*Smiles Wryly* Well did said to comment if you want a side story, well I kinda expected a comment to tell me that you want the sidestory to be posted well... I really am still glad on your previous comments XD thank you for appreciating my work now then! Again please enjoy this little sidestory and I will post Chapter 5 later!
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Chapter 4.5 - Under the Moonlight
Reila's POV
Ever since I was young, I was raised by Mila's parents and I also knew I am not their child as our features are far too apart. Both of her parents had blonde hair but I have a lighter colored blonde with silver linings. Elves greatly resemble their parents like the features and hair color, another obvious difference was the eyes. They told didn't tell me where they got me when I was a baby but I think my parents hated me. I was abandoned... still there is a part of my heart that tells me otherwise. Surprisingly, my Mila told me that the supreme elder Leo was always visiting but I never seen him once, so I decided to try and hide behind the cabinet in the room where they always meet.
When I heard an unfamiliar deep voice, I slowly opened the cabinet and what I saw was a man with silver hair and he was handsome and muscular, not like what I imagine an elder would be. Mila told me that the supreme elder lived for thousands of years so I expected him to be an old man like the other elders. I got intrigued and looked a little closer until... our eyes met... I was shaken up. He had the same emerald colored eyes like mine, so far no one in the village had that eye color... could it be? He was trembling and startled. He looked at me with fear but there is something else that I feel but I don't think it is a bad kind of feeling... afterwards returned to his composure.
Leo: Little miss this is the first time I saw you. What is your name?
Reila: I'm Reila. 12 years old.
Leo: Twelve...
Reila what is it mister?
Leo: It is nothing.
Reila: Mister are you my grandpa?
Leo: I am not your grandpa.
Reila: Why do you look like me?
Leo: Wh-what do you mean?
Reila: We have the same eyes and there is some strand of silver on my hair...
Leo: Coincidences is all.
Reila: ...Really?...
As Leo saw my reaction front of him he smiled and patted my head gently. I felt somehow a great sense of care from him even if it was the first time we met. Leo the smiled gently.
Leo: You know what! You can call me uncle!
Mila's: Lo-lord Leo... is that alright with you? I mean, she is...
Leo: It is fine with me. Little Reila, whenever I come for a visit you can always talk to me!
Reila: Thanks uncle! hehe...
I was happy... it felt like I finally had someone as a family. I know Mila and her parents are like family but with uncle Leo it felt like he was treating me like I was genuinely his own family. When I was finally 15 it was the elven ceremony where we finally get our status. We were called one after another until it was finally my turn.
Reila Title: Elven Maiden of Divinity Race: Elf Gender Female Level: 26 Class Healer Existence: C-D
I was glad to have been a rank C as most young elves are of rank D. All the people gasped. Why? Is there something wrong?
Elven Elder#4: By the Gods! Maiden of Divinity...
Elven Elder#2: It is a great honor to have witnessed a new Maiden of Divinity after so long...
Reila: Grandpa Leo, why is everyone so surprised?
Leo: There can only be one living Maiden of Divinity per generation. The one before you died 13 years ago...
Reila: Who is she?
Leo: High Elder Delia.
Reila: A High elder!? Does that mean that I can be as strong as her one day?
Leo: Anyone can become strong but it is up to him or her if you can go through the limits.
Leo smiled as he looked vacant as if reminiscing
Reila: Is that why uncle is strong?
Leo: Of course! I, your uncle is the supreme elder after all! Ahahaahha!
Elven Elder#1: Ahem! Please keep your stature my lord... everyone is looking...
Leo: My bad...
Reila: Pfft...
Leo: Hahh...
2 Years had passed and I stopped calling Lord Leo, uncle I was told by the elders that it was rude and that they had just been holding back on telling me as it was Lord Leo's request. Of course Lord Leo tried to protest but to no avail, the elders were stubborn and of course I don't want to cause Lord Leo any problems so I told him it is alright. Another year had passed and Mila told me I was growing splendidly which caused me to be quite embarrassed. I had a more proportionate body and called me the most beautiful elf. One day there was news that there is a new appointed high elder, his name was Font. In his celebration for ranking up from being an elder at an age of 21, he was to hold a sppech and after the speech he declared...
Font: Reila! I had my eyes on you for a long time please, in the future... will you marry me!!
Male Elves-in-unison: Grrr...
Reila: I am sorry... I must decline your offer... I want to fall in love on my own... to choose the one that I was meant for and right now there is no one I have my eyes on and there might never be. I apologize for declining but I appreciate the thought.
Male Elves-in-unison: Yeeessss!!!
Font: I-I will never give up!
After the event things had changed for the worse. Males kept trying to court me, especially that Font guy. Females kept on bullying me and calling me names. Honestly, what good is those guys... I feel that all they see me as is a rare prized trophy for them to get their hands on. Good thing that Mila and her boyfriend Jerald was protecting me. I was quite envious of their relationship as I want to find my own too... 3 years passed with the same thing over and over again and I am quite tired of it as suddenly I found out that Jerald proposed to Mila as Mila jumped toward Jerald crying shouting yes while it ended up becoming a headbutt, it was quite funny. Though after a few years I feel more closer to my role as the Maiden of Divinity.
A year has passed since the engagement and finally, it was announced that Jerald will take the test to become the next elder and we were all glad. Jerald left for his test and we were left alone, me and Mila kept on telling stories and it was quite fun until there was a black humanoid headed towards our mana storage. I alerted Lord Leo and ran towards the storage... it was too late. In Mila's rage she ran after the black humanoid with both me and Lord Leo with a few others following but it was too fast and was gone before we know it. Still, we didn't give up and found that the humanoid stopped. As we go through the bushes I saw with it was a man with lustrous white hair and purple eyes with a gentle and serene expression, he was extremely handsome. As I feel his aura my heart started to race and I felt my face heated. I thought to myself: No! Reila, don't fall for his charms, he is the enemy! Good thing was the humanoid is a dark element being so after Mila's introduction I cast a spell that negates dark disguise magic and a barrier that keeps dark element beings from escaping as the man said:
???: If so then I can go now.
Mila: Nonsense!... Wha… such aura even higher than the beings closest to God like Reila and the winged ones… and I can’t still read your status with
Even I was surprised. Dark and Light element being are natural enemies yet the humanoid was not hostile with him... who is he?
???: As I am saying I am not her comrade. She disrupted an important magic I was casting.
Mila: Just like us… that shadow named Tiana disrupted an ancient ritual for elves in naming the new elder.
I was kinda glad to hear he was not her comrade but we need to be cautious about this.
Reila: Mila! Don’t just trust what he says, we don’t know if it is the truth.
Leo: He is telling the truth…
Mila: Supreme Elder!
Lord Leo the tried to subjugate the shadow woman with a light spell.
Tiana: Urgh…
Leo: If you cannot come with us peacefully we have no choice.
Tiana: Tch! You dare attack me!?
That woman called Tiana was able to fight Lord Leo on her own because of that everyone was astounded but it all turned to dread...
Leo: This is getting too dangerous! Everyone do not cast any magic, that flame is an extremely rare magic the shadows have… I thought only Guleus the Shadow Warlord Emperor has that kind of magic…
Tiana: You leave me no choice but to use this magic. I will eradicate everyone here!
I was scared that I might perish right now. I still haven't... no... no!! I don't want to die...
Reila: No…no... if the elder cannot defeat her how can someone like me…
Mila: P-lease! I just got married… please spare us.
Leo: Guh… to have enough mana to create one… why of all things
Tiana: Oh? So you know my father. Heh. Well its too late for you now, if you would have let me go it wouldn’t have come to this.
Leo: ...Now that you have cast it you can’t cancel it right until it kills a person… then take mine… I will have no regrets if it is for the young ones.
As I heard Lord Leo I was further into despair... I couldn't do anything... couldn't say anything. It felt like the world around me was ending...
Mila: Elder no! please don’t.
Elves-in-unison: Elder! No.
Random Elf#4: No take mine!
Random Elf#54: No mine! Spare our elder please…
I then clenched my fist... if it was to save everyone I will have no regrets...
Reila: If it is for the sake of the elves it should be me…
Mila: No! Reila don’t be foolish…
Reila: Mila… Jerald will be the next elder of our village and I won’t forgive myself if I let you lose your life. You are his wife if you are not there for him…*sob* I don’t think he can handle it…*sob* he is more fragile than you think he needs you…
Mila: Reila… Reila… you are my best friend and I can’t…let you do that!
Reila: Mila…
We were all put into deep despair until we heard a deep gentle voice...
Nebulus:
The flame shattered into a hundred pieces... it felt like the world froze... I heard the black flame was an extremely strong spell... so far no one had ever stopped as without consuming any soul it is invincible it will only dissapear if it had taken at least one life and sometimes it is not enough... how could he...
Tiana: Wha-what!? How!? Guah…
He was far too fast I didn't see what he did but suddenly a huge shockwave reached us as we fell on our knees because of the sheer power we felt. The only ones standing were Lord Leo and that man. The shadow woman was lying down on the floor... I didn't have time to think about the situation. All I can see is black and white except for that man... he is still with color as well as his purple eyes that I can't seem to take my eye off... it was beautiful... but more than that I feel such warmth*throb* again my heart was racing and my face was hot and red... is it what I think it is?... But why is my class resonating?
Nebulus: Can I go now?
All Elves-in-Unison: .....
All of us were dumbfounded he was still calm like nothing had happened yet he felt like he was still gentle and in his voice there was a slight feeling of concern aside from indifference.
Leo: Wh-who are you?
I wanted to know his name too so I also asked.
Reila: Sir I’m sorry for before… U-uhm c-can I get your name please.
Mila: Oho! Reila… whats with that reaction?
Reila: I-I uuu…
Nelus: Its Nelus
Reila: I-I see nice to meet you sir Nelus.
His smile was far too bright. I wanted to make that smile only mine. The gentle smile that seems to be in quite contrast to his indifferent expression.
Leo: May I ask how can you hide your status? You don’t seem to be a pure dark element being, especially with that aura of yours…
Leo: If I may… to be fair how about we trade status view but please keep it a secret…
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Nelus and Leo: Okay… Status View! Show!
Lord Leo was surprised, I too was curious but it is rude to butt in a private conversation.
Leo: To trust me enough to show me your status I am not worthy… truly you are befitting of your class for saving us all. Please come with us, at least we can show you our village. I think the others will like you and bring that woman with us, be careful with her we don’t want trouble with the shadow race.
I was glad that even if he was an outsider he was given the chance to go to our village. I got to persuade him...
Reila: Re-really elder! Please Nelus come with us!
Nelus: But… I need to go… in three months I need to fin…
Mila: Come on! Reila is excited for you to come with us and three months is a lot of time.
Reila: M-Mila!!
Nelus: Hahh... Then three days it is…
Reila: Y-yes!
Mila: Reila, you hear that you have three days… good luck!
Reila: ...
It seems that Reila caught on to my weird behavior... I am quite embarrassed...
As they tried to get the shadow woman she disappeared.
Leo: Illusion Magic…Hahh... this is for the best. We don’t need the anger of her father now do we.
Elves-in-unison: Agreed...
Reila: Shall we go?
Excitement filled me to the brim. I was alive and happy until we have reached our village.
Leo: Everyone! This man’s name is Nelus and he has saved everyone with me including Mila and Reila, without him we may not be here right now…
Elves-in-unison: …
I was angry at their reaction. They were far too tense around Nelus!
Jerald: I say we trust him. He brought Mila home for me after all.
Mila: Jerald! I missed you…
Jerald: I missed you too. Hmm… you must be Nelus it is nice to meet you.
Nelus: Likewise.
Jerald: We should be celebrating right now if it wasn’t for that shadow that ate all our saved mana for the ritual. Now it would take another century to save up…
Elves-in-unison: …
Nelus: If it is just that then I think I can help you.
Jerald: It isn’t as easy as you say it is… where could you get such an absurd amount of mana… it isn’t something you can just wave your arms and somehow magically gather that amount in an instant…
Nelus: …
Leo: …
Even I was unbelieving of it until...
Nelus: It is possible look at this.
He took out a small hourglass on his palm. I had metal linings and gems encrusted to it. It was very pretty and even the sand inside that seems to sparkle.
In no time at all. The mana that was gone was back like it never did disappear.
Jerald: H-how!?
Nelus: I have with me a low class Legendary artifact called “Miniature Hourglass” It reverses time within 12 hours but it can only affect non-living things and needs to charge for 3 years to be used again.
Leo: Lo-low Legendary class artifact!? Artifacts that can manipulate time are at least Mythic class artifacts! Then can I ask what is a high class artifact for you!?
Nebulus: It is…
Leo: Please don’t anwer… I feel like hearing it might cause a heart attack.
Reila: Nelus… that was amazing!
Mila: My word… not only did you save us but you also helped us in our problem now we really cannot repay you for all you have done…
Nelus: It is not much. You don’t need to repay me… hmm but I do need to find someone…
Jerald: Who is he? Maybe we can help you.
Nelus: It is a girl and I cannot describe her.
Does... that mean he is taken?
Reila: ...Why is that? Uhm… is she important to you?
Nelus: Very.
I need to stop asking or my heart can't take it... I want to be important to him too... I felt envious as I clenched my hand on my chest despairing on what he will say next.
Reila: I-I see… is she… your lover…?
Nelus: Lover? No, she is my first ever friend and that is why I need to find her.
What!? I am so happy!!! I am so glad. Huh what.. I kinda feel fluffy and my heart is fluttering...
Reila: I see! I see! A friend! Hahaha!
Mila: You hear that? Now you have a chance I know you can do it.
Mila's right... I got to take this chance!
Reila: Yes! I’ll do my best! U-uhm Nelus… will you accept my invitation for a dance tonight in celebration of the ritual?
Nelus: I don’t know how to dance…
It is so cute! his slightly sad expression... this is not like me... I got to calm myself...
Leo: Oh? Finally something normal. So far all I hear from you are surprises one after another. If it is just that then Reila can lead you. She is great at dancing just follow her steps and you will manage.
Nelus: Then I accept your invitation.
Mila: You hear that Reila? Reila...?
He accepted!!! Ahh! Now I can't calm myself! Its all your fault Nelus! No its my fault! Ahh! What is with me!!
Reila: Yes...
Jerald: What is going on here? Is it what I think it is?
Reila: It is as you have guessed.
They said as I didn't notice the surrounding tension as I was on a world of my own.
Male Elves-in-unison: Grr...
Jerald: Will he be okay? Many have tried to court Reila to no avail and she is only 22. God’s law says you can only marry once you have a link but you can only have one if you are at the age of 25…
Mila: These 3 days will be quite hectic for Nelus. Hahaha!
Leo: I only feel sorry for the male elves that try to duel him.
Jerald: Wh-why is that I know he is strong but for you to feel sorry for someone…
Leo: We traded status and you can believe that he is by far stronger than me…
Mila: No way… for him to surpass the supreme elder.
Jerald: Hahh... Well there is nothing we can do about it. *smile wryly* It is customary for an outsider to duel the other elves that are interested in his or her elven partner, in this case all male elves that are interested in Reila. As well as the rule that if any elves that are interested in an outsider, the outsider must duel his or her parent and win for the elves to approve of it, in this case Reila doesn’t have a parent so she is an exemption to that rule.
Leo: You don’t say…
Mila: Elder?
Leo: Hmm? What is it Mila?
Mila: If Reila does end up marrying Nelus… can she return to our village?
Marry? Marry.... Wh-what!!! No I am too young marriage is... marriage is... no before that there is still being friends and then lovers then ma-marriage... I'm blushing... I need to calm myself first this is really not like me at all... I shouldn't think of such things in the first place! As a Maiden of Divinity I should conduct myself as such!
Leo: No… unless it is the will of Murix Goddess of Law and Order…
Mila: I see…
Reila: M-marry… well I… want to… but for me to not return home…
Leo: It didn’t say that we can’t come to you.
Reila: R-really?
Jerald: Hahaha! We can visit you anytime you miss us.
Reila: Thank you!
Mila: Oh? You’re already sure that you’ll marry Nelus that you’re already thanking us?
Reila: Ah…
Then Nelus approached us.
Nelus: What are you all talking about?
Reila: N-N-N-Nelus!! U-uhm it was nothing…
Nelus: ?
Font: Grr… I heard all of it! Nelus! I, Font, High Elven Elder challenges you.
Its Font again! Just leave me alone! If you ever harm Nelus I won't forgive you!
Reila: Stop it Font! You can’t beat him.
Font: Are you saying this lowlife outsider is stronger than me!?
Leo: Well he is sure stronger than me.
Font: Wha… I refuse to believe Lord Leo to be weak compared to him now battle me!
Nelus: Okay?
Mila: He is one of elves that are interested in Reila, be careful… he is the youngest in history to have attained high elder.
Nelus: If it is a challenge as a Go… as someone who believes in his own strength I will not tarnish myself.
That serious expression is so manly... my heart is racing again... why can't I calm down... I am getting worried...
We got to the arena as I sat with Mila, Jerald and Lord Leo.
Font: Are you ready?
Nelus: Yes.
A large lightning bolt crashes above Nelus, completely enveloping him in smoke after the explosion. Please Nelus be okay I am getting so anxious... I have never been this worried before...
Font: So easy! Hah!
Reila: Nelus!!!
As the smoke clears. All my anxiety faded as the man was unharmed. I was glad.
Nelus: Hmm… You seem to be either an A or an S class in between A-A to S-E. So I’ll just use a spell that is a little bit stronger than what you have used.
Nelus launched the three spears stopping just a feet away from Font hinting him to give up. Font looked at me with despaired eyes.
Font: I surrender…
Leo: The winner of the duel is Nelus! If there are others that wishes to challenge him please stand up! You have 3 minutes.
After the battle he was surrounded with females most of the time. He looked quite uncomfortable... I saw him first...
Mila: Reila! Don’t just stand there! Talk to him.
Reila: I tried but the others kept getting in my way… the females kept blocking me and the males are trying to have a conversation with me…
When it was finally midnight everybody gathered for the ritual. Afterwards was Jeralds vow then it was the feast. I still can't get near Nelus even now which made me really sad as I really want to talk to him about what is his favorite food, what is his favorite color and such but I didn't have a chance to. It was finally time for the dance and the other females kept on inviting him.
Random Female Elf#54: Please Lord Nelus will you dance with me?
Random Elf#15: Please Lord Nelus me first…
As for me...
Random Male Elf#87: Miss Reila care to dance?
Font: Only I can dance with her, all others go away!
Random Male Elf#43: Says the one that lost…
Font: What!? At least I dueled! You cowards didn’t even tried.
Male Elves-in-unison: …
I was extremely tired. The only one I want to be my partner was not here I just want the day to finish until... some of the males the kept on inviting me was moved aside as my heart throbbed and was near to crying as I thought he had forgotten about me because of the females that kept on approaching him.
Nelus: Care to dance?
Reila: Wh-why didn’t the other females invite you?
Nelus: You invited me first.
Reila: You do know in a ritual dance you can only dance with one elf per ritual…
Nelus: Then I will only dance with you for the night.
Reila: As will… I.
It felt like the happiest moment in my life. he held my hand and my waist like the other elves and was quite nervous but was trying hard.
Reila: just follow me... look at how I move my foot. just follow its direction with the beat and lets move a little sideways slowly and observe your surrounding to prevent knocking to others.
Nelus: Like this?
Reila: Now you are getting it...
We danced under the moonlight. I looked at his face as he was looking at me. He was smiling genuinely unlike the uncomfortable smile he had with the others. The moon was shining behind him as he was covered in moonlight. I looked deep into his eyes with my cheeks flushed, it was illuminating... it felt like he was only looking only at me and I felt that I want it to stay like that forever. I finally realized that I had maybe fallen... with this man in front of me... Nelus. I like Nelus but I shouldn't. Even so I felt comfortable.
After the dance a male elf approached Nelus and talked to him. I can't quite hear what they are saying but it seems to be important. As they go west of the village I followed them until I spot Lord Leo. It seems they are talking about something... well it is rude to just listen in. I'll just go back.
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Tiana's POV
Ugh! what power... as that white haired man punched me... I lost consciousness...
When I woke up some of the elves were approaching me... it seems like the barrier is gone! They think I am unconscious Ha! They are too naive
Tiana:
As I left an after image as I merged with the shadows trying to get away. When I was far enough I rested on a tree branch.
Tiana: I never felt such pressure and power... huh my heart is racing and I feel hot... hmmm... I know! I want to fight him again. You'll see! I'll get stronger... strong enough to defeat you!
First I need to rest then I need to hurry back with this mana I kept inside me or I'll convert it all... granny... I need to save you... I need to go back as the raw mana inside me is converting into mine... Atir... I'll kill you!!
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Phew quite a long one *grin* I made is as my thanks for all the readers that read my work! :-) I'll post chapter 5 either later or tomorrow please look forward to it!