"Have you met elves in your life?" Andras asked.
"Only one," Florian replied. "In Greenwood. In the Kingdom there is currently only one elf living. Her name is Floralys Greenwood. A wood elf, a true beauty. If I recall correctly, she is now one hundred and eighty years old. Two centuries ago, the head of House Greenwood fell in love with an elven girl who had wandered into the Kingdom of Riel. He married her. Then the head of the house grew old and died. The elven woman, of course, is still young and beautiful even today. They had no children, so for two centuries the wood elf woman has ruled Greenwood. The Green Hawk Knights have served her ever since. To my knowledge she is a very good leader, and at one hundred and eighty years old perhaps wiser than any Magus Master."
"Could she be related to Noelle?" Andras asked.
"I don't think so," Florian replied. "Floralys is a wood elf. Forest elves all have brown hair. Noelle's snow‑white hair is the mark of the northern High Elves. I believe she may be the child of a wandering Elf Paladin. Only the Paladins are capable of crossing the Mountains of the Frost Dragons. Of course, only if they travel in small groups."
"That sounds very exciting," Andras said enthusiastically. "What else do you know about the Paladins?"
"The elven Paladin order protects the Ice Queen in Elindor, the Kingdom of the Elves," Florian explained. "Essentially they are like our Knights, only elves. Their greatest enemies are the orc tribes. Because of the Frost Dragons, it is nearly impossible to establish contact with them. But at least that way we have never gone to war with each other."
Florian's voice grew darker.
"We already have enough trouble with the Empire and their greedy, foolish emperor. If we're lucky, the Demon King will awaken soon. The time for that is drawing near. And then at least we won't be at war with the Empire for a while. Because then everyone's enemy will be the Demon Army."
"So in the end we won't escape war," Andras concluded. "The only question is whether we'll fight against the Empire, or fight alongside the Empire against the Demons."
"As for me, I'd rather fight against the demons," Andras said. "My mother came from the Empire—perhaps that's a good sign for lasting peace."
"Yes," Florian nodded. "I wouldn't mind if that wretched Demon King finally appeared. I'm old now, and I'd like to meet the Hero before I die."
"You're not a fan of the Hero too, are you, Master Florian?" Andras smiled.
"Who isn't? Every child grows up on the Hero's legends. It was my dream too, to be part of the Hero's party. I'm too old for that now, but you still have a chance. You have a real shot, since you possess two magical elements. And you began studying magic at six years old. However you look at it, you'll become an exceptional mage."
"Well, I don't know," Andras replied. "I'm not really interested in the Hero and his party. I'm much more fascinated by the Demon Generals."
"You mean the Demon King's strongest warriors?" Florian asked. "Indeed. The Demon King is very powerful, but his Generals have always been terrifying in every age. That's what the legends say. When I was young, I loved those stories."
"Perhaps we should start the magic lesson," Andras reminded him. "We've wandered off quite a bit, Master Florian."
"Hahaha, for a moment I felt young again!" Florian laughed.
"But look at Noelle's eyes," Andras pointed out. "Violet, mystical, and so magical. Don't you think so? Take out that magic crystal—the one that reveals a person's magical element."
"I see what you're getting at!" Florian nodded. "The girl is a half‑elf. Elven blood means she likely has a talent for magic. I'll fetch the orb…"
Florian produced the crystal.
"Noelle, place your hand on this magic crystal! It will show whether you have a magical element, and if so, which one."
Noelle had quietly listened to Andras and Master Florian until now, not really understanding what they were talking about. So when it was finally her turn, she was glad, and eagerly tried to do what was asked of her. She placed her right hand on the crystal. The crystal glowed blue.
"As we suspected," Florian said. "She already has a magical element: water. As expected from elven blood."
Hmm, that's strange, Andras thought. My magical eye tells me that Noelle has not only water, but also earth. Perhaps it still lies dormant within her, and will only awaken once she masters the water element properly.
"She has the water element, same as me," he continued aloud. "Of course, I also have lightning—but maybe she too will gain a second element."
"Don't set your expectations too high," Florian warned. "Elven blood is one thing, but to awaken a second element requires exceptional magical talent. As I've already told you, in the Kingdom only you have two elements, Young Wolf. Even Greenwood's wood elf has only one: Earth. But she wields it masterfully. The earth golem she can summon and control is incredibly strong. Even two Knight Captains together would barely be able to defeat it. The Imperials nearly soiled themselves when they saw that monstrous giant on the battlefield!"
"So Floralys is an earth golem user," Andras said excitedly. "I can't wait to meet her. But let's focus on Noelle now. What do you say, Master Florian? Would you teach her magic as well, like you teach me?"
"Teach her magic?" Florian laughed. "Who do you think I am, boy? Of course I'm interested in elven blood! There are plenty of things I could try with her. I might even learn a thing or two myself if I closely observe elven magic. You've brought the very best girl to be your maidservant, I tell you!"
"Well, I am a mage, even if I'm only eight years old," Andras replied. "The moment I saw those beautiful violet eyes, I knew there was magic involved."
"Hahaha!" Florian chuckled. "Indeed, she has very beautiful eyes."
Noelle was very happy. She had been praised again, and had found yet another person who accepted her and did not mock her pointed ears. Thus began the magical training of Noelle, the half‑elf maidservant—and the first steps toward her becoming a Magical Maidservant.