Sighing, Maven sat on the dirt road and leaned his back against a signpost. “Two paths,” he said aloud, under the impression that no one was there to hear him. Today was the last day to sign up for the Dungeon Delver tryouts. He’d dreamt about this day for years, and yearned to explore dungeons just as his father did, but knew he was nothing like him.

  He let out another deep sigh and brought his legs together to rest his head on. He felt silly, scoffing at the thought of showing up to the tryouts. Being average at best, there would always be a bigger fish, he thought. A bigger fish just like his father, someone who was 3 times the man Maven was when he was a young adult. The thought rang throughout his inner being, and he clung tightly to his legs, burying his face in shame. “I outta just stay here, I suppose. I’ll tell everyone that they were right, that they didn’t want me.”

  Just then, a new voice spoke out.

  “You’re better off doing that than exploring that terrible dungeon.”

  Maven’s feet kicked out and slid across the dirt as he jumped back. He looked up with widened eyes and an ajar mouth. In front of him stood a tall woman wearing a black dress with padded shoulders. Her outfit was sprinkled with white patterns that Maven found particularly pretty. If a flower painted an abstract picture of what the wind felt like, he figured that the pattern on her dress would be the outcome. Maven blinked a few times and looked up at her face for a better look.

  “Goodness…” he accidentally said aloud. Her glistening blonde hair reached just below her chest, and her straight bangs allowed him to see her face in all its beauty. Long, pointed ears peeked out from the sides of her hair, completing the otherworldly look she had going for her. Two things clicked in his mind at that instant. 1: Maven was looking at an elf for the first time in his life. 2: he’d just belittled himself in front of an elegant alien queen.

  Hoping to salvage his appearance, Maven jumped to his feet and hugged her eyes with his own while offering the best smile he could, even tilting his head for maximum effect. He introduced himself and reached out his hand in hopes that she would offer hers, but she didn’t lift a finger, nor did she look impressed. Maven internally screamed.

  “Well…” he awkwardly lowered his hand. “It was nice meeting you,” he lied. In all honesty, he was already thinking about how he could ever recover from this. He performed an unsure nod and turned around in the same manner. Suddenly the eastern path didn’t look so haunting. Maybe being laughed at in tryouts wasn’t so bad after all. Heck, maybe even getting stabbed by a goblin would be a better experience than an elf rejecting to give you their name.

  “Have you already decided to not heed my warning?”

  Not expecting her to say another word, Maven turned around in shock. “I… didn’t realize you were warning me.”

  “You’re better off doing that than exploring that terrible dungeon,” she repeated her words from earlier. “Is this not a warning?”

  Maven had no idea as to what she meant by “terrible dungeon,” as all dungeons have their fair share of danger. Regardless, he was just happy that she spoke to him.

  “Don’t let my words fall on deaf ears,” she added.

  Maven picked up his heavy backpack. It’s worn leather served as a stark contrast to his amateurish appearance. He then lifted up his plain metal kite shield and strapped it to his right arm. The shield was older than his dad but looked younger than Maven himself. Dwarven smithing at its finest. “I know you just heard me wanting to chicken out, but why exactly shouldn’t I go? You’re being pretty vague.” Finally, he grabbed his mace and hung it from his belt above his right hip.

  The elf looked agitated, as if she wasn’t used to commoners questioning her authority. Maven saw her sigh as she began to walk. “Walk with me.”

  He happily obliged.

  The two walked side-by-side along the gravel trail. The wind was cool and carried the scent of pinecones along with it as it caressed the duo’s hair. He tried to hide it, but Maven secretly glanced at the elf in hopes of witnessing a beautiful scene. Surrounded by trees with singing leaves and berry bushes, Maven felt like he was in paradise being guided by an angel. He figured he shouldn’t idolize her as such but struggled not to.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  “This dungeon was discovered before you were born, correct?” asked the elf.

  “The Grand Dungeon, right? If so, then yes,” he replied. “It’s been here for a long time, but it was barely discovered back in the Great Civil War.”

  “I see. I remember the war.”

  Maven tensed up at her words. “You… fought in it?”

  “I’m not that old,” she said. “I was only four by the time it ended.”

  Maven felt relieved and quickly tried to change the subject in a natural way. “Four years old,” he said aloud. “Seeing as the war ended 20 years ago… You’re only 24 years old?”

  “Correct,” she said, looking quite pleased, causing him to blush. “So, Maven. I see that you have a mace and shield. Are you a squire? A knight?”

  “Neither. They were both once my father’s. He was an adventurer at my age. Speaking of which, I’m assuming you’re also headed toward the dungeon, no? You don’t exactly looked well-equipped, you know?”

  “I can assure you, I’m more than equipped to blast that dungeon to bits if I wanted to.”

  That anxious feeling from early returned just as fast as it left. Blow it to bits? It’s not like he was unaware of exaggeration, but he feared he knew what she was referring to. He felt beyond stupid. She was an elf, it only made sense. “You’re not going to plant a bomb, are you?” He jokingly asked, hoping to ease his anxiety with humor.

  “I’m not so crude.”

  Dang it. The topic was beyond leaving his mind at this point. He had to ask. “So… are you a magic user?” He was hoping to be wrong.

  The girl chuckled. “Is that why you’re scared?”

  “What?” His eyes widened, though he hurriedly corrected his expression.

  “I could see your mana constrict the moment you asked if I had fought in the war. It did the same right before you asked if I was a magic user.”

  A flip switched in Maven’s demeanor. “You just caught me off guard is all. Coming from a gem like you, it’s odd to think that you possess such a power.” The elf didn’t need magic to see that his flattery attempt was clearly forced.

  “If those words came from someone in the east I would believe them. However, you’re a western local, aren’t you?”

  Maven’s heart beat faster, and his anxiety only grew knowing that she could sense it. He felt shame to some extent as well, lamenting how quick he was to follow a stranger into the woods like a foolish man chasing a gem. How did he only now realize that this wasn’t the smartest thing to do?. “What are you getting at?” he asked, unable to hide his serious tone. The elf’s expression changed, but Maven couldn’t make it out with his peripheral vision. He was too scared to look at her. Shortly after, she stopped walking. The once friendly atmosphere was dead silent, and Maven was debating on what his next move would be. Would he need to wield his mace and fight for his life? Would he need to strike-

  “I’m sorry,” she interjected amidst his silent panic.

  Maven didn’t respond, but instead further tensed his muscles. Slowly turning around, he didn’t know what to expect. Whatever it was, he’d need to be ready to either dodge or swing. After that, who knows? How does one win against magic? She could surely read his intentions with her odd mana ability he’d never heard about, but could she do more than that too? Could she read his every thought?

  “Please,” she continued, “I didn’t mean to scare you so much.” Her demeanor didn’t match what Maven had in mind. She wasn’t apologetic in that she was about to take his life but instead looked genuinely disappointed in herself. The display made Maven regret having even brushed his fingers toward his weapon’s handle, but he knew that he was justified in his response regardless. He let out a deep, stress-filled breath, and lowered his gaze to the ground, along with his guard.

  “I’m sorry. Your jokes would land better in the east than over here. You guys won, after all.”