The Smile That Shines

We reached the village square just as Estheria’s voice carried over the gathered crowd. When she saw us approaching, her eyes softened, and a quiet smile lifted on her lips --calm and gentle.

Elder Eldwin walked steadily across the square. His steps were sure, his presence drawing every villager’s gaze. Behind Estheria stood the Grand Mage, Erisious, calm and tall, his robe lightly moving in the breeze.

As Eldwin approached, the villagers all bowed their heads in respect. 

When Eldwin stopped in front of them, he lowered his head deeply to Erisious.

The Grand Mage smiled kindly.

“Raise your head, Eldwin.”

His voice was warm, almost like an old friend greeting someone long missed.
“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

Eldwin’s lips lifted in a small smile as he straightened.

“It has… Erisious.”


Then, Eldwin gaze turned to Estheria. He reached out and gently placed a hand on her head, his fingers resting softly in her hair. His smile deepened, full of pride and care.

“You’ve always been a handful… always running ahead, always chasing big dreams.” His voice grew softer.

“And look at you now. You becoming exactly who you wanted to be.”

He patted her head gently.

“I’m proud of you… my little Estheria.”

Estheria’s cheeks flushed a light pink. She ducked her head, her voice a quiet murmur.
“Grandpa… not in front of everyone…”

But she didn’t push his hand away. She stayed there, calm under his touch, the small smile still on her lips.


Just then, Levia, Wish, and Hade rushed forward from the crowd. Their faces were bright and full of trust.

“Big sister Estheria!” Levia called.

“What’s going to happen when we go to the capital? Will we all be okay?”

Estheria knelt down to their level, resting a hand on each of their heads. Her smile was steady and full of care.

“Don’t worry,” she said gently.

“We’ll all be safe. The Higher Mages will protect you until everything is solved. And of course…” she tapped their foreheads lightly, “I’ll be right there with you. Like always.”

The children smiled wide, relief clear in their bright eyes.

I stepped forward then, pulling out the small pouch Eldwin had given us. Slowly, I handed it to Estheria. She took it carefully, her eyes lifting to meet mine and Strixx’s.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“Luca, Strixx… really, thank you.”

Strixx grinned, her bright energy shining through as always.

Estheria’s gaze shifted toward Aeliff, standing a few steps away. His arms were crossed tight, frustration still sitting in his eyes.

Without hesitation, Estheria turned to him and offered the pouch, her voice calm and clear.

“Here,” 

“This is the trace I told you about. You don’t have to take my word anymore, Aeliff. You can see it for yourself.”

Her words weren’t sharp. They weren’t bitter. They were open -- patient and steady.

Aeliff slowly opened the pouch. His fingers sifted through the contents carefully -- inside were several medals, each one marked with the seal of the Higher Mages. Symbols of rank, duty, and honor. Among them, his hand stilled.

His breath caught quietly as he lifted one medal from the pouch, holding it gently in his palm. His eyes locked on it.

“…This one,” he murmured, voice low, “this is my brother’s.”

He stood there for a long moment, staring at the medal, his expression shifting -- the hard lines of doubt slowly giving way to something deeper. 

He looked up at Estheria, his voice softer now.

“So you were right… all along.”


Aeliff turned then, facing the Grand Mage directly. His voice was firmer, clearer.

“Grand Mage… when will the Higher Mages be deployed again for another operation?”

Erisious’ gaze didn’t waver. His voice was steady, deep and sure.

“Once the evacuation is complete,” he answered, “we’ll hold an operational council at the capital. Every corner of ElFairia, every person within our reach -- I give you my word. Their safety will be our priority.”

He paused for a moment, letting his words settle in the air. His tone carried the full weight of his conviction.

“Rest assured… I will ensure protection for all.”


“Let us head to the capital together.”

Estheria turned to the villagers around her, her voice lifting -- steady and full of warmth.

“Everyone, let’s go!” she called clearly, her smile bright and sure.

“I’ll be right there with you every step of the way. And Luca and Strixx will be too.”

Then Families boarded the carriages, elders helping children as soft murmurs filled the air. The journey to ElFairia Academia was peaceful, winding through quiet forests and open roads. By late afternoon, the Grand Capital appeared — a vast city of white towers, silver rooftops, and glowing rivers under the fading light. And then we reached ElFairia Academia, a grand stronghold with sprawling halls and luminous gardens. 

The villagers were welcomed into sturdy, warm dormitories where food, beds, and safety awaited under the protection of the Higher Mages. As we arrived, Estheria turned to address everyone, her voice calm and reassuring.

“We’re here,” she said, smiling.

“We’ll be safe in these dorms. we’ll be cared for. And I’ll be right here with you.”

Strixx and I stepped beside her, smiling as well. Around us, the villagers slowly climbed down from the carriages. Kids looked around with wide eyes amazed, For kids, this was their first time seeing the capital. Knowing they were safe now meant everything.

I looked at Estheria. Even after all that had happened, she had kept her promise. She brought them here.

After we helped the villagers settle into the large hall of the dorms -- where rows of beds and all the necessities had been prepared -- the Grand Mage approached Estheria one last time before leaving.

“I’ll send the Guard Mages here shortly,” he said with a calm smile. Then, along with the carriages, he departed, leaving us in the quiet safety of the Academia grounds.

Once the villagers were resting, the three of us -- Estheria, Strixx, and I -- stepped outside. We wandered slowly through the wide garden just outside the dormitory. The evening air was cool and calm, soft lights floating gently among the tall silver trees.

Estheria turned to us, her expression full of quiet gratitude.

“Strixx, Luca… thank you,” she said softly. “Thank you for standing by me and for speaking honestly. None of this would’ve been possible without you two. My village is safe now… and the three of us aren’t seen as threats or traitors anymore here in ElFairia.”

Strixx and I shared a smile.

“We’re just happy we could help you, Estheria,” I said simply.

As we walked, I glanced around the grand buildings and wide open courtyards of the Academia, my curiosity growing.

“This place… it’s huge,” I said. “Is it just for the higher elves?”

Estheria chuckled gently.

“No, no. It’s not just for the higher elves.”

Strixx perked up, her voice light and eager.

“Strixx wants to go to Academia too!”

I laughed softly and then looked back at Estheria.

“Can you tell us more about it?”

She nodded warmly, her smile calm and fond.

“This is ElFairia Academia,” she began.

“When an elf -- no matter whether they’re from the higher or lower clans -- turns ten years old, they’re required to attend the Academia for ten years. Here, we all learn about the world, the history of ElFairia, and how our society works. Those who have magic affinity receive training to become mages or higher mages and serve ElFairia.”

She paused, glancing at both of us.

“For us lower elves,” she continued, her voice still gentle, “we’re taught the same history and rules. We attend the same general classes as everyone else --except for the magic courses. Since most of us can’t use magic, we don’t attend those.” She smiled softly, without bitterness. “But everything else is the same.”

She paused for a moment, her gaze drifting slightly, her smile turning faint--almost nostalgic.

“…I was the only one among the lower elves who attended the magic classes anyway. Even without any magic power.”

Strixx blinked in surprise, her ears twitching. “Eh? Estheria did?”

Estheria gave a small nod, her voice calm but carrying quiet determination.

“I didn’t want to be left behind. I wanted to learn everything I could… even if it meant sitting in a room where I couldn’t cast a single spell. I listened, I studied… I really was all over the place. I guess I was just a curious little girl.”

I looked at Estheria for a long moment, my thoughts settling softly.

“You know…” I started quietly, “you’re lucky, Estheria.”

She turned her eyes to me, curious and gentle.

“Why do you say that, Luca?”

I gave a small smile, steady and calm.

“When I was ten… I lost everything. My home, my family, my friends. My entire village was taken from me.” I paused, my voice soft but no longer heavy. “Back then, I used to wish I had a place like this… a place like the Academia. Somewhere to learn, to grow… somewhere safe.”

Strixx clung to my arm gently, her golden eyes sad and full of quiet understanding.

“Luca…”

I glanced down at her, then smiled again--warmer this time.

“But I’ve moved past it. It’s alright now.”

I lifted my gaze, breathing in slowly as the cool evening breeze brushed past us.

“Now… I’m on a journey to see the world. I’ve met so many good people, heard stories from all walks of life. And… I’ve met amazing people like Strixx.”

I looked directly at Estheria, my voice soft but certain.

“And people like you. People who remind me what it feels like to belong somewhere again.”

Estheria’s expression softened. Her brows knit gently, her eyes deepening with quiet empathy.

For a long moment, she didn’t speak--she simply looked at me, like she could feel the weight behind my words and understood how much they meant.

Slowly, she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze dipping slightly.

“…Luca,” she whispered, her voice tender and full of feeling.

“I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you met us… and I’m glad I met you.”

Her words carried no pity--only warmth and understanding, as if she was carefully holding the pieces of my past and quietly letting me know they mattered.

I smiled, a soft breath easing from my chest. The heaviness I carried felt a little lighter now.

With a gentle warmth rising in me, I continued, my voice steady but lighter.

“You really are beautiful, Estheria. Not just your face… but your heart. Your sincerity, your kindness, your strength. Everything about you is amazing.”

A faint flush rose on her cheeks as her eyes widened slightly.

She glanced away quickly, her fingers brushing her hair behind her ear again in a nervous, almost shy motion.

I tilted my head a little, smiling softly.

“What’s wrong, Estheria? Did I say something weird?”

She looked back at me, her eyes warm and a little flustered, but her smile calm and full of sincerity.

“N-No, it’s not that. It’s just… I’m not really used to being praised like that.”

Her gaze softened even more. “But… thank you, Luca.”

Her smile lingered--warm, genuine, and brighter than I’d seen before.

Strixx pouted playfully and tugged at my sleeve.

“What about Strixx!?”

I laughed under my breath and glanced down at her.

“Strixx is beautiful too.”

Her face lit up as she hugged my arm tighter, smiling brightly.

“Luca is kind and beautiful too!”

Estheria looked at us--her eyes soft, her smile spreading naturally before, without warning, a small laugh slipped from her lips. It was the first time I had heard her laugh like that since we’d met.

It was gentle, light… and beautiful.

For a moment, under the fading orange sky, she looked brighter than ever--her golden-blonde hair catching the soft light of the setting sun, glowing with warmth.

For the first time, the weight she always carried seemed to lift from her shoulders.

Strixx beamed, her eyes full of childlike joy.

“Estheria is pretty! Strixx loves Estheria’s smile!”

I chuckled, glancing at Strixx.

“You know… you said the same thing to me when we first met.”

“Hehe!” Strixx giggled, hugging my arm again.

“Strixx loves Luca’s smile too! People are always so beautiful when they smile.”

Her words were so simple, so pure. They made the moment feel even softer, like the world had slowed just to give us a bit of peace.

As we continued strolling through the garden, the golden leaves rustling gently around us, I noticed someone standing quietly at the veranda ahead.

Aeliff.

He stood alone, the soft shadows around him stretching long in the evening light. His gaze was lowered, fixed on something resting in his hands.

There was a quiet weight in his posture--a man deep in thought, holding something precious.