Chapter 181 - 180: The Favored One of the Elf Wilderness

Chapter 181: Chapter 180: The Favored One of the Elf Wilderness

A confused expression appeared on Fletcher’s face. "But when I described that valley to my parents, they said there was only ordinary grass and shrubs, no flowers at all. They all said I was just imagining things. And... now that you mention it, I suddenly remember. It seems like I only started to grasp Magic after I began dreaming about them."

Hesia pressed him, "What were your dreams like? Do you still remember? I mean the environment in your dreams."

"The environment..." Fletcher tried hard to recall. "The sky was filled with all sorts of colors, like an overturned paint palette. Very... artistic. No... I don’t even know if it was the sky. I can’t remember it very clearly. Anyway, the feeling was a bit like I’d eaten too many mushrooms—just a kaleidoscope of colors."

’The Elf Wilderness...’

The dreamscape Fletcher described was a perfect match for the description of the Elf Wilderness that Hesia had read in the books Fevik gave him.

Combined with the fact that he saw fairies there and grasped Wild Magic, Hesia was certain. This guy hadn’t just *seen* fairies! He had been to the Elf Wilderness, and more than once!

’But...’

The terrain of the Elf Wilderness is "alive"; it changes with the emotions of powerful Spirit Type beings in the area or with the passage of time.

For example, a path you just walked might turn into a lake the moment you look back. A seemingly peaceful forest could become a mountain peak in the next second.

In other words, the environment there is constantly rearranging itself.

’This guy can somehow enter the Elf Wilderness from that valley and even return to the same spot every time?’

Hesia recalled Teacher Fevik describing the pact with Nimo. One of her friends had only found an entrance to the Elf Wilderness. Deeply aware of its dangers, they knew it was difficult for a normal person to return after entering—and even if they did, they might not end up back in their original world.

So, they could only follow a method they’d researched. They used honey at the entrance to lure the little fairy named Nimo to their plane, made an agreement with her, and only then did they complete the pact.

Then, Fevik’s eyes had lit up as he mentioned an expedition recorded in a book:

It all began when a friend of the author’s accidentally discovered that he could actually navigate within the Elf Wilderness.

So, several friends formed a small team to explore it. Not only did someone in the group form a pact with a powerful fairy, but they also discovered many secret treasures inside.

Of course, that was also the origin of the book.

Fevik’s exact words at the time had been: "How wonderful it would be if I had someone by my side who could freely enter and exit the Elf Wilderness! I’d willingly trade ten years of my youth for his friendship!"

He had only been curious about this Mage’s awakening, but he’d unexpectedly stumbled upon exactly such a person.

"Ahem."

Fletcher’s soft cough pulled Hesia back from his thoughts.

It was probably because Hesia had been staring at him so intently. The lucky man, blessed by some unknown fairy, even subconsciously pulled the collar of his purple velvet robe a little tighter.

Hesia realized he had been lost in his own thoughts for too long.

He quickly shared his theory: that Fletcher’s dreams were actually trips to the Elf Wilderness.

At first, Fletcher was still a bit skeptical, thinking this was just Hesia’s unique interpretation of his "artistic" dreams.

But as Hesia added more details about the Elf Wilderness, such as the different flow of time, Fletcher’s expression slowly began to change.

He remembered sleeping in the valley for an afternoon as a child, only to come home and get a harsh beating from his parents because they said he had been missing for three whole days.

And how the Small Iron Knife he carried with him was already rusted when he woke up.

Seizing the opportunity, Hesia slipped his fingers into his bag, lightly touched the spine of his Personal Monster Quick Reference Manual, and began searching for all information related to fairies.

There weren’t many records about fairies, but luckily, Hesia found a description of the "Wild Wave" in the entry for a Spirit Type Demon called the "Pikachu Spirit":

Pikachu Spirits do not learn Spellcasting; their Magic comes from their bloodline and instincts, as natural as breathing.

These creatures are directly connected to the chaotic and abundant Sea of Magic of the Elf Wilderness. When they cast Magic, if they experience intense emotional fluctuations—such as extreme joy, anger, or fear—the spell they are trying to weave may instantly collapse.

But this out-of-control energy doesn’t just disappear. Instead, it will randomly grab a spell from the magical wilds and instantly release it.

Therefore, this phenomenon called "Wild Wave" is not a spell that can be learned. It can be simply understood as a case of Magic running out of control.

However, some powerful Pikachu Spirits learn to exploit this phenomenon. They master the timing of its release and can steer the "grab" toward a desired effect.

Regardless, it’s difficult for them to find the exact spell they need. This often leads to unexpected effects, though, since the magical wilds contain many powerful spells they would normally be unable to access.

Combining this with the information from the book on the Elf Wilderness, Hesia had his answer: Fletcher was a humanoid Pikachu Spirit.

...

As the Mage before him cleared away the fog of memory, explaining one incomprehensible childhood mystery after another, Fletcher was finally convinced.

He looked at Hesia, his eyes filled with gratitude and admiration, like a lost believer who had finally found a guiding Divine Envoy.

"Mr. Galen! I... I really don’t know how to thank you! You’ve unraveled a confusion that has weighed on my mind for years!"

"It was nothing," Hesia replied calmly.

Then he asked, "Wild Wave. Did you know its name when you first grasped this power two months ago?"

Fletcher nodded. "Yes, that’s right. After that night, I could clearly feel a change in myself. I used [Assessment Skill] to check my Status, and my level had gone from 18 to 20. Plus, the effects of spells I’d already mastered, like [Seven-Color Spray], were suddenly much stronger. So I figured I must have become a Professional."

"But ever since then, I sometimes trigger this Wild Wave when I cast spells. It happens especially when I get emotional. The more I try to release the Magic Power inside me, the more easily that wild power goes out of control."

"Sometimes it even hurts my teammates. So we made an agreement that I wouldn’t cast spells unless it was absolutely necessary. But I often can’t control myself."

"Five days ago, in the area across the lake," a hint of remorse crossed his face, "Kane had gone ahead to check for other Frogman Caves. Brendan, Doric, and I were collecting Frogman flippers in a cave we had just cleared."

"We also had a Ranger we’d recruited for the job. He and his hawk were standing guard at the cave entrance."

"I really didn’t know what to do with those slimy things, so I didn’t go any deeper into the cave."

"Just then, I heard the Ranger blow a sharp whistle, so I rushed out."

"A party of Adventurers had appeared by the lake in a boat, and several Frogmen that had been lurking underwater were surrounding them."

"Sigh... I should’ve waited for Brendan and Doric to come out... But as you’ve probably figured out, I’m a kind-hearted person. I just couldn’t bear it..."

"Wait a minute," Hesia, who had been listening quietly, suddenly interrupted. "I want to know, do you remember what those Adventurers looked like?"

"Uh... the Stalker in the tight, dark green Leather Armor had neat black hair. Her bust wasn’t large, but her curves were perfect. Judging by her aura, she might be the type who likes irises, but I think she’s more suited to wild, red roses..."

"Alright, stop." Hesia rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I get the picture. Just continue with what happened next."

"Oh... I was originally just planning to cast my specialty, [Frozen Ray], but I guess I got a little excited. The ray I expected turned into a powerful surge of Magic Power. The Ranger closest to me and his hawk, plus Doric who had just come out of the cave, all clutched their heads and started running around wildly. I heard that Ranger only found his hawk two days ago, and then he returned to Shiya Town alone..."

"Doric was badly injured, too. He’s completely covered in bandages now..."

"I... I don’t know what to do now." He looked up at Hesia, his eyes pleading for help. "Mr. Galen! You’re the most knowledgeable scholar I’ve ever met. You must have a solution, right?"

Hesia finally understood the whole story.

The guy wasn’t inherently bad, just a bit too "kind-hearted." That much was clear from his teammates’ attitude; otherwise, they would never have brought a Caster who couldn’t cast spells reliably along to complete this commission.

So, Hesia explained that "Wild Wave" was a phenomenon of Magic losing control and told him about the Pikachu Spirit, phrasing it in a way Fletcher could understand. He also mentioned that Fletcher could visit Rose Town sometime, and Hesia would have his teacher provide a more professional explanation.

Fletcher listened, stunned, before his face broke out in a wide, ecstatic grin. "So that’s what it is! I’m not a monster! I’m just... exceptionally gifted! This is great! Mr. Galen, I will definitely go and visit your teacher!"

Hesia added, "So, until you can control the direction of the spells you’re grabbing, you need to do your best to control your emotions. And for you, most importantly, don’t get flustered over a woman."

"Exactly! You’re so right! It’s because of women that I get so emotional! I’m too eager to show off!" Fletcher agreed wholeheartedly. "Just look at you, Mr. Galen! That waitress was practically draped all over you. If that were me, I definitely would’ve given her my room number! I simply couldn’t refuse another opportunity to ’create’ with her as my inspiration!"

’Room number? A wonderful night?’ Hesia had no idea the tavern even had that sort of custom.

"It’s a good thing I drove her off in time. Otherwise, with a man of your refinement, Mr. Galen..."

Seeing that Fletcher was still rambling, Hesia quickly cut him off. "I have to get back. My dog hasn’t eaten yet. He’s probably waiting for me, hungry."

"...Oh, right! See what he wants to eat. It’s my treat, order anything you like!"

’Perfect. That’s what I was waiting to hear, you and your damn kind heart!’

Hesia sneered inwardly.

He decided to get a little payback on behalf of Fletcher’s unlucky teammates.

He raised his hand and called for the waitress. Coincidentally, it was the same blonde woman from before.

"Ten salmon, boiled in plain water for me. Deboned, I only want the meat."

"Two orders of smoked giant lizard ribs, and an order of clay pot roasted snails."

"And make it two pan-fried sunfish with garlic paste."

Fletcher asked, bewildered, "Can that one dog eat all that?"

"Yes. Powerful Magic Pets have large appetites," Hesia replied calmly.

’I’ll let Bruce eat his fill,’ he thought. ’The ribs can be saved for tomorrow, and the rest will be a midnight snack for me. I always get hungry after practicing Magic anyway.’

As Hesia continued to rattle off one expensive dish after another, the gleam in the blonde waitress’s eyes grew brighter. She even leaned closer to Hesia again, just about to speak.

"Could you please keep your distance from Mr. Galen," Fletcher said sternly from the side. "He’s not the kind of man you think he is."

Seeing this, Hesia added another order. "And two more jugs of your best wine. That fellow Bruce has a serious taste for it."

The waitress jotted down the final item, scanned Hesia from top to bottom, then shot a venomous glare at Fletcher before turning and storming off in a huff.