In the heart of Astoria Academy's forgery, Neah found himself surrounded by half-finished projects. It was a space where his creative energy surged, despite the fact that all his current endeavours hadn't yet met his exacting standards. He felt strangely satisfied in this realm of metal, sparks, and craftsmanship.
Taking a brief break, he had barely settled into a moment of respite when the entrance to the forgery swung open. Elara stood in the doorway, her eyes scanning the cluttered workshop. Spotting Neah in the midst of his work, she wasted no time in traversing the room to his side.
"Where have you been for the past week? Have you been staying here all this time? ," she demanded, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern.
Neah looked up from his work and said, "Well, yeah, I guess. Just working on a few projects," he admitted, gesturing towards the assorted weapons around him. "But they're not good; they're essentially metal scraps."
Elara approached the weapons and picked one up, testing its balance. "Aren't all these fully functional weapons? "She inquired as she examined a sword.
Neah raised an eyebrow. "Are they? But if you ask me, these wouldn't stand a chance against my siblings."
Elara looked at him, her blue eyes showing a hint of confusion. "Neah, the weapon is important, but the one wielding it matters even more, in my opinion."
He paused, looking at her thoughtfully. "Oh really? Well, I have my own reasons."
Neah met Elara's gaze and inquired, "So, Princess, why are you here again? "
Elara seemed to recall the purpose of her visit and blurted out, "Neah, you... you... You workaholic bastard! Let's spar. It's been so long since our last fight, and this time, I'll win! "
Neah gave her a teasing smile and said, "I'll consider it if you ask me nicely."
Elara's grin grew mischievous, and she was about to respond when Neah interjected, "Alright, let's go."
He stood up, leaving Elara to puzzle over the sudden change of heart. The princess promptly followed him, wearing an expression of bewilderment.
Neah pondered how to bring this spar to a swift conclusion, as he had unfinished projects awaiting his attention. He asked her, "Do you want to fight right now? "
Elara responded with a quick and eager "yes."
Neah continued, "Right here, right now? "
She replied without hesitation, "YES! Wait, what? "
He grinned and accepted her challenge, then set the parameters. "Fine, but since we're in a confined space, here are the rules: no magic and no aura. Just pure swordsmanship."
Elara surveyed their surroundings, noting the limited space and the equipment around them that would be easily damaged if they fought recklessly. She reluctantly agreed to the conditions with a nod.
With the rules set, the two of them began their sparring match.
Neah assumed his typical defensive stance, ready to block Elara's initial strikes and launch a counterattack. As Elara launched a head-on assault, her sword clashed with Neah's, but his swift movements deflected her blade upward. Seizing the opportunity, he countered with a wide horizontal slash. Elara managed to dodge the attack by leaping backward.
Neah remained rooted in his spot, once again inviting Elara to press the attack.
Elara wasn't one to back down. She charged forward, her blade aimed at Neah. He parried her strikes skillfully, and with every move, the sound of clashing steel filled the room. Elara displayed her agility, aiming for precision strikes, but Neah's defence held steady.
Their spar continued, a dance of fast-paced strikes, dodges, and counters. Elara's determination was evident in her every move, while Neah's skill and control kept the fight balanced.
With each exchange, they both sought openings in the other's defenses. The intensity of the match heightened as they engaged in their playful yet competitive sparring. Both of them respected the rules they'd set, and their swords met in a flurry of action.
Despite the occasional sparks of frustration, their spar remained lighthearted. Neah had already improved considerably since their last meeting, and Elara admired the dedication he'd put into his training.
As they continued to exchange blows, their camaraderie deepened. The rhythmic clashing of swords echoed in the workshop, and the spectators who had gathered to watch couldn't help but be impressed by the skills of both combatants.
The bout eventually came to an end, with Neah still standing, leaning forward towards Elara, who was on the ground. He looked at her with a sly grin. "Well, why are you on the ground again? "
Elara's cheeks flushed with a mixture of exertion and frustration, but a playful smile curled her lips. "You... You've gotten better, haven't you? "She pushed herself up to sit.
Neah extended a hand to help her to her feet. "Only because I had a good sparring partner. You did well, Princess."
She accepted his hand and rose, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her face. "Let's not wait too long for the next one, Neah. I want a rematch."
Neah chuckled. "I'm looking forward to it. But now, I have to get back to these'scrap' weapons."
With their spar concluded, they had shared a memorable moment, strengthening the bond between them. Neah returned to his work, driven by newfound inspiration, while Elara watched for a moment before taking her leave, her resolve to defeat Neah in their next bout as strong as ever.
Elara's visits to Neah's place of work became a regular occurrence, mirroring the frequency of her requests for sparring sessions. Yet, regardless of the number of bouts they engaged in, the outcome remained consistent: Neah triumphed each time, leaving Elara in the dust.
On the tenth instance of her defeat, Elara couldn't contain her frustration any longer. She slumped to the ground in a fit of pique, her voice filled with vexation. "Ahhhhh! Let me win at least once! How can you even do that? "
Neah couldn't help but chuckle at her outburst. "Just keep practicing, Princess, and one day, I'll receive my defeat from you."
He said these words with a reassuring smile, yet in his heart, he knew the truth. Each time they sparred, Elara grew stronger, her skills sharpening, and her determination unwavering. It was becoming evident that her rapid improvement surpassed his own. The thought crossed his mind that the day she defeated him was drawing closer, even if it seemed a distant prospect. Still, he continued with his work, forging the molten metal as Elara simmered in the background.
As the hammering of metal echoed throughout the workshop, another voice disrupted the peaceful ambience. It was a familiar tone, laced with annoyance.
"Princess! Why are you always coming all the way here just to meet that person? "Neah paid little attention to the interjection, immersed in his craft.
Elara, too accustomed to such complaints, simply sighed and muttered, "It's none of your business."
But the voice wasn't her usual detractors; it was her best friend, Rosalia. As she stepped into the workshop, Elara turned to face her. Rosalia was the daughter of a prominent duke; their family was renowned for their prowess in warfare, particularly their strategic expertise.
"Elara," Rosalia began with a concerned tone, "you are a princess. Please refrain from meeting this man. There are already far too many rumours circulating because of your association with him."
Elara hesitated, torn between the loyalty she felt for her friend and the camaraderie she shared with Neah.
Elara couldn't hide her disappointment and frustration. She whined, "But... He's the only one who can fight me."
Rosalia tried to be reassuring as she said, "Princess, I can fight you instead, so please stop coming to him. It's for your own good."
Elara looked conflicted, torn between her desire for a challenging sparring partner and Rosalia's concerns. As she pondered her decision, the workshop continued to resonate with the rhythmic clinks and clangs of Neah's work, oblivious to the growing dilemmas of the two friends.
Elara's defiance remained unyielding as she looked up nonchalantly, her eyes reflecting the stubbornness of a child who didn't want to listen. "But you can't defeat me. You pose no challenge," she insisted.
Rosalia, taken aback by Elara's stubbornness, couldn't deny the truth in her words. They had indeed sparred countless times, and the balance had always tipped in Elara's favor. Rosalia finally said, "If I don't pose any challenge, how can he? I don't understand, Princess. Then let me have a proper duel with him. I want to see just how skilled he really is."
Elara considered her friend's suggestion and the prospect of finding a worthy opponent. Neah, busy with his work at the forge, continued hammering molten metal, unaware of the unfolding conversation.
As the debate raged on, Elara eventually decided that it would be better to let her friend, Rosalia, experience Neah's skills firsthand rather than blindly defending him. After making her decision, she approached Neah to broach the topic, but he couldn't hear a word over the relentless clanging of his hammer on the molten metal. Elara resorted to shouting, her concern evident on her face. Yet, even her loudest pleas went unanswered.
Growing impatient, Rosalia couldn't bear to see her friend ignored. She drew her sword and pointed it at Neah. The sharp, metallic sound of the blade being unsheathed finally caught his attention. Neah halted his work, his dark eyes focusing on the two young women.
Elara's features displayed her genuine concern as she was about to speak. However, before she could utter a word, Neah stood up and addressed Rosalia with a serious tone. "And who might you be? Are you so important that you need to interfere with my work? "
Rosalia was taken aback for a moment but regained her composure. "I see. No wonder you two get along. I request an official match against you."
Neah raised an eyebrow, a hint of scepticism in his expression. "And why would I accept your request? "
Rosalia held her ground and replied, "Because I want to see what makes the princess think so highly of you."
Neah's gaze shifted to Elara, who suddenly found herself under the weight of his angered scrutiny. She quickly looked away, unable to meet his eyes, while he muttered, "So it's because of you, huh? "
Neah, eager to return to his work, reluctantly agreed and inquired, "Tomorrow afternoon at the training ground. Are you free at that time? "
Rosalia, confirming the arrangement, replied with a determined look, "Yes, tomorrow it is. I'll be waiting for you at the training ground."
After their exchange, Neah resumed his work, focusing once again on the molten metal and the creations he was forging. Elara said her goodbyes to Neah, all the while attempting to drag the somewhat bewildered Rosalia out of the forgery. The door swung shut behind them, returning the workshop to a realm of sparks and solitude where Neah could fully concentrate on his craft.
In the heart of Astoria Academy's forgery, Neah found himself surrounded by half-finished projects. It was a space where his creative energy surged, despite the fact that all his current endeavours hadn't yet met his exacting standards. He felt strangely satisfied in this realm of metal, sparks, and craftsmanship.
Taking a brief break, he had barely settled into a moment of respite when the entrance to the forgery swung open. Elara stood in the doorway, her eyes scanning the cluttered workshop. Spotting Neah in the midst of his work, she wasted no time in traversing the room to his side.
"Where have you been for the past week? Have you been staying here all this time? ," she demanded, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern.
Neah looked up from his work and said, "Well, yeah, I guess. Just working on a few projects," he admitted, gesturing towards the assorted weapons around him. "But they're not good; they're essentially metal scraps."
Elara approached the weapons and picked one up, testing its balance. "Aren't all these fully functional weapons? "She inquired as she examined a sword.
Neah raised an eyebrow. "Are they? But if you ask me, these wouldn't stand a chance against my siblings."
Elara looked at him, her blue eyes showing a hint of confusion. "Neah, the weapon is important, but the one wielding it matters even more, in my opinion."
He paused, looking at her thoughtfully. "Oh really? Well, I have my own reasons."
Neah met Elara's gaze and inquired, "So, Princess, why are you here again? "
Elara seemed to recall the purpose of her visit and blurted out, "Neah, you... you... You workaholic bastard! Let's spar. It's been so long since our last fight, and this time, I'll win! "
Neah gave her a teasing smile and said, "I'll consider it if you ask me nicely."
Elara's grin grew mischievous, and she was about to respond when Neah interjected, "Alright, let's go."
He stood up, leaving Elara to puzzle over the sudden change of heart. The princess promptly followed him, wearing an expression of bewilderment.
Neah pondered how to bring this spar to a swift conclusion, as he had unfinished projects awaiting his attention. He asked her, "Do you want to fight right now? "
Elara responded with a quick and eager "yes."
Neah continued, "Right here, right now? "
She replied without hesitation, "YES! Wait, what? "
He grinned and accepted her challenge, then set the parameters. "Fine, but since we're in a confined space, here are the rules: no magic and no aura. Just pure swordsmanship."
Elara surveyed their surroundings, noting the limited space and the equipment around them that would be easily damaged if they fought recklessly. She reluctantly agreed to the conditions with a nod.
With the rules set, the two of them began their sparring match.
Neah assumed his typical defensive stance, ready to block Elara's initial strikes and launch a counterattack. As Elara launched a head-on assault, her sword clashed with Neah's, but his swift movements deflected her blade upward. Seizing the opportunity, he countered with a wide horizontal slash. Elara managed to dodge the attack by leaping backward.
Neah remained rooted in his spot, once again inviting Elara to press the attack.
Elara wasn't one to back down. She charged forward, her blade aimed at Neah. He parried her strikes skillfully, and with every move, the sound of clashing steel filled the room. Elara displayed her agility, aiming for precision strikes, but Neah's defence held steady.
Their spar continued, a dance of fast-paced strikes, dodges, and counters. Elara's determination was evident in her every move, while Neah's skill and control kept the fight balanced.
With each exchange, they both sought openings in the other's defenses. The intensity of the match heightened as they engaged in their playful yet competitive sparring. Both of them respected the rules they'd set, and their swords met in a flurry of action.
Despite the occasional sparks of frustration, their spar remained lighthearted. Neah had already improved considerably since their last meeting, and Elara admired the dedication he'd put into his training.
As they continued to exchange blows, their camaraderie deepened. The rhythmic clashing of swords echoed in the workshop, and the spectators who had gathered to watch couldn't help but be impressed by the skills of both combatants.
The bout eventually came to an end, with Neah still standing, leaning forward towards Elara, who was on the ground. He looked at her with a sly grin. "Well, why are you on the ground again? "
Elara's cheeks flushed with a mixture of exertion and frustration, but a playful smile curled her lips. "You... You've gotten better, haven't you? "She pushed herself up to sit.
Neah extended a hand to help her to her feet. "Only because I had a good sparring partner. You did well, Princess."
She accepted his hand and rose, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her face. "Let's not wait too long for the next one, Neah. I want a rematch."
Neah chuckled. "I'm looking forward to it. But now, I have to get back to these'scrap' weapons."
With their spar concluded, they had shared a memorable moment, strengthening the bond between them. Neah returned to his work, driven by newfound inspiration, while Elara watched for a moment before taking her leave, her resolve to defeat Neah in their next bout as strong as ever.
Elara's visits to Neah's place of work became a regular occurrence, mirroring the frequency of her requests for sparring sessions. Yet, regardless of the number of bouts they engaged in, the outcome remained consistent: Neah triumphed each time, leaving Elara in the dust.
On the tenth instance of her defeat, Elara couldn't contain her frustration any longer. She slumped to the ground in a fit of pique, her voice filled with vexation. "Ahhhhh! Let me win at least once! How can you even do that? "
Neah couldn't help but chuckle at her outburst. "Just keep practicing, Princess, and one day, I'll receive my defeat from you."
He said these words with a reassuring smile, yet in his heart, he knew the truth. Each time they sparred, Elara grew stronger, her skills sharpening, and her determination unwavering. It was becoming evident that her rapid improvement surpassed his own. The thought crossed his mind that the day she defeated him was drawing closer, even if it seemed a distant prospect. Still, he continued with his work, forging the molten metal as Elara simmered in the background.
As the hammering of metal echoed throughout the workshop, another voice disrupted the peaceful ambience. It was a familiar tone, laced with annoyance.
"Princess! Why are you always coming all the way here just to meet that person? "Neah paid little attention to the interjection, immersed in his craft.
Elara, too accustomed to such complaints, simply sighed and muttered, "It's none of your business."
But the voice wasn't her usual detractors; it was her best friend, Rosalia. As she stepped into the workshop, Elara turned to face her. Rosalia was the daughter of a prominent duke; their family was renowned for their prowess in warfare, particularly their strategic expertise.
"Elara," Rosalia began with a concerned tone, "you are a princess. Please refrain from meeting this man. There are already far too many rumours circulating because of your association with him."
Elara hesitated, torn between the loyalty she felt for her friend and the camaraderie she shared with Neah.
Elara couldn't hide her disappointment and frustration. She whined, "But... He's the only one who can fight me."
Rosalia tried to be reassuring as she said, "Princess, I can fight you instead, so please stop coming to him. It's for your own good."
Elara looked conflicted, torn between her desire for a challenging sparring partner and Rosalia's concerns. As she pondered her decision, the workshop continued to resonate with the rhythmic clinks and clangs of Neah's work, oblivious to the growing dilemmas of the two friends.
Elara's defiance remained unyielding as she looked up nonchalantly, her eyes reflecting the stubbornness of a child who didn't want to listen. "But you can't defeat me. You pose no challenge," she insisted.
Rosalia, taken aback by Elara's stubbornness, couldn't deny the truth in her words. They had indeed sparred countless times, and the balance had always tipped in Elara's favor. Rosalia finally said, "If I don't pose any challenge, how can he? I don't understand, Princess. Then let me have a proper duel with him. I want to see just how skilled he really is."
Elara considered her friend's suggestion and the prospect of finding a worthy opponent. Neah, busy with his work at the forge, continued hammering molten metal, unaware of the unfolding conversation.
As the debate raged on, Elara eventually decided that it would be better to let her friend, Rosalia, experience Neah's skills firsthand rather than blindly defending him. After making her decision, she approached Neah to broach the topic, but he couldn't hear a word over the relentless clanging of his hammer on the molten metal. Elara resorted to shouting, her concern evident on her face. Yet, even her loudest pleas went unanswered.
Growing impatient, Rosalia couldn't bear to see her friend ignored. She drew her sword and pointed it at Neah. The sharp, metallic sound of the blade being unsheathed finally caught his attention. Neah halted his work, his dark eyes focusing on the two young women.
Elara's features displayed her genuine concern as she was about to speak. However, before she could utter a word, Neah stood up and addressed Rosalia with a serious tone. "And who might you be? Are you so important that you need to interfere with my work? "
Rosalia was taken aback for a moment but regained her composure. "I see. No wonder you two get along. I request an official match against you."
Neah raised an eyebrow, a hint of scepticism in his expression. "And why would I accept your request? "
Rosalia held her ground and replied, "Because I want to see what makes the princess think so highly of you."
Neah's gaze shifted to Elara, who suddenly found herself under the weight of his angered scrutiny. She quickly looked away, unable to meet his eyes, while he muttered, "So it's because of you, huh? "
Neah, eager to return to his work, reluctantly agreed and inquired, "Tomorrow afternoon at the training ground. Are you free at that time? "
Rosalia, confirming the arrangement, replied with a determined look, "Yes, tomorrow it is. I'll be waiting for you at the training ground."
After their exchange, Neah resumed his work, focusing once again on the molten metal and the creations he was forging. Elara said her goodbyes to Neah, all the while attempting to drag the somewhat bewildered Rosalia out of the forgery. The door swung shut behind them, returning the workshop to a realm of sparks and solitude where Neah could fully concentrate on his craft.
