It was morning before I knew it. I wasn't able to get much sleep though I was sure I wouldn't need to. My excitement mixed with anxiety was enough to keep me powered. I woke up earlier than usual since the outskirts of Eirad were some hours away by carriage. To account for it, Akano's plan required us to leave just a little before dawn. Fortunately, Elvira and the others weren't by my bedside yet. I wouldn't say I was sneaking out since I had informed them last night at dinner that I was leaving early, but running into as little of my family as possible while leaving wouldn't hurt.

I rose from my bed quietly and slipped into my academy uniform. Akano and I planned to ditch them later, but to keep up the appearance of our little "School trip", we would leave with them. After freshening up, I unlocked the cabinet holding the journal Yukina was trapped in and clutched it tightly for a second before slipping it into my blazer's inside pocket. I decided the other night that it was better to take it with me as there might be a need for it in the Kingdom. Furthermore, if anything happened to me there, she would be locked in the drawer forever, without anyone knowing.

As I made my way to the door, I turned back towards my room, hoping that this wouldn't be the last time I saw it. In the month I've been here, it was something relating to a safe space for me—somewhere I could let the last remaining bits of my guard down. I've bonded with my family during my time here, but having a place to unwind privately day after day was nice. And despite the irony of the situation, considering my newfound status as a demon princess, my bed felt like a slice of heaven.

I quietly said my goodbyes to my room and headed down the hall and the spiral staircase. Wasting no time, I was about to push open the doors and head out when I heard someone call my name from the stairs. I turned, and it was...

"Torin." I greeted, as I stood as straight as my spine would allow, my eyes widening in surprise at her sudden appearance. "Good morning..."

As usual, during these hours, she wore a midnight blue robe that matched hues with her hair that always seemed to be in style, cascading down her back, adding to her already elegant and regal aura.

"Good morning to you as well, dear sister," she replied, her piercing pale black eyes studying me intently. "Departing already?" I nodded my head in response. "I see." There was a brief pause before she spoke as she just studied me. "Well," she finally spoke, "Take care. I'll see you when you return."

I thanked her and slipped out of the castle, heading towards the fixed point that Akano and I agreed to meet at; the edge of a forest that was in close proximity to the academy. Along the way, I couldn't help but mull over the conversation I had with Torin. Most of our talks were of the same nature, short and straightforward. Torin's persona was all about duty and respect, and she lived that way to the fullest, as expected of the next in line to the Throne. Her presence right when I was about to leave left me slightly unsettled, and for a moment, I considered if she knew more than she let on. However, I dismissed my own paranoia and chose to drop the matter for now. Plus, she only spoke two sentences, so I was sure I was just being weirded out for no reason.

After some time, I arrived at the tree line and was met by Akano, who was leaning against a carriage.

"Are you ready?" she asked, straightening herself out as I approached.

"Never better." I replied as I let out a deep breath, getting rid of any last doubts I had.

"You know, it's not too late to call it off. In fact, I'm still against this whole plan."

"I need to do this."

"Yeah, I know. Well, I actually don't know as you won't say why we're going."

I lowered my gaze, feeling a pang of guilt. "I know, I'm sorry..."

Akano exhaled and gave my shoulder a gentle tap. "Don't worry about it Yuki, I'm sure you have your reasons. Besides, like I said before, whether I know or don't doesn't really make a difference. Come on, we're wasting daylight." We both entered the carriage, settling into our seats across from each other. With a sharp whistle from her, the carriage began to move and we were off.

"Okay," Akano started as she pulled out a map from a nearby bag and spread it for the both of us to examine. "From the capital, as you know, it'll be some hours before we reach the border. We should get there around noon." Tapping at the border on the map, she looked up at me. "It'll be up to you to get us in the Kingdom though. That shield they have around the Kingdom is as secure as it gets, even the Association has no idea how to penetrate it."

"Yeah, just leave it to me. Spatial magic is sort of my thing." I chuckled, trying to muster up some confidence.

"Not to mention, once inside, we'd still have to make our way to the center of the Kingdom, the Palace. It's best we go on foot to avoid drawing attention to ourselves. We'll be entering from a remote location on the border. Ideally, it shouldn't take more than a couple of days. Though, we'll have to really get a move as we'll be avoiding the main roads."

I nodded. "Then after comes the Tree of Wisdom. Did you manage to find any other information on it?"

"Other than its essentially a library in a tree? No. No one knows what type of text they keep in there - another place with airtight defenses probably. We're going to be heavily counting on your magic."

"Yeah, I can do it."

"I wouldn't be upset if you couldn't." She joked.

"Anything else?"

"Well, once inside, almost everything is going to be improvised. It's impossible to account for everything that could happen under the dome." She raised her eyes from the map and fixed them on me. "So, it's important that you listen to me and don't do anything reckless." She spoke, emphasizing every word to ensure it was drilled into me. "One mistake could cost us. We are intruding on a Kingdom, no matter how you look at it."

"I got it. When have I ever gone against what you advised?"

Her stern expression softened, hinting at a flicker of amusement. "Yuki..." She started, catching my budding smirk. She sighed and stowed the map in her bag. "Try to get some rest before we get to the border. We have a long day ahead of us."

This time, I heeded her advice and reclined into my seat, watching the landscape change from the Academy's grounds to a rush of never-ending greenery. Trying not to get too deep in thought about anything, I let the views lull my eyes shut and welcomed the sleep.

When I opened my eyes, I was in a place far from the familiar surroundings of the carriage. Instead, I was enveloped in an abyss of nothingness—a pitch-black void spanning as far as my vision would allow. Despite the sudden change, I knew where I was immediately, as the sensation felt familiar. It was a place I hadn't visited in over a month, yet it felt strangely like I had never left. Expecting to see a friend of mine, I turned around and there she was, holding a gentle expression on her face.

"Greetings, Hana" Yukina softly spoke as she stepped forward.

"Yukina!" I exclaimed as I ran up to her, placing both my hands in hers. "Are you okay?"

She seemed a bit taken aback, but she held her warm expression. "Yes, I am doing well. How is everything? I sensed you had the journal in your possession and brought you here."

"Everything is.....good so far," I answered hesitantly. "I'm actually with Akano at the moment. We're heading to the Elven Kingdom."

Yukina paused before responding. "Yes, the Elven Kingdom. I had forgotten about that land."

"I wouldn't have expected you to remember." I joked.

"Perhaps not." She tittered. "May I ask the reason for your travels?"

"The Tree of Wisdom. We're headed there to see if it can help me get you out of here."

"..... I see. Yes, that is an excellent place to conduct research. You have received an invitation from the ruler I presume?"

"Not exactly," I answered with a nervous chuckle.

It didn't take long for Yukina to figure out what Akano and I were up to. Her facial expression turned into a look of concern. "You're intruding on the Kingdom? Hana, that's dangerous. The implications of you being caught.....you shouldn't do this."

"I know the risks, Yukina. But when I promised that I'd do anything to bring you back," I started as I squeezed her hand tighter. " I meant it, even if I'm thrown in harm's way."

Touched, Yukina's expression mellowed. "Then, I am in your debt. You have my everlasting gratitude." She gently pulled away from me. "Well, I imagine you should be on your way. Please, do take care, and may you return safely."

"I will. See you again, Yukina."

---------------------------

The jolting motion of the unpaved road beneath us roused me from my drowsiness for the third time this morning. I straightened myself up, no longer leaning against the window, blinking away the remnants of sleep for what would probably be my last peaceful one for a while. Akano seemed to be too fixated on checking the two packs filled with supplies she had brought for the journey to notice me. I doubted she had gotten any sleep after we departed. Even though we had only just started, I couldn't imagine I'd even get this far without her. Her being with me was truly a necessity.

"Welcome back." Akano greeted, without taking her focus off our bags. I guess she had noticed.

"How far are we?"

Akano tilted her head slightly towards the window, signaling me to look.

I turned my gaze toward the window, and as the scenery unfolded before me, the Dome came into view, looming on the horizon, shielding the forest beyond it lay the outskirts of the Elven Kingdom. The Dome was precisely as Akano had described it—a vast, translucent blue barrier stretching in every direction as far as the eye could see. Its ethereal glow encompassed the forest beyond, reaching skyward, its height shrouded by the clouds. I was skeptical at first when I heard about it, but upon seeing it, I understood just how the Elven Kingdom managed to maintain its independence from the world.

As the carriage slowed to a stop just before the barrier, Akano and I departed from the Academy's uniform and outfitted ourselves into commoner wear. Each grabbing our supply bags and throwing on our hooded traveler's cloaks, we stepped out, mere feet away from the Dome.

"Alright Yuki," Akano started as she secured the hidden scabbard on her hip. "You're up."

"Right..." I approached the barrier and raised one hand against it.

Yukina had two sides to her magic, that being a rarity in itself. One side of her abilities allowed her to manifest things created purely out of mana. Though it had its restrictions, it was essentially a creation of all things skill. The other side of her magic was spatial manipulation. This allowed her limited control of the environment around her, involving pushing, pulling, and the creation and distortion of space. Using both sides was how she was able to create the space she's currently trapped in and the journal that contained it. And while I might not possess the same mastery she has, if I couldn't get this barrier open, saving her would be nothing short of a pipe dream.

I doubted that anything I materialized would even scuff the Dome, so I ruled out using my creation ability. "Spatial magic it is." If I couldn't destroy it, the next best option would be to negate it just long enough for Akano and me to pass through. "I just need to distort it." With a deep breath, I began to pour mana into the palm of my outstretched hand and seep it into the barrier, concentrating on a single spot to bolster its effectiveness. No real changes appeared until about five minutes into it, when a small gap started to form. If I didn't have enormous mana reserves, I probably would've burned out a minute into my attempt. I quickly grabbed both sides and pulled them apart, stretching them just wide enough for a single person to fit through. I gave a smug look over my shoulder at Akano, who was nonetheless impressed.

"Nice work," she admitted. "Do you break into Kingdoms often?"

"Only when I'm free."

She stepped through, and I followed before the Dome regained its strength and quickly snapped back together. Without wasting a moment, Akano and I began our journey through the forest.

As we ventured away from the Dome's edge and deeper into the Elven forest, the stark contrast between Eirad and the Elven Kingdom became more pronounced. The air was lighter and more refreshing in a sense, carrying an indescribable yet gentle scent. It was as if each breath we took infused us with the vitality and energy of the ancient woods. The melodies of the woodland creatures resonated through the air, blending in perfect unison as if they were a choir performing for its guests. Towering trees surrounded us, their sturdy branches forming a verdant canopy that dappled sunlight. The interplay of light and shadow danced around us, casting an ever-shifting tapestry of colors and patterns on the forest floor. Amidst the lush undergrowth, exotic flowers bloomed in colorful clusters, their petals highlighting our path. It was as if the forest itself was alive.

Akano and I hadn't said a word to each other since entering. The only sounds that accompanied our progress were the rhythmic cadence of our footsteps against the forest floor. Akano's demeanor had undergone a subtle shift since our entry into the forest. Where she had been relaxed and carefree before, her posture now exuded a heightened sense of vigilance, using one hand to push past any obstruction in our path and the other in her cloak, presumably on her hip. We pressed on for hours, taking brief breaks every so often to keep our energy up until night began to fall, where we took to the safe confines of the trees to rest, setting up a small resting spot on thick tree branches sturdy enough to hold our weight. We ate what she had packed for us and headed to sleep, preparing for an even longer trek the next morning.

-------------

Birdsong and the chill morning breeze were what woke me from my makeshift bed. I had slept upright against the body of the tree, which surprisingly, wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Akano seemed to still be resting, as her eyes were still closed leaning against her chosen tree, her knee bent, and her hand still hidden in her cloak. My face was feeling scruffy, so moving gently not to wake her, I got up and descended down the tree, carefully landing on each branch to reduce noise. I spotted a river some ways away from our resting spot, so upon hitting the forest floor, I headed towards it.

"Day One down....."

Reaching the river's edge, I cast aside my hood, revealing my face to the embrace of the invigorating morning air. Cupping my hands, I scooped the revitalizing water and splashed it onto my face, reveling in its coolness as it awakened my senses. I was about to take a sip when I heard a resounding shriek. I threw on my hood, and raised myself up, eyeing my surroundings in an attempt to figure out where it came from. Then it rang out again, but this time more muffled. I turned my head in the direction of the sound and saw something struggling in the water about fifty-so feet away. A child's head suddenly emerged, and with it, flailing arms.

"Help!"

I stepped forward but immediately stopped in my tracks.

"What should I do?! I can't risk being seen, but"

The child called out again and this time, I didn't hesitate. I flew down the riverbank, my hood falling off my head, allowing my white hair to dance in the wind.

"Hold on!" I yelled out, my voice slicing through the tension of the moment. Ignoring the consequences, I propelled myself down the riverbank, my movements fueled by instinct. Just as I nearly closed the distance between me and the child, the river's current violently picked up and began to ruthlessly sweep him further downstream, as if it was trying to engulf him.

"The river! Don't tell me..."

In addition to the forest, the river was alive as well, and it was trying to satisfy its hunger. The river began to drift the elf child away faster than I could keep up with it. Sputtering and kicking, he tried to fight to stay afloat, but to no avail.

"At this rate!" I slammed my hands together. 『 Conjure! 』 I grabbed the rope that I materialized and threw it, distorting it so it reached the child and wrapped itself around him in a protective grip. I slammed my heels into the ground, trying to pull him out of the current, but to no avail. My gaze shifted forward, and a surge of dread washed over me as I noticed the approaching danger.

"A waterfall!?" I spouted in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me!" With my body leaning precariously, barely on the balls of my feet, I strained trying to go against the current. We were only moments away from plummeting when all of a sudden, electricity began to fill the air around us. In a flash, Akano appeared behind me and grabbed the inside of my arm. She fiercely slammed her sword into the muddy banks, which hardened the earth instantly upon impact, and drove her feet into the ground, solidifying it around us, slowing us to a halt. By the time we stopped, the child was half dangling off the cliff.

She helped me pull him to the banks of the river. He was unconscious but alive, as his heart was still beating when I frantically went to check. He was a small child, appearing no more than nine or ten years old. He had smooth and silky-looking forest-green hair. His ears, a testament to his people, were long and pointy. Breathing a sigh of relief, I collapsed to the ground, exasperated. Akano slammed her sword into her sheath and gave me a look of pure disapproval, exhaling heavily.

"Akano, I can explain—" I started before she interrupted.

"We haven't been here a full day, Yuki!" She interjected harshly. "You can't just stray off anywhere you like!"

"I wasn't trying to! I just saw him and--"

"And what!? Put yourself in danger?! You promised that you wouldn't do that here! What if I didn't show up?! What were you going to do?!"

"I was doing something! I just -"

Interrupting our shouting match, the boy suddenly started to cough heavily and spurted the remaining water from his mouth. Akano and I quickly threw our hoods on in an attempt to hide our horns and lack of pointy ears. He quickly sat up and turned toward us, his emerald eyes bewildered.

"You guys saved me..." He began, his eyes full of tears. He jumped to his feet and threw himself at my and Akano's legs. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." He repeated quickly, over and over again. He wiped his tears on our cloaks and grabbed both of our hands. His mood had done a complete 180, as his eyes were now shining with admiration. It was as if he had forgotten that his short-lived life nearly came to an end two minutes ago. "Come with me back to my village! I was just getting water for our morning meal. Please come!"

"No, we really should be on our way-" Akano tried to refuse before he started to pout. Not wanting to cause any louder noises, Akano sighed and nodded her head in the most distressful way possible. With her head slumped in agony and the boy's head raised as high as elvenly possible, he led us back up the riverbank.