When Ava was seen surrounded by a bunch of floating light orbs the size of golf balls, a commotion was raised. The guards who noticed the spirits passing in and out of the door were the ones who barged in to check what was going on before causing a racket. One of them ran to report to Orist right away while the other stayed behind to keep an eye on her. A messenger was then dispatched to contact Nylian. As a result, the head of the clan rushed back home along with his family, ruining the end of the festival.

“… What did you do?” [Nylian]

Nylian asked Ava as he looked around her room. It was filled with spirits, most likely the same ones that flew off.

“I… I don’t know. What are they…?” [Ava]

The black-haired elf answered, clearly baffled by the unknown entities that are floating around her. Suddenly, all of them disappeared like lights being turned off. Nylian watched them fade one by one and eyed her suspiciously, unsure of what to make of the situation. In the end, he gave up and sighed. This was outside his specialty and field of knowledge. He wasn’t sure if anyone even knew what this meant. That was why, for now, he decided that it would be better to seek help from those who were more familiar with spirits.

“Come. We are leaving right away.” [Nylian]

Once he gave his order, he turned around and left for the carriage. Under the pressuring gazes of the guards, the half-elf hurriedly followed after him. The two traveled the city in silence. Two elven soldiers were sitting on both of her sides while Nylian was in front of her. The carriage advanced through the streets at night, steadily making its way to the huge building that had a similar architectural style as a church. However, instead of a cross on top of the roof, a flag was present. It depicted what appeared to be an elven woman looking up at a green sun.

“Is the Seer here?” [Nylian]

Having entered the tall double doors, Nylian impatiently asked for the one he wanted to speak to. The place was empty with nothing but a slightly elevated platform at the end of the vast space. A painting completely covered the wall opposite to the entrance. It used vivid green, red, pink and white to depict a forest during four different seasons. A big tree with green leaves was in the middle of the four types of forests, unchanging. Green orbs were floating up to the blue sky and headed for the yellow sun. A man in white and green robes was standing there, gazing upon the painting.

“No need to raise your voice. I’m right here. What can I do for you?” [Seer]

He turned around and showed a friendly smile at the visitors. The front of his robes had golden and red linings as well as motifs of red leaves.

“It’s a surprise to see you here this late at night, leader of the Luceran clan.” [Seer]

Green hair reached his shoulders and blues eyes shone with vitality as he watched the four that entered the doors. His face had deep wrinkles that carved his white skin and a calm air drifted around him. He was one of the oldest elves in the city that has lived for over three thousand years. Despite Nylian’s status as one of the seven clan heads which decided the matters of the kingdom, he still showed respect and bowed.

“It would appear that everyone has retired for the night already, Seer.” [Nylian]

He expected to still see a few disciples walking around here and there to greet visitors. He didn’t think that the Seer, who held the highest position, would be here by himself.

“I gave the young ones the night off. It’s the Spirit festival, after all.” [Seer]

He casually explained with his good-natured smile before his eyes fell on Ava who was standing a bit behind, flanked by the two guards. His expression became serious in an instant, accentuating the wrinkles on his face.

“Is she the Luceran’s half-elf, by any chance?” [Seer]

“… Yes.” [Luceran]

The direct question almost caused Nylian to show a bitter expression. The Seer was well-informed, as expected.

“Mhhh, for you to wish to see me with her in tow… I can only imagine it is about something quite complicated.” [Seer]

The Seer rubbed his chin as he examined the Luceran’s current head and the sixteen year old girl who was watching her surroundings, flustered.

“For now, why don’t I offer you something to drink?” [Seer]

Following the old elf’s lead, Nylian, without much choice, walked behind him as they passed through a door on the left wall, near the large painting. Making their way through a corridor, they entered one of the doors, which was a private room that the Seer used. There, Nylian sat down at the round table while the Seer placed a tray with cups of water and a pitcher. Standing on the side was Ava and the two guards. The elven soldiers were dismissed and waited outside of the room.

“Thank you for the drink.” [Nylian]

“No problem. Water is delicious, is it not?” [Seer]

The Seer sipped some clear, refreshing water from his cup before getting back to the subject.

“Now, what troubles you that you would need me, leader of the Luceran clan?” [Seer]

“… As you’ve guessed, it’s about her and something that I cannot handle.” [Nylian]

Nylian put his cup on the table and recounted what he saw. The spirits had flown out of the forest during the Spirit festival, which was unprecedented. Moreover, they appeared in his house, cramming themselves in the half-breed’s room. As he listened, the old elf’s eyes grew wider and wider. He already heard about the spirits flying away, but he didn’t know they went to a specific individual.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Oh my.” [Seer]

Those two words accidentally leaked out from his mouth. His reaction wasn’t much, but for the Seer who always retained his calm, it clearly showed that he was quite shaken up.

“That indeed is… Uncommon.” [Seer]

“Do you have any idea what it could mean?” [Nylian]

“I’m afraid to say that I do not. I have lived for three thousand years and I’ve yet to hear of anything similar to what you’ve just told me.” [Seer]

He looked at Ava, who was quietly standing by the side. His stare made her look down right away.

“What I can say is that the spirits are telling us something. And that something might be that this girl will play an important role in the future.” [Seer]

“An important role? Her?” [Nylian]

Nylian asked, incredulous.

“I’ve been told that her powers are quite interesting. Is it hard to believe that she could have a huge influence on Faywood’s future?” [Seer]

“But, a half-breed?” [Nylian]

“Many strange things have happened before. This could simply be one of them.” [Seer]

The Seer stretched his hand out to Ava.

“Come here.” [Seer]

Nylian silently urged her with his stern eyes and she timidly walked up to him.

“What is your name?” [Seer]

“A, Ava.” [Ava]

“Do you know what spirits are?” [Seer]

“N, no.” [Ava]

“Have you seen those green balls of light before tonight?” [Seer]

“No.” [Ava]

The old elf asked her a couple of questions as he examined her face closely. He couldn’t find anything abnormal about her. She looked just like a normal, sixteen year old half-elf. There was no malice, no lie in her expression. He had gotten good at dealing with people thanks to his experiences over the years, but he was in front of someone even older than him. Moreover, his questions didn’t require her to lie, so she was only telling the truth. There was no lie and no malice.

“(Hurry up and get to the point so I can go back, damn it. This is ruining my training routine. And tell me what those things were while you’re at it.)” [Ava]

There was sort of no malice.

“I do not know why the spirits have chosen her. She is just like any young ones I’ve seen. Perhaps, it really has something to do with her powers.” [Seer]

After a few more questions, the Seer spoke to Nylian and Ava backed away.

“… Are you certain? Is there a chance that this could simply be an irregular occurrence that holds no meaning?” [Nylian]

“I’m old, but spirits are much older than me. They have seen and endured more than our race ever has. There is a lot we do not understand about them. These beings hold much more wisdom than we possibly could. If they gathered around her, then it holds an important meaning.” [Seer]

Nylian closed his eyes and drunk a mouthful of water. After two years of peace and quiet, something was beginning and it was caused by the half-breed again. Truly, she loved to stir up trouble.

“Is it a warning of some sort of danger?” [Nylian]

“I don’t know. I can’t tell you that. But, if she was the danger, then the spirits wouldn’t have gathered around her. They tend to stay away from dangerous elements, people and things alike. If it is a warning, the half-elf might be the key to deal with whatever trouble awaits us in the future.” [Seer]

“(If I’m so important, why don’t you stop talking like I’m not even here?)” [Ava]

While the two men were discussing about the possible messages the phenomenon could carry, Ava was stoically waiting on the side. She had been in the middle of doing a one arm handstand in her room and was about to beat her record. This interruption annoyed her, not to mention it was delaying her training.

“I will be sure to consult my fellow brethren in the Spirit Faith. We might come to an answer together. You should discuss this with the other leaders and report to our king. This is grand news.” [Seer]

“Yes, I know. I’ll be sure to ask for a meeting once I get home.” [Nylian]

Finally, since they couldn’t come to a conclusion, their discussion ended and the two stood up from their chairs to head back to the entrance. Nylian thanked the Seer for his time and was about to board his carriage along with Ava and his two guards.

“Wait.” [Seer]

But, the old elf, standing in front of the church, stopped him.

“It just came to me.” [Seer]

He walked up to Nylian who was staring at him inquisitively.

“We should take her to the Sacred Tree. The spirits may gather again and give us a clue.” [Seer]

By his suggestion, the group rode off to the place where the Spirit festival took place. The weirdly-shaped trees surrounded them as the carriage treaded on the wide road. There was no one present but them since everyone had left already. Once they reached the open space where a big tree stood, they disembarked. There weren’t any lamps to light the area except for the one hanging on the carriage.

“Ava.” [Seer]

The Seer spoke Ava’s name, attracting everyone’s attention.

“Walk towards the Sacred Tree.” [Seer]

He said as he gazed at the imposing tree that withstood storms and time. With Nylian’s and the guards’ stares that were telling her to hurry up, Ava did as she was told and advanced a few meters. They could barely make out her figure in the dark.

“Now, manifest your powers.” [Seer]

Away from the group, she summoned her ability, causing countless white light particles to fly around her right hand. It illuminated her face and the group of elves waited in silence for any sort of reaction from the spirits.

“Will this work?” [Nylian]

Nylian asked the Seer who stood next to him.

“I don’t know, but spirits have always appeared here whenever a crowd of elves manifested their powers.” [Seer]

“But, there is only her.” [Nylian]

“Yes. However, she was the one they had gathered to. So, perhaps-.” [Seer]

Before the Seer could finish speaking, spirits appeared. One by one, they emerged and lit up the dark night. The open space was soon filled with green light as hundreds of orbs floated in the air. Those watching were at a loss for words at the sight.

“… They really did appear.” [Seer]

The old elf murmured to himself, even though it was his idea. Ignoring those that tagged along, Ava observed the spirits floating about.

“Who are you?” [Ava]

She asked in a low voice so that the elves couldn’t hear her.

“What do you want?” [Ava]

She asked again, but no answer came.

However, something did happen. As if in response to her questions, the green orbs flew around her. It was like she was in the middle of a whirlwind of light.

“What do you want?” [Ava]

She repeated her question as she calmly stood at the center while the others gaped at the scene. The spirits moved as one. They split up into groups and gathered in front of her, taking positions. The orbs soon formed different shapes like a person’s shadow. What stood before her were the silhouettes of an ogre, a dwarf, a harpy, a human, a therianthrope and a dragon.

“… The hell is this?” [Ava]

Ava tilted her head, still not understanding whatever it was these spirits wanted to tell her. Next to the carriage, Nylian, the Seer, the two guards and the driver all witnessed it as well. They were all stunned by the unbelievable sight.

“… I wonder.” [Seer]

The old elf spoke up, causing Nylian to tear his eyes away from the spectacle and look at him with puzzled eyes.

“Seer, do you know what this is?” [Nylian]

“It is only a guess since I cannot pretend to know what spirits are thinking. It is a really simple guess and I am most likely wrong, but…” [Seer]

He rubbed his chin with his fingers.

“Aren’t they telling her to go back to school?” [Seer]

“… Pardon?” [Nylian]

“That half-elf attended a school where different races mingled together, did she not?” [Seer]

He pointed at the silhouettes of different races that wavered about.

“Aren’t the spirits telling her to go back to Sanctuary Academy?” [Seer]