After explaining that getting back home would be no small feat, she extended an unexpected offer for me to stay here if I wished. As an honored guest of their god and someone recognized by one of her guardians, my presence was not just tolerated—it was genuinely welcomed.

  However, with the new quest I knew that I would not be able to sit back and just let Magnalon fall. The Grand Elder did agree that Magnalon was one of the better human countries, but she did not agree to help them. In her eyes better only meant they would kill Elves or try to take them as slaves instead of the much worse atrocities that were committed in the past.

  As I left the underground chamber with the Grand Elder, I did ask if they had considered the fact that the people that had been trying to get through the Dungeon were trying to get to me. Her response, “Of course we did. That’s why we subdued them before collapsing the Dungeon. We did not wany anyone hurt. Otherwise, we would have just killed them.” I could only shake my head and move on.

  When we reached the surface, the princess was waiting for us with a much younger Elf. He stood around five foot six inches tall, with platinum blonde hair. His ears were a bit shorter than the princess’ and he had a very slender frame. Using Identify on him; I was actually quite surprised by the result. While I had not expected him to have a high level, I also did not expect him to be that low.

  Cullen Feyarrow – Level 10 – Wood Elf – Talent: Feytouched Marksmanship

  “Jace this is Qulen Vey’arow. He wanted to meet the human that the guardian has acknowledged.” Lilliana said when we were walking up to her.

  Having already used Identify on him I knew that he was young. The fact that he was a Wood Elf was also slightly surprising to me as everyone else I had seen seemed to be a High Elf. However, I wondered if Elves were like the Primarchs in that they were all Elves, and it depended on their affinity as to why type of Elf that they were.

  This did make me question whether or not there were different types of humans, or if they were just that. Maybe I would get the chance to find out in the future.

  “I do not understand why he was given permission by the guardians. He is a human; you should have just killed him and been done with it.” Cullen said interrupting my thoughts. “Well human, how about a quick spar? I should be able to defeat you in but a few moments.”

  “I don’t want to speak ill of those I don’t know, but is he a little slow in the head? Or did no one inform him that I was able to solo a Dungeon before coming here?” I asked aloud, looking between Lilliana and the Grand Elder.

  Lilliana was the one to respond after chuckling good naturedly, “This is my brother Jace, and no he is not slow. He was not informed that you were able to beat a Dungeon by yourself, or the fact that the Dungeon that you defeated was oversaturated. We also tend to keep younger Elves away from those of other races due to their emotions being able to get the better of them and their general lack of not stating the first thing that comes to mind.”

  Cullen looked away with slightly blushing cheeks and a mumbled apology. It made me think that Elves, even though they grew at a similar rate as humans, might develop mentally at a much slower rate than humans. That was how they were able to endure the length of life that they gained.

  I just smiled and told him it was no problem. After being reborn I of all people could not judge someone for losing control of their emotions. Stupid underage body with its hormones going haywire. The only good thing is that it is probably the only reason I was able to open myself up to the Grand Elder and gain some ideas that I wanted to try with my talent.

  The Grand Elder seeing that we were done, told Lilliana to take me around the city to get whatever I wanted and needed before I was to head out. Turning to me she gave me a small token and told me not to lose it. If I was ever in the forest and ran into an Elf, I could show them that token, and at the very least they would listen to what I had to say.

  Lilliana took it as a personal mission to ensure I had everything I could possibly need. Her determination was almost overwhelming, and while I felt a mix of gratitude and amusement at her efforts, I couldn’t help but wonder what drove her to go so far. Whether it was out of duty, generosity, or simply her own way of expressing care, her thoroughness left a lasting impression.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  We went all over the city to get everything that I needed before making my way home. We went to a blacksmith to get me new shields. The Blacksmith recommended I use an Ironbark shield as it would allow me to wield it easily due it its lightness, but it was stronger than steel. He was a little surprised when we asked for two of them. He was, however, able to add more of a rounded tip area that would allow me to stab something with.

  We went to a general merchant to get a tent, cot, and everything else I could need for camping. Pots, pans, fire starter, stand to cook with that went over a fire, I mean absolutely everything. There was even a rope that acted as a ward, that allowed me to make a circle around my camp and would keep weaker beasts away and alarm if anything broke the barrier.

  Finally, she took me to a leatherworker and got me a brand-new suit of armor. The armor was sturdy yet extremely flexible, better than any armor I had tried on before. It came from a boar that was known for its ability to take physical blows with almost no problem at all. Apparently, its skin just stretched to slow the blow. Underneath that stretchy layer was a think hardened layer of hide that took the rest of the power out of the blow.

  The armor was able to basically do the same thing, but instead of a solid sturdy hide underneath he did a kind of leather scale mail. Giving the armor an unprecedented level of protection while keeping all the flexibility.

  Everything we got went straight into my Inventory, and I could tell that with every item I put in Lilliana because just that bit more jealous. It was so bad, that after we had bought the regular dried food you would normally take while camping, she seemed to make it her goal to fill my it completely.

  She stopped in every restaurant we passed, buying out their entire menu—including the desserts—and insisted I store everything in my Inventory. Each stop seemed more extravagant than the last, and while I couldn’t help but chuckle at her relentless determination, I also marveled at the sheer excess of it all. Once we had done that for about five, she stopped and looked at me with narrowed eyes, “First, why are you allowing me to get you all this food, won’t it go bad? Second, does you extra dimensional space have a limit?”

  “The space keeps everything the exact same as when it went in. I don’t know if maybe in a year or something I will pull it out and it will have changed some or not, but I will let you know. As for space, it didn’t say it had a limit, though I am sure there is some sort of limit.” I answered actually giving it some thought.

  Sighing in defeat she seemed to let it go. While Cullen off to the side looked somewhat incredulous at the idea that I was able to do something like that.

  It also seemed that every Elf in the city knew that I was a valued guest, because not even one gave me a dirty look or said a bad word. A few of the very small children that I did see looked at me curiously, but that could have just been that they thought I was weird for having round ears.

  Having everything that I needed to be able to make the journey, Lilliana lead Cullen and I to a grouping of smaller trees set off to the side. Each tree was meticulously placed to make a perfect circle around a raised stone platform. The top of the platform was covered in intricate carvings with runic symbols, all of it organized in such a way that it spiraled outward from the center with the final runic symbol touching the base of one of the trees.

  All the trees had a large covering which hid the plate from view from anything flying over, with only enough room for someone about seven foot tall to enter before they had to squat down. There was only one way in or out and there was a guard standing in front of the entrance who only bowed and stepped off to the side as we came by.

  Lilliana led me inside and gestured for me to step onto the center of the stone pad. The carvings beneath my feet were intricate, their spiraling patterns almost hypnotic as I took my place. The cool surface of the stone pulsed faintly, as though alive, and the faint hum of energy building in the air sent a tingle through my skin. Shadows from the surrounding trees danced along the platform as if moved by an unseen force, amplifying the sense of anticipation. She made sure that Cullen did not come in with us and I do not know what she did but within a few moments’ lines began lighting up on the platform. Not knowing if I should do anything or not, I made sure not to move.

  Lilliana having finished whatever it was she was doing inside turned to me and spoke, “Jace, it was surprisingly nice to meet you, even if you look like a human.” She said with a playful wink. “If it feels like we are trying to rush you out of here, well that’s because we are. You see yIgDraSIyl told us that you should leave here as quickly as possible, and it has already been two days you spent here. Apparently, you are needed to head out and do something somewhere?”

  I nodded in understanding and agreement. I needed to get home and hopefully figure out this quest. “More importantly than something to do, I need to get home before my mother decides to come and get me.”

  Lilliana laughed boisterously at that, her voice ringing with genuine amusement. "Regardless, know that you are always welcome here," she said warmly before her tone shifted, carrying a subtle edge. "That said, I trust I don’t need to remind you—don’t come with bad intentions or bring those who might."

  I nodded at her words, a faint chuckle escaping me at the dramatic warning. Before I could muster a response, a blinding flash enveloped me. For a heartbeat, it felt as though the world had turned inside out, and then, in an instant, I was gone—this time for real, leaving only the faint hum of energy behind.