The next day, I was out in the village to the markets. My Mom practically dragged me here. I mean it is nice to be out here. Always there is a cool and fresh breeze. These bridges between the trees and the shops carved into the tree stems. We crossed three bridges and here we are, in the market.
Stalls lined the wooden platforms, showing fresh fruits and vegetables. One fruit caught my eye, it was red and shiny, like an apple but slightly larger.
As Mom and I strolled through the alleys, I came across a back alley. It was not to be interested.
"Help!"
What was that?
"H-Help m-me! S-Someb-body!"
That voice is so faint that even I could lose it. I turned to the back alley. It is from here! Who is that?
I let lose of my grip with mom and let myself free. "Rei! Where are you going?" she asked as I ran into the back alley. "Not now Mom!" I shouted as I entered the Back Alley.
That voice, where is it coming from?
I turned. Turned again. Turned Again. Finally in a dead end I saw them. A elf, no half - elf cornered by a group of High Elves.
"Cry like a Baby Half - Elfie! You are trash!" mocked one.
"Yeah, you can't even use Magic and run simple errands!" mocked another.
"That's why your momma and daddy abandoned you!" laughed another.
I guess even in this world, stereotypes exist. And here its due to race huh.
Grey Hair, questionable elf ears, a decent face for someone who is being beaten up. I think these high elves are around her age. She looks like 8 or 9? Anyways, one can easily find me as a Lower Elf due to my short demeanor.
One of the High Elves tried to kick the Half - Elf. I immediately rushed in. Please make it in time! "Magic Creation! Clock Up!" I murmured. A clock appeared below my feet and disappeared. The world appeared slower. I barely blocked the High Elf's kick blocking with my own body. Guh! It hurts. Is this what 54 defense feels like?
"Who are you kiddo?" asked the High Elf. "Nobody!" I said. "Appraisal!" I murmured. They all felt it. "Ack!" "What?" "Ugh?" "Ah!". Same shocked reaction. I looked at the Half - Elf. "Let's run!" I said as I dragged her along as we run out of the back alley. They are all level one and my speed is much greater than them all.
"Proficiency Threshold reached. Levelled up to Level 2. Due to Proficiency in Speed, gained new Common Skill: Extreme Speed" Miss Appraisal's voice ran in my mind. "What? What just happened?".
I returned back to the main alley. Everyone looked at me with a Half - Elf in my hand. "The Future Chief's son has a Half - Elf with him?" "Is that a Half - Elf? Pathetic" "What is that creature holding onto the Lower Elf's hand?". Murmurs erupted.
"Rei! Thank goodness your safe!" Mom said hugging me.
"Mom, why does everyone view Half Elves like taboo?" I whispered into her ear.
"Because our society is pure blooded. Many won't tolerate half - blooded" she whispered back.
"Can we change that?" I asked.
"Of course, once you grow up. That is my dream which failed but you to inherit" she slowly said.
I turned to the Half - Elf. "Sorry to bring into a place you are uncomfortable" I said letting go of her.
"It's fine...I am used to it..." she said, her eyes looking dead. She has been bullied, discriminated and abused for long that it doesn't matter. No! I must let her see the world as colourful as again for her. It can't be like this. What to do? What to do? Yes! This is like last resort but maybe.
"What is your name?" I asked looking at her with a smile.
"U-umm....Z-Zinona..." she whispered. I could hear it.
"You will be startled but bare with it. Miss Appraisal! Appraise Individual Zinona!" I said whispering at the end. "With Pleasure" it said in my mind.
"Ack!" she felt a tingling sensation.
<
Name: Zinona
Mana: 100%
Race: Half Elf
Skills: -
Magic Affinities: Water Magic, Nature Magic, Healing Magic, Earth Magic, Poison Magic
Level: 1
Attack: 124
Defense: 116
Speed: 118
Stamina: 126
>
"What the hell?!" I screamed. Everyone looked at me. The Murmurs stopped. Everyone knew of my Appraisal Skill in the village and figured that I had appraised her.
"Rei? What happened? Did you use Appraisal on her?" Mom asked.
"Yes Mother...even if she is a Half - Elf. She is pure blooded! You say Half Elves do not have Nature Magic, she has Water, Nature, Healing, Earth and Poison Magic! That's two basic magic and Three Derived Magic!" I said. Everyone was shocked. Even she was visibly shocked.
"Technically I am more half - blooded because I don't have nature magic. But she is pure - blooded!" I said. Murmurs began. "We all know Rei's an exception in terms of Magic, but a Half - Elf having five Affinities is unimaginable!"
"Than that means..." Mom started.
"Yes Mom, she is actually a great asset and is not necessarily a Half Elf!" I said. Zinona has quiet tears coming from her eyes. I turned to her and then to Mom, "Mom can we take her in our house?" I asked looking at her.
She put her finger on her cheek and though for a few seconds. Then she smirked. "I get why you are doing this...though Rei...she is around seven years old, so two years older than you" she murmured so faintly that I might have missed that.
"Mom...what did you say?" I asked looking at her with a "I caught you" look. "Nothing!" she said startled.
She then stood up and looked at Zinona. "Your name is Zinona correct?" she asked with a slightly angry face.
"Y-Yes!" she said bowing down in fear. I guess Mom's focusing her mana on her.
"Everyone, I know you might not like my decision as a future chief. But I feel this is necessary for our free and fair society, don't you think?" she said looking at everyone in the alley.
"Your decision is always right Lady Firiell! We support you!" one said. The rest followed. Apparently, next - in - line for Village Chief means respect huh.
"Zinona! Welcome to our household!" she said looking happily.
"Why...?" she murmured.
"Hmm...?" I looked at her.
"Why would you take me in, a pitiful and weak Half Elf?" she asked sobbing heavily.
She is still traumatized huh. "Magic Creation" I whispered. No one caught that. "Soothe" I said raising my hand. She felt that magic. "This magic...I have never seen this kind...What is this? This feels...relaxing...Am I?"
With Zinona, "I was always mocked wherever I go. My Father was a human and my mother was an elf who ran from her home for love. But after my birth, when I was four years old, my father was killed by the Kingdom's Soldiers who raided our house for something called "Betrayal".
I don't know what that word meant but they burnt the house and with it, my father and mother. I survived barely. I stood up and started walking but people viewed me like I am some monster and kicked me, punched me wherever I go. I lived of eating left over rotten foods with rats, who were the only ones who listened to me while eating without telling anything. Within just a month, I realized that I was a Half - Elf and would be ridiculed wherever I go. I didn't understand that world and wanted to escape from it.
I escaped the city where I was and wandered the forest floor. I lived of berries who were sometimes poisonous but was replenishing. There was times when I came close to dying from Tods, but every time I escape barely.
I brought myself to walk to this village when a kind guard let me enter by carrying me up to the village from the floor. But he wasn't much help as he was too busy take care of me as he had his own family. I felt that huge mana force one day I think two years ago when I was five. I heard that a three year old boy lost a lot of blood and fainted. I entered his house to see him covered in bandages.
I wanted to help that boy. I used my Magic which worked somehow and cured his injuries and stopped his blood from leaking from his nose. I snuck out of the home to not be noticed by anyone. Two days later he woke up, news spread around the village. But I wasn't allowed to go near him because of my race. Even in this village I was bullied but mostly I was avoided and dropped in these back alleys where I survived.
I recognize this woman and this boy. This is the boy I saved two years ago. His magic is relaxing. I looked at him...Wha-! Golden Radiance, a beautiful face, a radiant figure ahead of me. Beautiful...Is this how the world looks like?
With Rei,
"I am relaxed now....umm..." Zinona said.
"Call me Rei!" I said smiling.
Her eyes flashed. I guess she is relaxed now. She then hugged me. "Wah! Thank you! Rei!" she cried wholeheartedly.
I hugged her back. She has been through a lot I think in this cruel world. But hey, you have some warmth now. Maybe...maybe just maybe I can rid of this world of stereotypes and discrimination.
Zinona held by my side all the way home. Father was home already from Patrol duties and saw the Half - Elf clinging to me.
"You!" exclaimed Father.
"What? No way! You!" exclaimed Zinona in shock.
"Do you know my Father Zinona?" I asked confused. "He was the one who saved me from a Tod while I was in the outskirts of the Village in the forest floor!" she said.
"Small World huh" I murmured. Father was shocked to see Zinona here. Mom said that she wanted to add Zinona to the family as I requested. Father just laid back and said, "The More the Merrier". It seems his approval was way easy.
I don't know where this will go but hey, atleast I did something huh. Maybe I will use her to support me in finding my other siblings. But I must become friends with her first. She will be a valuable ally.
I wonder what's next. Hopefully these peaceful days will go forever. Zinona looked at me. I looked at her.
"Rei...I am Zinona! Use me in any ways you want!" she said.
"Just train for now, You must become stronger, you will be useful later..." I said.
"As you wish!" she said bowing down.
I will train her, strengthen her. I with my low defense and unpredictability must need someone normal, Zinona will her adaptability and versatility will be that "normal".
I smiled.
Hopefully nothing ruins my peace in this world...