It had been a week since Elvina arrived at Hollow Town, and each day brought new marvels and discoveries. Although she still struggled with the human language, she was making slow progress in understanding it. During this time, she learned the names of her companions: the young man was Ian Raven, a scion of the noble house, and the old man, his grandfather and guardian, was Sebastian Raven—the owner of the grand manor she now resided in.
On the first day of her exploration, Elvina realized that humans knew how to entertain themselves. The town came alive at night with a festive atmosphere, illuminated by the soft glow of mana crystals in the houses. The people seemed happy and secure, and Elvina was intrigued by the sight. She decided to explore the so-called "bar" to understand the secrets of human happiness where their happiness came from.
So, she asked Ian to escort her to the said bar.
With the help of Mira, she translate everything she said with reluctance.
“What?” Ian look bewildered at the question
With Mira's reluctant translation assistance, Elvina asked Ian to escort her to the bar.
Ian just sigh in defeat, as a host, he has obligation to cater his guest even if it’s a weird request.
-
The trio entered the establishment, and Elvina couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at the unpleasant odor that greeted her. Undeterred, she approached the counter and, through gestures, pointed at a patron who was consuming a mysterious liquid.
"What are your orders?" the barman asked.
Elvina, still confused, indicated that she wanted the same drink as the patron. The barman, somewhat puzzled, left the counter and returned with a mug containing the same mysterious liquid. Elvina, with a determined demeanor, took the mug in her hands and quickly consumed its contents. Almost immediately, she closed her mouth but failed as she thrown up and started retching.
"Blergh," she exclaimed before her vision faded into darkness.
The barman raised an eyebrow, Mira shook her head in disapproval, and Ian, engrossed in conversation with some soldiers, seemed oblivious to Elvina's misadventure in the world of human revelry.
Day 2
The morning after Elvina's misadventure at the bar brought with it a persistent headache and a lingering discomfort in her stomach. Mira, when asked about the purpose behind humans subjecting themselves to such unpleasant drinks, cryptically responded, "Humans want to make themselves miserable. You don’t need to concern yourself with their plight." Though the message puzzled Elvina, she stored it in her memory, determined to unravel the truth behind this peculiar human ritual.
As the day unfolded, the town continued its lively activities, seemingly unfazed by Elvina's unfortunate introduction to the world of human revelry. However, the memory of her attempt to discover the secrets of human happiness by consuming the mysterious drink would forever haunt her, a moment captured in the annals of her journey—an elf, determined to understand the human experience, who found herself throwing up in a secluded spot where no prying eyes could witness her misdeeds. The image was etched in her memory, a testament to the unique challenges she encountered in her quest to comprehend the intricacies of human life in Hollow Town.
Day 3
Elvina stood at the side of the bustling road, her keen eyes curiously observing the diverse array of people passing by. The air was filled with the sounds of footsteps, distant chatter, and the occasional market vendor hawking their wares. Lost in her observations, she was suddenly jolted when a little boy, clad in worn-out clothes, bumped into her. Before she could react, the child swiftly darted away, disappearing into the crowd.
As Elvina processed the encounter, another facet of human behavior unfolded before her—the seemingly inherent rudeness towards strangers. However, her contemplation was abruptly interrupted by the rising clamor behind her. Shouts of "Catch that brat!" and "Thief!" echoed through the air, sending a wave of urgency through the bustling street.
Elvina turned her gaze back to where the boy had vanished, but he was nowhere to be seen. The sudden realization dawned upon her that the seemingly vibrant and lively human cities harbored their own shadows and dangers. Even an innocent child, pushed to the brink of survival, could resort to criminal acts in the relentless pursuit of a better life. The incident left Elvina with a somber awareness of the complex challenges woven into the fabric of human existence.
Day 4
Elvina stood at a vantage point, silently observing the soldiers engaged in rigorous training exercises. Their movements were synchronized, a testament to their dedication to honing their skills. Each warrior, despite the brevity of their lifespan compared to elves, was committed to becoming as formidable as possible. Their drills were a display of strength and determination, a collective effort to ensure they could hold their ground against any adversary.
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As she watched the soldiers go through their paces, Elvina nodded in approval, acknowledging the unyielding spirit that fueled their training. The human soldiers seemed to grasp the concept of making the most of their limited time, and she respected their unwavering commitment to self-improvement.
Meanwhile, Ian stood beside her, his eyes wide with amazement at the spectacle unfolding before him. The soldiers' display of discipline and training had left him momentarily speechless.
Day 5
Elvina, engrossed in her usual pursuit of exploring the vast world of knowledge within the library, stumbled upon a peculiar book. Unlike the neatly labeled volumes around it, this one bore no title, and the absence of an author's name intrigued her. As she opened the book, she was met with a series of images portraying two distinct individuals, each with a different demeanor and appearance. Her usual calm expression shifted to one of seriousness, and she tilted her head, trying to decipher the meaning behind the visual narrative.
Carrying the mysterious book, she approached Ian, who was deeply absorbed in his own reading. When she gestured towards the book, Ian looked up with curiosity, and Elvina placed the enigmatic tome on the table for him to explore.
As Ian delved into the pages, his expression underwent a rapid transformation – shock, horror, embarrassment, and a myriad of emotions flickered across his face. Abruptly, he closed the book and vehemently shook his head to Elvina. Without further explanation, he hastily exited the room, leaving Elvina bewildered.
Elvina just shrugged off the encounter and returned to her studies. Little did she know that the peculiar book had sparked a reaction in Ian, one that would remain a mystery for the time being.
Day 6
A sudden shift in the atmosphere gripped Hollow Town, shrouding it in an air of tension. The once lively streets, adorned with the warm glow of mana crystals, now bore the weight of an unspoken unease. The usual patrol routines took on a heightened strictness, and an unexpected curfew descended upon the town, casting a somber shadow over its nocturnal vibrancy.
The soldiers, once engaged in their routine training sessions, now stood at heightened attention, their vigilance palpable in the air. Even the familiar establishments, like the bustling bar, were forbidden from remaining open past midnight, a decree that disrupted the usual flow of the town.
Elvina, perceptive as ever, sensed the sudden change in the town's dynamics. The once-friendly atmosphere now replaced by an underlying tension left her curious and wary. She observed the heightened alertness of the soldiers and the imposition of curfews, questioning the cause behind this abrupt shift.
Day 7
Lord Sebastian came back alone from outside with heavy wound.
(Ian pov)
Ian rushed towards the lord's room, his heart pounding with anxiety. The sight that greeted him was one of chaotic urgency, with servants bustling in and out, their hands stained with bloodied bandages. Hesitation flickered in Ian's eyes as he approached the door, but the need for answers spurred him forward.
Entering the room, he beheld a scene of somber intensity. Servants were diligently applying medicine to Sebastian's wounds, revealing the severity of the injuries. Ian's gaze fixated on his grandfather's pale face, a stark contrast to the usual vigor he exuded. The room echoed with a heavy silence, punctuated only by the muffled sounds of hurried footsteps.
"Young master, you must not enter yet; the lord is still resting," Mira cautioned, appearing behind him with a stern expression.
"What happened to him?" Ian's voice carried an undercurrent of concern, his eyes searching for answers.
Mira, however, could only shake her head, her silence amplifying the gravity of the situation. Ian clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms as he absorbed the distressing reality. Unable to bear the sight any longer, he turned away from the room, his mind grappling with the uncertainty that loomed over the fate of his grandfather.
-
(Elvina pov)
The moonlight spilled over the rooftop of the manor, casting a soft glow on Elvina as she sat in her favorite spot, quietly observing the night. The peaceful ambiance was disrupted when a subtle movement caught her keen attention. Instinctively, she followed the trail of activity and found herself at an unexpected scene.
Ian, usually clad in noble attire, was now donned in a mysterious black hood that concealed his entire form. It was clear he intended to navigate the intricate facade of the mansion incognito, yet his attempts were marred by an evident struggle with the unfamiliar attire.
Elvina, perched in the shadows, watched the unfolding spectacle with a bemused expression. As moments passed without much progress, she couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement. However, seeing Ian's difficulty, her curious nature got the better of her.
-
(Ian pov)
Ian, determined to conquer the challenge, made another attempt to climb the high wall. However, his efforts ended in a less-than-graceful manner, with a spectacular fall that landed him squarely on his backside. Dusting himself off, he prepared for another go at the ascent, only to find himself face to face with a young woman who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
Caught off guard, Ian staggered backward, his expression shifting from surprise to guarded vigilance. The girl, undeterred, pointed at the top of the wall, a silent question in her eyes. Realizing the misunderstanding, Ian cleared his throat, a tinge of embarrassment coloring his cheeks.
"I can handle it myself," he asserted, though the girl showed no sign of leaving. Instead, she stood there, silently observing him with a curious gaze. Ian, feeling a mixture of determination and self-consciousness, decided to press on without further assistance.
Gritting his teeth, Ian approached the wall once more. This time, he was determined to conquer the obstacle on his own. The girl remained a silent spectator, her eyes following his every move as he resumed his climb with newfound resolve.
-
Frustration etched across Ian's face as he faced the seemingly insurmountable wall. With a begrudging glance toward Elvina, he finally swallowed his pride.
"P-please help me," he stammered, bowing his head and closing his eyes. A moment later, he felt an unexpected weightlessness, and the next thing he knew, he was standing on the other side of the wall.
Blinking in surprise, Ian quickly took stock of his surroundings. Elvina, wearing a satisfied smile, stood beside him. "Thanks," he muttered quietly, his embarrassment palpable. Remembering his clandestine mission, he turned away, disappearing into the shadows.
Elvina tilted her head in curiosity, a silent observer of Ian's mysterious endeavor. Without a word, she followed him into the shadowy corners of the night.