*Yawn*

Shirna wakes up and stretches his body. Ready to face his day of training.

After doing his morning routine. Shirna exits his tree house and jumps down with finesse. He takes a deep breath, breaths out and smiles sweetly.

"The smell of home."

After Grand Ecstasy decides that they should train themselves in order to protect Mateo's secret, Shirna hastely pack his things and returns home in the Kingdom of Elves - Frilehm.

Frilehm is a small isolated Kingdom located in the middle of a vast forest. Isolation the elves in the past choose to themselves. Unlike other kingdoms, Filhelm is integrated themselves on the same forest, creating mutualistic relationship that benefits both elves and the forest ecosystem.

Shirna's town is just one of the territories of Frilehm with big Moon elf majority. But there's still Light elves walking around, some are merchants traveling in different towns while others are tourist that use his town as a hub before they venture the world outside.

"Shirna!!!"

A female Light Elf runs towards Shirna and gives him a tight hug.

"You didn't even visit me first."

"I'm so sorry Yhiana. It's just I'm so tired in my journey that I fallen asleep. Long time no see."

~~~~~~°~~~~~~

Shirna aims his bow and fires 3 arrows in rapid succession. Each arrow hits all the small orb Yhiana conjured and controled in very fast speed.

"Still accurate as ever." Yhiana claps.

"But this is not enough. Yhiana, Conjure 10 orbs and manipulate it as hectic and fast as you can."

"Got it!"

Yhiana do what Shirna asked and makes the orbs fly like a disturbed bees in the air. Shirna observes the orbs as she picks ten arrows in his quiver. With quick yet focused meditation, Shirna fires the ten arrows in rapid succession. Each hits the orbs with precision and ease.

"Amazing!" Yhiana claps with ethusiasm. But she stops when she sees the serious look on Shirna's face.

Shirna meanwhile is very conflicted. He knows that he already achieves mastery on the bow and doing shooting excercist like what he did earlier is just to make sure that he still the skills to draw the string.

~~~~~~°~~~~~~

Inside the lush forest....

Yhiana watches with awe as Shirna traverse the tall trees with prowess and acrobatic skills. Jumping from one trees to another and running with silence. Shirna elimanates the dummies Yhiana placed earlier in different spots without his knowledge. Each execution is different from one another.

After all the targets are eliminated. Shirna rush in front of Yhiana.

"Is that a new record?" Shirna asked as he drinks water.

"Yes! 3 minutes and 20 seconds. 1 minute faster than your previous records!" Yhiana happily says.

But Shirna reacts with indifference. Yhiana notices Shirna's seriousness and it makes her concerned.

"What's wrong Shirna? Why you so tense and serious all of the sudden?"

Seeing Yhiana's sad expression. Shirna tries to cheer her up as he pretends to be jolly.

"A-ahaha. I-I just need to get serious so I can beat my record!" Shirna lies followed by an awkward thumbs up and smile. But Yhiana didn't buy it as she still have the sad expression.

"S-sorry Yhiana. Something just bothering me."

"Is something happened between you and your friends?"

Shirna just stay silent. He avoid staring in Yhiana's eyes.

"I knew it."

"Wait, It's not like that. It's just..."

Shirna sigh.

"Fine... I tell you what happened."

Shirna then proceeds to tell the story of Grand Ecstasy's near death experience except everything related to Earth. Yhiana listens with a worried face.

"Now I'm training in order to get stronger. My friends also doing the same right now. But unlike them, I feel like I already reached my limit.

"That's not true Shirna. The fact that you continue this intense training means that you still have a potential."

Instead of getting motivated. Shirna just shake his head slowly.

"Thanks for the encouragement. But these training are just a pathetic excuse of me. Like maybe there's still potential for me to grow."

Shirna seats on the log where Yhiana sits.

"But I can feel my body already reached it's peak. Thanks for focusing 7 decades of my life honing my skills. But despite that, it's still not strong enough for the world outside this forest of ours. The only reason that I can still stand toe-to-toe with my friends is because of the tools I gathered."

"Then how about using those tools as a stepping stone to become stronger?" Yhiana asked with innocence.

"I wish that was easy. Those tools are expensive. In fact, I used majority of the gold rewarded to us just to restock all of the expensive tools I used fighting a legendary hero. And it's impossible for me to buy the strongest ones as it cost a fortune and very rare to find."

Shirna sighs again.

"Damn... I wish I was born as a Light Elf like you. With that, I can have a better chance improving myself using magic."

"If you become a Light Elf, then what? You just going to wither your lifespan using magic?" Yhiana asked.

Shirna didn't answer but instead stand up and prepares to walk away.

"Sorry for ruining the mood Yhiana. I'm going home."

Shirna walks several steps but he suddenly stop.

"By the way. I heared your parents admitted you to become a priestess. Do your best Yhiana."

Then Shirna walks away as Yhiana just watch. Still sad for his friend's personal problem but she can't even do anything.

"Shirna... You know more than anyone that I don't like being a priestess." Yhiana softly said.

.

.

.

The elf society is seperated by two types of citizens. The Light Elf and Moon Elf.

Light Elves have fair skin and long ears pointing downwards. Light Elves are gifted with ability to use magic unlike Humans which only gifted to lucky individuals. But despite that, Light Elves rarely use high caliber magic due to one condition. Using magic would cost them portions of their life span which equivalent of Mana to humans. But unlike Mana, there's no regeneration for Elves' lifespan.

Moon Elf are dark skinned and have ears pointing upwards. Unlike their Light Elf brethen. Moon Elf can't use magic at all. But on exchange, Moon elf have enhanced bodies in every front. Strenght, reflexes, senses and more. But this enhancement also have it's caviat just like the Light Elves. A Moon Elf have a randomized potential peak where their body stops its growth completely once they reached the ceiling.

In Elven society. Light Elves specialized in Politics and Magic while Moon Elves acts as proud soldiers and defenders of the kingdom. But both still do other works that makes their society functions properly.

.

.

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"Guys... You can't be serious!?"

"Sorry Shirna. But we have no choice." Claustrine says with a solemn expression on her face.

"This is also for your safety." Sophia added.

"Safety?! I still can be with you guys! I still can be usefull!

"Cut it out!"

Shirna shuts his mouth when Mateo suddenly shouts.

"Shirna. You're already left behind. You can't even fight in equal footing with us. You should understand that you just going to burden the party."

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

The scene suddenly become a blurry mess then it returns to the same scene but Mateo, Claustrine, Sophia and Beltrand's expression are now in utter disgust.

"You're now kicked in the party."

"Tsk! Why we even let him stay in our party that long?" Claustrine's complaint.

"I just expected that he's going to improve and match us ok!? But not only he still didn't grow, he almost killed us numerous times! I'm sick on this!" Mateo's explanation as he stares on Shirna. His eyes is full of anger.

"You should already said that earlier! Our reputation degraded so match because of him!" Beltrand's seething words.

"I'm just happy that there's no dead weight in our party anymore." Sophia's casual words.

"But he already knows your secret. What we should do?" Claustrine asked. Mateo sighs and looked at Shirna like he was looking to a trash.

"I guess we just need to kill him. Problem solved." Mateo said with indifference.

Mateo draws his sword and walks towards Shirna.

"I guess this is my compensation for wasting my trust on you. Goodbye."

And Mateo swings his sword downwards.

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.

.

"AHHHHHH!!!!"

Shirna wakes up in panic, drenched in sweat. He takes a deep breath for several times then he touch her neck.

And understand that everything is just a nightmare. Still, Shirna is so dreaded that a tear flows in his face without him noticing.

He feel ashamed that his mind even dare to create such nightmare to his mind. Shirna slaps himself out of frustration.

"Damn you! They would never do such thing!"

Then he hug herself as he start to sobs as the memory of the nightmare is still fresh on his mind.

After some time. Shirna decides to just do stargazing and breath fresh air. In the balcony of his tree house, Shirna lies down and watch the stars. He was consumed by deep thoughts for a while.

Shirna reminisced the adventures he have with Grand Ecstasy. All the joy they cherish, suffering they endured and memories they made as they explore different places in Grimael.

Until he reach the time where they visit Mateo's world. As he imagined all the amazing things he experienced on Earth, suddenly. Shirna's eyes gets wide open when a certain scene lingers on his mind.

The scene in question is from the movies he watched.

A group of modern soldiers eliminating enemy soldiers with their rifles.

An agent defending himself with style or an assassin casually killing a target using a pistol.

A sniper killing an enemy in absurd distance that he can only imagine doing with his bow and arrow.

A gangster's drive-by where they spray their rivals using their SMGs.

And a Robot from the future shredding police cars using a mini-gun.

Shirna is mindblown when he imagined the destruction of the Earth's weapon called Gun. And an idea appears on his mind.

Without second thought, Shirna prepares his things for his departure tommorow.

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"Are you leaving already?" Yhiana asked. Shirna visits her house to say his farewell.

"Yes Yhiana. But I will return promise."

"And how can you say that? It's been 2 years since your last visit here." Yhiana's expression went sad. Shirna puts his hand on her shoulder to reassure his friend.

"I promise Yhiana. This would not take long. Afterall, I might need your help in the future from now on."

"Me?"

"Yes. So wait for me and I shall return after few weeks."

Feeling how serious and sincere Shirna is. Yhiana smiles.

"Fine. Just come back home."

Yhiana just waves her hand as she watch Shirna slowly dissappears as he enters the forest.

~~~~~~°~~~~~~

Inside the Church of Vivvily in Natunnia.

Sophia is in deep prayer, trying to strenghten her connection with Goddess Vivvily.

The serene silence of the prayer hall gives her calmness and peace of mind. Things she really needs after the recent events.

But Sophia's peace of mind is interrupted when the scene of her friends almost getting killed and slowly dying as she can't do anything floods her mind. Sophia's prayer are now cut short.

She looked on the statue of the Goddess with a sad expression on her face.

"Dear Goddess... Help me..." Sophia quietly says.

"Sophia..."

Sophia recognize the old and caring voice and she look behind to be delighted as she see a familiar face.

"Grandma Helena!"

Sophia run towards Grandma Helena and hugs her tightly. Helena hugs her back while patting her head.

"There there... It's been a while my child." Helena gives a gentle smile, Sophia softens herself and smiles.

"I really miss you Grandma."

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.

.

The two are now walking, Sophia doing her best to walk slowler so she can match Helena's slow pace due to her age.

"Is your adventure doing well Sophia?"

"Yup! It always fun." Sophia ethusiastically says.

"I'm glad you enjoying your life to the fullest."

Helena stops and looked at Helena, her eyes is full of nostalgia.

"You look so grown up now Sophia. I'm so proud of you." Helena pats Sophia's head again, Sophia lowers her head to help, a sweet smile forms in her lips.

The two continues their walk, reminiscing the past until they reach a certain topic.

"Your recent huge donation to the orphanage was really a big help Sophia."

"How so?"

"The kids manages to focus on their studies without thinking about where to get food."

"I'm glad to hear that Grandma Helena."

"But... That's too much donation on your side Sophia. You should take care of yourself and the future instead of worrying about us."

"Grandma. Why you suddenly saying such thing?" Sophia asked with a sad expression on her face.

"Because we don't want to become a burden to you. You already become an independent adventurer of your own and it's very terrible for us to rely on your hardwork."

"Grandma. Don't worry about me. I will you continue to help the orphanage. Afterall, you're the only family I known. Besides, I just want the kids to have a better future prepared for them just like what you did for me."

Helena looked at Sophia with a proud smile on her face.

"I'm happy to hear that. But you should also built a family of your own Sophia. Find a good husband and make many children as you like."

"Ek! Grandma?! Why you suddenly say such thing?!" Sophia's surprised reaction, Helena just chuckle softly as she find teasing Sophia fun.

As the two continues their walk towards the orphanage. They encounter numerous clerics, priestess and priests. Most of them gives a respectful bow on Sophia, the younger ones personally gives short talks to Sophia and says their admiration. It makes Sophia confused.

"Grandma. Why they act respectful to me?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, my child... Why you even such question. You should already know why they're acting like that."

"What do you mean Grandma?"

"What I mean is you're one of the people that discovered and saved the Hero Glidel. Of course they going to admire you for achieving such feat."

After hearing Helena's answer. Sophia makes a pained expression. Remembering the vivid events in her mind again.

"My child, what's wrong?" Helena asked as she was concerned on Sophia's sudden shift in mood. Sophia realized that Helena is worried for her and tries to be cheerful again.

"Ah nothing! It's just, being idolized like that feels so... weird. Haha... ha... ha."

Despite seeing Sophia happy. Helena can feel that something is bothering Sophia's mind.

Suddenly, Sophia feels that something hugs her hips. When she looked down, Sophia is delighted to see a small little girl looking at her with happiness.

"Sister Sophia! I miss you!"

"Hello Pyrona." Sophia's greetings.

"Guys! It's Sister Sophia!" One of the child screams.

"Yey!"

Suddenly, more kids run towards Sophia and Helena. The kids then proceeds to hug and pull Sophia towards the orphanage.

"T-this is going to be a hectic day..." Sophia's only words.

"Indeed my child." Helena chuckle as she watch Sophia pulled by the kids as they're excited to play with her.

Sophia spends the day playing with the children of the orphanage. Showing some harmless magic, playing tag with them, and more. After that, Sophia is finally set free when the sisters that handles the kids finally returns.

After dinner with the kids. Sophia lays her exhausted body to the bed in a room provided to her.

"Phew! Tending with those energetic kids is more exhausting than fighting monster. I wonder how Helena and others handle such thing." Sophia says to herself.

Sophia hears knocks on the door.

"Who's there?"

"It's me my child. Can I enter?"

After hearing Helena's voice, Sophia opens the door and let her Grandma enters the room.

"What's wrong Grandma?"

"I just want to continue our talk earlier."

Helena gently sits in the edge of the bed beside Sophia.

"My child... What's bothering you?"

"Bothering me? Ah nothing is bothe-"

"My child. I know you more than anyone else. The moment I see your reaction when people idolized you, I know thay something is bothering you. So my child, tell me what's wrong."

Sophia's expression changed to pained sadness.

"Grandma. It's just... I feel terrible when those people idolize me when in fact I'm a fraud."

"And what makes you say that?"

"Because on that cave. Without Sir Gilmore's help, I probably just watched my friends die within my arms. I'm supposed to be a priestess, a healer for my friends yet I can't even use my skills to heal them in verge of death." Sophia clenches her fist as she look down.

"My child. You know that there's some instances that healing magic can't do anything."

"Of course Grandma I know that. It's just..."

Without her noticing. Sophia tells the story on how the fight with Hero Glidel went. How she can't heal her friends due to her mana exhaustion.

"I'm so scared... I can only watch them slowly bleed to death while I can't do anything."

Sophia's tears starts to flow down.

"If only I'm stronger. Grandma, I don't want to experience that ever again. I want to become stronger so I can be useful to my friends. I don't want to them die because of how weak I am."

Helena's heart aches as she watch her beloved child broke down in front of her. She hugged Sophia and gives her comfort.

"Grandma... Thank you..." Sophia softly sobs on Helena's embrace.

"My child. Don't worry, I'm going to help you with all of my abilities."

"Grandma, you don't need to do that. You already did too much for me since I was a child."

"And you're still my beloved child Sophia. As your foster parent. Let me help you achieve your dreams."

Sophia can't deny anymore as she was overwhelemed by Helena's sincerity and caring nature.

"Grandma. Really, thank you so much."

She leans deeper to Helena's embrace.

~~~~~~°~~~~~~

The next morning. Helena invites Sophia to the church's library, in a restricted area reserved for higher servants of the Goddess. Now facing a big wall of books, Helena is searching on a specific spot for minutes now.

"Hmmmm... I remember that book is just placed here."

"G-Grandma... W-what are we doing here? A-and why we even allowed to enter here?" Sophia is stuttering as she observe the surroundings. She can only see few people but they recognized them as Bishops and other higher ranking servants.

"Shhh my child. I'm trying to remember where is that book." Helena continues her search until...

"Ah..."

"What's wrong Grandma?"

"We need to return to the Orphanage."

"O-ok?"

Thus the two walks back to the orphanage while Sophia is still full of question.

"Grandma, why we even allowed to enter the restricted area of the library?"

"Because I'm a former Bishop. A combat Bishop to be exact."

"Eh?"

"What is that reaction my child?"

"It's just that, this is the first time I heared about that?"

"Wait? I didn't told you?"

Sophia shakes her head.

"Well. It's already a long time ago. I think 40 years in the past so it's not really that important."

Sophia and Helena now reach the orphanage and they enter Helena's room/office. Helena thinking hard on where she even put what she was searching.

"What exactly you're searching exactly Grandma?" Sophia asked.

"A book."

Helena then remembers and she tries to lean down under the bed but...

"My child..."

"Yes grandma?"

"Can you bend over and pull a case under my bed? My back is aching."

Sophia follows Helena and quickly see an old leather briefcase covered with dust and spiderwebs. Helena can't really open the case due to both old age of Helena and the case so Sophia did most of the work.

Once Sophia opened the case. She was greeted by clothes and religious paraphernelia. Helena takes a closer look and picks the clothes until she reach an old book still in pristine condition yet it's old age is still visible.

"Ah I remember now. I didn't even put this book on the library to begin with."

"What in that book Grandma?"

"It's a book containing unique spells I created decades ago."

Hearing the contents of the book. Sophia becomes intrigued and wants to see more of her grandma's unique spells.

"Granda. Are you really planning to send that to the Library? I mean, it's your personal spells."

"Yes my child. I want to share my knowledge to the church so I can be in use after I retire. But I forgot. Maybe the orphanage really takes my time and attention that much." Helena chuckle

"Grandma... Are you planning to teach me your Unique Spells?" Sophia's question. She's slowly filled with excitement as she wants to see the magic of the one that she considered as parent since young age.

"Yes. It's one of the things I going to teach to you so be prepared."

Sophia smiles with confidence.

"Yes!"