Anna had a dream.
Of course, under the influence of Witch Kaguya's magic, Anna's consciousness had already fallen into a deep sleep. She had no idea she was dreaming.
Fragments of memories reconvened.
Under the influence of various forces, they pieced together into segments of memories that were both real and false.
...
The forest before her eyes was lush and verdant.
It seemed like she had returned to her beloved Emerald Forest.
But why did it just "seem" like it?
"Anna!"
A crisp shout echoed in her ears.
Interrupting Anna's train of thought.
Anna followed the sound and turned her head.
At the end of the forest path, there was a beautiful figure.
It was her sister, Anya.
She had golden hair that reached down to her ankles.
Dressed in emerald green elven armor that exposed her long legs and arms, her skin was as white as jade. The entire elf exuded an elegant and graceful aura.
Anya was a wood elf.
She was not Anna's biological sister.
She wasn't even a pure elf.
She was a half-elf.
Born to a human and a renegade wood elf, she was rejected by all wood elves.
Even in human kingdoms.
Unless it was in the Winter Kingdom.
Otherwise, her ultimate fate would be nothing more than becoming a slave or a plaything for nobles.
Anna had found Anya in the outskirts of the Emerald Forest when she was seven years old.
At that time, Anya was already dying, covered in wounds, clearly having suffered unknown abuse and bullying before her escape.
Unlike the unfortunate Anya.
Anna was actually a well-liked half-elf.
Because of her naturally adorable appearance.
And she also had snow-white fox tails and fox ears similar to the Time Goddess.
The elven elders believed she had a high potential to awaken as a high elf.
In fact, every awakened high elf was extremely beautiful, so the elven elders would take exceptionally good care of half-elves with sweet appearances.
Ordinary half-elves only had three chances for enlightenment.
But for naturally beautiful half-elves like Anna, they had ten chances.
It was for this reason that Anna received focused nurturing, with a large amount of resources being poured into her development. Her treatment was basically comparable to that of a wood elf princess.
This was also why Anna dared to take in Anya despite the pressure.
"Anna, sister has been looking for you for a long time. Why did you come here?"
Anya walked up to her, her delicate face full of concern and worry, looking just like a gentle big sister from next door.
"I... this place... I don't know."
Anna shook her head in confusion.
Her memories seemed a bit chaotic.
Both real and illusory.
In the distant forest, a thin mist spread, and in the faint morning light, a huge nest-shaped building was faintly visible.
Such a familiar feeling.
Warm and profound, like a sanctuary for the soul.
But, this was the Emerald Forest.
How could such a building appear here?
She stared at it blankly, her eyes dazed.
"Alright, Anna~"
"Even during the day, don't wander around the outskirts of the forest~"
"What if you encounter a ferocious magical beast?"
Anya bent down and gently tapped Anna's delicate nose, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.
"Let's go, let's go home."
"Today we're having rose petal cakes~ And your favorite dawn fruit juice."
Anya took Anna's hand.
Without giving her a choice, she gently pulled her away.
"Oh..."
Anna nodded in a daze, turned her head, and glanced at the nest-shaped building one more time.
For some reason, her heart felt empty.
...
"Today is your tenth awakening enlightenment."
"If you fail again, you will lose your eligibility to continue studying at the academy."
"And we will expel you and your relatives from the core area of the Emerald Forest."
The elven elder before her had a stern gaze.
Anna lowered her head, holding back the tears in her eyes.
She wrung her small hands together.
Not knowing what to do.
"Yes, yes..."
"Anna understands, Anna will definitely work harder to achieve enlightenment."
"Hmph, go then."
The elven elder looked at Anna with disgust and impatiently waved his hand.
Nine awakenings, nine failures.
Wasting so many of the Wild Breath relics left by Emperor Shivi.
She hadn't even come close to success.
It was this worthless creature before him who had even taken in a half-elf.
Simply a disgrace to elves.
How unlucky!
...
Even after leaving the room.
Anna could still hear the complaints of the elven elder inside.
"Useless," "invested so many resources," "waste," these words of contempt and reproach were like sharp blades piercing her heart.
Why couldn't she awaken?
Why... was she useless?
She wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes.
Took a deep breath.
And silently left with her tired body.
...
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