Chapter 340: Lunathiel

Elythraen was the only major nation on the elven continent of Sylvael, and it had existed for thousands of years.

Unlike the human kingdoms, which had spent centuries fighting one another before eventually uniting under the Aurellian Empire, the elves had never experienced a major war among their own races.

High Elves, Dark Elves, Lunar Elves, Wood Elves, and several other elven races had lived together under the same realm for generations.

Despite their differences in appearance, culture, and magical talents, they all shared something in common.

Their deep connection to nature.

The elves worshipped the Sun God and revered the World Tree, believing that nature itself was a sacred gift that had to be protected.

Noah didn’t know much about elven history. Most of what he knew came from the limited information from the brain of past Noah.

However, there was one elven race that had always caught his attention.

The Lunar Elves. Also known as Moon Elves. The reason was simple. Their name seemed strangely connected to the Moon Goddess.

It wasn’t as though Noah had never tried to learn more about them.

After returning from that mysterious realm, he had spent some time researching the Moon Goddess and the legends surrounding her.

During his research, he had naturally come across the Lunar Elves.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t much information about them.

They worshipped the World Tree and the Sun God just like the other elven races and had done so for generations.

Their name, Lunar Elves, apparently came from their unique appearance.

They possessed pale, frost-blue skin and beautiful silver hair, giving them an almost otherworldly appearance that reminded people of moonlight.

But beyond that there was nothing particularly significant recorded about them.

Noah had found that strange and believes there’s more to it.

If their name was connected to the Moon Goddess, shouldn’t there have been something more?

Before he could think about it any further, a voice came from ahead.

"Welcome to Lunathiel, the capital city of Elythraen."

The voice belonged to an elf standing on the other side of the teleportation gateway.

He appeared to be in his early forties, at least by human standards, though Noah knew appearances could be misleading when it came to elves.

He had long emerald-green hair tied neatly behind his head and sharp green eyes. His features were refined and disciplined.

He wore a dark-green robe reinforced with light armor around the shoulders and chest.

"I’m pleased to welcome the students and instructors of Novaris Academy."

He placed a hand over his chest and gave them a respectful bow.

"My name is Eldrian Vaelwood. I am a senior mage serving in the defensive forces of Lunathiel. My core rank is Aeternum, mid stage."

Noah’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’Senior mage? And at Aeternum mid core. That’s great.’

Eldrian straightened and continued.

"My primary responsibility is the defense of this city and its surrounding territories. I will be accompanying you throughout your stay in Lunathiel."

He gestured toward the two elves standing beside him.

"These are my assistants and fellow members of the city’s defensive forces."

The female elf stepped forward first.

She had long silver-green hair, bright emerald eyes, and a graceful appearance. Unlike Eldrian, she wore a lighter combat outfit consisting of a fitted green uniform and light leather armor.

"My name is Elowen Silaris."

She gave the students a gentle smile.

"I specialize in magical archery and reconnaissance. It is a pleasure to meet all of you."

The male elf beside her stepped forward next.

He had short dark-green hair and calm blue eyes. His attire was similar to Eldrian’s, though his armor was lighter.

"I am Caelan Thornwood. I specialize in defensive magic and barrier techniques."

He gave a short bow. "I hope your stay in Lunathiel will be both enjoyable and educational."

"Thank you for welcoming us."

Instructor Morgana stepped forward.

She was dressed differently from her usual academy attire today.

She wore a beautiful dark-violet blouse paired with a fitted pencil skirt, along with black, semi-transparent stockings and elegant high heels.

Her appearance was striking enough that several male students couldn’t help stealing glances at her.

She looked beautiful and strict.

And somehow, she had the kind of presence that made even grown men feel as though getting scolded by her might not be such a terrible experience.

Noah glanced at her. Then immediately looked away.

’What the hell am I even thinking?! I have already decided to be a good man!’

He mentally slapped himself.

Morgana continued speaking.

"Eldrian and his team will be accompanying us throughout our entire stay in Lunathiel."

She looked toward the students.

"They will teach you about the history, culture, traditions, and beliefs of Elythraen. You will also have opportunities to learn directly from them about magic, archery, magical reconnaissance, and defensive techniques."

The students immediately became more interested.

Several of them exchanged excited looks.

Learning directly from an Aeternum-level mage and experienced members of the city’s defense forces was an opportunity they wouldn’t normally get.

"Now," Eldrian said with a smile, "if you would follow us, I believe your first impression of Lunathiel should be the city itself."

The group began moving. They passed through the gateway hall and finally stepped outside.

The moment Noah emerged, he stopped. His eyes widened. "...Whoa."

Lunathiel stretched out before them.

It was enormous. The city was nothing like the human cities Noah had visited before.

Massive trees grew throughout the streets, their branches forming natural canopies over roads and walkways.

Many of the buildings had been constructed around enormous trees rather than cutting them down.

Some houses seemed to grow directly from the trunks, while others had been built using specially treated wood and living vines.

Greenery covered almost everything. Vines climbed across walls. Flowers grew along rooftops.

Small trees stood between buildings. Even the roads had been designed around the existing landscape rather than replacing it.

Yet Lunathiel wasn’t some primitive city frozen in the past.

Noah quickly noticed magical machines operating throughout the streets.

Transportation devices moved along designated paths. Magical lamps for illuminung the roads at night.

And large projection screens were attached to several buildings, displaying information, announcements, advertisements, and various magical images.

The screens themselves were surrounded by vines and greenery, blending modern technology with nature so seamlessly that they almost looked like they belonged there.

The elves had clearly developed their own version of modern civilization. They simply refused to sacrifice nature for it.

’So this is how the elves developed...’

Noah looked around in fascination. It was both advanced and natural. Modern, yet deeply connected to the environment.

But there was one thing that immediately dwarfed everything else.

At the heart of Lunathiel stood an enormous tree.

Noah slowly raised his head. And kept raising it.

The trunk was so massive that it looked more like a mountain than a tree.

Its enormous branches spread across the sky, extending over a some portion of the city.

Countless smaller branches reached outward like enormous arms, covered in brilliant green leaves.

The canopy stretched so far that it almost seemed to create a second sky above Lunathiel.

And the tree it seemed to touch the heavens.

Noah stood there silently. His eyes widened with genuine admiration.

’Now this is what you call fantasy world...’

There was no mistaking it. He had seen images on internet. But nothing could have prepared him for seeing it with his own eyes.

The World Tree, the sacred tree of the elves. And the symbol of Elythraen.

Noah stared at it as this tree left him more speechless than anything else.

’So this is the World Tree...’