New teacher

  When the people saw Eldran rise from his bed and walk freely again through the forest, their joy knew no bounds. Yet, despite this, not everyone immediately became Moris’s supporter. Some said: “Yes, Moris helped, but that was just one case. Life without magic is impossible,” while others argued: “No, we saw it with our own eyes! What magic could not do, Moris did. His knowledge saved a life!” Discussions within the village grew louder by the day, and the dispute did not cease. At that time, in the center of the hall, Queen Mia gathered the elders and the people, stepping onto a high platform. The young queen’s eyes shone with determination. “Children of the Elf Forest!” she said in a solemn voice. “For centuries we believed magic to be our only savior. But today we witnessed another truth. 

  Eldran, the elder of this forest, who suffered from an illness magic could not cure, was healed by the power of science. This is not coincidence. This is a sign sent to us by fate!” The people fell silent. Everyone whispered to one another. “Therefore,” Mia continued, “from this day forth Moris will be our official teacher! He will not only instruct his students, but all of us. We shall build a new Academy within the forest. A new era shall begin where science and magic walk side by side!” At these words, applause erupted from the crowd, though there were still silent, doubtful faces among them. Soon after, construction of the new Academy began within the forest. Mia, using her royal authority, summoned the finest woodcutters and craftsmen. Amid the green trees, the foundation of a tall building was laid. Its walls were built from thick oak, its rooftops made of gleaming blue crystal that caught the sunlight. Leaf-shaped ornaments adorned its peaks. Moris watched this moment alongside his students. By his side, Ariel smiled with pride: “See, Moris, your dream of a scientific hall is becoming reality,” she said. Moris clasped his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance. “This is not my dream, Ariel. This is the dream of the people. They are only now beginning to understand the power of knowledge. We merely opened the path.” At that moment, one of the students, Darion, still doubtful, said: “Teacher, but not everyone believes. Yesterday some elders were saying ‘nothing is possible without magic.’ What if they oppose us?” Moris smiled, placing a hand on his student’s shoulder. “Darion, your question is fair. But science never fights for belief. It fights for proof. We will show results. The rest will resolve itself.” The day of the Academy’s opening ceremony arrived. Elves gathered from every corner of the forest. In the center of the square stood a great platform.

   Mia stepped forward and solemnly declared: “From this moment, the new Academy of the Elf Forest is open! Here, both magic and science shall be taught. They shall complement one another. And our head teacher shall be Moris!” The crowd erupted. Some clapped joyfully, others still remained distant, their eyes filled with doubt. Moris stepped onto the platform and began to speak. “Honored elves! My goal is not to abolish magic. Magic is nature’s gift. Science is the fruit of human thought and labor. Each has its place. Only together can they become true power. We will step into the future upon the path of enlightenment!” After these words, the majority rejoiced and applauded. From that day on, Moris and his students began teaching at the new Academy. Every day he stood before the board, conducting various experiments: showing microbes in water, explaining the origin of fire, revealing the secrets of plants. The magicians also demonstrated their arts: healing wounds in an instant, summoning winds, controlling fire. The coexistence of the two disciplines within the Academy created a unique spirit. Youngsters eagerly learned. Yet still, some remained in the shadows, full of suspicion. Some elders muttered: “Perhaps this new era is dangerous…” while others countered: “No, this is our salvation!” Thus began the era of the scientific circle led by Moris. Evening fell. In the Academy’s courtyard, shadows grew long, and golden sunlight peeked through the green leaves. As usual, after lessons, the students trained in the square: some shot arrows at wooden targets, others practiced conjuring fiery flames. At that moment, Lucas—a tall, blue-eyed elf archer with a green cloak over his shoulders—slowly approached Moris. His face showed both composure and a hidden excitement. 

 “Teacher Moris, I have a question…” he said, bowing slightly. Moris closed his books and smiled. “Go ahead, Lucas.” Lucas glanced around, clearly not wanting to attract the attention of the students. Then he whispered: “To protect the village, we need stronger weapons. Our bows are powerful, but they are not enough against the Ostania armies. You… can you improve our weapons?” Moris looked him directly in the eye. He stood silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. “I have already improved them…” As he spoke, he activated storage magic in his palm. Green light shimmered, the air split open like a crack, and from within gleamed cold black metal. Moris pulled out a beautifully engraved Sig WCX automatic rifle with both hands. The elf students around gasped. One whispered: “What is that marvel?”—“It’s black… nothing like a bow!” Lucas too was amazed as he drew closer. “What is this?” he asked cautiously. Holding the weapon, Moris replied gravely: “This is the enhanced ranged weapon you asked for. Like a bow, but different. With a bow, you need several seconds to fire one arrow. But this… fires three bullets in a single second. Without pause.” Lucas’s eyes widened. “That… that’s impossible! Only magic can achieve such speed!” Moris chuckled. “Don’t be mistaken, Lucas. Magic is not the only path. Even if your magic is weak, you can still be strong. Come, let me show you.” They walked to the archery training field. Sunlight glimmered on the wooden targets. The archers stopped their practice, watching curiously. Moris lifted the rifle, speaking with weight. “Watch closely. This weapon’s power surpasses the bow.” He pulled the trigger. Tra-ta-ta-ta! In the blink of an eye, the wooden targets shattered to pieces. Instead of arrow holes, large carved gouges remained. The surrounding elves gasped in shock. “I’ve never seen such speed!”—“This is beyond the power of arrows!” Lucas covered his mouth with his hand, eyes wide with awe. “This… this is incredible! If we could make such weapons, we could stand against the Ostania armies!” Moris immediately cautioned in a calm tone: “Do not rush. The stronger the weapon, the harder it is to make. The bullets for this weapon cannot be crafted as quickly as arrows. 

  They require many minerals.” “But if we add magic to a bow, its power increases. Is there a way to do the same here?” Lucas asked. Moris smiled: “Exactly. If you channel magic into the bullets, their power multiplies.” Lucas’s eyes lit up. “Teacher, even if making such weapons is hard, we need them. With this we can not only defend, but free our enslaved kin! Now… how does it work?” Moris calmly explained the weapon. “This is the Sig WCX. Here is the magazine, where you load the bullets. Insert it like this and lock it in place. This is the charging handle to prepare the weapon. And this switch changes the firing mode. If you turn it like this—the weapon fires rapidly. Use it when enemies are many. If enemies are few, switch to single fire to save bullets. In that mode, the weapon shoots one round at a time. Pull the trigger, and it fires.” Lucas listened intently, nodding. “I understand. Now… may I try it?” Moris thought for a moment. “Alright,” he said, handing him the weapon. Lucas carefully held it. The metal was cold and heavy. His eyes caught a small glass piece above. “What is this?” “That is the optical sight. If your enemy is far, you can see clearly through it,” Moris explained. Lucas peered through the scope. 

 The target appeared sharp and close. “Incredible! I’ve never seen anything like this!” Moris smiled: “You can also add your magic to it. Then the bullet’s power increases.” Lucas closed his eyes, touching the weapon. Golden energy surrounded it. He pulled the trigger. Tra-ta-ta-ta! The targets exploded into dust, even the rocks behind the trees cracked apart. The elves roared in astonishment. “This is far stronger than any bow!”—“A true marvel!” Lucas, overwhelmed, said: “Teacher, how can we build this?” Moris sighed deeply. “To make this weapon, we need much metal. But in the elf forests, there is no metal.” Lucas declared with determination: “We will find it. 

 If you agree to teach us, I will go to the queen at once!” Moris shrugged lightly. “Very well. If you can persuade the queen, we will begin searching for metal.” Hope flared in Lucas’s eyes. “Then I shall go to the queen immediately!” he said, and hurried toward the forest palace, rifle in hand. The elves who remained looked at one another, still murmuring. Some fearful, some astonished, others full of true hope: “Perhaps this weapon will bring us new freedom…” they said. 

 Moris then thought to himself that this time the weapon must be used wisely, not for genocide as in his previous life, and he resolved to watch over it carefully.