Ryania was dressed in full battle gear, and she looked cold and distant

This reminded Angelica of the first time they met, where she tortured her

But then, she reminded herself of how Ryania loved him, how much she did to try to win his love

Angelica always regretted not returning her love and promised herself that if she was given another chance, she will make it up to her

She always intended some day to return to Elvenhome to reclaim her, but after Elderich destroyed her, and severed their link. 

If she wanted Ryania back, she needed to get stronger first

But now, they had come to Valhallon. Should she not try to talk to her at least?

"Oho! I see your champion is as beautiful as my granddaughter! But we are here to compete in a spar, not a beauty contest" Elderich said

"Yes. But shall we sit down for a chat first?" King Gregoras asked

"Why wait? Don't tell me your champion is tired?" Elderich asked

"No, you are fine, are you not?" he asked Angelica

"I'm ready" she answered

"Then, En Garde!" Ryania finally said something as she drew her bow and pulled 3 arrows

This was a tester as Ryania didn't really need to use arrows as she could conjure air arrows

Angelica casually swiped away 2 with her staff, but the 3rd arrow changed direction and swerved past her block

Angelica clicked her tongue and flicked the arrow in mid air with her finger as it was knocked out of the air harmlessly

"My turn" Angelica said as her staff bent and vines moved into place forming her own bow!

She fired her own 3 arrows which formed from the bow

"Nature magic" Elderich gasped seeing this

"Yes. She's the most talented nature mage I've seen. But I have heard off some new adventurers that consists of nymphs" Aderon said

"Nymphs, in Valhallon? Is that possible?" Elderich asked

"Apparently there is a E Rank adventurer who has wed with 3 nymphs" King Gregoras said

"E Rank? 3 Nymphs? Pah! Is he mortal?  His lifeforce will.... nevermind. That's a toad wanting to eat swan meat. These people do not know their place" Elderich said

"Why are you so agitated Elderich? Surely love will find each other" Queen Alghenna said

"Hmphh! Nymphs are the spirits of the forest! They should never be contaminated with humans! Elves should remain pure and not share their lifeforces with humans" Elderich said

"You mean nymphs, right?" King Gregoras asked

"Hmm? Yes. I mean nymphs" Elderich said

"But, we are human too" Queen Alghenna pushed

"You both are different, of course. You're nobles.... better than the rabble" Elderich said matter of factly 

The spar raged on with Ryania and Angelina shooting arrows at each other and avoiding each other's arrows

They had started shooting air arrows and each blocked the other's air arrows with air blades!

Finally, to change the setting, Ryania leaped into the air gracefully, and stepped on invisible air steps to change directions

"That's the air step. Let's see her imitate that!" Elderich said proudly

Instead, golden wings sprouted out of Angelica's back as she took to the air

The King and Queen, Elderich, and the other mages gasped

"She's a veela!" Elderich gasped

"A what?" Queen Alghenna asked

King Gregoras looked at Guildmaster Ageron, who shook his head indicating that he didn't know either

"A veela! She is the queen of the forest! According to legends, the elves were originally allowed to live in the forest by a veela" Elderich said

Veela's were legendary but reclusive creatures. They've only been heard of by the humans of Careyse centuries ago. There hasn't been any sightings of one in recent memory and were hence forgotten

"Stop!" Elderich yelled as he flew into the air using his telekinesis and stood between Angelica and Ryania

But both of them were to engrossed in their spar that they ignored Elderich and continued battling

Angelina was putting Ryania on the back foot by being able to use all her abilities and more, as she started using her full elemental powers

While Ryania was still faster, Angelina seemed to have an endless array of spells

"Stop!" Elderich yelled again, this time using his telekinesis to stop the two combatants

"What! I've not lost yet" Ryania said, unhappy with the situation

"My apologies, Milady. I did not know your true identity" Elderich said and bowed

He was the former King of the Elves and current Guardian of Elvenhome. But now he was bowing to this blode? He didn't even give that much respect to King Gregoras!

"I was just starting to enjoy myself" Angelica said, barely starting to sweat

"Kneel!" Elderich commanded, and Ryania instantly kneeled towards Angelica

"I didn't know... you were a veela" Guildmaster Ageron said

"Does it matter? I came to learn and compare magic with the Magic Guild" Angelica said

"A veela! No wonder you are so accomplished. The other mages were hesitant to grade you 7th circle before, but after this it should be confirmed!" he said

"7th Circle? She should be ranked higher than that!" Elderich said

"Well.. um.. I would rather remain as 6th circle for now. If I'm graded 7th circle, I will be automatically graded S Class at the Adventurer's guild, and I do not want the reputation and notoriety" she said

 "If you wish" Ageron said and bowed

"Don't bow to me. I prefer our relationship the way it was" Angelica said, stopping his bow

Elderich admitted defeat in the spar and the group adjourned to have dinner together

Besides the King and Queen, Elderich and Ryania, the other 3 7 Circle Mages, Guildmaster Ageron, Magic Academy Principal Mystra and the Royal Magician Dorian joined the dinner as well

But the centre of attention was Angelica as the mages asked question after question about her. Ageron offered her a Elder position in the guild and Mystra offered her to be a senior instructor

But she rejected them all. With Adeline's memories, she manages to concoct a reasonable story about being bored and even that the Green Knight being with the 3 nymphs had sparked her curiosity about humans

In the conversation, he revealed that the Green Knight's real name was Michael, to see if there was any sign of emotion from Ryania

But Ryania only looked confused everytime the name was mentioned

With their curiosity sated, the King and Elderich started talking about more serious matters regarding politics

Angelica excused herself and invited Ryania for a walk

Ryania eagerly agreed and they went off together, seemingly becoming close friends after their spar

--

"I admire you for being able to live such a carefree life. I wish I could be like you" Ryania said to Adeline

"What do you mean" Angelica asked

"I am the princess of my people. But I will soon be offered to a political marriage, not of my choosing. I always dreamed to marry out of love" she said

"Aren't you already married?" Angelica asked, angry that she disregarded her relationship with her alter ego Michael

"Who? I've never been married" Ryania said, in shock

"Are you sure?" Angelica asked again

"Yes...no.. I .. don't know. I've been having weird dreams of being married to a human. But they are just dreams. My grandfather confirmed it when he scanned my mind" she answered

"To him?" Angelica asked and transmitted Michael's face to her mind

"How did you know... is he real?" Ryania suddenly asked

"Very much so" Angelica said, transmitting her memories of their time together, from the first time they met, to when Elderich severed their connection

Ryania watched it all, tears flowing down her face

When the transmission was over, Ryania got up and held Angelica by her shoulders

"Where.. where is he? Did he survive? How could grandfather have done this to me?" she asked

"I think your grandfather has altered your memories. I will bring you to meet him soon. But we need to find an excuse to tell your grandfather" Angelica said, not revealing herself to Ryania yet

"Quickly! I hope he still remembers me" Ryania said, not wanting to stay there a minute longer

As Angelica transmitted the memories to Ryania, all the gaps in her memories suddenly became restored and many things suddenly made sense

She has been depressed for no reason for the last few months, and nobody was willing to tell her what happened when she lost her memories, not even her parents

Now it all made sense what had happened. 

As they reentered the dining room, King Gregoras was having a shouting bout with Elderich

"How could you betray humanity like this?" King Gregoras yelled

"It is the only way for our survival! The Demon Lord would be offered my granddaughter's hand in marriage and will assure Elvenkind peace!" Elderich said

"But you know he will wipe out humanity" King Gregoras said

"Who cares about humanity? You can offer the veela to be his other wife! Right now Careyse has so many races intermixed with humanity, pure bred humanity is barely 20% of the population. Valhallon cannot even be considered the "Last Bastian of Humanity" anymore!" Elderich replied

"You were once the proud ally of us humans. What has happened to you?" King Gregoras asked

"You... you don't know how bad it is, Gregoras! Evalonia's south has already been overtaken by the Demon Lord's forces. There is a new Demon General among their ranks of which we have never seen before!

He's been undefeated in every battle, steamrolling everybody. And he's extremely ruthless. The last city he sacked in Evalonia, he severed the heads of the defeated army soldiers and shot them over the city walls of Maribo, terrifying the inhabitants into surrendering. Then he slaughtered every man, woman and child with no exception! I hear their skeletons decorate the walls of Maribo now as a warning" Elderich said

"Who... who is this monster? What is his name?" King Gregoras yelled furiously

"He calls himself Khan. Genghis Khan!" Elderich said

Angelica turned pale as he heard this. Temujin had joined the Demon Lord? What happened?

And what had happened to Achilles, Roland and Cuchulain?