On the way to the Central Region of the Elven Empire
Throughout the entire journey toward the central region, Evo remained seated inside the great balloon, watching the scenery pass before his eyes. During that time, again and again, he felt a strange emotion while gazing at the massive trees that intertwined with the buildings. Magical beasts such as griffins and wyverns, used by the elves as mounts, soared through the skies. The environment felt welcoming and, in a way… nostalgic.
– Why am I feeling so nostalgic ever since I arrived on this continent?
– And this feeling only keeps growing stronger.
– It's as if I'm returning to a place that's familiar and important to me! But that's strange… – Evo frowned slightly as he ran a hand through his hair.
– Why do I feel this way if I've never been here even once in my entire life?! – Evo sank deeper into his seat, his mind drifting far away in search of the reason behind that feeling.
After thinking for a long time, nothing came to mind. No satisfying answer appeared.
– Well! – Evo shrugged and decided to put it aside.
– There's nothing I can do about it anyway, so it's better to leave it be… for now.
And so, he tried to relax as the journey continued toward the heart of the continent, where the queen awaited them.
In a Specific Area of the Central Region
In a place where everything seemed more alive, where the colors were richer and brimming with vitality, small animals were abundant. The region boasted a beautiful flower-covered meadow, where a sweet fragrance drifted through the air. At its center stood a majestic, colossal tree. Its branches spread elegantly to the sides, while its leaves shimmered in vibrant golden hues mixed with green. Its massive trunk, if not observed carefully, could easily be mistaken for solid gold.
All elves who passed by—children, adults, and elders alike—bowed in reverence and enthusiasm, offering their respect.
If Evo were to see it, he would notice its resemblance to the colossal Yggdrasil. Yet, unlike it, this tree was smaller—though still enormous—and its coloration was different.
Upon its grand and majestic branches sat several entities. Some could be seen swinging their feet like excited children. Others lay lazily across the branches, while some sat like imposing and glamorous monarchs, radiating an overwhelming and ancient presence.
"The Great Tree of the Path,"
"The Home of the Guardians,"
"The Elemental Throne,"
"The Gate to the Higher Path"—
These were just some of the names given to that majestic tree, which now served as a throne for the entities seated upon it. All who passed by offering their homage seemed unable to see those who resided there, yet those entities could clearly see them.
Some paid no attention to the visitors. Others smiled gently and greeted them, even though they could not be seen. Some watched with cold eyes, while others simply slept in their corners. But one thing they all shared equally was their beauty. These entities—also known as maidens—were so exquisitely majestic that their beauty mocked and ridiculed all others in the world, as if none were worthy of comparison.
The women wore refined and noble garments, creating a striking contrast with the fact that they were seated upon tree branches. The image felt disconnected, almost out of place—yet that very contradiction made the scene all the more magnificent and beautiful.
They were known as: "Shepherds of the Elves," "The Link," "The Companionship," among many other names. But the most well-known of all, and their true name, was: "The Fairies."
Among the elven race, only a few were capable of coming into contact with these entities. They were protectors and friends, yet remained invisible to the vast majority. The reason elves paid homage to that tree was due to an ancient custom that had always existed among them. That tree had always been regarded as sacred, something that had existed since the primordial age of the world.
If they knew that the tree was, in truth, a dwelling that housed ancestral and powerful beings, it would be dangerous—other races might invade in search of its secrets. That was why everything was kept hidden, known only to the royal family or to those truly blessed and fortunate enough to be born with the ability to contact the fairies. Those born with such gifts were taken in and aided by the royal family, under the hidden pretext of keeping the fairies' existence secret.
Among the dozens of beautiful fairies on the tree, at its highest point, one sat upon the trunk as if it were her throne. One leg crossed over the other elegantly, her long white hair adorned with an inverted golden tiara resting behind her head, its branch-like golden design lending a divine charm to her appearance. Her attention was fixed on the clouds drifting calmly across the sky. Her golden eyes radiated sovereignty, her presence exuded maturity and wisdom, and her posture was flawlessly elegant.
She remained silent at all times, gazing at the horizon as if bored.
– Did you hear? – someone below the tree asked, among the elves passing by.
– Hm? – The beautiful white-haired fairy shifted her attention downward, where two elves were walking.
– The students from the academy of the human continent have already arrived.
– I heard from a guard that they're already on their way here – one of them commented.
– That's something new!
– The two races don't usually interact like this, even though elves and humans have a good relationship – the other replied.
– Well! – he shrugged.
– Maybe it's meant to strengthen our alliance.
– Indeed – the other replied, and the two continued on their way.
The fairy who watched from above with cold eyes turned her attention back to the horizon, as if searching for something. Soon, her gaze fixed upon a certain direction. From afar, she spotted a massive white balloon approaching.
– Found it! – she murmured as she expanded her senses toward the balloon.
Her eyes wandered around it, investigating the individuals aboard. Soon, her gaze settled on an elf with blue eyes, looking out the window with a silly smile.
– Elizabeth… she has returned – she raised an eyebrow in surprise.
She continued to sweep the balloon with her senses, passing over student after student.
– Boring – she muttered, disappointed.
Her senses shifted to Blanch and Livia, who were seated together, chatting.
– Oh – she said, surprised.
– Those two girls have potential!
– And that boy behind them isn't bad either – she commented, her voice cold and emotionless.
They might have been somewhat interesting in her eyes, but that was all. In the end, they were just more among many—nothing that truly caught her attention.
– Arrrffff! – she sighed.
– I thought they'd bring something to ease this damned boredom, but I was wrong – her voice was filled with disappointment.
Soon, her attention returned to the long corridor where the students and instructors occupied their seats. Her senses drifted along the passage, examining one student after another, nearly reaching the end—where her expectations were fading away.
When her senses reached the end of the corridor, she froze, staring in a specific direction.
Before her stood an extraordinarily handsome young man, leaning against the wall as he looked out the window with eyes full of curiosity. His golden eyes, embodying pride itself, suddenly turned toward her.
– Hm? – he murmured, as if he had sensed something.
Evo's eyes met hers, as though he could see her standing right before him.
The moment their gazes crossed, her eyes widened and her face turned pale. In a panic, she immediately dispersed her senses from the balloon and returned to the tree.
– Arrrrrrrrrrrrh! – she inhaled deeply upon returning.
She was sweating, breathing heavily, her eyes wide open.
– Older sister, are you alright? – one of the fairies below her asked worriedly, a girl with dark gray hair streaked with violet.
She vanished and reappeared right beside her sister, raising a hand to signal that she was fine.
– I'm fine! It was nothing! – she reassured her sister, who didn't seem fully convinced but chose to drop the matter.
She calmed herself, her attention once again turning toward the distance where the balloon was approaching.
– Who is he?
– Did he notice that my consciousness was there?
– No, no – she shook her head in denial, as if the thought itself were absurd.
– There's no way he could have noticed. Impossible!
She took a deep breath and continued thinking about the young man whose eyes resembled her own, overflowing with pride and nobility, conveying the same emotions.
She placed a hand over her chest, as if feeling something stir within.
– I couldn't see any glimpse of him – she stated.
– Past… Present… Future… I found nothing!
She narrowed her eyes as her fingers pressed against her chest.
– It was as if he were being protected by something… or someone. And incredibly powerful, at that.
– Who was that man?
– And why did my chest burn as if it were on fire when our eyes met?
She questioned herself again and again, yet found no answers in the end.
Inside the Balloon
Evo, now staring at the empty space in the corridor before him, scratched his face in confusion.
– I felt like someone was watching me.
– When I looked, there were only a few faint traces of luminous magical energy, and the moment I noticed them, they vanished.
– How strange – he murmured, his eyes filled with doubt as he examined his surroundings.
Finding nothing, he returned his attention to the window. From afar, he could already see a grand castle, surrounded by tree branches in a majestic and elegant display.
– We finally arrived! – he murmured as he stood up and stretched his body.
– Well… I hope everything goes well.
– I really hope so – he muttered as he headed toward the corridor.