"But the academy officially announced three days ago that freshmen are forbidden from entering Coleman Forest," mused the tall Wood Elf, stroking his chin. "Miss Sophya should have had ample time to receive the notice."

"I can’t say for sure, but I saw it with my own eyes," the Elf Divine Child replied.

"Prince Astrid will be deeply worried when she hears of this."

These four second-year Elf students had rushed to Coleman Forest for good reason.

Astrid and Sophya—the twin princesses of the Moon Elf clan, cherished daughters of the Moon Elf King—were sisters. That morning, the Divine Child had accidentally spotted Princess Sophya heading alone into Coleman Forest. He immediately gathered his team and hurried after her.

Rumors among the Elf elite claimed Princess Sophya harbored an abnormal, almost extreme obsession with her elder sister Astrid. Since childhood, she had fiercely rejected any male approaching Astrid, even declaring, "I’ll marry my sister and protect her," or "I’ll never let anyone take her from me."

Why Sophya had ventured alone into Coleman Forest—now leaking Demonfolk—remained unknown to the Elf students. Fortunately, she was unharmed. Soon, the four found the unconscious Sophya deep in the jungle.

"Miss Sophya! .........."

"Stay alert!" interrupted the bespectacled Divine Child as the others checked on her.

After a brief pause, the other two drew their weapons, scanning the surroundings.

"Divine Child, share the enemy’s position with us."

"............." The Divine Child’s expression turned peculiar. He pointed toward a thicket ahead. "Something’s there, but I sense no living presence."

The two male students exchanged glances, then advanced into the bushes under mutual cover. Moments later, they emerged dragging a massive humanoid corpse.

"What is this??" They stared in shock.

"An Orc. Already dead," said the tall Elf, discarding the corpse with his greatsword. His eyes narrowed in disgust. Even male Elves considered such creatures unclean.

"Dead? ........... Could Miss Sophya have done this?"

"No. Unlikely," the Divine Child analyzed calmly. "This Orc’s body shows signs of close-range alchemical bombardment. His mouth and throat were pierced from behind—likely by a firearm."

"Miss Sophya has little interest in alchemy, let alone firearms."

Such was the analytical power granted by Divine Analysis.

"However, these gashes on the Orc’s skin were made by a blade," the Divine Child added, glancing at the Elf curved sword lying near Sophya. "That was her doing."

"So when Miss Sophya fought the Orc and was overpowered, an alchemist intervened and killed it?"

"Barring surprises, yes."

"Jelin, you mean a third party entered the battle while Princess Sophya fought the Orc?"

"Correction," said Jelin, the Divine Child, adjusting his glasses. "The third party appeared only after Sophya’s fight concluded. There are no alchemical residues at her battle site—proof of two separate clashes. The other battlefield must be nearby."

"How do you know this? Divine Analysis?" The handsome Wood Elf was curious.

"No need for that," Jelin shot him a look, pointing at the banana leaf beneath Sophya. "She’s lying on a banana leaf. Use your head—she didn’t place it there herself. The Orc certainly didn’t."

"Only the interloper could have. After defeating the Orc, they even cushioned Princess Sophya with a leaf. They had time to spare and deliberately avoided harming her. The other battlefield must be close."

As Jelin predicted, the burly Wood Elf soon found alchemical blast marks, residue, and shattered vials in a nearby thicket.

"Is there a freshman alchemist this skilled this year?" The Wood Elf pondered. He couldn’t have defeated an Orc without Divine Right at that level.

"Unlikely a freshman," Jelin reasoned. "Alchemical novices only grasp textbook theory. Even beginners can barely brew weak healing potions—far from crafting offensive reagents. This purity suggests years of study."

"Of course, he might have bought them. But using three vials to kill one Orc........... If not self-made, that’s extravagance." Jelin pushed his glasses up.

"So this classmate saved Princess Sophya without even leaving a name............." The Elf mage sighed. Elves repaid kindness tenfold; many lifelong bonds began with a rescue.

Debts couldn’t be priced—they were priceless, their worth tied to the debtor’s value. Even for networking, leaving a name was basic courtesy.

This anonymity endeared the mysterious savior to all four Elves.

"Perhaps Princess Sophya remembers?" Their gazes turned to the unconscious girl.

After securing the area, they escorted Sophya back to Coleman Academy.

Awake and resting on soft bedding, Sophya was weak but coherent.

"Thank you........... Did you save me?"

"No. We arrived after you were safe," Jelin shook his head. "Someone else rescued you."

"It’s coming back..........." She recalled the flash of gold before losing consciousness.

"Princess Sophya, did you see that person’s face?" Jelin frowned.

"Golden hair. Eyes like emeralds..........." Sophya murmured, lost in the memory. "She was a Gold Elf!"

"A Gold Elf??" Jelin blinked, then chuckled. "Princess, are you certain about the hair color?"

"I’m sure," Sophya insisted, her childlike voice firm.

"So—a golden-haired, emerald-eyed Elf?" Jelin crossed his arms, gaze lowering.

"Yes. I remember her face."

"That’s impossible."

"Why impossible??" Sophya pouted unhappily.

"Because Gold Elves vanished from Caleburn centuries ago."

"Correct. The Gold Elves—once counted among the ‘High Elves’ alongside you and Prince Astrid—are extinct, per verified records."

"Extinct??" Sophya froze.

"Who knows? Gold Elves were kin to the Elf Mother Goddess. In myths, she always appeared as one. They held power closest to her Divine Right—many were demigods, or beyond." Jelin shrugged.

"Their wisdom defies comprehension. Not even sages grasp their minds."

"Though extinction is plausible. Records show their birth rate was abysmally low. We Elves already have the lowest fertility among races, but Gold Elves ‘led’ even among High Elves—surpassing Moon Elves."

"So if they died out naturally........... it wouldn’t surprise me."

"Technically, Gold Elves should rule our race. But after their disappearance centuries ago, the Moon Elf chieftain assumed the crown as regent."

"Yet since ascending, the Elf King never claimed rightful sovereignty. He calls himself only a temporary steward, ruling in place of the absent Gold Elves. I suspect they still exist—and maintain contact with His Majesty."

"I assumed you High Elves knew something of them. But now..........." The Divine Child glanced at Sophya’s blank expression.

"If Gold Elves survive, only the Elf King likely knows their whereabouts."

"............." Sophya fell silent, whispering words too soft for others to hear.

"A Gold Elf, huh?"

She hadn’t mistaken it. Her savior was undoubtedly a Gold Elf.

Where was she now? Why leave without a word after saving her?

Unbeknownst to Sophya, a tender feeling had already taken root in her heart—a seed buried deep in soil, silently sprouting...........