Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest-Chapter 571 126.8 - Evergreen

"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."

'A deal with Valerion,' I thought, piecing it all together. Aelion had not only secured his family's safety but had also influenced the balance of power during a critical moment in history. This was no ordinary love story—it was a turning point hidden beneath layers of secrecy.

As Maya's words hung in the air, I began to piece the story together with more clarity. Aelion Verdantweave, the Crown Prince of the Elves, had not simply fled to the Human Domain in an act of love. No, this was much bigger than that.

At that time, humanity was desperate—on the brink of collapse as the other races pressed their advantage after the Nexus Convergence. Valerion, the rising hero, was doing everything he could to unify humanity, but they lacked strength. They needed allies, powerful ones, to stand against the overwhelming forces threatening their existence.

That's where Aelion came in.

Being a member of the Verdantweave royal family, Aelion wasn't just anyone. He was regarded as the next King of the Elves, a crown prince with immense strength. His power wasn't a simple matter of inheritance or title—it was earned. From what Maya said, he was almost on par with his father, the reigning Elven King. For an Elf, the title "young" meant something different. Elves lived long lives, and their concept of youth didn't equate to mere decades. Aelion was likely far older than a mere twenty or thirty years, and in that time, he had grown into a powerhouse.

If Aelion had made a deal with Valerion, he wouldn't just be offering a token gesture of support. No, he would have been a formidable force in his own right, capable of influencing battles, perhaps even entire wars. With his mastery of elemental magic and his status as Crown Prince, Aelion's strength would have shifted the balance. His decision to support humanity in exchange for a sanctuary for his family wasn't just a desperate move—it was a calculated one.

Aelion wasn't merely trying to protect his lover or his child; he was creating a stronghold, a future for his family. By making that deal, he secured their survival. He wasn't running from his responsibilities as a royal—he was carving out a space where he could protect the one he loved and their forbidden child away from the prying eyes of the Elven King.

And Valerion, seeing the advantage in having an ally of Aelion's caliber, must have agreed to the terms, giving Aelion's family land in the Human Domain. It was a calculated decision on both sides, one that shaped the history of the world without anyone knowing.

Maya continued, her voice steady but laden with the weight of history. "Valerion's ambition was to unite humanity, to gather all the fractured kingdoms under a single banner, and with Aelion's help, he succeeded. The creation of the Federation was the culmination of that dream, with every remaining human kingdom gathered under his rule. Aelion's support, his power, played a crucial role in turning the tide."

Her eyes flickered with a distant intensity as she recounted the events. "But when the time came to fulfill the other side of the deal, Aelion knew he needed to protect his family's identity. That's when he changed our family name—he cast off the Verdantweave legacy and became Aelion Evergreen. It was in that moment that the Evergreen family was born."

A slight pause followed, allowing the gravity of the revelation to settle. "We were granted the southern lands, a vast region, far from the Elven Domain. There was a reason for this. Valerion knew that using Aelion directly against his own people would be risky. The Elves knew their kin's strengths and weaknesses too well. Instead, Valerion sent Aelion and his followers south, to battle against the Orcs who had overrun the desert regions."

Maya's expression darkened slightly as she added, "The Orcs were powerful, but they knew nothing of Aelion's abilities. They were unprepared, and that was where the Evergreens truly made their mark. We were given a huge expanse of land for this deal, but the details were kept top secret."

I understood the implications immediately. "You mean… to hide Aelion's involvement from the Elves?"

Maya nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Yes. Aelion crafted a scene to make it appear as if his child had died. To the Elven King, he had suffered a great loss. The Elves believed it, and thus, they never suspected his involvement in humanity's rise. And while the Elves mourned the loss of their Crown Prince's child, Aelion quietly built his new life in the southern lands."

Maya took a slow breath, her voice softening as she delved into the details of her family's history. "At that moment, the Evergreen family was born. The child, born from the union of an Elf and a human, became a mixed blood—a blend of two worlds. That child carried both legacies, but it wasn't an easy path."

I looked into her eyes, my thoughts piecing together everything she had revealed. "That must be where your affinity with all elements comes from," I said quietly. "And why you're so skilled at controlling mana... it makes sense now. You're a genius not just because of talent, but because of your heritage."

Maya's lips curled into a faint smile as she nodded. "Yes, Junior. My control over mana, my affinity with the elements… it all stems from my bloodline. The blood of Elven royalty flows through my veins. But it's not merely because of that. It's deeper, more complicated than just inheriting power."

Her expression turned more serious as she continued. "While it's possible for an Elf and a human to have a child, the success rate is incredibly low. And for High Elves—those of royal blood like my ancestor—it's even rarer. In fact, it's difficult for High Elves to even have children amongst themselves, let alone with a human. When an interracial union like that happens, the chances of a successful birth are slim. The blood of Elven royalty is powerful, but it can also be overwhelming."

I listened carefully, sensing that there was more to this than just the story of lineage.

Maya's voice lowered slightly as she explained further. "For a child to be born from such a union, the human must be strong enough, capable of withstanding the intensity of Elven royal blood. Otherwise, the child would die before it could even be born. That's why my ancestor's human lover wasn't just anyone. She had to be talented, resilient, with enough strength to endure the merging of their bloodlines."

Maya continued, her voice carrying the weight of her family's legacy. "My ancestor's human lover, Isolde, was more than just a slave. She was a princess from a fallen human kingdom, and later, it was discovered that she possessed a rare talent for sensing mana. She was strong, resilient, and became a powerful mage in her own right."

I listened intently, understanding the depth of the bond between Aelion and Isolde. They weren't just two individuals caught in a forbidden love—they were powerful figures in their own domains, united by more than just affection. It was a meeting of talents, a rare convergence that allowed their child to be born despite the overwhelming odds.

"Their lineage continued from there," Maya went on. "Though over time, as my family copulated more with humans, we began to lose our outward Elven traits—like the pointed ears and some of the physical characteristics. But the talent remained. The powerful affinity with mana, the connection to the elements... it persisted, even as we became more human in appearance."

Her gaze softened slightly. "That's why, even though I look mostly human, the blood of Elven royalty flows through me. It's why I'm able to control mana so easily, why I can sense the world around me differently than others."

Maya's gaze shifted toward the walls of the mansion, her expression thoughtful. "This place, the mansion… it was built by Aelion. He created it not just as a home but as a sanctuary for our family. He knew that we would need a place where we could live safely, far from the prying eyes of the Elves and the humans who might seek to uncover our secrets."

I glanced around, now seeing the mansion with a new understanding. It wasn't just a residence—it was a carefully constructed fortress of magic and protection.

Maya continued, "The formation that surrounds this territory, the one that seamlessly blends with the mana of the land? Aelion created that as well. It's designed to shield us, enhance the mana within the estate, and protect our family from external threats. It's been in place for generations, passed down and maintained, but its power still holds strong."

She smiled faintly, a hint of pride in her voice. "That's why this place feels so different from the outside world. The mana here isn't just stronger—it's more refined, more complete. Aelion made sure that our family would always have this safe haven, even as the world around us changed."

With every word Maya spoke, I noticed a subtle shift in her expression—relief. She had revealed her family's deepest secrets, things that had been carefully guarded for generations, yet now she entrusted them to me. It wasn't just the words she had spoken; it was the weight behind them, the centuries of history, of struggle and secrecy. And the fact that she had chosen to share this with me wasn't lost on me.

'It must have taken a lot,' I thought. For her to reveal all this, to trust me with the knowledge that could be detrimental to her and her family… showed just how much faith she placed in me. She had lowered the barriers that protected not just her past but her very identity.

And I knew how difficult that was. Trusting someone with such dangerous knowledge wasn't something done lightly, especially when that knowledge could change the way people viewed you or your family.

"That is all Junior…..This is the history of my family."

And I could see how she was tense waiting for my response.

'This….'

For the long time in a while, I did not know how to answer.