Supreme Hunter of Beautiful Souls

Under the silver light of the moon, a gentle breeze danced through the leaves of the forest surrounding Elion's house. The sound of crickets filled the air with a soft melody, while two women sat on simple chairs in the garden, their silhouettes illuminated by the warm glow of a small magical lantern floating between them. 

Elion held a cup of fragrant tea, while Eva, still wearing her worn battle clothes, gazed at the sky, seemingly lost in thought. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, but it carried the weight of something unspoken, something that needed to be put into words. 

"You want to talk about what's really going on, don't you?" Elion broke the silence, her voice calm but firm. She took a sip of tea, her golden eyes fixed on Eva. 

Eva lowered her gaze to her hands, clasped tightly in her lap. She took a deep breath, knowing it was pointless to hide anything anymore. "Yes... it's time you knew the truth." 

Elion didn't respond immediately. She simply waited, giving Eva the space to find her words. 

"I'm not here just to save innocent elves," Eva began, her voice low but steady. "My true mission has always been to find the Princess of the Dark Elves. A child who, according to their prophecy, is destined to alter the balance of the Elven realm. After all... both sides have been at war for years... High Elves and Dark Elves alike." 

Elion raised an eyebrow, her interest evident, though her expression remained neutral. "And you believe that this princess is Sylphie?" In truth, she already knew the answer; she just wanted Eva to admit it. 

Eva nodded, finally lifting her eyes to meet Elion's. "Yes. At first, I didn't consider her because of her frail body and clumsiness. But what happened recently... the incident with Faen, the way she unleashed that raw mana energy... it was enough to convince me." 

Elion set her teacup aside, crossing her legs and resting her chin on her hand. "You don't seem surprised," Eva noted, catching the lack of reaction from the woman. 

"I'm not," Elion admitted. "I've suspected for some time. Sylphie isn't an ordinary child. From the day she set foot here, I felt something different about her. And when I saw how the World Tree reacted to her presence, I was certain she was special." 

Eva leaned forward, surprised. "The World Tree? What happened?" 

Elion paused, her tone nonchalant. "Nothing much. I just did my job as a mother. I wasn't going to let some random girl near my son. I used all my magic to analyze her until I found her connection to the World Tree," she admitted with a shrug. 

Eva's eyes widened. "The World Tree is a sacred symbol to the elves. It only responds to those with a deep connection to primordial mana. If she's connected to the World Tree... then Sylphie..." She trailed off, letting the thought hang in the air. 

Elion nodded, finishing the unspoken sentence. "She isn't just any child. She's important... but that also makes her a target." 

A chill ran down Eva's spine. "The slavers, Faen... it wasn't a coincidence that they were all here. They were after her. They knew who she was." 

"And who protects her," Elion added, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I may have left my old life behind, but I'll make sure no one lays a finger on Sylphie or Kael while they're under my care. Still, I think it's best to take her back to the Elven Kingdom." 

Eva relaxed slightly, but the worry on her face remained. "I appreciate that, Elion, but you know it won't be that simple. My original plan was to leave immediately, but... with Sylphie's condition and everything that's happened, it seems I'll have to delay those plans." 

Elion, sitting calmly in her chair, rested her elbow on the armrest and touched her face with her hand as though deep in thought. After a moment, she gave a faint smile and raised her left hand, revealing a black ring that seemed to absorb the very light around it. "Use my ring. I'll lend it to you," she said. 

Before Eva could question it, Elion slid the Obsidian Ring from her finger and tossed it gently toward her. Eva caught it quickly, holding the artifact carefully while staring at it with wide eyes.

"Ring of Eternal Concealment," Eva murmured, recognizing the item instantly. Her voice carried a mixture of surprise and reverence. "This... this is an S-Rank item. It's legendary. This ring allows the wearer to completely hide their presence, erasing physical, magical, and even spiritual traces. An item like this is so rare it's practically one of a kind."

Elion shrugged, as if the artifact were just another trinket in her collection. "I haven't had any use for it in years. Honestly, I only kept it for nostalgia. Once I figured out how its magic works, I replicated it in myself. The difference is, now I don't need an item for that."

Eva looked at her, incredulous. "You really are a monster," she muttered, half-joking but with a tone of genuine admiration.

Elion chuckled softly, unoffended. "I was planning to give that ring to Kael eventually, but he's still too young. Besides, he needs to learn to walk before he runs. If I ever come across a skilled dwarven blacksmith, I might commission another for him. Until then, you'll need it more than I do."

Eva still seemed hesitant, but she knew the ring could be the key to completing her mission without attracting unnecessary attention. She held the ring firmly and looked at Elion with gratitude. "Thank you, Elion. This will make things much easier. With it, I can combine my stealth magic and ensure no one follows us."

"Exactly," Elion confirmed with a nod.

Eva took a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility but also a sense of lightness, knowing she had such formidable support. She slid the ring onto her finger and felt a delicate wave of mana envelop her, almost as if the artifact itself was adjusting to her presence.

"I promise to treat this as if it were my life," she said, standing up. "And I'll make sure to return it to Kael."

"I'm counting on that," Elion replied with a faint smile. "That's why I'm trusting you with it."

Eva tilted her head slightly, her expression shifting from determined to curious. "Now... could you tell me where exactly you were earlier?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Elion, however, suddenly averted her gaze, like a child caught doing something they shouldn't. "Huh? What's with that reaction?" Eva narrowed her eyes suspiciously, crossing her arms.

"I-I was..." Elion hesitated, clearing her throat. "I was speaking with the Headmaster of Azalith."

Eva blinked a few times, confused, before her expression turned into pure incredulity. "Wait... You mean that old man? The one you call your master? Why on earth were you talking to that walking relic?"

Elion immediately blushed, her usually composed and imposing demeanor crumbling into a mix of embarrassment and nervousness. "D-don't call him that... He's still highly respectable, you know?"

"Respectable?" Eva snorted, barely holding back a laugh. "The man can barely stand up without the entire school shaking under the strain of his creaking joints. And you've always called him an 'antiquity'!"

"I only said that once!" Elion retorted, crossing her arms and looking away again.

"Sure, sure," Eva replied, shaking her head with a mischievous grin. "So, why were you talking to him?"

Elion bit her lip for a moment before mumbling something inaudible.

"What?" Eva leaned closer, narrowing her eyes. "Say that again, I didn't hear you."

"W-well..." Elion cleared her throat again, avoiding the other woman's gaze. "When Kael grows up... he's going to need to attend school, right?"

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