Elves were beings of magic, but they were different from the fairies. The bodies of elves were of flesh but formed by magic. They excelled in magic overall, but they were particularly connected to elemental magic. Compared to the other beings and races, elves were only second in magical capability to fairies. Some exceptions appeared every now and then among other races, when exceptional individuals appeareds, but the curse of the fairy queen had dropped the talent of the human race in magic to nonexistence. Even the dwarves, who almost exclusively only demonstrated elemental affinity with earth and fire, still possessed the capability to use magic, however rare it was.

  Anya understood that this transformation of hers- that becoming an elf- would be very beneficial for her, if she wanted to practice magic. After all, humans could not practice magic under the effects of the curse unless they were completely pure of heart. However, it could be said that Anya had something of a lingering attachment to her humanity. Elves were undoubtedly a talented race in regards to magic, but this had made them proud and aloof. Anya did not wish to possess that demeanor. She had her own pride, but it was pride towards being human.

  Even humans had their pride, after all.

  As she stared at her unfamiliar reflection, Anya's hands trembled. Was this from excitement? Or was it fear? This unknown emotion flooded her heart. Curiosity crept upon her. She lifted her hands and touched the tip of her right ear. The moment her finger connected, her ear twitched. The sensation of touching her own ear was surprising. The tapered ear was far more sensitive than she had suspected, and the gentle stroke of her finger nearly tickled her ear.

  So elves have ticklish ears, Anya couldn't help but realize, stifling a laugh.

  Rau and Queen Kiridian silently observed Anya's reaction, though the sight of watching a person accidentally tickle themself was amusing to both of the fairies.

  And then there were these eyes! These wild, bright green eyes! They were the color of grass in the spring and they practically glowed! No human had eyes like these; this was certain. Apart from the pupils, which were still round, they were reminiscent of cat eyes.

  Anya's eyes had previously been black, deep and unfathomable. Those eyes were the one aspect of her appearance that she had inherited from her long-departed father, and now, even they were gone.

  Well, good riddance. My parents died so shortly after I was born, and the village treated me as a mule, a sandbag, and an inconvenience. I don't need anything from those parents, who left me in the 'care' of that abusive village.

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  Anya's momentary bitterness surprised her. She had never felt any resentment towards the village before. She felt helplessness and fear, but never resentment. Was this change in temperament something that had occurred because of the Siol Draiochta?

  After allowing Anya time to process her feelings, Rau and the queen finally decided to talk.

  "It will be easier for the fairies to raise an elf than a human," Rau remarked. "The fairies don't have any hatred for the elven race."

  "That is not the case. They will look down on Anya for being a former human. Furthermore, fairies may not hate elves, but we disdain them. They think so highly of themselves for their skills, when they are not even the most superior." Queen Kiridian sighed. "This is the mindset of the other royal fairies, though I myself do not have any prejudice against elves. We trade with the elves quite often, and they are something of a child race of ours. Perhaps... It would be better for us to entrust Anya's care to the elves."

  Anya's eyes widened and her heart strummed a bit quicker in anxiety. She was excited to learn magic from the queen. She wanted to speak, and the queen could teach her a telepathy magic! Did the elves have such a thing? She was uncertain if the elves possessed such magic, but she was absolutely certain that the queen could teach her this magic!

  No! Anya thought, hoping the desperation in her eyes would be recognized by the fairies in front of her.

  "You absolutely can't give her to the elves. That arrogant race will look down on Anya for being a former human," Rau remarked.

  "But elves can raise elves. We are not elves; we are fairies. We only know some of the many peculiarities of the elven physique. If an injury were to occur, or if this girl were to contract some ailment specific to the elven race, then-"

  "Forgive me, my queen, for interrupting you, but if that were to happen, then we could still send for a doctor of the elven race to heal her."

  Fairies were innately respectful of the Noble Fairy Tribe, as they were the fairies created by nature to govern the other fairies. With that in mind, Rau was most likely to be the first commoner fairy to interrupt a noble fairy without punishment... ever. Queen Kiridian nodded as Rau spoke, impressed and amused at the Starry Tribe Chief. The queen was not enraged by her interruption in the slightest.

  "Thinking about this, you are right. I will still care for this girl, then," the queen decided. She grinned and shook her head. "Human Child Anya... I suppose I cannot call you this any longer. I must change the way I will be addressing you, young girl. From now on, I shall call you 'My Child Anya.' Are you fine with this, My Child Anya?"

  Her Child Anya smiled helplessly, and nodded. Her wild, eager green eyes lit up with excitement and elation. Her days of being a human physically were over, but that meant that the painful days she had experienced in her human village were over as well. This fairy queen asked if it was fine to call Anya Her Child?

  Yes, she thought, this was fine.