Darkness slowly began to creep in front of Nacht’s eyes.

  The fish he had eaten started to take effect, spreading from his head all the way down to his feet.

  “Argh… what is happening to me? Why am I feeling so dizzy?!”

  Thud!!!

  He suddenly collapsed to the ground. His heartbeat began to race.

  Thump… thump… thump thump…

  He took a deep breath.

  “Ahhh… haaah…”

  Pain surged through his body. Nacht couldn’t bear it anymore. He began dragging his arm hard against the ground in desperation.

  His eyes had turned red. His body was slowly growing cold.

  The sound of the waterfall began to fade…

  Darkness and blur filled his vision.

  At that very moment, a girl suddenly appeared beside him.

  Where she came from, who she was—it didn’t matter anymore.

  Nacht’s vision blurred further… his eyes slowly closed.

  The last words he heard were—

  “Don’t be afraid… you’ll be fine.”

  The voice was faint, almost like a whisper.

  And then… Nacht lost consciousness.

  Some time later, Nacht was still asleep. His eyes were closed, but he could hear voices around him.

  “What do you think we should do with him?”

  Then an older woman’s voice spoke, calm yet firm.

  “Do nothing to his face. Have you seen the moles on him? He must belong to a noble family.”

  Even with his eyes shut, Nacht could hear them talking—though not clearly.

  Huh… what are they saying? And who are they? They won’t kill me… right?

  Lost in his thoughts, Nacht noticed something else.

  The bed he was lying on was incredibly soft… comforting.

  Another man spoke, his tone cautious.

  “Elder Lise, please listen to us. Whoever he is, we should not interfere in human affairs.”

  Human affairs…? What are they talking about? Aren’t they humans too? Should I open my eyes?

  Then the woman spoke again, her authority unmistakable.

  “I am the Elder. I will decide what needs to be done. I do not wish to hear anything more.”

  The room fell silent.

  Then, in a gentle tone, she said—

  “Listen, human child. I know you’ve been awake for quite some time now… listening to us.”

  Cold sweat formed on Nacht’s forehead. His heart began to pound, his hands turning icy.

  Shoot… how do they know I’m awake?

  “Don’t be afraid,” the Elder said softly.

  “We won’t hurt you. You may open your eyes.”

  Gathering his courage, Nacht slowly opened them.

  The first thing he saw was a man and a woman standing near his feet—both had long, pointed ears and shining white hair, beautiful and almost unreal.

  “So, you’re awake, boy.”

  The man spoke.

  “I am Elias, an elf. How are you feeling now?”

  An elf…? Wait—what?! An elf?!

  The shock hit Nacht hard. His eyes widened completely.

  Do elves… really exist?

  Before he could say anything, a girl’s voice interrupted, playful and light.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  “Hehe~ why are you so scared? Haven’t you ever seen an elf before?”

  This was Nacht’s first time seeing elves—creatures he had only ever heard about in stories and fiction. His mind was in chaos.

  He had been among humans… then suddenly in a forest… and now—elves.

  Elder Lise spoke again.

  “You must be seeing elves for the first time. It’s always shocking for humans. But tell me, boy… what is your name?”

  Nacht looked at her.

  Fear and hostility filled the eyes of the other elves—except for the Elder and the girl.

  He cleared his throat.

  “Ahem… my name is Nacht.”

  Suddenly, the girl sitting nearby grabbed his hand and smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling.

  “Hey! Nice to meet you. I’m Nimue—and this is our lovely Elder Elf.”

  Looking into her eyes, Nacht could tell—she wasn’t afraid of him. Nor did she hate him.

  He asked hesitantly,

  “Um… can you tell me how I got here? I was near a river… I fainted… and when I woke up, I was here.”

  He was confused—deeply confused.

  Elder Lise’s expression shifted slightly, as if something he said didn’t add up.

  “You were found unconscious outside our tribe. Nimue brought you here.”

  Sweat formed on Nacht’s face.

  “B-but Elder Lise… I swear I was near a waterfall. I ate a fish, then everything went dark.”

  Suddenly—

  A memory flickered in his mind.

  He lifted his head and looked straight at Nimue.

  “Nimue… was it you? Were you the one who said, ‘Don’t be afraid, you’ll be fine’?”

  Nimue froze.

  She was confused. When she found Nacht, there was no waterfall—and she never said those words.

  She glanced at Elder Lise, eyes filled with confusion.

  “Yes,” Elder Lise said calmly.

  “It was Nimue who said that.”

  Nimue’s confusion deepened.

  She knew she hadn’t said anything.

  Then—

  Telepathy.

  “Nimue, do as I say. His condition isn’t stable. If we deny it now, it might harm him.”

  Elder nodded slightly.

  Nimue hesitated… then nodded back, blinking softly—as if saying ‘I understand.’

  Nacht bowed his head slightly.

  “Thank you… Nimue. And thank you, Elder. You saved my life without even knowing who I am.”

  Elder Lise smiled faintly.

  “So… you’re feeling better now? Shall we talk?”

  Nacht felt nervous—but nodded.

  “Yes. I have many questions too.”

  He smiled awkwardly.

  I don’t know how I came to this world… maybe an Elder Elf can explain it to me.

  Elder Lise turned and said,

  “Everyone leave the room. Except Nacht.”

  A young elf suddenly shouted, anger burning in his eyes.

  “But Mother! You know we shouldn’t trust humans! Do you remember what they did?!”

  The air around Elder Lise froze.

  Her aura surged.

  “Adrias.”

  The moment her voice echoed—

  All the elves dropped to their knees, trembling in fear.

  “I told you… never interrupt me.”

  “Leave. Now.”

  One by one, they left.

  Sweat and fear were visible on every face.

  Nacht spoke softly.

  “E-Elder… why did they suddenly kneel? They looked terrified.”

  Elder Lise was shocked.

  Impossible… I used ten percent of my aura. A human should’ve collapsed.

  Yet Nacht felt nothing.

  No fear. No pressure.

  Her interest in him deepened.

  “Tell me, boy… are you a noble?”

  Her question was sharp.

  Nacht’s hands turned cold.

  “N-no… why would you ask that?”

  Her eyes narrowed.

  “Are you lying… or testing me, human child?”

  “I’m telling the truth. I’m not a noble.”

  She stepped closer.

  Nacht’s spine shivered.

  “No commoner has moles like these… you have five.”

  Her tone hardened.

  When Nacht touched his face—

  Elder gasped.

  “Three moles… even on your ring finger? Impossible!”

  She grabbed his hand.

  “E-Elder… is having moles bad?”

  “No… but this many… at power points…”

  Her voice trembled.

  “Who are you?”

  Fear crept into Nacht’s heart.

  If I tell her I’m not from this world… what if they hurt me?

  He lowered his head.

  “I… I don’t know who I am. I don’t know my parents. I don’t even know my real name. I just came here with some people… and got lost.”

  Forgive me… I have no choice but to lie.

  Elder Lise bit her lip.

  “I’m sorry… but I must do this.”

  She placed two fingers on his forehead.

  Pok—!

  Darkness swallowed her vision.

  Why can’t I see his past?

  Nothing.

  Only endless black.

  Then—

  Someone grabbed her hand.

  “Elder Lise… what are you doing to me?”

  It was Nacht.

  Her spell—nullified.

  Impossible.

  Her hands trembled.

  A human… nullifying my highest spell?

  Fear filled her eyes.

  “This boy… is no ordinary human.”

  Nacht asked worriedly,

  “Elder… are you okay? You’re sweating…”

  She looked at him—terrified, curious.

  I need to know more about you, Nacht.

  Chapter Five Ends Here

  I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

  Thank you from the depths of my heart for reading Lysera.

  Thank you so much. ^^