Vida

Daredevil

Overview

As the protégé of the Forest Nova, she boasts remarkable talent. However, her impetuous and brash nature leads to frequent mishaps on her broom. Driven by whimsy, she often makes mistakes, but her good luck has allowed her to sidestep great misfortune.

Chapter One

(12975–13017, Era of Frost Veil) "Master found me, an orphan, in forest trash and raised me," Vida recalled. She still wondered why garbage existed in the woods.
Young Vida asked, but her master evaded. She stopped inquiring, knowing it was futile. Besides, she felt no connection to her unknown parents.
The old woman, though unreliable, was family. Mentioning birth parents likely hurt her. Fortunately, the forest offered Vida outlets for her energy.
Animals in the forest often fell victim to this troublemaker, as she was the last disciple of the Forest Witch.
Vida was weary of the "Forest Witch" title. The old crone often bragged about past glories and alleged friendship with the Elf Queen—all gibberish to Vida.
Initially, Vida was skeptical. Later, noticing frequent contradictions in the old woman's tales, she lost all faith in her words.
"Others have titles like 'Mountain Protector' or 'Divine Chosen.' Your 'Forest Witch' just doesn't cut it.
"Guardian of Mountains? What a joke! Foolish! Jester! Jester! "
"The Favored One? Now that's grand! Continent's wealthiest, mind you! With a sliver of her skill, you'd not be in such straits."
"A sea beast left her comatose, and Orccodros shamed her badly. Why omit that? I've never faced such disgrace."
"Such a mighty Forest Witch, yet you just munch mushrooms all day, and I fetch them? Why's that?"
"Hey! You brat! I toiled to raise you from nothing. So soon, and now you're scorning your master?"
"I didn't! Stop making things up."
"I save all the good food for you. Why's my life so hard? Not one disciple lets this old woman rest easy."
"Oh, please! You just forgot your stash till it dried up. Some gift! Never mind, I'll go make dinner myself."
Time slipped by as they argued. By then, the Forest Witch had spent nearly 300 years in Ciaran, approaching the lifespan limit of a Derya after leaving Heartwood.

Chapter Two

The elder, with an unusual gravitas, commanded Vida to represent her on a journey to Eon City.
On her behalf? Go to Eon City? Ridiculous! Has this old soul lost her mind? Eon City is the imperial capital—why would they welcome such an old hag?
But seeing her genuine sincerity, it didn't seem feigned. Remembering how her mentor, despite being whimsical, saved her from despair, she wondered if this journey might be their last.
Thinking this, Vida nearly lost her composure, tears almost escaping. If she hadn't caught that cunning elder smirking in secret, she would have been truly deceived.
As the plot unfolded, the young mage, on the verge of exploding, was startled by a sudden thunderclap. Stepping outside, they saw a massive airship circling above the forest.
A colossal steel Behemoth, crafted by alchemy and runes—what brought such a beast here?
From this impressive show, it seemed they're on a capture mission. She needed to stay away from her. If they took her too, who would leave offerings at her tomb during the annual remembrance?
"Honored Forest Witch, I bear the emperor's decree from His Majesty Saint Carta:
The revered Forest Witch, the Summer's Ode, our thanks for your enduring protection of the Mina Forest. thank you for safeguarding Mina Forest. Will you honor us with your presence in the capital, Eon?"
Vida was stunned; this person of obvious importance, upon meeting the "ancient one"—no, her mentor—immediately clasped their hands to their chest and knelt in reverence.
His Majesty Saint Carta? Seriously? Is he not the paramount ruler of all Ciaran? Do they genuinely seek to invite the old lady to Eon?
"Recently, the forest has been restless, the Treants unsettled, and I'll let Webris know I'm not interested in his showiness."
The witch seemed arrogant and unpredictable, yet the visitor, foreseeing this, persisted in bowing and kneeling, refusing to rise until granted a favorable response.
Vida was giddy with excitement, yearning to go to Eon City and see the revered statue of Saint Yetannia in Newville Garden, a cherished artifact for the Nuheillu people.
"With my mentor busy handling the forest's troubles, I, as her disciple, offer to take your role on this journey. What do you say?"
They both understood the game: the emissary didn't expect the witch to journey to Eon. Bringing her cherished disciple fulfilled their duty.
The young mage thought she had outsmarted them, but in the presence of two experienced veterans, she was painfully naive.
Aboard the sky-faring vessel, Vida's excitement was palpable. Almost forgetting to bid farewell to her mentor, the young mage embarked on a journey to the capital that would reshape history unexpectedly.

Chapter Three

The little mage's excitement vanishes as she rides the airship for the first time. Not used to flying, her heart pounds with nerves as they climb higher and higher.
When they encounter a thundercloud, Vida instinctively pulls out her staff, nearly blasting a hole in the airship, but luckily, the Dwarf runes absorb most of the impact.
Upon arriving at Eon, Vida is dressed and made up for her meeting with the emperor. As she follows the arrangements like a marionette, she hardly glimpses the emperor's face, sensing only that he is a living storm seated on the throne.
The emperor, usually stoic, can't hide his disappointment at meeting only the witch's disciple. Saying a few words, he quickly instructs Vida to go to the Imperial Magic Academy to exchange knowledge with the teachers and students.
The children of the imperial aristocrats at the academy are inherently curious about Vida, the last disciple of the Forest Witch. This curiosity is shared by Bella, the fearless chief instructor. However, their encounter only exacerbates tension.
It isn't long before they clash. To save face in front of the meddling students and teachers, Vida quickly heads to the training ground with Bella.
Though inexperienced, Vida has considerable magical power and barely holds her ground despite getting bruised.
The spectators are surprised. After all, Vida is Forest Witch's disciple. Any harm to her in Eon would put the emperor in a difficult position.
At that moment, a serene voice calls out, and everyone gets down on one knee, even Bella.
"Bella, you really should curb your temper. If the witch hears her disciple was mistreated here, I'll have to apologize on your behalf."
"Your Holiness..."
"Rise. This must be the Forest Witch's disciple. To draw even our chief instructor at such a young age is truly impressive."
Vida, already fuming, gets angrier when hearing the high-and-mighty tone. Naturally rebellious, Vida has been pushed to the brink by the endless etiquette of the capital.
"Who are you? Can't you talk normally? I'm fed up with Esoteric Doctrine!"
The air freezes, deathly silent, as the Forest Witch's disciple shows such disrespect to the Holy Shepherd. But no one dares to intervene.
"Your Holiness, she doesn't know who you are. I'll take her away right now." "Surprisingly, it is Bella who pleads for Vida."
"Your Holiness? You must be kidding me. Isn't it a Dreadra Cambion? April Church actually let a cambion become the pope!"
Vida's words are like a bombshell, shocking everyone. But as a young mage, she doesn't care. Even after causing a huge mess, she still flies around on her broom.
"Don't blame me. I just told the truth! Anyway, I'd rather go back to the forest. On my way, I can drop by the Newville Garden."
At that time, none of them expects Vida's arrival to trigger the breakdown of the great unification of Saint Carta. Since then, Mirren has never seen another unified empire.

Historical Notes

Forest Witch:
Astrid (12597–13000), the Summer's Ode, was a Lost Elf and childhood friend of Elven Sovereign Octavia. Their friendship faded after Octavia's coronation.

Derya:
A term used by Elves for the Lost Elves, which has lost its derogatory meaning since the Era of Eternal Flame.

Sanctgard Empire:
The Sanctgard Empire (7480–13004, Era of Frost Veil) rose as a major power post-Hilbeyan, led by former nobility from the Kingdom of Slar. The Davies staged a coup using military strength gained from conflicts with the Kingdom of Monsters, annexing Slar and Gilliat, forcing the Dwarves to submit. This racial blend sparked cultural growth, driving the empire to explore the Celestial Sea. However, its diverse religious beliefs sowed seeds of discord. The royal Davies worshiped Epria, the Deity of Wisdom; the Storens worshiped Delfin, the Deity of Mountains; the Lesters worshiped Gabriel, the God of Fertility; and the Murphys worshiped Phoebe, the Goddess of the Moon, paving the way for future fragmentation.

Eon:
Known as Prophecy City, Eon was founded during the Pact of Jancis by Orccodros and has thrived for millennia. Now the Sanctgard Empire's capital, Eon represents the era's peak productivity.

Natalie:
Natalie (12905–13047, Era of Frost Veil), the Ephemeral Figure, was the 284th Pope of the April Church, a Dreadra Cambion originally manifesting as a Phantom Butterfly. Commissioned by the Holowells, she gained influence through her adjudication over abyssal creatures, and her Wish Association won support in the empire, leading her to ascend to the papacy. This marked a significant achievement for Abyss in the surface world.

Wish Association:
Founded by Natalie, the 284th Pope of the April Church, the Wish Association promoted mutual aid among noblewomen. Members consumed an elixir from Bluetus juice, believing it granted oracles from the Deity of Wisdom, which was actually Natalie's true form. This helped Natalie gain political support and ascend to the papacy. After her scheme was revealed, the Association remained united, potentially influencing the establishment of the Kingdom of Lister.

Webris:
Webris Davies (12951–12990, Era of Frost Veil), the Silverwing, was the youngest son of Leo III and was tutored by Astrid, the Summer's Ode. Ascending the throne at 12, Webris tactfully removed maternal influences over 21 years, restoring the Davies' control. He sought to prove his worth to his mentor, yearning for acknowledgment as a solitary autocrat. Following Emperor Silverwing's death without a direct heir, a power struggle erupted between Allen Igmat and Chris Davies, plunging the royal family into turmoil.