. They’d thought I was just a shy simple little girl who didn’t like to look at people. The cloudiness in my green eyes became more prominent. They took me to a physician that was also a mage. The mage was the one who realized I was blind. He felt my influence on the ambient mana in the air. Through which he deduced that I was using my sense of the ambient mana in place of my eyes to see. The mage said that I would have been an incredible mage if I wasn’t born blind. I’m more of a physical person so I didn’t mind. The mage went one to say that my slow development was normal. Not because I was blind but because I was something known as a Green Elf. A Green Elf is the ancestor of all the magical races. The first green elf was born by the Tree of elders. Green elves, the first species of higher thought and mana manipulation in the world. Over time to green elves split into the many races of the land. But, yet green elves being linked with the tree of elders can never truly die. It’s said that most Green elves became trees, though we know not why. There are tales of a Green elf village near the Tree of elders in the Elder Forest. The key characteristic of a Green Elf is their translucent orange blood. But the key characteristic is that they are more plant than animal. Hipria looked worried after the mage said I was more plant then animal.
“Did we do any permanent damage by keeping her from the sun?” she asked, a pained look in her eye.
The mage paused for a moment starting at Hipria and then shook his head and smiled.
“No, don’t worry Hipria. Green elves only use sunlight to generate more mana. They are known for being almost unbeatable mages when the sun is at its peak. It should be fine, she shouldn’t need sun light. Just lots of water and food. You should also let her play in the dirt, Green elves feed off power from the ground and use that to grow. She should grow well if you let her eat until full and drink until satisfied every day.”
Hipria got this look on her face like someone kicked a puppy that she loved a lot.
“I… I’ve been starving her?”
“It’s not your fault. Besides you’ve been giving her more than enough to maintain herself with. Green elves can go decades without eating so long as they have access to water. Just to grow she needs much, much more than what you’ve been giving her.”
The mage forced a smile and Hipria broke down crying. Shushen comforted his mother saying “it’s okay” and that “Knife will get better”. I couldn’t help but feel bad about her feeling so responsible. She didn’t know. I didn’t know either. So I got up off the ground and pat her on the head. Honestly I never even realized I was hungry.
“I… t’s ….. fi…. ne.” I managed to squeeze out these words with much difficulty. My voice crackled like snapping branches and it hurt quite a bit.
She lifted her head up sharply and stared at me wide eyed. I just smiled at her shocked face and pat her on the head again. That night I ate enough for three adults and drank all the water in the house. I still felt like I needed more, but I decided that could wait for tomorrow and slept. Hipria cried all night, nothing I could do about that. The next day I had visibly grown 10 centimeters. and I felt like I could fly, not really, but I felt incredible.
This surprised Hipria a great deal. The mage said I’d grow rapidly, but none of us knew exactly how rapidly he meant. I started talking regularly. Speaking was no longer difficult and no longer hurt. I noticed that when I yelled, or my emotions were high. My voice would rumble, crunch and crack like snapping leaves or crunching bark. I made a point of asking about anything I could think of. I wanted to learn as much as I could and I was just happy I could finally talk after so long. I learned that there was indeed magic and everyone was capable of learning magic. It was just having the patience for it that mattered. Literacy wasn’t wide spread. In fact most people thought reading was a waste of time. Generally the only people who learned to read where nobles, mages and priests. It didn’t really matter to me. I’m blind… sort of and have no intention of learning to read this worlds languages. I just need to protect the hero, whoever that is. I should get around to asking Metra who it is since I’m 10 now after all. I should probably work on befriending them. We should both be around the same age if Metra was telling the truth.
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Author's Notes,
Hey it Arukorstza again.
Another early one. Ended up splitting the original chapter 1 in two. My rewriting of it got it up to around 16000 words. Not to mention I still need to reword the other half so it makes more sense, haha.
Sorry for it being shorter again. I'll be more strongly enforcing my 8000+ words a chapter quota when I switch to monthly releases after the 14th chapter. Yes it has increased because I had to split this chapter in two.
Anyway I hope you enjoyed the chapter.