"Did you feel that strange presence last night?"
"Yes... It was similar to the time when Master Levian created that commotion in his bedroom. Do you think he's created another—"
"Shhh, don't finish that sentence. Even saying the word could bring you trouble. Anyways, I heard that Young Levian can only create one of those... things once a year."
"Oh. Then what could that feeling have been?"
The maids and workers around the estate spoke of the presence they had felt last night.
The Bladeblessed family themselves had also experienced it; however, they believed that the young man had been telling them the truth about his talents' yearly usage, so it couldn't have been another mythical.
Instead, they chalked it up to the young man Levian using his current mythical weapon to practice.
Only the scheming Malachi had suspected that Levian had crafted another weapon.
After all, he was the one who had demanded that the young man do so.
---
That afternoon...
Today was Levian's last planned day in the estate, or perhaps even in the human country itself.
Regardless of how tomorrow's events played out, he would have to flee.
So he decided to use his last day carefully, which was why he was currently riding on horseback to make his way towards the Emberbury Estate.
As busy as he had been, Levian often found his mind drifting to thoughts of his fiancée, Diana.
Not just because of their last interaction, but also because of their future.
He didn't plan to tell her anything about what would happen tomorrow, however, the woman had expressed clear compassion towards the elves.
Her eyes had lit up when he spoke to her about ideals such as world peace, and humans being just as evil as the elves, if not worse.
So today, he decided to test her conviction.
Then afterwards, he could decide what to do next.
---
"Oh my, that is a beautiful horse."
Levian met Diana Emberbury outside of her estate, which wasn't far from his.
He found her standing outside, red curly hair cascading down to her shoulders, and a smile on her face brighter than the sun above. She was dressed in a modest, long-sleeved black dress, as was common for noble ladies.
She stroked the horse's head as Levian dismounted. Then, he showed her a courtesy bow and took her delicate hand in his, planting a kiss atop it.
"M'lady, it's a pleasure seeing you again," Levian said, flashing Diana a smile.
Her dark eyes glinted, and she dipped her head slightly towards him. "Well, my Lord, it's an honour to see you again too."
Levian felt his heart warming to the woman. Ever since he had spoken to her about his ideals, she had become a joy to be around at every moment.
"Shall we walk?"
---
The pair strolled down the pathway with no destination in mind.
Being located near the outskirts of the eastern region of the human empire, there were many noble estates spread across acres of privately owned land.
To the west, they could see the closest human megacity, Ashby.
However, if they travelled too far along the paths further east, they would eventually gain sight of no man's land. The current battlefield being used in the war between the humans and elves...
Sometimes, Levian could feel the Bladeblessed estate rumble from incredible powers being used in the distance.
...
Levian noticed Diana staring off towards the east. It was as though she could somehow sense the battlefield from there.
"Levian..." she eventually spoke. "Have you ever wished that you were not born as a noble?"
Levian didn't hesitate in his answer. "Of course. More than seven times."
Diana chuckled at that slightly, noticing the reference to his failed awakening attempts. Then, her face lost its smile.
"Seriously though, sometimes I wish that I were a mere peasant living in the streets of one of the megacities. Or perhaps even a dwarf, who has known peace in their lands for centuries. Being born a human noble has put me too close to conflict... hearing my father speak of war daily hurts my heart."
Levian waited for the lady to finish speaking. Even his horse, which walked beside them, seemed to be touched by her words.
But in truth, Levian knew that things were not that simple.
"I understand your sentiment. However, we must remember that even those people have conflicts of their own to worry about."
Diana's ears perked up as he continued.
"The peasants are constantly at war with the rich. They struggle to make ends meet whilst having to watch their counterparts earn more money than they could ever spend in ten life times. At least as nobles, we are born with the power to make a difference."
Levian felt his words coming from a place deep in his heart. He had never expressed such feelings before, as he had never had the chance to.
Being the failure of the family had forced him to put his every thought towards training, and hoping that he would awaken.
Since leaving the academy for nobles, he had never experienced a genuine conversation.
"Conflict is inevitable, but we can at least choose what side of the battlefield we stand on." He finished.
"..."
Silence hung in the air for a few moments. Levian risked a glance to his side and found the beautiful Diana staring at him with wide eyes.
Then, his cheeks flushed.
He realised that his words made it sound as though they were currently standing on the wrong side of the war.
Have I given myself away?
He met the woman's gaze carefully, waiting for her words.
Then, she laughed into her sleeve. It sounded cute as she was.
"I wasn't aware that I was marrying a wise scholar." She joked playfully. "You should write a book."
Levian found himself smiling widely as the two continued down the path, staring off into the field and up into the clouds.
"Yes... Perhaps I should."
---
The two remained together until sundown, talking about anything.
Levian found that he could be himself around the woman, and he felt certain that Diana felt the same.
Their relationship had grown strong in only the two times they had officially met, and he found himself thinking about her even once he returned to his estate.
However, as he lay down in his bed, his mind turned towards more pressing matters.
Tomorrow... no matter what went down between him and his brother, it would be his last day in the Bladeblessed estate.
He thought about the difficulties that leaving would bring.
About the memories that would inevitably be left behind.
He contemplated the whole idea, wondering whether he should give his brother what he wanted, and continue to live life as his family expected him to.
...
But then, his mind would drift towards his identity.
The True Elf.
His mind would drift to Cassius. The Elf who could be suffering from torture at that very second.
...
His mind would drift to the words of the angel, mistaking him for a demigod.
...
Something isn't right... with this world, and with me as a person.
And if he wanted to uncover these secrets, he knew what he had to do.
So Levian allowed sleep to take him and waited for the following day.
---
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