Another world, Celeste

Chapter Two

Once everyone regains their composure, Kinai takes us to a different room on the upper floor. He knocks on the door and opens it without waiting for a response from the other side.

"My lord, I brought the guests."

Kinai announces our arrival.

Natural light shines from the large window behind the wooden desk occupied by a male elf who responds with his eyes fixed on the documents in front of him.

"A moment, please."

Judging that it may take some time, Kinai tells Maya and me to take a seat first. Lorelai stands by the door, acting like a guard. From the stacks of scrolls and laid out papers accumulating on every available space excluding the floor, I guess it would be more appropriate to call this room an office, a professor's office. But Kinai calls the owner of this office 'lord' so that means he's a high-ranking elf.

"Do elves in this world have royalty?" I wonder.

I take a closer peek at this elf lord. He has the same appearance as the other elves; long blonde hair, delicate facial features and most obviously, youthful. However, there is something different 

about him. I can't point out what. The elf lord finally glances our way.

He stands to greet us.

"My apologies for the delay. I only left for five days and there's more work to be done."

Not wanting to be rude, I stand up on my feet as well.

"I am Sol, the head elf of Kirashira Village," he introduces himself with the same elvish greeting Stefan and Lorelai did.

Doesn't that mean he's like the mayor of this entire place?!

Manners, I have to mind my manners.

Before I have the chance to return his greeting, Lord Sol looks out the window, saying, "It would seem we have another unexpected guest. Please wait here."

Lord Sol hurriedly leaves the office with Lorelai.

Kinai, unfazed by the suddenness prepares refreshments while we wait for the elf lord, Sol to return.

Lord Sol walks out of the building in haste the moment he senses the unique mana presence he's all too familiar with. Guards are kneeling and showing their utmost respect towards the sudden appearance of Kana Forest's personage. Lord Sol averts his sight towards the street and notices more civilians are gathering around to witness this rare encounter.

"This is a rare welcome."

Lord Sol welcomes the guest.

"Sol, I'm sensing unusually large mana from this place. Is that the reason this child is here?"

The unexpected guest speaks calmly while caressing the Great Wolf's fur and the head elf who listened is doing his best to control the stiffening expression on his face.

"Well then, this conversation is best to have inside," the head elf responds, hinting that the 

matter is not to be known to the public's ears.

The unexpected guest willingly follows him inside the building. Lorelai walks ahead of the two to ensure no elf is obstructing their path; her action deems unnecessary as every elf passing by in the hallway parts ways while giving their utmost respect.