Now I have a contracted spirit. Somehow, it's a really happy feeling. I never thought that I—a loser who lived pathetically while dreaming of fantasy—would actually be living that life, and with such a magnificent face too! Plus a cute (also cranky) spirit. It's true what they say: when the heavens bless you, they pour it all out without holding back.
''Um, Sheila, let's discuss our first agenda—this damn forest. Either you or I need to become powerful enough to subdue those… Totoro guys."
Wait, they are actually called Gatarototus, right ? Huh! Who cares? It not like the can talk. And that name might have given by some humans. So even if I name them separately nobody will care. Then with a foul face she said-
"I hate to admit it, but you're right. Still, never phrase it like I'm weak. I could sever your carotid artery in 0.3 seconds, you know. Healing it back would take at least 3 hours, though—if I'm motivated." She said this without even an angry glare.
"Sorry. Well, whatever. As for me, I don't think I can handle much physical labour, but magic-wise, I might be able to break a leg. What do you think?"
"I guess you have Arena's genes, so that much should be possible. But you also have your father's genes—he was an excellent fighter. It's hard to predict what you'll become. You were dumber before the fever, but now your brain cells seem more mature. Though you've also gotten lazier. Your personality changed a lot, but some habits remain the same. Sometimes I wonder if you're a different person now." She gave me a suspicious look.
I was shocked she'd pieced so much together. But the original body owner was also a scaredy-cat like me, so she can't be certain we're different. Plus, we're both physically weaker than most kids of our age. I laughed off her suspicion.
Her pupils slit like a cat's—a telltale sign she was mentally dissecting my soul again.
"Hahaha, you're quite the observer, huh?"
I laughed out the suspicious glare of her.
"Duh! I only have you to observe. And I've been doing it for a very very- long time."
"I'm grateful to have someone like you. Regardless, I need to get stronger by any means. If my body won't cooperate, I'll use my brain. I'll become a sage to rescue you from this treacherous forest—to snatch you from these fiends like a prince!"
I struck a heroic pose, but instead of sparkling eyes, she gave me a disgusted look. The awkwardness was unbearable.
By the way, speaking of prince… She mentioned my full name earlier—Luios Van Ogasti, 1st Prince of the 98th Elven Dynasty'. First in line for the throne! My heart soared to the moon. I couldn't be luckier! Hahahaha.
Brain: Wait. Stop fantasizing. If you're a prince, why are you living so miserably in this dangerous forest?
Heart: Maybe everyone died in a pandemic or monster attack.
Brain: Whatever the reason, you're a beggar now! You're a throne-less prince in a monster-infested forest. Even Disney wouldn't greenlight this tragedy
And just like that, my brain dragged my heart from the moon to the hottest desert. I guess the gods are fair. Hmph!
To gather knowledge about magic, I went to the underground secret library with Sheila. Why take Sheila with me, you ask? Well... because I'm scared of that dark place.
My mom used to say I was so sensitive to dark that could scream even in sleep at night if lights went out.
Sheila carried a candle three times her size. For such a tiny sprite, she's surprisingly strong.
"Um, Sheila? Remember the day I said I'd forgotten everything?"
"You mean the day I 'almost' killed you?"
"Hahaha, yes! So, when I first entered the library, why did you jump at me? And why was it so dark? Do you have night vision?"
"First, I didn't jump at you. Second, what's 'night vision'? And the candle blew out because of 'that thing' ." She pointed behind me.
Without thinking, I turned to look—ignoring the danger—and something leaped at me again. I screamed. And she laughed it out while saying-
"Hahaha! This—this never gets old. What an idiot!"
"What was that?!" I was too shocked to realize she was mocking me.
"Did you forget the rabbit too, dummy?"
"What?! A rabbit? Why is it here?"
"Who knows? Maybe it snuck in unnoticed. Or chased the chickens inside. Either way, help me find it. We need to kick it out… then make it dinner."
"How are we supposed to do that in this dark room with no light?"
"Oh, I forgot to turn on the magic circle for light and ventilation." She scratched her forehead sheepishly."
"Then where was this circle that day?" I asked her.
"I was in a hurry, so I managed with the candle ."
Just admit that you are too lazy! Well that confirmed it—she might be book-smart, but her common sense is worse than mine. ( In some cases .)
After that, she went to look for the chicken-eating rabbit, and I pretended to help. Instead, I headed straight to the restricted section with all the dark books.
"Stop! What are you doing? Never approach those shelves without guidance. Those were your grandfather's books!"
"Oh! I was just checking if the rabbit hid there."
"Don't worry. If it crossed that line, it's already burned—ready to eat, crispy & delicious with smoky flavoured."
"Why didn't you mention these traps before? I could've died!"
"As family, you wouldn't die from touching the shelves."
"That's not the point! I'd still die because of you, you—" I clamped my mouth shut before finishing that sentence.
"Well, sorry . But I saved you before anything happened, right?"
I realized I'd crossed a red line entering this room. Guess it was installed as an extra alarm .
"By the way, what's that shiny ball in your left hand?"
"I caught the rabbit in here. It's still floppy. And I think it will taste fresh. I can feel its taste already. Crispy on the outside, tendery in the inside. Perfect for stew. And in this 'Pearl of Frozen Moments'—rare item box, time flows slowly, so it won't rot."
It seemed to me that if I weren't here, she'd have gobbled it whole. But the rabbit was five times her size. Could she even digest it? Maybe her stomach worked like the item box, holding something far larger than its size. And aren't spirits supposed to protect nature? Unless living with humans changed her appetite. Wait, we're elves—shouldn't we be vegetarian too? So I asked her-
"Hey, are we even allowed to eat meat?"
Nonchalantly she replied,
"Why not? If Mother Nature provides food, why refuse?" (•ˋ _ ˊ•)!
Huh? What kind of answer is that? Suddenly, I felt dumb for asking. I guess not every fantasy world operates the same.
"Forget the meat. Find me a book to grow stronger fast. We came here for that purpose. Don't say you forgot while chasing the rabbit."
"Oh! I forgot, hehehe. Then let's head to the Bornaloi [In Sanskrit, Bornaloi means birthplace of knowledge]. There you will take your first step toward magic." ,she replied .
She took me in front of an old painting. Now that I looked closer, I think it's an embroidery work. It may be dusty, torn, and full of disgusting smell, but as a self-proclaimed artist who learned some art as a hobby, in my eyes it is fascinating. Really, the needlework is just out of this world. If you don't look closer, you won't be able to see the very small and delicate stitches. It really is a work of art. It's literally giving me goosebumps.
I think it's the painting of the World Tree. Because in the painting I could see a large banyan tree on a small hill, under which a small young elf like me in green robe, is sleeping very peacefully. It's like Mother Nature is actually embracing him in her lap. In the shade of the World Tree, he looked so peaceful. The green grass field as his bed and the small little colourful flowers peeking through the grass made me feel like I could smell the scented air. And the scenery behind the tree—or more accurately, the small distant lands and the cloud-like columns—is really eye-catching, with black birds flying toward the horizon. The small sparrows and the Hummingbirds roaming around him made me feel like the whole painting is in motion. Is it me, or is the grass really moving with the wind? The artist must be really great to make the painting this lively.
"Wow, this is majestic. The painting seems alive, Sheila. I feel like I can actually see the grasses and the birds moving."
"Duh, because it is actually moving."
"Huh! really? So it wasn't my imagination? Is this one of your pranks, huh?"
"As much as I'd like to, I don't have that much time for playing pranks on you now. The rats in my belly are running like crazy. So I have to cook it first and eat it— I mean, with you( I don't think you want to give me a single bite (¬_¬) ."
I could literally see her drooling.(¯﹃¯)
"So, where is this Bornaloi?"
"It's right in front of you."
"It is? Where? Do you mean the painting?"
"Bingo! Step into it."
"How?"
Without giving me much information, she just went through it. Closing my eyes, I also went through it. When I opened my eyes, I was shocked.