" The Castle of the Elf King? "
" Yes, precisely. You must come back with me immediately. "
Santa suddenly walked into my room, past me. While I had only been in a t-shirt and loose-fitting pants, still a bit sweaty from training, I was in no state to talk to a King.
" Please—slow down! Explain, Santa. "
I reached for the towel I planned to use later and began wiping off my sweat.
" Sorry, I'm moving far too fast. I should start from the beginning. "
Santa sat down on my bed and I sat next to him.
" As you should know, Elves are usually incapable of using Aura and even awakening it could be deadly for us. However, those of us who have awakened it are known as 'Limit Breakers'. "
" Limit Breakers? "
" Yes. We Limit Breakers gain special abilities related to Aura due to our Arcane skills. One of them is known as color perception. By looking at the color of one's Aura, we can determine their personality and even their fortune. "
" Like, future fortune? "
" Typically, no. Moreso luck and capability of good fortune coming to them in the future. For example, dim-colored Auras typically are a sign of bleak luck and unfortunate circumstances following them. "
Santa raised his hand, slowly releasing his Aura. It wasn't too bright, however, it had a rich crimson hue.
" Us Limit Breakers can release colored Aura without any weapon of the sort. Unlike Human-races that require a tool. My Aura typically reads for average luck and fortune. And some Limit Breakers would say my color represents determination and passion. "
" Okay...and? "
" You, Juri, have a prismatic—rainbow Aura. And it shines ever so bright. Your fortune is unreadable and your personality is unspeakably adaptable. "
So that's what a rainbow Aura means then?
" I've heard of Limit Breakers...but I was never privy to further information about them. Despite being a Celestial, Elves typically don't like to share knowledge with us. "
Haruo chimed in, though, only I could hear him.
" Well, it's good to know I've got something going for me. But what does this have to do with the Elf King? "
" You see... "
Santa got a bit quiet before lowering his head down.
" When I reported to the King about your Aura, as it's the first time I had ever heard of such a thing, he demanded I bring you in front of him post-haste. "
" Wait! You can just...contact the King?! "
Santa paused again and then looked off to the side of the room, in the direction of the window.
" I'm the King's child. An heir to the throne. "
. . .
* CLANG *
Shooting up from the bed, I had moved so quickly that my sword fell off the edge of the bed and rattled along the ground.
" An heir?! You're the King's son?! "
Santa looked back toward me, face flushed, suddenly standing.
" Son?! I'm not a boy! I'm a girl! I'm the King's first Princess! "
* SHOCK *
" A girl? What a boyish woman. "
Haruo spoke in the back of my mind but I was completely stunned. But then again...That explained it. That supple skin and the deep curves that were hard to explain away as a petite figure. For a moment my eyes began to drift downward before I felt the rushing of blood in my face.
Looking away almost immediately, my body felt a bit hot.
" R-right. A girl! So you're his daughter then...Sorry! "
Santa huffed before plopping down on the bed again. He—sorry, she started speaking once more.
" Anyway! Whatever has Father so worked up...well...it didn't sound too good...I'm worried. "
Despite not wanting to go in front of a King, ignoring the summons would spell bad news for me I was sure.
" Alright, I'll go. "
" Like I said, it's a job. I'll pay you any compensation needed since I know I'll be getting in the way of your work as an Adventurer! "
" It's no big deal. "
It's not like I'd tell Santa but I hadn't even been from this world. As it stood, I didn't particularly lose anything from going since my plan here had been rushed anyway.
" I understand. We'll leave immediately then! "
" After! I shower of course. "
" O-of course, yes yes. "
Santa stood up, turning away from me and bowing before leaving the room in a hurry.
" Was...Santa blushing? "
I lowered the towel, tossing it down before sighing.
" So we're going to the Capital already, hm? I should warn you, Juri. "
" Huh? "
" Don't take any risks and let anyone know about me while you're in the Capital. The Humans of Asteria worship Celestials as divine beings. If someone knew you were sharing bodies with one...you'd be caught up. "
" Things will never just be simple with you, will they? "
" Not if you plan to become the strongest. "
I sighed heavily before getting ready to shower.
A long day's ahead of me.
. . .
After sitting the chest plate I had gotten from RJ and Code as a present over myself, I walked from my room, heading downstairs into the main lobby of the Guild Hall while putting on my slightly tattered hoodie.
Looking around I could only see a few people before coming across Sebastian.
" Ah! Juri. Just the man I wanted to see. "
" Hey, Sebastian. Is something the matter? "
The taller older man looked down at me, shaking his head gently.
" No, not particularly. I just wanted to inform you there's an Elven carriage outside that requests you to step inside of it. "
" An Elven carriage? Ah, Santa. "
" It would seem so. I'm not sure about the details, however, whatever this is about I hope you'll be safe. Elves don't take kindly to aggression. "
" Trust me, I hope so too. "
After bidding Sebastian a momentary farewell, I went outside to see the carriage. And immediately upon seeing it, I was quite surprised. Parts of it were metallic and had gold chassis along it. It did not have a horse in the front of it pulling it along, instead had wheels that seemed to be big enough to go along on their own.
" A car? "
" That's what some lower-class people call them. But we call them carriages. "
Santa's voice surprised me but it was to be expected. Walking up to me from behind had been her, the Elf Princess.
" Right... "
" Well come on now. Let's not waste too much time. "
I opened the car—or well...carriage door for Santa, letting her get inside first. And soon after I had gotten in too.
" I never did get my license... "
" What was that? "
" Oh, nothing. "
While thinking I had accidentally spoken out loud. In my old world back in Japan I had often rode in Takumi's car, however, when he offered to teach me I chickened out. I really should've learned...
Up in the front of the carriage, there had been a man with quite the coachman-looking outfit. Underneath his hat and ahead of his white hair had been pointed ears. This carriage must've been strictly under the use of Elven royalty if I had to make any assumptions.
" It won't take us long to get there, not even two hours. Our Carriages are powered by some of the finest Arcane magic. "
I was a little confused.
" I'll explain magic to you soon enough. For the moment, don't get too deep into it. "
So it had been one of those smile-and-nod situations.
" I see! Good to know then. I'll take a little rest if you don't mind then. "
" By all means, be my guest. "
Crossing my arms, I sat and began to think. It would be beneficial if I began to meditate and circulate my Aura, at least, that's what Haruo frequently told me. Whenever I'm inactive and idling, meditating is better as it'll help take my mind off the time and is a form of Aura training.
However, as I started to wrap my body around Aura, Santa started talking.
" Hey...Juri. I've got a question. "
" Yeah? What's up? "
" Your Aura usage—you said you had just recently awakened, right? "
" Mmmhmmm. I awakened just under a week ago. I'm quite new to using this power. "
" Then how? I mean, how are you so strong—so talented? "
I honestly couldn't tell Santa the answer to that question. Not even I knew what about me gave me such an adept ability at using Aura. But...
" I'm not too sure. However, I can tell you this. When you put your convictions and full willpower into using your Aura, there are definite results. "
" What do you mean? "
" I mean that I've never exerted the same amount of force I have when using my Aura simply for training as I have when using it in a life-or-death situation. Like when I 'saved' you. "
Santa had been silent after I finished speaking. The awkward silence prompted me to continue as I looked off to the left, away from Santa.
" When I killed the first Killer Bear, I was upset. I had been attacked by one before and almost lost my life—that's when I awakened. So I was mad and killed it with almost all my Aura behind the slash. A very reckless move honestly. "
I thought back on when I used even more energy to save Santa. The raw emotions I felt back then. Something far deeper than even the anger I felt just a moment before that.
" Seeing you in danger...It made me want to protect you. I didn't want to see you sad and hurt. So I used all I had left and more to take the monster down. "
" Ah! "
Santa seemed to make a little gasp as I continued to look further left, my face slightly burning from the rushing blood.
" I-I see... "
After that, the ride had been completely silent, and before too long, we had arrived. The coachman in front of us notified us of our arrival and Santa requested we be directly taken to the Castle. Considering her status, I doubt he had much room to refuse.
Once we had gotten to the Castle, both Santa and I left the carriage, heading into the giant Elven structure.
It was grandiose, covered in green and white design elements, invoking a sense of pure fantasy Elf aesthetic. If I was more of a fantasy nerd back in Japan, I would've been freaking out seeing it before my eyes. Or maybe I'd be in a better mood if I was here under the guise of better circumstances.
However, I was summoned here due to some sort of issue with my Aura color—or well...colors.
" Come, Juri! Let's not stall. "
Santa's soft voice beckoned for me as she went forward, calling for me to join her. Reluctantly, I followed. Many people bowed down to Santa, giving her the utmost respect they could as we moved through the Castle. Santa continued through, moving her steel blue hair as she greeted each person she passed by with kindness and respect.
" You must be a beloved Princess, huh? "
I commented.
" If you treat the people you watch over well, they will also take care of you. It's only right if you do so. "
When it had been Code, RJ, and us two, Santa was quite reserved and quiet. However, now that it was just the both of us, her personality opened up and she easily responded to me.
It was a relief for me as I enjoyed conversation and being able to have good conversation took the edge off whenever I felt extreme amounts of pressure.
While walking through the Castle, we came across someone who seemed quite familiar. However, upon looking at Santa and the person again, it became too obvious why.
" Hello, brother. "
In front of us was a tall slender Elf wearing white robes that would be befitting of a Mage. His narrow eyes looked down at me, clearly indicating he had some sort of issue with me. Those piercing green eyes. They were sharp yet had a sort of softness to them that reminded me of someone.
" Remember, Santa. There's still much to do. Don't get sidetracked. "
And with those few words, the brother of Santa passed by, turning the corner and leaving us to continue.
" He's rather intimidating. "
" Not when you get to know him. Just a little shy. "
Santa seemed to dismiss his curt and stoic behavior and we continued. Eventually, we ended up walking to a large door that had been down a carpeted corridor. It was very obviously the main chamber of the King.
" Are you ready? "
" As ready as I'll ever be. "
Santa ordered the guards standing outside the door to open it and as they did, we walked in.
Stepping forward, I felt compelled to bow down to the King. His appearance was striking. Completely smooth skin and no sign of age or fatigue at all on his face. His hair was the same color as Santa's and a little longer. The robes he wore were simple rather than regal, giving a simple grace. They had light white coloring with the same green additions as the castle's architecture.
" I see you have returned with the man, Santa. "
His voice was resolute and his words held weight.
" Yes, my King. I have brought Juri the rookie Adventurer to you. "
" I extend my greetings to you, Juri. And my sympathies for having you travel so suddenly. However, this is a matter of grave urgency. "
Lifting my head, I felt compelled to inquire.
" What do you mean, your highness? "
Something inside of me felt required to be as polite as possible.
" I'll get straight to it. Your Aura color is known as the 'Prismatic Scheme' and is typically something quite special. "
" Special? "
" Yes. All Aura colors tell fortune and luck. However, yours is the Aura of the world. You can read both fortune and luck of the entire state of this realm through you. However, in this case, it is not a good thing. "
My Aura tells the fortune of the world...? And that's a problem?
" First I've ever heard of this, Juri. Be cautious. "
Haruo's words rang through my ears.
" Your existence proves one undeniable fact. This realm will undergo a severe paradigm shift. "
" Is...this necessarily a bad thing? "
" On its own, no. However...I hear that the Humans have decided... "
" Decided upon what, my King? "
Santa spoke up, questioning his words.
" They are going to call upon the 'Hero'. "
" Hero? Like, someone who saves people? "
I immediately asked, my brain swirling upon hearing that. It was like something straight out of an isekai manga, the Hero who's summoned by Humans.
" Yes. There is an ancient Arcane spell only achievable by using both Aura and magic all at once to summon the one who will save the world. At least, that's what Humans believe the summoned Hero shall do. Alongside this, Ancient Elf folklore and legend dictate that when the 'Prismatic Scheme' and the 'Hero' are present in the same period...A great evil has been born. "
" A great evil? "
" Indeed. And I suspect, based on recent events, that a grand noble Elder Demon has fathered something unfathomably destructive. "
So many words and terms were being thrown together all at once. My mind started to spin. I didn't understand what he wanted to say to me or even what most of this meant.
" I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I'm lost. What is it exactly that you're trying to say? "
" I'll speak simply. If nothing is done, this realm will either be ruled by a Tyrant...Or destroyed. "
My heart sank. Whether he was telling the truth or not wasn't important. Almost immediately upon hearing that, my Aura began to flare around my body and my fist tightened.
Even if this was sudden news, it didn't matter. And even if I wasn't born here, I decided to live this new life with full intention to help everyone I could by becoming the strongest.
" I've already decided to protect the smiles of the people of this world...I won't allow anyone to destroy it. "
The King looked down at me, a surprised expression coming upon his face.
" Such determination...And I'm to believe you only recently awakened to Aura? It seems you hold quite the heart. "
I loosened my fist and took a breath.
" Hear me well, young Juri. As the Prismatic Scheme, you will be regarded as a high noble of the Elven people and be given full support in your adventures. However, that is only under the assumption that you agree to do everything in your power to grow stronger. "
The King paused and tightened his face as he clutched his throne's armrests.
" And use your power to help save this world from the impending evil planning to prey upon it. "
I had only just come to this world within the week...And after learning so much and being given so many things to think about all at once...I was making even more vows.
" I understand. "
VOLUME 2 END