The Win

Isabella stands on the edge of the crowd, scratching her head in confusion. 'What the hell is going on? For 10 minutes straight, they were fighting without making physical contact, and now they're fighting making a plant show.' Her bewilderment grows as the intensity of the duel seems to surpass the bounds of a friendly spar. 'The fighting also seems a bit aggressive for a duel,' she thinks, stepping forward with the intention of voicing her concern. She turns to the Elf student with red hair. "Isn't the duel getting too aggres-" Her inquiry is cut short by the elf's cold, disdainful interruption.

"Shut up, you pathetically disgusting human. How dare an ugly thing such as yourself try to stop Aeluinë Lirima," he says, his voice dripping with contempt. He turns back to the platform, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the unfolding spectacle. "A pathetic human like you doesn't deserve to watch this. In fact, the only human that deserves to be here is the one on the platform," he states, his gaze never leaving Lúthien. Internally, he marvels at the sight. 'No matter who it is, no one in the same grade has been able to achieve Aeluinë Lirima with Lúthien. With so few martial artists, and none in the same grade, her achieving Aeluinë Lirima seemed a lost cause. I can't believe she was able to achieve it with a human.' A hidden smile creeps onto his face as he thinks, 'I'm so glad my senior is finally experiencing it.'

Isabella, meanwhile, stands frozen in shock, her mouth agape. Clenching her fists tightly, frustration and anger surge within her. 'Fuck!' she seethes internally, gritting her teeth. 'How dare these lowly elves treat me like a commoner. Dammit, I can't talk back or I'll be sent back.' She remains stationary, her indignation palpable.

Eldarion, observing from a distance, sighs deeply while rubbing his temples, a mixture of emotions playing across his face. He looks towards the platform, a soft smile forming. 'I don't know whether to be angry, in shock, or happy. Lúthien now has someone she can properly train with. In the state of Aeluinë Lirima, her connection to Mother Earth is amplified, allowing her to deepen her connection to nature the longer she's in this state. I was afraid she'd have to give up on entering the trial of Alcarinque.' He exhales slowly, pondering the implications. 'But it's with a human... if word were to get out that a human can use our martial arts, it'll cause a stir.'

V clicks his tongue in frustration, his internal monologue running rampant. 'Tsk, how long is she planning to do this? I've already run out of usable aura, and my mana reserves are dropping quickly.' Despite his dwindling resources, his strikes continue to match Lúthien's, each connection sending small shockwaves of green hue radiating outwards like ripples in a pond. Observing her expression, he thinks, 'She's really smiling like that. I get it, it feels great to enjoy a fight. But right now, I'm not enjoying anything with so many people watching.' He takes a strategic step back, dodging an incoming attack.

"Hey, is this how you plan to treat your guest? The duel is over. I guess I'll be leaving this place soon," V announces in a dissatisfied tone, hoping to conclude the increasingly intense spar. 'That should do it', he muses, seeking an end to the spectacle.

Upon hearing V's words, the smile fades from Lúthien's face as realization dawns on her. 'What's going on? That's right, a duel, with this human.' She ceases her assault, jumping back to create distance. 'The only human who has gone out of his way to respect our traditions and rules.' Embarrassment washes over her as she contemplates her actions.

The elf with violet hair and piercing green eyes begins to protest, "How dare you stop her from!-" But he's swiftly cut off by Lúthien's commanding yet calm voice. "Elrohir, quiet." She then turns to V, her mind filled with self-reproach. 'How unsightly of me. To think I would embarrass myself in front of my juniors. I'm supposed to set an example. This human is by no means normal; he's not part elf but can clearly use our martial arts. Regardless of how he does it, he deserves my thanks.'

Closing her eyes in a gesture of respect, she formally apologizes. "I apologize for my behavior. Despite you being the only human here to show respect for our traditions, I dishonored myself and broke my word, in front of Mother Earth." She then faces Eldarion, her voice steady, "I request to be whipped 100 times for my dishonorable behavior."

Eldarion regards her silently for a few moments before responding. "Lúthien, you are disqualified. For disrespecting Mother Earth, I sentence you to 250 lashes." His decision, though harsh, reflects the gravity of the situation.

"Thank you," Lúthien responds, her acceptance of the punishment evident. She turns to V, a genuine smile on her face. "Please reconsider staying. I acknowledge you and would like to spar with you again," she declares, ensuring her peers hear her acknowledgment and respect for V.

V, managing to hide his emerging smirk, responds, "I don't know about sparring again, but I'll stay here for now."

As Lúthien descends from the stage and the once animated plants begin to settle, V stands amidst the calming environment, anticipating the imminent confrontation. I guess it'll happen right now, he thinks to himself, not without a hint of resignation. Almost on cue, Fëanor taps his stone seat, and in an instant, huge wooden vines erupt from the earth around the platform, effectively isolating V with only Ayla, Fëanor, and Eldarion present. V sighs internally, Ugh, these old men, his internal monologue laced with mild irritation. It shouldn't be too hard to deal with them, he muses, yawning and stretching nonchalantly.

Fëanor, breaking the silence, addresses V directly. "Human, how did you use our martial arts?" His question hangs in the air, underscored by the appearance of dozens of spikes surrounding V. Unperturbed, V examines one of the spikes casually. "Huh? What's the big deal? I just copied her," he responds, his tone dismissive.

Eldarion, with a gaze as cold as ice, counters, "You can't simply just 'copy her.' Our martial arts can only be used by elves." V smirks and shrugs, unfazed. "According to who? I mean, I did, didn't I? You witnessed it." Ayla, sensing V's provocative stance, interjects, "V, please don't make a scene."

V sighs, conceding for the moment. "Alright, alright. I get it," he says before turning his attention back to Fëanor. "I'm a genius. I did use the same technique, but I didn't use the same method." Eldarion raises an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "Hmmm... that should be impossible. No one else has been able to do it..."

Ilka, ever present atop V's head, reacts with outrage. "Huh!? No one else!?" she exclaims, floating around the elf and yelling, "I'm the one who did it! How dare the elves forget me!" As always, her exclamations fall on deaf ears, with only V aware of her presence. V, choosing to ignore her outburst, continues, "It's a difficult method to use. I'm sure some secretive people have been able to achieve it," he says, demonstrating the martial arts with a wave of his hand. "It's really interesting. A martial art that flows with nature."

He then halts, adding, "Unfortunately, if I can use it, there's a certain level I can't achieve." Eldarion smirks, visibly intrigued. "What an interesting human. How did you do it?" V explains, "I can't sense nature; it's impossible for humans to sense nature the same way elves do. So I used a different method. Mana flows around us like a river, I'm sure you can vouch for that," he says, looking at Fëanor. He elaborates, "Everything around us affects the speed, direction, and the density of mana, including everything in nature."

V, tapping his temple and pointing at his head, confidently explains his method. "I can sense mana quite well. All I did was sense how the mana is flowing within a 30-meter radius, I read the flow. It tells me how nature is affecting the mana flow and using the data I collect, I'm able to follow the flow of nature," he elaborates, smirking with a shrug. "Of course, it's also thanks to her for showcasing the martial arts. The Elven martial arts are relatively easy to use, following the flow of nature is the hard part."

Fëanor and Ayla turn to Eldarion for his take on V's revelation. Eldarion, stroking his chin thoughtfully, admits, "I've never considered this option. Indeed, nature is constantly affecting the way mana flows and technically, what you're saying is correct. But in order to achieve it... you need to make constant calculations. You can't stop reading the mana around you, or you'd fail to use the martial arts..." He pauses, his mind racing. 'Is this human insane? How can he possibly process our duel rules, engage in a fast-paced fight, and continuously read, calculate, and understand how nature is flowing...' He rubs his temples, overwhelmed by disbelief.

V smirks, basking in the moment. 'That's right, go ahead and praise me,' he thinks, then adds aloud, "Don't worry, I don't plan to use it or tell others how to use it. It's not really my style; I just felt like trying it out." Ayla sighs, her frustration evident even as she cries internally. 'Ugh... V... why are you doing this to me...'

Fëanor, with one final question, asks, "Why aren't you afraid?" V smiles confidently. "Why should I? There's no way you'd hurt me. The Elven king was the one who proposed the idea to let human students study here for a while. How would the great empire and the other countries react once they hear a student was dealt with due to his curiosity? Even if I'm not a noble, I'm still a student; the academy would not let it go, and you'd give your king a bad image."

Eldarion bursts into laughter, appreciating V's audacity. "Hahahahaha... you've earned my thanks, young boy. Lúthien improved thanks to you. Would you be willing to train with her while you stay here?"

V ponders his next move with a hint of mischief. 'Okay, training with her shouldn't be a problem, but how should I scam these old men?' With a strategic mindset, he lays out his conditions. "I want us all to have our own personal rooms, I want access to the kitchen. I understand that you plan on giving us different schedules, but Lysandra needs to have the same schedule as mine, and if you don't want one of them to cause a scene, I recommend you give Biana the same schedule. And I wish access to the first level of the library. I wish to read the records you have of mana."

Fëanor, tapping his seat, responds with a hint of irritation. "You're demanding a lot." V, undeterred and smiling confidently, retorts, "You as well. Training with her and allowing her to enter that state she was in gives me a headache."

Eldarion considers V's requests. "Most of it seems alright, but to enter the library..." V sighs, proposing a compromise. "Why don't you let that girl watch me while I'm there? I'm only asking for the first level."

"Very well," Eldarion concedes. As the wooden barriers recede into the ground, he declares, "Let them stay in building five." Both elves stand, preparing to leave, when V adds a final plea. "Would you mind letting her go? 250 lashes is a bit harsh."

Fëanor pauses, then responds, "She disrespected a sacred duel. However, since you're willing to show her mercy, it will be dropped to 50. As the winner of the duel, you'll be allowed on the first floor of the library with surveillance," he states calmly before they depart.

Biana approaches V, yawning. "I'm hung-" Her complaint is abruptly cut off as Elrohir pushes her aside, making her fall to the ground. He wipes his hand with a look of disgust. "Ugh, I touched a disgusting thing." Yet, he turns to V with a smile, a sudden change in demeanor. "Yo, thank you so much. I gotta say I'm glad you asked for that. Since Lúthien respects you, I will gladly help you out. Let me know if you need anything," he offers, patting V's shoulder in a gesture of camaraderie.