“Come on now Ellena. Time to get up.”
Ellena blinked, opening her eyes slowly with a lot of complaint. Ellephwen’s face slowly blurred into view in front of her as did the room around her. She lay in her bed, waking up much later than she usually would.
“It’s not much of a punishment if you just lie in bed all day,” the Dryad informed her with a smirk.
It did not take Ellena long to truly awaken, as she was still yet a child. She recalled how difficult it could be to pull oneself from their bed as a teenager in her past life. Truthfully she didn’t mind the ability to be full of energy as soon as she woke up, but in the current situation she had no outlet for it.
Ellephwen sat her on her chair and gave her the usual breakfast, then walked over to her books. “I have already eaten, so, you can simply listen,” she said, pulling a set of books from her collection with the titles ‘History of Ash Volume 1-3’.
The Mushman tilted her head. What’s that about Ellephwen?
“It would do you well to learn of the kingdom closest to us as no doubt you will meet the people of it at some point. This,” she replied, holding up the book. “This is their history.”
A calm scene took place after that, as the Dryad sat down next to Ellena and began to flip through the books. She merely glanced at them, it seemed as though she knew their neighbours quite well already.
The Kingdom of Ashes it was called. A strange name for a kingdom. The founding family named it after a vicious rebellion. The king's most trusted general led the rebellion against the royal loyalists after he slit the throat of their incompetent king. After their eventual victory, he made a grand speech to all that would listen, promising that they would rise from the ashes of a broken kingdom.
Ever since that general's family has ruled the Kingdom of Ashes, most of their bloodline seem to inherit the generals charisma and martial skill. In fact they managed to fend off and beat several other kingdoms that saw them as a young and vulnerable country, granting them to grow larger and stronger than the previous kingdom ever could. Every war fought had a member of the royal family leading the battles, quite an impressive feat frankly.
Currently their ruler was a woman by the name of Queen Melena Rootheart III, the only child of the last king that refused to marry. None of her council dared to pressure her into marriage as she was said to be the greatest Rootheart since the first king. Which was enough to keep most of her people in line.
Ellephwen seemed to be impressed with the queen, she went on for quite a while about her. That she was stern, but not cruel, never pointlessly raised taxes and would also punish criminals regardless of their social standing. A strict family like that was what was needed to keep the kingdom from becoming like its predecessor.
Despite the praise Ellephwen had for the queen, she had apparently never met her. Everything she had learnt was from the local villages, even the ones within the forest had the kingdom's protection despite not technically belonging to it.
That might have also been the reason for Ashes tolerance of intelligent Monsters. Most kingdoms would shun a Monster, whether they have Mortal levels of intellect or not. In Ashes Monsters could even hold some social standing, though none currently did. There was however, apparently a Bear Beastkin General within the kingdom.
If Ellena were to ever visit her home village, or what’s left of it, travelling through the Kingdom of Ashes would be the most direct route. It was a several week journey, but at the other end lay several grand docks and beyond that, the Dead Isles.
After her morning lesson, Ellena was given free reign, for a while as long as she stayed within the house, which didn’t give her a lot to do. Mostly, she sat watching Ellephwen from the window, who had begun some curious woodwork just outside of it.
What are you doing?
Ellephwen wore goggles and a long leather apron, something that looked a little striking on a Dryad. Her apron had several tools hanging from it. “I am building you a larger bed Ellena. You have spent far too long using my small guest bed, but I sense with the evolutionary path you’ve taken your size may increase even more.”
The Ex-Human perked up at the answer. I’m going to get even bigger? How big? As big as a Human? Bigger? Bigger than an Orc? Imagine if I got bigger than a bear. I wouldn’t be able to fit through the door then though would I? That wouldn’t be good.
“Ellena,” the Dryad attempted to interrupt Ellena’s brain explosion. “I have no idea how large you will get as I cannot see the future, I’m merely making an informed guess based upon your personality and current evidence, understand?”
Ellena nodded, not entirely understanding, letting her kin get back to the bedframe she had been carving. A strange hobby it seemed for a Dryad of the forest to cut up trees and turn them into furniture, but then what else would one use for furniture in a forest? Mushrooms? It would be quite strange indeed for a Mushman to use a mushroom as a chair.
Eventually, the entertainment from watching carpentry faded and Ellena needed to find something else. She decided to look through Ellephwens books. Indeed, the Mushman had become bored enough to seek to educate herself. She did generally quite enjoy Ellephwens lessons, but looking through history books was not her idea of an enjoyable afternoon.
When she did find a few books that interested her, Ellena ran into another problem. Her complete lack of arms, a fact that continued to surprise her in various ways. Many times she had been surprised by just how many activities once thought banal and easy required having arms.
She tried to nudge the pages open, but that proved far too unwieldy. Even when she did eventually get a book open, it turned to a random page and she had no method of turning it back. It had become an incredibly frustrating situation.
“Ellena, what are you doing?”
Ellena turned to look at the Dryad who had just walked in, her eyes welling with emotion. I can’t even read a book. Ellephwen. I can’t even read a damned book!
That seemed to have hit Ellephwen in the heart as she placed a hand to her mouth and took on an expression of sympathy. “Ohh Ellena. It’s alright, my dear, if you ever wish to read, you can just ask me. Besides, with the progress you’ve been making you’ll have arms in no time, I’m sure.”
The Mushman looked down at the book then back up to Ellephwen and nodded. Alright, but I hope you’ll let me out tomorrow, I want to get back to it.
Ellephwen smiled and picked the ex-Human up along with the book she had chosen. “The punishment was only for a day,” she told her, sitting Ellena on the bed. She then looked at the book cover. “Hmm ‘A study on Evolution’ is it? I can imagine why you picked this one.”
Ellena nodded. I figure the more I know the better, right?
“Well, you know almost all there is to know already, it’s common knowledge save for a few things.”
What things? The Mushman asked, knotting her brow.
“Well, why not tell me about what you currently know of evolution?”
Ellena thought for a moment, then recalled every bit of information she had. Which wasn’t much in the end. The fact that only Monsters and certain skills had the ability to evolve. Other species like humans only grew in level, never evolving.
When she heard that answer, the Dryad shook her head. “That, is a common misconception. Every living being on this planet can evolve and yes that includes Humans, Demons, Dwarves and even Elves. The reason so many don’t know that is because it's incredibly rare for anything other than a Monster to evolve.”
That was news to Ellena. She had never even heard of such things before. But, Oddi… The uh Dwarf I knew was over level 100, how come he never evolved.
“Because only Monsters evolve at level 100. Everyone else goes beyond. Who knows for what reason, but from what I know Humans evolve at level 1000 and most likely that's the case for the other species too. So rare is it for a human to live long enough to gain so many levels, that an evolution happens once a century at most. Then there’s the Dwarves, who are a little more common, you may see a king every few generations evolving, as for Elves, they keep to themselves too much, even Samora has little knowledge on the matter.”
What about Demons and Beastmen?
“Both a little more common yet, but still not even close to Monsters. It does seem however, that the harder it is to evolve, the more effect that evolution has.”
Ellena thought for a moment. From her description it seemed as though humans had the hardest time evolving. She looked up at Ellephwen for acknowledgement.
The Dryad nodded. “It’s just as you thought. An evolved human is comparable to a God attribute Monster in strength. One of the few times the old attribute terms comes in handy to describe the true power of those beasts.”
There were few beings in the entire world given the title of God Attribute Monsters. Once again, it wasn’t as if that was what their title was on their stats window, it was just how terrifying a being each and every one was. The Kraken, for example, the Unique Monster that destroyed Ellena’s home many years after her death. That power gave him the title of God Attribute.
Still, this revelation just gave way to more questions. If even Humans could evolve, how come everyone thought that only Monsters can? Why is this such hidden knowledge?
“Because it has to be,” Ellephwen replied simply. “Think about what would happen if it was known that all species could evolve. Think about what you’re doing now Ellena. How many humans, with their short lifespan, would hunt Monsters day after day, grinding away at a chance to receive the eternal life promised at the other end. The Monster population would be devastated, wars would accelerate, the world would become a far more dangerous place to live.”
Ellena who was watching her teacher carefully turned to look at the ground, feeling some shame. It was exactly as she was doing, and she had been reborn as a weak monster. If she knew that evolution was possible when she was a human, would she have done anything to achieve it? She already knew the answer to that question, and it brought her shame.
“I did not mean to shame you dear child, it is a normal reaction for any short lived species. So many desire more time to live their life, find their purpose, wander the world. The only reason the longer lived species look down on those baser desires is because they have the luxury not to need them.”
Hearing that did relieve some of that guilty grape stuck in Ellena’s throat. Just enough for her to catch something else that the Dryad had said. Wait. Eternal life? Humans can gain eternal life?!
Ellephwen looked a little surprised. “Ah, yes. Something else that isn’t common knowledge. The first species a Human may evolve into, is simply named a ‘High Human’. Not only does it grant one great strength, but they no longer age and often gain incredible regeneration skills. I’m sure there are variant choices as well, but they must be even rarer still.”
Truly, this had by far been the subject matter that interested Ellena the most. Not that the others weren’t interesting, but she had just learnt many fascinating things. The Ex-Human had to ask why Ellephwen had not told her any of this before.
The Dryad giggled. “Did I not already give you a reason, Ellena? This is not common knowledge for a reason. You must keep it close to your chest, it is knowledge that could topple kingdoms.”
Now it made sense to the young Mushman. She would have been too curious to drop the subject, yet knowing about it gives her a great burden. How strange that such a simple truth could weigh so heavy.
“And that weight is exactly why I can trust you with this, child.”
A soft hand stroked Ellena’s cheek. Ellephwen’s gentle smile settled her heart even if just a little. Thank you for trusting me, Ellephwen, I will try not to disappoint you.
Ellephwen leant in and kissed her head. “Oh, my kin. You would have to try harder yet to disappoint me. Now. Is it not getting close to your time for bed? Surely you wish to be out early tomorrow when your punishment lifts?”
With a gleeful nod, Ellena jumped from her chair and waddled to her soon-to-be-upgraded bed. She nodded at the Dryad. Good night Ellephwen. Sleep well.
“You as well, Ellena. Hopefully on your return tomorrow, you’ll have a new bed, no?”
It may have been small, but it was something to look forward to.