"I'm 120 years old this year, which is considered childhood in my clan. For a long-lived race, it's normal thing. When I was born, my hair was light gold and my eyes were golden. But everything changed suddenly on that fateful day. When an elf reaches their hundredth birthday, they undergo a ritual at the World Tree, our sacred site. This ritual is to worship our mother goddess and receive her blessing to help keep our sacred land secure for the next centuries. But when it was my turn, something unexpected happened. I didn't receive the mother goddess's acknowledgement like I should've. Instead, my conscience appeared elsewhere, I was in a dark place, a pair of red eyes staring at me. It filled me with dread. Those eyes were filled with nothing but endless malice."
As she explained her story, her body shook so intensely I felt a surge of pity rising within me. I couldn't imagine what she had gone through for a mere recollection to affect her so deeply; it must have been truly traumatic, there was no doubt about it.
"I know this is hard on you, but please continue. Sharing your story will help you greatly, and I'm a good listener." It was the only comfort I could offer right now. Elaria nodded, took a deep breath, and resumed her story.
"Those malicious eyes bore into me. I felt naked, studied, before they flashed red. Then I was back at the World Tree. My eyes had changed color, and I could suddenly see things I couldn't before. My hair turned white, the surroundings began to freeze, and the World Tree started to lose its vitality. Then, the mother goddess's voice was heard by all, labeling me an abomination that would cause our race's downfall, the world destruction. Immediately, the elders sealed my strength and threw me into a dungeon for ten years. My bright future shattered in an instant. I became an outcast, shunned by all. My parents turned their backs on me, even suggesting I should be executed. The elders seriously considered this option. I was still in isolation; I didn't receive any food, but even with my strength sealed, I could endure. I was rank 5, a demigod. Reaching that level allows your body to transcend—eating is no longer a necessity. But I digress. I stayed in isolation for three more years, and the day of my execution was fast approaching. In the meantime, they created a special blindfold to block my eyes' power, and I wore mana shackles to seal my magic. Elves are known for their affinity with nature magic, like the Wind element, controlling nature through contracts with elemental spirits. I was capable of using both, but after that encounter, I could only use the Ice element—something unheard of for an elf. My eyes granted me a mysterious, and terrifying power. Nobody believed me when I tried to explain my side of the story. Finally, I gave up, simply awaiting my execution. But on the eve of my execution, my best friend, who hadn't spoken to me since the ritual, appeared. She freed me and helped me escape. She told me to live on, to not believe what others said, and to stay true to myself."
Her story moved me greatly. To think she had endured so much.
"You have a good friend, and her words are true," I said, and I meant every single word uttered.
"I know. After escaping, I wandered for a few years, never settling anywhere for long for fear of being caught. An elf with white hair isn't appreciated anywhere, even in human kingdoms. Whenever I tried to dye my hair, it never worked. I had trouble living in human settlements; bad luck followed me everywhere I go. I thought about taking my life several times, but the memory of my friend's sacrifice stopped me. Eventually, tired of everything, I decided to live in a forest with minimal interaction. But unfortunately, in a moment of carelessness, I was caught... and then I met you. Now you know my story."
"You've been through so much I don't have the right words," I said after a moment of silence.
"But now I'm here. Let's overwrite those painful memories. You will live freely. Your enemies will be my enemies, and I will protect you because I see you as a friend. I'm confident I can do it. I might seem weak now, but I can grow stronger so quickly it will surprise you. Let's watch each other's backs as we adventure together." It wasn't an overstatement, but a declaration based on the confidence my system gave me, I believe I could make this happen.
"You... want to be my friend?" she asked, as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
"Yes. Let's start by becoming friends and slowly build a stable relationship. My goal to make you my woman hasn't changed," I declared proudly, making Elaria smile. It was a simple smile, but it was breathtaking, I swear.
"You look like sunshine when you smile. You should smile often—but only for me, though. I'm extremely jealous, and I don't want anyone snatching you away."
"You are a really weird human," Elaria said, shaking her head in exasperation. Seeing her a little more relaxed made me sigh in relief. I would slowly overwrite her bad memories with new, happy ones.
"Let's be friends," she said, extending her hand. I took it, and we shared a firm handshake that announced the beginning of our relationship, the beginning of something great.
"Can I see your eyes, pretty inplease? Even if it's just for a second?" I suddenly made this absurd demand. Elaria considered for a moment before nodding. She removed her blindfold, and a sudden pressure bore down on me as if gravity were trying to crush me, I had trouble breathing. But I didn't care; I was too mesmerized by her beautiful eyes. Those eyes are truly beautiful, I don't have words to truly describe how beautiful they were.
"Truly beautiful. I could look at them forever," I said absentmindedly. The pressure vanished as she put the blindfold back on, a blush coloring her cheeks as she shyly turned her face away.
"So cute!" I blurted out without thinking. She let out a cute harrumph.
[Ding! Your target's favorability has reached the first threshold: 20.]
[Rewards are being given!]
Another piece of good news that made me obviously smile.