Crystals shimmered irregularly as they caught the light. Though transparent, the reflections scattered into colors, creating a fantastical atmosphere. Giant crystals stood throughout the hall, painting the pure white walls, ceiling, and floor. Above, an especially massive crystal hung from the ceiling, glowing as if emitting its own light.

At the center sat a large circular white stone table. Ten elves in matching white robes were seated around it, their ages appearing similar. The hall was quiet until the elf at the farthest end spoke.

“…Then, I shall convene today’s council. The agenda remains the next king, as in the previous session, but this time the nature differs slightly.”

His low voice didn’t match his youthful appearance. The others raised their faces with interest.

“Oh?”

“Well, the candidates have finally all gathered.”

“No, perhaps they’ve discovered a new candidate.”

Their remarks rippled around the table. For days they have gathered, endlessly debating qualities of a king— bloodline, abilities, knowledge. The monotony made them crave progress.

The elf at the deepest end continued.

“…Originally, we planned to compare and evaluate the candidates’ magic and knowledge. We agreed to assess not only ancient elven magic but also foreign magic, with the main categories being fire, water, wind, and earth.”

Brows furrowed. Heads tilted.

“…That is correct, but what of it?”

“That should have passed unanimously…”

Doubt rose. Slowly, the elf looked across the table.

“…Spire. I want the councilors to hear what you saw and felt.”

Spire lifted his face. All eyes turned to him. He breathed shallowly, then spoke.

“I don’t reach the level of my predecessors, but I believe I’m fairly adept at magic. Boldly, I even pride myself on being superior within this Senate in my specialty. Yet, there came a time when that confidence was shaken.”

Interest sparked in their eyes.

“Oh? The head of the Steil household?”

“Spire-dono is skilled, but still young. Perhaps it’s unavoidable.”

“No, wait. What matters is what he saw. Surely a new candidate has not appeared?”

Excitement rose. Spire smiled wryly, shrugging.

“…How wonderful it would be if it were a new candidate. To speak plainly, I am an elf supremacist. I believed elves so superior in magic that other races weren’t worth contending with.”

Several nodded deeply. A few frowned. One asked cautiously.

“…You said ‘believed.’ Does that mean you no longer do?”

Spire narrowed his eyes, and exhaled.

“…Indeed. Until now, I blindly believed elven magic was supreme. I ignored foreign magic. But this incident sparked my interest. Whether I am superior as a mage, or foreign magic surpasses ours… either way, it shattered my common sense.”

Elves leaned forward impatiently.

“We understand, so just tell us. Did you see fearsome magic?”

“Stop being so mysterious.”

Spire smiles wryly, nodding.

“I’m not being mysterious. I was told to convey the situation, what happened, and how I felt.”

He scanned their faces, then asks.

“…What do you all think of dwarven and beastman mages?”

Glances were exchanged.

“What do you mean, ‘think’?”

“Dwarves only use fire magic, inferior to others. Beastmen avoid high-level magic, relying on basics. That’s about it.”

Spire nodded.

“Indeed. I thought so too. No, I held an even more negative view. That all stems from not knowing the outside world.”

“…The outside world?” one repeated.

Spire nodded firmly.

“Precisely. We believed elven magic was the finest, missing the chance to study others. Tell me, what kind of magic do you think the beastman girl performed?”

“…Body enhancement magic? I hear mages in Bushmills Imperial Kingdom can contend with tens or hundreds of enemies,” one answered. Several nodded.

Spire agreed deliberately.

“Indeed. I thought so too. But reality was different. Astonishingly, the beastman girl performed ancient lightning magic— said to have been lost even to us elves.”

Cries of shock erupted.

“Wh-what did you say!?”

“That’s absurd…”

“No one has handled lightning magic for nearly a thousand years…”

Spire looked at their stunned faces and added calmly.

“…The beastman girl is only fourteen years old. Moreover, she comes from the Maple Leaf Sacred Kingdom.”