Chapter 4: Learning the Beginning of the Elven Race
The library—a place loaded with knowledge and wisdom, and one that had been my favorite refuge in my previous life. Countless stories, histories, sciences, and other types of literature had once filled my days, and I loved every moment spent reading them.
But now, I was about to explore the library of this new life.
Its exterior was unlike the towering concrete structures I was familiar with. Instead, this one was made entirely from natural materials—its walls are a blend of intertwining vines, smooth wood, and stone, giving the whole structure a living, breathing feel.
Long natural ivies draped over the entrance like a welcoming curtain, and the doors, carved with circular symbols, swung open upon approaching them.
"Darling," my mother began, breaking the silence. "Do you think it's too early to allow Frieren to enter the sacred archive?"
"Is there a reason she shouldn't?" my father replied, looking genuinely puzzled.
Mother's gaze lingered on the entrance, a tinge of concern in her eyes. "I'm afraid she might upset the archivist."
Father, ever the optimist, offered a hopeful smile.
"Don't worry, our daughter is well-behaved," he reassured her gently, casting a glance in my direction. "Isn't that right, Frieren?"
I nodded obediently, understanding the situation.
"See?" Father added confidently. "No need to fear."
Despite his reassurances, Mother's expression didn't fully relieve. But she gave a slight smile, stepping aside to allow us entry.
As we passed through the entrance, the atmosphere inside felt cooler, filled with the scent of old parchment and polished wood. The shelves, carved from old trees, stretched high above, their branches cradling hundreds of books, scrolls, and tomes. Gentle streamlets of sunlight filtered through the wooden ceiling, casting a soft glow over everything.
Wow, it was breathtaking.
While taking it all in, I noticed something unusual—a massive tree growing at the very heart of the library, its roots twisting gently around shelves, as if embracing the knowledge within them. This tree stood tall, seemingly eternal, its branches spreading outwardly and touching the farthest corners of the room.
As we moved closer, captivated by the sheer beauty of it all, my eyes fell upon a mysterious figure standing base of the tree—a female elf with silvery-blond hair hair that shimmered in the light, their robes long and flowing. It must be the archivist, I presumed.
"Hmm?"
Her yellow eyes, sharp and calculating, locked onto us, narrowing slightly as she noticed our presence. Mother stiffened beside me, while Father kept his composure.
Meanwhile, the archivist studied me momentarily, their gaze piercing yet unreadable.
"If you're looking for a place for your child to mess around," she uttered coldly, "the library is not one of them."
The severity of her words made all three of us flinch. She reminded me so much of the stern librarian from my previous life, though this one was far less wrinkly and much more youthful.
"We're sorry, Miss Serie," my mother apologized. "Our daughter was simply drawn here."
"Drawn to knowledge?" Serie questioned, raising a single eyebrow. "How old is she?"
Mother hesitated for a moment, glancing at me as if unsure how much to reveal. Then, with a small sigh, she answered.
"She's still very young—just a year old. But she's a very curious and smart kid."
The archivist's eyes flicked back to me, analyzing every inch of my expression as if assessing my worthiness.
"Curiosity is a dangerous feeling in young children," Serie argued, her voice softening ever so slightly, though the wariness in her tone remained. "The sacred library holds many mysteries, so it is not a playground."
I met her gaze, resolved to prove I wasn't just some child looking to cause trouble. Without a word, I stepped forward, holding my pendant tightly in my hand.
"My daughter is here to learn, Miss Serie," he proclaimed, his voice firm yet respectful. "She may be young, but she's not here to waste anyone's time."
The archivist regarded me for a moment longer before giving a barely noticeable nod.
"Very well," she relented, turning her back to us. "Read as you must, but remember to return the books where you found them."
With those words, Serie walked away and disappeared into the maze of shelves, leaving me access to endless knowledge of the library at my fingertips.
Now then, which book should I read first?
I scanned the shelves eagerly, feeling a rush of excitement as I realized the countless secrets of the elven race were waiting for me to uncover.
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Afterward, I picked a random book from the lower shelf and handed it to my parents. Both of them smiled gently, knowing my intention. My father took the book from my miniature hands, reading the cover thoughtfully.
"Ah, looks like you've chosen well," he remarked with a curious tone, brushing his fingers over the intricate lettering. "This is a historical text on the elven race's origin."
"You want us to read it for you, Frieren?" my mother asked, her eyes softening with pride.
I nodded eagerly, excited to learn not just about the roots of my species, but also to immerse myself further in the language I had been picking up bit by bit.
With my passionate response, we moved to a nearby table. My mother picked me gently and put me onto her lap as she settled into one of the chairs, while my father took a seat beside us, equally ready for our little reading session.
Mother cleared her throat before she began to tell a story.
"A long time ago, before the elves settled in the forest of the Human World, they once thrived in their own realm—the Magic World. A world filled with magical races."
So, the elves used to live somewhere else? How did they end up in the world of humans?
As I pondered these questions, Mother continued, her voice soothing yet captivating.
"But one day, the god of the Dragon World decided to wage a monumental war with the gods of other worlds, including ours. As a result, the magic world began to collapse, and the elves, along with the other magic races, were forced to flee, taking refuge in the human world."
A monumental war? That made sense now. But why? Why would the god of the Dragon world wage war with the other worlds?
Before I could think further, Father added his own perspective.
"Ah, the Great War of the Six Worlds. No one knew the reason why it all happened. Some say it was because of hunger for power, others believe it was to show superiority over all realms."
Power? Superiority? It sounded like the work of a tyrant. But perhaps I was wrong, and these were just speculations about the
Mother nodded at Father's opinion, then resumed reading.
"With their world collapsing, the elves traversed the boundary between realms and arrived at the Human World—where they encountered humans for the first time. Unlike elves, humans were short-lived, quick to adapt, and skilled in crafting with the resources of their realm."
She paused for a moment, her eyes flicking toward the tree branches above us as if drawing a connection to our current surroundings.
"At first, the elves and humans coexisted harmoniously, learning from one another. But soon enough, tensions grew. A war between humans and demons broke out, causing many deaths and planting seeds of distrust towards other races in the hearts of humans."
The moment she said it, something in me clicked.
Of course, there had been a war. Humans had always resented what they didn't understand, and when tensions rose, conflict was inevitable.
But I still had more questions. What about the elves? What happened next?
My father leaned forward slightly, sensing my curiosity.
"Ah, I remember this part. The humans turned against the elves, driving them away. That was when the elves found refuge in the forests and established the Long-eared tribe."
I leaned in, my heart racing as the story began to unfold. There was something about this old history that felt significant as if it held the key to understanding not just where the elves had come from, but also how they had ended up in the present day.
Anyway, Mother continued, her voice growing softer.
"The Long-eared tribe became the first of the High Elves to settle in the human world. They built their homes deep within the dense forest, far from human civilization. But even then, the wounds of distrust remained."
I absorbed every word, realizing how deeply the elves' struggle for survival was intertwined with their relationships with other races. The scars of the past reverberated into the present, shaping the world we live in now.
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As my mind wandered, thinking about the centuries of elven history that led to this moment, I heard footsteps closing in. My parents and I turned to notice Serie the Archivist heading in our direction.
"Oh, Miss Serie, is there a problem?" my father asked with mild curiosity.
The archivist looked toward the ceiling, noting the fading daylight. "The sun is almost setting, which means the library is closing."
"Ah, I see," my mother acknowledged, closing the book. "I supposed story time was over."
Hearing this, I instinctively reached for the book, clutching it in my small hands, unwilling to let it go.
No, I want to learn more, to know more. I don't want it to end.
"Oh my, looks like our daughter is quite attached to this book," my father said amusingly.
My mother glanced at me anxiously before turning to the Archivist. "Miss Serie, is it okay to borrow this book? We promise to return it once we're done reading."
Serie's eyes flickered with hesitation as she regarded the book in my hands. For a moment, she seemed to weigh her options, perhaps considering the reliability of the borrowers.
But then, her expression softened. She offered a little smile.
"Very well," she calmly granted. "As long as you take good care of it, I allow you to borrow the book this instant."
Mother smiled, patting my head lightly. "Thank you, Miss Serie. We'll make sure it is returned safely by tomorrow."
With that, my father lifted me into his arms, seizing the book from my hands. "Well, little one, shall we head home?"
I nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction as we prepared to leave the library. Though the day had come to an end, I knew this single book was the start of something much larger.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Roxy_Migurdia_69
Roxy_Migurdia_69 I managed to balance it out to 1750 words. Any more of that would ruin the chapter.
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