### Chapter 1
**Aduax Calendar Year : A.G.T.W 420**
In the dark and dimly lit dungeon, there's a fire flickering to the right of the bars. It was the flame of a torch, the only light my eyes could see.
*Note: A.G.T.W stands for "After the Great War." Aduax is the second moon of the fantastic universe in this series, much like our Moon, but it glows a deep blue and undergoes various eclipses and changes colors during different periods throughout the year—more on that later. I wish everyone an enjoyable read, and I'll try not to bother you too much moving forward.*
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**Aduax Calendar Year 0 - The Great War**
Humans, demons, elves, and dragons once lived together in harmony. But one day, during the Great War, Kronos—the Time Dragon and leader of the seven Dragon Kings—and Morpheus de la Lancaster, the former Demon King, perished. That war led to the extinction of all high elves. The greatest damage was inflicted upon Magia Terrae. The war broke out because the egg of the sole heir of the Time Dragon King was stolen. After the war ended, the single continent that made up the world was split into separate lands by the Sun Dragon King. It was divided into three distinct continents: the arid and barren Demon Continent; Magia Terrae, where magic permeates the plants, insects, soil, and even the air; and the Human Continent. Though humans did not participate in the war, they were still affected, losing portions of their lands in Magia Terrae and the Demon Continent. The same was true for the other factions.
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**Aduax Calendar Year : A.G.T.W 408**
Hundreds of stars streaked across the sky, and in the Human Continent, someone blessed by mana was born.
Demon King Zephyr de la Lancaster gazes up at the sky.
"Aamon, I thought all the high elves were dead. It seems one still lives."
Aamon lowers his gaze from the sky and turns to the Demon King.
"My lord, if you wish, I can go and kill it."
Zephyr smirks faintly, but when he turns to Aamon, his expression grows menacing. The air on the palace balcony becomes heavy and oppressive.
"Aamon, don't dare say such foolish things during a time of peace. Besides, I'm not about to see a newborn elf mongrel as a threat."
Zephyr wonders, *Should I punish him?* But then Aamon quickly realizes his mistake and drops to his knees.
"I beg your forgiveness, my lord."
*If it were the old lord, I'd have faced a severe punishment. The young master is far too merciful.*
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** A.G.T.W Year 420 - The Slave Market Dungeon**
Just beyond the bars stands a young girl with long crimson hair, dressed in luxurious clothing, speaking with a slave trader. The trader is a balding man with sparse black hair and rotten teeth.
"Hmm… I like this slave," the young girl says, pointing at Theodoras. She then continues to look at Theodoras with an air of arrogance.
"Young lady, you have excellent taste. We believe this one's a half-elf, half-human hybrid."
"Half-elf? I've never seen an elf with horns and one eye like that."
"You're very observant, my lady."
The old trader flashes a crooked smile.
"Save your empty flattery for someone else."
The young girl rolls her eyes in boredom. As her guard's hand moves to his sword, the trader visibly tenses, sweat beading on his bald head.
"Please forgive my rudeness, young lady. This slave was found near the Demon Continent, on an island settlement called Meladicte. You've likely heard of it—the soil there's been corrupted, and even the plants are steeped in dark magic. That's why we think it mutated."
The discomfort on the trader's sweaty face is clear—he resents having to fear a girl younger than himself.
"A mutation, huh? A horn in the middle of its forehead and two different-colored eyes. How disgusting."
She spits at Theodoras's feet.
Theodoras, who had been staring blankly since the conversation began, grows furious and glares at the crimson-haired girl.
"You honorless, lowly creature."
The trader activates the electric magic in Theodoras's collar, taking out his frustration on the slave.
"Stop that," the young lady commands, then asks for the slave's price.
"W-w-what?" the trader stammers, before breaking into a wide, ugly grin that reveals his grotesque teeth.
"For you, young lady, I'll let it go for a thousand gold."
The young girl bursts into laughter.
"A thousand gold? You're hilarious. I'll take it for 200."
The slave trader's face flushes red, his bald head swelling with anger as the veins bulge.
"200 gold? You ignorant girl, what do you know about haggling?"
"Are you insulting a noble? If you don't want your head lopped off, shut your mouth and accept it. Besides, don't expect me to pay full price for damaged goods."
Reluctantly, the trader nods in agreement and removes a magical ring from his finger, handing it to her.
"What's this?"
She eyes him suspiciously.
"It's linked to the rune on the slave's collar. It prevents the slave from attacking you, and if you press the gem, it sends an electric current through their body. I could let it go for 800 gold if you'd prefer."
"Fine. Lucius, my guard, will handle the payment."
The young lady then opens the barred door and steps inside, crouching in front of Theodoras.
Theodoras has slightly long white hair and a horn protruding from the center of their forehead. Their eyes are slit like a snake's, with the right eye shaped like a star. The left eye is purple, the right blue. Their skin is pale, and they have long eyelashes.
"How hideous you look," she says. "Tell me your name, worm."