I had always harbored a kind of fantasy about the race of elves.
Their beautiful and noble appearance.
Though they might grumble, they ultimately acted for the sake of good.
They were the very embodiment of admiration.
A race that anyone would dream of becoming at least once.
So, even when I suddenly became an elf, I accepted the situation right away.
Though the world I left behind weighed on my mind, with no way to return, I decided to be faithful to this new life.
Even if there were shortcomings, I believed I could become as elf-like as possible.
But, they were less than I had imagined.
They were elves, but not the elves I had envisioned.
It was disappointing.
But I didn’t despair.
I thought I could change them enough.
We weren’t monsters, and it wasn’t like there were any other major issues.
If we could just control this arrogance, we could remain as a race with “a bit too much pride.”
“…I regret my past self so damn much, you guys!!”
If I could just kick my past stupid self, I would have no regrets.
Thinking that, I ran towards my fellow elves—no, the “kanfs”—in the distance.
Without a second thought, I successfully landed a flying kick.
“Ugh!!”
In the midst of it, those damn kanfs noticed my presence and greeted me, asking, “Is that you, Tyreal?”
Damn it.
I tried everything to erase my presence, but why can’t I reach the level where they can’t detect me until I’m right next to them, like Seril?
It’s not like I’m bad at physical skills—even Sir Noah acknowledged my swordsmanship!
“Ti, Tyreal! What are you doing?!”
“That’s what I want to ask, you guys!”
“Me? You brat! Just because you spent three years in the human world, have you already forgotten to respect your elders?!”
Anyone listening would think there’s no respect for elders in the human world!
I can assure you, no race is as obsessed with age hierarchy as humans.
Just look at all the honorifics used here, and you’ll see it clearly.
Having lived in human society, I’m familiar with such norms.
But you made me throw all that away, so blame yourselves!
“What on earth have you done?!”
“What have we done? We were just…”
“We, who are even younger than your children, are struggling every day to restore the honor of the elves! And instead of helping, you’re ruining everything!”
The response that came back was truly ridiculous.
“Ruining it?! We’re trying our best too! If you don’t know anything, keep your mouth shut!”
“What did you say?”
“You youngsters don’t understand! How treacherous humans are! They may seem humble at first, but given the slightest chance, they’ll try to dominate you! We need to cut them down before they get the chance!”
Was I speaking a different language?
I’m pretty sure I was speaking in the elven tongue.
I thought we were trying to restore the faded glory of the elves, but suddenly, what?
Cutting them down?
Damn it, why are you guys doing that?
That’s something humans would do, not us outsiders!!
“I won’t say more. Go back and apologize right now.”
“Are you ordering us around now?”
“Yes. It’s an order. You all kept talking about the bow of the Mother Forest. I wielded it and proved my worth. In contrast, all you’ve done is babble about age.”
As I spoke, I felt a thousand-foot flame rising within me.
The one who wields the divine artifact is the proof of the central elf of the Great Forest.
That’s what I heard, learned, and understood to be our greatest achievement.
But now that I’ve done it, you’re just going on about age and claiming you’re right?
If that’s really the case, then why have we been doing all this?
From birth, we were whipped with magic and spirit arts, with no choice.
If we didn’t reach the set standard, hearing all sorts of bitter words was a daily routine.
Even I, who barely reached that standard, am treated like this, so my friends must have it worse.
“Tyreal. This is the last warning. Don’t speak recklessly. Even if this isn’t the Great Forest, you’re still of the forest clan! And nowhere in the forest’s laws does it say you can disrespect your elders!”
“That only applies if you’re truly of the forest clan.”
There’s no sign of remorse. Then it’s time for a more honest conversation.
“I’ll ask one last time. Are you really going to do this?”
“…”
I saw them flinch.
Yeah, that’s the expected reaction.
Did I just wield the divine artifact?
I’ve even beaten elders and adults.
Yet, they still dare to raise their voices in front of me.
Clearly, something’s not right.
“You, you’re the one who…”
Okay. That’s enough. Out.
Waving my hand, I gripped the sword hilt tightly enough to break it and approached.
Finally sensing the unusual atmosphere, the kanfs rolled their eyes.
“Uh, Tyreal. On second thought, maybe we were a bit harsh.”
“Ahem. Right. Right. So, about that apology, we’re willing to…”
“Hahahaha.”
Instead of answering, I laughed brightly.
Time’s up, you kanfs.
*
“Gah! Ack!”
Oh my god.
What was that just now?
Since when was Tyreal this fast?!
Screaming internally, Seril gritted her teeth and sped up.
When it comes to “agility,” elves are naturally superior.
The word “slow” doesn’t apply to them.
Even without physical training, it’s a kind of innate talent, a gift, you could say.
Seril was confident in her speed. At least, she thought she wasn’t slow.
But today, as the distance between her and Tyreal widened, she realized the truth.
‘Is this what Tyreal meant by the necessity of physical training?!’
In an instant, Tyreal became a dot and disappeared, leaving Seril behind.
If she hurried, she might be able to help Tyreal if something went wrong.
And honestly, she wanted to personally punish the fellow elves who had caused this trouble.
But now, it seemed she had to leave everything to Tyreal!
Her heart felt like it would burst.
Her chest felt like it was splitting.
All of this was new.
This is quite the rare experience after leaving the forest.
Seril let out an involuntary laugh as she kept running and finally caught up with Tyreal.
“Aaaah!”
“Kyaaah!!”
To be precise, an elf who hadn’t even reached adulthood was literally beating up the adults.
In human terms, it was like a scene of someone getting thoroughly beaten on a rainy day.
“…”
Amazingly, even while being beaten by Tyreal, the fellow elves stubbornly shouted, ‘You can’t hit your elders!’
They didn’t seem to realize their own mistakes, just that I was wrong for hitting them.
If my eyes didn’t roll back at that, it would be strange.
Tyreal swung his sheathed sword with even more vigor, and with each swing, the sound of something breaking could be heard.
‘Should I stop him…?’
But Seril found herself shaking her head without realizing it.
They deserve it.
Didn’t they almost ruin all our hard work?
Maybe part of it was already ruined.
If so, then they deserve it.
[Hmm.]
While she was watching blankly, the king, who had been silent until now, spoke.
[I think you should stop him. Ahaya.]
‘What?’
[Old hag… no, you guys call her Auntie now, right? Anyway, she’s getting anxious. Well, seeing her children being beaten like that, it’s understandable.]
Old hag, Auntie, stopping him—none of it made sense.
Because of that, Seril hesitated for a moment, and the change started from the other side.
[This is insane. Were they really that desperate?]
‘What do you mean…?’
“…Huh? Huh?”
The sigh that followed wasn’t internal but an actual one from Seril.
Because the divine artifact of the Great Forest, the bow of the Mother Forest, which had completely turned into light and disappeared before, reappeared in a semi-transparent form.
[It’s very unstable. Ahaya. Go stop your lover.]
‘My, my lover?! What are you talking about?!’
[No? But judging by what you’ve been doing… ]
Suddenly, a serious discussion began about whether Tyreal was her lover or not.
Because of that, Seril and the king got caught up in a deep conversation.
“See? Even the Mother Forest has manifested briefly to ask me to discipline you for causing trouble!”
Perhaps just beating them with the sheath wasn’t enough.
Tyreal, now holding the divine artifact of the Great Forest, began swinging the bow.
In his mind, someone screamed, ‘That’s not it! Stop!’ but it was already too late.
“Waaah! I, I’m sorry!”
“V, violence is bad. Tyreal! Violence!!”
“Violence solves everything, don’t you know?!”