Telin's Intervention

Though I turned 15 in the 11th month of the year, nearly another month and a half passed before my mother came to our little fort, all by her lonesome.

Though the celebration was far more remarkable than anything I'd gone through thus far, not much happened after. On that day, a similar course of events transpired. Where my father appeared at our compound to beckon me back to the estate. After hours of feasting and festivities, the staff and my family all gathered around to give me gift after gift after gift.

From Ebbet, I received an unassuming bedroll that was nearly as soft and plush as the woobie Giorno made. An item that I'll keep with me for as long as possible. Gerolt gave me a bow and quiver that he purchased for a high price, coupled with a complete butcher's set.

Last were my father's gifts. Which seemed to know no bounds.

First was a train that was completely identical to his. A seemingly useless thing to have once I left the Empire. But with my core awakening on the horizon, I couldn't help but feel excited as I dragged the massive machine into my shadow. His second gift was my very own boat. A yacht by all accounts, though it was far smaller than the craft we rode to the mainlands on, it was still more than enough for the seven of us to ride comfortably in.

His third and final gift was an absolutely monumental pile of coins that he claimed was my savings account. It was basically a trust fund. A pool of wealth that my parents had been investing in since I was first conceived. In fact, what had been my allowance was only a tenth of the money that they've been putting into the account. And even that fraction had been rebated by my father.

It'd been years since I last checked my wallet. After spending so much on the mana wells, I refused to even look at it until it was well past the seven-figure threshold. Looking at it now, however, was mind-numbing. Even for royalty.

Looking back, my income had been large from the start; still, I couldn't help but retrace my second life and go through each and every transaction I've made thus far.

With a daily allowance of 1,000 gold coins, that equated to 30,000 gold a month. Times that by 13 months a year, and that equated to an annual amount of 390 grand. Reducing my veteran vassal's pay brought that down to around 378 grand a year. Multiplying that by five years, until I was ten, brought my balance to around 1.8 million altogether. And after spending 600k on external wells, that went down to just under 1.3 million. With only a few hundred thousand being spent at the Tower for the tinkerers' materials and the last year of paying my vassals, that left me with a balance of around 2.6 million gold coins.

Now, however.

[Wallet: 67,196,850 G.C.]

I know the Empire was wealthy, but god damn.

As extensive as my father's gifts were, however, my mother had yet to give me anything. As such, I couldn't help but feel a little hopeful as I stepped out of the compound to meet her.

My vassals seemed surprised to find such an esteemed lady walking around the woods alone, in the middle of the night. But I knew better than to think of a centuries-old drow in such a light manner.

"Gather yours and Your Lord's things and return to the estate. The departure for the royal capital is at dawn." She regally snapped to my vassals, prompting them to rise from their knees and scramble back into the compound at once while my mother gestured me to her side.

While my mind moved at near lightspeed, I calmly stepped into line beside my mother and started on a slow trek back to the estate.

'Finally.' I grinned in euphoria at the thought of finally awakening my cores and putting the laundry list of spells I've imagined to the test.

<<I've rarely seen you so happy.>> Mother giggled in her native tongue.

<<I'm just excited.>> I snorted. Then threw a bit of shade on the ground. <<I've been wanting to show you this.>>

Much to my delight, she affectionately gushed over the wagon the moment I brought it out. I made sure to give credit where it was due and told her that Ed, the neurotic one, was the creator. She praised him for his efforts and me for having the insight to recruit such a skilled individual at a young age before settling inside and calming down; if only a bit.

Since she seemed to be in the mood to talk, I decided now was as good a time as any to sprout my question on her.

<<Forced what?>> Her head instantly recoiled like she was suddenly offended.

I explained my theory much as I had to my grandfather and carefully judged her reaction while doing so. Though, not to much avail. She had an excellent poker face. As expected as a centuries-old elf.

'How old are you, anyways?' I squinted at her as I wondered.

<<What you call, forced expansion is one of the three elven secrets given to humanity.>> Mother explained. <<All three are methods of empowering themselves. One of them is what you call, forced expansion.>> She almost giggled. <<Another, is what they call, the Core Awakening Ceremony.>>

<<And the last?>> I asked.

<<Class Evolution.>> She calmly stated. Then began explaining before I could ask. <<You have been told you are a Sorcerer, yes? That is one of your classes.>>

'One of them.' I scoffed to myself. <<And what exactly is forced expansion?>> I asked.

In that instant, her poker face broke. It peeled back into a subtle and intent gaze that implicated that something had been confirmed by what I'd just said before reverting back in the next instance.

She calmly reached into the folds of her robe and pulled out a cylindrical object that was roughly the size of a toilet paper roll. Only made of a crystalline material that held back a thick, blue-white soup.

<<Judging from your expression, I'd say you know what this is.>>

<<A mana well.>> I nodded. <<But from what kind of creature?>>

<<A divine Youteran beast.>> She calmly said. <<Have you ever looked at my well, my Son?>>

<<In passing.>> I shrugged. <<I've always operated under the assumption that it was… invasive.>>

<<No more invasive the looking at something in the dark.>> She shrugged in turn. <<If it's something you can blatantly see, why not look at it?>>

<<Fair point, I suppose.>> I shrugged, lowering my eyes to focus on the glowing heart beneath the folds of my mother's clothes.

It was… large. Huge, in fact. Nearly twice the size of mine and brimming with a blinding, blue-white energy that was far different from the cobalt-colored slush surrounding us.

<<You may have heard that a human can have a well no larger than the twelfth grade. Possibly causing you a bit of confusion, seeing as your well is of the thirteenth grade.>> She paused, eliciting an affirmative nod from me before she continued. <<The truth is, elves, and all creatures from Youtera can possess far larger wells that contain far higher concentrations of mana. Our limit is the twenty-fifth grade.>> She gestured to herself. <<It is estimated that a halfling like you would have a limit of around fifteen. Though, your particular circumstance may prove otherwise.>>

My brow inquisitively raised at the sound of her words. Yet, I could say nothing as she held the Well up in my face and said. <<Pouring your mana into this will forcefully withdraw the contents of your well and combine it with what's already inside. But only temporarily.>> She coldly warned as she placed it in my hand. Despite its size, it was curiously light in my hand. Almost like it wasn't even there at all. <<After a few minutes, your mana will force its way back into your own well.>>

<<How does that help?>> I looked up at her, shaking my head in confusion.

<<Alone, it doesn't.>> She giggled softly and reached back into her sleeve to hand me a large flask. "A cup of this potion will unbind the restrictions on your mana pores. Fully, for a few minutes. And permanently, to a lesser extent>>

<<I see.>> I nodded, taking the potion. 'It's like a capacitor- no, like a compressor.'

<<I place all of my mana into this well. And with the potion, my well will recharge before my expelled mana comes rushing back into my well. Forcefully.>> I added. Staring at her for confirmation and getting nothing in return. <<Which… compresses the mana that's already there or expanding my well. Or both.>> I shrugged.

<<Correct.>> She nodded with the smallest hints of pride.

<<But that begs the question.>> I shook my head in confusion. <<What's denser than a diamond?>>

<<That's the human in you speaking.>> Mother harrumphed in laughter. <<You think of the energy in your well as a material. As a substance like water or crystals. While partially true, the weave is much more, my Son.>>

<<Mana.>> Mother exclaimed. <<In its purest form, mana looks like this.>> She gestured to her well. <<Energy that we of the Fey call, Arcana. Or arcane mana.>>

<<And I'm supposed to have this… arcana? You're just… giving it to me?>> I hesitantly asked. It seemed the sheer shock of her compliance was getting to me.

<<You seem surprised.>> She giggled, following a subtle nod and long pause.

<<I just expected some sort of resistance, is all.>> I sighed.

<<I am not fickle and dishonest like your grandfather.>> She snorted. <<Knowledge is power, as I'm sure you know. Why would I not bestow such a thing on my beloved son?>>

<<Then, you'll tell me anything?>> I intently squinted.

<<I intended to tell you everything when you became of age.>> She nodded. <<That time is now. All you need to do is ask. Though, I expect you have more knowledge than I, in regards to some things.>>

<<Okay then.>> I nodded. <<What do you know of gods?>>

<<I know of many.>> She blankly blinked. <<Like you, I am a Cleric to one. Though, the one associated with you is the reason why I'm here. He is the reason why any of us are here. He is why we do the things we do. However cruel or illogical they may seem.>>

'Ah.' I nodded internally. 'So they don't worship Telin as he said. They just do his bidding.'

<<I see.>> I finally said. <<So then, why are you here?>>

<<As you know, 1,490 years ago, a series of portals opened across each of the inhabited realms.>> She explained, cueing my series of nods and grunts of affirmations. <<It took us elves a thousand years to learn the secrets of the portals. And after closing them, we spent a hundred years culling the intruders from our planet. Orcs, demons, humans; none were spared from our crusades. In the process, we grew to understand more of ourselves, of magic, and of our nature as elves. After the culling, we had risen to the pinnacle of existence on the Mortal Plane. And it was at that time, that an eternal deity known as Telin, made himself known to our people.>>

She paused as if she were waiting for some type of reaction on my part. I however was too engrossed in the story to feint any type of surprise. It wasn't as if she'd have believed me anyway. Instead, I could only ask questions.

<<What did he look like?>>

<<After his presence faded.>> She continued with no regard for my question. <<We spent years convening to understand just what our species had witnessed. After many years, we learned that he appeared to each of us in a different way. He spoke to all of us in a different voice. And most importantly, he gave each of us different tasks.

<<Wood elves were tasked with finding gifted mages, particularly a mage with barrier magic, and empowering them. High elves were instructed to travel across Maru and share our knowledge with the humans; meanwhile, the drow were told to reopen the Maru portal at a specific time, at a specific location. I was tasked with retrieving that.>> She pointed to the well in my hand. <<Once done, I was to travel through the Maru portal and find a royal who was beloved by the darkness. I was to sire a child with that man. And then, I was to bless that child with material wealth, love, knowledge, and power, until he attended the awakening ceremony.>>

'Sounds like the buildup to a bad story.' I snorted internally before adding on to her words. <<Now that you've accomplished that, what happens next?>>

<<I will be leaving this place with you, Son.>> She wearily sighed. <<I am to return to Youtera, as you are to head to the capital and awaken your cores. In thirty-five years, you are expected to come to Youtera to study the art of mana forging. I will not be the one to retrieve you, but I am tasked with teaching you. At which point, my tasks will finally be complete.>> She seemed to wear a hopeful expression with those words. As if it were something she'd been dreaming of since long before I was born.

I mean, she probably has.

'I could only imagine why.' I internally shook my head, then turned to her again. <<And what of the ceremony?>>

<<as I said, in addition to teaching humans about… forced expansion.>> She giggled again. <<The high elves were tasked with sharing our technology with humanity.>>

'Technology?' my ears perked up.

<<The first was a construct that would awaken additional affinity cores in humans with Ice Wells or higher. One simply needs to deposit the required amount of mana into the construct, sending a pulse out into the heavens and in turn, depositing their cores. The humans believe the gods or the divine beasts of the Mortal Plane are the sources of their power. But… well, I'm sure you know.>>

<<Yeah.>> I nodded. Though I'm sure it wasn't as she assumed. Telin was a science nerd, like me. The driving force behind it may have been magical, but I was certain that Telin devised an automated system to distribute cores to humans instead of picking and choosing each one as he did with me.

What parameters that system used, was the only question that remained.

<<And of the classes?>> I asked. <<You mentioned something about evolution.>>

<<Like divine beasts,>> She said. <<There are divine trees. Trees of life, trees of knowledge, and trees of magic. Through our tinkering with the fruit of the latter, we've learned how to see the path that needs taking to take to grow stronger. After learning of this method, Telin demanded that we share it with all other sentient races. Though, it seems the one we shared it with hasn't shared it in turn.>>

<<It's like my grandfather said, the magic academy has a monopoly on knowledge.>> I commented aloud, then waved the matter aside and leaned in a bit over the table. << The last question. Ever since I could remember, I've been having the same dream while I meditate. Is that normal?>>

<<Ah.>> Her head rocked back as her eyes filled with either melancholy or nostalgia or perhaps both. <<It is said that we elves dream of our primordial selves in our adolescence. Our past lives, from a time where we were more than just elves. That said, I doubt that is the case for you, my Son.>>

'Hmm.' I scratched my chin in contemplation. <<Going by that logic, it'd be safe to assume that I'm dreaming of my ancestors. The beginning of my human lineage, perhaps? Or an important part of it, at least.>>

<<I have no way of knowing.>> Mother calmly shook her head.

<<I was merely thinking out loud.>> I reassured her with an open palm before bowing in thanks. <<I have no more questions. Thank you, Mother.>>

<<Hmm.>> She softly purred before leaning closer over the table. <<With the completion of this task, your blessings have been cut short. Now, I have one question for you, my Son. What is it that Telin's Champion seeks?>>

<<Knowledge.>> I snorted out a laugh and shrugged. Causing her to recoil abruptly in shock. The jig was up, after all. <<I have no wishes to rule or conquer anything, if that's what you're asking. The guild and empire I'm planning to form is only a means to an end. A way for my friends and followers to live peaceful lives while I explore these worlds and learn about everything that I can.>>

<<And what if, when you've learned and explored all you've could, you dislike what you saw? What happens if you see only misery and misfortune for the rest of your days? What then?>>

<<If and when I explore everything there is to explore, I'll find a quiet place to call home and live out the rest of my days surrounded by my friends. If the latter comes true>> I shrugged again. <<Then, I'll remake this world into a better place.>>

<<Such as?>> Mother leaned closer.

<<Something entirely different.>> I shrugged. <<As such, I don't exactly know. But it'll be something that resets everything. Something that'll change the paradigm, or give me something else to spend a few lifetimes exploring. As I said, I don't want to rule over anyone. I'll leave that to the other powers in the world. Leading a guild and my own empire will be enough work as it is. And within that empire, I'll use magic to allow people to live as freely as they can possibly live. I'll make it so they can live without the threats of orcs or demons or dragons hanging over their head. I don't particularly care for what happens outside of that.>>

<<I see.>> She sighed. Almost in relief. Then, motioned to stop the carriage and proceeded to disembark.

Following a long, spine-popping hug, she pulled away to step off towards the woodline. Only to stop at the edge and turn to look over her shoulder.

Looking closely, it wasn't hard to see a subtle quiver running down her spine, a sudden glaze in her eyes, and a noticeable wavering in her voice as she said. <<This is the last time we'll see each other until you come to Youtera. Always remain proud of the fact that you are of elven blood, and never let anything best you. I love you, Amun of Odissi.>>

<<I love you too, Mom.>> I called after her afterimage.

After a few moments of standing idly in the snowfall, I climbed back into the wagon and resumed the journey to the estate in silence, gathering my thoughts until well after Karu halted at the walls. My mind continued racing, even after my vassals arrived and we entered the estate to hear the elated greetings and comments from the staff regarding the upcoming ceremony.

Unsurprisingly, my father was nowhere to be found. I highly doubted that my mother's disappearance came from left field. But that didn't change the fact that the man obviously loved her, and was now heartbroken.

Looking back at my own conversation with the deity, his mention of luck directly implied that he'd be challenging me or assessing me in more ways than he described. In what way exactly, was the question. It could be something as simple as changing the paradigm, something as cliche as killing my family, or something as predictable as placing millions of lives at risk for the sake of judging how I would react or to test my morals.

Or, it was all a lie and he'd do nothing but watch and see what I'd do with absolute power.

Considering his meddling with the elves, I couldn't help but think of my father and wonder if his love was due to Telin's influence as well. It's been said time and time again that humans knew nothing of elven knowledge. But that was just that- hearsay. He could be a subconscious actor in Telin's play without even knowing it. Or, he could simply be another elder soul. A seed of consciousness that was as loving and caring as he'd been in every life he'd lived up to this point.

Regardless of what was true, I couldn't exactly tell if I'd be sad or enraged if he were to die. And despite me being a bit saddened by her abrupt departure, such feelings were extended towards my mother as well. While they gave me a lot, I hadn't exactly spent a lot of time with them growing up. I've bonded the most with my vassals. Day in and day out, for a decade now at this point, we've trained, learned, and lived together. I could safely say I'd feel something if they were to meet an untimely demise. An inevitable effect of me personally training them, I supposed.

But then again, it wasn't as if death would be the end for them.

In fact, death was a new beginning.