Information
This is a work of fiction. Names, monsters, skills, places, etcetera, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2014 by FrozenArrow. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
" What is it gramps ? Did you have something to discuss ? "
" Is that the way you speak to the one who raised you ?! "
Iryl heard the old man saying that, as he stepped through the door of the house while holding a huge basket of freshly cleaned clothes. The young man walked towards the staircase that was leading to the upper floor of the house along with the basket and headed upstairs belching.
" Calm down geezer! It's not like we don't know each other is it ? "
The old man was mumbling to himself as he was processing the words of the young man.
" Now I understand.. We 've known each other for almost nine years it's not like we are strange... HEY! Who are you calling a geezer you insolent kid! "
A laughter could be heard from the floor upstairs. While the old man was fuming over the past conversation he sighed and took the tobacco pipe that was lying on the table in front of him and slowly inhaled a deep bubble of smoke. Meanwhile, Iryl was placing the clothes into a cupboard on the second floor. As soon as Iryl finished placing the clothes into the cupboard he headed downstairs and said to the old man with a serious gaze on his face.
" So what did you want to discuss dear grandfather ? "
The old man opened one of his closed eyes and looked towards Iryl. What stood before him was a young boy around the height of 135cm. As time passed the young boy stared towards the elder with a gentle but sharp gaze on his face. His short white hair were floating a little in the air, as a small gust of wind came through the open window in the room. As for his eyes, they were crystal blue the same as his mother's who died in the fire seven years ago.. What they made one think, if they looked him in the eyes for too long, was that they were an endless river ending up a botomless lake. As for his clothes he was wearing a light yellow fabric to cover his torso and black leather pants at his bottom. His feet were covered with a pair of sandals and each of his hands with a line glove. The last thing that was completing his “stylish” clothing was a small silver ring on the last finger of his left hand.
" Come boy, sit down. "
Said the old man and pointed towards the chair with his gaze to Iryl. Iryl swiftly sat down on the chair and waited for the old man to start talking. After a little the elder began talking.
" Iryl.. The time has come for you to leave this place. "
Is what the elder said and after a while Iryl made a sad face.
" So it is time to say goodbye isn't it ? "
" Yes. As you are aware this year you will be nine years of age and according to the Elven Law.. "
The elder made a sad face as he stopped talking and looked towards Iryl. Among the many things that he had taught him one of the most basics was the Elven Law. The Elven Law was made from that devil Shin Randel about 100 years ago in order for the Elf race race to survive. And among those rules of the elf society there was this one rule that forced the elves to leave the village for 7 years. What that rule said was.. All elves that are nine years old must train outside the village in the Elven Continent for seven years.
' Well.. It is understandable why he forced them to train. Since the elves were pretty lazy in the past. But, it is still too much... To send nine year old kids out in the wilderness where monsters roam and force them to survive for seven years.. '
All Iryl could think about this weird law was one thing..
' Either the man who wrote the Elven Law was crazy or the Elves of his time were extremely lazy.. '
" Indeed I am aware of the law dear grandfather. "
Is what Iryl said before he continued what he was saying.
" After all these nine years I am deeply indebted to you who raised me with such mirth(=joy) and tought me all those things about the wolrd, and even though we are not even blood related I 've always thought of you as a father.. "
The old man was staring at Iryl and whereas he couldn't hold his pulse, he let a couple of tears flow to his crummy old-cheecks.
" Ohh.. Iryl, after all these years you have grown to be such a kind and noble young boy... Your mother would be so proud of you "
The old man headed towards Iryl and hugged him tightly while saying the above..
The boy was a little bit confused as the old-man was screaming at him the previews days about how lazy he was and how the other kids would easily laugh at his mess...
'Seems like someone got too old for this stuff hahaha'
Iryl though making off a quick smile up on his shoulder..
After a small amount of time had passed the elder wiped his tears and went upstairs. Meanwhile, Iryl was preparing a leather backpack with the bare necessities for his journey. As he was ready to leave the house the elder came from upstairs while holding a long wooden bow.
" Here take this. It will surely be of use for your journey.. "
" But.. Grandfather this is.. "
" Yes.. This is the bow I used back in the day. And now it is time for you to inherit it! "
A faint aura could be felt coming out of the long bow as Iryl placed it in his hands. There were also letters that could be seen carved on the wooden bow. They were probably hieroglyphics that were used to enchant and allow magic to flow into the bow.
" Is this a magic bow ? "
" Yes it is. And it will help you grow along with it. As it did for me! "
Iryl smirked and placed the bow on his back as he headed outside. After reaching the small wooden gate that was the entrance of the small garden he turned his head back and thanked the elder concisely.
" See you again in seven years gramps! "
The thought that passed through Iryl's mind wasn't the same though..
' A bow huh? It would be better if it was a sword... Aditionally I 've never used a bow before.. Well ! It is better than nothing! '
" Hey! Who are you calling gramps! "
With a small smile on his face Iryl finally left the small house and headed towards the village where he would meet with the other youngsters for the first time and start his first adventure!
' Ehh! So this is what the village looks like! '
Iryl was lost in the wonderful view of the village area as he entered through the small gate. To his surprise, the village was quite the lively place. Unlike the small house which was isolated from the village for some reason.. This place was bursting with life. Houses could be seen here and there, some were even merged with trees and looked like a tree house. In the middle of the village a small well was placed and several elves were using it at the time. After staring at the village for a while stuned by it's beauty Iryl heard a voice coming from a young lady in a house.
" Come and get your health potions! Only 3 silver Crowns each! "
' Huh?! So they even sell those kind of stuff? '
A little bit of time passed before Iryl regained his composure. After observing once again the surrounding area with a fast glance, Iryl began to head towards the biggest building he could see.
' That building must be the one that gramps mentioned! '
The building he was headed towards was the one that all elves around his age would gather in order to leave the village for training.. And that building was nothingother than the bank... Well, it was a bank in name but it was used for other purposes as well.. Such as a school in the mornings and a spot gathering through out the day for the elves to buy and sell things. That was also a system that was made by Shin Randel who brought the current currency of the Elf society as well...
' That man sure did some amazing stuff... '
As Iryl was lost in thought. Several people were looking at him. Some of them were even mumbling.
" Hey, isn't he.. "
" Shh! He 'll hear you! "
All that Iryl could think as he passed through the streets was one thing..
' Yes... Like I can't already hear you... So idiots my gosh'
When he reached the huge building that all the other buildings in the vincinity couldn't even compare to it, he saw a man sitting on a log who was reading a book. As he aproached him the man closed the book he was reading, stood up, and quickly turned his gaze at Iryl and asked.
" Are you perhaps Sage-Sama's.. ? "
Before he could finish his sentence Iryl answered with a smile on his face and a slight bow.
" Yes, I am the Elder's grandson. My name is Iryl nice to meet you. "
" No! No! The pleasure is all mine! I am Darel and I work in the bank house. I 've been waiting for your arrival! Now come this way Iryl-Dono! The other youngsters are waiting for you. " (Author speaking: -Dono is used in order to adress someone with respect.. Probably. )
" Please, address me more casually. No need to use honorifications towards someone younger than you. Don't you think Darel-San ? " (Hello it's the author again...: -San is used to address someone older with a bit of formality. )
The man was probably around 30 to 35 years old. He had long blonde hair falling down to his back and green eyes. The man, was also wearing a pair of glasses and a robe with several symbols in the Elf language on it. He was probably a mage or at least he looked like one.
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
" Then.. How about Iryl-Kun ? Will that be sufficient ? " (Author speaking again: -Kun is used for a more friendly tone. I am only sure of that..)
" Yes. That sounds ok.. But, I 've been getting chills down my spine since a while ago ? I wonder why is that happening..? "
Iryl could feel the stares of the villagers on his back, the fact that they were looking at him and even mumbling from time to time.. Even though, he pretty much knew the reason behind the stares... Well, it couldn't be easily ignored.
" Isn't it just your imagination Iryl-Kun ? Hahaha !? "
' Yea.. I sure hope it was.. '
Is what Iryl thought before stepping inside the huge building with Darel-San.
What Iryl saw as he went into the bank house was a bunch of elves gathered. Some of them were laughing while others were crying as they hugged their loved kids that were about to leave the village for a long time.. But, everything changed once he entered the house. The elves that were gathered there suddenly turned their gaze towards him, immediately stopped whatever they were doing and just stared at him..
' What are you lot staring at.. It's not like I am death god or something.. '
Is what Iryl thought but, before he could complain in his mind Darel made a statement.
" Ghmm! To all elves that are gathered here to leave for the training camp please head to the room you have been told to go to prepare for the journey. "
' Training camp... What is this a picnic ? '
Iryl made a small smirk on his face as the thought passed his mind but, before long Darel said to him.
" Now! Now! Iryl-Kun head over to that room for the preparations. "
Iryl nodded and began heading towards the room he was told. As he walked through the elves gathered over there, they just looked at him with disconcerting eyes but he paid almost no attention to it.. He began getting used to it.. Most of them were probably parents or guardians who were just worried about their kids.. That must have been the reason they gave him that kind of look.
After arriving at a certain room of the bank house Iryl opened the door and took a look at the inside. There were five elves in the room and they seemed to be around his age as well. The three of them were guys while the other two were girls. Two of the guys were looking similar.. No that was to little to describe them they were completely the same.. Both of them had short blonde hair and blue eyes. But their similarity didn't end there as they were wearing the same clothes as well! The only thing that could make them differ from one another was that one of them was wearing glasses.. Apart from them one of the girls had pretty green eyes accompanied with her long shining silver hair. From the grimace on her face she was probably the dere kind of person.. As for the other girl she had long kight green hair, no it could be called lime I guess along with two big green pupils. Her face was reddened for some reason and she seemed to be the shy type of person. The last one was another guy who was sitting in the corner of the room away from the rest of the elves. He looked different from them as well.. The difference was too big though.. It could be compared with Iryl's kind of difference.. The young boy had black hair and red eyes.
' Unlike, the other elves he is different and maybe isolated too '
That kind of thought passed Iryl's mind but, before Iryl could say something one of the two identical guys, more specifically the one without glasses, said while looking at him. (Author here again: If you don't know what dere is please google it.. I am getting tired of explaining things..)
" Ohh! You must be the infamous Iryl! The white haired devil's son! That's what they call you around the village. "
" Devil's son ? "
Iryl answered in a whim before the guy without glasses said back to him.
" What you didn't know ? "
But, before he could finish his sentence a voice came following from behind.
" Hey Dan! That's rude of you. What are you calling someone you have just met ? "
The guy in glasses gave a light bump on Dan's head and forced him to bow a little while saying.
" Forgive my brother Dan. He is an actual airhead and a straightforward at that. My name is Ken. The tsundere over here is Aprilia and the tomato red is Lilith. "
' Uwaa.. This one is a serious sadist.. I have better be careful..'
After hearing his answer the other people began with their complains..
" Who is tsundere huh ?? "
" Who are you calling an airhead huh ?? "
An answer to the second question came from Aprilia..
" Shut your mouth Dan! "
" Yes, madam.. "
And then, following the shy Lilith, said.
" Everyone.. Cal-l-l-l-m dow-n-n-n.. "
Iryl was quite surprised at the conversation among the others and broke into a laughter.
" Hahaha! You guys are really funny. "
At his response the elves stopped their chit chat and Dan said.
" Man.. You are really different from what I imagined you to be.. To be honest, I thought you would be someone as scary as hell.. "
" Haha.. "
' Is that the kind of feeling I give off ? '
Before we could continue our conversation the black haired guy who was in the corner of the room began moving towards us. Suddenly, the atmosphere around the other guys changed as they moved one step back for him to pass.. He went right infront of Iryl and looked down at him with a sharp gaze.. The young man was around 5 centimeters taller than Iryl and unlike the two brothers and Lilith who were 5 centimeters shorter than him and Aprilia who was at his hight, he was way too tall.. Iryl returned the sharp gaze with a puzzled face as a drop of sweat could be seen going down his neck. He gulped once and then a little amount of time passed in silence. The black haired guy moved his hands upwards and Iryl made a step back. But before he could get away the black haired guy placed his hands on Iryl's hair and shuffled them..
" ...That's a weird color.. "
' You are the weird one... '
That thought passed through Iryl's mind and before he knew it the black haired guy went back to his corner.. After a little Dan said to Iryl.
" That was Luke. Well.. How should I put it he is quite mysterious and scary at that.. People say that he was cursed and his hair turned into this black color.. "
At that comment Ken gave Dan another light bump and said.
" Please don't listen to him you might catch his stupidity.. He is just an unsociable person that's all there is to it.. "
' Yea.. That's a real sadist for you... '
" Who are you calling stupid ? Stupid Ken ? "
The two brothers went back to their quarrel after that.. But, that didn't last for long as the door of the room opened and Darel came into the room. After coming in, he began his speech.
" Hello everyone! Most of you already know me but I 'll introduse myself once again. My name is Darel and I work here in the Bank. I am not going to hold you here for too long I am just going to give you some brief information about the outside world. "
Darel paused for a second to take a breath and then continued.
" First of all, let's start from where you should go. As you know the village is in the south part of Elven Garden. If you head towards the west part around 15 kilometers from here there is a camp over there where the elves gather for their seven years of training. Even though that place has it's own rules it is going to be safer to be with others during those seven years.. "
After taking another deep breath he continued once again with his speech..
" Secondly, you must never approach the north and east area of Elven Garden.. There are powerful beasts residing in the north mountain area and the east is filled with poisonous plants. So you have better not enter those areas.. That's all dismissed! "
' Heeey! That's all ? What the hell ? Only that much of info.. Those guys are really irresponsible.. '
After his brief explanation of the outside world Darel told us to head over the gate of the village where we would leave from.. As we walked towards the village gate several elves came by and said their goodbyes to the others.. And that situation made Iryl think.
' So gramps isn't coming I guess.. Well, whatever I 'll be seeing him in seven years either way! '
After thinking that his gaze went towards Luke who was walking in the back .
' I wonder why noone came to say goodbye to Luke.. But, it would be improper to ask.. '
As we reached the gate of the village, the gate began to open and we could see the outside world. What unfolded before us was a vast forest and with an awe atmosphere around us Dan said.
" Let's go everyone! Our adventure begins! "
And so we left the village behind us and began heading towards the training camp.
END of chapter 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Notes: Hello again! This is the author speaking, since now we didn't have any action scenes and I was thinking something is wrong.. But! Not to worry in the next chapter this Sunday there will be some action !!! Stay tuned for the next chapter!