Evo, along with the rest of the students and instructors, arrived at a restricted area. It was a vast open space where several elves—who appeared to be high-ranking—were waiting for them. Right behind those elves, at the center of the area:
– Woooow, look at the size of that! – one of the students exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.
At the very center stood an enormous white balloon, majestic, with the symbol of a golden tree emblazoned across its surface. Beneath it was a large cabin that resembled a ship, crafted from a strange kind of wood. Unlike common materials, its tone was a smooth, matte gold.
The students stared at it with shining eyes, brimming with excitement. But Evo was looking at something else. His gaze was fixed on the symbol on the balloon—the great tree, its roots spreading in countless directions.
– Yggdrasil… – he murmured, slightly startled.
– The World Tree, known from Norse legend. The world of the elves… and also that thing that dwells within those roots.
He narrowed his eyes, staring at the roots that spread out in such a majestic manner.
– This is already the third time I've come across something I knew before reincarnating… and in such a short span of time.
– I'm seriously starting to think this isn't just a coincidence.
Evo turned his attention back to the tree.
– I don't know…
– I'm still not certain of anything.
– It could just be my imagination linking things from the past.
– My mind might simply be playing tricks on me… maybe I haven't fully severed myself from my old world like I thought I had – he murmured, his expression turning more melancholic.
He sighed and waited until it was time to board.
– Students! – Elizabeth called out.
– We are heading to the central region of the Elven Continent.
– I don't know if any of you are aware of this, but I'll share a bit of trivia before we depart.
– The Elven Empire doesn't have multiple cities like the Human Empire does.
– Here, there is only the capital, Eldavorn. In other words, the Elven Continent is essentially a single capital city.
Murmurs spread among the students. This was new information to many of them; only a few had known about it. Those who didn't began to wonder: if the entire continent was one massive capital, how was it even managed?
The main reason empires have multiple cities is to ease administration—after all, it would be chaos to govern everything from a single seat. Their doubts were reasonable, but no one dared to ask. They were on another continent, in the land of another race. It made sense that their system of governance would be different—and perhaps they would learn the reason during this excursion.
– All right, form a line and board! – Elizabeth ordered.
The conversations died down, and the students began moving in an orderly manner.
As always, Evo waited for everyone else to line up before joining in. During that time, he observed the students without any clear reason. Off to one side were Blanche and Lívia, as usual surrounded by students showering them with praise. From time to time, the princess glanced in Evo's direction before turning her attention back to the others. She thought he hadn't noticed—but she was quite mistaken.
Evo then shifted his gaze to another spot, where Talier stood with a small group of students, away from the rest. He narrowed his eyes as he examined them. Of the five students speaking with Talier, two were suspects—individuals the Order of the Three Decrees had placed on their list of possible infiltrators from the criminal organization.
Talier spoke with the two, his expression serious, as if they were planning something. That made the uneasy feeling return, tightening in Evo's chest.
– What are those bastards plotting? – he muttered to himself, his face tense.
He was worried. His warning signals were sounding again, telling him that something could go wrong. Evo knew he couldn't afford to take that feeling lightly.
– I need to contact Freya!
Evo sent magical energy into his Prismatic Ring, attempting to reach the headmistress. He brought the ring close to his lips and waited for her to respond. After a few seconds:
– Evo?
– Why the sudden call?
A sweet, slightly anxious voice echoed in his mind.
– Freya, sorry for calling out of the blue, but I need your help.
There was urgency in his voice—something Freya picked up on immediately.
– You sound tense. Did something happen?
...
Evo remained silent for a few seconds. He wasn't sure whether he should tell her; he didn't even know himself if this was real or just his imagination. The members of the Order would have to come at full speed—it was a nine-day journey, and they would need to move fast, or it might be too late.
– Evo, are you there? – Freya asked, her voice tinged with worry.
She sensed the alarm in his silence and grew concerned that something might have happened to him.
Evo sighed and decided to tell her.
– Freya, could you gather those five and send them here as quickly as possible?!
– Why do you want me to send them there? – she asked, uncertain.
– I have a bad omen! – he replied bluntly.
– Hm?
– A bad omen?
– What's happening for your instincts to be warning you like this?
Evo let out a heavy sigh as he slowly walked toward the line.
– Listen, I need to explain this quickly, so pay close attention.
On the other end, Freya nodded.
– Hm.
Evo began to explain. He told her that during the journey he had felt the same sense of something being wrong, as if something terrible was about to happen. That feeling had faded for a while, but it returned strongly when he saw Talier—or Umbra—talking with two of the suspected infiltrators. Judging by their expressions and the way they spoke, it looked like they were scheming something. His instincts had screamed at him with full force.
– So you're telling me you think the Wanderers are going to do something there, in the elven capital? – Freya asked.
– Yes!
– That's what my instincts are telling me.
– I wouldn't have contacted you just because of them—you know I side with logic.
– But this time, I can't afford to take it lightly.
– Something is telling me that if I leave things as they are, this won't end well… especially for us.
As Freya listened, she had to agree. Evo was never someone ruled by emotion. He was rational, cautious, someone who always acted based on reason. If he was trusting his instincts now, then it had to be taken seriously.
She nodded firmly.
– All right, Evo. I'll ask Ravina to gather them right away and send them to you.
– But wouldn't it be better if I went myself? – she asked, considering the option.
Evo rejected it immediately.
– Don't do that!
– We don't know what they're planning.
– This could be a trap to draw you away from the academy so they can strike while you're gone.
– I know Ravina is strong, but we can't take that risk.
– The five of them and I are enough—don't worry! – he said firmly, giving weight to his words.
Freya saw the logic in his reasoning and let the idea go.
– All right.
– You're right.
– I'll send them as fast as possible.
– I'll also help them move faster however I can.
– They'll reach you in five days.
– Hold out until then.
Evo felt somewhat relieved.
– All right.
– ...
– Freya? – he called again, his voice calmer now.
– Hm? – she replied.
– Thank you – Evo said.
On the other end, Freya held a ring similar to his and smiled sweetly—a smile that could melt anyone's heart.
There were many things she wanted to say at that moment, things she could say… but she chose to leave them for another time. Perhaps when he was closer to her. So she simply replied:
– You're welcome – her voice calm and gentle.
– Please, be careful – she asked, a trace of melancholy in her tone.
– I will.
– Don't worry! – Evo answered firmly, sensing her concern.
– See you later! – he said, ending the call.
Freya, now wearing a broad smile, murmured as she played with the ring, gently stroking it with her fingers:
– Cute…
She soon snapped out of it. Standing in her room, she turned her gaze toward the adjoining space that served as her office.
– Ravina! – she called, her voice more serious and alert.
Ravina dropped all the papers she had been handling and rushed over.
– What is it, Freya?
– Did something happen?
Freya nodded and gave her orders:
– Go summon the five members of the Order for me.
– Tell them to come prepared for a journey.
– I have a mission for them.