Chapter 8

The attractions of Saint Lepheria Academy are not just one or two. The enormous cafeteria is also one of its famous features, capable of accommodating hundreds of people at once. But it’s not just the size that makes it famous. It’s the quality of the meals. The skilled chefs, employed at high salaries, prepare the dishes with care, offering a buffetstyle experience every day. That’s why it’s considered a luxury even nobles can’t always enjoy.

The academy, supported by the mighty Hyas Empire and the Parene Kingdom, along with numerous religious orders and other nations, could offer such luxury that would otherwise be a dream. Even during vacations, the cafeteria remains open, which is natural since the staff are present. And now, with the new term about to start, many students are also around.

Someone entered the cafeteria with light footsteps, and instantly, all eyes were drawn to them.

“As expected of our sister, looking beautiful as always.”

“Instead of just praising the senior, why don’t you try dressing up like that?”

“Oh, I think I’m a lost cause from the start.”

The girls bickered among themselves.

“I’ve made up my mind.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I give up on marrying a human.”

“What nonsense is that?”

“I don’t find humans attractive at all. Only a different species can satisfy me.”

“You’ve finally lost it.”

“I’ll confess to the senior just like this.”

“You’re crazy. Hundreds have been rejected like that.”

“Hmm… Maybe I should approach more carefully.”

“Wake up and study, you fool.”

A male student offered practical advice to his friend lost in delusions.

“Lady Hiresia is still as elegant as ever.”

“With such noble blood, it’s to be expected.”

“I wish I could emulate such dignity.”

Even the staff murmured among themselves about her.

Hiresia, while hearing all the comments, pretended not to notice and elegantly picked up a tray. Though it was a simple gesture, it overflowed with grace because she did it. Perhaps it was due to her inhuman beauty and proportions. After all, she was not human.

An elf.

And not just any elf, but a high elf, a rare breed said to carry the blood of the ancients. Only the most noble elves, known as ‘high’ elves, could use that term in their name. Meeting them in the human world was as rare as encountering a nearly extinct dragon.

Yet, one of these high elves applied to become a student at the academy three years ago. It was natural that it caused a stir, drawing the attention and gaze of the world upon her. Despite such explosive interest, she diligently continued her academy life. Initially facing some adaptation issues in the human world, she quickly adjusted and soon became one of the academy’s top students.

Three years later, while the public’s interest has waned, she remains a notable figure at the academy.

‘Hehe, keep praising me, foolish humans.’

Hiresia laughed inwardly, her inner thoughts contrasting with her outwardly noble expression. But that was her true nature, unknown to others.

A high elf craving attention.

That was the unanimous opinion of those who knew her from the Forgotten Forest. She couldn’t possibly spend her life in the peaceful, boring forest.

So she ventured into the human world.

Fortunately, the human world proved quite satisfying for her, fulfilling her need for attention. However, not all attention was good.

She stumbled slightly in her walk.

“Damn, that was close,”

Hiresia grumbled to herself. She had almost headed towards the buffet table filled with meat dishes.

“I am a rabbit, I am a goat, I am a sheep.”

Hiresia reminded herself of various herbivores, trying to control her mind. There was a reason for this behavior.

Elves.

They all share one common trait: they are exclusively vegetarian. Meat is instinctively repulsive to elves, so they do not consume it. This is well known in the human world, too. Thus, an elf eating meat would be a shocking and bizarre sight to humans, especially for a high elf, the most noble of elves.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid. There’s nothing tastier than meat in this world!”

Hiresia cursed inwardly. Unlike other elves, she disliked vegetables and was obsessed with meat.

Such variants among elves are rare, and they are usually isolated in the deepest parts of the elven forest in a place called the Water Jade until they can break their meat eating habits. If she had been an ordinary elf, she would not have escaped this fate.

But she was a high elf.

High elves are not born from the womb of an elf. They are conceived over a long period within the World Tree of the Forgotten Forest. The first elves were born this way, making high elves the children of the World Tree, just like the first elves.

Therefore, high elves are inherently superior beings compared to ordinary elves, who were created using the powers of the first elves. In the elven world, high elves, born with the blood of the ancients, are revered and worshipped.

The Forgotten Forest, where high elves reside, is a sanctuary that even the eldest elves dare not enter. The laws of elves do not apply to such special and noble beings. This is true even in the world of high elves. All high elves are equal, with no right or reason to exert force upon each other. This is why a meat eating high elf like her can exist.

However, even she cannot openly eat meat in the human world, as it would damage the dignity she holds dear.

“Ugh… Vegetables are necessary. They are necessary!”

Convincing herself, Hiresia filled her plate with chickpea mushroom stir fry and grilled vegetable salad. She walked to an empty table, sat down, and began to eat with a knife and fork, perfectly adapted to human dining culture.

“Seeing such a noble person respect and learn human culture makes you feel something deep inside.”

“Indeed. It’s true learning.”

“A role model for other students.”

The staff’s conversation filled her need for attention. But she was not in the right state of mind to care about that now.

“Damn it, it’s tasteless. So tasteless!”

Hiresia shed tears of agony inside. Barely managing to keep her composure, she finished her meal and headed to return her tray.

“Did you enjoy your meal today, High Lady Hiresia?”

The cafeteria worker greeted her with a smile.

‘To call this a meal!’

She wanted to throw her tray in disgust. But instead, she replied,

“Yes, it was delicious.”

Her face bore a bright smile, showing no sign of her true feelings.

“Then, see you tomorrow.”

‘It was disgusting to be with you, but since I have no choice, let’s meet again tomorrow.’

With that efficiently shortened farewell, she quickly left the cafeteria.

Saint Lepheria is a city that faces a rather rugged mountain range to the north.

The starting point of the mountain range called the Central Mountains was right at Mount Harkin, north of the city.

As the starting point of the range, it featured dense forests, steep paths, and a high altitude.

However, there were hardly any monsters.

Since it was a mountain adjacent to a large city, the Public Safety Office regularly managed and subdued monsters descending from the range.

There was a figure ascending Mount Harkin.

Rather than climbing, it would be more accurate to say they were flying up. They floated up the cliffside, not the path, and stopped just past the middle of the mountain.

“This should be good enough.”

With a light thud, the figure landed. Silver hair that matched the color of the World Tree’s leaves, silver eyes, and long ears. Silver Haired elves were rare but not unheard of. However, elves with silver eyes did not exist, except for High Elves. This figure was High Elf Hiresia herself.

She had flown here from the base of the mountain using the power of the wind spirits.

Her reason for coming here?

It was needless to ask.

“Meat.”

She licked her lips in anticipation. Indeed, this was one of her favorite hunting grounds to satisfy her appetite. It was a perfect spot for secret hunting, as it was rarely frequented by humans.

With a swift motion, Hiresia, confirming there were no humans around, drew her bow. It was a wooden bow, but it felt full of vibrant life. Naturally, it was made from a branch of the World Tree.

The branches of the World Tree were incredibly sturdy yet flexible, with tremendous elasticity.

Moreover, they never rotted. As material for a bow, it was simply the best. Thus, it was a treasure beyond price.

She raised such a treasure into the air. Fluttering above, a few birds flew in the distance.

Whoosh…

Thwack! Thwack!

Hiresia quickly nocked and released two arrows in rapid succession. It was an incredible feat of quick shooting. It felt as if she had shot without aiming. But.

Thud! Thud!

The arrows pierced through two birds precisely.

Anyone watching would have been astounded by her archery skills. It was difficult enough to hit stationary targets at that distance, let alone swiftly moving ones. It was truly a ghostly display of skill. The one who demonstrated such skill chuckled innocently as she picked up the fallen birds.

“Hehehe, meat. Meat.”

Hiresia, with a face full of joy, sat under a large tree in the shade and started a fire. She quickly plucked the feathers and gutted the birds. Finally, she skewered the two birds on a long stick. Now, all she had to do was wait for them to roast to a golden brown.

Sizzle.

She watched the cooking birds with an expression of utter bliss. After a while,

“Hehe, they’re done.”

She removed the skewer from the fire. And with her mouth wide open, she said,

“Bon appétit.”

Chomp.

“Oh? What a surprise to see you here, senior.”

Suddenly, a figure popped out of nowhere.

Clunk…

Hiresia froze with her mouth still open, as if turned to stone.

Mount Harkin.

I had been lying in ambush there. Flat on my stomach amidst the dense foliage,

Of course, I knew that such camouflage alone would likely get me caught. That’s why I secretly held an invisibility scroll in my hand. I had bought it for this very moment. My gaze was fixed intently on the cliffside.

Then I felt a black shadow flicker.

‘Now.’

My hand quickly tore the scroll.

Rip

And my body became transparent.

In that state, I waited.

For the decisive moment to arrive.

I showed mercy to the High Elf, who had become as still as a stone without even breathing.

“Senior, take a breath. Breathe.”

Only then did her eyes flutter open.

“Where… where is this? Who… who am I…?”

Her mind seemed to have gone blank, as if she had lost her senses.I kindly provided her with the answers.

“This is Mount Harkin, and you are a High Elf.”

“Mount Harkin? A High Elf?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Ah, I see.”

She stood up with a vacant look on her face. But I didn’t miss her subtly letting go of the skewer she had been holding.

‘Heh, this person…’

I chuckled to myself.

“I must go.”

“Where to?”

“To the dormitory.”

Hiresia mumbled as she staggered away.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going?”

I quickly grabbed her. Her long ears twitched—a reaction that only came when she was truly flustered.

“Wha, what?”

“Senior, you were about to eat meat here, weren’t you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why would there be bird meat here?”

“Why would it be here?”

“Weren’t you holding it, senior?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

Hiresia desperately denied it. I delivered the final blow to her.

“Hehehe, this is a great shot.”

A magic crystal that could record videos. I had purchased it from the Mage Tower just before coming here. Specifically for this moment. I kindly played the video right in front of her eyes.

Hehehe, meat. Meat.

Whoosh.

Sizzle.

Hehe, they’re done.

Yum.

The video stopped just as she was about to bite into the bird meat with her mouth wide open.

“Uh, uh, uh, uh… ughhhhh…”

Gulp…

Hiresia’s eyes rolled back.

Thump.

And she fainted on the spot.

“Oops, was that too harsh?”

I felt a slight pang of conscience. But what can I do? Life is a battle.

“Sleep well, I won’t wake you up forcibly.”