- Erden's Tower - Central Pillar -

Going back in time a day earlier. In a certain wide, circular room decorated with pedestals, a bright column of light, and a small mirror—a young girl was dazedly seated on the ground. Her bob-cut black hair reflected a dazzling sheen from four glowing apparitions in front of her. On her lap perched the head of her companion—a slight, warm dampness exuding from where she could hear muffled sniffling.

“Hah... About the children, we better get someone to pick them up.”

Elicia nervously listened as the four apparitions were midway into their conversation. It was the visage of an elegant woman that had just spoken. Elicia dubbed her the blue lady.

“Ya, I already called for someone. She should be arriving soon. She should be arriving soon.” The second apparition—a yellow old man bearing a cane—replied with a chuckle.

“Well done,” the blue lady nodded,” Let us depart. Our responsibilities simply cannot wait.”

“I should stay with the children, just until my child comes to pick them up. Just until.”

“Unnecessary. Who knows when the next wave of mana beasts show up? If you must insist, then our Sylvestris can stay with them since he's the only one unoccupied.”

“Who?” Elicia blinked sheepishly. Someone was coming to pick them up? She tensely turned her head towards each of the speakers until another name was mentioned. She raised a twitching eyebrow and thought again, “Who?”

The yellow old man turned and jabbed his cane at the direction of another apparition, “Ya, Sylvestris, Sylvestris. Why won't you call for your child? He's also at the city, isn't he?”

“Ah?” The spirit showed only apathy.” You kiddin’? That man-child would tire himself cutting down half the forest to get here. Just head back to business, I'll stay with these kittens.”

“Oh,” Sylvestris was the lazy green man. Elicia nodded slightly but criticized, “Ya, a man should conduct himself properly, Aunt Merea would always say. This guy looks sloppy, laying on his side like that... “

“Alright!” A loud exclamation came from the last apparition—her silhouette appearing the youngest out of the four. “There isn't really anything interesting here so I'll head back to tend to my garden! Farewell everybody!” She gleefully absconded—her body dispersing into pale brown motes of luminescence. The blue lady and yellow old man both nodded and followed, leaving behind only the lazy green man.

“Wah!” Elicia uttered a squeal and covered Celeste with her sleeves. A few inches from her face, scattered dirt clumped in the air and formed an adorable clay doll; vibrant yellowish mana undulated and a voice similar to the yellow old man’s emerged.

“Hello hello, child!” It waved its small limbs. “Be not be afraid, Gnomus is my name! A friend of your father, a friend of your aunt!” It spoke with the aged voice of the yellow old man, but it’s manner of speaking was that of an adult playing with a child.

“Y-Y-Ya, w-who are you c-calling scared!?” Of course, Elicia was trembling. She was taught never to talk to strangers, yet something that seemed stranger than anything she'd ever seen had started talking to her.

“Oh, oh! Speaking of your aunt! I've called that child to come and take you home, I did!” The doll leaned close and pushed Elicia’s cheeks.

“Aunt Merea!? She's coming to rescue us!?” The act was sudden, but Elicia wasn’t surprised and instead, her nervousness was blown away,

“Settle child, settle. Wait patiently for her arrival. For the time being, Sylvestris over there will accompany you. His speech may be a little loose-tongued, but he's a good fellow! A good fellow? He doesn't mean anything bad by what he says. He's a good fellow!”

“Y-Ya, alright?” If her aunt was coming then Elicia believed everything was going to be fine. She leaned back a bit as her body gradually fell at ease.

“Child, this sprite I leave with you! If you ever need help, call for Gnomus! If you ever need help!” The doll waved once more before saying its last word; the glow around its clay figurine disappearing as the spirit, Gnomus became scarce.

Elicia reached out with a palm as the doll fell limp. She mused about the clay that landed on her hand, wondering if it would be of any use; she wasn’t a baby so how would a doll be of help to her? Would the doll grow bigger if she ever yelled Gnomus’ name?

“Ah, kid, don't be so stiff yeah? Your babysitter’s on the way.”

“…Babysitter?” Elicia irately squinted forward, “Right, the green man is still here. “she spoke inwardly. If she remembered correctly, the green man was Sylvestris. The apparitions’ intimidation fading, and with only one of them left behind, she immediately thought to ask him a question.

“Y-Ya, m-my friend! A boy with an oldie’s hair, what happened to him!?” She mustered.

“Friend?” Sylvestris turned his chin sideways before waving a free hand in a relaxed gesture,” Ah? The boy? Don't worry that head of yours. A friend of mine and those guys from earlier will look after him.”

The slovenly way he spoke and acted felt slightly patronizing to the usually proud Elicia, but her worry won over her annoyance. “Seriously, “she sighed with relief,” disappearing on us like that. I'll have to give that bedwetter a piece of my mind when he comes back.”

“Ah, why’d you three have to stir up trouble? Be good little kids and only play inside the city.” Sylvestris added.

Elicia couldn’t take his words seriously. His face was under a blurry veil that hid whatever expression he was making. The only physical feature she could make out was his fluffy-looking green hair, or at least, she was positive it was hair.

Feeling a bit indignant, she still replied, “Ya! It wasn't our fault! It was that scruffy old man!”

“Hah... What’s done is done. Volcanus will have to bear the brunt of it on the other side.” Sylvestris’ sigh came with a small gust of wind. A moment later, there was finally a change in his slovenly posture.

“Time to go kid, your babysitter's here.” Standing up, his body dimmed before vanishing in the same manner that the first three spirits had vanished.

Elicia quickly grew livid and yelled, “Who are you calling a baby!”

“Elicia!”

“Ya, I'm not a baby!” Elicia snapped her head towards the voice that had called her name so timely. Her gaze landing at the entrance of the room, she welled up immediately.

“Aunt Merea!” Her aunt was finally here.