Yggdrasil Forest (3)
Yggdrasil Forest. It was a vast, lush woodland where high elves, dark elves, ordinary elves, and all elfkind coexisted. Calling it a forest was no exaggeration—it was more like a massive elven confederation. There was a council that set policies for every elf in the woods, with separate leaders governing each tribe beneath it.
"It's huge."
"Yeah. I've only heard about it—first time seeing it for real... amazing."
Seong Hyun-jin and Ciela were peeking out from beyond the treeline when an elf spotted them and shouted.
"Hey, outsiders! If you want to enter the forest, go to the checkpoint over there!"
"Checkpoint?"
The helpful elf pointed to the right, and Seong Hyun-jin spotted a line of non-elves waiting to enter one by one.
"Ah, guess we have to go that way."
"Yeah, I was just about to say."
Ciela gave an awkward smile.
"You were standing there all spaced out."
"Happens. Let's go join the line."
Seong Hyun-jin and Ciela took their place at the end of the checkpoint queue. It was fairly long with all the visitors to the Elf Forest, but things moved faster than expected, so their turn wouldn't be long.
A bit dazed from the early morning start—and fighting off a touch of sleepiness—Seong Hyun-jin nodded off while waiting.
That was when it happened.
Suddenly, a burly man cut right in front of Seong Hyun-jin. Ciela looked flustered, and even the dozing Seong Hyun-jin snapped awake at the absurd sight.
"Hey, we'll stand here!"
And not only that—the man called over his group. His companions slipped into the line as if Seong Hyun-jin, Ciela, and everyone else behind them were invisible, following him naturally.
The sheer audacity of the cut left Seong Hyun-jin and Ciela exchanging dumbfounded chuckles.
"Excuse me, the end of the line is back there."
Ciela pointed it out, furrowing her brow. The man glanced at her and Seong Hyun-jin, then smirked.
"Sorry, we're in a hurry. Let us go first."
"Who's not in a hurry here?"
Ciela's tone was firm.
"Go to the back. You want this to get noisy?"
"This girl's got no fear, huh? Think I'd listen to that snippy attitude...?"
"Hey, hey! Devlek, hold up!"
The man called Devlek whipped around at his companion's urgent call.
"What!"
"Those uniforms—Terastial Academy students. You poke them, you won't even get scraps."
"What? Terastial...?"
Devlek glanced back at Seong Hyun-jin and Ciela. The cocky look vanished, replaced by cold sweat and a suddenly polite expression.
"S-sorry, we'll go to the back. Don't glare like that."
"Hurry up and get in line."
Even at Ciela's commanding tone, Devlek just bowed his head without retort and headed to the end with his group.
Expecting a clash, Seong Hyun-jin inwardly sighed in mild disappointment.
"Academy name carries weight sometimes."
"Yeah. That's one reason people fight to get in."
Ciela shrugged lightly.
"The Terastial Academy name protects us even in strange places like this."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded, understanding.
And finally, it was their turn.
"Next... hm, academy students."
The checkpoint captain recognized their uniforms and held out a hand.
"Show me your student IDs."
"Here."
He checked Seong Hyun-jin and Ciela's IDs, then handed them back and asked their purpose.
"What's your business? Field trip?"
"We have business in Yggdrasil Forest."
"Business in Yggdrasil Forest?"
At the captain's question, Ciela answered simply. No need to hide it.
"We're here to see Forge Star Jerman there."
The captain's face filled with dismay at Ciela's reply. Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head.
"...Kids."
The captain spoke in a troubled tone.
"Forge Star Jerman isn't seeing anyone right now."
"What do you mean?"
"His request."
"Why suddenly...?"
The captain shrugged, saying he didn't know Jerman's reasons either.
"Who knows—only he does. We don't have details."
"How long has this been going on?"
"About a week. Everyone who's come for him in the last week left empty-handed."
Seong Hyun-jin couldn't help but panic at the captain's words. He needed Jerman to fix his body issue, but no access?
As Seong Hyun-jin opened his mouth, Ciela beat him to it.
"Then let us deliver a letter from our dean. If Demon Star Eleonora's letter gets refused too, we'll leave."
"Hm..."
The captain couldn't refuse a request invoking the Demon Star.
"...You're permitted entry. Go to Yggdrasil Forest and hand the letter to the watchers there—they can deliver it to Forge Star Jerman. If he still refuses after reading it, then go."
"Got it."
Ciela sighed in relief and turned to Seong Hyun-jin.
"We got in at least, junior."
"...Yeah."
Seong Hyun-jin said.
"Dean's got quite the reputation."
"Of course! Our master's as famous as your master. She's a Palstar Hero, after all?"
Ciela beamed proudly, grabbing his arm and tugging.
"Let's go."
"Ah, okay."
Once inside the Elf Forest, the pair followed the wondrous paths connecting the tree trunks, just as they'd seen earlier. Yggdrasil Forest lay deepest in the Elf Forest—not a walking distance—so they rode an ancient tree cart, the elves' mode of transport.
It bumped a bit, but the thick cotton padding on the floor cushioned them, so aside from some side-to-side swaying, it was fine.
Bobbing like ragdolls, Seong Hyun-jin asked Ciela,
"Straight to Yggdrasil Forest?"
"If you want, junior. But wouldn't that be a waste?"
"Huh?"
As Seong Hyun-jin looked puzzled, Ciela explained.
"Outsiders can stay in the Elf Forest for a week usually. Even short visits let you stick around that long."
"So, stay the week and sightsee?"
Ciela smiled faintly. She cautiously hooked her arm through his, looking up.
"...Senior?"
Ciela Teraport was a pretty girl even Seong Hyun-jin acknowledged. Her sky-blue hair like clear skies and sparkling golden eyes were uniquely hers, accentuating her beauty. Her sharp features and well-fed, pampered look drew every guy's gaze—including his.
Even in this forest of beautiful elves, passersby glanced back at her.
With her so close, gazing up, Seong Hyun-jin tensed without realizing.
Ciela smiled as she spoke.
"The liveliest part of the Elf Forest is that way. Lots of outsiders visit—wanna check it out?"
She pouted a bit at him.
"Can't you do that much for the day I ended up in remedial classes because of you?"
"......"
Seong Hyun-jin pondered. Serena would've shut that down if she heard. But she wasn't here, and for him, granting this small request seemed fair repayment for Ciela coming along.
He nodded.
"Hand the letter to the watchers first, then go."
"Really? Great, let's do it!"
Ciela lit up, shaking his arm happily. Seong Hyun-jin chuckled.
"That happy?"
"Of course!"
"Why?"
At his question, the excited Ciela blurted honestly without thinking.
"'Cause it's you, junior... ah."
She blinked in realization, panicked, let go of his arm, and laughed awkwardly.
"S-sorry, got too carried away...! Ahaha!"
Seong Hyun-jin stared at her a moment, then quietly nodded without pressing. Ciela blinked wide-eyed—his reaction wasn't negative.
In the slightly awkward air, time passed until the cart wheels stopped. The handler announced,
"Passengers, arrived. This is Yggdrasil Forest."
"Ah, thanks."
Seong Hyun-jin and Ciela disembarked. The ancient tree cart departed after dropping them, and Seong Hyun-jin surveyed the woods.
Nothing distinguished Yggdrasil Forest from others at first glance.
"Doesn't look special."
"No real difference from other forests. Just that a sacred ancient tree revered by elves stands at the center, and high elves live here."
High elf reminded him of Aiel Northwood—his talk of noble blood to Serena.
"Senior, is Northwood a high elf?"
"Huh? No. They're the ruling family of the northern woods, not high elves."
"What's the difference?"
Ciela explained kindly.
"Families like Northwood and Eastwood hold power in the Elf Forest council, but they're regular elves. Pureblood, sure."
She continued.
"High elves don't touch politics. They're detached from worldly affairs, solely guarding Yggdrasil. That's why they're revered even among elves."
"Different race?"
"A bit. But not hugely—like pale skin versus dark skin."
"Ah."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded.
"Where do we find the watchers?"
"Uh... good question?"
Ciela was new here too.
"Should've asked that guy."
If she didn't know, neither did he. Pondering, Seong Hyun-jin had an idea.
"Make a racket, and they'll show?"
"Huh...?"
"Guards come running if someone's knifing it up outside a rich house."
"...J-junior? They'll arrest us!"
"That's the point."
Seong Hyun-jin reached for his sword—but paused without drawing.
"...No need, looks like."
"Y-yeah! No need for... huh?"
Sensing the shift, Ciela looked around.
Then she saw it too: dozens of arrowheads glinting through the leaves.
Her face paled, but Seong Hyun-jin grinned intrigued.
"These watchers have some skills."
"Wh-when...?"
The moment his hand touched the hilt.
Seong Hyun-jin glanced around, removed his hand, and raised both in surrender.
"Here on business. Didn't know how to reach the watchers—sorry for the rudeness."
"......"
One arrowhead withdrew from the leaves. A watcher leaped down, landing before them.
"Yggdrasil Watchers Captain, Cadernan. What brings young students here?"
"Can you deliver this letter to Forge Star Jerman?"
Seong Hyun-jin said, glancing at Ciela. She nodded slightly and offered Eleonora's letter.
"Tell him it's from the Demon Star. He'll see it."
"Demon Star? Understood."
Cadernan pocketed the letter and eyed Seong Hyun-jin.
"Young one, a tip."
"Yes?"
He pointed to a tree branch with a small pinecone-shaped bell.
"Ring that for watchers. Don't stir trouble suddenly."
"......Ah, got it."
"Academy kids these days are full of vigor."
Cadernan vanished. The other watchers withdrew arrows and disappeared in seconds. Seong Hyun-jin smiled sheepishly.
"Almost caused a scene."
"...Told you to chill."