Humans are terrifying creatures.
They take our lives,
steal our wealth,
and strip us of our dignity. That's what I was taught, from an early age.
And it turned out to be true.
Except...
#2 The Princess Begins Adventuring.
So, what's next?
Wild boar hunting.
Where?
Over there.
Human territory...
Human territory.
Does your grandfather have us confused with handymen or something?
I mean, we kind of are.
We are indeed.
The two of you are lacking in awareness of how you
represent the proud Kingdom of Elenoir!
You, Tessia, in particular—
Stop!
Well, we should get going.
Ow!
You little—
Now you've done it!
Wall of Water.
They're everywhere, aren't they?
I wish they weren't.
You shouldn't waste your time on them.
Come again?
We can't hear you!
I said you shouldn't waste your time on them!
I make it a point to face any challengers!
You're so cool, Tessia!
This is asinine.
Come on. We're taking this one, right? Let's go.
Okay!
Tessia, as you're aware,
the relationships between elves, humans, and dwarves
are frayed from a long period of conflict.
The three-kingdom treaty brought an end to that.
But the treaty only exists between the three kingdoms.
The hearts of their inhabitants are still steeped in that conflict.
Until an end is brought to that feeling, the treaty is not truly complete.
Which is why, Tessia, you must serve as an example.
We're getting attacked a lot, aren't we?
Elves fetch a high price.
The chances of everyone getting along don't look good to me.
You're right.
But I'm not ready to give up yet.
Okay, let's walk.
Do you think we should cover up our ears?
Nah. They'll see right through something like that.
As-is, then.
They'll hate us for the simple fact that we're elves.
But we're going to help.
I have a hard time believing that.
We don't need help from elves!
Leave!
Huh...
Lucas Wykes.
The Wykes are a powerful force in the Sapin Kingdom.
Which makes it strange they have elvish blood in their family.
I wonder why.
Hey, Elijah.
What's a human like you got to do with the dwarf royal family?
Or maybe you're actually a dwarf?
It's complicated.
I notice you seem to be part elf, yourself.
The aim of the Wykes family is to produce powerful mages.
And to do that—
They're willing to welcome elves, who excel at mana control, into the family.
Even if there's a conflict with the race at large.
Eavesdropping is rude, you know.
My apologies.
It seems like his family has some progressive ideas.
Either that,
or they're ambitious enough that they're willing to do whatever it takes.
I intend to use this power so that no one in Sapin...
No, no one on the entire Dicathen continent
will contest my standing as the greatest mage.
That is my duty as a member of the Wykes family.
Really? Good luck.
Hey, what do you mean by "good luck," exactly?
Lucas, we have differing goals.
Huh?
I don't need to be the strongest anymore.
Do you have our next quest?
Yeah. It's going to be a bit of a journey.
Sounds like fun.
Can we just talk?!
You're in the way! Shut up!
Do you know about the mana beasts that have been appearing around town?
Not really.
Do you know where we can find them?!
Say that again?
You tried, Tessia. You really did.
I can't blame their response.
We'd react the same way if humans came to our country.
They could at least hear us out.
Ow! What?
I got her.
You sure did.
Can I help you two?!
The boar has been coming from the east.
Thank you for telling us.
Hey, why'd you tell us?
They're causing a lot of trouble.
You're going to get rid of them, right?
Leave it to us!
The acorn hit her, though.
Are elves weak?
I am not weak! I just... had my guard down!
Normally, I would gracefully have dodged! Am I clear on this?
And this is our next plaything?
Yes. I forget what her name is.
She, as an individual, isn't significant.
But who she is will be crucial.
The princess of the Elenoir Kingdom...
That should be more than enough to damage this ridiculous treaty.
I'd say you're right.
I've prepared a gift for the princess.
I just hope she'll like it.
Let's do this!
Right!
'Kay.
We got it!
Mana beast or not, it was just a wild boar.
No match for us...
Fey!
Eyes in front!
Did you see that?
Yeah.
Our magic isn't working on this thing.
While they have prodigious talent with mana, elves have fragile bodies.
I wonder what the elvish people will think if their princess
dies in human territory?
You just said our magic wasn't working!
You kept trying too, Vio!
Vio?!
Oh, no.
Run!
You all right?
Yeah. Getting saved by you, though...
Seriously?
Vio! Fey!
We need to retreat.
Seconded!
I'm going to try again.
This is no time to act headstrong.
Let's just get out of here.
Please!
She must have come up with a plan.
Oh, geez.
Be ready to run the second you think you can't pull this off.
Got it!
Over here!
Come on already! Chase after me!
What in the world made me agree to this?!
Physical labor isn't my forte!
Vio, do it!
Magic might not affect it...
But how about this?
I-It worked.
Great work! I'm out of mana.
And I'm out of stamina.
Likewise...
Tessia?!
Stupid!
Stupid's a little harsh.
What else was I supposed to do?
It just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.
Like what Arthur would've done.
Arthur...
Arthur.
We need to retreat.
Let's run.
Tessia, no!
Don't. You're out of mana, too.
I am out of mana. But Arthur taught me something.
What the...
That's mana.
Tessia!
Run!
She strengthened her body with mana?
Seriously?
Seriously hurts!
Well, obviously!
Don't suddenly start acting like an Augmenter!
How unfortunate for you.
Yes, she's more talented than I expected.
I'll need to prepare a more powerful mana beast.
Would it have killed him to thank us?
Don't expect courtesy from humans.
Still, though...
What do you think, Tessia?
See? The people who understand, understand.
Miss Elf!
Thank you!
Is that where you live?
Yeah.
It's a nice house.
Someone else used to live there.
But they moved far away.
They were supposed to be really strong.
I know someone really strong, too.
Really?
What're they like?
He's my goal.
Good grief. She likes to cut it close.
How is she doing?
She took care of things safely.
I see. I should expect nothing less from your granddaughter.
As much as I'd like to take credit, she's been blessed with wonderful friends.
What friends?
Someone you know very well.
Oh, him...
Their brief time together will be enough to change the world.
We'll make it so.
Don't you agree, Cynthia?
Yes, Virion.
Fey and I are heading back to Xyrus. What about you, Vio?
Going back to Elenoir?
I dunno.
If you are, using the gate at Xyrus will be faster.
To Xyrus, then.
It'll be nice to see Arthur again, too.
Yeah. Wait, what?
To Xyrus?
After that!
It'll be nice to see Arthur again?
How?! How do you know about Arthur, Vio?!
How couldn't I? I went to Xyrus with him.
Oh, right!
We've actually seen him pretty regularly.
Allie is so beautiful!
I remember they baked sweets for us once.
That calls for some kind of thanks.
And Eleanor is so cute!
Mr. Reynolds is apparently an Augmenter.
No...
No fair!
What's not fair?
Have you not seen Arthur since he left?
I mean, he never said where in Xyrus he went,
and no one ever told me.
You two are such cheaters!
You're helpless, huh?
This is Arthur's house.
I finally get to see him.
No, I need to think about how to do this.
"Long time no see!"
"I missed you!"
"Here I am!"
"Are you glad to see me?"
Which should I go with?!
No sense fretting over it. Let's see what happens!
Can I help you with something?
Yeah, can we?
Excuse me!
I wonder who that was.
Bye bye!
Where the heck are you, Arthur?!