Outside the class, the students were still in awe. The fresh wind, the endless blue sky, and the vast green grassland welcomed them. It was their first time training outdoors. Some admired the scenery, while others eagerly prepared for battle.
But in the corner of the field, Celestienne was still asleep. Her breath was steady, her face serene, as if she wasn't connected to the world around her.
"Princess Celestienne is still asleep. Should we wake her, Teacher?" one student whispered.
"No need. Leave her. She is our trump card. For now, all of you, focus on training!" the instructor commanded firmly.
Yet in her sleep, Celestienne wasn't dreaming. Instead, she felt something strange—her body being pulled far away, drifting into an unfamiliar space. When she opened her eyes, pain surged through her legs.
"Hhkh… what is this? Why is it so hot under my feet?"
She looked down, shocked to find herself standing on black stone glowing red, surrounded by streams of blazing lava. The air was so hot that every breath burned her lungs.
"This… a volcano? But why is it so massive… as if it pierces the sky?!"
She lifted her head. The peak was nowhere to be seen, hidden under thick smoke and fiery glow. She shook her head, unable to believe what she was seeing.
"This world of mine… has gone beyond reason. Tsk, tsk…"
She stepped back, but her back hit something hard. Turning around, her eyes widened in shock. A colossal tree stood there, so vast that its roots pierced through space, its trunk endless, its branches seeming to touch the stars.
"A tree? Why is there a tree this enormous… in the middle of the universe?" she muttered, her eyes wide. Then, inexplicably, she chuckled. "Hah… this feels like a novel I once read. The World Tree… the origin of all life. Hahaha…"
But her laughter faded as she halted. Before her stood three gigantic mirrors, upright and glowing faintly, standing in stark contrast amidst the burning volcano.
"Mirrors? Here? What in the world…" Celestienne frowned, approaching. "Well, if they're mirrors, at least I can admire my own beauty. Even if… my soul is still that of a man. Hahaha…"
She took a step, but each one felt heavy. A mysterious aura pressed upon her, locking her muscles stiff.
"This aura… so powerful. My legs… won't move."
Gritting her teeth, she cloaked herself with just a sliver of her strength—merely 0.01%. At once, the aura was dispelled, her body lightened, and she advanced.
Yet as she neared the first mirror, an image appeared. Celestienne froze, her eyes widening.
"What… why isn't that my reflection?"
Inside the glass, she saw a man lounging in an office break room. His hands busy with his phone, his eyes glued to the screen, completely unaware of being watched.
"Who is he? Why do I feel… déjà vu looking at him?"
She turned to the second mirror. Again, it wasn't her reflection. This time, it showed another person standing at a crosswalk, gazing at the sky, while people around him hurried by without noticing.
"Another stranger… What are these mirrors supposed to be?"
Her eyes shifted to the third. Unlike the others, this one didn't show a person—it revealed a vision of the future. A mysterious light swirled, forming a hazy image: someone standing in the middle of the cosmos, holding a magnificent cloth that rippled as though embracing the stars.
"The future? So… this mirror can foretell the fate of the universe?" Celestienne stepped closer, her fingers brushing the surface. "Who is that person? Why does that cloth feel… so important?"
But before she could see more, the vision vanished. Darkness swallowed the mirror.
"Oi! Mirror! Show me again! I want to see that face!" Celestienne roared, slamming her hand against the glass.
Suddenly, all three mirrors trembled violently, then disappeared at once. A furious wind erupted, and beneath her feet a black vortex opened, dragging her in.
"N-no… don't pull me into this void!"
Her scream echoed before everything turned pitch black.
She jolted awake. Her body drenched in sweat, her breaths ragged. Yet the real world had returned. Students were running after monsters, teachers shouted instructions, and Selene was screaming her name.
"Was… was that only a dream? But… why did it feel so real?" Celestienne clutched the soil, her hands still trembling.
---
The Whisper & The Decision to Enter the Elf Forest
Celestienne slowly stood, dusting off her clothes. She turned, watching her classmates chase monsters spilling from the training gate. But her mind remained trapped in those visions of the strange mirrors.
"Hey, Selene!" she called out, walking toward her. "Why are we outside the classroom?"
Selene turned quickly, relief washing over her face.
"Oh, so you're awake. You didn't hear, huh? The teacher said it—our class was moved outdoors to fight Class 3-A. It's part of the exam."
Celestienne yawned, her face weary.
"I see… I dozed off. Too sleepy."
Selene chuckled.
"No wonder."
But Celestienne's thoughts wandered again. The mirrors… the strangers within… the vanishing vision of the cosmos.
"I must find out… who those people were. And… what the meaning of that cloth was."
Then, without warning, the whisper returned. A voice, faint yet clear, directly into her ears.
"Celestienne Aurelith… come to the Elf Forest. There, your answers shall be revealed."
Her eyes widened. She looked around, but no one was speaking. Only she could hear it.
"That whisper again. But… this feels like a sign. The Elf Forest… that's where the truth lies."
She lowered her gaze, a crooked smile forming.
"Finally… I'll uncover it."
To the other students, however, she looked as though she was talking to herself. Murmurs spread, calling her strange.
Celestienne turned away, walking with renewed resolve. Inside, she sought reassurance.
"System, are you still there?"
"Yes, Master."
Relief filled her.
"Good. I thought you had vanished again, like in the Forest of Death."
But the System's voice wavered strangely. If it had cheeks, they would've been blushing.
"W-why are you blushing, System? You're not even alive. You're just… the world's system."
"That is correct, Master…" the System answered, voice trembling.
Celestienne ignored the oddity. What mattered was the whisper. Yet suddenly, the sky cracked. A black fissure tore open, exuding an aura so dreadful that Celestienne froze.
"T-this aura… it's too strong. Could it be… me, from the parallel world?"
Her hands shook. If true, their clash could destroy the world itself. But as she sharpened her senses, she realized something.
"No… this isn't from the parallel world. This rift… comes from somewhere else."
The aura slowly subsided, but the dread lingered. Celestienne clenched her fists.
"Thank goodness. But… who was about to step out of that rift?"
She shook her head, dismissing the thought.
"No matter. My focus remains on the Elf Forest."
Quickly, she returned to her classmates, waving at Selene with a rare, genuine smile.
"Hey, Selene! Do you have free time tomorrow?"
Selene blinked, suspicious of her sudden cheer.
"Tomorrow? Yes, we're on a month-long break. Why?"
Celestienne's eyes sparkled.
"Come with me to the Elf Forest. I need to find something there. The journey would be boring alone. But with you all, it might be fun."
Though hesitant, Selene saw the seriousness and warmth in her friend's eyes and nodded.
"All right… if that's what you want, I'll come."
One by one, the others agreed too, astonished to see Celestienne—usually cold—so spirited.
"Great! Then tomorrow, we'll gather at Mercatoria's outer gate."
"Okay, Celestienne. See you tomorrow!"
She dashed back to her chamber, smiling all the way. For the first time, the thought of traveling to the Elf Forest didn't feel lonely—because she wouldn't go alone.
---
Journey to the Elf Forest
The next morning, sunlight pierced Mercatoria's walls. The morning breeze carried the scent of dew and earth.
At the city's outer gate, Celestienne was already waiting. Her hair flowed with the wind, her eyes bright with rare enthusiasm. She looked up at the blue sky, hopeful.
Soon, Selene arrived, surprised by her friend's radiant smile.
"Hah… so when Celestienne trusts someone, she really changes like this," Selene thought quietly.
"Good morning, Selene!" Celestienne waved warmly.
"Morning. You're really full of energy, huh?"
"Of course. Today marks the start of an important journey."
Soon Velissandra and Seraphina arrived, carrying light gear.
"All right, everyone's here," Celestienne said, scanning each face. "Then let's head for the Elf Forest."
The city gates groaned open. Beyond lay a dirt path stretching toward distant woods. Birds fluttered, trees swayed in the wind.
Step by step, they left Mercatoria behind, beginning a journey that could lead to truth—or calamity.
As they walked, Selene glanced at Celestienne.
"Hey, Celestienne. What made you suddenly want to go to the Elf Forest?"
Celestienne fell silent, her face serious, different from her earlier cheer.
"There's an answer I must find. Something I've searched for a long time."
"An answer about what?" Selene pressed, curiosity sharp.
Celestienne only smiled faintly.
"You'll see. For now, just think of this as… a journey that will change everything."
They crossed meadows, rivers, and wooden bridges swaying lightly underfoot. Insects and forest sounds accompanied their march.
Inside, Celestienne still heard the echo of that whisper.
"Come to the Elf Forest… there, your answers await."
Her fist tightened.
"Yes… I will uncover it. This time, nothing will stop me."
And so, their small band walked toward a new mystery—a journey that would test trust, friendship, and destiny itself.
---
Epilogue
Their steps carried them deeper into a forest that seemed to swallow the light. The farther they went, the more the world shifted—the wind carried alien notes, birds fell silent, and the shadows of trees moved as if hiding something.
But Celestienne's eyes never wavered. Her resolve was unshakable.
Meanwhile, far away—in a place beyond space and time, amidst swirling black mist and fractured light like shattered glass—stood a lone figure. His form was hazy, like a shadow that could never be fully seen.
He gazed in the same direction, as if knowing where Celestienne walked.
A heavy, steady voice left his lips.
"I will go there."
The mist trembled, then everything sank back into silent chaos.
---
Chapter 11 Completed.