1.5. Eluive Elves

"You're really going to leave huh?"

"Yeah."

"So where you going after this?"

"We're planning to visit Rika's nation."

"Oho? That place eh? I hear that there's a lot of missing people cases there, you better be careful."

"We know."

Sequencee and Leticia conversed with the head manager of Dimitri Guild's tavern.

"Here, you pay for the month."

"Thank you very.. huh? Why is it more?"

"It's a bonus for your leave. Thank you for your contribution the past two years."

"Ah.. I see."

What Sequencee and Leticia received was a check sparkling in silver.

"Thank you very much Mister Quill," Leticia bowed politely. Following that, Sequencee did the same.

"Well, it's only appropriate. Also, we do have a branch in the Hero's nation, so if you're in any need of something to do in your spare time, you know where you go."

"Yes, thank you."

Coming out of the office, Leticia showed a lonely smile.

"How does it make it already?" She turned to Sequencee and asked.

"Well, let's see," he took the check out of his pocket. "System."

{24320 G}

A translucent window popped up in front of him. He pushed the check into the window and it burned up into sparks.

{28320 G}

"About 28 thousand."

"Wow, mine's 36 thousand. Definitely not enough to enrol into the academy."

There was no currency exchange in this world as people only used one standardized medium of exchange.

Gold, or G, as written in the system.

It is believed that this money is a blessing from the Goddess of Creation, Ra. The progenitor of 'systems' people all over the continent use today. Only money certified by the system was recognized as 'legal' by the empire. And it's because of this feature, counterfeits can't exist.

One holy stone coin is equivalent to 1G.

One holy copper coin is equivalent to 10G.

One holy silver coin is equivalent to 100G.

One holy gold coin is equivalent to 10,000G.

One holy platinum coin is equivalent to 100,000G.

One could also issue checks via the system, which is a convenient way to exchange a tailored amount without having to pull out a crazy number of coins.

Holy metals are said to be indestructible. But of course, some use these supposedly 'indestructible' metals to create special alloys to forge weapons or gadgets. If they'd like, they could even reforge these metals into coins which would then be accepted into the system.

Where the system coins come from wasn't that much of a mystery as this world revolves around dungeons. Killing monsters or finding a random treasure chest are two of the main ways in which one could increase the total number of coins circulating in the economic system.

Conversely, if someone dies holding a large sum of system coins, it would all disappear. This is why people still emphasize the importance of keeping one's assets in material form despite the risk of robbery.

"Whatever. We'll see how things go. This should be enough to last us a couple months if we're careful."

When Sequencee did some pricing research, he found that it would cost at least a few tens of thousands for a single semester of enrolment into Riestallia.

They walked down the stairs into the dining area of the tavern.

"Ah, you guys are going already," the lean guy managing the cashier called out to them.

"Oh no.."

"My boy! Come here and give me a hug."

"W-Wait! Me too!"

"Pip squeak, I'll miss you."

"Gah?!"

"Leticia, I hope you find happiness with him okay?"

"What are you talking about?!"

"Hahahaha!"

Despite having been aware that they would leave eventually, their colleagues couldn't help but raise their shock. They didn't think it would happen so soon.

Sequencee and Leticia passed their wishes of farewell onto them one last time. Sequencee felt a little sentimental, knowing that he would be leaving the people who took care of him the past two-three years while Leticia was relieved she wouldn't need to worry about being ogled by some of the more vulgar mercenaries.

"Excuse me."

Just as the two were about to leave through the entrance, a voice rang behind them.

Sequencee and Leticia turned around to meet the two clocked individuals from yesterday.

"Ah, I'm sorry but could you order from the other staff? You see, we've already resigned fro.."

"It's not that."

"Hm?"

"Do you know where Mane's Home for Disaster Children is?"

'That's our boarding school.'

"We're heading over there right now. Is there anything you need?" Leticia asked.

"Oh really? Are you two perhaps from there?"

"Yeah," Sequencee nodded.

"I see.. Then may I humbly request that you two guide us the way there?"

"Okay?" Seuqnencee agreed, though a little sceptical.

===

"They're not enemies right?" Leticia asked in a whisper.

'Stop sticking so close, I can smell your hair from here jeez.'

"No," Sequencee replied in a whisper of his own. More likely the two were nobles.

Leticia nodded, albeit feeling somewhat discomforting.

"You two are still practicing magic at this sort of time?" the elf in the cloak asked.

"Pardon?"

"Do you do this every day? It's quite the extreme way to cultivate skill although.. repeating this without practical application as spells wouldn't result in much growth. You might simply be wasting your mana."

'What is she talking about?'

"You can see my magic?" Sequencee found it unnerving that his system ability couldn't completely mask his mana.

"Yes of course."

'Does that mean I'm still below the normal standard of what it means to be strong? I thought that being able to juggle these many elements means that I'm somewhat above most people's level? Am I doing it wrong?'

Sequencee began to feel doubts in his heart. He burnt the surrounding beads and focused everything he had on keeping his disguise in check. It would be a dead end for him if they realized that he was a demon. Individuals with system skills that allow them to see past other systems are a bother.

"I didn't mean to discourage you, my apologies. Speaking of which, I hadn't learnt the name of you two young magicians yet. My name is Titania Eluive, this here is Nearl Rayon. It's a pleasure to meet you two."

"Eluive?" Leticia echoed back.

"Yes. Eluive," the elf under the cloak could be seen nodding slightly.

Leticia began trembling.

"What's wrong?" Sequencee tilted his head.

"S-She.. Your h=Highness, my apologies for the c-crude behaviour we've displayed. My name is Leticia.."

"What?"

'Royalty? Not a noble? Shit..'

"Fufu, so you do recognize me. It seems the boy hasn't caught up yet."

"It seems so."

The other cloaked person, Nearl Rayon, finally broke the silence. Also a girl, but her voice contained a hint of dominance and maturity, different from Titania's fairy-like voice.

Eluive Kingdom was a domain under the empire, but ruled by elves located further south from the Earldom they were currently in. It was a deep forest region that could almost be dubbed a juggle.

'The princess of the elf kingdom? What kind of business do they have here?'

As lowly-born commoners, realizing how they were in the presence of royalty sent chills down their spine.

It didn't matter that Sequencee was the son of The Demon Sovereign, all it takes is one command to lop off his head.

"A-apologies for my ignorance, Your Highness.." Sequencee tried to compose himself.

"Don't be. We were in disguise after all," a smile formed on her pink lips, "I would like it if you could speak in an informal manner with myself."

"Yes.. thank you."

Sequencee hadn't had much experience with flowery language since his mom's passing, so the princess' behest had him relieved somewhat.

They quickly approached the Mane's Home for Disaster Children.

"So this is the location." Titania expressed her awe.

"It's different from what is marked on the map," Nearl mumbled, checking the scroll in her hand for the nth time.

"Perhaps the map was the old one."

"It had only been revised a hundred years ago, though?"

'Yeah, elves have their time perception absolutely messed up.'

"Now then.."

Titania brought her hands to the hem and pulled down the mantle, revealing her face from beneath the shade of the cloak.

Aquamarine eyes that matched her forest colour hair. Flowers ornaments pinned along the braids that flowed to her upper waist. Small pink lips, signature pointy ears, and a tattoo just below her right eye.

Nearl also pulled down her hood. Blazing blonde hair tied into a ponytail loosely hanging behind, her crimson eyes shone as bright as rubies.

"Would it be alright if you guide us to the director's office too? I have something I wish to say to him in regards."

"Ah yeah.. geh."

Sequencee was nudged at the flank. Leticia followed up.

"Yes Your Highness!"

Titania smiled wryly.

'It seems I've found my two jewels.'