CHAPTER 9 – HIRAYA MISTELTEIN ORIGIN
HIRAYA MISTELTEIN
In the quiet corners of Yggdra, where ancient trees whispered secrets in the wind, a pact as old as the stars themselves bound us elves to a code of non-interference. This unspoken law, etched into the very roots of our existence, was passed down through generations. My mother, a revered historian, painted vivid stories of a time when Goddess Exceria, in her divine wisdom, struck an accord with the Dragon King eons ago. This pact echoed through the annals of time, safeguarding the secluded haven of Yggdra from the tumultuous world beyond.
Nestled in the southern heart of the Alterran Continent, Yggdra stood as a testament to our unwavering commitment to peace. Wars ravaged Alterra, shaking its foundations, yet we, the elves, remained steadfast observers. The rise of humanity, guided by the sagacious Vesryn, merely unfolded before our watchful eyes. The clash of empires, the fiery rebellion of the dragonoids — we observed, silent witnesses to the grand tapestry of chaos that enveloped our planet.
In the wake of a peace hard-won between humans and dragonoids, the elders of Yggdra, with eyes that held the weight of centuries, sanctioned a new era. For the first time in generations, elves were granted the freedom to venture into the lands of humans. I, born in the tranquil aftermath of this global accord, count myself among the fortunate few of my kind, blessed to tread upon the soil of a world once distant and forbidden.
I hailed from a middle-class elven family in our quaint village, where my mother served as a tactician and a historian, while my father was a dedicated baker. Life on the island of Yggdra held a certain simplicity. We may have lagged behind humans in technological advancements, but our mastery of magic was unparalleled. Rooted in our pacifist lineage, we were schooled in the delicate arts of non-lethal offensive magic and the profound craft of healing.
From a tender age, my mother instilled in me the morality of looking out for one another. It was under her tutelage that I first delved into the secrets of elven martial arts to protect those who are weak. My father, on the other hand, was my guide in the art of baking and cooking, his expertise nourishing not only our bodies but also my burgeoning culinary skills.
One fateful day, when I was merely eight years old, my senses were pricked by a disheartening sight. An elven girl, confined to a wheelchair, bore the weight of cruel taunts from her peers. In that moment, guided by my mother's teachings, I became a young avenger of justice. With swift precision, I executed a karate chop on one of the bullies, followed by a decisive axe-kick to another. Like a cascade of dominos, the other tormentors tumbled to the ground.
"You're like an isekai heroine!" the girl in the wheelchair exclaimed, her innocence and charm a stark contrast to my own. Her silky cyan hair framed peridot eyes that sparkled with appreciation.
Adelyn, my very first best friend, immersed herself in the enchanting realms of isekai fantasy novels. Her passion for these intricate worlds and their intricate characters made her a well-known geeky and nerdy girl.
In our village, a singular bond began to flourish between Adelyn and me, growing stronger with each passing day. She was confined to her wooden wheelchair, imprisoned by a mysterious ailment that had no known cure, save for the ingenious creation crafted by her carpenter father. It was this wooden chariot that granted her the freedom to traverse the world beyond her bedridden state.
In a world that shunned her for being a mutant, Adelyn bore the brunt of disdain and isolation, her dreams considered strange and nearly impossible. She would confide in me, her closest companion, and share her lofty aspirations with unwavering determination. "My dream is to become the savior of the world. I want to help people in need, and become a hero," she would repeat, her voice resolute and unyielding.
This vision, however, set her apart as an outlier among our elven peers, subjecting her to relentless torment. Unkind children would hurl oranges and tomatoes in her direction, their cruelty a bitter testament to the prejudices that prevailed.
“You can’t even save your legs! How can you even save the world?” The elven kids mocked.
In response, I took on the mantle of her protector, a sentinel against those who dared to harm her, whether through physical aggression or the piercing sting of hurtful words. I stood guard, unwavering and resolute, my actions a silent promise to shield my dearest friend from harm.
Adelyn often offered gentle admonishments, her voice soft and caring. "Hiraya, don't take on every bully that crosses our path. Words won't hurt me as much," she would say, concern etched in her eyes.
"I can't help it, Adelyn. I need to show the other kids that they shouldn't mess with you, or else..." I replied, clenching my fists, determination lining my face.
Her laughter, like a soothing melody, filled the air as she chided me playfully, "All those elven martial arts are making you look like a tomboy, you know. You're undoubtedly the most beautiful elf on this island, but the boys seem terrified of you."
I grinned, proud of my independence, and retorted, "It's alright, Adelyn. I don’t need a man to protect me. I’m already strong by myself!"
Adelyn, with her characteristic wit, couldn't help but tease me about my ambitions. "You're planning to become an Oracle, right? Can't you just offer them thoughts and prayers?"
A mischievous glint sparkled in my eyes as I playfully responded, "That's a brilliant idea, Adelyn. I'll name my left fist 'thoughts' and my right fist 'prayers.' I'm pretty sure these 'thoughts and prayers' will go straight to their mouths." I couldn't help but devilishly smirk.
Adelyn joined in the laughter, her forced chuckles ringing through the air.
In the wake of my battles against Adelyn's tormentors, my reputation among the other elves took a sharp turn. I became known as a brute, a label that I carried with grim determination. Thrice a week, I'd return home, my body bearing the marks of street fights — bruises and scratches etched across my skin. My mother, a beacon of wisdom and understanding, would often commend me for my unyielding sense of justice, but there were times when her scolding held the weight of disappointment.
In Yggdra, time held its secrets, and we elves aged the same as humans until we reached the age of twenty-five. At that point, our physical growth ceased, locked in a timeless stasis by our genetic gift of immortality. This bestowed upon us the prospect of living for thousands of years, untouched by the ravages of time, remaining eternally beautiful and healthy.
Regrettably, Adelyn was the exception to this benevolent rule. With each passing year, I observed her vitality wane. Her once vibrant visage turned pallid, and the cruel hands of a mysterious ailment ravaged her health. Most heartbreakingly, her once resplendent silky cyan hair fell out in tufts until she was left bald, her beauty overshadowed by the relentless march of a cruel fate.
As Adelyn reached the tender age of fourteen, a heavy weight bore down on my heart when I received the heartbreaking news from her father. Adelyn, my dearest friend, had only a scant few weeks left to live. Each day, I visited her without fail, clinging to every precious moment.
Three days before she would slip away from this world, I vividly recall the fragility of her hand clasping mine. As tears flowed freely from my eyes, she summoned the strength to wipe them away and offered a fragile smile. "Don't cry, Hiraya. I'm fine. Perfectly fine. I'll be waiting for you, happily, on the other side."
"Adelyn..." I whispered her name, my voice choked with emotion.
"Promise me just one thing, okay?" Her gaze locked onto mine.
I nodded, my heart heavy but resolved. "What is it?"
With a serene expression, Adelyn made her final wish. "Can you… save the world for me? I always had this nightmare… where the earth is scorched with flames, and demons with horns and wings torment the humans, dragonoids, and even elves. I want you to defeat the true evil... I want you to fulfill the dream I can never achieve."
"I will," I replied without hesitation, determined to honor Adelyn's final wish.
Adelyn's voice grew softer, her eyes filled with a gentle warmth. "And, please, don't be such a tomboy anymore. It's masking your beauty. You're the most stunning elf I've ever seen, like a living reflection of our Goddess Exceria."
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I scratched my cheek nervously. "That's two things, Adelyn, but I'll try not to participate in street fights again."
She beamed, her spirit undiminished. "Great! That's a promise, okay?" Adelyn extended her pinky finger toward me, a gesture laden with significance.
With a sincere smile, I interlocked my pinky with hers. "Yes, Adelyn. Pinky promise." Our pact sealed, I pledged to transform not only for Adelyn but to honor her memory and make her dream come true.
After Adelyn's passing, I carried her dream and my promise like a beacon, a light to guide me through a new and unknown chapter of my life. I shared Adelyn's aspiration, my dream, with my parents, expressing my desire to leave behind our simple existence on the tranquil island of Yggdra and venture into the world of humans. To my surprise, my parents didn't object to my ambitious journey. In fact, they supported my decision, recognizing the importance of fulfilling Adelyn's dream and my own.
With the blessing of the elders, I embarked on a voyage, sailing across the seas to reach the sprawling Empire of Alterra. In this foreign land, I chose to live among my fellow elves, seeking refuge in the embrace of the Cathedral Exa in Tasty Town, a haven that welcomed all races within its sheltering walls.
I accumulated the means to eventually enroll in a Magic High School, a pursuit that would allow me to delve deeper into the realm of magic and, perhaps more importantly, to immerse myself in the world of humans.
True to the promise I made to my beloved Adelyn, I embarked on a personal odyssey that mirrored her own dreams. In this vast and unfamiliar world of Alterra, I became a beacon of assistance, extending a helping hand to those in need. I became a heroine. I would selflessly carry the heavy luggage of the school's principal one day, and the next, I'd be found assisting my classmates in mastering their evocation subjects. Sometimes, I even found myself chasing down unruly delinquents, their transgressions leading me on impromptu quests that took me to different towns. This dedication and willingness to help garnered me a stellar reputation among the students at the Magic High School, ultimately resulting in my election as Vice President of the Student Council.
Yet, my motivations were not solely based on reputation or obligation. Helping others satisfied a deep-rooted need within me. Each time I lent a hand, my soul resonated with a sense of fulfillment.
In a whimsical twist of fate, I found myself responsible for a rather comical incident. During a field trip, a certain student found himself in an embarrassing predicament, one that would become a lighthearted tale in the annals of my personal adventures — the time I took care of a fellow student who had an unfortunate mishap and "pooped his pants." It was moments like these that added a touch of humor to my book of adventures and made my journey in the human world even more unforgettable.
CHAPTER 9 – HIRAYA MISTELTEIN ORIGIN
HIRAYA MISTELTEIN
In the quiet corners of Yggdra, where ancient trees whispered secrets in the wind, a pact as old as the stars themselves bound us elves to a code of non-interference. This unspoken law, etched into the very roots of our existence, was passed down through generations. My mother, a revered historian, painted vivid stories of a time when Goddess Exceria, in her divine wisdom, struck an accord with the Dragon King eons ago. This pact echoed through the annals of time, safeguarding the secluded haven of Yggdra from the tumultuous world beyond.
Nestled in the southern heart of the Alterran Continent, Yggdra stood as a testament to our unwavering commitment to peace. Wars ravaged Alterra, shaking its foundations, yet we, the elves, remained steadfast observers. The rise of humanity, guided by the sagacious Vesryn, merely unfolded before our watchful eyes. The clash of empires, the fiery rebellion of the dragonoids — we observed, silent witnesses to the grand tapestry of chaos that enveloped our planet.
In the wake of a peace hard-won between humans and dragonoids, the elders of Yggdra, with eyes that held the weight of centuries, sanctioned a new era. For the first time in generations, elves were granted the freedom to venture into the lands of humans. I, born in the tranquil aftermath of this global accord, count myself among the fortunate few of my kind, blessed to tread upon the soil of a world once distant and forbidden.
I hailed from a middle-class elven family in our quaint village, where my mother served as a tactician and a historian, while my father was a dedicated baker. Life on the island of Yggdra held a certain simplicity. We may have lagged behind humans in technological advancements, but our mastery of magic was unparalleled. Rooted in our pacifist lineage, we were schooled in the delicate arts of non-lethal offensive magic and the profound craft of healing.
From a tender age, my mother instilled in me the morality of looking out for one another. It was under her tutelage that I first delved into the secrets of elven martial arts to protect those who are weak. My father, on the other hand, was my guide in the art of baking and cooking, his expertise nourishing not only our bodies but also my burgeoning culinary skills.
One fateful day, when I was merely eight years old, my senses were pricked by a disheartening sight. An elven girl, confined to a wheelchair, bore the weight of cruel taunts from her peers. In that moment, guided by my mother's teachings, I became a young avenger of justice. With swift precision, I executed a karate chop on one of the bullies, followed by a decisive axe-kick to another. Like a cascade of dominos, the other tormentors tumbled to the ground.
"You're like an isekai heroine!" the girl in the wheelchair exclaimed, her innocence and charm a stark contrast to my own. Her silky cyan hair framed peridot eyes that sparkled with appreciation.
Adelyn, my very first best friend, immersed herself in the enchanting realms of isekai fantasy novels. Her passion for these intricate worlds and their intricate characters made her a well-known geeky and nerdy girl.
In our village, a singular bond began to flourish between Adelyn and me, growing stronger with each passing day. She was confined to her wooden wheelchair, imprisoned by a mysterious ailment that had no known cure, save for the ingenious creation crafted by her carpenter father. It was this wooden chariot that granted her the freedom to traverse the world beyond her bedridden state.
In a world that shunned her for being a mutant, Adelyn bore the brunt of disdain and isolation, her dreams considered strange and nearly impossible. She would confide in me, her closest companion, and share her lofty aspirations with unwavering determination. "My dream is to become the savior of the world. I want to help people in need, and become a hero," she would repeat, her voice resolute and unyielding.
This vision, however, set her apart as an outlier among our elven peers, subjecting her to relentless torment. Unkind children would hurl oranges and tomatoes in her direction, their cruelty a bitter testament to the prejudices that prevailed.
“You can’t even save your legs! How can you even save the world?” The elven kids mocked.
In response, I took on the mantle of her protector, a sentinel against those who dared to harm her, whether through physical aggression or the piercing sting of hurtful words. I stood guard, unwavering and resolute, my actions a silent promise to shield my dearest friend from harm.
Adelyn often offered gentle admonishments, her voice soft and caring. "Hiraya, don't take on every bully that crosses our path. Words won't hurt me as much," she would say, concern etched in her eyes.
"I can't help it, Adelyn. I need to show the other kids that they shouldn't mess with you, or else..." I replied, clenching my fists, determination lining my face.
Her laughter, like a soothing melody, filled the air as she chided me playfully, "All those elven martial arts are making you look like a tomboy, you know. You're undoubtedly the most beautiful elf on this island, but the boys seem terrified of you."
I grinned, proud of my independence, and retorted, "It's alright, Adelyn. I don’t need a man to protect me. I’m already strong by myself!"
Adelyn, with her characteristic wit, couldn't help but tease me about my ambitions. "You're planning to become an Oracle, right? Can't you just offer them thoughts and prayers?"
A mischievous glint sparkled in my eyes as I playfully responded, "That's a brilliant idea, Adelyn. I'll name my left fist 'thoughts' and my right fist 'prayers.' I'm pretty sure these 'thoughts and prayers' will go straight to their mouths." I couldn't help but devilishly smirk.
Adelyn joined in the laughter, her forced chuckles ringing through the air.
In the wake of my battles against Adelyn's tormentors, my reputation among the other elves took a sharp turn. I became known as a brute, a label that I carried with grim determination. Thrice a week, I'd return home, my body bearing the marks of street fights — bruises and scratches etched across my skin. My mother, a beacon of wisdom and understanding, would often commend me for my unyielding sense of justice, but there were times when her scolding held the weight of disappointment.
In Yggdra, time held its secrets, and we elves aged the same as humans until we reached the age of twenty-five. At that point, our physical growth ceased, locked in a timeless stasis by our genetic gift of immortality. This bestowed upon us the prospect of living for thousands of years, untouched by the ravages of time, remaining eternally beautiful and healthy.
Regrettably, Adelyn was the exception to this benevolent rule. With each passing year, I observed her vitality wane. Her once vibrant visage turned pallid, and the cruel hands of a mysterious ailment ravaged her health. Most heartbreakingly, her once resplendent silky cyan hair fell out in tufts until she was left bald, her beauty overshadowed by the relentless march of a cruel fate.
As Adelyn reached the tender age of fourteen, a heavy weight bore down on my heart when I received the heartbreaking news from her father. Adelyn, my dearest friend, had only a scant few weeks left to live. Each day, I visited her without fail, clinging to every precious moment.
Three days before she would slip away from this world, I vividly recall the fragility of her hand clasping mine. As tears flowed freely from my eyes, she summoned the strength to wipe them away and offered a fragile smile. "Don't cry, Hiraya. I'm fine. Perfectly fine. I'll be waiting for you, happily, on the other side."
"Adelyn..." I whispered her name, my voice choked with emotion.
"Promise me just one thing, okay?" Her gaze locked onto mine.
I nodded, my heart heavy but resolved. "What is it?"
With a serene expression, Adelyn made her final wish. "Can you… save the world for me? I always had this nightmare… where the earth is scorched with flames, and demons with horns and wings torment the humans, dragonoids, and even elves. I want you to defeat the true evil... I want you to fulfill the dream I can never achieve."
"I will," I replied without hesitation, determined to honor Adelyn's final wish.
Adelyn's voice grew softer, her eyes filled with a gentle warmth. "And, please, don't be such a tomboy anymore. It's masking your beauty. You're the most stunning elf I've ever seen, like a living reflection of our Goddess Exceria."
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I scratched my cheek nervously. "That's two things, Adelyn, but I'll try not to participate in street fights again."
She beamed, her spirit undiminished. "Great! That's a promise, okay?" Adelyn extended her pinky finger toward me, a gesture laden with significance.
With a sincere smile, I interlocked my pinky with hers. "Yes, Adelyn. Pinky promise." Our pact sealed, I pledged to transform not only for Adelyn but to honor her memory and make her dream come true.
After Adelyn's passing, I carried her dream and my promise like a beacon, a light to guide me through a new and unknown chapter of my life. I shared Adelyn's aspiration, my dream, with my parents, expressing my desire to leave behind our simple existence on the tranquil island of Yggdra and venture into the world of humans. To my surprise, my parents didn't object to my ambitious journey. In fact, they supported my decision, recognizing the importance of fulfilling Adelyn's dream and my own.
With the blessing of the elders, I embarked on a voyage, sailing across the seas to reach the sprawling Empire of Alterra. In this foreign land, I chose to live among my fellow elves, seeking refuge in the embrace of the Cathedral Exa in Tasty Town, a haven that welcomed all races within its sheltering walls.
I accumulated the means to eventually enroll in a Magic High School, a pursuit that would allow me to delve deeper into the realm of magic and, perhaps more importantly, to immerse myself in the world of humans.
True to the promise I made to my beloved Adelyn, I embarked on a personal odyssey that mirrored her own dreams. In this vast and unfamiliar world of Alterra, I became a beacon of assistance, extending a helping hand to those in need. I became a heroine. I would selflessly carry the heavy luggage of the school's principal one day, and the next, I'd be found assisting my classmates in mastering their evocation subjects. Sometimes, I even found myself chasing down unruly delinquents, their transgressions leading me on impromptu quests that took me to different towns. This dedication and willingness to help garnered me a stellar reputation among the students at the Magic High School, ultimately resulting in my election as Vice President of the Student Council.
Yet, my motivations were not solely based on reputation or obligation. Helping others satisfied a deep-rooted need within me. Each time I lent a hand, my soul resonated with a sense of fulfillment.
In a whimsical twist of fate, I found myself responsible for a rather comical incident. During a field trip, a certain student found himself in an embarrassing predicament, one that would become a lighthearted tale in the annals of my personal adventures — the time I took care of a fellow student who had an unfortunate mishap and "pooped his pants." It was moments like these that added a touch of humor to my book of adventures and made my journey in the human world even more unforgettable.
