...
{Ember Pov}
I dashed swiftly through the dense bushes, holding my bow firmly in one arm while nocking the arrow quickly with my other hand.
I focused on the moving target ahead of me, a deer darting through the forest, and carefully aimed before releasing the bowstring.
The arrow whizzed through the air with a sharp swoosh sound and struck the deer squarely in the head.
The animal let out a painful, sharp howl before collapsing to the ground, motionless.
I exhaled deeply, my chest swelling with joy and satisfaction at the success of my very first hunt.
"That was amazing!!" Riveria exclaimed, wrapping her arms around me from behind and patting my head repeatedly.
"I can't believe it! That was your first time hunting, and you did it so perfectly!"
Her voice was full of genuine joy and admiration.
I smiled, feeling a mixture of pride and happiness, and replied, "Indeed, sister! It went even better than what I had expected."
She beamed at me, pride shining in her eyes, and said, "Hmm, well of course you performed excellently—you're my little brother after all!"
"Indeed, that was absolutely spectacular!" Noel said, his tone full of admiration.
"His Highness not only managed to hit a fast-moving target like a deer on his very first attempt, but he did it while maneuvering expertly through the bushes, and pierced the deer's head with perfect precision!"
A few other Elves who had accompanied us began clapping and praising my performance as well.
I chuckled softly, a bit embarrassed by all the attention, but underneath that I felt an undeniable sense of pride in my skills.
Being an Elf certainly gave me a natural advantage when it came to archery—superior eyesight, agility, and dexterity—but ultimately it was my own hard work, my countless hours of training and discipline, that allowed me to execute the kill with such precision.
Thinking back to my previous life, it would have been impossible for me to imagine doing something so physically demanding.
Back then, yes, I might have been able to solve complex problems in a short amount of time, but performing a perfectly timed, athletic feat like this?
That would have been a pure fantasy.
However, this successful first hunt was only the beginning.
Previously, Elven soldiers had set targets for me, but now I applied everything I had learned to seek out my own prey.
Over the course of the hunt, I managed to kill twelve animals—mostly deer, but also some large, formidable boars and other agile creatures.
Remarkably, I used only fourteen arrows in total: one arrow completely missed, and one barely grazed its target, yet the rest were precise and effective.
This experience provided invaluable lessons in tracking, aiming, and hunting under pressure, and those around me could clearly see the results.
"Thirteen!" Riveria suddenly shouted from behind, her voice bursting with excitement as she grabbed my shoulder enthusiastically.
"You successfully hunted thirteen animals on your first real hunt using only fifteen arrows! That's it! My brother is an archery genius!!!"
I laughed awkwardly at her exuberance, but before I could respond further, she subjected me to a flurry of kisses on my face, her excitement spilling over uncontrollably.
'Sister!! Everyone is watching! What are you doing?!! It's so embarrassing—or at least what I would like to say,' I thought deadpan as I wiped my cheek using a handkerchief, still feeling the lingering warmth of her flurry of kisses.
Riveria, pouting adorably behind me, exclaimed, "Ember! Your actions hurt your poor older sister!"
I mentally groaned, thinking, 'And your actions made me embarrassed as well—I can already imagine some rumors starting to circulate from the royal palace.'
I glanced at the other Elves standing nearby.
Many of them looked away, their faces slightly flushed as if pretending not to have seen anything, and I clicked my tongue in mild annoyance.
These guys… I muttered silently, shaking my head at their behavior.
"Well, Your Highness, you have hunted enough animals for the banquet," Noel said respectfully, bowing slightly in front of me.
I nodded, acknowledging his words, while Riveria added her own commentary, agreeing with Noel.
"Well, Ember, you did manage to hunt some rather large and formidable animals today, ones that are usually difficult to hunt even for skilled archers," she said proudly, her eyes glinting with admiration.
As Elves, we deeply value nature and living beings.
We consume meat, of course, but we always make it a point to kill animals only when necessary—either to protect ourselves, to obtain sustenance, or to prevent the creature from causing harm.
Elves generally avoid unnecessary killing, respecting the balance of life.
However, as a Prince of the Alf Family, I held the authority to continue hunting if I wished, with only my elder sister having the power to prevent me from doing so.
"No, it's unnecessary for today. Although, Instructor Noel, I would like to observe the monster hunt," I replied calmly.
I had already tested my archery enough for the day and deemed it sufficient.
I hadn't yet tested my swordsmanship skills in actual hunting scenarios, but I regularly sparred with the soldiers, which had honed my sword abilities to a considerable extent.
Therefore, I could postpone that portion of my training for another day.
"Ember, I think it's still too early for you to join a monster hunt—monsters are incredibly dangerous," Riveria said nervously, worry evident in her eyes as she stared at me.
"Even a weak one could require a group of skilled archers and soldiers to defeat."
I smiled reassuringly at her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder and replying, "Sister, I know you love me, and I appreciate your concern. But I refuse to remain weak. I understand the responsibilities my position entails, and I also know that there are Elves who begin fighting monsters as early as ten years old. So how can I cower, especially when I'm under the protection of an elite squad?"
She hesitated, her ears turning slightly red at the edges, and said softly, "But Ember, it is still extremely dangerous."
Seeing her uncertainty, I hugged her tightly, surprising her, and looked her in the eyes.
"Sister, I also want to see you in action! Please, let me come with you! Pleassseeee?" I pleaded, my voice filled with genuine determination.
My shota power had weakened slightly with age, but in its place, I had gained an equal amount of Handsome Boy power, which ensured that my attacks remained deadly and precise.
Finally, after a few moments of silent contemplation, Riveria nodded reluctantly, giving me permission.
"Fine," she said, her expression a mixture of concern and pride.
I couldn't help but smile and start jumping with happiness at her approval.
Noel looked at us, amusement flickering across his face, while the other Elves displayed strange, difficult-to-read expressions.
Their reactions were peculiar, but I chose to ignore them; sometimes even I found it difficult to understand what was going on in the minds of fanatics.
Under Riveria's guidance and Noel's protection, I was escorted to a fortress nearby.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the Commander of the Fortress.
As soon as he and his accompanying soldiers saw Riveria and me, they immediately knelt, while the rest of the soldiers saluted respectfully.
"I greet His Highness and Her Highness," the Commander said formally, his tone full of respect and loyalty.
Riveria nodded in acknowledgment of the greeting, and I did the same.
Noel stepped forward and addressed the Commander.
"Sir Juriuf, Her Highness is here to join the monster hunt as a Magician, while His Highness is here to observe the bravery and skills of Elven soldiers, archers, and mages!"
The Commander, whom Noel called Juriuf, nodded seriously.
"I see… Her Highness comes here frequently, so that does not surprise me. However, for His Highness to come… that is unexpected for all of us. His Highness, I promise on my Elven honor, I will protect you throughout the hunt!" he declared, bowing deeply in respect.
I straightened my posture and replied calmly, "Head high, Sir Juriuf. I would like to express my gratitude for your willingness to become my protector, despite my impromptu arrival."
He stood upright, his expression solemn.
"Surely you jest, Your Highness. As an Elven soldier, it is our duty to protect the Alf Family and the people. Not to mention, your life holds far greater significance than ours. We shall do everything in our power to protect it with our very lives."
I narrowed my eyes slightly, sighing inwardly as I considered his words.
Yes, now I understood why Riveria often resented the attitude of the Elves.
In their eyes, the Royal Family was chosen to lead the race, and our lives mattered more than the lives of ordinary Elves—sometimes even more than their own families.
'But I would prefer this unwavering devotion over followers who could betray at any moment,' I thought.
I wasn't Riveria, and I appreciated their loyalty—even if it stemmed from a hierarchy, selfish as it may seem.
After some brief small talk, we finally departed, escorted under the safety of elite Elven warriors.
As we traveled, I decided to make light conversation to pass the time.
"Sir Juriuf, if I am not mistaken, fortresses like this are built all around Alf's forest, correct?" I asked, curious about the structure and defense of my homeland.
"Indeed, Your Highness," Sir Juriuf began, his voice steady and authoritative, "around three hundred seventy-nine fortresses are strategically stationed to surround the entirety of Alf's forest, each manned with countless Elven soldiers whose duty is to protect the people from monsters and other threats. They are not arranged in a perfect circle, however; rather, they follow a zig-zag pattern that fully encompasses the Royal Forest. Additionally, there are seven great fortresses situated along the outermost perimeter of Alf's Royal Forest." He paused briefly, giving me a moment to process his words and ponder the enormity of the defense system in place.
I nodded slightly, mentally cross-referencing what he had said with the records I had already read in my book.
Once I gave him a subtle signal that I understood, he continued, his explanation becoming even more detailed.
"The Outermost Great Fortresses are each positioned near an Elven city and are staffed with a combination of high-level, retired Elf adventurers and highly trained active soldiers. In addition, they are fortified with countless Elf mages who serve as the first line of defense for Alf's Royal Forest. Their role is to eliminate the stronger monsters that typically approach the forest from the outer regions. Of course, some lower-level monsters manage to slip through these outer defenses, but the inner fortresses, like the one you are currently in, take responsibility for handling these threats efficiently."
I listened attentively, absorbing every detail.
The sheer scale of the system and the level of organization was impressive, but I was not entirely satisfied.
I wanted to ensure I fully understood the versatility of their defense.
"Sir Juriuf," I asked, curiosity sharpening my tone, "I assume this defensive network also functions effectively against potential invaders or hostile armies?"
Even though I was fairly certain of the answer, asking the question would allow me to broaden my understanding of Alf's military and strategic capabilities.
Juriuf nodded confidently, a slight smile crossing his features.
"Indeed, Your Highness, the fortresses serve as a deterrent and as a robust defense against invading forces. The vast majority of neighboring countries do not dare to launch an attack on our lands because the risk is far too great."
I allowed myself a small nod of approval, considering the logic behind his words.
Truly, who would be foolish enough to attack a nation defended by elite magicians and exceptionally skilled archers?
Even though the magic wielded by regular Elves is generally weaker than that of adventurers due to lacking the blessing of Falna, coordinated groups of well-trained mages could still unleash attacks comparable to Level 3 or even Level 4 adventurers, provided they had enough time to complete the lengthy and intricate incantations.
Meanwhile, the soldiers and archers stationed around them could easily buy the time necessary for these spellcasters to perform their magic.
Most importantly, I considered the unity of our people.
The White Elves, at least, are a very cohesive race, and they hold deep respect for the Alf Royal Family.
Should we face any genuine danger, all White Elves would rally to our aid, effectively overwhelming any intruder.
Even in the case that high-level Elves from Orario arrived here, any invading nation would be, for all practical purposes, doomed before their forces even set foot on our territory.
I leaned back slightly, my mind already racing with strategies and possibilities.
The level of preparedness and loyalty among the Elves was truly extraordinary, and it reaffirmed the understanding I had gained from my studies: Alf's forest was not only beautiful and vast but also a fortress in its own right, defended by some of the most capable and devoted warriors I could imagine.
I once again felt the undeniable pride and immense privilege of being a Royal Elf, a member of the illustrious Alf family.
The sense of superiority, security, and respect that came with my heritage was palpable, and I quietly savored it as we made our way through the dense forest toward our destination.
Soon, Juriuf announced with authority, "We have arrived. Soldiers, take your positions!"
Immediately, every soldier moved efficiently, assuming their assigned locations with precision and discipline.
Turning to me, Riveria said confidently, "Sir Juriuf, I will begin with my chant now. Ember, please stand away and observe from a safe distance."
I nodded obediently, and the soldiers acknowledged her command as I was guided to a spot a few meters away, where I could watch safely but still remain close enough to see everything clearly.
"Efish Vir Meru Hshhimi…" Riveria began chanting in the Alfen language.
Though no visible Magic Circles formed around her, I could sense the very air around her shifting, bending subtly as if responding to her words.
She raised her staff, pointing it firmly at the open forest in front of us.
Soon, a wounded monster staggered toward us, its body pierced by several arrows that Noel and the soldiers had previously fired.
Riveria finished her incantation with a flourish, and immediately released a torrent of magical energy from the tip of her staff.
A massive beam of fire erupted, shooting straight toward the approaching monster.
The force of the magic obliterated it instantly, reducing it to nothing but ashes and scattering debris.
As the monster disappeared, a sizeable Magic Stone, glowing a deep purple, fell to the ground where the creature had stood.
I instinctively bent down to examine it, impressed by its size and the energy radiating from it.
"That was amazing as always, Your Highness," Juriuf praised sincerely, his tone filled with admiration.
Noel nodded in agreement beside him.
Riveria, however, gave them nothing more than a slight nod before turning to me with a smirk, her eyes sparkling with mischief and pride.
"How was it, Ember? Your big sister is amazing, right?" she teased.
I couldn't help but chuckle at her playful attitude, replying with genuine admiration, "Indeed, that was incredible! You annihilated that monster with a single strike!"
Riveria giggled, clearly enjoying my praise, and pride radiated from her face like sunlight breaking through the trees.
"Your Highness, that wasn't just any ordinary monster," Noel interjected from behind me, his voice calm yet informative.
"It was a Level 2 monster."
"Level 2?" I asked, my voice laced with surprise and a hint of awe.
"Indeed, Your Highness," Noel continued.
"Her Highness's Magic is exceptional. There are thirty-six congenital Magics in existence, of which White Elves can naturally wield twelve. Your sister has already mastered the most powerful of these spells. Based on her current trajectory, in just over two decades, her magical prowess could easily rival that of a Level 3 magician."
Noel's words made me pause and look at Riveria differently.
While she was still basking in the glow of the praise, clearly on cloud nine, I couldn't help but marvel at her skill.
'Indeed,' I thought silently, 'Riveria is not labeled Orario's strongest Magician for nothing.'
Since congenital Magic requires a lengthy, complex chant, has a higher risk of misfire, and is generally weaker than magic empowered by Falna, achieving Level 2 or 3 power without Falna was nothing short of remarkable.
Reading about it in books was one thing, but witnessing it in real life was mind-blowing.
It all made perfect sense now.
If such talent didn't exist among the White Elves, the entire race would likely have been wiped out long ago during the attacks by Ancient Monsters.
Following Riveria's display, we continued the hunt.
She wiped out three more monsters effortlessly with her magic before reaching her limit and having to drink a Magic potion to recover.
The soldiers, highly skilled and coordinated, managed to kill five additional monsters on their own, without sustaining even the slightest injury, showcasing their precision and combat efficiency.
Finally, after hours of intense activity and careful monitoring, we returned home late at night.
Exhausted but fulfilled, I took a refreshing bath, had a light dinner, and collapsed onto my bed, feeling the tension and fatigue of the day melt away.
I murmured to myself, "Today was truly a wonderful day," feeling a deep sense of accomplishment.
Tomorrow, I would turn fourteen, and a grand celebration and banquet had been planned in honor of my birthday.
I yawned heavily, deciding to leave thoughts of the festivities for the morning.
My body was utterly drained, and my mind was content to drift into dreams, reliving the excitement of the day and anticipating the challenges and triumphs that tomorrow, my fourteenth year, would undoubtedly bring.
To be continued…
(A/N:
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