Sunlight streamed in through the fluttering curtains, dappling my blanket in golden warmth. For once, I hadn't woken up in a cold sweat or an existential spiral about death, destiny, and transmigration. Progress?
I stretched, turning my head to find Silvia drooling into her pillow like she was taste-testing her dreams.
"Hey," I whispered, poking her cheek.
"Glargh?" she responded, smacking her lips.
"Breakfast."
She bolted upright like someone had yelled 'elf stampede.' "I'm up!"
Downstairs, the aroma of warm buns, spiced vegetable soup, and pan-fried cakes welcomed us—but mom was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, a neatly folded note sat on the kitchen table.
I went and opened the note.
Morning, girls! I had to leave early for the food court. Help yourselves to breakfast. Don't be late for school! Bring Gary to my shop if possible.
Love, Mum.
Next to the note were three piping-hot plates, steam curling like lazy wisps from the food. She even left extra honey glaze on the side—probably a bribe so we wouldn't complain.
"She made all this and still left early?" Silvia said, already scooping up a bite.
" Wait— did you brush?!" I smacked away her hand.
I looked at her until she went to brush then stared at the note longer than necessary. The handwriting was familiar. Neat. Warm. Motherly.
My throat felt tight again.
Get it together, Sneha. Eat first. Cry existentially later.
I sighed at myself.
After a satisfying breakfast (and me wrestling Garry out of the bed for a record-breaking third time), we decided to head to Sweet Moments, Mom's food stall in the Food Court of Blossom Spring, two streets away from my home.
Remembering these little details so naturally made me feel... uneasy.
How were these memories assembling with me?
------------------------------------------------------
I went to the backyard and pulled out my bicycle.
Silvia hopped onto the back seat of the bicycle like she was a royalty, getting on the carriage.
Garry : "....."
He shouted at Silvia, " That's my seat! Why are you sitting?! "
Silvia gave him a obvious look of, " That's my friend. F-R-I-E-N-D. I've to go with her. "
Garry gasped and looked at me to complain, " Fatso!!!! Tell your friend to go! "
"..." I wanted to protest for him. Nah, he deserves it.
Finally, we set off with Garry silently sitting onto the front rod of the bicycle, legs swinging dangerously close to the spokes.
"....."
------------------------------------------------------
The road was lined with low buildings in pastel shades—terracotta orange, soft mint green, sunshine yellow. Flower boxes spilled ivy and tiny blossoms of different colors. Bird like elves chirped on branches or perched on windowsills, cute canine and feline elves trotted beside children chittering in their own strange little languages.
A blue-feathered lizard skittered past a fruit cart.
A woman strolled with a fluffy hamster like elf half her size helping her to push her cart of flower crowns and many decorates, the cart was soon surrounded by many customers. Everyone had elves. Everyone smiled when they looked at them.
This world, for all its future doom, was beautiful. Tangibly alive.
"Sheesh, look at that one!" Garry pointed to a vine snake hanging from a lamp post, its tongue flicking at the air.
"Focus forward!" I yelped as he leaned too far and nearly took us down with him.
Silvia laughed from behind me. "This is the most chaotic school commute I've ever had. I love it."
We finally reached Blossom Spring with only minor trauma of one angry bird elf attack because Silvia threw a plastic bottle in the dustbin but it was hit instead.
I slowed down the bicycle as I entered the food court.
The food court was built like an open plaza under a canopy of vine-covered arches. Stone benches curled like flower petals around fountains, and colorful stalls lined the walkways, each paired with an elf mascot or helper. The smell of baked goods, grilled meats, spices, and fruit hit us like a glorious, savory slap.
And there it was—Sweet Moments.
Polished wooden signage carved with flowers and sparkles. A chalkboard outside with the day's specials, all written in bubbly handwriting.
Mom was behind the counter, hair tied back with a ribbon, laughing as she plated something for a customer.
And beside her stood a horse.
No, not a regular horse.
A sleek, dark creature with rippling muscles and shadowy black fur that shimmered in the light. Its mane and tail weren't made of hair—but smoke. Tangible, sentient shadow that curled and fluttered like ink in water.
It looked like a beast from a myth.
And it was wearing a pink ribbon on one ear.
"Is that—?" I thought with a guess.
"Beauty!!!! ", Garry shouted and ran off and jumped on her back laughing.
Beauty snorted, shaking her head in resignation to her fate.
Then she used her shadow to serve plates with eerie precision to every table using her shadow.
"Garry! Get down! She's busy!", Mom continued, walking over. "Help Beauty too!"
Most of the tables in mom's stall had umbrella so the table was in shadow, using that shadow Beauty teleported each plate precisely to everyone.
"She's gorgeous," Silvia breathed. "And that's such a brilliant idea!"
I nodded in agreement, then all three of us went to help mom.
After helping for an hour we're ready to leave for school.
My eyes went over the counter and noticed a framed photograph taped to the inside wall. Mom—years younger—smiling proudly and holding a small, pony-sized version of Beauty in her arms. Both were wearing flower crowns.
"Best Shop of Blossom Spring: Year 4035." The award plaque sat beneath it.
I swallowed something in my throat. Maybe pride. Maybe sorrow.
This woman, this Flora Woods… she'd built a business. A bond. A life.
And in the novel, it all gets torn down. For what? For plot.
"Come on," I said gently, tugging on Silvia. "We'll be late."
Classes were a blur. Silvia managed to answer every question before the teachers even finished asking them. I may or may not have dozed off during Mathematical Probability of Elf Combos.
What the hell was that anyway? Why doesn't math leave my back even in a novel??!!
But the fifth free period was where the real action began.
The school library was massive with rows and rows of bookshelves till my eyes went. The room was filled with the smell of books, I inhaled a little and the book worm within me rose up in high spirits.
There was a section with computers neatly arranged with two hands distance each.
"I want to know everything," I muttered, grabbing books like a caffeine-deprived goblin. "Power systems, elf rankings, soul weapon theories. Hhhmm."
Then I settled at a quiet table with a pc and with the books I collected. I need to use both technology and books.
I first smelled the book then cracked open the volume titled "Understanding the Strength Hierarchy of the Elf Union."
And finally—the juicy details.
[Power System of the Elf Union]
In this world, strength was divided into two main pillars: the Elf Bond Tier and the Soul Core Rank.
1. Elf Bond Tier – A reflection of the strength of the elf one is bonded with. Elves are ranked as:
E to F-Tier: Fragile but often unique in skillsets (rare).
D to A-Tier: Increasing levels of strength, stamina, and rarity.
S-Tier: Highly intelligent, powerful, often emotionally or psychically attuned.
SS-Tier: Practically mythical. Usually once-in-a-generation.
2. Soul Core Rank – A reflection of the human's internal strength and compatibility with elf energy. Ranks are:
Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Ascendant
Each Rank has three levels: Low, Mid, Peak
One's Soul Core influences their ability to form bonds, awaken soul weapons, and synchronize with elves in battle. Stronger soul cores allow a tamer to push their elf beyond its natural limits.
3. Classes of Professions:
The three main stream professions:
a) Elf Taming Masters – Battle-oriented, high synchronization. Focused on combat, real-time commands, and soul weapon deployment.
b) Elf Research Masters – Support-oriented, focused on studying elf ecology, mutations, bonding ethics, and breakthroughs in evolution patterns.
c) Hybrid Paths – Rare. Combine combat and research—usually military-grade roles.
The other streams are numerous:
a) Taming Star: Mainly focused on entertainment, show off powerful coordinated moves
b) Master Greener: Mainly focused on agriculture
c) Master Builder: Mainly focused on infrastructure
I sighed looking at the list of more than 200 different professions….after turning many pages and finding nothing useful, I move onto the next book. The next book was about Soul Weapons.
The book explained that only a few could awaken Soul Weapons—an extension of their inner desire and soul energy, forged in life-or-death situations.
Well, that sounded ominously relevant.
"I'm scaring myself," I whispered.
After reading most of the book I sighed as there wasn't useful information about the Soul Weapons.
I turned on the pc and typed ' Soul Weapons ' and many results came up.
One headline caught my eye : " Only the Desperate Awakens. "
I swallowed hard.
Why did that feel.... Personal?
Um... Do I have a chance then?