As the bout drew to an abrupt close, the undeniable disparity in skill between Neah and Rosalia became glaringly evident. Though Rosalia struggled to accept her defeat, she found it within herself to express gratitude to Neah for granting her a second chance, despite her inability to provide him with a truly satisfying challenge.
Before he departed for the forgery, Neah turned to Princess Elara, his expression serious yet compassionate. "Stay by Ms.Rosalia's side for now," he requested, his words carrying a weight of concern for Rosalia's well-being. Princess Elara nodded in understanding, her eyes reflecting both determination and a touch of worry. She placed a reassuring hand on Rosalia's shoulder, silently promising to support her friend through this challenging moment.
In the quiet depths of the forgery, where the clanging of metal on metal was a constant companion, Neah lost himself in the dance of creation. Molten metal flowed like rivers beneath his skilled hands, taking shape and form under his guidance. Forging was not just a craft for him; it was a meditation, a way to channel his thoughts and find solace amidst the hiss of cooling metal.
Time slipped through his fingers like grains of sand, each moment melding into the next until dawn broke, painting the sky in hues of soft orange. Unaware of the passing hours, Neah stirred from his work, his body stiff from the long hours spent hunched over the anvil. With a yawn, he stretched his arms, the crackling of tired muscles a familiar symphony.
Realising the new day had dawned, he decided to leave the comforting confines of the forgery. Neah knew the importance of balance in his life. The morning meant physical training, a ritual he adhered to with unwavering discipline. The training ground called to him like an old friend, promising the familiar embrace of sweat, exertion, and the clarity that came from pushing one's physical limits.
As he stepped out into the crisp morning air, Neah's mind focused on the tasks ahead. The sun kissed his skin, its warmth a welcome sensation, a stark contrast to the coolness of the morning breeze after the searing heat of the forgery. With each step, he felt the world wake up around him. Birds chirped in the trees, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers.
Neah's footsteps were purposeful as he made his way to the training ground, his mind a canvas of thoughts and plans. The routine was a comfort, a rhythm in his life that brought order to the chaos of his thoughts. Little did he know that this day, like so many others, would bring a new constant companion.
As he entered the training ground, Elara exuded her usual energetic and vivacious aura, her spirit unwavering. Rosalia, though still somewhat reserved, made an effort to approach Neah. He acknowledged their greetings with a nod and a warm smile.
"Good morning, Princess, and you too, Ms.Rosalia. It seems that both of you are also eager for some early training."
Elara eagerly responded, "Yes, that's right! So let's have a spar right away, Neah! "Neah met her enthusiasm with a warm but somewhat indifferent smile. "Alright, then. Let's get this over with."
As they walked towards the centre of the training ground, Rosalia hesitated for a moment before speaking up with a hint of reluctance: "Um, can I also ask you, Sr. Neah, for a spar? "
Neah paused for a moment, contemplating Rosalia's request. Before he could respond, Elara eagerly interjected, "Why, yes, of course! That would be fun! "
Neah, knowing that the spar was inevitable, agreed to their request. He decided to establish some ground rules, addressing both Elara and Rosalia. "Alright," he began, "I'll spar with Ms. Rosalia first, and then with the princess. Any objections? "Elara raised her hand and questioned, "But why does she get to fight first? "Neah sighed, his tone patient as he replied, "Princess, if we spar first, I won't be able to fight her."
Neah proceeded to lay out another rule. "Second and last rule," he stated firmly, "no excessive injury. The moment I see blood, we stop." He paused briefly, his gaze fixed on Rosalia. "So, Ms.Rosalia, prepare yourself. We will fight as if it's your last."
As Rosalia assumed her usual fighting stance, poised to engage at a moment's notice, she called upon her regal gaze to better understand Neah. However, to her surprise, Neah diverted his gaze and moved towards the edge of the training ground, selecting a polearm with a mutter of, "Hmm, this should do, I guess." With the polearm in hand, he slowly approached Rosalia, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he spoke, "I've been practicing with a wide variety of weapons lately, so let's see if I've made even a little progress."
Feeling underestimated, Rosalia couldn't help but voice her frustration. "Sr. Neah, I understand that I may not meet your standards yet, but do you still intend to treat me as your target practice? "
Neah assumed a ready stance, positioning the polearm at his back while raising his other hand towards Rosalia in a taunting manner. "Oh, trust me, I don't," he declared, his expression a mix of amusement and confidence.
Rosalia calmed herself, inhaling and exhaling to find her focus. With newfound determination, she lunged towards Neah. He observed her approach and casually remarked, "Same strategy as before? Well, don't mind if I do."
In response, Neah activated his trap magic, "Moving Terrain." Rosalia remained vigilant, her senses sharp. She recalled the advice from the princess.
"I don't know why, but Neah doesn't use flashy spells, so you don't need to worry about big spells like I usually do. But beware of the small movements of his hands because they might indicate that he's casting a spell."
She quickly leaped back, narrowly avoiding the spell that Neah had unleashed. With determination, Rosalia pressed forward again, but before she could advance further, Neah lunged at her with his stave aimed at her stomach. However, she managed to protect herself by enveloping her body with her aura, deflecting the strike.
Neah regarded her curiously as she stood up, and he inquired, "Hey, Ms. Rosalia, looking at your aura, there's no way you can feel the mana around us. Those who've achieved the chromatic stage can do that due to their heightened senses. You, on the other hand, are only in the embryonic stage. So, tell me, how did you manage to avoid my spell? "
Rosalia replied, "Sr. Neah, it's because of a certain someone that I learned some things about you." With her resolve renewed, she pressed the attack once more, but her strikes failed to connect as Neah adeptly deflected each one. She pondered, "Why can't I land a single solid blow, and why does his soul keep changing forms? "In a moment of vulnerability, Neah scored another clean hit on Rosalia.
"It's your loss again, Rosalia," Neah declared as he returned to the corner of the training ground. He picked up another weapon and returned with a short sword and a shield. Continuing, he explained, "The thing here, Rosalia, is that you always keep looking elsewhere and not at your opponent." Rosalia began to protest, saying, "But I—" He interrupted her, "Seriously, you keep looking away, but you still manage to defend and fight properly. It's so puzzling that it amazes me."
Neah stretched his body, tightened the straps of his shield, and swung his sword. After some preparation, he pointed the sword towards Princess Elara. He turned to Rosalia and said, "Let's talk later, Rosalia. There's a dragon that I need to slay first." Neah and Elara began to close the distance between them, increasing their pace with each step.
As they approached each other, Neah asked, "Hey, Princess, how do you want to spar this time? "Elara replied with her usual energetic and enthusiastic tone, "Don't you think you're kind of late asking me that? Well, of course, we go all out." Their swords clashed, creating a burst of mana and aura that exploded between them. Rosalia stood on the other side of the training ground, her eyes wide with amazement. She didn't blink, captivated by the display of skill between the princess and Neah, wanting to witness the full extent of their abilities.
After a few minutes, the spar concluded, and Neah once again stood triumphant. He turned to the princess and reminded her of their bet. "Princess, I won again. Now, do your part of our bet and be quiet for an hour." Elara remained on the ground, frustrated and throwing a tantrum, while Neah walked away. He settled beside Rosalia.
Neah: "So let's continue where we left off. What's the deal when you're fighting? "
Rosalia: "I don't quite understand what you mean."
Neah: "You're supposed to look at your opponent, not look through them."
Rosalia: "It's... It's not something I can just tell anyone."
Neah: "So it's an ability, isn't it? "
Rosalia, taken aback: "Wha-what? No, no, it is not. I don't have any ability or anything."
Neah: "This is why I like honest people."
Their conversation began to peel away the layers of mystery around Rosalia's unique perception, and Neah was eager to learn more.
Neah: "If it's an ability that makes you see something, then don't use it anymore. It's holding back your true capability."
Rosalia: "It doesn't hold me back; it's you who's-"
She stopped herself, realising she had almost revealed her family's secret.
Neah: "If you can't really tell me, then just don't rely on it too much."
The bell rang, signalling that class would start soon. Rosalia stood up immediately and brought the princess along, finding an excuse to leave.
Neah, deep in thought, left the training ground and headed back to his dorm. The encounter with Rosalia had left him pondering, but he knew he had a day of classes ahead. With a sigh, he prepared himself for the challenges the day would bring, his mind still lingering on the enigmatic abilities of the Lionhart family.
As the bout drew to an abrupt close, the undeniable disparity in skill between Neah and Rosalia became glaringly evident. Though Rosalia struggled to accept her defeat, she found it within herself to express gratitude to Neah for granting her a second chance, despite her inability to provide him with a truly satisfying challenge.
Before he departed for the forgery, Neah turned to Princess Elara, his expression serious yet compassionate. "Stay by Ms.Rosalia's side for now," he requested, his words carrying a weight of concern for Rosalia's well-being. Princess Elara nodded in understanding, her eyes reflecting both determination and a touch of worry. She placed a reassuring hand on Rosalia's shoulder, silently promising to support her friend through this challenging moment.
In the quiet depths of the forgery, where the clanging of metal on metal was a constant companion, Neah lost himself in the dance of creation. Molten metal flowed like rivers beneath his skilled hands, taking shape and form under his guidance. Forging was not just a craft for him; it was a meditation, a way to channel his thoughts and find solace amidst the hiss of cooling metal.
Time slipped through his fingers like grains of sand, each moment melding into the next until dawn broke, painting the sky in hues of soft orange. Unaware of the passing hours, Neah stirred from his work, his body stiff from the long hours spent hunched over the anvil. With a yawn, he stretched his arms, the crackling of tired muscles a familiar symphony.
Realising the new day had dawned, he decided to leave the comforting confines of the forgery. Neah knew the importance of balance in his life. The morning meant physical training, a ritual he adhered to with unwavering discipline. The training ground called to him like an old friend, promising the familiar embrace of sweat, exertion, and the clarity that came from pushing one's physical limits.
As he stepped out into the crisp morning air, Neah's mind focused on the tasks ahead. The sun kissed his skin, its warmth a welcome sensation, a stark contrast to the coolness of the morning breeze after the searing heat of the forgery. With each step, he felt the world wake up around him. Birds chirped in the trees, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers.
Neah's footsteps were purposeful as he made his way to the training ground, his mind a canvas of thoughts and plans. The routine was a comfort, a rhythm in his life that brought order to the chaos of his thoughts. Little did he know that this day, like so many others, would bring a new constant companion.
As he entered the training ground, Elara exuded her usual energetic and vivacious aura, her spirit unwavering. Rosalia, though still somewhat reserved, made an effort to approach Neah. He acknowledged their greetings with a nod and a warm smile.
"Good morning, Princess, and you too, Ms.Rosalia. It seems that both of you are also eager for some early training."
Elara eagerly responded, "Yes, that's right! So let's have a spar right away, Neah! "Neah met her enthusiasm with a warm but somewhat indifferent smile. "Alright, then. Let's get this over with."
As they walked towards the centre of the training ground, Rosalia hesitated for a moment before speaking up with a hint of reluctance: "Um, can I also ask you, Sr. Neah, for a spar? "
Neah paused for a moment, contemplating Rosalia's request. Before he could respond, Elara eagerly interjected, "Why, yes, of course! That would be fun! "
Neah, knowing that the spar was inevitable, agreed to their request. He decided to establish some ground rules, addressing both Elara and Rosalia. "Alright," he began, "I'll spar with Ms. Rosalia first, and then with the princess. Any objections? "Elara raised her hand and questioned, "But why does she get to fight first? "Neah sighed, his tone patient as he replied, "Princess, if we spar first, I won't be able to fight her."
Neah proceeded to lay out another rule. "Second and last rule," he stated firmly, "no excessive injury. The moment I see blood, we stop." He paused briefly, his gaze fixed on Rosalia. "So, Ms.Rosalia, prepare yourself. We will fight as if it's your last."
As Rosalia assumed her usual fighting stance, poised to engage at a moment's notice, she called upon her regal gaze to better understand Neah. However, to her surprise, Neah diverted his gaze and moved towards the edge of the training ground, selecting a polearm with a mutter of, "Hmm, this should do, I guess." With the polearm in hand, he slowly approached Rosalia, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he spoke, "I've been practicing with a wide variety of weapons lately, so let's see if I've made even a little progress."
Feeling underestimated, Rosalia couldn't help but voice her frustration. "Sr. Neah, I understand that I may not meet your standards yet, but do you still intend to treat me as your target practice? "
Neah assumed a ready stance, positioning the polearm at his back while raising his other hand towards Rosalia in a taunting manner. "Oh, trust me, I don't," he declared, his expression a mix of amusement and confidence.
Rosalia calmed herself, inhaling and exhaling to find her focus. With newfound determination, she lunged towards Neah. He observed her approach and casually remarked, "Same strategy as before? Well, don't mind if I do."
In response, Neah activated his trap magic, "Moving Terrain." Rosalia remained vigilant, her senses sharp. She recalled the advice from the princess.
"I don't know why, but Neah doesn't use flashy spells, so you don't need to worry about big spells like I usually do. But beware of the small movements of his hands because they might indicate that he's casting a spell."
She quickly leaped back, narrowly avoiding the spell that Neah had unleashed. With determination, Rosalia pressed forward again, but before she could advance further, Neah lunged at her with his stave aimed at her stomach. However, she managed to protect herself by enveloping her body with her aura, deflecting the strike.
Neah regarded her curiously as she stood up, and he inquired, "Hey, Ms. Rosalia, looking at your aura, there's no way you can feel the mana around us. Those who've achieved the chromatic stage can do that due to their heightened senses. You, on the other hand, are only in the embryonic stage. So, tell me, how did you manage to avoid my spell? "
Rosalia replied, "Sr. Neah, it's because of a certain someone that I learned some things about you." With her resolve renewed, she pressed the attack once more, but her strikes failed to connect as Neah adeptly deflected each one. She pondered, "Why can't I land a single solid blow, and why does his soul keep changing forms? "In a moment of vulnerability, Neah scored another clean hit on Rosalia.
"It's your loss again, Rosalia," Neah declared as he returned to the corner of the training ground. He picked up another weapon and returned with a short sword and a shield. Continuing, he explained, "The thing here, Rosalia, is that you always keep looking elsewhere and not at your opponent." Rosalia began to protest, saying, "But I—" He interrupted her, "Seriously, you keep looking away, but you still manage to defend and fight properly. It's so puzzling that it amazes me."
Neah stretched his body, tightened the straps of his shield, and swung his sword. After some preparation, he pointed the sword towards Princess Elara. He turned to Rosalia and said, "Let's talk later, Rosalia. There's a dragon that I need to slay first." Neah and Elara began to close the distance between them, increasing their pace with each step.
As they approached each other, Neah asked, "Hey, Princess, how do you want to spar this time? "Elara replied with her usual energetic and enthusiastic tone, "Don't you think you're kind of late asking me that? Well, of course, we go all out." Their swords clashed, creating a burst of mana and aura that exploded between them. Rosalia stood on the other side of the training ground, her eyes wide with amazement. She didn't blink, captivated by the display of skill between the princess and Neah, wanting to witness the full extent of their abilities.
After a few minutes, the spar concluded, and Neah once again stood triumphant. He turned to the princess and reminded her of their bet. "Princess, I won again. Now, do your part of our bet and be quiet for an hour." Elara remained on the ground, frustrated and throwing a tantrum, while Neah walked away. He settled beside Rosalia.
Neah: "So let's continue where we left off. What's the deal when you're fighting? "
Rosalia: "I don't quite understand what you mean."
Neah: "You're supposed to look at your opponent, not look through them."
Rosalia: "It's... It's not something I can just tell anyone."
Neah: "So it's an ability, isn't it? "
Rosalia, taken aback: "Wha-what? No, no, it is not. I don't have any ability or anything."
Neah: "This is why I like honest people."
Their conversation began to peel away the layers of mystery around Rosalia's unique perception, and Neah was eager to learn more.
Neah: "If it's an ability that makes you see something, then don't use it anymore. It's holding back your true capability."
Rosalia: "It doesn't hold me back; it's you who's-"
She stopped herself, realising she had almost revealed her family's secret.
Neah: "If you can't really tell me, then just don't rely on it too much."
The bell rang, signalling that class would start soon. Rosalia stood up immediately and brought the princess along, finding an excuse to leave.
Neah, deep in thought, left the training ground and headed back to his dorm. The encounter with Rosalia had left him pondering, but he knew he had a day of classes ahead. With a sigh, he prepared himself for the challenges the day would bring, his mind still lingering on the enigmatic abilities of the Lionhart family.
