The grand banquet hall of Veylith was a sight to behold. The high ceilings were adorned with intricate golden chandeliers, their soft glow illuminating the sprawling room filled with elven nobility. The air was thick with the scent of aged wine, exotic spices, and the quiet murmurs of political intrigue.
Evolis stood at the edge of the hall, his golden eyes scanning the crowd. The banquet was more than just a formal gathering, it was a battlefield of whispered alliances and veiled threats.
Aeliana had disappeared into the throng of nobles, leaving him to fend for himself. He had half a mind to track her down when a familiar voice reached his ears.
"Enjoying yourself, human?"
Evolis turned, finding himself face to face with Prince Vaerion. The elven prince, clad in deep royal blues, regarded him with a neutral expression, though there was a keen intelligence behind his emerald eyes.
Evolis smirked. "I wouldn't say 'enjoying,' but it's definitely… entertaining."
Vaerion chuckled. "Politics often are. But tell me, are you prepared for tonight's duel?"
Evolis tilted his head. "Should I be worried?"
Vaerion's gaze flickered toward the center of the banquet hall, where a large dueling stage had been set up. "It depends. There are those in this hall who would like to see you fail."
Evolis leaned slightly toward him. "And you? Do you want to see me fail?"
Vaerion was silent for a moment, then a small smile played on his lips. "I think… you are an interesting anomaly. One I would rather observe than eliminate."
Evolis chuckled. "High praise from a prince."
Vaerion's gaze sharpened. "Don't mistake it for favoritism. You are still an outsider, Evolis. Tread carefully."
Before Evolis could respond, a low chime resonated through the banquet hall, signaling the arrival of the king. The murmurs of nobles and warriors alike quieted as all eyes turned toward the elevated throne. King Aldorien rose, his emerald robes flowing with an effortless grace that only an elven ruler could command. The silver circlet atop his brow shimmered under the soft glow of the floating Etherion lamps.
His gaze swept across the grand chamber, his presence alone enough to command silence.
"Honored guests, nobles of Veylith, and warriors of the younger generation," Aldorien's voice rang with clarity, carrying the weight of a ruler addressing his people. "Tonight, we gather to celebrate strength, to witness the talent of those who shall one day shape the future of our great kingdom."
A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd.
"But as we rejoice in tradition, we cannot turn a blind eye to the storm gathering beyond our borders."
The atmosphere shifted.
Evolis straightened slightly. He had expected the king to make some grand declaration about the competition, but this… this was something else.
Aldorien's gaze darkened. "The Dark Elves have breached the western outposts."
Whispers spread like wildfire.
Evolis narrowed his eyes. This was the first he had heard of a war. He glanced toward Vaerion, whose expression remained neutral but rigid. Across the room, Aeliana's hands clenched subtly at her sides.
The king continued. "We have always known that the shadows of the past linger, that those who seek to unravel Veylith's peace still exist. The Dark Elves have made their intentions clear... they will not cease until they have taken what they believe is theirs." He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle over the gathered nobles. "And so, we must prepare."
War.
Evolis exhaled slowly, his gaze flickering toward the sea of elven nobility. He had seen the way their spines stiffened, the way their hands subtly curled into fists. This wasn't just a political concern for them—it was personal. Generations of conflict ran deep in their veins, shaping their perspectives long before he had ever stepped foot in this kingdom.
But what did it mean for him?
He had no loyalty to Veylith. No stake in their war. His only goal was to find a way home. And yet… war had a way of pulling in even the most unwilling. If the dark elves truly threatened the kingdom, then it wouldn't be long before it affected him, whether he wanted it to or not.
Evolis scoffed inwardly. Just his luck. As if navigating elven politics wasn't already enough of a mess, now he had to consider the shadow of war looming over everything.
Would this delay his plans? Or worse—trap him here even longer?
Aldorien's gaze swept across the younger warriors assembled in the hall. "Strength is not merely a tool for survival. It is the foundation upon which our kingdom stands. Tonight's competition is not just a display of skill, it is a testament to those who may be called to war sooner than they think."
A tense silence filled the space.
Evolis exhaled quietly. So this tournament wasn't just for show. It was a way to gauge potential warriors for the battlefield.
"Now," the king continued, "let the duels commence."
At his signal, the air shifted, the tension transforming into a tangible current of anticipation. The arena at the center of the hall shimmered as a barrier of Etherion flared to life, ensuring that no stray magic would harm the spectators. The names of the first two combatants appeared in glowing golden script above the arena.
First Match: Lirien Vaenor vs. Caelum Thalor
The crowd stirred with excitement.
Lirien Vaenor, one of Elandor's cousins and a scion of House Vaenor, was a name well known in noble circles. He was tall and lean, his silver hair bound neatly behind him, and his golden eyes glowed faintly with Etherion. Across from him, Caelum Thalor, a lesser noble but a formidable warrior in his own right, rolled his shoulders in preparation, his pale blue robes flowing as he stepped forward.
The announcer's voice rang through the chamber. "Begin."
Lirien moved first.
He was fast.
His Etherion surged, and in an instant, a blade of golden light materialized in his grasp. A technique exclusive to the Vaenor bloodline, [Radiant Edge].
Caelum barely had time to react before Lirien closed the distance. Their blades clashed, sparks flying as Caelum managed to block just in time. The impact sent a pulse of force through the barrier, making the protective runes flicker.
Evolis watched intently.
Lirien was skilled. His strikes were precise, each one a calculated attempt to break through Caelum's guard. But Caelum wasn't just standing there—his footwork was fluid, his Etherion responding in kind. With a flick of his wrist, Caelum conjured a whip-like extension of water, using its flexibility to counter Lirien's rapid slashes.
Lirien grinned. "Clever."
Then he shifted.
A burst of golden Etherion erupted around him, forcing Caelum to retreat.
Lirien lifted his sword skyward, and the light from his Etherion intensified. [Solar Cascade].
A rain of burning light blades descended upon Caelum.
The water-user gritted his teeth and raised both hands, summoning a towering wave that curved around him in a protective shell.
It wasn't enough.
The moment the first blade struck, the entire cascade followed suit, piercing through the water shield and striking Caelum's Etherion barrier directly. The younger noble staggered back, his defenses shattered.
He didn't get a chance to recover.
Lirien appeared in front of him in a blink, the edge of his blade hovering inches from Caelum's throat.
The duel was over.
The crowd roared in approval, though Evolis noticed that some of the nobles—particularly those aligned with House Vaenor—were watching him instead of the victor.
'Trying to intimidate me before my match? Cute.'
Caelum exhaled sharply, bowing slightly before stepping out of the arena. Lirien smirked as he withdrew his blade, barely acknowledging his opponent before making his way back to his seat.
The next two matches passed quickly.
Second Match: Sylvaine Eldrin vs. Theron Veylith
Sylvaine, a noble with a strong affinity for wind and illusion magic, made quick work of her opponent. Theron struggled to land a single hit, as every time he lunged, she was already somewhere else. The fight ended when she conjured a dozen clones and struck from all angles, overwhelming him.
Third Match: Rael Durnir vs. Orin Valmara
This fight was brutal.
Rael, a heavy-hitting warrior, wielded earth magic with devastating force. Orin, an agile dual-wielder, used lightning to enhance his speed. Sparks flew as the two clashed, but ultimately, Rael's sheer resilience won out, his final strike sending Orin sprawling against the barrier with a resounding crash.
Then, the fourth match was announced.
Fourth Match: Evolis Aetherion vs. Serin Vaenor.
The energy in the room shifted.
The murmurs grew louder. Nobles exchanged knowing glances, and Evolis could feel the weight of expectation pressing down on him.
Across the arena, his opponent stepped forward.
Serin Vaenor.
Another of Elandor's kin. Taller than Lirien, broader in frame, his polished black armor glinted under the hall's soft glow. His presence alone exuded quiet confidence.
He exhaled, grazing the hilt of his sword on his back, as it seemed to vibrate in excitement. It was time.
The dueling stage was surrounded by high-ranking nobles and members of the younger elven generation, all eager to witness the night's spectacle. The matches were designed to showcase the talents of the kingdom's future leaders, but Evolis knew better.
This wasn't just a competition.
It was a test. A staged trap, meant to crush his credibility in front of the entire court.
His opponent stepped forward, an elven warrior named Sylas, one of Elandor's known associates. He carried himself with arrogance, his smirk filled with unspoken threats.
Evolis grinned. "Let's get this over with."
The duel began.
Sylas struck fast, his twin blades weaving in a pattern designed to overwhelm. Evolis sidestepped, parrying with calculated ease. The crowd murmured as he countered each attack effortlessly, his movements precise rather than reckless.
Evolis could see it in his opponent's eyes, the moment realization dawned.
This wasn't going to be an easy fight.
The battle intensified. Evolis weaved between Sylas' slashes, using subtle gravitational shifts to control the flow of combat. Every movement was measured, every strike a deliberate effort to expose Sylas' weaknesses.
Then, Sylas activated a hidden inscription on his blades. A surge of Etherion flared as his weapons elongated into whips of pure energy.
The crowd gasped.
A trap.
Evolis barely had time to adjust before Sylas lashed out, the energy whips slicing through the air. He twisted, gravity-enhanced footwork keeping him just out of reach.
His mind worked rapidly.
They wanted to humiliate him. To prove that he was nothing more than an anomaly that didn't belong.
Too bad for them.
Evolis gathered his Etherion, tapping into his newly honed spatial affinity instinctively. Just as Sylas' whip came down, the air around him trembled, as space bent around him as he teleported a few feet away, reappearing at Sylas' blind spot.
A ripple of unnatural stillness spread across the arena.
The elf barely had time to react before Evolis' fist connected with his gut, a concentrated pulse of repulsion from his Gravity-enhanced force behind the blow. The impact sent Sylas hurtling backward, his body skidding across the arena floor before slamming into the shimmering Etherion barrier before collapsing in a stunned heap.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The entire hall seemed frozen in time.
The nobles, the warriors, the seasoned combatants. Everyone watched in stunned disbelief.
Even Vaerion, the composed and calculating prince, furrowed his brows in thought, his usually impassive gaze flickering with something akin to intrigue.
At the upper stands, Elandor shot to his feet, his golden eyes wide with shock and fury. His fingers clenched around the ornate goblet in his grasp, the metal bending slightly under his tightening grip. "Impossible," he hissed under his breath. "Space affinity?! That human—!"
A murmur swelled through the crowd, whispers of disbelief and speculation weaving through the nobles like wildfire.
"He teleported…"
"A human wielding space magic?"
"Impossible. That's an advanced affinity—!"
Even the seasoned combatants of Veylith watched with rapt attention.
At the highest seat, King Aldorien's eyes narrowed slightly, the gleam of calculation in his gaze sharp enough to cut through steel. His fingers tapped once against the polished armrest of his throne—a rare display of intrigue. A human, not just wielding gravity but also space? His mind whirled with possibilities, his earlier suspicions now undeniably reinforced.
Aeliana's lips parted slightly, emerald eyes locked onto Evolis. A flicker of something unreadable crossed her features—shock, perhaps, but also something else. Admiration? Concern? She barely noticed the way her fingers curled around the folds of her dress.
She had fought alongside him, had sparred with him, yet even she had not known he possessed this.
'How much more is he hiding?'
The hall remained deathly quiet as Evolis exhaled, rolling his shoulders.
He cast a downward glance at Sylas, his golden eyes void of emotion, his voice low and razor-sharp.
"Next time, don't blink."
A groan escaped Sylas' lips, his body barely stirring from where he lay.
The Grand Orator, though momentarily taken aback, quickly composed himself and stepped forward. His voice, slightly trembling, carried through the hall, though even he could not mask the slight edge of disbelief in his tone.
"W-Winner... Evolis."
The silence held for only a moment longer before the hall erupted.
Some nobles whispered feverishly, others scoffed, unwilling to believe what they had just witnessed. Among the younger warriors, reactions were mixed, some eyes gleamed with newfound respect, others with burning jealousy.
Elandor remained standing, his face twisted in barely restrained anger.
The game had just changed.
And Evolis had unknowingly declared himself a major player.
Scattered applause followed, some hesitant, others intrigued. Evolis met Elandor's gaze across the room. The noble's expression was unreadable, but his clenched fists told him enough.
This wasn't over.
Later that night, Evolis found himself standing on one of the palace balconies, overlooking the starlit expanse of Veylith. The cool breeze carried the scent of night-blooming flora, offering a rare moment of quiet after the chaos of the tournament.
Footsteps approached behind him.
He turned slightly as Aeliana stepped into view. She leaned against the railing, her silver hair catching the moonlight, her expression unreadable.
"You held back."
Evolis smirked. "Did I?"
Aeliana's gaze lingered on him before she looked away. "You knew the fight was rigged. You played along, but you didn't humiliate him."
Evolis exhaled, his golden eyes scanning the city below. "No point in making more enemies than I already have."
Aeliana was silent for a moment, then let out a slow breath. "You're not what I expected."
Evolis chuckled. "I get that a lot."
She turned to fully face him now, her emerald eyes searching his features, as if debating something. A rare hesitation crossed her face.
"Why did you really bring me here, Aeliana?" Evolis asked, his voice softer, more thoughtful than teasing this time.
Aeliana bit her lip, glancing away. The composed princess wavered for a moment, something vulnerable flashing across her face before she spoke.
"At first… I thought you'd be a problem. An anomaly. Another human drunk on the idea of wielding power that isn't his."Her fingers tightened around the railing. "But you're not like the others. You're reckless, but it's not thoughtless. You throw yourself into danger, but not without calculating the risks. You… you adapt too fast."
Evolis arched a brow. "That almost sounds like praise, Princess."
Aeliana shook her head, a wry smile barely touching her lips before fading. "What I mean is… I don't know what to do with you. I brought you here to keep an eye on you, to understand what you are, what you want. But the more I learn, the less I know. I just—" she hesitated, then exhaled. "I don't know anymore."
Evolis studied her, the flickering lanterns casting long shadows over her face. He hadn't expected this from her, a moment of genuine uncertainty.
"You trust me?" he asked after a beat.
Aeliana let out a small, bitter chuckle. "I don't know if trust is the right word." Then, after a pause, "But I think… I want to."
For the first time since meeting her, Evolis saw something more than duty in her eyes. Something real.
Then, as if embarrassed by her own words, Aeliana swiftly changed the subject. "You know, whenever I speak to you, your mind almost always seems to be somewhere else."
Evolis glanced at her, caught off guard.
"As if you're thinking about something... or someone," she added, watching him carefully.
Evolis hesitated. He could have dodged the question, thrown out a sarcastic remark, but instead, he sighed and leaned against the railing.
"I'm stranded here," he admitted. "I don't belong to this kingdom, this continent, this world. I woke up in the middle of a jungle through a space rift that threw me her with no way back home. And I don't even know if there's a way."
Aeliana blinked, her expression shifting from curiosity to something softer. She hadn't expected him to answer so honestly.
"Your home… tell me about it," she murmured.
Evolis was quiet for a long moment. "Aurelion." The name rolled off his tongue like a distant memory. "A kingdom of towering spires, golden fields stretching for miles, a sky so vast you almost feel like you could fall into it." His voice was distant, wistful. "I had people there. People waiting for me. But I don't know if I'll ever see them again."
Aeliana absorbed his words in silence. Then, to his surprise, she spoke. "What if I helped you?"
Evolis turned to her, golden eyes narrowing. "Help me?"
She nodded. "You said you don't know how to get back, but you're not the only one searching for answers." Her fingers traced the railing absently. "My father has access to knowledge and resources beyond what most could ever imagine. If there's a way back… it might be buried in Veylith's records, in places only royalty can reach."
Evolis watched her carefully, reading between the lines.
"And you'd be willing to risk that? Helping me find a way out of this world?"
Aeliana's lips pressed together. "If it means understanding you… understanding why fate brought you here?" Her voice softened. "Yes."
For the first time, Evolis found himself at a loss for words.
She turned away before he could respond, folding her arms as if shielding herself. "Anyway. Don't take it the wrong way. I'm not doing this out of the kindness of my heart."
Evolis smirked. "Of course not."
She scoffed but didn't meet his gaze.
The night air was cool, the weight of unspoken thoughts settling between them.
Aeliana finally sighed, looking up at the moon. "Just… try not to die before I figure all of this out, alright?"
Evolis chuckled. "I'll do my best Aeliana."
It had been the first time Evolis had called her by her name.
She scoffed again, rolling her eyes. But as she turned to leave, Evolis caught it, the faintest tinge of pink dusting the tips of her ears.
He shook his head, exhaling. 'This world just keeps getting more interesting.'
---
In the dimly lit private chambers of House Vaenor, the atmosphere was heavy with quiet frustration. Elandor stood rigid, his fists clenched at his sides, barely containing his simmering rage. Across from him, seated in a grand high-backed chair, Duke Valtheris swirled his wine slowly, his silver eyes sharp and calculating.
For a long moment, there was silence.
Then, in a clipped tone, Valtheris finally spoke. "Explain."
Elandor exhaled sharply, his golden eyes still burning with disbelief. "The duel… didn't go as expected."
Valtheris arched a brow. "A mild way of saying you failed."
Elandor's jaw tightened, but he held his father's gaze. "Sylas was supposed to push him, to wear him down. It should have been simple. But—" he exhaled through his nose, his fingers curling into fists, "he has a space affinity."
The room fell eerily quiet.
Valtheris set his goblet down with deliberate precision, his expression darkening. "Are you certain?"
Elandor's frustration boiled over. "I saw it with my own eyes! He bent space like it was second nature. He teleported, Father. A human—using spatial manipulation with no visible strain!"
Valtheris remained silent, his mind already working through the implications.
'Space affinity.' One of the rarest elements, even among the elven nobility. Among humans? Nearly unheard of. And yet, Evolis had wielded it with alarming ease, as if it was merely another extension of himself. That changed things. That made him an even greater threat than before.
"It creates a hitch in our plans," Valtheris murmured, his fingers tapping against the armrest. "If he can use space magic, then the assassination will be more complicated."
Elandor scowled. "So what? He caught Sylas off guard. He still bled. He's not invincible."
Valtheris studied his son carefully, then exhaled. "No. But it means we cannot afford any more surprises. Space affinity grants too much unpredictability—he could escape, evade, even counter the assassin's approach." He leaned forward slightly. "Are you sure the assassin is in place?"
Elandor nodded. "Yes. He's already positioned, waiting for the signal."
Valtheris was silent for a moment, considering.
Then, his lips curled into a slow, calculating smirk. "Then we adjust."
Elandor frowned. "Adjust how?"
His father picked up his goblet again, the candlelight glinting off the deep red liquid. "We assumed he would fall in the duel. That was our mistake." He took a slow sip before continuing. "But now, we let him believe he's won."
Elandor's smirk returned. "And then?"
Valtheris set the goblet down, his silver eyes gleaming coldly. "And then, before the night is over, Evolis Aetherion will learn what it means to be truly cornered."
Elandor let out a slow exhale, anticipation sharpening in his gaze.
The plan had changed. But the end result?
That remained the same.
Evolis wouldn't survive to see tomorrow.