“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 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 be a much more common sight outside.”

“Really!?” The boy's eyes gleamed with fascination. His eyes 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 Urie could speak.

“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 lengthy lifespan. Most, able to live past three or four of a human's lifetimes.”

“Blessing you say? Hah! What is age without wisdom!?” 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 in his fingers and toes as he was seated right beside Stella.

—It's cold. It's not from magic...

His stomach churned from sensing the disharmony in the air—something he had never once felt from his family. Neither could he muster a word out of his mouth; looking at Stella beside him, her countenance was frightening to him. It wasn't until the quiet was broken by Ashur's tapping on the table did Urie notice he had 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... Our lifespans are drastically cut short.”

Ashur paused. The air was still bitter and nobody seemed to want to respond—except for the ashen-haired boy who mustered a few questions, “So there are magic creatures that look human? What about Celeste? She has short ears. Is she an elf?”

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... For now, our focus should be on the elves. If you would like to, child, we can proceed with any of your inquiries at another time,” 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 be unnecessarily prolonged.

“Nowadays, the number of pure blood elves that are left on this side—apart from the members of the Elder Council—is at a scant comparison to a few centuries ago. Willow, the greater spirit of wood—without her, the presence of wood spirits that replenish our mana become naught. 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. Words that carried 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 answered to placate Stella's impatience, “The bigger the magic creature, the more mana it requires. Under the blue sky, there exists a creature that the flame sprites alone couldn't sustain.“

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

“The Dragon?”