500th Time Reborn, A World Only Known By Women: The Karma System

"No, they did not tell me about that. I am sure that it just slipped their minds, but is it essential?" I asked, and Silvy raised both eyebrows and gave me a look.

"Consider this. Traditionally, each Elf born will spend twenty-five years in the nursery with the other newly hatched. During this time, you earn your first rank, but you also learn all the others. To leave the nursery, you need to be able to repeat all the current ranks verbally three times, each in a different order. That is only one of the many grueling things we have to do before we are even allowed with adults. Even though nothing on our exterior changes, graduating from the nursery is what makes an Elf considered an adult. The word 'Adult' was actually made up by Elfinia, and Goldey was the one that introduced the word children to call the newly hatched women," Silvy explained, and I nodded along.

"For someone that doesn't know very much, you seem to know quite a bit?" I said questioningly, and Silvy nodded but then looked at the elven women on either side of me.

"While I tease them, these two Elves are the most revered women on the island. No one else but Elfinia has acquired all ranks, and Listenia is close behind her, only missing a few. They gained most ranks without ever even meeting most of the people that led the ranks. The only thing that Listenia even lacked was archery," Silvy said, and Listenia shook her head.

"While I have not been back to receive the ranks, I have learned to shoot, so mother and I are the same now," Listenia said proudly, and I looked over at her.

"Really? That is amazing! Why didn't you say anything before?" I asked curiously, and Elfinia nodded, making Listenia laugh.

"I had been waiting for a good moment to reveal what I had learned. I have been practicing in my free time with the techniques that you taught me how to use," Listenia explained, and I nodded with a grin.

"Well, that is great news! I am glad to hear that you have been able to make use of my teachings and that you both share the same skills. That will be a huge help when we are trying to recruit elves for our adventure school," I said before turning back to Silvy. "So, what kind of gift would be appropriate for the High Elves, then?"

Silvy thought for a moment and then nodded. "What I give are only suggestions, and I highly recommend that you talk with Lexi about this. Still, Selvena is in charge of ranks associated with flowers and herbs, so something that would help her would be good. Airoyal is in charge of all beast tamer ranks but specializes in avians, so anything to do with birds. Wendria is in charge of the hunter and gathering ranks, but she is silent most of the time, and it's tough to get a read on what she would like. The last is Litany, and she is in charge of the tree care and technological ranks, but she is called Stone Face by most people when she is out of earshot."

"That is quite a lot of information, but like you said, only a recommendation and pretty loose, but it gives me some ideas. Now, enough of this talk! I see that you are selling some lemonade and orange juice? I would love to get a cup, and I am sure that both the girls would as well," I said, and Silvy smiled.

"I am glad to hear it! Lemonade for all then," Silvy said before pouring us each a cup of lemonade and handing them over with a smile.

After taking a sip, I thanked Silvy, and the three of us walked away from her stand, sipping our drinks as we continued our conversation about what would be an appropriate gift for the four elders. I was glad that I had asked Silvy for ideas because it gave me a starting point to work from. After all, figuring out what anyone liked was usually a challenge unless you spent time with them.

"So I was thinking," I began, "what do you think the best way to make friends with other elves is? It can be hard to meet new people, especially when it comes to a different species. Do you have any suggestions?"

Elfinia thought for a moment before responding. "I think that one of the best ways to make friends with Elves is to show them kindness and respect. Show them that you are interested in what they have to say and that you want to get to know them better. Volunteering to help out wherever needed is also a great way to start building trust and relationships."

Listenia nodded in agreement and added, "Another way to get on their good side is to bring gifts to share like we suggested or even just offer to lend a hand with whatever tasks they might need to be done. This could range from helping out with the daily chores to going on an adventure together. The more time you spend doing things together, the better chance you will have of forming lasting friendships with your Elven counterparts."

"Hmm, that does sound like it would be helpful, but I am kind of constrained for time," I said as we stopped at another stall that was selling freshly made salads.

"That is true, but Elves don't do anything that quickly. My hope was that you would win over Wendria without having to deal with the other three. Wendria is hard-headed, but I assumed with your skills, you would be able to earn her trust. Unfortunately, Silvy is right, and just getting something for Wendria and nothing the other three will cost you in future dealings with our people," Listenia explained, and Elfinia sighed from my other side.

"Truthfully, that whole experience was embarrassing, but Silvy is right, and I should have thought about that," Elfinia sighed, and I shrugged.

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