Chapter 1: Illiya’s Departure
Year 1625 of the Elven Calendar.
There had never been a day when Illiya was more keenly aware that today was the day he would leave the Elven Forest, where he had lived for over a hundred years.
It was also the day he would bid farewell to his teachers.
Although he had mentally prepared himself long ago and planned everything he needed to do before leaving, when the day finally arrived, he suddenly realized that all his preparations were completely useless.
Instead, his mind went utterly blank.
Facing his teachers, he found himself unable to utter a single word.
All the carefully rehearsed words in his mind turned out to be useless in the end.
Suppressing the reluctance in his heart, he took a deep breath and forced himself to return to the composed expression he always wore.
With a slight flick of his wide sleeves, he moved his right hand to his chest and bowed his head in front of the Elf King who is seated on the throne and the High Priest who is standing beside him—his two teachers.
He had already decided on the words he wanted to say in his mind.
Yet, when it was time to speak, his mind went completely blank, and everything he had prepared vanished without a trace.