Interlude: The Astray Elf

…

One would believe, that for an adventurer of my caliber, I would stride into battle confident and assured. Most certainly, a Level 3 such a myself, would be a mighty and powerful being. Such individuals outside of Orario are amongst those spoken of in awe and in whispers. An Elven Mage, such as myself, who has taken three steps towards divinity, should be able to control their fear and be capable of fighting.

Most ashamedly, I must admit that is not the case for myself. In many situations, the calm I require always escapes me. The vaunted calm and collection of all my people are both lost to me in the midst of combat. I am a failure as an adventurer, to my people, my Familia, and my friends.

The very moment that danger rears its head, I freeze and find myself incapable of doing my duty.

And now, that dread rears its terrible form once more.

Adventurers, clad in armor, attacking me and my Familia. People who might take me away from my Familia for my power, hide me away, and use me for their own purposes. I am in Orario because it is the only place where I can be safe and grow in strength. In my Familia, I can hope to gain enough strength so that I will never have to fear those who might come after me for my ability to use any Elven Magic that I have studied extensively.

If these people take me away from my Familia… if they escape Orario with me in tow, what will become of me?

"Hiryute-san!" A voice, loud and pronounced, shocks me from my thoughts. The black-clad adventurer Aiz introduced us to always spoke so softly that the sudden shift brought me back to reality. No sooner did I hear him that I found myself swept into his arms. Soon my vision was only the lapel of his armored coat. Surprisingly, I was held gently. "I'll get Viridis-san upstairs!"

"Good thinking, Hikigaya!" Tione gave a grunt as she threw one of the two dozen weapons Hikigaya had dropped onto the ground. The shockwave they created halted the charge, but none of our armored opponents gave the two warriors an opening. In the heat of battle, Tione absconded with her playful manner. Right now, she was commanding us as she did in the Dungeon. "Lefiya-chan, use only quick and single-target spells! These guys won't be caught in your more powerful spells!"

"Take care of our Lefiya-chan, Hat-kun!" Despite the fact that I could not see her, I knew that Tiona must've given Hikigaya one of her more earnest smiles. The Younger Hiryute took a liking to him quickly, faster than she usually did to strangers. For what reason, I did not know, but the Amazon remained upbeat and affable despite the danger we were in. Tione shot her a look of annoyance as she made a show of striking one opponent into another instead of bringing him down. "We'll never forgive you if you let our Lefiya-chan get hurt!"

"Hold on, Viridis-san."

I didn't get a chance to speak, or think, as the moment those words left his lips he launched himself onto the second floor of the clothing institute. He leapt from pillar to pillar, ascending higher up with each leap, before tightening his grip upon me with one hand and pulling us both up with a single arm.

Incredible in all respects, especially since he's only taken the initial step towards divinity! According to Riveria-sama, Hikigaya is one of the few Level 1s with the ability to step closer towards divinity, but has chosen to hone himself further. Though I had most certainly believed the Heir Apparent of my people, I held misgivings about the extent of his true capabilities. I would not have been capable of such a feat, despite being closer to divinity than him, because of my chosen specialization as a mage. Taking those all into account, I no longer wondered why the Princess lavishes him with praise!

"Two have followed us up." Hikigaya maneuvered me upright with ease and gentleness, despite the direness of his words. He produce another weapon from within his cloak. It was unlike any other weapon I've witnessed. Shaped like a sword, yet with no edges, and separated down the middle. Was it some sort of short, two-pronged trident? If so, where were the points? "I'll keep them busy, Viridis-san. Support your friends."

I did not manage to affirm his plan, he merely charged forward with a chant on his lips, nearly causing me to freeze in surprise.

Concurrent Chanting by a human? One of the prized techniques of Elven prodigies and royalty, born through endless practice over the course of decades… used by a human? My mind boggled at the thought! Not only that, but he chanted at rapid speeds while engaging the enemy! Riveria-sama was only capable of sprinting and dodging as she wove her spells!

"Continuous Chain Lightning." Hikigaya finished his chant just as he truly began his duel against his two opponents. They were, at least, Adventurers on their Second Steps, yet he held them off with his strange blade. The precision with which he used the strange longsword allowed him to turn aside thrusts and bat away swings. "Viridis-san! I don't hear you chanting!"

I wondered how he would use it, since he used both his hands to divert the powerful blows of his opponents. Fear coursed within me, even as I began to chant to aid Tione and Tiona, and I kept an eye upon my only protector. If he needed my aid, he shall receive it swiftly, as I knew the dangers of withholding spells within one's body well.

Needless to say, I was shocked as Chain Lightning issued forth from his closed hands, into the handle, and coursed down the entire length of his weapon. Instead of waves or branches of nature's most fearsome power, it spouted forth from the gap within the blade and elongated its reach enormously! The lightning longsword's 'tip' was effective until it reached an object that would not conduct it!

"Viridis-san!" Hikigaya met with his opponents again. Now, his opponents were at a disadvantage. However, I could not pay attention to his battle further. In my astonishment, I'd ignored my own duties. Taking a measured breath, I began to channel my own magic as he finished his edict aimed at me. "Chant! Now!"

"I invoke the epithet of Wishe. Ancestors of the Wood, Resplendent Brethren."

Absolute focus and unbending will.

"Heed my Call and Advance to the Plains."

Magic is a force that accepts no less.

"Connecting Alliances, the Oath of Paradise."

Hikigaya-san and Riveria-sama both gained this power on their own. No known skill can change this facet of Creation itself.

"Revolve the Circle and Dance About."

I can only cast my magic when I am still, focused, and hopeless-.

"Materialize, Ring of the Faeries."

No.

"By your Accord, Grant me Strength."

I cannot bring further humility upon myself or my people.

"Faerie Ring."

This Magic Skill, revealed to me by the local god of my country, is my greatest source of pride and the aspect of myself that I hated the most. Because of it, I had to leave my home and come to Orario. A country with a Mage capable of using any Elven magic… holds too much might and power. I invited war and strife to the Elven lands, and so it was decided that I join Riveria-sama who stood proudly at Loki-sama's side… in isolation. What use is access to all of Elven Civilization's magic in a person as weak as myself?

"Viridis, watch out!"

Caught in my loathsome thoughts, Hikigaya's words only allowed me to open my eyes as a spear's blade came towards me.

Too quick, too fast, I couldn't evade it.

Was I going to-.

A push, my useless magic followed me, but I could only watch in silent horror as the spear blade meant for me embedded itself into Hikigaya's chest.

He… saved me? Even though we just met?

For a moment, I could only stare upon the man who saved my life, and the man who had nearly killed me. I wondered why they were motionless, before I noticed that Hikigaya's hand was firmly around his opponent's wrist.

"Not letting you get away, bastard." Hikigaya's snarl was weak, but his swing was not. The black-clad human swung his lightning-infused blade, just as he let go of his opponent's wrist, and sent the armored being flying. The scent of burned skin hung in the air, he stood and swayed on his feet before falling on his back completely. "Viridis… you're safe." He wheezed out his words. "Finish your fucking chant."

Then, Hikigaya fell silent, his breathing slowing greatly.

…I just had a man sacrifice himself for me, and yet I have yet to fulfill my duty.

U-Unacceptable.

I stood, the Faerie Ring rising around me.

Already, I knew the perfect chant to use.

"Heed my Cry, Fulmination of Heaven."

Lightning, the most devastating of all nature's powers. For a mere 5-Line spell, its draw is immense and use amongst my people is rare. One streak of powerful lightning is permissible, but five at once and halting it is dependent on the wielder? My people know that they hold too much pride in their hearts. Too many would fall trying to uphold such a massive barrage. Pursuing the line of Lightning magic was eschewed as it was believed that Lightning's power is too dangerous in our hands.

Yet still, I memorized its chant, as I knew better than to leave such a powerful spell from my arsenal.

"With Impunity, Strike Down my Foes."

Faster than wind and hotter than flame.

"Break their Protections, Pursue them Unceasingly."

The greatest compatriot of water.

"Roar with Fury, Fulmination of Heaven."

Only solid earth can hope to withstand it.

"Endless Lightning Cannonade!"

The singular lightning spell of my people surged forth from the Faerie Ring, and unlike all other spells I memorized, the Faerie Ring did not disappear as soon as the magic was cast. Instead, it continued to eat away at my power, providing fuel for five streaks of lighting surging towards the opponents below me.

Wood did not impede them. They shattered the second floor before me and struck the opponents even outside my vision. Tione and Tiona's opponents were struck with lightning. I witnessed their magical protections waver and break the first set, but it was clear that it would not protect them against another.

One was struck twice, and he cried out in agony before falling still. Another quickly picked him up and leapt away.

One by one, they left, retreating while hounded by my spell.

I ceased their manifestation after a mere twenty were cast, not even enough for two for each of them, yet I felt as though I had cast a Seven-Line Spell.

Furtively, I hoped one would be struck down and left behind. However, the probability of such an occurrence is low at best.

As soon as I attempted to step forward, my vision blurred and I felt myself tilt forward. I had yet to be healed by Loki-sama, as there were many who needed tending to. Besides that, I left the Dungeon hale. So it was to be expected, that I was not prioritized.

Astonishingly, I was caught surprisingly gently.

"You did well, kid." Hikigaya's voice, strong and firm, filled me with relief. I didn't know how the black-clothed, masked human was still standing, but I merely basked in the reassurance that I had not killed anyone. "You need some work, but you carried us through. Good job."

"I… at least… did something with my magic." I could not help it, I simply had to rise to the insult. As Riveria-sama had said, Hikigaya simply had an oddly elvish sense of humor. His words were a breath of home. "Rather than simply… wave it about like a madman."

"Tch! And here I thought you were different from all the other elves I met." The chuckle at the end of his voice lured me further into sleep. He adjusted his grip until I found myself oddly comfortable against him. Slowly, I allowed my eyes to close due to weariness, assured of my safety. "I swear you're a race of Yukinoshita's."

My consciousness faded before I could retort.

Still, even as I fell deeper into sleep, I took his words to heart.

I must, so that no one might be harmed in my defense, I needed to get stronger.

Highly, I doubted that anyone else could've survived as Hikigaya had.