“Volcanus!?” Luca pushed his chair back as he stood abruptly—his arm postured with the intent to knock the spirit that keeps snubbing him.

“He only spoke to give his approval,” Ashur spoke knowingly, and gestured for the irate man to take his seat. He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead—preparing himself for the topic approaching.

“As things had progressed according to what the greater spirit said, our roles were determined to be unfortunate companions in his isolation.” An involuntary sigh broke his speech for a moment before he continued, “Escape from the forest—from their own homes—only to welcome another calamity; the fate of the elves has been lamentable thus far.”

“Elves?” Urie muttered, tilting his head in obvious intrigue.

The old elf reacted favorably as he was appreciative of curiosity. Bringing his hand to the side of his head and rubbing his lengthy ear, Ashur enlightened the boy, “Surely child, you don't think this is a trait that I alone monopolize? This entire half of the city was initially designated as the former forest-walkers' dwelling. If not for the Nifyr that roamed the streets, long ears would have been a much more common sight outside.”

“Really!?” The curious boy's eyes gleamed with fascination. His gaze shifted from Ashur towards Simone and Stella with the intent of asking a follow-up. Unwittingly about to bring up a sensitive matter—Simone noticed and quickly intervened before he could bring it up.

“High Elder, what's this about the fate of the elves?” He asked, hoping to steer the discussion away.

“Ah, yes.” Ashur cleared his throat, ”The forest-walkers—elves, have been blessed with a long lifespan. Most are able to live past three or four of a human's lifetimes.”

“Blessing you say? Hah! Age is just the compensation as it seems wisdom was taken away!” Stella scoffed, bringing about an awkward lull at the table. Simone sighed at his failed attempt while Luca brushed his hair back silently. Urie felt a chill between his fingers and toes as he was seated right beside the scowling Stella.

—It's cold, not from magic... It seems aunt Stella holds something against grandpa Ashur...

His stomach churned from sensing the disharmony in the air—something he had never once felt from his family—neither could he speak a word out of his mouth. Looking at Stella, her countenance at this time seemed frightening. It wasn't until the quiet was broken by Ashur's tapping on the table did Urie notice he had also been holding his breath.

Dismissing the remark, Ashur continued to speak, although not appearing entirely unshaken, “Elves are of a different physiology from humans. They—we... are more like magic creatures; we sustain our lifespans from the mana we possess. As long as we can resupply any mana we use, we can live for an indeterminately long amount of time. If we can't immediately regain used mana, and this issue is prolonged, it is our lifespans that pay the price.”

Ashur paused. The air was still bitter and nobody seemed to want to respond.

“So there are magic creatures that look human? What about Celeste? She has short ears. Is she an elf?” Well, nobody except for the ashen-haired boy with the curious itch.

"Truly an ideal student," Ashur thought and was thankful. He replied, “Granddaughter... Celeste has properly inherited her father's side. Though had her elven blood been more prominent like her mother's, then she would've been considered a half-elf... If you would like to, child, we can proceed with any of your inquiries at another time. For now, our focus should be on the elves,” he suggested, and Urie eagerly nodded.

Ashur continued, “Elves... Unlike humans, we elves have to replenish our mana through the presence of the spirits. Instead of possessing what humans call mana seeds, magic creatures have bodies attuned to a certain element. For instance, the forest-walkers, the element fitting would be wood.”

“Is that how all magic creatures are?” Curious thoughts began tickling the nape of Urie's neck and he was at a point where he had difficulty holding himself back from firing random questions.

—Something like the rock drake, since it's covered in earth, its probably fed mana by earth spirits? How about the shadow wolf, is it related to any of the elements? It is also a magic creature, I believe.

Though his list grew longer, the child was aware that now was not an appropriate time to ask them. If he had his way, then the discussion would only have been unnecessarily prolonged.

“Nowadays, the number of pure blood elves left on this side—apart from the members of the Elder Council—is at a scant comparison to the numbers a few centuries ago. Willow, the greater spirit of wood—without her, the presence of wood spirits that replenish our mana disperse. The problem of the Nifyr is just an extension of that calamity.”

Ashur shut his eyes and rubbed his forehead in the same manner before the discussion started—a habit that had developed since taking the mantle of high elder. A weary tone then escaped from his mouth, “To fade away quietly into obscured history, such is the fate that lies in store for the elves...”

“I couldn't care less about the fate of those old-timers!” Stella snarled. “What does this story have to do with getting little Urie back home?

Indeed, what did this story about elves have to do with him? Urie tried to piece together the facts that had been established. The elves being kept away from the wood spirits lessened their supposedly long lives.

—If so, then for what reason was Volcanus sealed? Could it be...?

Ashur replied with an answer to placate Stella's impatience, “The bigger the magic creature, the more mana it would require. Under the blue sky, there exists a creature that flame sprites alone couldn't sustain.“

Hearing that last bit of information was like a key unlocking Urie's locked lips, and a question inadvertently emerged.

“The Dragon?”