The Cursed Elf
Under the quiet sunlight pouring down like a blessing, there existed a kingdom more prosperous than any other nation. Its people lived in harmony with nature under the protection of the World Tree, the tree of life and creation. They were the race tasked with safeguarding the World Tree, which bestowed gifts upon all things. Their defining traits included universally beautiful men and women, with long, pointed ears, and lifespans said to be a hundred times that of humans.
“Her Highness Melina enters!”
This was the elven kingdom of Wigdrith, and within it, the audience chamber closest to the heart of the World Tree.
“Father!”
The princess who stepped into the chamber looked up at her father with a voice full of longing.
“Melina. You look full of energy today as well.”
Seated on the throne was the current king, his thick beard and mustache reaching down to his chin, exuding a dignified sternness enhanced by his middle-aged charm.
“Soon, you’ll rule this land as its queen—and you’re as beautiful as can be.”
He showered his beloved daughter with praise, smiling warmly as any father would.
“You flatter me, Father! Why did you summon me?”
The princess’s face lit up with joy, though she tilted her head curiously at her father and mother, the king and queen, who had called for her.
“Melina? You know what year this is, don’t you?”
Answering her question was the queen of the realm, seated beside the throne—Melina’s mother and the king’s wife.
“Of course! It’s the year I enter the academy, isn’t it?”
The king and queen nodded almost in unison at Melina’s response. But the harmonious family atmosphere didn’t last. The king’s expression turned solemn first.
“Yes... that’s part of it, but there’s something far more important.”
His face grew serious as he gazed at Melina with pity.
“Ah...”
Did she sense what he meant? The bright smile she’d worn moments ago wilted like a fading flower.
“You’ve heard the oracle’s words: you must find the destined savior who will free you from your ‘curse.’”
“And you know that savior will enroll this year as well?”
The queen spoke gravely too, emphasizing the need to find that savior.
“......”
Melina fell silent for a moment. It was the prank of fate that defined her entire life, after all. She lowered her head, her eyes filled with seriousness and a touch of sorrow.
“I know.”
She answered slowly, her voice heavy with pain, placing her porcelain-white hand over her chest.
“Ngh...”
She bit her lip slightly. A horrific lump writhed within her.
“Ah, my poor Melina... How could she be cursed by the Demon King from birth, doomed to a life on borrowed time!”
The king lamented her fate deeply, grieving that his daughter—who should live centuries more—was fated to die before the year’s end due to the curse.
“Father...”
Melina ached seeing her father on the verge of tears. It wasn’t her choice, but she couldn’t bear watching her parents grieve because of her.
“Are you all right? Don’t worry... Melina will surely be freed from the curse.”
The queen comforted the king, her gaze naturally turning to her daughter.
“You’ll be fine too. I have no doubt my daughter will find the one meant for her.”
Unlike the king, she tried to stay composed, forcing a smile.
“Understood. I’ll definitely find my destined savior.”
Drawing strength from her resolute mother, Melina closed her eyes briefly, steeling herself.
“Kk... ko... kko-kkok......”
“Huh?!”
But a garbled, ominous voice jolted her eyes open in alarm.
“M-Mother? Father!”
Something was wrong with the king and queen. They moved stiffly, like marionettes.
“A-Are you okay?!”
“I... th-this... curse...”
“H... ha... have to... do... it...”
Despite her frantic worry, only chilling voices replied.
Shaaa—!
Suddenly.
“Dad, Mom?!”
Their skin turned purple. From every orifice, repulsive tentacles burst forth vigorously.
“What is this...? Who are you?!”
Melina finally realized something was off with reality. But by then, her surroundings had shifted to a dim void.
Grip—
“Ngh?!”
Something tugged at her clothes. Looking down urgently, she saw formless black hands dragging her toward the floor.
“What is this?! Let... go!!”
Melina thrashed with all her might. But the more she resisted, the more numerous and stronger the thoughtforms pulled her into the abyss.
“No... don’t!”
She sank slowly, like into quicksand, toward somewhere unknown. Despite desperate struggles with every ounce of strength, the binding force belonged to something unfathomably vast.
“Three days... just three days left...”
A chilling whisper echoed in her ears, warning of her dwindling time.
“Wh-what?!?!”
She bolted upright in terror, gasping for breath. Looking around, she was in her dormitory.
“Ah... I see...”
Melina closed her eyes tightly in relief, grateful that the nightmare was just that—a nightmare.
“...Three days.”
But the relief was fleeting. Her expression turned grave as she murmured her remaining lifespan.
“Three days.”
Such a short time.
“Where are you...?”
She let out a deep sigh over her waning life.
“Hm?”
In the peaceful afternoon at the academy, something caught his eye.
“Meow~”
At the quiet outskirts of the academy, he spotted Professor Adria.
“Ah! Licking its paw— so cute~!”
The problem was, her usual strict demeanor from the tavern sighting was gone; she was beaming with pure delight.
“Meow~ Meow~ Just once more, please~”
She smiled innocently at the stray white cat, her face the picture of innocence.
“Hehe~ You’re just too adorable.”
To match the cat’s eye level, she knelt, resting both hands on her knees.
“Meow~ Meow~ Hehe...”
Whether she wanted to become a cat or thought she could communicate, she awkwardly mimicked its meows while admiring the docile feline endlessly.
Lucky no one else saw; her goofy grin would shock anyone. If students learned the strict, scary professor hid such a cutesy side, their jaws would drop.
“Professor, you like cute things, huh?”
“...?!?!”
Approaching cautiously, she startled like a thief caught red-handed.
“A-Arnold?! Why are you here?! And how long have you been watching?!”
Her face flushed crimson, eyes darting in embarrassment.
“Since you started imitating the cat.”
“F-From then?!?”
The red spread across her entire face. She looked like she’d crawl into a hole if she could.
“It’s fine. Everyone likes cute stuff sometimes.”
“Th-this isn’t...! I mean!!”
Trying to reassure her only seemed to rile her; she clenched her fists and shook her head wildly.
“D-don’t tell other students...?”
She quickly gave up, whispering pleadingly.
“Got it.”
“Please... If the students who only see my serious, dignified side learn this, I might not survive at the academy.”
Her index fingers poked together timidly. To lighten the mood, he glanced at the cat.
“Anyway, this cat isn’t scared of people. Most strays bolt if you talk loud or approach.”
He pointed at the white cat wagging its tail calmly beside her. For a stray, it was unusually bold and composed.
“......”
But that cat... why did it feel familiar?
“Hm.”
It was like bumping into someone you vaguely recognized. He pondered, tracing his memory.
“Meow~”
Then the white cat meowed and suddenly rubbed against him.
“Huh?”
The abruptness surprised him. But the cat ignored it, clinging to his thigh.
“No way! It always ran from me, but it goes straight to you!”
Professor Adria eyed him enviously, jealous of the cat’s favor.
“Meow, meow~”
Why was it so attached to him? It clung like it wouldn’t let go—was it begging to be adopted?
“Rathus!”
A third voice called out.
“Where’ve you been? I’ve been looking everywhere!”
An elf rushed up, eyeing the white cat like its owner.
“......!”
But inwardly, he was stunned by the elf’s appearance.
She was the second heroine from the original story.