Chapter 43 - My Past Self

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As he walks toward the refuge without paying attention to his surroundings, the boy continues his train of thought.

"What a crazy old lady. Even though she was talking nonsense, I still found her super friendly and nice. I hope I get to meet her again someday, —it'd be cool to chat."

"Now that I think about it, she said something about trusting people, right? Well, maybe I have been too relaxed about that since I got here. I need to be more careful."

"Whatever, let's just go back for now. It's already really late, late enough that it's almost morning... damn! I think I stayed out too long. Kazuki must be worried."

...

Rei passes through the refuge's gate, steps inside and walks down the initial corridor until he nears the rooms. He finds it strange how the people around him move with anxious expressions and hurried steps, breathing through their mouths.

"Even now, so many people from the war come here. Neither the elves nor the humans seem to be able to rest properly."

"The atmosphere outside is completely different from here, —it's like everything around me feels heavy, making it harder to breathe… at least, that's how it feels to me."

Just before reaching the room where he's staying, the student spots Círdan, the administrative leader of all the elves in the place, standing near the large white tree.

He's accompanied by other elves in simple, light clothing. A short distance behind them, an elderly man sits on a makeshift stretcher on the ground, his gray hair and frail appearance betraying his age.

Even from a distance, Rei notices that the old man's leg is in terrible shape. Not only is the skin damaged from the waist down, but his leg is torn to shreds, with arteries and veins visibly protruding.

The elves around him do their best to help, applying herbs and potions to the wound to stabilize his fragile, serious condition. The old man lets out a few involuntary cries, as if the treatment is causing a burning sensation, but nothing too serious.

In a final act, Círdan wraps bandages around the injury and casts a calming spell on the patient, soothing him until he falls asleep right there on the stretcher.

The elf then thanks his companions with a smile, which they accept with deep gratitude and joy.

Afterwards, Círdan walks down a side corridor while the other elves return to their routines, scattering to help others nearby.

"Has he been helping people nonstop since I arrived at the refuge? Without rest? That's crazy."

"He looks exhausted, like he's about to collapse. How come no one notices? Why is he helping so much?"

Rei wonders, watching the elf closely.

With this question in mind, the boy abandons the idea of entering his room and starts to follow Círdan. As he gets closer, he immediately speaks up.

— Círdan, wait a minute…

Hearing his name, the elf turns around and stops walking.

At that moment, Rei takes the chance to question him directly, without holding back.

— Dude, what's the point of helping everyone around you like this? Seriously, what's the point? Sorry if I'm intrusive, but honestly, I just don't get you.

— Yeah, yeah, sure! I agree with the idea you preach, that the races should unite and leave the wars behind, but…

— Aren't you taking this way too seriously? Helping people to the point where you can barely stand? Aren't you just punishing yourself? — he adds.

Hearing that, the elf's eyes widen slightly in surprise. Even though Rei hadn't been there for a whole day, he had hit the nail on the head with his words.

— W-Well, as you can see, I'm not in the best shape right now… Let's sit on that bench over there? — He finishes, pointing at a nearby seat.

...

After sitting down and resting for a moment, the elf takes a deep breath and begins to answer the boy's questions.

 — Now to answer yours. Am I punishing myself? Yes, you're not wrong.

— But let me ask you this: do you know why we have isolated ourselves from the world? — he asks, his voice calm and serene.

— Because of your ideologies?

— Partly, yes. But it's not the only reason.

With a short but direct answer, the elf turns to the side and begins to tell a story from long ago, his gaze fixed on the majestic tree in the area.

— About five hundred years ago, all races were united. They lived in harmony and maintained a mutual organization. Despite cultural and moral differences, they still managed to find a balance between all. Each person complemented and contributed to the great society in his or her own way.

— It was a good time, I won't deny it. It was known as "The Golden Era". — he says with a small smile, the memories still vivid in his mind.

— I was one of the 12 elders of that time, responsible for maintaining order and handling administrative duties for our people. We were also responsible for racial diplomacy.

The boy asks with a surprised expression.

— Wait, five hundred years ago? Wait, how old are you?

Círdan chuckles when he sees Rei's confused face, then answers without hesitation.

— Yes, our race can live for more than a thousand years, but it depends on our bloodline.

— As for my age? Well, that's a secret — he adds, a relaxed expression on his face.