2 more Years passed.

Gelvian is now 8 years old. Mobile, talk active and on his way to the village school. Surprising enough school in this world wasn’t too different compared to his old school in his old life. Some basics here and there. Gelvian aced all of it of course his sister Levia trying to catch up is too cute for Gelvian. She is the second-best in their class and if He wasn’t a reincarnated guy, she would be first. She studies like a diligent scientist to be the best. She also made some friends. Levia, Gelvians sister building her own social circle. Gelvian does the same with the boys, all pretty immature but they respect him for being the smart, strong, and authoritarian one. Fights did and still happen but a chop here, a slap there has kept them in line. The older kids are a problem the 12 plus are out of his martial range if they gang up. Which they always bloody do. Cowards. Gelvian always complains to Fang.

The school is only a side thing he has right now. What has advanced are his druidic abilities. He struck a deal with the local rats. He learned to talk to them in broken sentences. Along the lines of "Keep your shit away from the grain stores, you get easier and more food" in this case grain. Bloody rats did what rats do and backstabbed, broke the agreement. So, what does the young little elf do?

Get the specialists.

The cats.

From young kittens to big chunky cats the village had them all. So, he struck an alliance with the cats. He helps them catch rats and they get free pets as a bonus on top.

Let us say they were euphoric about this idea. The senses of Elvenkind and Felinekind together combined made for a strong combination. The rats of course panic and try to bargain but as Fang said.

Out. by. the. roots. You can't be betrayed again if you don’t have a deal with them again. Gelvian and the local cats did not try to negotiate. This of course was noticed by the villagers but Gelvian tried to keep the war on rat's lowkey as possible. They never got them all of course but he enjoyed his victories and so did the cats. Let's say Gelvian also got his very own cat guardians there always some around their house asking for pets and treats. To the delight of Levia and dismay of their mother. A person's outlook on animals changes when you can talk to them. For Gelvian it made him a feline lover even if he was a Dog person before.

Fang the ever so helpful cultivator turned venomous Lizard taught him a lot about his world. About cultivation and Qi but in this world, Qi and cultivation don’t exist in the same form. His mother said that there are Monks who trained their bodies to perfection to archive similar performances that Fang described but not much about inner animal spirits or soul fountains.

Gelvian can talk with animals somewhat now. So here is how it functions Gelvian can gauge their emotional state and communicate simple commands.

With the rats, it went along the like this.

“You. Stay away from corn. I give you easy corn. You keep grain clean, you get corn.” Then they would answer.

“Yes-Yes. We get corn. For keeping it clean-safe. Yes?” And this went back and forth for a while until they had the “details” ironed out.

The cats were pretty much royal in their being the ones they choose to represent them at least. Speaking like “Of course my dear eloquence, meow.” While hanging a meow at each sentence. Pretty cute if one asked Gelvians opinion.

The thing is Gelvian wants to be better, better at talking with them. Simple sentences aren't enough for him. The cats told him that he speaks like a caveman so he wants to learn how he can improve it and maybe talk with plants! If he has the druidic talent and it's not some kind of fluke.

And so, after a lot of nagging and bagging Gelvian asked his mother to teach him the basics of magic but she forbade Gelvian to try and spells without her being present. Should he fail to follow this she would stop teaching him. The logic behind is something is that if he can understand the basics of how to cast spells in theory that he could apply that knowledge to his druidic speech. He knows he is doing it on instinct alone and not from skill. Like a Soldier going from active service to the Police. Similar skills and knowledge is needed and applied.

This is what Gelvian is doing right now in the backyard with a poodle-sized Fang who grew over the years but isn't near to being fully grown. He wears a special harness that stops him from opening his mouth fully as his mother insisted if Fang is to be allowed outside. Animal cruelty. Gelvian remarks to himself, even if you can talk and explain it to the animal. It reminded him of all the animal owners who muzzle their animals without a just reason. Yes, he knows it's for his safety but it still irks him.

The village knows that Venom Drake lives inside their house which causes some stress by some townsfolk but she brews special medicine with Fang's venom so the Town leaders don’t mind.

As Gelvian thinks back to what happened he failed again to produce any light from his hands.

“Oh man, it is impossible for me! I tried it for a week and nothing happened.” He groans out of frustration.

“Well, dear. You don’t have any arcane talent or very little, that we don’t really know that yet. You shouldn't be practicing in the first place.” she told him before he could respond she added “You will know when the ritual of awakening is done. That is when your talent is laid bare for the world to see and it will be easier to weave the spells into existence. What you should do now is focus on learning from the book I got you Gelvian dear.”

Oh yes, that book. He grimaces. “Druidic lexicon of Hirawaldo.” He answers back. The book details the way of the druid in simple text, the only problem? That Hirawaldo wrote it in Druidic. So, Gelvian is stuck translating it bit by bit and guessing 95% of the rest. Simple text my ass Gelvian thought.

The Druids for some reason collectively decided to never teach it to non-druids. When asked why which my mother did in the pursuit of knowledge, they told her it would twist and corrupt anyone with a non-druid talent trying to speak or read the language. The effects could range from a simple sapling sprouting from your head to full-blown treefication or other nasty body horrors.

A few months later.

Well, Gelvian knew that someone would try to come for him. He just didn’t think it would be this soon. He got woken up to a knocking on the door. Opening it to see 3 druid-looking people in front of him. A human man, a female half-elf, and a dwarf. He got a heavy “A visit of the Wise Men” vibe from them. Or two wise men and a wise woman.

“Hello, little one.” The female half-elf spoke. “Are your parents' home?” She asked.

“Yes. My mother should be home.” Gelvian answered a bit unsure already being suspicious of the druids.

“Good please tell them the Faldur Grove is here. We will wait here-ah you must be Elisia Sunleaf?” Gelvian felt his mother was watching him the entire time by he didn’t want to tip them off in case these were bad people. Element of surprise and all that.

“Yes, I am. Dear please go inside and take Levia upstairs.” Elisia ordered.

Gelvian did as asked of him. He took Fang with him as well.

While upstairs in their room Fang turned his head to me.

“So, a faction of this world has you in their sight. A strong one if that woman's aura is any indication. A deep sandy blond with a green hue.” He said as a matter of fact.

He speaks about that Half-Elf woman with coincidently sandy blond hair.

“Are you sure? It could be that they just want to see my mother for a few potions she is-was a powerful wizard after all.” Gelvian replied.

“This can’t be a coincidence. Three greenish souls here in front of your house? After you showed your ability to talk with animals and other wildlife? And she has the feel of a Master and I don’t mean your mother I mean that blond green souled woman.” Fang pauses to think.

“It feels eerily similar to my recruitment to the Heavenly Dragon Sect.” He sneered. “Be careful Gelvian. If they don’t get you, they will try to kidnap you. A talent such as yours will not be left untended for too long. They will try to reap what they didn't sow.”

“This can't be. They are just some druids they-” His mother calling him downstairs interrupted Gelvian.

“Take me with you. I will try to help you if needed” Fang nods to me.

“Brother, what is going on?” Levia asks still confused with all the activity inside their house.

“Nothing... just I am thinking.” I take Fang under my arm and go downstairs with Levia following me.

The 3 druids are sitting at their family table with their mother sitting opposite her staff leaning on the table.

Gelvian sits next to his mother, Levia next to him, and Fang on his lap peaking his head out over the table resting his chin on the table to look at the druids.

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The human man is the first one to speak up.

“Is that a Venom Drake?!” He stands up already trying to chant a spell before getting backhanded by the dwarf man.

“You moron what are you trying to cast charm animal for! He is docile and tamed. You think Miss Sunleaf would let her children be near such a creature without making sure it's safe. Don’t embarrass us.”

A quiet “Apologies.” came from the man and he sat back down.

“Now that my colleagues are done with their shenanigans. My name is Ravia,” The Half-elf introduced. “The jumpy human is Markus and the dwarf is Tredran. As I said we are from the Faldur Grove. We are here for you little Gelvian because a little bird told us you could talk to animals and that clearly before being awakened. Influencing animals in subtle ways is normality but straight up talking to one is rare talent if you can do that before being awakened.” She takes a breather to let the words settle in. Fang was right. They are here for his talent. For him. Fang turned to Gelvian with an “I told you so look.”

“Are you here to take me away?” Gelvian asks cutting to the point to see if his fear and Fang's prediction are true.

“Yes.” His mother bristled at the answer gripping her staff so hard her knuckles turned white.

“What do you mean to take him away? That isn't what you told me. You told me you would let a druid stay in the village and teach him. Nothing about him moving out!” His mother already has staff in hand. Lying to her is always a bad option especially if you are talking about taking her children away.

That just an invitation to activate mother bear mode in any maternal figure.

“Miss Sunleaf. I don’t know if you noticed but your son has a strong druidic talent. There are no rats or similar pets near your Grainery or your neighbors and your home? Why is that? Gelvian you talked to them? Am I correct?” The female druid turned to him. She is already smiling knowing the answer to that question.

Gelvian should have known it was obvious to purge the rats. Or to be more precise to arrange a deal. He gives them easier access and they take a certain amount of grain in turn they don’t defecate near the Grainery or the water wells. Of course, that failed, it was hard for him to bargain with rats of all things. They backstabbed by ignoring their agreement so he just coordinated the cats to attack their hiding spots. Hard to hide from two very perceptive species. Cats and Elves. To think they interpreted the rumor of Gelvian purging the rats like this seems a bit strange.

“Yes, I did talk to animals to keep our food clean.” At the answer, the female druid Ravia smiled even more brightly at his mother.

“Do you see this, Miss Sunleaf? Your Son already achieves things that a Druid apprentice struggles with! Such a strong talent is rare! He needs to come with us!” Ravia exclaimed.

“That doesn’t change anything! Sure, he has talent I knew that since he can talk.” Laying it a bit thick there with the praise. Gelvian thought.

“But he is still a boy who needs his family. He has to grow up and only then I allow him to go. If you want to train him do that here. In the safety of his family not somewhere unknown for him.” Ravia wanted to interject but his mother shot her down. “No! The capital city Derviu doesn’t count as safe!”

“Miss Sunleaf, we from the Faldur Grove, we can guarantee his safety! I would be ashamed as a Master Druid if we couldn’t!”

“That isn't the only danger and you know it! The nobles will see that talent and try to claw him into their families like some sort of...” She paused noticing that everyone was looking at her but she was looking at the Door where Darius in his fully armed glory was standing.

“So, no dinner today?” He asked as if he was late to a party.

“Ah, I see... I am against this Miss Ravia. My wife is right. Even if it made Gelvian a powerful Archdruid in the next year. His mental well-being would suffer. He is mature for his age but that doesn’t matter he is still our child. What would Levia think? Do you want to separate a Twin from her brother? You know that is just an invitation for the gods to curse you.” Darius calmly stated.

“You should know that in our culture mental health is a strong part of why we live this long Ravia. An elf may live for 1000+ years or longer but that doesn’t matter when he loses the will to live because he lost all his friends to time and war.”

“Then we can just move Gelvian and Levia- or better we move you all to Derviu.” Ravia tried to compromise but Darius shot it down.

“And let Cainyorf be without their former Archmage and veteran Knight? We are the only Elven village in this Human dominated Kingdom. We pay our taxes to them but we were sent here by the Elvenking as a sign that Elves still can project their power over the entire world even with the magic being weaker than ever. Our presence alone keeps bandits and greedy merchants in line here in Cainyorf. Without us, this village wouldn’t exist as it is now. So, stop trying to take Gelvian away or I will consider this as an act of sabotage.” He slammed the table with a flat hand. A thick silence followed.

“What does that mean?” The human man asks.

Ravia presses her lips into a thin line. “It means he sees us as enemy saboteurs who he will be allowed to attack. That doesn’t mean he could attack us now as we are still under the protection of the guest right. For me, it means I could be expelled from elven society if they deem it grave enough and with me being a Half-Elf, they wouldn't think twice about declaring us, saboteurs. Especially if they bring up the mental health argument.” Ravia explained with a partly annoyed expression. She didn’t think she would be threatened with expulsion from her mother's society. The elven society.

“I know I am being harsh with this but you are pushing too hard. Leave a druid here. Teach him here. He needs one anyways. We will pay for your stay. Just stop trying to get him away from us.” Darius strokes his chin. He has no beard but it relaxes him when he is in a stressed situation. Threatening Ravia didn’t come too easy to him at first but his children take priority compared to some human-dominated Grove. Why not sent him to the elven grove? As bad as humans are if we were to send a talent of this nature away to elven lands it could spark tensions between humans and elves with them accusing us of talent drain. This is stupid from Darius's point of view as they aren't really their vassals in the first place. But as such are politics. One of the reasons he took this assignment was to escape court.

The druids go outside and discuss their options.

“So, what do we do?” The human Markus asks.

“Well, what do you think you, idiot. We let one of us stay here and teach the lad.” Tredran the dwarf said.

“That is the soundest option. It wouldn’t do to anger the Parents which could put Gelvian in opposition to us if we tried to push too hard to force them to. We don’t need a repeat of Relios Incident.” Ravia explained.

“What about the council of druids? They sent us here to gather him so an archdruid can train him.” Markus answered a bit concerned about the reaction of the council.

“We tell them what happened. We didn’t know the child was from two elven envoys. Legality aside. Just give them the mental health argument and that the child has a former Mage from the time before Vesta as a mother and an elven veteran from the looks of his gear and weapon. So, staging a fake attack with wolves wouldn't do the trick. I will stay here and try to teach the boy our ways. You two go back, okay?” Ravia explained her plan. They both nodded. As a group, they went back inside.

“We accept your conditions. The grove council will be disappointed to not have him in the grove now but they will see him when he is grown a bit older.” Ravia answers.

“I will stay here and teach him the mysterious ways of the druids so that he unlocks the full potential that lies in his talent. My two friends will go back and report what happened here and that they may send some training supplies.” Ravia finishes with a subdued smile.

Gelvian is back in his room when he turns to Fang.

“Hey, Fang” The Lizard turned to him. “Why didn’t you say anything? Didn’t you say you wanted to help me?”

“No need.” he shook his head. “Your parents acted noble and like parents should. They shot down this Sect or grove as they call themselves. And threaten their livelihoods, in my opinion, they did everything correctly. I remember mine just sold me for 10 sacks of rice and the promise that I marry a noble girl in the future. My stepfather did so. While my mother was out in the markets.” Fang stood still. Gelvian could feel his sadness.

“I am sorry.” He spoke.

“Don’t be. I killed him and his entire family long ago. I made sure none would carry his family name.” Fang states that as a matter of fact. Gelvian just hopes he didn’t kill everyone; a child is innocent and shouldn't bear responsibility for the action of their parents. He won't ask that. He knows it would be hypocritical of him Sometimes leaving things in the dark is the best for both of them.