Three days since my exile from the capital.
I walk through the Ash Forest, spreading southwest.
With every step, ash swirls up around me.
Ash deep enough to bury my ankles.
This forest was once called the Emerald Corridor. They say a branch of the World Tree's roots ran through here, filling it with rich mana, a paradise lush with green.
But now—
Gray trees jut up like bones.
Not a single leaf. Bark peeling away, coated in ash. They look like gravestones.
The sky is leaden. Sunlight blocked by ash clouds, dim despite being midday.
Every gust of wind sends ash swirling.
I cover my mouth with cloth.
Inhale the ash, and it rots your lungs. In the common districts, deaths from Ash Lung never stop.
Mana Ledger: Active
Current Location: 230 km southwest of Eldia
Ambient Mana Density: 0.3 MP/m³ (15% of normal) Ash Accumulation Depth: Average 38 cm Ecosystem Status: Collapsed Note: Mana required to restore this forest: Estimated 8,000,000 MP
Eight million MP.
That much would bring this forest back to life.
But—
Priority Assessment: Unranked
Reason: Investing the same mana in urban optimization would save more lives
I press my hand against a withered trunk.
Cold.
Covered in ash, cold as stone.
This tree once had life.
Leaves flourished. Birds nested. Squirrels scampered through its branches.
"...Sorry."
I murmur to no one in particular.
To save the world, I have to abandon you—
That's when it happened.
The sky caught fire.
No—"caught fire" doesn't cover it.
The sun fell.
"—?!"
With a roar, a massive pillar of flame crashes down on the forest.
The heatwave scorches my cheeks. Ash vaporizes instantly. Dead trees carbonize.
I reflexively start to deploy a defensive spell—then stop.
My Mana Ledger has already finished its analysis.
Mana Ledger: Active
Detected: Fire Magic — Inferno Column
Consumption: 18,000 MP Efficiency: 0.004% Optimal Consumption: 0.7 MP Waste: 17,999.3 MP Ash Output: 359.9 kg (instantaneous) Equivalent: Annual heating for 18 households Equivalent: Deaths from cold prevented — approximately 60 people
0.004%.
I've observed hundreds of mages in my career.
Average mage efficiency runs 5-10%. Even elite court mages only hit 15-20%.
I maintain over 98%.
But—0.004%?
That's talent in reverse.
How do you even waste that much?
Pillars of flame rain down on the forest. Dead trees carbonize one after another.
I deploy minimal magic.
"Mana Reflection."
Consumption: 2 MP Efficiency: 99.2% Ash Output: 0.016 kg
I deflect the heatwave. Hot wind grazes my cheek, but I avoid anything fatal.
"—Oh."
A dull voice comes from above.
"I'm sorry."
I look up.
A girl sits in a tree.
Silver hair sways in the wind.
In this gray world, her hair alone shines like moonlight.
Emerald eyes. Slender frame. Tattered robes.
And—long ears.
She's trembling. Cold, fear, or both.
An elf.
My Mana Ledger scans her.
Mana Ledger: Active
Race: High Elf Age: Estimated 120 years (apparent age: 16) Body Temperature: 34.2°C (early-stage hypothermia) Nutritional Status: Poor (estimated 3 days without food) Mana Reserves: ∞ (exceeds measurement limits) Mana Efficiency: Below 0.1% Mana Source: World Tree (!)
⚠️ Warning: This individual has an extremely high probability of being an avatar (terminal) of the World Tree
—Infinite mana reserves?
Direct connection to the World Tree?
The World Tree was supposed to have started dying centuries ago.
And yet this girl—
"Um, well... I was trying to chase away a bug."
The girl floats down from the tree on a cushion of magic.
Mana Ledger: Active
Levitation Magic
Consumption: 800 MP/minute Optimal Consumption: 0.5 MP/minute Waste Rate: 99.94% Ash Output: 16 kg/minute
I want to hold my head in my hands.
Every minute she floats, 16 kg of ash falls on the world.
If she walked, it would be nearly zero.
"...You used 18,000 MP to chase away a bug?"
"Um... was that too much?"
The girl tilts her head, looking puzzled.
"Too much" doesn't begin to describe it.
With 18,000 MP—
I could have saved Lina thirty-six times.
I push the thought away.
"What's your name?"
"I'm Elle! Elle Alshera."
The girl gives a little bow.
The motion triggers another burst of uncontrolled magic.
Mana Ledger: Active
Detected: Mana Discharge (unconscious)
Consumption: 3,000 MP Effect: None Ash Output: 60 kg
Sixty kilograms of ash. From a bow.
"The last High Elf... though it's embarrassing to say that about myself."
Elle Alshera.
My Mana Ledger displays additional information.
Elle Alshera: The last High Elf, bearer of the World Tree's will
Special Note: Her mana circulates through the World Tree's roots The more she wastes, the greater the burden on the World Tree, accelerating ash generation Estimate: Her waste alone shortens the world's lifespan by 12 days per year
Twelve days per year.
Just by existing, this girl makes the world die 12 days sooner.
But—flip that around.
Optimize this girl, and the world gains more than 12 days.
"Elle."
I look straight at her.
"I have a proposal."
"Huh?"
"Let me optimize your magic."