NOTICE!
HELLO, MY READERS!
I'M JUST DROPPING BY QUICKLY TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU ALL.
DURING THESE PAST TWO WEEKS, I WASN'T ABLE TO POST CHAPTERS CONSISTENTLY.
THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JANUARY ARE GOING TO BE CRAZY BUSY, SO I WON'T BE ABLE TO POST AS REGULARLY AS I USED TO.
THIS SMALL INCONVENIENCE WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JANUARY,
BUT DON'T WORRY — IN FEBRUARY, THINGS WILL RETURN TO NORMAL, WITH DAILY CHAPTERS COMING OUT FRESH FOR YOU ALL!
ONE MORE THING. UNFORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T MANAGE TO GET A CONTRACT WITH THE PLATFORM, SO MY VISIBILITY IS CURRENTLY LOW.
EVEN SO, THAT DIDN'T DISCOURAGE ME, AND I'LL KEEP WRITING THE STORY AS ALWAYS, SINCE A CONTRACT WAS NEVER MY PRIORITY.
SO, TO HELP ME GAIN MORE VISIBILITY, PLEASE DONATE POWER STONES.
I WANT TO BREAK THE RECORD OF 100 POWER STONES PER WEEK.
RECENTLY, WE CAME VERY CLOSE TO THAT GOAL, BUT I BELIEVE WE'LL REACH IT SOON.
THANK YOU ALL, AND ENJOY YOUR READING!
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DESIGNATED LANDING AREA
The balloon descended slowly and steadily. Once the landing was complete, the side door opened and touched the ground.
– All right, students! Disembark in order! – Elizabeth ordered cheerfully.
Her heart was filled with nostalgia as she returned to her homeland. She looked around, memories flooding her chest.
– It's been so long… – she murmured to herself.
She continued down the stairs with a silly smile on her face, until someone spoke behind her.
– You look happy, my beautiful elf – said a playful yet warm voice.
Elizabeth didn't need to turn around. She knew exactly who the shameless man was — the only one who spoke to her like that… not that she was complaining, even if her reason tried to stop him.
– Well… – she shrugged, her smile widening.
– This is my home, and I was very happy here.
– I'm glad to be back… Evo Eylam.
She turned to face the tall young man descending the ramp beside her.
Evo gave a foolish smile as his eyes met Elizabeth's. She didn't hide her joy at all — but suddenly, everything changed.
Pain and anger surfaced in her eyes, stealing away their shine. Evo noticed the change immediately. The smile he found so enchanting vanished, and those blue eyes now carried a hidden sorrow.
Worried, Evo discreetly took her hand, pulling her slightly back and squeezing it gently yet firmly, trying to convey comfort.
– Are you okay? – he asked softly, his voice gentle and filled with concern.
Seeing those golden eyes full of genuine worry, and feeling the warmth of his grip, Elizabeth smiled. Her joy returned, pushing away the bitterness. She gave him a smile that nearly stole Evo's heart.
– I'm fine, Evo. – she squeezed his hand.
– I just remembered something that, honestly… – she paused, sighing.
– Isn't worth remembering.
She lightly caressed his hand.
Seeing that she didn't want to talk about it and that she seemed better, Evo decided to let it go. He glanced down at their hands, fingers intertwined intimately. He wanted to stay like that, but if they reached the end of the ramp like this, the students would notice.
– Damn it… – he muttered softly and released her hand.
A flicker of sadness appeared in Elizabeth's blue eyes, but vanished just as quickly.
– It's fine.
– If you ever want to talk, just call me.
– I'll always be here to help you with whatever you need – Evo said firmly, making it clear she could rely on him.
She smiled and nodded.
– Thank you, Evo.
– Now, let's go!
She turned and quickened her steps.
Evo followed her until they reached a group of elves wearing light silver armor, swords clearly visible at their waists.
Seeing the swords, Evo was slightly shocked. He had foolishly thought elves only used bows… but he was clearly wrong.
– Looks like my ideas from Earth aren't one hundred percent accurate – he murmured, hands in his pockets.
And it wasn't really his fault. Over the past few days, he had encountered many things reminiscent of his previous world, unconsciously associating everything with what he knew — especially from novels and webnovels. But now, he was forced to rethink everything.
– I need to change my way of thinking.
– I'm practically a blind man walking through this world.
– I know nothing about it… only surface-level knowledge.
He paused, gazing at the tall trees swaying in the wind.
– But I'm absolutely certain that what's visible is nothing compared to the truths this world hides.
– Especially considering this was the former world of the woman who reincarnated me here.
– I'd be a fool not to recognize her true nature.
Evo sighed, looking up at the blue sky.
– A goddess…
– That woman is a goddess – he affirmed to himself.
As he walked, his thoughts grew deeper.
– If she truly is a divinity…
– Then this world is anything but simple.
– It's very likely that other gods exist here as well.
– And who's to say some of them aren't still hiding even now?
Without realizing it, Evo came dangerously close to uncovering one of the great truths hidden within this world.
The students, now fully gathered, waited as a soldier stepped forward and greeted Elizabeth respectfully. She grew a bit flustered. It had been a long time since she'd been close to royalty, and she didn't want her secret exposed to the students.
If she knew that a certain student already knew the truth, she would surely panic — especially since that student was the one she had complicated feelings for.
Evo noticed her discomfort and smiled, finding her reaction adorable.
After a moment, the soldier stepped forward and spoke:
– Welcome, students from the human continent!
– We elves are happy to receive you.
– We hope your stay over the next seven days will be a pleasant one.
As he began his speech about elf–human relations, Evo quickly lost interest and looked around. That was when he noticed a small tower ahead, with someone watching them.
Even from that distance, Evo couldn't make out their appearance. The figure wore a wide white-and-gray robe, with a veil covering their face. He narrowed his eyes. The person, sensing his gaze, became alarmed — as if being seen was impossible.
[Vaenys' Perspective]
Her eyes settled on Elizabeth, the only one who should have been able to see her — but the elf's attention was on the students.
– It's not her… – Vaenys murmured.
Her gaze then shifted to the closest person: a tall young man with brown hair and golden eyes, staring at her openly, without the slightest embarrassment.
– It's him!
– B-but h-how…? – her voice trembled.
– How can this human see me?
She hurried away, returning to the palace while muttering:
– I need to tell Ilythra.
– I must ask her to summon that human.
– If he truly can see us…
She paused, taking a deep breath.
– If he can see us, that makes him extremely dangerous to the elves.
– And there's something else…
…
– I have a strong feeling he's hiding many secrets.
– I can't sense his element, as if it's concealed… or not awakened yet.
– I firmly believe it's the first.
– If so, there must be a reason.
– I need to see him in person.
And with that, she headed toward the Empress's castle.
BACK TO EVO
– Why did that person panic when she saw me? – Evo tilted his head in confusion.
– Did I intimidate her without realizing it?
Evo continued to drown in his wild theories.