Elena's Story

Hmm... Let's see, that's the last of the civil engineering documents.

These documents are the only ones I need to check for today, right?

If we're only looking at the important ones, yes.

Then, let's take a short rest before we continue. Urgh, I think my brain just pulled a muscle or something...

I anticipated you'd feel this way, so I've had your coffee prepared.

Ah, thanks.

Mmm, yeah, my brain only works on coffee.

Operating the high-performance engine known as the brain, caffeine, and sugar are a must!

But Miss Elena, you never have sugar... You only charge up on caffeine.

Well, that just means that my brain is all the more efficient!

Ah, this brings back memories of my school days.

Amelia, do you know where they send elves who collapse in the lab?

The repair center, of course. Graduate students are considered lab equipment, not elves, after all.

Hahaha, your lab also joked about that, did they?

Nobody collapsed when I was in school, though.

I've seen it a few times. They really did get carried out on stretchers.

You really do see everything after about a hundred years at school.

You were in school for quite a long time.

It's not because I wanted to, but because they wouldn't let me graduate.

I'm telling you, our lab academic adviser was a truly insane elf and a real lowlife!

She gave all types of excuses for not approving theses, so everybody above me was stuck in limbo as well.

The upperclassmen couldn't graduate, we weren't getting any freshmen, so I was the "newbie" for 60 freaking years!

I am aware. You have told this story multiple times already.

What do you say to getting treated for your PTSD now?

And who's gonna do my job while I'm getting treated?

Urgh, well...

It's alright, it's all in the past now. It's just that I think about it sometimes.

Also, in retrospect, it wasn't all gray clouds and thunderstorms.

Right before graduating, the professor let me do whatever I wanted.

Your graduation thesis was Rimitless Power via the Buttered Cat Paradox, right, Miss Elena?

Oh, you know it? As expected, Amelia. You know me better than I know myself.

I made a small mistake while making the engine, but I still graduated.

But that was quite a dangerous theory, was it not? What type of mistake did you make?

Ah, it was a small explosion. Only two research centers were lost, so no big deal.

The professor herself almost got sucked into the dimensional rift, haha. It cracks me up.

After cleaning up the mess, bada bing, bada boom, they fast-tracked me to graduation!

That's amazing! You're always ahead of the times, Miss Elena! I would expect nothing less!

Anyway, those were some tough times, but I learned a lot as well.

Given my experience planning experiments and running labs, I'm now able to run Monatium, you see?

Haha, it's funny now that I think of it.

Thanks to being stuck as a lowly research assistant for such a long time, I'm now the head honcho of Monatium.

No one else could have done it. This was all possible because it's you, Miss Elena.

Yes, that's why I need to take my job seriously as the mayor.

So that all elves can return to our home planet as soon as possible.

Miss Elena, you never let me down!

I believe that you, Miss Elena, can achieve anything you put your mind to!

I also believe that you will be able to efficiently process the remaining documents and demonstrate the greatness of the elves!

Right, let's get back to finishing up the rest of this paperwork, shall we?

Argh... I-It's so bright...

It's already morning...?

Miss Elena, you have impressive bags under your eyes.

You have been pulling all-nighters for the third day in a row.

There was something that I really wanted to finish, so...

By the way, where's the coffee?

Here you go.

A grande mostly espresso, with a shot of water.

Just how I like it. You're the best.

Whew, now I feel alive again!

I can't start my mornings without this!

Working hard is great, but I wish you'd take it down a few notches.

Do you know what they call your coffee at the cafe?

They named my drink? What do they call it?

They call it, "Americano, Weekend Farm Edition."

Ahaha, the Weekend Farm Edition, eh? Aw, heck!

What an exaggeration. This is just a strong americano.

I've had much worse on Earth.

Yes, I remember. It was definitely worthy of being called an elixir crafted through modern alchemy.

Strangely, Earth's technological development seemed to be headed in that direction only...

Yeah, although you couldn't make gold with it, you could make zombies that only exist to work.

Sigh... Even looking back on it... it really was a terrible environment.

IT companies kept pestering us for new products every year, remember?

Yes. They would say things like, "It lacks innovation" at the slightest thing that wasn't to their liking and refused to let us sleep.

Oh, speaking of sleep, we can't NOT mention that cruddy old fart, Santa.

Working for that old-timer, we had cocktails made with energy drinks and downed them like water.

My grad school days were a walk in the park compared to that torture!!

Mayor, uttering that name is prohibited within Monatium.

There are still quite a number of elves who experience seizures whenever they hear that name.

I should have plucked out his entire beard before we left, tch.

Anyway, the only reason I didn't destroy Earth is purely because of that energy drink.

Thanks to that drink, I was able to quickly finish my research, which enabled us to escape.

The only reason I bowed before the humans was to obtain this power drink!

Mayor, please stop with that talk and calm down.

Why? I'm perfectly fine!

You do not look fine at all. Your bags are pretty intense.

You're probably the only one in all of Elias with bags under their eyes, Miss Elena.

Oh, no way...

Truly. I have confirmed this fact with our intelligence network.

How about the Sprite Queen, Erpin? I mean, she's a queen.

Queen Erpin eats and sleeps well, so her skin is supple. In fact, it is plump.

I heard that she raided Ashur's Bakery again yesterday.

How about the newly appointed Master?

I witnessed the Master hanging out with Rohne not too long ago.

They are also frequently sighted spending time with MaestroMK2, as it patrols the city.

Who would have thought they'd get along so well...

Therefore, you must also rest yourself, Mayor.

But I'm happiest when I'm working.

I'm living my best life, right?

I'm not sure if that phrase applies to you!

Oh, hello, Master.

Huh? Did you say something?

It's nothing. I just have a few things on my mind.

I don't just have inventions on my mind all the time!

But yes, right now I'm preoccupied with an invention.

Hmm... it's an invention to help Monatium and the elves, of course!

No, I'm not!

Well, that definitely is true...

Ah, fine. I'll tell you, so stop...!!

You're teasing me on purpose, aren't you?!

Oh, shove it!

It's... a robot that reads Amelia's reviews about my inventions in my stead...

Amelia's reviews are too meticulous! I don't wanna read them!!

It blew up.

Its contents were launched everywhere and then it blew up.

That was a success! The carrots grew three times faster than normal!

Um... the carrots blew up in their stomachs...

Urgh... but it's unavoidable!

Bugs are inevitable! There are no inventions that don't have bugs!

What's so wrong about having bugs? You're supposed to account for bugs with anything you use!

It's the user's fault for being unable to handle a single bug!

Bugs that do not kill the user, makes them strongeeeeer!!

Master! Perfect timing. You're not busy, right?

I needed a hand. Come and help me.

Really? Are you telling me that something "suddenly" came up?

If this is all a lie, I'll be sure to send Electrifying Taste your way.

Good thinking. Come to my workstation.

It's a hexagonal tank capable of 3-D mobility! Isn't it awesome?

Hmm, that's because it's still not done. Once it is, you'll be amazed!

Hey, quiet!

Just hand me the things that I ask for, Master.

Great! Then you can start by handing me the crowbar!

Oh, you're quicker than I thought.

Now then, do you see the bomb module on the table? Give that to me, please!

Since it's used for self-destruction, of course it should be there.

All great inventions need a self-destruction function!!

Hmmph, that's because my inventions are great, without exception.

Of course, not! What do you think of me as, Master?

No way!! All I did was just pile up a few dangerous things!

It's a sprite local specialty.

I confiscated the gifts sent by the elves working there.

I couldn't help it! What if the elves become dumb after eating something from Sprite Kingdom?

I'm just making sure before there's a problem.

Shouldn't the mayor be praised for taking the lead?

Oh, there's nothing I can do. That's usually the case if you're part of the industrial workforce.

When you leave to go work somewhere else, unexpected issues are bound to occur!

It's fine, they can adjust and survive if they're strong elves!

Hehe, it only takes one shot to get the Master!

You are amazing!

Hey, Master! Why don't you become my editor?!

I can't do that! You'll run away!

Just give up. It's already too late to run away.

The mayor just needs an editor to proofread her autobiography.

That's right! It's going to be an autobiography all about my life!

I've already decided to call it, "My Way!"

Because only the weak struggle!

An alpha like me does not struggle!

Those living in Elias have no idea there are other worlds.

You know that, Master. And, because you're not an elf, you would be objective.

How about showing the Master the manuscript first, Mayor?

Oh, should we do that? Here you go. Enjoy reading it.

Why? Is something off? Everything I wrote is true.

But it's a fact that elves are better than other races!

All I did was write it like it is! What's the problem here?

It is one of the things that we great elves obviously must do.

We were just unlucky! Elves make mistakes too!

Because having a flaw or two despite being the most powerful is super adorable?

All I want to do is write my autobiography. Why do you insist on criticizing it and being so uncooperative?

Alright, fine. It's your neck on the line, Master!

But Miss Elena, we do need someone to proofread the manuscript.

Hmm... That is true...

Alright, Amelia. You can do it!

After all, you're my secretary as well as my assistant.

You're qualified to proofread my manuscript!

T-To have you think of me in this manner, thank you! Thank you...!

Now, here's your first task as an editor.

Read this manuscript and tell me your thoughts.

*Sniff*... Okay. I'll read it with a thankful heart.

Ahem... "For example, since the werebeasts do not have a clear leader, they have yet to form a proper nation and instead, live a communal life."

"The elves, in contrast, have brought about traditional centralization of power that is based on their beliefs, as they continue to prove their limitless potential for growth."

T-This is such sharp insight that pierces Elias' political landscape!

"The elves are the most patrician race in the universe. Other races only exist for the purpose of utilization by the elves."

"As the pioneer of civilization and intelligence, it is only right that the elves rule the world and the universe on behalf of the other races who are ignorant and unenlightened!"

Miss Elena, I have never read a more moving and heartbreaking passage in all my life as an elf!

Haha, great philosophers are naturally lonely.

But now, Amelia, I have you who understands me!

Oh, Miss Elena, I am so touched that you would say that about me.

Deal with the Master, Amelia!

Yes, Ma'am!

Ignore them! Let's get this autobiography published!

Yes, Ma'am!

You're slow to give up, Master. You're being so noisy. Why don't you go over there.

Amelia, how many of my books have been sold?

Well... You see...

Why can't you answer me? *Gasp* Don't tell me, are we sold out already?!

Then we must get ready to reprint this! Wait, let's go ahead print out the third edition while we're at it!

That's not the reason why... It seems there's no movement in books being sold...

What?! How come?!

You reactionary! Can't you be quiet?!

Ugh... I am so angry...!

Wait a minute. That actually makes sense.

Amelia! This is an order from the mayor! Give one of my books to every elf in Monatium!

Put it on top of the mandatory reading list!

Of course! I'm the alpha here! If I want it done, it's done!