Elf Veil
Elves with flowing blonde hair and breathtaking green pupils gathered around the World Tree, excitement and tension filling the air as the new generation waited patiently on the podium floating above the forest floor.
All around them, the clones of the World Tree danced, searching for suitable elves to bond with.
Every minute or two, one elf would be chosen by the clones and step down with a glorious smile.
Unlike humans, who could bond with a wide variety of spirits, elves were always fixed. They only bonded with the clones of the World Tree.
That was how they maintained their purity and magical affinity.
In the land of the elves, purity was everything. Every elf was taught to respect the World Tree, to live in harmony, and to nurture their innate healing and magical abilities.
"How boring," Summer yawned, ignoring the sharp gazes directed at her for that comment. Her platinum hair was a stark contrast in the sea of blonde, and her pupils glimmered with a split hue of brilliant purple wherever she looked.
It had been three hours since she had been standing on the podium, and not a single clone had come her way.
Yet she was not allowed to leave.
For most, this day would be the turning point of their lives. For Summer, her life had already changed when she was ten.
That was when she bonded with Bloody and became truly bound.
'Can't you act a bit interested?' Bloody asked in her mind.
Summer shrugged. 'Why should I? More interesting things await beyond this forest.'
Bloody was her own blood. She had no idea when it had gained consciousness, but it had always been there. It started to speak only after she turned ten, when the bond was formed.
'Bloody, if I jump off this podium, how many attributes will I gain?'
'Let me calculate. The height is fifty meters. You weigh fifty kilograms. Yes, you gained five more kilograms recently. Now you are a little fatty.'
'No one asked for the last comment.'
'The impact will be about 1597 kilograms-force. Your defense is 100. So the damage your body will take is 1497 kilograms-force. Converting that to attributes, you will gain fifteen if we round.'
'Not bad.'
'But… do you want to do that now? You are already well known. I am sure your father will make you even more well known after this.'
Her father was the Elf King himself. Unlike his other daughters, Summer was different. If not for her long, pointed ears, he might not even have considered her a proper elf, let alone his daughter.
'I share his opinion,' Bloody teased. 'Tell me, which elf likes to eat meat, peek at others mating, or try to burn the World Tree to make it drop the fruit of life? Where is your elf elegance? Tradition?'
Summer was different.
She never cared much for elegance or tradition. While other elves spent their days meditating or tending gardens, Summer could be found climbing cliffs, racing through forests, or challenging monsters far beyond her strength.
She loved the thrill of a fight and the feeling of danger brushing past her skin.
Perhaps that was why every spirit clone of the World Tree had rejected her. One by one, they approached, their translucent forms glowing softly.
They touched her forehead, tested her aura, and searched for a connection.
Every time, they shook their heads in disappointment.
"We do not desire to bond with you," they all said.
'Meh. Who needs them when you have me?'
'It seems the bonding will last the night. I cannot wait,' Summer said before looking at the edge of the podium.
'Okay. But give them a reason for your actions, or you will be punished again.'
'Sure.' She rolled her eyes as she cried aloud running towards the edge of the podium.
The elves waiting below the podium watched wide-eyed as the platinum-haired elf ran to the edge and leapt into the air.
Bang.
On the throne behind the crowd, the Elf King slowly closed his eyes.
"Finally, that useless piece of—"
"Majesty! The third princess is alive. Just as miraculous as always," a guard interrupted.
"…"
"What about we act as we don't see her fall?"
"But king. Third princess already walk away."
"..."
Summer hummed a tune, walking away from the crowd whom instictively gave way to her. She happily summoned her status screen, counting the new gains with a grin.
[Summer]
Spirit: Bloody
Evolution: Dormant 1* (340/1000)
Skills: Attribute Steal
Spirit: 500
HP: 1000
STR: 50, DEF: 100, INT: 50, AGI: 50, VIT: 100
Unused Attributes: 15
Two days later.
The elf kingdom was buzzing with unusual tension. The palace halls shimmered with polished marble, and servants scurried about, delivering messages and arranging the court for the announcement.
Summer wandered through the corridors with a grin, her boots echoing lightly against the floor.
She had heard the whispers. The Elf King was making an important decision regarding her future.
When she arrived at the throne room, the grand doors swung open, and the court fell silent.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, lighting the polished stone floors. King Eldarion sat upon his throne, his silver hair glinting in the morning light.
His face looked older than yesterday.
'The makeup looks so real. If I didn't know he was an elf, I'd think he aged overnight because of tension,' Bloody commented sarcastically.
"Daughter."
Goosebumps rose all over her body. Summer almost turned around and ran.
"…the council has decided that for the sake of peace with the northern demons, you will become the fiancée of the Demon Lord of the North.
But don't worry, I will never allow tha—"
"I am ready."
"Even if you reje—what?" Her father almost laughed before returning to his sad act.
'What?' Bloody asked in her mind.
'It is the only way to escape. Staying here, I can't earn attributes anymore. There's nothing left for me to train on. Also, people will start doubting me soon.'
'So you think it's a good idea to marry a demon?'
'Of course not. It's easier to run away when they take me to demon realm. Bloody, you aren't as smart as me because you have no brain.'
'…We share the same brain, you know.'
'You are no fun.'
'But. How can you escape?'
'Simple. I don't.'
'What?'
'I was saying, it is easier to run away from here when they take me to demon realm. Who will miss that chance. I heard demon realm is a cruel and merciless place. I can't wait to become the little devil of demons.'
'So you really want to marry a demon?'
'Why not? It's just marriage.'
'..'