Chapter 5

After yesterday, I figured I was a bonafide genius, considering I transformed into a mage and all. Turns out, I'm not so special. Apparently, anybody can become a mage but most don't have the mana accumulated in their body to be worth it. With enough drive, you could literally create a massive army of mages, but the resources would be astronomical. Additionally, they wouldn't be much stronger than the average soldier because of how little their core could produce, like ashamed levels of little. Through years of experimentation, people found out creating power was much more efficient by pouring said resources into a select few, producing mages who could do some real damage. How I got the resources to spark my mana core confused me to no end, as a matter of fact, it mostly just appeared out of nowhere.

Wait, does that mean I am special then? To be honest, strange things started happening after I ate that bean from that gullible old man's pouch, maybe I should eat more foreign objects...

The good news was that The Beast was now much more open to me. She told me we're headed to the closest elven training camp, almost near the elven border. I think she intends to train me but haven't yet to find out what she wants in return.

After weeks of nonstop travel through the forest, The Beast informed me that we're close. As time goes on, I could feel several extra pairs of eyes hidden in the treetops locking down on me, more out of interest than a threat. The Beast stopped and whistled a lovely melody in which another female elf came out of the woodwork. If I hadn't known better, I would have guessed they were sisters, all elves tend to look the same. They don't usually breed outside their own race so mixed races with elf heritage are rather rare. After some hugs and greetings in their elven language, The Beast motioned me over with a wave of her hand.

"This is Esried. I brought him to be trained under our order, hopefully becoming family as well. Esried this is my wonderful sister Windcharm, Warden of the training camp you are going to attend."

Well shit, now I'm just being fucked with—they really are sisters.

"Welcome Esried. I heard many things about you, including your unique mana situation. I hope you don't disappoint."

The Warden even has the same stupid smirk The Beast has. When did they have the time to communicate? I was with The Beast the whole time, which most likely pointed to some type of elven voodoo magic. Maybe they will even teach me some of it considering I am to train with them, one can only hope.

The two sisters casually talked as I followed a few paces behind. As we moved forward, totems twenty feet high were seen sparsely scattered throughout the area. These totems almost look lifelike which probably meant they were enchanted in some way, or some really good artist just fooled me. Each totem had a different animal at the top which looked down at all whom cross its path.

"They contain the souls of the animals they represent," The Beast said without looking back.

I nodded even though her back was turned to me, for some reason, she can always tell. We broke into a clearing where there were a multitude of large oak buildings, each larger than the next. The area was full of elves moving to and fro. It is a little strange seeing so many identical looking people in one spot, almost as if they were cloned. The males don't look that much different from the females to boot. What a weird orgy that would be.

Long blonde hair, small eyes, sharp chin, pointy ears, pointy nose, green tunic, brown tights, leather shoes, and bow with quiver on every elf the eye can see, except one. An elf with silver hair came barreling in at what looked like mach one.

"Hi mother!" The elf launched herself in and wrapped her arms around The Beast, squeezing with visible intensity.

"Mother?" A puzzled look plastered my face.

"Hey mana buscuit!" The Beast hugged back with what looked like twice as much force.

“I told you to stop calling me that. I’m way too old,” the girl said.

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"Wait a minute, how old are you?" I asked the Beast.

"I'm two-hundred and ten this cycle."

HOLY SHIT! The Beast was bangin' for her age.

"Ya know, it's rude to ask a lady her age." The girl clicked her tongue just like her mother, kind of hate her already.

"You know what else is rude? Calling other people rude," I spat back, asserting dominance.

"Be nice mana biscuit. You two are going to be partners for the next few years." The Beast interrupted our little tit for tat argument.

"What? You can’t be serious. He is not even an elf! I’d much rather go solo." The girl crossed her arms in defiance.

"You two are of similar age and you don't have a partner yet. Esried, this is Moon. Moon, this is Esried. The camp has a mandatory buddy system so you both are stuck with each other."

The introduction gets me thinking, we have been traveling together for weeks and I don't even know the Beast’s real name. I better ask before I start meeting even more people.

"I apologize for asking, but what is your name anyways?"

Tilting their heads back, The Beast face palmed and the Warden chuckled.

"The spirit named me Sun. Last name is elven but it directly translates to the word Light."

"What? He didn't even know your name? I’m required to partner with this idiot?" Moon pouted with puffy cheeks and stomped off after realizing the decision was final.

"You better chase after her. This training camp is no joke. You are going to need her" The Warden said with a stern face.

Shit. I started jogging in the direction I think she had gone, looking for her distinct silver hair. This place was fucking huge! Brown oak structures everywhere tower over me with crazy scribbles and pictures etched into their sides. Eventually, I ran into a circular running track that had a multitude of elves training on it. To the left of it, smaller elves were firing arrows at circular targets, and to the right, slightly older elves were holding leashes to various carnivore looking animals, ones big enough to eat a human whole I might add. Continuously scanning, I eventually spotted Moon's silver hair disappearing into a small cabin near the back of the camp. Despite looking completely out of place, no elf minded my presence as I power walked toward her position.

*Knock* *Knock*

Quickly thinking of possible conversation starters, I waited patiently for her to answer. There was no reply so I slightly opened the cabin wood door and took a quick peek. The room was very plain with two single beds on opposite sides and two desks with chairs against the back wall. Additionally in the corner, a small washroom sat snug near the front door.

Hunched over, Moon was sitting at the right desk with pen in hand, scribbling or drawing I do not know. I slowly approached not wanting to spook the creature from her natural habitat.

"Go away," Moon spoke to me without looking.

Was this an elf thing or a Light family thing where you don't look at who you spoke to? Moving up to close the gap, I ignored her initial demands and pulled up a chair next to her, scratching up the wood floor in the process.

"If you don't like me so much then why don't you get your friends to beat me up," I chortled, but my attempt at a joke to lighten the mood fell short of anything but funny.

"...I don't have any friends."

Moon's eyes started to swell, her hand slightly trembling.

Shit. What do I say now?

"Errr... Why not?"

I winced at my own hasteful remark, prying into her personal affairs.

"Because nobody likes my hair."

She started weaving her hands through her hair, hunched over as if carrying a large weight on her shoulders. Moon’s tears silently dropped onto the paper she was writing on, sniffling in between breaths.

I paused for a moment and took a real good study of her. Her silver hair slightly shimmered in the sun which poured through a glass window. Height shorter than most elves based on what i've seen outside but not by much. Her face was slightly rounder compared to the sharp chins of the others. A button nose accented her smaller more delicate features. And her eyes.... Looking deep inside I could see a sparkle. A glitter of light I could only describe as magical.

As she sobbed I noticed that we were very similar; Both of us alone in our own way.

"I like your hair," I joked a lot, but this time I spoke with sincerity.

Moon paused her silent reflection and looked me straight in the eyes. Surprisingly, she dove headfirst into my chest for a very tight hug. I softly patted her head on instinct and placed mine upon hers returning the hug, each enjoying the other's presence. After what felt like seconds but in reality was minutes, I realized something.

Well fuck me. This is the start of a love story isn't it.