Could It Mean That I've Already Died A Hundred Years From Now?

"Father..."

Ignoring Ilodyer words, The Elven King left the room.

Father was still in his pajamas... It must be something important. I've never seen Father so urgent before.

Ilodyer straightened his clothes and tidied his hair.

Just as he was about to lie down, he noticed a book by his pillow: "Beginner Guide to Enchantment... What a useless book!" he exclaimed, before the book was engulfed in flames that left no trace.

When he woke up in the morning, The Elven King was already asleep next to Ilodyer. Normally, they should be sleeping in separate rooms by now. Oh... I'll mention it to Father next time.

Because he burned the book, he ended up getting scolded by his teacher.

The teacher couldn't believe The Elven King could fall for such a trick and scolded Ilodyer for audaciously using The Elven King for his magical experiments.

The teacher complaints continued until Rhys arrived.

"Rhys... the teacher bullied me," Ilodyer complained, nuzzling against Rhys and shedding tears.

The teacher exclaimed in frustration, "You're the one who burned my book, and now you're crying to Rhys!"

"Rhys..." Ilodyer nuzzled against Rhys chest.

Rhys asked, "What book was it?"

"That... doesn't matter... haha..." the teacher retreated while speaking, "Well, Ilodyer, from now on, let's not make book-burning your hobby, okay?"

With a mischievous grin at Rhys, Ilodyer left the irritated teacher behind, and Rhys politely smiled as he led Ilodyer away.

Rhys and Ilodyer walked to a beautiful grassy area. Ilodyer sat down while Rhys remained standing.

"Not going any further?" Rhys asked.

"Well... I don't want to see those elves from outside," Ilodyer replied.

"Why?"

"...I just don't like it."

"Elves enjoy being together."

"But I'm not an elf," Ilodyer raised his head, "I'm not a complete elf. They don't like me. I have human blood, and my lineage isn't noble."

"You're The Elven King child," Rhys countered.

Ilodyer shook his head, "I'm not, everyone knows I'm not, I can't naturally tell them that I'm from the Thiri'el Gorhen family."

"How would you know? After adopting you, The Elven King forbade the elves from discussing your lineage," Rhys said, looking at Ilodyer.

"I just know," Ilodyer pouted and fell silent for a moment, "Don't tell Father, I've only told you."

"Okay..." Rhys pondered for a moment, then asked, "Many are curious. Many female elves want to be your mother."

"Huh?" Do they want to marry The Elven King? Well... The Elven King is so handsome and powerful, with a gentle and considerate personality. Any woman would want to marry such a man. Ilodyer lowered his head.

"How do you feel about that?" Rhys asked, testing the waters.

"Me? I don't really care," Ilodyer replied.

Rhys smiled and didn't say anything.

"Oh, by the way, when is Rhys getting engaged?" Ilodyer stood up.

"Why are you suddenly asking that?" Rhys looked at Ilodyer in confusion.

"I know it's normal for elves not to marry for thousands of years, but hasn't Rhys found someone he likes?" Ilodyer grinned mischievously at Rhys.

Rhys smiled and didn't answer. "If we're not continuing, let's properly attend class," he said, turning to leave.

Tch, acting all deep. Ilodyer thought.

The elves who arrived at The Elven King forest naturally brought various gifts. The Elven King placed them in a splendid room. One day, he took Ilodyer into that room and told him that if there was anything he liked, he could take it.

The room was filled with all sorts of beautiful things. Clothes made with gold and silver thread, necklaces and rings imbued with magic, ancient and mysterious spellbooks.

Ilodyer walked around the room, not interested in any of these. Just as he was about to leave with The Elven King, he noticed a mirror covered with cloth.

The mirror surface was hidden, and Ilodyer couldn't see, only the intricate patterns on the frame. It must be a masterpiece from the Dwarves.

"What's this?" Ilodyer pointed and asked The Elven King.

The Elven King smiled, "This is a mirror that shows your appearance a hundred years from now."

Ilodyer blinked, "Is it accurate?"

The Elven King said, "Many say it's not."

"Can I see it?"

"Of course."

The Elven King pulled away the cloth, Ilodyer stared at it with wide eyes, then walked up to The Elven King, reaching out to hook his neck.

"Father... what do you see?" Ilodyer lifted his head and asked.

The Elven King gazed at the mirror in a daze, not speaking.

Ilodyer turned to look at the mirror again. The mirror calmly reflected the surrounding scenery, including The Elven King standing before it, but there was no trace of Ilodyer himself. Could it be because of his human lineage?

"Father...?" Ilodyer nuzzled against The Elven King embrace, "What did you see?"

"Nothing much..." The Elven King extended his hand and pulled the cloth back over the mirror, "Little one, go take another look and see if there's anything you want."

Ilodyer lowered his hand, took a few steps, then turned back and said, "That mirror is a bit strange, isn't it?"

The Elven King seemed somewhat absent-minded. "What did you see?" he asked.

Ilodyer shook his head, "I didn't see anything at all," he pointed at the mirror, "My reflection isn't there." After a moment of thought, he added, "Could it mean that I've already died a hundred years from now?"

The Elven King smiled and said, "I saw your appearance, probably at the age of sixteen. You haven't died a hundred years from now."

"But I couldn't see it..." Ilodyer wrinkled his nose, then ran back to The Elven King, "Father, how about we make a deal? We come here to look at the mirror every hundred years from now on?"

The Elven King smiled, "The mirror might not be accurate, and besides, you can't see it, can you?"

Ilodyer pouted, "That's why I want Father to help me look, okay?"

"Alright," The Elven King voice carried a tender indulgence.

Ilodyer smiled and walked away, while The Elven King gaze lingered on the mirror with a hint of melancholy. After a barely audible sigh, he closed his eyes.

"Father." Ilodyer approached again, holding a bow in his hands. He extended the bow towards The Elven King and said, "I want this, can I have it?"

The Elven King took the bow and examined it. The white bow was finely engraved with beautiful patterns. While it wasn't crafted by Dwarves, it was far superior to the bows the elves made themselves. The bow body was made from white rhinoceros horn, adorned with exquisite magical gemstones. The bowstring was crafted from unicorn mane. In The Elven King eyes, it was indeed a fine bow.

"This bow is yours," The Elven King returned the bow to him, "However, you don't know how to use a bow yet. Perhaps Rhys is more suited for it."

"I won't give it to him," Ilodyer pouted, "I'll start learning archery tomorrow."

"This is a bow combined with magic. It doesn't require arrows," The Elven King took the bow from Ilodyer hand, grasped the bow body, and as he placed his fingers on the string, a red arrow appeared. With a release of the string, the red arrow whizzed forth, disappearing into thin air after just a step.

"The arrow... disappeared?" Ilodyer looked at The Elven King in astonishment. The Elven King graceful and fluid movements left Ilodyer utterly envious.

"This is a bow infused with magic. If you wish the arrow to disappear, it will," The Elven King smiled, "To master its use, first, become proficient in magic."

"Oh..." Ilodyer replied, and after several days, the beautiful bow was set aside, becoming another decoration in The Elven King room.

The elves who came to the elf gathering started departing a year later.

Although they didn't see the legendary child of The Elven King, they occasionally caught glimpses of a black-haired human walking through the elven forest.

His face could never be discerned before he vanished completely.