It has been ten years since Lada’s death.
"Winter is going to be rough this year too."
I am sitting at the top of a tree, contemplating the massive forest in front of me. A large green scenery extends as far as I can see and just Mount Krel stands where the continent ends, at the top of it all.
"Getting flowers for you next month is going to be a challenge. I will probably have to walk to the southern hills and get some hesperia."
After that fated incident, I secluded myself at the village for a while. I did nothing but read through the mountains of books at the library, one after another in an effort to become stronger.
The village continued moving as if nothing happened, Lada did not have a funeral and I do not even think another elf remembered her. With me being the only child left, the Mothers focused all their efforts in me and, lesson after lesson, I despised them more. Their coldness and pragmatism sickened me to a point where I stopped seeing them as anything more than a stranger.
Eventually the deplorable state of my mind started affecting my performance, I managed to screw up every spell they tried teaching me, arrived late to every lesson and could not even touch my food at night. The Mothers, instead of listening or trying to help, gave up on me at the first opportunity they had and, like dealing with a stray cat they are now too busy to look after, just said:
"Starting tomorrow, you will study on your own. You can find anything you need at the library."
If I were just a 12-year-old girl, this would have signified my doom; after all, any teenager with that much free time will rot and become a slob. Thankfully, I am no normal teenager. I have the experience of another whole life behind me and I took this opportunity as my chance to get everything back on track.
For the last seven years, I have been following a very strict routine. During the day, I explore the sacred forest and collect plants; during the night, I study all the books I can find about biology, potions and alchemy.
If I am such a failure when it comes to magic, my mission will be to become the best explorer the elves have ever known. For me, for Lada and for the people I left in the human world, I will become stronger.
"Miss Agafya, good morning. You are here early as always."
"Good morning Cedric."
I looked down and saw Cedric, one of the captains of the hunting squad.
"If you do not mind me asking, where are you heading today Miss Agafya?"
"To Lake Eibsee, I need to get crow mushrooms before the winter starts."
With a jump, I descended from the tree where I was resting.
"Will you be hunting around here today? It’s rare to encounter you at this part of forest?"
"Yes, we have been following a woodland boar for the past week. We believe it is almost time to hunt him."
I am quite famous with the hunting squad; they rarely see any other elves deep inside the forest. Mages and apprentices only go to the outskirts when we need space to practice spells and the Mothers never leave the village unless there is an emergency.
"Boar huh… it’s been ages since I ate some meat."
Cedric and their men handle all the manual tasks around the village. Gathering materials, plants and fruits, building and repairing houses and furniture and, the most important of them all, hunting.
Hunting is almost a ritual here. Anything that comes directly from Jörð, the supreme deity in our culture, creator of the earth and our mother, is sacred. To kill an animal is one of the taboos that will cause an elf to fall, unless it is done properly and with the intention of eating it.
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"Do you want me to trace his mana? If he’s not that far I should be able to do it."
"No, Miss Agafya. You should not use your magic for such trivial matters."
"If you say so, just make sure to hunt him soon. I’ll prepare a stew once you do."
"Thank you. I will be honored to try it."
I cannot deny I was thrilled when I first heard how men talk to me here. Who would not like to have a bunch of handsome elves, which would have passed for famous actors and models back in my world, threating you like a princess? However, after a few weeks, instead of sounding chivalrous and charming they started to sound cold and distant.
"I better get going if I want to return before sunset."
"Do you want to take two of my men as guards?"
"Thank you Cedric, it’s not necessary."
"As you wish, Miss Agafya."
I started walking towards the lake lifting my hand to by farewell to Cedric and his team.
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Lake Eibsee is the second biggest lake at the sacred forest and the perfect spot to gather all kinds of plants. You can even swim there if you like, as only small fish inhabit it and the water is pristine all year long. The mushrooms I am looking for in particular only grow in very humid environments, which makes the trunk of the trees at the edge of the lake the perfect spot to find them.
"Just ten mushrooms and I can call it day."
After forty minutes, I arrive at my destination.
"It’s almost time to return for lunch."
I am sitting peacefully at the edge of the lake. Obtaining the mushrooms was easier than expected, the biggest problem was that I had to swim to a patch of trees infested with them at east side of the lake. I managed to get twice what I needed and now I am using the extra time to meditate and practice my mana concentration.
"I want some grilled boar ribs."
My stomach is starting to take over my brain. I better get going.
"…?"
Something weird is happening here, I am feeling a light mana presence around the air. An animal might want to get closer to the lake. Even if my magic abilities are poor, I have not stopped practicing with my mana. It is very convenient to perceive the mana in your surroundings even if you cannot manipulate it into powerful spells.
"Show yourself."
The signal got too strong and I screamed hopping to scare whatever was behind me. But it did not move, instead I could feel it getting closer.
I got up and turned around quickly. My eyes could not believe what I was seeing.
"Who… are you?"
An old man, with ragged clothes and a withered expression, was coming out from behind the trees. He was a human, the first one I have ever seen here.
"What are you doing here?"
I grabbed the small knife behind my back instinctively.
"∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗"
"What?"
"∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗?"
The man is speaking in some strange language.
"Can you understand Listerian?"
At the village, we speak the ancient elven tongue Dryasian. However, we all know Listerian, the main language here in the continent of Krel.
"∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗"
Nothing, the man just stands there and waves his hands in the air as to say he does not mean harm. I extend my hand and signal him to stop moving so I can get a little bit closer
* The emblem of Lycori.
In the corner of his neck, I notice a small red tattoo of a pointy flower. The emblem of the demon continent, Lycori. I have read that it is common for demon villages to have humans as slaves; this old man must have escaped all the way here. Then, I notice something even more worrying, his clothes are covered in blood and he is carrying a small bag behind his back.
"Throw me your things."
I get closer and direct him with my hand to give me his bag.
"This is bad."
Eichhorns…
Inside his bag, I find the bodies of two small animals. He must have been seriously starving, no one is stupid enough to enter the sacred forest in broad daylight and hunt. It is over, I do not think I can get him out of this.
"You can come out."
Two elves drop instantly from inside the forest. Bow in hand and ready to shoot.
"Miss Agafya, drop that dirty thing. We will handle it."
Whenever we cross paths, Cedric always instructs some of his men to keep a close look at me in case I get in any danger. Back when I screamed at the man, they got closer and stopped concealing their presence to let me know I was safe.
"It’s okay, he is just lost and hungry."
"We will punish it accordingly, Miss Agafya. You do not have to dirty yourself talking with that beast."
The elves are about to shoot so I position myself between them and the man. They already noticed what is inside the bag.
"Please, it’s not necessary. Just expel him from the forest and give the eichhorns a proper farewell."
The old man stands behind me, arms up in the air and overwhelmed by fear. Not understanding what I am saying as I hand the bag to Cedric’s men.
"This miserable beast! I will end it at once!"
One of the elf explodes with anger and I can feel the disgust in his eyes as he looks at the weak old man.
"Stop! It’s an order!"
"But… Miss Agafya…"
Unable to object me, the elf contains himself. At this point, my only option if I want to save the fellow human might be to stop the hunter with my own hands. No male elf would even dare to touch one of us apprentices.
"I am sorry Miss Agafya, but I cannot forgive this vile aggression."
Before I can move a muscle, a large whirlwind coming from the lake interrupt us.
"Stop this very moment Agafya. It has been entertaining so far, but you are about to cross a line I will not tolerate."
Floating majestically above the lake, Mother Lelyah spoke in an ominous tone.
"Mother…"
The hunters immediately dropped their bows and kneeled in front of her.
"You two may go now. I will take care of this."