Chapter 127 - Reuniting with the High Elf

  Nathan Evenhart:

  After lunch at the cafeteria, we rested for a bit while waiting for the activity. Many people started chatting, and I overheard some talking about takirance exams for other academies. Apsalon wasn’t the only option, though it was the most prestigious. There were academies founded by powerful mages who had graduated from Apsalon, some specializing in sword bat or fog on specifia Categories, depending on what kind of mage you wao bee.

  Of course, Apsalon was the most renowned, founded by the kings of the three realms and famous for its diverse faculty from all races. One of the figures that caught my attention rofessor with the title of 'Goddess of Battle’, a powerful warrior and Transmitter, someone I'd heard whispers about. I was curious about her. On top of that, Apsalon was home to my teacher, Adrihna, the most famous High Elf, known for her Special Eyes, along with other renowned figures, especially from the demi-human kingdom.

  Oeresting thing I learned was that Apsalon didn’t just attract high nobles and royalty from the three realms, but also from other kingdoms and tries across the ti. My ti is split into two halves: one side occupied by the three realms, whied the Founding Empire, and the other half sisting of various indepe kingdoms. Many students from those other kingdoms came to study at Apsalon, not only to learn but also tthen ties with the nobility of the three realms. After all, we all o work together to protect the nd borders eg to the other ti and to secure the sea defe the borders. The survival of the ti depended on this colboration.

  “!” a voice called again, and the person ahead of me moved forward. The line was advang, leading us to a kind of arena where practical magid bat tests would be held.

  "!" repeated the elf monitor, his tone firm and professional.

  I stepped forward.

  “Name?” he asked.

  “Nathan Evenhart,” I responded.

  Standing beside him was a silver-haired elf, a presence I reized immediately: my teacher, Adrihna. She kept a serious expression, as if she didn’t know me, which was amusing sidering she’d been teag me since I was eight. Clearly, she was maintaining the formalities of the situation.

  The elf monitor picked up a file and, as he ran his finger over my name, I saw the paper glow slightly at his touch.

  “Nathan Evenhart…” he began reading aloud, “from the Evenhart duchy. A high noble, I see. Would you like to take the elemental sto? This stone is exclusive to Lady Adrihna.”

  Adrihna stepped forward, maintainirict posture. The monitor didn’t seem to notice the nostalgia I felt seeing her again.

  “I already know my element well,” I said calmly, not needing the sto.

  Professor Adrihna, in her ral tone, began speaking:

  "I’ll ask you a few questions to firm the information from your kingdom’s registry. Since you’re a high noble, you’ll be interviewed by anh noble. Answer all questions truthfully, uood?"

  It's a bit funny to pretend not to know her. Adrihna really doesn't show much emotion.

  I rying to hide the slight smile that crept up as I thought about how perfect she was at following protocol, despite our history. To anyone here, we were plete strangers.

  My kingdom record still had a photo of me from when I was 10, in bd white. Apparently, the colored version was kept only by the royal family, as color photography teology was something exclusive to them. My family and I were aware of this, which gave us some relief, especially when it came to my eyes. Knowing that the true color of my eyes wouldn't be easily analyzed was a f thought.

  Even so, this careful scrutiny was something only the Grand Duke typically bothered with, and even then, he only examined high nobles. After all, Special Eyes only appeared in high nobles due to our extensive lineage of mages. But Special Eyes were so rare that, for most people, their existence was regarded as a myth. Many believed that these eyes had disappeared entirely, turning into a legend, something people only heard about in old stories.

  “Is your element really lightning?” she asked directly.

  “That’s correct. I’m a Lightning element mage, specializing in Transmitter aer categories.”

  The elf beside Adrihna widened his eyes, clearly surprised.

  “Lightning element? That’s rare; I haven’t seen someoh that power in years,” the monitor ented, astonished. Another elf, overhearing our versation, approached curiously.

  “You really have the Lightning element?” the sed elf asked, intrigued.

  “Yes, I do,” I answered calmly.

  He whistled softly in admiration. “And here I was, feeling proud of my Pnt element,” he chuckled before stepping away.

  Adrihna, who had remained impassive until then, gave a light cough t the formal tone back.

  “Apologies, Lady Adrihna,” the elf stammered, embarrassed, as he quickly backed off to leave us alone.

  Turning bae, my teacher maintained her serious tone as she tinued.

  “What’s your bat style?” Adrihna asked, her sharp gaze fixed on me.

  “Sword ical attacks,” I replied fidently.

  Fingers, hands, pens, books, knives, cloths, ropes, axes, nails, needles—anything that be used to kill...

  She made a note and then tinued, her voieutral but with a hint of curiosity.

  “It says here that your duchy is agricultural, and your family is known for being farmers and exceptional Builder Mages. Do you have any military training beyond what the kingdom requires for someone of your status?”

  “No, just the basic training expected of high nobles,” I replied, keeping my toeady.

  “Basic? I see…” She allowed a barely noticeable smile to form, her amusement thinly veiled.

  She made another mark on my record.

  “As a high noble, you’re part of a long lineage of mages, and the kingdom requires the following mandatory questions. Do you possess Special Eyes, or feel that your body is cultivating this ocur power?”

  “I don’t have Special Eyes, and I don’t feel like my body is cultivating them,” I replied as she swiftly took notes on my form.

  Adrihna tio mark the required formalities, her every movement precise, never breaking her posure.

  “Last mandatory question from your kingdom. If you were to awaken Special Eyes, would you offer them to His Majesty if the king requested them?”

  “No.”

  She looked at me, letting out a small sigh. Yet without hesitation, she marked ‘yes’ on the form.

  Adrihna then walked beside me, handing the record over to the elf in charge.

  “Lady Adrihna will guide you to the arena. Good luck,” the elf said with a slight nod.

  As we walked, she maintained her usual dignified posture, but now that we were alohe atmosphere between us felt more rexed. She closed the door behind us as we walked down the corridor.

  “High nobility doesn’t o wait in lines for hours,” she said as we tinued down a more secluded hallway. “You’ll ght to the practical test.”

  I gnced around, notig the empty surroundings. Though tempted to rex and speak freely, I kept my posure, mindful of the formal situation.

  “I’m assigning you an oppo. He’ll perform a magic test with you, and then you’ll have a battle. To avoid diplomatic issues, the practical tests fh nobility are ducted by evaluators from your own kingdom. You’ll face a knight from the royal guard. Good luck,” she said, handing me another file and pointing to the door ahead.

  I took the paper from her hand, ready to follow the instrus, but before I could take aep, I felt my movements being interrupted. Suddenly, Adrihna grabbed me by the shoulders, pulling my head between her arms.

  "Professor?" I asked, surprised by her strength, though not unfortable.

  She held me firmly, but there was a warmth in her gesture. "I'm w on my day off, kid..." she said, ughing softly as she messed up my hair, despite keeping her serious tone.

  Damn… she’s pressing me against twe, soft, round things...

  I smiled slightly, trying to hide the disfort caused by the closeness, though I appreciated the moment of levity.

  "Appreciate it, and don't draw attention," she said, letting go of me with a light tap on the head aurning to her serious expression.

  I was embarrassed, my cheeks pressed against her chest.

  Damn hormones! I don’t think she’s wearing a bra...

  "No problem, professor. I’ll stay uhe radar," I said, trying to sound fident.

  Adrihna sighed deeply, rubbiemples. "Why do I feel like every time you say that, the exact opposite happens?"

  I couldn’t argue with that. She was right, and my history of ued situations spoke for itself. So, I just nodded and moved forward, accepting her advice.

  Damn… why does she have to be seous? If she were an old hag, maybe I wouldn’t be so embarrassed.

  As I walked down the corridor, I decided to focus on what really mattered and looked at the file in my hands with the description of my oppo. The moment I read the name, a strange familiarity washed over me.

  "Phill... from the royal guard?" I muttered to myself. The name sparked something in my memory, but I couldn’t remember where I’d heard it before.

  "Where have I heard that name?"