Notes

Transcendence

https://notes.io/wXt2j

Chapter 4: "The Understanding and The Tour"

[First Section]

After leaving the canteen, Shiro made his way to the library alone, searching for books. Inside, the air was thick with silence, an almost sacred stillness that could lull someone into drowsiness.

"Books… books… I should be ready. Class sessions officially start tomorrow. But with thousands of books to choose from, it’s hard to decide on my own. I should ask the librarian for help," he thought.

Approaching the librarian’s desk, he noticed books floating in the air, flipping their pages as if reading themselves. However…



"She’s not here?" Shiro scanned the area. "She must be roaming somewhere, but this whole place is massive. Maybe I should just wait—"

“No need,” a serene voice cut through the air.

Shiro turned swiftly, startled. The librarian had suddenly appeared behind him.

"Ah!" He instinctively took a step back. Where did she come from?! I was sure no one was here!

“Shh. Quiet.” Her voice was calm but firm.

Shiro quickly straightened, lowering his head. "Sorry."

Before he could ask anything, she spoke again. “Looking for books to study?”

"Yes, for tomorrow," he answered.

"Interesting," she mused. "It’s still your first day at the Academia, yet instead of taking the time to relax, you’re diving straight into books after the tour. I commend your dedication, Shiro."

"Thank you—" He paused, blinking in confusion. "Wait… how do you know my name? I haven’t introduced myself yet."



"Earlier, during your tour, Siri-sensei called out your name," she explained. "Your eyes held curiosity when you looked at me. And, at that moment, your face said that I don’t look like a literal child to you."



Shiro’s body stiffened. She knew?! That’s exactly what I thought back then!

"Just now, your expression says that I can read minds—that I somehow knew what you were thinking earlier." She remained composed. "I can’t read minds, Shiro."

His eyes widened. What? Then how…?

"Now, your face says that you don’t know what to think because I guessed correctly," she added, unfazed.

Shiro took a deep breath, lowering his gaze in bafflement.



“I told you—I can’t read minds. Only a select few Celestials have that ability. I’m simply good at reading faces and body language,” she clarified.

Shiro let out a defeated sigh. "Your intuition is frighteningly accurate, miss."



"Call me Maiden," she said. "I’ve long forgotten my real name, but I am known as the ‘Maiden Librarian.’"

"Got it, Maiden-san," he acknowledged.

"'Maiden-chan,'" she corrected.

Shiro hesitated. "Wouldn’t that be rude?"

"I appreciate your politeness, but I don’t mind. Call me Maiden-chan," she insisted, her tone as serene as ever.

"...Alright, Maiden-chan," he finally agreed.

"Thank you." A faint smile touched her lips.

Shiro’s face slightly flushed. She smiles. She’s kinda pure and cute…

"Your face says I’m kind of pure and cute," Maiden remarked.



"Uhh—!" He looked away, utterly defeated. "I really can’t get past you, can I?"

With a subtle motion of her hand, Maiden activated her magic. Books lifted from their shelves and floated gracefully toward the desk, stacking themselves neatly.

To think she can control them so effortlessly… It’s like this entire library is her domain. She must know every single book by heart. Amazing… The magic she’s using—Arcane Arts? I wonder if I can learn it, Shiro thought, watching in awe.

“I’ve created a Library Card with your name on it.” Maiden handed him the card. “Keep it with you at all times. And remember the library’s rules: always remain quiet, do not disturb others, and handle books with care. Any damage—whether by you or someone else—will lead to consequences.”

Shiro held the card, examining his name engraved on it. “Got it!”

"I’ve selected books that will help you prepare for Siri-sensei’s class," she continued. "Do you have any other specific books in mind?"

"Are there books about Classes?" Shiro asked.

"Yes, for every Class."

"Is there one about the Survivalist Class?"

Maiden shook her head. "Unfortunately, no. Your Class is uncommon—this is the first time I’ve even heard of it."

"I figured as much," he muttered.

"However," she added, "I can offer books related to survival. Looking at your Class, it seems focused on adaptability—on overcoming challenges rather than following a rigid path. By adapting, you grow stronger, more resilient against dangers…"

Their conversation continued as Maiden shared her perspective on survival. Shiro, in turn, spoke about his past training, survival experiences, and his ability to use multiple disciplines like Blade Arts and Point Arts.

“Forgetting rank for a moment, your Class is unique,” Maiden remarked. "It doesn’t conform to a single path or limit itself to one specialty. It’s highly versatile and adaptive. That being said, in your current situation, raising your rank should be a priority. At least reaching Rank C or B will allow you to stay neutral in the hierarchy. If you aim for higher ranks, like A or beyond, you’ll attract more attention.”

"I see… I’ll aim for that. Thanks, Maiden-chan!" Shiro said with determination.

"Now, follow my lead," Maiden instructed.

Shiro did as told. Maiden extended her hand forward and calmly said, “Arcane Art: Spatial Circle.”

A glowing magic circle formed in front of her.

Shiro followed suit, mimicking her movements. To his shock, the same circle appeared before him.

“EH—?!” He slapped a hand over his mouth, quickly remembering to keep quiet. “Sorry!”

Maiden chuckled softly. "That was my mistake."

Shiro was still stunned. "I… I didn’t even realize I had this skill!"

“With Spatial Circle, you can use it as dimensional storage—a limitless inventory,” she explained. “One of the books I provided contains a guide on how to use it. Make good use of it.”

Shiro’s excitement grew. "I didn’t even know I had this ability. How did you know?"

"Study your status, and you’ll find out," Maiden answered.

"I definitely will. Thanks again, Maiden-chan!"

Just as he turned to leave, another book floated into his hands.

"This is…?" Shiro looked at the cover.

"A guide to levitation magic," Maiden said. "Your face earlier said you were curious about whether you could learn the magic I use."

Shiro groaned. "Ugh… You got me again! You’re really scaring me, Maiden-chan!" Despite his exasperation, he grinned. "Still, thanks again!"

After storing the books inside his Spatial Circle, Shiro left the library.

Maiden watched him go, a faint smile returning to her lips.

"He really is… an interesting person… just like that ‘man.’"

She sat back at her desk, returning to her floating books, her serene expression unwavering.


[End of First Section]





[Second Section]

Outside the library, Shiro made his way toward the dormitory, but...

Something’s off.

His senses tensed. A presence—strong and deliberate—was drawing closer.

Someone’s watching me… directly.

Then, a familiar scent hit him.

No way…!

Before he could react—

"Miss me?"

A sweet, all-too-familiar voice reached his ears.

"Aah!" Shiro flinched. "Ely-sensei?! Again?!"

The playful teacher stood in front of him, smiling as always.

"Please tone down your voice, Shiro-chan," she said with a finger to her lips.

Shiro clutched his cloak instinctively. "You’re not up to something again, are you?" He scanned his surroundings warily. "You’re not going to drag me to your students again, right?"

"I'm all by myself, Shiro-chan." Ely chuckled. "I'm here to apologize."

"Apologize?" Shiro raised an eyebrow.

"I went too far earlier," she admitted, her voice softer than usual. "I overlooked your feelings. I'm really sorry, Shiro-chan. Can we talk for a bit?"

Shiro hesitated but nodded. They sat on a nearby bench as Ely explained what she had learned from Siri.

"Siri-chan spoke to me back at the canteen," she began. "She told me what you told her—that you had a terrible experience in the past, somewhere hellish, and that it made you hate being surrounded and touched, especially by girls."

Shiro looked away, uncomfortable but listening.

"She also mentioned that back in your homeland, you mostly interacted with adults since you were four, which is why you feel more at ease around Gil, William, and Siri-chan. They said you were quite mature for your age." Ely’s voice remained calm and understanding. "But as for me, I got too carried away. I failed to consider your feelings. I'm sorry for that, Shiro-chan."

She looked him in the eyes, sincere.

Shiro shifted, lowering his gaze. "Y-yeah… I don’t hate you or your students, Ely-sensei. I just… I hate that I haven’t gotten over this feeling." His voice wavered with frustration. "I don’t like it."

"I'm surprised you still went through with showing your skills earlier, despite how you feel," Ely noted. "You're actually trying to fight against it, aren't you?"

Shiro blinked at her in surprise.

"By the way," she continued, "did you ever wonder how I found you back at the faculty office during your tour?"

Shiro tilted his head, curious.

Ely pointed at her ears and wiggled them. "I have superior hearing. Even if you shift from one spot to another in an instant, I can pick up the faintest sound—like your heartbeat. I can even tell when someone is lying or telling the truth."

Shiro’s eyes widened in awe.

"And my sight," she added, now pointing to her eyes. "For a Ranger, keen eyesight is a must. That’s why I’m training my girls to sharpen their senses."

She leaned forward slightly, her playful smile returning. "And you, Shiro-chan, have already demonstrated superior senses—sight, scent, touch, and intuition. Your concentration and precision with pure energy when you shot those dummy targets… your ability to sense William’s hidden masterpiece when no one else could… and even your strength—punching through reinforced hardwood."

Her eyes glimmered. "Shiro-chan, my students like you! You don’t even realize you have a natural attraction, do you?"

Shiro looked away, absently pulling down his hood and adjusting his protective neckwear. "I… I just act naturally. That’s all."

Ely’s playful demeanor faltered for a moment as she caught a glimpse of something—just below his collar, near his nape.

A scar.

A large one.

It stretched down his back, jagged and deep, as if left by something massive.

Her lips parted slightly in silent realization. This… this isn’t a normal scar. Her mind flashed back to what Siri had told her earlier.

*"Two years after Shiro was trained by his master, he was on his way home when a Guardian Monster attacked him. He took refuge in an abandoned ruin, only to be trapped and forced to descend. From there, he suffered through hell and insanity, over and over again. But he adapted. He overcame the nightmares… alone… and escaped.

He told me three years passed while he was trapped, but inside that hellhole, it felt… unknowingly longer.

I didn’t press him for details. I don’t think I want to know what exactly happened to him down there."*

Ely clenched her hands slightly. That’s too cruel.

He endured all of that alone, came out alive, and became stronger than anyone imagined. But at what cost?

His trauma still haunts him.

His scars are more than just physical.

Her gaze softened as she looked at Shiro again. He’s probably wearing that gear to cover them, not just for protection.

Then she noticed—

Shiro was staring at her, his face slightly red.

"What?" he asked nervously.

Ely’s thoughts snapped back to the present. She smiled.

"Cute."

"HUH?!" Shiro nearly jumped. His face turned a deep shade of red.

"Oops~ My thoughts slipped." Ely giggled.

Shiro groaned, covering his face. "D-Don’t just lean in and say that out of nowhere, Sensei!"

"Ara~? So you do have that side to you?" Ely teased. "You’re adorable, Shiro-chan~"

"Shut up!" he grumbled, his ears burning.

"Tee-hee~ Sorry, sorry," Ely said, calming down. "But hey, you want to get over that bad feeling, right?"

Shiro hesitated, then nodded.

"Then let me help you." Ely smiled reassuringly. "Trust me, okay?"

Shiro blinked at her, his instincts naturally reading her sincerity.

"...Alright," he said quietly. "I’ll be in your care, Ely-sensei."

"Good boy~" she hummed. "I also told my students about your situation, so you won’t have to worry about them when you meet them later."

Shiro nodded.

But then—

"Ahh! Shiro-kun removed his hood!"

A girl’s voice rang from nearby.

"Huh?!" Shiro froze.

"There he is!" Another voice followed.

"Let’s go!"

A wave of excited voices erupted.

Ely turned toward the sound casually. "Oh my, they finally caught up."

Shiro paled. "...What do you mean, Ely-sensei?"

"My girls have been looking for you~" Ely said cheerfully. "They really want to talk to you, Shiro-chan."

Shiro gulped.

Ely gently took his hand, offering him a reassuring smile. "Trust me. You’ll be fine." She winked.

Shiro inhaled deeply, trying to calm his nerves. "O-Okay…"

But as the group of Ranger girls rushed toward him, his thoughts screamed otherwise.

Am I really going to be okay?!

Just then, a familiar voice echoed in his mind—his master’s words from long ago.

*"Shiro. Trust and betrayal are two sides of the same coin. When you meet someone, it’s like tossing that coin in the air. Will it land on trust? Or will it land on betrayal?

Some people want you to trust them. Some want to trust you. But you can’t always tell which is which…

That’s why I’ll teach you to understand trust—mind, body, and soul.

I won’t ask you to trust me, Shiro. I’ll ask you to try.

In the end, the only person you can truly trust… is yourself."*

Shiro’s mind snapped back to reality.

He looked at Ely. She was smiling at him—not playfully this time, but warmly.

Her scent carried a genuine trust… and a willingness to be trusted.

I trust you, Ely-sensei.

With that, he steadied himself—ready for what was coming.


[End of Second Section]




[Third Section]

Sitting on the bench with Ely, Shiro braced himself for the inevitable—her approaching Ranger students.

As soon as the girls arrived, their excitement burst forth like a wave.

"Ahh! I can finally see his face!"
"He looks so cool!"
"I wish he had taken off his hood when he showed his archery skills!"
"His face is red! Cute!"
"Shiro-kun!"
"Unfair, Ely-sensei! Holding his hand like that!"

As the excited voices piled up, Shiro kept his gaze down, his grip on Ely’s hand tightening, his fingers trembling slightly.

Ely, with her keen hearing, caught the rapid rhythm of his heartbeat. Recognizing his discomfort, she smiled softly before raising her hand to signal her students.

"Girls. Remember our agreement," she reminded them.

A memory resurfaced in her mind—her earlier discussion with her students, shortly after speaking with Siri in the canteen.

She had addressed her Rangers in her usual calm and cheerful manner.

"Listen, girls. Siri-sensei and I talked earlier about Shiro. He went through something terrible in the past—something that made him uncomfortable with crowds and physical contact, especially with girls. I realize now that I was at fault for involving him without considering his perspective or feelings. That’s why he avoided us… So, if you truly want to talk to him, please respect his space. Give him time to adjust. I’ll speak with him first before you all approach him. Understood?"

"Yes!" her students responded in unison, before murmuring among themselves.

"Shiro-kun had a bad past experience?"
"That’s terrible!"
"I wonder what exactly happened."
"I don’t think we should ask him about that."
"I like Shiro-kun, but I don’t want him to hate me!"
"He’s unlike anyone else!"

Seeing their concern, Ely had gently advised them, "Girls, just as you respect his space, you should also respect his privacy. We don’t want to make him uncomfortable like last time, right? Let’s not dwell on his past. Instead, just treat him with respect, and he’ll do the same for you. Got it?"

"Okay!" her students had replied firmly.

Ely had smiled in satisfaction. "Good!"

As the memory faded, Ely returned her focus to the present, still holding Shiro’s hand. To reassure him, she gently squeezed it, her golden eyes filled with warmth.

Shiro inhaled deeply and, with great effort, lifted his head.

"He—Hello. M-my name is Shiro. G-R Survivalist. Nice to meet you all," he stammered, struggling to maintain eye contact.

The girls greeted him enthusiastically, but hushed whispers quickly spread among them.

"Amazing. He was so unfazed earlier."
"Yeah. Composed, focused, and fierce."
"Now… is he this easily embarrassed?"
"Fierce yet shy? That’s quite a combination."
"I like it!"
"How cute!"

Shiro remained frozen, unsure how to respond, until one of the girls raised her hand.

"Shiro-kun! Shiro-kun! Earlier, how did you do that? The 'Point Art: Critical Point'? That skill is one of the most basic. We know how to use it, but we can’t achieve the same precision as you!"

Another student chimed in, "That skill is Neutral—just pure energy, no element involved. We practice it all the time, but we can’t reach your level. You did it with so little effort! How exactly did you manage that?"

A third girl added, "And more importantly, how did you even learn it when you’re not a Ranger?"

Processing their eager questions, Shiro blinked twice before scratching his head thoughtfully.

"Well… I started learning archery when I was four. That was when I first met High Elves visiting my homeland—"

"High Elves?!" Ely suddenly leaned in, her face inches from his.

"Uhh—!" Shiro flinched. "Sensei!"

"Oh! Excuse me! Silly me, tee-hee~!" Ely giggled before quickly regaining composure. Clearing her throat, she nodded. "Anyway, you met High Elves back in your homeland? Among all Elves, they are the most proficient archers—even those who aren’t Rangers. To think you learned from them… Lucky you, Shiro-chan!"

The Ranger girls murmured among themselves, their voices tinged with playful envy.

"I’m so jealous!"
"He learned from the High Elves!"
"Ely-sensei is also a High Elf, so we’re still lucky!"

One of the girls turned to Shiro with bright, eager eyes.

"Shiro-kun, would you share what you learned? As much as we love learning from Ely-sensei, we’d love to learn from you too!"

Seeing their genuine curiosity, Shiro let out a light sigh, then gave a small nod.

"Okay. Hmm… where do I start?"

[End of Third Section]




[Fourth Section]

As Shiro began explaining to the Ranger girls how he learned archery, his memories resurfaced—memories of his first encounter with the High Elves. However, he kept certain details to himself, such as the name of his homeland and specific individuals, focusing only on the High Elves and their archery.

At four years old, Shiro and Nina wandered through the bustling streets of their homeland, Yasshi.

"Nina-chan, who are they? The ones with pointed ears?" Shiro asked, pointing at a group of unfamiliar people.

"Ah, them? They're Elves—one of the Light Races. More specifically, High Elves," Nina replied.

Shiro’s eyes widened with fascination. "Cool! They're carrying bows and quivers! Are they archers?"

Nina chuckled. "Well, you could say that. Elves are extremely skilled in archery—"

"Can I learn archery?!" Shiro’s excitement burst out as he jumped up and down. "Please?"

Before Nina could answer, Shiro broke into a sprint toward the High Elves.

"Shiro, wait!" Nina called after him, sighing as she hurried to catch up. "Nothing stops him when he's into something..."

Shiro reached the High Elves and called out eagerly. "Uhm—Hi! I'm Shiro! Nice to meet you! Um... are you guys really great at archery?"

One of the High Elves smiled at his enthusiasm. He's so young yet so polite, he mused before answering. "Hello there, Shiro-chan! Yes, we are Rangers—a class that specializes in ranged skills, particularly archery."

Shiro gasped in awe. "Cool! Can you show me—? No—can you teach me? I wanna learn archery!"

The High Elves exchanged amused glances. Before they could respond, Nina arrived, slightly out of breath.

"I'm so sorry about that," she apologized, holding onto Shiro’s shoulders.

"Oh, is he your child?" the High Elf asked with a polite chuckle. "No need to apologize. To be honest, I'm surprised by how eager he is to learn. We don’t mind at all."

Shiro beamed with hope.

"This city is so peaceful—we really love it," the High Elf continued. "We're actually planning to stay for a few weeks. If you'd like, we can use that time to teach you the basics of archery. What do you say, Shiro-chan?"

"Yes!" Shiro shouted with unrestrained excitement. "I look forward to it!"

"Shiro! Your voice!" Nina gently scolded.

"A-Aheheheh, sorry!" Shiro scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.

The High Elves laughed warmly. "You're quite the bundle of joy and mischief, Shiro-chan! I like that!"

Thus, Shiro began his archery training at the city's large practice grounds—a vast field with distant dummies set up for target practice. Holding a bow for the first time, he eagerly attempted to shoot, but his first five tries were completely off.

However, on his sixth attempt—thud—his arrow struck the bullseye.

"I hit it! The center!" Shiro cheered, clenching his fist in triumph.

"Amazing, Shiro-chan! You got it!" one of the High Elves praised, smiling at his determination.

As training continued, Shiro quickly learned to judge both distance and wind speed to improve his aim. Soon, more of his shots began clustering around the center. Determined to push himself further, he started practicing while moving instead of standing still, and later attempted to hit moving targets. He also worked on fast-drawing, testing how quickly he could nock and release arrows in succession.

The High Elves watched in growing astonishment.

"To think he’s progressed this much..." one muttered in disbelief.

"His passion is unwavering," another noted. "You can see it in his eyes—so fierce! If he receives the blessing of a Ranger, he could become extraordinary."

Nina, standing beside them, proudly handed them some snacks. "When he's passionate about something, he gives it his all."

One of the High Elves nodded, then turned thoughtful. "Perhaps it's time we teach him something more important."

Shiro perked up when they called for him. "Point Arts?" he echoed curiously.

"That's right. Since you've shown remarkable progress in just a week, it's time for you to learn about Point Arts," the High Elf explained.

"What are they?"

"Point Arts is one of the eleven known disciplines. It focuses on ranged techniques, making it a core discipline for Rangers and Spearmen alike," the High Elf continued.

Shiro hesitated for a moment before voicing a concern. "Does it require magic to use? I... I have a fragile body, so I can't use magic." His gaze lowered slightly.

The High Elves exchanged silent glances before one of them reassured him, "Don't worry, Shiro-chan. You can still use Point Arts without magic. Some disciplines rely purely on physical or energy-based techniques. Only a few, like Maji Arts, require magic to function."

Shiro’s eyes brightened again. "Then… can I learn the other disciplines, too? After mastering Point Arts?"

The High Elf let out a soft laugh, then crouched down and patted Shiro’s head. "Your thirst for knowledge knows no bounds, young one! But mastering even a single discipline takes years. Point Arts alone has countless skills to learn. Mastery comes with time, patience, and effort. There's no need to rush."

Shiro nodded firmly. "Got it! I'll do my best!"


[End of Fourth Section]





[Fifth Section]

The High Elf positioned himself, preparing to demonstrate. “This Point Art is called Critical Point—the most basic among them all. As I mentioned, it doesn’t require magic, only pure energy. This skill enhances your arrow’s power by pushing it to thresholds. Any arrow will work, but the higher the quality, the stronger the effect. Moreover, as you refine your control over Critical Point, its threshold will expand—imagine the power it can reach once fully mastered,” he explained, his words fueling Shiro’s curiosity and determination.

The High Elf took aim. “To use this skill, you must focus on channeling pure energy through your body. Think of every limb as a pathway, allowing the energy to flow smoothly—down to your hands, then to the bow, and finally into the arrow. Five key principles are essential: focus, patience, precision, serenity, and most of all, willpower. These apply to most Point Arts, but this one serves as the foundation for the rest. Mastering the basics opens the path to advanced skills. Everything starts with the basics and always returns to them. Carry that wisdom with you.”

“Yes!” Shiro replied firmly, his eyes brimming with excitement.

“Good! Now, watch closely.”

The High Elf exhaled, entering a state of deep concentration. A surge of energy coursed through his body, creating a swirling gust around him. His golden hair and green coat billowed as the energy extended to the arrow, wrapping around it in a visible current. “Point Art: Critical Point,” he intoned calmly before releasing the shot. The arrow tore through the air at breakneck speed, the wind trailing behind it. A loud thunk echoed as it struck the dummy—piercing through its center with ease.

“Strong!” Shiro gasped, his jaw dropping in amazement. “Can I try? Can I try?!” he asked, practically bouncing with excitement.

The High Elf chuckled. “Go ahead.”

Shiro stepped forward and took his stance, gripping the bow tightly. “Like a pathway for the stream to flow?” he murmured to himself. “Like the flow of a river... Then—” He closed his eyes, steadying his breath as he entered a deep state of focus. Within his mind, he visualized his body as a riverbed, with energy flowing like a stream. The currents began at the top and bottom of his form, converging into his arms and traveling down to his hands, the bow, and finally the arrow.

He opened his eyes slowly, his expression calm.

Then—

“What?! This energy—?!” The High Elves gasped in unison.

A powerful surge erupted from Shiro’s body, sending a wild gust swirling around him. The arrow in his grasp trembled as the force enveloped it.

“That’s… impossible. He can—” one of the High Elves muttered in shock.

Shiro’s voice was steady. “Point Art: Critical Point.”

He released the arrow.

The moment it left his fingers, a fierce wind roared in its wake. The shot struck the dummy target dead center—then continued straight through, obliterating it in an instant.

The force of the impact sent dust scattering, leaving nothing but remnants of the dummy behind.

‘I see now… This is how energy flows through the body. It’s just like a stream,’ Shiro mused, a small smile forming.

The High Elves exchanged stunned whispers.

“He destroyed the target…” “On his first attempt?” “How is that possible?” “I knew he had potential, but this is unreal.”

One of them hesitated before stepping forward. “Shiro?”

Shiro remained still, his bangs partially covering his eyes.

Then—

His body swayed.

“Shiro!” The High Elf caught him just as he collapsed, lifting him in his arms. “What’s wrong, Shiro-chan?” He touched Shiro’s forehead and flinched. “Hot… He’s burning up! This isn’t just exhaustion—this fever isn’t normal!” His grip tightened, concern filling his voice. “Hold on, Shiro!”


[End of Fifth Section]





[Sixth Section]

Seeing Shiro collapse from exhaustion, followed by a high fever, Nina rushed to him. “Shiro!” she called out, her voice filled with concern. She quickly placed her hand on his forehead, channeling her healing magic to prevent his body from overheating. His breathing began to stabilize, but he remained weak. Without hesitation, she lifted him into her arms.

“Will Shiro be alright? Such a fever is too much for his age,” one of the High Elves asked, his voice heavy with worry.

“Not even the strongest healing magic can cure this kind of fever,” Nina replied, her concern evident. “But I can prevent his body from overheating. As long as he rests properly, he’ll recover.”

“You sound like this has happened before,” the High Elf noted.

“A lot,” she confirmed before explaining further. “His body is extremely fragile—far below average for a normal child. Even minor exertion or exposure to ailments can make him seriously ill, and such fevers can be severe… even fatal.” Her grip on Shiro tightened slightly. “However, each time he recovers, his body adapts at an abnormal rate. That’s why he seems to get stronger, but in this situation… he pushed himself beyond his limit all at once.”

The High Elves were baffled. “An extremely fragile yet highly adaptive body… I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Then, they all bowed deeply. “We’re very sorry, Nina-san!”

Nina shook her head. “It’s okay. This was Shiro’s first time exerting himself like this. For now, he needs to rest, and I have to watch over him. I’m taking him home. I’ll let you know when he’s better.” Without another word, she left with Shiro in her arms.

A Week Later…

“It’s been over a week, and I missed so much training!” Shiro groaned, his frustration clear.

Now fully recovered, he had been given permission by Nina to go for a walk—on the strict condition that he refrained from exerting himself. However, as he arrived at the training grounds, he found it empty. Not a single High Elf was there.

‘Tch… This body's stupid fragility always gets in my way!’ he stomped the ground, annoyed. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. ‘The High Elves must have already left Yasshi… I missed my chance to learn more.’ His light blue eyes narrowed with determination. ‘Then I’ll just have to figure it out myself.’

As he clenched his fists, he noticed something. His body felt… lighter. Stronger. The lingering fatigue he usually experienced after sickness was gone.

‘Now that I think about it… I’ve never felt this good after a fever. Could it be… my body really did adapt again?’ A smirk crept onto his face.

“Fine then. I’ll give it another shot. I won’t let this fragility hold me back!” He gripped his bow, determination flaring in his eyes.

Meanwhile…

Not far from the training grounds, the High Elves were strolling through the city.

“It’s been a while since we saw Shiro-chan.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure he’s alright now.”
“I bet he’s already training again at the grounds—”

Suddenly, a powerful energy surged through the air, followed by the sound of something being obliterated with incredible force. The High Elves immediately recognized it.

“That… Could it be—?!”
“Shiro!”
“You jinxed it!”
“How was I supposed to know he’d actually be there?!”

Without hesitation, they hurried to the training grounds.

What they saw stunned them.

A large dummy target—completely obliterated.

Standing before it, bow in hand, was Shiro. His chest rose and fell as he caught his breath. His light blue eyes glowed faintly, reflecting his unwavering determination.

“I will get stronger!”

The High Elves rushed to him in concern.

“Shiro-chan! What are you doing?! You just recovered from a fever!”
“That’s dangerous, young one!”
“What if you collapse again?”

But then, they paused, glancing at the destruction he had caused.

“Wait… Is it just me, or was that energy different?”
“Now that you mention it… It felt stronger than before.”
“Much stronger than last time!”
“Then that means…”

They turned back to Shiro. Though still catching his breath, he remained standing.

“I… I can… still move!” he said with a smile, holding his bow with pride.

One of the High Elves sighed in relief. “Dear me… You really are something, aren’t you, Shiro-chan? But please, don’t do that again. If you take another shot right now, you’ll collapse for sure.”

“I know! I’ll stop,” Shiro reassured them.

“Anyway, we’ll be leaving the city today. We’re lucky we got to see you before we left,” one of the High Elves informed him.

Shiro’s expression fell slightly. “…I see.”

Noticing his disappointment, one of them knelt down and patted his head. “Don’t feel that way, Shiro-chan. We’ll meet again someday.” He then pulled out something and placed it in Shiro’s hands.

A badge.

It was intricately designed with vines and a bow-and-leaf-arrow symbol at its center.

“This is…?” Shiro asked, holding it carefully.

“A Badge of Recognition,” the High Elf said with a smile. “The fact that we taught you archery and witnessed your incredible potential earns you this. This is no ordinary badge—it’s sacred among us Elves. It means that the High Elves acknowledge you, Shiro. If you ever visit any Elven tribes, this will serve as proof of our recognition. You deserve it.”

Shiro couldn’t find the words to respond, but his smile said everything.

“And here,” another High Elf handed him a book.

Shiro’s eyes widened. “An Elven book? Wait… is this about Point Arts? Can I really have this?!” His excitement was barely contained.

“Of course. You’ve earned it,” the High Elf chuckled. “At least now, you’ll have a guide to refine your skills. But remember—train your body as well. You need strength to properly wield the other Point Arts. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself first?”

“Yes! I’ll do my best!” Shiro declared, holding the book tightly.

But before he could celebrate further—

SWIPE!

The book was suddenly snatched away.

“I’ll be holding on to this for now,” came a familiar strict voice.

Shiro turned around, only to freeze in terror.

“Eek! N-Nina-chan?!” Instinctively, he tried to hide his bow behind him.

Nina crossed her arms, her aura darkening. “What did I tell you about refraining from overexerting yourself?”

Shiro gulped. “I-I didn’t… I mean, I did exert myself, but not overly!” He tried to defend himself.

“Really?” Nina leaned in, her sharp gaze making him shrink. “You weren’t planning on pushing yourself further, were you?”

Shiro broke into a cold sweat. She’s angry! I’m doomed!!

As punishment—noogie attack.

“Ah—! It hurts! Nina-chan! It hurts! Please, stop! I’m sorry! It hurts!!” he wailed, struggling in vain.

The High Elves watched helplessly.

“Will Shiro-chan be okay?”
“Well… he is still a child.”
“I suppose Nina-san will make sure he stays in check.”
“Then, thank goodness… Though, I’m not sure what to say about this situation.”

After a moment…

The High Elves bid their farewell. “Until we meet again, Shiro-chan! Train well, but don’t overdo it! Time and patience, remember!”

Shiro nodded, still rubbing his head. “Yes!”

But then—

“You’re grounded… for a month!” Nina declared.

“EH?! WHY?!” Shiro wailed.

Ignoring his protests, Nina grabbed him, tossed him over her shoulder, and carried him off.

“NOOOOO~!” His cries of despair echoed throughout the city.

Shiro’s memory faded, bringing him back to the present. At the same time, his story to Ely’s Ranger girls came to an end.

[End of Sixth Section]