What’s coming up

"That was a bit nerve racking." Corissa yelped as the group left the throne room, "I didn't think her majesty would be so...hostile..."

"Oh, please, don't mind her." Calx said as he lead them through the streets of Granreveria, "Our queen may be a bit apprehensive towards humans but she genuinely doesn't have any qualms with humankind."

"So she's just like that normally?" Helena asked.

"No no, she's just worried for her daughter's sake."

"Daughter?" Kaguya frowned, "I don't believe I've ever heard of the queen having a daughter."

"That's because she's trying to protect her from humans." Zelpher explained, "There was a prophecy a long time ago that the princess would fall in love with a human and fall, becoming a dark elf."

"Dark elf?" Roko said, interested, "There are dark elves in this world?"

"Yes." Calx sighed, "Unfortunately, we elves are always at risk of falling into depraved base behavior. When that happens we become extraordinarily violent and are exiled from Granreveria."

"Does it have to be so severe?" Corissa gulped.

"Dark elves are a scourge on nature itself." Zelpher scowled, "They hunt anything that catches their fancy. Often into extinction. They care not for the beauty or love of nature, they simply take and kill for their own pleasure."

"Oh. That sounds pretty nasty." Momo said.

"We elves are committed to the preservation and growth of nature so naturally the two of us are at odds." Calx sighed, "We could never get along. Which makes falling into a dark elf is quite distressing. So as you can imagine, Queen Rivera is quite keen on preventing this prediction from coming true."

"Got it." Helena nodded.

"Ah, but we're here!" Zelpher cried as they stopped in front of a large tree that had been modified into an apartment complex.

"Welcome to Treesa's lodge. Let me introduce you. Treesa!"

"Coming!"

A kind young voice responded from within the tree hollow and a lively female elf stepped out to greet them.

"Welcome! My name is Treesa." The elf smiled warmly, "I'm quite pleased to meet you all! I've always wanted to meet humans so I'm simply tickled pink to see you!"

"Oh, it's a pleasure for us as well!" Helena waved with a smile, "I hope we can all get together during our stay here."

"Well...all but one of you."

"What do you mean?" Kaguya asked as they turned to face Calx.

"Well, we prepared a home when we heard that there was going to be one of you." Calx explained sheepishly, "Once we heard there was going to be a much bigger party, we had Treesa prepare rooms for all of you but...well we had the one home prepared already and we didn't want it to go to waste so..."

"So one of us has to live separate from the others?" Momo said.

"If it won't be a bother for any of you."

"Well, I guess I wouldn't mind living alone." Kaguya volunteered, "I wouldn't mind having some alone time sometimes."

"Did you forget about Mikado?" Momo smiled, "We can't separate a good duo. So if only one of us needs to live separate that means it's either me or-"

"I'll do it." Roko stated, "The home was meant for me so I'll take it."

"Boooooo!"

Roko sighed as the girls began to boo him repeatedly much to the elves' confusion.

"What is it now?!" Roko snapped.

"You always take the good parts for yourself!" Helena called, mostly mockingly, "We want take the spotlight sometimes too!"

"Do you really want to live alone?! Have any of you even lived alone?!"

"Well..." Kaguya chuckled, "I guess not technically."

"I've lived alone for over five years before...I came here." Roko scowled, "I can tell you it's not fun but at least I'm used to it. What do you guys have?"

"Nothing." Helena grinned, "We just wanted to give you hell for once."

"I can't win with you people." Roko sighed.

"You all seem like good friends." Zelpher laughed, "It's a shame we have to separate you but perhaps we could find room for you here after a while."

"It's fine." Roko growled, "Just take me to the house."

It was a short but quiet trip to the house where Roko was going to stay. And immediately, it was clear this home wasn't up to the standards of the lodge from before. For one, it was located at a pretty remote edge of the city. For another, it was a small hovel. Perhaps the smallest building in the entire city. Which makes sense if it was only meant for one person to live in but it was neither made from beige stone or tree bark like every other building. No, it seemed to be made out of clay. It looked sturdy enough, Roko didn't think he'd have any trouble living in it. But it was clear that this home was quickly made for his arrival with not much consideration for anything beyond cheap livability. After bidding Zelpher and Calx good bye and entering the house, Roko found one large living room taking up most of the floor with a small corner sectioned off for a kitchen. In the back was a bedroom with a comfortable enough space but the only other room was a bathroom with the amenities tightly compressed together. All in all, it wasn't the worst. A naturalistic home like this was probably worth quite a bit back in Roko's old world. But even the small apartment that Roko lived in for years was more accommodating than this. Rushed as this home was, Roko couldn't help but feel like there was a hint of carelessness or apathy that was trying to be hidden behind it's pale blue walls. That combined with it's remote location…Roko couldn't say for sure it was discrimination...or rather it wasn't at least from the elven race but perhaps Queen Rivera trying to keep the human far from her daughter that he heard about. All the same, Roko was glad none of the others would have to live in such a mildly distressing location. Maybe it wouldn't bother them but Roko knew it won't bother him. So in that way, it was good that he chose to live here. With that thought in his head, Roko began unpacking.

Early the next morning, Roko reunited with the group at Treesa's lodge for breakfast before being picked up by Calx and Zelpher again and brought straight to Queen Rivera. Once there, the Queen looked no more pleased to see them than yesterday, hiding her clear distaste behind her stoic eyes.

"Now then." Rivera sighed as she leaned her head on her fist, "We shall discuss your activities here for the foreseeable future. Starting with the first one that was supposed to be here. Roko was it?"

"Yes." Roko stepped forward.

"You're hear to learn magic correct? What kind of magic?"

"Any kind really. I don't exactly have any traditional spells and I believe learning at least one basic elemental spell would help."

"As I understand it, you humans used to cast magic using the help of gods. As such, your understanding of magic is much different from ours and now that the gods are gone, there are a few things you must be aware of. Are you prepared?"

"Yes?" Roko said, unsure where this conversation could be going.

"There are some individuals that are inherently unable to use magic." Rivera explained, "For naturally magical creatures such as elves, these examples are exceedingly rare but for humans, it has been the elves' belief that humans were naturally unable to use magic on their own, thus necessitating the intervention of gods. Now that the gods are gone, our natural assumption is that humans have returned to their natural, magicless selves."

"But humans have shown to still be capable of magic." Roko continued.

"Indeed. Some humans attribute it to the gods not quite leaving but perhaps humans are more magically attuned than we suspected." Rivera nodded, "That said, humans would be the best at teaching other humans how to cast magic so it's not quite certain if elven magic would work any better for you. Especially if you're one of these magicless individuals."

"...I see."

"That said, even if you can't cast a spell, that doesn't mean you can't interact with magic." Rivera said, "Even magicless individuals have the capacity for archeomancy. Such is the elven belief."

"I've heard the term archeomancy before though it's never been explained to me." Roko frowned, "What is it?"

"No one's ever explained it to you? Perhaps you haven't reached the high enough classes at your school yet. Archeomancy is the direct manipulation of magic." Rivera waved her hand, summoning a few threads of magical energy that soon dissipated, "Humans have always used the gods as a crutch so this concept must be very new to them but archeomancy is how elves have always cast their spells. Think of it like buying a product at a market. The gods will sell you a bushel of grapes for a simple exchange but archeomancy is akin to growing your own grapes. To achieve that spell with your own efforts. This is not a power that can be lost or excluded. Magical energy flows around us and in us. The manipulation of that energy into different effects and shortcutting the process to a single word is how spells are created. Some people may not be able to shorten the process like others but magical energy is inherently malleable. How far you can take it will depend on you but there are options."

"I see."

"If all else fails, we could always use the Mystics Transcriber."

"The what?" Roko blinked.

"Every being capable of magic has a spell or three that they're naturally inclined towards. Like a person with a natural talent for the arts or for mathematics. The Mystics Transcriber does a surface analysis of your magical capabilities to determine what spells you naturally know."

"...Is it safe?"

"It's safe. Just very painful."

"...I'll think about it."

"Very well. If you do decide to use it, just let us know so we can prepare it. That said, if all you want to do is learn a new spell then for what we can immediately help you with, it would help if you can tell us which specific spell you want to learn about.

"...Then...have you heard about the spell, holy?"

The atmosphere in the throne room shifted as Queen Rivera's eves narrowed and she sat up.

"You want to learn holy?" The queen's said, apprehension creeping into her voice.

"I don't need to learn it. Because we have someone who already knows it."

Corissa shyly stepped forward with Varis close behind her.

"Princess Corissa here has shown to be able to cast this holy spell herself." Roko explained, "We've seen its power for ourselves but she hasn't been able to properly control it. It is her parent's hope that she may learn something to help control this power."

"This girl? Really?" Rivera studied Corissa curiously, "To think someone would appear with the capacity for holy in this day and age."

"My name is Corissa. I...would appreciate it if you'd share any knowledge you have about this spell." Corissa bowed politely.

"...Holy..." Rivera sighed as she sat back on her throne again, "That spell...I've only met one other person that could use it and that was close to a thousand years ago."

"A thousand?!" Helena yelped.

"Listen." Rivera said, locking her eyes on the timid Corissa, "Holy is a spell that we elves have not been able to explain. Mana or magical energy is an inherent part of nature. If it unraveled spells back into energy, that would be miraculous enough. But Holy wipes out that energy. As if it never existed. That is how it's been recorded to work. It is a weapon that turns against nature itself. But it's not evil. Rather, the wielders of the spell, Holy, have historically been regarded as heroes. To humans, it's a miracle spell. To elves it is unclear whenever this spell is natural or even if it's existence is good or bad. Know that you hold a very powerful spell and how you use it may determine the fate of civilization itself."

"O-Oh..." Corissa said, her face pale.

"For that reason, I'll allow you to peruse our records of the spell but know this. We elves do not consider it normal magic. No elf has ever shown the ability to use it. This spell is entirely a human creation."

"Human..." Roko mused.

"...Now." Rivera sighed, "We've spent quite a bit of time already so let's try and make the rest of this quick. One of you. Approach and state your intention of study here."

"Yes!" Momo stepped forward, "My name is Momo. I'm interested in studying the martial abilities of elven combat and studying the use of magic in cooperation with traditional combat!"

"We elves are mostly adverse to combat." Rivera replied, "Indeed, we tend to fix our problems with magic more than swords though it's not like we don't have a military culture. You have permission to visit our barracks. I'm sure there would be something for you to learn but you might find we're more used to using magical weaponry as opposed to direct mixing of the two arts."

"Thank you, Queen Rivera." Momo bowed and stepped back as Kaguya took her place.

"My name is Kaguya. I come from a home ravaged by winter. I hope to find some technology or flora that could help ease life in such a harsh environment."

"Finally, something normal." Rivera sighed, "We have plenty of naturalists that can point you in the right direction. Arbrea has a wide variety of flora that we monitor and research. I'm confident we can find a few things for your land provided you can provide data on your land's environment. Without proper knowledge, we cannot guarantee we can help as there is the risk of introducing an invasive species."

"Perfectly understandable, thank you for your help."

Kaguya stepped back, leaving Helena the last to speak up but Helena stayed in her spot, fidgeting nervously.

"Yes?" Rivera frowned at her, "How may I help you?"

"I-I am Helena." Helena introduced herself nervously, "As for what I'm doing here...uhh...well..."

Helena mumbled a bit, too quiet for anybody to really hear.

"Yes, what is it?" Rivera said impatiently, "Spit it out!"

"Elven culture!" Helena cried, "I'm here to learn about elven culture!"

"Is that all?" Rivera sighed, "Why didn't you just say so? We have a museum close to the castle. Each of you are free to visit it at your leisure. In about a week or two, we'll be holding a harvest festival. I recommend you and the previous girl take part. Now if that's all, I have other matters to attend to."

"What about us?" Roland spoke up, "What do we do?"

"Why are you asking me?" The queen scowled in disgust, "You're here to protect your princesses right? Then do you job. So long as you don't cause trouble, I don't care what you do. Ah, but stay out of my castle if you're without an escort alright? Dismissed."

Walking out of the castle, the group was a bit exhausted from all the information given to them but none were more exhausted than Helena who seemed rather dejected as well as exhausted.

"I can't believe I have to study elf culture now." Helena said sullenly, "No offense to the elves though."

"Then why'd you say you wanted to study it?" Corissa asked.

"Well I couldn't say I don't actually have a reason to be here!" Helena scowled, "Ahhh, I should've known this was going to happen."

"You can't pretend like you didn't see that coming." Momo smirked.

"If it makes you feel any better, since your study is on elf culture, you can technically tag along with any of us." Roko explained, "It's all part of elven culture."

"...I guess." Helena sighed, "But man, now I have to do work."

"Did you really think you wouldn't have to do work?" Kaguya frowned.

"I was hoping not to."

"Then why are you are?"

"To have fun."

"C-Come on, you can't say you didn't expect her to say that." Roland said as Kaguya sighed, "It'll be fine."

"Well, there's no helping it now." Corissa said, "Shall we go visit the museum? It's still pretty early so I think we can still get in."

"Why not?" Momo smiled, "We should get a good handle on elven culture before we get into our research. We're still getting settled in and recovering from our long trip here so some nice relaxing touristing before we put our nose to the grindstone."

"You call it touristing but I have to actually pay attention." Helena grumbled.

"Yes, that's what most people do at a museum."