199. Elven Nobility
Nobility, a privileged class of people which dominates many aspects of society. For a long time they ruled but sadly like all other traditions, they lose their meaning through time.
The past two years Clay had worked with historians, he came to understand that majority of Druidic timelines had been accompanied by Elves and like humans, they have their own version of nobility but unlike humans where such titles can be obtained by anyone, Elven nobility is determined by their innate mana capacity and throughout history, only High Elves managed to preserve this superior lineage which they call Elder Breed.
Clay is drinking a complimentary wine as he stood near a window on the top most floor of a high-rise Ezheta hotel. He is currently looking at an orphanage half a kilometer away from the building. While the orphanage is shrouded in fog, Clay could still see a young Elvens playing on the grass.
Clay laments as the once respected temple had become an isolated orphanage almost at the edge of city where no one would even bother looking into. From his understanding of the map he had seen, that orphanage was once a stronghold and a dedicated testing center for people wishing to pursue cultivation and this place had once a three hundred kilometer pathway connecting to Bellvid Shrine into the territory of Moon Elves of Lumina Country.
Blame it on the growing technological advancement of a certain Terrestrial Elves and their democratic ideals that many traditions has lost its meaning that even iconic temple had been reduced to its pathetic state.
But the real reason is the dwindling mana in the environment coupled with cessation of Spatial tear burst within the area.
“I’ve brought the crest. With this identity token, you’ll be granted access to Bellvid Repository by the Noble guarding the area.”
Clay did not turn around and looked at the reflected silhouette of the Elf behind him. This person is currently the hotel manager or rather pretending to be a hotel manager and introduced himself as a relative of Luristrei but from Clay’s Godly Eyes, he can tell this man is 5TH Circle mage. For whatever reason this man needed to hide his identity, Clay did not care.
“If I fly and follow the old path towards Bellvid Shrine, will there be any issues?” Clay manifested his mana and grabbed the rectangular token and stored it inside his spatial ring.
“Our young master relayed you not overdo it.”
Clay raised his hand and touched the window glass then imbued his mana causing the glass to recede creating an opening on the window enough for him to pass through.
“Tell your young master, I hate being followed.” Clay placed the wine glass on the table then activated his wings before jumping through the window.
As Clay passed over the orphanage, he can’t help but slow down as he observed every kid using his Godly Eyes one more time.
Two days ago after deciding to travel further west, he got reminded of the first time he reincarnated. Similar to that life, he had to visit the Elven Lands then later encountered Re’y and Midi. He has yet to understand what parallel dimensions entail but if they bear resemblance, then he should be encountering Midi at this point or maybe Rimar.
Unfortunately, not a single Elven he had encountered had unusual soul size.
Clay turned his vision to normal before flying through the skies.
Meanwhile, when Clay had disappeared, the hotel manager took out his phone and dialed a number.
“Are you sure he is a 5TH Circle Mage? No matter how good he can hide his aura, I am positive that human is only a 2ND Circle Mage.”
“I know it does not make sense father but we have strong evidence he killed a True Awakened Mage and I had his abilities confirmed by an ex-Protector.”
“You realize we’ll become a laughing stock if words spread that your sister will be accompanied by a low level human mage, right?”
“Is reputation really that important to you or did you call me because you want me to convince Elstre?”
“If she was ordinary, I will turn a blind even if she marries to wastrel but this is about bloodline. Just why do you insist on supporting her childish rebellion? Just why can’t…”
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“She left home because her father can’t even show support and I have to stay in Greynam so I could look after her and here we are again. Please don’t call me.”
“Luristrei!!!”
“Goodbye, father.”
The same evening, Clay had arrived at Bellvid City and is walking towards the city lord mansion. His objective is to speak to the strongest person he spotted when he was three kilometers above the city this morning.
An hour ago upon arriving on the outskirts of the shrine, he wanted to immediately speak to the mage in charge but his Godly Eyes revealed a far stronger mage nearby and it was obvious who he needed to visit.
According the hotel manager earlier, this entire area is within the control of Luvustel Family and like Luristrei’s side of family, they are of Elven nobility. Clay has no interest on how Elven aristocracy works but from his understanding, Luristrei belongs to a barony if described in human tongue while Luvustel is considered viscount.
After a minute, Clay reached the gate then slightly bowed to greet the guards as he presented the token given by Luristrei coupled with a bottle of Modified Mimic Ale.
“I’m a guest from Lustera Family. I have come to pay my respects to the Patriarch of Luvustel.”
At the same time, the two guards looked at Clay with curiosity. While Greynam allows humans to roam the country, Lumina Country almost forbids humans on setting foot on their lands. To have gained a token of an Elder Breed means the human before them must be special.
However that does not mean that they would allow Clay to enter as every guest still requires an appointment but se sensing the mana emanated from the bottle, they knew they have to make an exception.
“May this guest from afar not misunderstand our actions. I will present your token and gift to the head of the family and we will let you know of his decision.”
Clay forced a smile then handed the bottle then walked on side to wait. Using his peripheral vision, he observed the guard. From his experience, superior races would usually act mighty and look humans with disdain and the guard is not treating him like usual and it felt weird.
“Come inside.”
Clay’s thoughts were disrupted when he felt an aura pass through him and following which, he heard a voice transmission through his ears. Judging from the quality of that aura, he reckons it originated from the 6TH Circle Mage he had spotted.
“Please, the patriarch is waiting for you.”
Clay smiled at the guard before entering the gates. Even without someone showing him the way, it was evident the person who transmitted him the message left traces of his aura like bread crumbs he needed to follow.
Clay anticipated someone else would meet him but contrary to his expectations, it is actually the 6TH Circle Mage who initiated contact.
Clay passed at least six residences before entering a hall and after a few more seconds, he finally reached a courtyard where an old Elf is currently having tea while watching three individuals performing synchronized sword play.
“Do you know why an Elder Breed with four Mana Hearts is valued by our race?”
Clay has yet to introduce himself yet he was greeted with a question.
“May this respected elder forgive junior’s ignorance. I’ve only just recently stepped foot on this foreign land and I know little of Elven customs.”
“Because they have a privilege of bypassing the initial stages of the Masters Trials. So my next question is, have you heard about Masters Trials.”
Clay was confused as to what the old man was referring to. Back at Erindal, he heard about Masters Trials but he was kicked too early to even gather any information about it.
“Please enlighten this junior.” Clay maintained a respectful tone.
The old man suddenly moved his hand then took out a ceramic cup from his spatial ring then poured tea into it and when it half-full, he placed it on his side signaling Clay to take a seat.
“To qualify to partake in the Master’s Trials, one must either have the best of talents or have been born with four Mana Hearts. The old man paused then continued. “The young master of Lustera family whom you had a deal with has a sister who was born with four mana hearts. Unfortunately, she has mediocre talents and her side of family would rather have her marry someone suitable and maintain Elven lineage.”
“Such a noble tradition and I don’t intend on overstepping my boundaries. If I did, please let me know and I will immediately correct my actions.” Clay hates when someone does not directly convey what they want but to not show any disrespect, he assumed he did something wrong.
“The Masters Trials is not to be taken lightly. After the initial stages, the option to return will be very limited. What I’m saying is that it is suicidal and that is considering she has an option to bring along a companion as long as it is below 6TH Circle or 3RD Circle if Awakened. Majority of the noble families have already refused to help her but she is quite persistent and she has a loving brother who would go through such length to conscript someone beyond our Elven lands.”
Clay does not know what the trial entails but it is now clear what Luristrei wants him to do. While it is easy to back out from the agreement, he is not willing to go back empty handed especially that the shrine is just nearby.
“I don’t really have much of an option. The young master of Lustera Family said that if I show this crest, that I will be granted entry to the shrine’s repository but if this senior advises otherwise, then I will immediately choose to not interfere.” Clay took out the crest given to him by the hotel manager and placed it near the old man.
One thing he noticed is that the man is not even doing his best to convince him to break the agreement nor is showing any intentions that he wants him to back out and if there is a rule that supersede their traditions, it must be of utmost importance that even a 6TH Circle mage does not dare meddle. But to be certain, he will politely and indirectly ask he should leave.
“Take this and enter the shrine. There is a hidden room containing a Language Orb. Unless you know the ancient dialect, then there is no need to waste mana crystals.” The old man took another crest and replaced the token Clay had placed on the table.
“I will leave like nothing happened. I thank this senior for his time.” Clay stored the new crest into his spatial ring then got to his feet then respectfully walked towards the exit.