Emilia was an oddball.
For an Elf, a superior Race, she often liked my company for some reason.
I was nothing but a dense man who was buried in research and the study for Magic back then, so I didn't notice her true intentions on time.
Still, I never thought she was a nuisance. After all, she was the one who opened my eyes to so many things I know now.
We first met when the Heroes Party traveled through several continents to seek the Aid and Alliance of the other Races.
Back then, it was only me, Gawain Lenard, and Ford Zesshi who were members of the Party.
Sent as delegates from the Eastern Kingdom, we had to address the uncontrollable scourge of the Demons.
An Alliance was the only option.
The Elf Kingdom was our first option, and so we ventured there.
Thanks to our stubbornness—especially Gawain's determination, my wits, and Ford's power, we were able to finally gain an audience with the Queen.
During the meeting with the Royals, my head was faced down the whole time.
As an Inept who couldn't sense or use Mana in the slightest, I had already gotten used to my life.
I also had the opportunity of being among many Mages and powerful individuals. My achievements had even earned me a place in the Hero Party.
However, it was the first time in my life that I was encountering such overwhelming pressure.
The Royals were all gathered in the Throne Room, and their presence was enough to diminish my existence.
I truly felt small throughout the meeting.
Perhaps that was why I was able to address them with the appropriate respect that allowed them to hear us out.
Of course, the decision wasn't made in an instant, so we had to stay as guests for some time.
Lingering while awaiting the decision of the Elves, my friends passed time doing many things.
Gawain trained, as usual. His outdoor exercises gathered quite the attention since Elves didn't practice Martial Arts at all.
Ford Zesshi spent his time isolated, meditating and advancing his Mana Core.
He was about to break through to Gold Stage at the time.
For a man who hadn't even approached thirty yet, his talents in Magic were considered extraordinary back then.
As for me, the Sage, Lewis Griffith, I did the only thing I could in such a strange land filled with new concepts of Magic.
"Please show me your Magic!"
"J-just a little... I'll do anything!"
"Please, come on. Help your fellow living being here!"
I shamelessly begged every Elf I could to guide me on the path of their Magic.
A different culture meant unknown approaches to Magic, and new things to learn. I wouldn't have been able to warn my title of Sage if I simply held onto my pride and wasn't willing to utilize such an opportunity.
From dusk till dawn, I observed the Elves. I also directly begged many to show me, teach me, or even attack me, with their Magic.
I was that desperate.
Unfortunately, thanks to their view on humans, many weren't exactly cooperative with me.
Those who at least gave some consideration—since I was the Queen's guest—simply ignored my pleas.
As a result, I was stuck as a spectator, only allowed to watch the Elves live their daily lives.
I learned a few things, but I knew I was missing out on a lot more.
"Ahh, this sucks..." I could only wallow in my misery.
However, everything changed one fateful day... when I met her!
"You're a weird one."
Yeah. That was the first thing she ever said to me.
"Well, I get that a lot..." I had murmured, not even realizing who I was speaking with.
It took me a moment, 2.76 seconds to be exact, to realize that I was in the land of Elves. And since only Elves were around, it meant the one who was speaking was also an Elf.
And, this Elf in question approached me first. That meant this could have actually been my chance.
In a flash, I swiftly turned in the direction of the being, bowed in her presence, and pleaded with all my might.
"P-please show me your Magic!!!"
It was the very height of shamelessness, I knew. But, to get what I wanted, I would do whatever it took.
That was the kind of guy I was.
"Hahahaha. You're so funny."
She laughed at me, instead of returning.y pleas with scorn. That alone showed me she was different.
'Maybe... I should increase my appeal a bit!'
And so, I prepared my puppy dog eyes and raised my face to beg even more.
'... Eh...?'
The first thing that caught my eye was her violet eyes.
Then, her charming smile drew me in.
Her clear face and flawless skin blew my mind away.
She was the epitome of perfection. Her beauty was otherworldly.
Such a perfectly lovely Elf couldn't approach me first! My mind refused to believe it.
Just as my brain was getting fried just from looking at her, I noticed something—her hair.
'White...? That means...?!!!'
So far, I had only seen the hair color on a particular kind of Elves.
—Royalty!
"Hahaha. You look so weird right now." The otherworldly beauty laughed as she stared at me.
My body stiffened and I instantly turned into a dried fish.
I had acted so shamelessly to a Royal. Many worried thoughts rang through my mind.
'Am I screwed? She could vaporize me in an instant. No, what of the plan, the Alliance? Will my actions cause everything to go up in smoke? Ah, I'm gawking too much! This is such a mess! Spare me, pretty Royal Elf Lady! Please...!?!'
As I still kept staring like an idiot, the white-haired Elf drew closer to me until her face was barely an inch apart from mine.
Her smile seemed all the more dangerous at this point. Merely the sweet flora scent coming from her was enough to overpower my will to resist.
"Sure... I'll show you—Magic, that is."
Her reply was unexpected.
No kind of mental analysis or planning ahead could have led to this sort of development. It was so bizarre, yet... I didn't find it unpleasant in any way.
I knew I was supposed to apologize for my actions that very instant.
She was a Royal Elf. If she so much as lodged a complaint, our mission would be thwarted. I couldn't afford to be rude or imposing on such an important person!
However... I didn't know what sort of madness caused me to respond the way I did.
Rather than apologizing and running as far as my legs could carry me...
"R-really... you will?"
... I furthered our conversation.
"Sure. Why not?"
In retrospect, I had to give my past self kudos for that dumb reply—
"By the way, my name is Emilia. Emilia Vindiel. May the spirits bless our meeting."
"A-ah, my name is Lewis Griffith."
"Yeah... I heard your introduction a while back."
"O-Oh... I see. Haha..."
—After all, that was what set the ball rolling... on a new and exciting adventure that I couldn't have dreamed of.
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[A/N]
This begins the Mini Arc: Sage's Past [Pt 1]
I certainly hope you enjoy it.
