SPELLCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Magic Scholar

"And so, that's why we're able to live so long. You get it?"

After a few hours with this strange Elf, I was already learning so many things.

As I had predicted—no, even better than that—I was being exposed to new horizons.

The Elf Princess, Emilia Vindiel, was answering so many questions of mine, smiling throughout as though enjoying herself.

"Whoah. That actually makes sense. That means..." I stared at her with a suspicious gaze

After spending a few hours with her, I had finally gotten used to staring at her utterly mesmerizing face.

"Hm? What is it?" She asked in utter cuteness.

However, that cuteness could fool me no longer.

"That means... you're actually... older than me?" I stated.

"Eh?" The Elf sounded surprised, but I wasn't going to let her get away with acting so cute.

I knew her secret now! Even though she physically appeared to be younger than me, Emilia was probably as old as my mother—no, even older.

"Just how old are you?" My eyes narrowed as I stared into the violet abyss of her irises.

"S-stop that. It's rude to ask a lady her age, you know?"

Yet, another cute side of the Elf appeared. Her pout made my heart nearly jump out, causing me to clutch my chest tightly.

I was in my youth. It was the normal reaction for a hopeless virgin like me.

Yes, I was a dense idiot who only pursued Magic. However, it was only when I was with Emilia that I began to feel something else lurking within me.

Something that was beginning to grow at an alarming rate.

Emilia found a way around the subject, plus I also had so much to learn about the Elves and Magic, so we eventually forgot about the 'Age' issue.

By the way, I was twenty-nine at the time.

***************************

The next day, we met again.

Then, the day after that.

We only talked about Magic. The wonders of Elf culture, their relationship with Mana, and the concept of Spirits.

I had never had such a fulfilling conversation with a woman before.

I had quite a handsome face, so oftentimes when I talked to ladies, they would be more interested in fields outside my area of interest.

The rate of those useless conversations was growing at a rapid rate as I was getting older.

Yet, with Emilia, it was different.

I truly felt at ease with her, and I could tell she was the same.

Unfortunately, nothing in this world lasts forever.

Even though I was having the time of my life, the reality of the situation was that we needed the Alliance of the Elves.

And so, after a week elapsed, our group was called back to have an audience with the Queen.

The Alliance proposal... was rejected!

We weren't able to secure them as Allies. Not only did we fail our mission, but during the week we were away, the Demon onslaught had gotten increasingly severe.

The Elves we were counting on as potential allies had rejected us.

When I asked for their reasons, the Queen said this.

"I can see through you all. Do not bother our Kind with your selfish interests."

It was at that moment that I realized... the error we had committed.

The week given to us was a test phase.

In essence, they observed all our actions.

Even though we had spent so long among the Elves, none of us actually cared for them.

Gawain was busy with training.

Ford was busy with his personal growth.

I was... also busy with something—or rather, someone.

"You humans are always the same. Ultimately, you desire only for yourselves."

The Queen wasn't wrong.

We were inherently selfish creatures. I was the very same.

The reason we sought an Alliance with the Elves was simply for our merit.

Humans weren't as strong as the Demons. There was no way we could win against them. And, with the passing of each day, they were growing stronger.

Our Kingdom, as well as our only Allies, The Northern Kingdom, were the ones suffering the brunt of the Demonic Assault.

Both Kingdoms were predominantly comprised of humans—the self-proclaimed dominant Race of the world.

But, with the assault of our nemesis, we realized just how weak and small we were.

That was the sole reason we reached out to our other neighbors.

We didn't want to die.

We wanted to survive.

Even if it meant shamelessly asking for the aid of others.

The Elves saw right through that... and so they rejected our proposal.

"You will be leaving this place tomorrow. There is no room for negotiation."

I didn't even have the strength to argue. Every word the Queen spoke was spot-on. Trying to wiggle my way out of this would only lead to more misfortune.

'Besides...'

I silently glanced in the direction of Emilia. She was standing beside her mother, along with her little sister—Aurora.

Despite the despair and fear that coursed through my body, the expression on Emilia's face... was a pure and gentle smile.

She was looking at me. Her violet eyes lacked any malice. I could tell that she understood just the kind of tough spot I was in.

I wanted to plead with her to help me—help us. It was shameless, but that was the only path I knew to take.

If I wanted something, I had it get it no matter the cost. Even if... even if I had to use someone who had done nothing but show me goodwill.

In the end, I couldn't do it. I couldn't ask her for assistance.

Emilia just kept smiling at me. Her expression didn't change in the slightest. It was the innocence in her eyes that caused me to look away in self-loathing.

'This is it...' I resigned myself to the consequences of my selfishness.

We paid our respects to the Queen and returned to our residence.

The mood was heavy, but there was nothing to be done.

We equally shared the blame for our choices, so we simply had to accept what had happened—hoping we had better luck with the next Kingdom we visited.

However, the very next day...

"I have changed my mind after further thought."

... As we were supposed to bid the Elf Queen farewell...

"The matter of your Alliance has been reconsidered."

... Everything completely changed!"

"We will ally ourselves with the Eastern Kingdom."