The Elven City, Rosewood

My meeting with Gaia did not go as I had hoped. In fact, I dare say that it went extremely poorly. I was rather shaken when I left the prayer room. Entering the main church hall, I saw Vale, just about to leave. I make up my mind and approach him.

"Vale."

"Oh, kid, you're all done?"

"Stop it with the 'kid'."

I'm really not in the mood for that now.

"I need your help, if you can give it," I continue.

"My help? What with?"

"You're from an elven village, right?"

"Yeah, I'm from the city of Rosewood."

"I've heard that elves are at the height of magical research. Is that true?"

"Sure, Rosewood's academy of magic has some of the greatest magical minds of all time. I was never that great at magic, though. Why do you ask?"

"I need to get a professional opinion on the odd monster spawns that have been occurring in the area."

That's kind of a partial truth. To be honest, I don't much trust Gaia or the other gods, so I'm hoping someone down here can confirm the state of my mana store.

"Oh, I see," Vale says, apparently convinced.

"I'd like to go to Rosewood as quickly as possible. If you can't go with me, that's fine. Just point me in the right direction."

"Ah, Rosewood is very far from here. You have to go to Sheere village in the forest nearby first. They have a gate to Rosewood there, but you need an elf to perform the spell."

"Hm."

"I can go with you if you can wait until the day after tomorrow. That's when I'll be going back to Rosewood, myself. Is that alright, kid- I mean, Sebastian?"

"That's fine."

---

A few days later, Vale and I set off for Sheere village together. I haven't seen Elizabeth in a bit, but I'm not concerned. Some days ago, she mentioned possibly taking on an assignment in a neighboring town without a guild. She doesn't know I'm headed to Rosewood and I think I'd prefer it to stay that way until I have verified Gaia's words.

It's a bit of a trek over the plains and valleys, and back into the forest. On our way through the forest, we encounter a few small groups of goblins, which I handle with ease. I have more combat experience than any other person in this world. I doubt there's any lesser monster that could beat me, even without my magic.

After about half a day of walking, Vale tells me that we're getting close to the town. Through the trees, I can see the outline of a gate. Finally, we step into a large clearing. The elven guards at the gate stand up straight when they see us approaching.

"Welcome to Sheere village. If you wish to enter, please state your name and purpose."

Vale takes the lead.

"My name is Vale Synistra. I am here with Sebastian- uh..." he turns to me, "what is your surname, kid?"

He's already forgotten that I asked him not to call me kid.

"Malt."

"This is Sebastian Malt," Vale continues, "We need to use the gate to Rosewood city."

The guard looks at me and then back to Vale, apparently studying me.

"Good to see you're well, Synistra."

"You too, Vouve. Give Sheou my best wishes."

"Of course. She'll be happy to hear from you."

The guard signals to someone and the gate opens. As we enter the town, I follow Vale's lead towards the gate to Rosewood. All the while, he tells me about Vouve and Sheou. Apparently, the three of them went to the academy together. I don't care much about his personal life, but I can't help but be a bit intrigued when he mentions their teacher.

"Vol is one of the greatest magicians in the world, kid! I hope he's still there. If he can't figure it out, nobody can. That guy is a true genius, I swear it to the gods."

I can only hope that this "Vol" is as good as Vale claims.

We turn a corner and I spot what can only be the gate to Rosewood. It is, quite literally, a rosewood tree. A massive one, with a base as wide as a house. The actual gate is a roughly circular "hole" near the bottom of the tree, as tall and wide as several people. And I do mean "hole," because it is quite literally that. A massive hole set into the tree, with a large marking in the back. Presumably, it is the spell that activates the gate.

Vale walks up to a jewel-like stone set into the tree near the hole. There are a few guards standing by, as well. Vale puts his hand on the stone and closes his eyes. Soon, the stone begins to light up green, and the sound of rushing water fills the air around us, as the hole seems to fade away, and be replaced with the vision of a beautiful city. A city that can only be Rosewood.

Vale steps through the gate and I follow his lead. I have seen a lot of beautiful places through my lives, but Rosewood is something else. It feels like the entire city is stuck in eternal autumn, with bright oranges and yellows filling my view. It must be located in the middle of a rosewood forest because every tree in the area is just the same as the one in Sheere, and just as large, too.

The buildings all appear to be made out of carved-up trees, with interiors constructed of white stones. Maybe marble. In the distance, one building stands out above the rest. I mean this quite literally. It's hovering far above the ground, and is tied down with thick chains. The mana emanating from it is astonishing; almost enough to match that of a greater monster. I can sense one particularly concentrated group of mana coming from one part of the building.

I don't think I need to ask Vale for directions to the academy.