Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest - Chapter 570: .7 - Evergreen

The moment Maya asked, “Do you know anything about the Elves?” my mind began to sift through everything I knew about them—elves—one of the most well-known races to inhabit this world. Everyone was familiar with their existence, their deep connection to nature, and the legendary World Tree that bound their fate. They were a race blessed with long lives, ageless beauty, and smooth skin, their features always drawing admiration and envy from other races.

Though there was more to them than just their appearance.

They weren’t native to this world, not like humans. They had come here from another realm, one tied to the essence of nature itself, during the Nexus Convergence. The day when mana had flooded into this world and when countless races from other planes had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

The Elves had arrived alongside other beings, beings of magic and mystery, claiming lands that had once belonged solely to humans. The Nexus Convergence had changed everything. Cities were lost, new territories claimed, and the balance of power had shifted forever. The Elves, with their natural affinity for mana, quickly established themselves as one of the dominant races.

And yet, despite their long lives and wisdom, they remained a mystery in many ways. Their culture, their magic, their rituals—these were things that weren’t easily understood by humans. The Elves guarded their secrets closely, and only a few were ever truly allowed into their inner sanctums. The World Tree, their source of life and power, was said to be the very heart of their world, the place from which all their magic flowed.

These were the things everyone knew, the stories taught in schools, passed down through generations.

But I knew a lot more compared to what an average human of this world knew. After all, there were countless different times when the Elven realm was shown in the game.

That was also the reason why I was able to refer to Maya’s lineage of elves.

I knew more than what was commonly taught about the Elves, especially compared to the average human in this world. My knowledge extended beyond the surface-level stories, primarily because of what I had seen in the game. In countless different instances, the Elven realm had been shown, revealing much more than the history books ever could.

Elves were ruled by royalty, and beneath that royalty, there was a council—an assembly of Elders who held great power and influence over their people. These Elders weren’t just figureheads; they were the ones who upheld the ancient traditions, those steeped in magic and nature, and were responsible for guiding the Elven race through the chaotic times after the Nexus Convergence.

One of the most well-known aspects of the Elves was their natural affinity for mana. Their connection to magic was almost instinctive, woven into the very fabric of their existence. But it wasn’t just about power—there was something primal about their relationship with the world. The Elves didn’t live like humans, with their reliance on complex technology or advanced societies. They lived more in tune with the natural order of things, letting magic fill the gaps where technology might have in human lands.

The Elves’ natural affinity for mana wasn’t just a cultural or philosophical strength; it was a biological advantage. Their bodies were inherently more attuned to the flow of magic in the world, giving them a physical and magical superiority over many other races. This was why they were able to expand so aggressively after the Nexus Convergence, pushing back humans and claiming vast territories for themselves.

More than a quarter of the world’s lands fell under Elven rule.

And they didn’t just conquer; they enslaved. Humans were killed, their lands taken, and those who were captured were used as labor or worse. The Elves didn’t just defeat their enemies—they bent them to their will, enforcing their dominance over the new world they had claimed.

They occupied the western side of the continent under the name Sylvanreach Enclave. That place is a lot different from the normal lands as Elves brought the most important things in their lives with them.

Seeds of the World Tree.

The World Tree of their world has fallen, corrupted, and died. And that is why they were forced to leave their own world.

And they recreated the World Tree.

But for the Elves to recreate their beloved World Tree, they had to reshape the land itself. The Sylvanreach Enclave, their domain on the western side of the continent, was nothing like the human lands surrounding it.

Simply planting the seeds wasn’t enough. The World Tree didn’t grow in just any environment. The Elves had to recreate the conditions of their homeland, transforming the land to suit the magic of the World Tree. It was a monumental task, requiring not just power but the careful cultivation of mana over centuries.

I knew from the game that the Elves had established powerful barriers along the borders of the Sylvanreach Enclave—barriers designed to separate their land from the human domains. These barriers weren’t just physical; they were magical, preventing the carefully cultivated mana within the Elven domain from escaping. Without that control, the World Tree’s magic would be diluted, and its influence weakened. The barriers ensured that the flow of mana within the Enclave remained steady, feeding the World Tree and allowing it to grow strong once more.

These barriers also served another purpose. They isolated the Elven lands, keeping outsiders from disturbing the delicate balance of magic the Elves had nurtured. It was a closed ecosystem, one that allowed the World Tree to flourish and the Elves to regain the power they had lost when their original tree was corrupted.

‘But of course….It is hard for me to tell any of those to anyone.’

The fact that this knowledge came from a game from another world alone is impossible to explain. There is no person who can understand this concept.

Of course, if I were to say this to people who are close to me, they may somehow believe me, but I doubt they would completely accept this whole thing in their hearts.

In a way, while outwardly they would accept, that doubt would continue to be here. And it is not like I have any intention to talk about any of those things either, as there is no need for me to.

So instead, I simply gave Maya a small shake of my head. “I don’t know much beyond the surface level,” I said, keeping my tone casual. “Just the general things people are taught.”

Maya nodded, her expression calm and understanding. “I see,” she replied softly before beginning to explain, her voice carrying the weight of someone sharing a piece of themselves.

As Maya began to speak, I noticed something subtle in her words, a nuance that stood out as she explained the history of her people. She spoke of the Elves’ realm—the one they had come from—but she never once referred to it as her home world. That detail struck me immediately.

“The Elves crossed into this world when the Nexus Convergence happened,” she began, her voice steady but carrying a quiet gravity. “That world… it wasn’t the same after the corruption began. The World Tree that once sustained life withered under the weight of that corruption. The land itself began to decay, and the magic that had once given us life became our undoing. That is why Elves had no choice but to leave.”

She paused for a moment, her eyes distant, as though she were remembering something far beyond our current surroundings. But she never called it home. Not once.

Maya continued, explaining how the Elves had found this world, bringing with them the remnants of their ancient civilization, the Seeds of the World Tree. They had recreated their existence here, building new cities and shaping the land with their magic.

Maya continued her explanation, and as she did, her tone shifted slightly, becoming more personal, as if she was about to reveal something deeper than just the history of her people. “There’s a reason why my family isn’t in the Elven Domain, Junior,” she said quietly, her gaze focusing on the garden before us.

“My family… we were once tied to the Elven royalty. The Elves are ruled by the Verdantweave royal family, and when we first came into this world, they were the ones who led us.” Maya’s voice grew firmer as she spoke, recounting the tale as if it were ingrained in her very being. “The Verdantweaves conquered the western side of this world, enslaving many humans in the process.”

That was something that I already knew since there is a part in the game where the Player comes into contact with the Elven Royal family and the Elven Queen.

Her expression softened, a trace of something deeper passing through her eyes as she continued, “My ancestor, Aelion Verdantweave, was a member of that royal family. He wasn’t just any member—he was the Crown Prince, the strongest of the young generation, with unmatched talent in manipulating all elements. He was expected to be the next King of the Elves, a symbol of their future.”

‘Aelion.’

That was a name that I had never heard being mentioned in the game. Never, not even once.

‘This is…..’

And something was telling me that this story was not simply a normal one.

I remained silent, listening closely as Maya’s voice lowered, taking on a more somber tone. “As they continued their conquest of human lands, something unexpected happened. He fell in love… with a human slave.”

Her words hung in the air, the weight of that revelation sinking in. It wasn’t just any love—this was a forbidden love, one that crossed the rigid boundaries between Elves and humans.

“He kept it a secret,” she went on, “from everyone. His family, his people. He coveted her in the shadows, and despite the dangers, they had a child. A child that no one was supposed to know about.”

Maya’s eyes darkened as she recalled what came next. “When Aelion’s father—the King—found out, he was furious. For an Elf of royal blood to mingle with a human was unthinkable, a stain on their legacy. The King ordered the child to be killed. It was an act of pure fury, an attempt to erase what he saw as an unforgivable betrayal.”

Maya’s voice carried a heavy weight as she continued, revealing more of the story that had never been told. “Of course, Aelion knew that this wouldn’t stay hidden forever. As Crown Prince, he wasn’t foolish. He understood the politics of the Elven court better than anyone. Secrets, no matter how well-guarded, eventually surface.”

She paused for a moment, her gaze distant, as if seeing a time long past. “He anticipated the King’s reaction, knew that something like this would inevitably lead to violence and death. So, before the secret could be fully exposed, he made a deal.”

‘A deal…’ I thought, already piecing together the next part of the story. This was something I had never heard in the game—a story that remained hidden even in the lore.

“He sought out Valerion,” Maya said softly, “the rising hero of humanity. At the time, humans were in a desperate position, struggling to fight back against the other races that had arrived after the Nexus Convergence. They were fractured, with no unified defense. Valerion was the one who had begun gathering humanity together, creating a resistance.”

The name…Valerion. A figure deeply woven into the history of the human struggle for survival, known for his strength and leadership. But in the game, there had been no mention of a connection between him and the Elves, least of all the Crown Prince.

“Aelion saw an opportunity,” Maya continued, her voice steady. “He offered Valerion something invaluable—his support. With the Elves already dominant and humanity on the brink, Aelion promised to help. In return, Valerion agreed to grant him and his family a place within the Human Domain. A place where they wouldn’t be under the scrutiny of the Elven King or any other eyes that might meddle in their affairs. A place where they could live in peace, hidden.”

Her eyes turned toward me, her expression unreadable. “That’s how my family came to be here, in the Human Domain. We were given land, a place to exist quietly, out of the Elven Kingdom’s sight.”