Sowisgemm, a simple fishing village, is really far away from the kingdom.... so why are the Royal Mages coming to this low run of a town? All the villagers are watching the Royal Mages as they have a magic ball, which is used to test mana, so why are they here? Are they here to recruit people to that high-ranked royal school, but all these people are normal, just that fish and work, no fighters? Yet here they are, the Royal Mages setting up the tent to evaluate mana.
Mage: Alright, everyone, as ordered by the king, you all are in the test to find if any of you have mana so that we can nurture your magic!
The villagers look shocked by this news. Check their mana? The king ordered them? Why would he think we simple fishermen would have mana and the capabilities to be a mage...?
Mage: I said, line up!
The villagers of this town start lining up as Jiemoph, a child no older than 10, sees the Mages and runs to his house, as his father told him never to be caught by the mages of the Royal Capital. Jiemoph is hiding in his house, listening to everything outside.
Villager: Uh, sir, may I ask why the Royal Mages came here to our lowly town for a mana inspection?
The Villager asks shakily of the mage out front, not wanting to anger him, as the mage might just attack him depending on the mage's mood.
Mage: Look, I don't truly know why, but I heard that there is a chance that there is a dragon.
The villager seems confused. A dragon? Here? Then why have we never seen it? The villagers whisper to themselves all around. Jiemoph overhears this and remembers what his father said: if people found out about him, he must run away and run far. So Jiemoph starts packing all of his stuff off and sneaks out, hiding his mana as he runs away, running for hours, and then nightfall comes, he collapses, hiding by a tree to try and sleep, as an elf child finds Jiemoph, but... why? Will he be attacked and killed, or will he be saved? Jiemoph looks at the elf and passes out, accepting his fate.
A few hours passed, or was it minutes? It means nothing really, but Jiemoph starts to open his eyes, and he finds himself in a bed, in a tree house. Jiemoph jumps up.
Jiemoph: Where am I?!
Jiemoph asked himself, mostly not really expecting an answer, when a person walks in, an elven girl with long blond hair and blue eyes, it's quite obvious that she's Royalty.
Elven Girl: Ah, you're awake. How are you? I found you in the forest by our village. Are you okay?
She asks cheerfully as she makes her way over to the bed that Jiemoph was sitting on. Despite her kind acting, Jiemoph keeps his distance and stays quiet, staying completely on guard, showing years of distrust towards others.
Jiemoph: Who.... are you...?
Jiemoph asks hesitantly, as he doesn't want to make a connection, yet he is genuinely curious about this odd elven girl in front of him as he watches her with his eyes, never letting his guard down once. He has learned from his mistakes, so he won't make another one anytime soon.
Elven Girl: Ah, what a rude tone towards the one who saved you, but then again, I guess I also technically kidnapped you... Well, I'm Angie, I'm the princess of the elven kingdom of Gustiv.
The elven girl now known as Angie told Jiemoph, but even though she told him her kingdom's name, Jiemoph only heard the name his father told him; instead of the kingdom name that the princess said, he heard Gustiv. The draconic word for forest.
Jiemoph: Well, um, hello Angie... I'm Jiemoph... Um, Gustiv sounds interesting.... but may I ask why you brought me here, princess?
Jiemoph asked, trying to be formal, but even that seems to be failing him now as he's nervous that he'd be killed if she found out his secret. Even though the main human capital is looking for the dragon, he doesn't know if other kingdoms are as well, or which would even help him if they weren't.
Angie: Well,.... I saw you almost unconscious... and I couldn't bear to leave you there... to possibly die... so I decided to pick you up and carry you here to take care of you.
Angie told Jiemoph as she looked away with a slight blush on her cheeks, as she felt so stupid for doing this and giving in to his questions, she is royalty, and he's.... he's a random guy that was in the middle of the forest basically dead.
Jiemoph: ....Oh, I see.... thanks, I suppose...
Angie was surprised by Jiemoph's response Thanks, I suppose what the hell... no who the hell is this kid to talk to me like that! she thought furiously.
Jiemoph: mind if I ask another question....?
Jiemoph asked, snapping Angie out of her thoughts.
Angie: Um.... Sure....?
Angie answered hesitantly. She honestly didn't know what to expect from him with how guarded he is.
Jiemoph: Okay.... so are you all in the kingdom of Gustiv looking for a dragon that was potentially at a fishing village of Sowisgemm?
Jiemoph can't believe what he's asking, and he sees Angie's face darken with a smile.
Angie: What kind of stupid question is that? Of course, we are thinking about how much money and fame that will bring to our kingdom!
Angie said with a flash in her eyes, not knowing what the words she just said would affect Jiemoph, even if he can hide it. Jiemoph is angry that everyone is the same, killing dragons for money and fame, which is the exact reason his father died.
Jiemoph: I don't know why I asked such a stupid question. Don't mind me, I'll be sleeping now.
Jiemoph responds quickly, wanting Angie to leave.
Angie: Well, no need to be so rude about it.
Angie puffs and storms. Turning off the lights, leaving Jiemoph in the dark.