The moment Aurelion leaped towards Ylva, a fleeting expression of panic flashed in the young Silverfang girl's eyes. She quickly roll sideways.
"Damn! Our princess is agile as a cat!" Faelan shouted.
Ylva, her back still to the ground, seeing Aurelion coming over her, instinctively lifted one of her legs and delivered a hard kick.
Though the kick landed in Aurelion's abdomen, the child seemed largely unaffected by the force of the blow. On the contrary, he caught Ylva's foot in mid air and, gripping it tightly, pulled her towards him. Ylva lost her balance and sat down harder on the ground.
"Let go of me, you filth!" Ylva shouted, trying to deliver another kick towards Aurelion with her other leg.
"What's happening! This has turned into a complete street brawl! Our whelp Elf has grabbed our princess's leg! What will happen now? Will he bite her leg?"
Aurelion easily dodged Ylva's second kick because he had already closed in on her. He moved between Ylva's legs, putting her in a more vulnerable position, and leaning over her, threw several quick punches.
Ylva managed to avoid these punches by skillfully moving her head left and right. Then Ylva, in a final effort to escape Aurelion's pressure, pulled both her feet towards herself and, with all her strength, pushed against Aurelion's chest.
This powerful push momentarily forced Aurelion back and gave Ylva a small opportunity to get to her feet. She turned over onto her stomach and quickly tried to straighten up.
However, Aurelion was at least as fast as she was. Just as Ylva was getting to her knees, Aurelion reached out, grabbed the girl's wrist, and pulled her towards him again.
Ylva, narrowly avoiding a face-first fall by placing her hands on the ground, was now on all fours.
"Oh no! Our princess is on the ground again! But our poor fellow isn't exactly gentle either! He's literally knocking the girl around!"
Sigrid looked at Ylva with concern, while a complex expression had appeared on Brynja's face. It was clear she didn't quite approve of this way of fighting. Especially treating a girl like this hadn't pleased her.
Roric, however, was still leaning against the wall, watching silently with an expressionless face.
Aurelion pulled Ylva towards him once more and this time managed to grab her from behind. Though Ylva's arms were free, Aurelion's strong grip largely immobilized her.
Ylva's face was flushed crimson with a mixture of anger and shame.
"Fight properly, you animal!"
Aurelion, gripping Ylva even tighter from behind, leaned towards her ear. "You're the one who can't fight properly. You don't seem to know how to wrestle."
Ylva, further enraged by these words, sent a hard elbow strike backward.
However, Aurelion seemed to have anticipated this move. He caught Ylva's elbow in mid-air just before it reached its target.
Aurelion quickly twisted Ylva's arm. Ylva was forced to turn with the pain in her arm.
Aurelion, taking advantage of this turn, pushed her forward, and Ylva once again fell onto her back.
As Ylva tried to push Aurelion away with her other arm, Aurelion quickly grabbed the wrist of her other arm, twisted it slightly, and pinned it to the ground as well.
Now both of Ylva's arms were being firmly pressed to the ground by Aurelion. She struggled, trying to break free, but Aurelion was sitting on her with all his weight, looking at her with a triumphant smirk.
Ylva was completely helpless in this position. Her face was purple with shame and anger.
"WHOA! WHOA! WHOA!" Faelan started shouting, jumping up and down where he stood. "This... this is officially... Are you crazy, lad?! You literally climbed on top of the girl! What kind of fighting style is this?"
Sigrid and Brynja, however, seemed unable to bear this last sight any longer. Both Brynja and Sigrid started to look at Aurelion angrily.
Faelan, after composing himself a bit, stepped forward with the air of a referee. "Yes, ladies and gentlemen! I think... I think we have a winner! Our Silverfang princess is practically trapped! And our poor Elf... well, he's just sitting on top of her! So then..." Faelan took a deep breath, raising his hand in the air. "The fight-"
Faelan's voice suddenly cut off, his hand suspended in mid-air.
Ylva looked at Faelan's sudden silence and frozen state in bewilderment, then turned back to Aurelion, who was still pinning her down. "Damn you, Elf! Get off me!" she hissed.
Faelan suddenly came to. "Stop? What stop? The fight is just beginning! Let's see who eats whom!"
Just then, Roric's voice filled the room "That's enough."
Faelan immediately pretended to be serious, chuckling lightly. "Of course, Captain, I was just kidding. Yes, yes, I think that's enough too."
He squinted at Aurelion and Ylva. "The winner... I suppose the one who fought very fairly and civilly... who treated his opponent with great respect..."
As Brynja, Sigrid, and Ylva shot Faelan death glares, Faelan decided to cut it short.
With Faelan snapping both his hands "Anyway, break it up,"
As he lightly waved his hands towards Aurelion and Ylva, two separate, light gusts of wind shot out from his fingertips.
These waves struck Aurelion and Ylva, knocking them both slightly backward and separating them.
Aurelion and Ylva, startled by this sudden and unexpected intervention, turned to Faelan.
There was a mixture of surprise and anger on both their faces. After the Roric's intervention, they definitely hadn't expected something like this.
"This man…" Aurelion thought inwardly.
Faelan being assigned by Roric to keep an eye on him in the White Frost Clan and the occasional seriousness he displayed had already signaled that he was no ordinary person. But to be able to create such wind waves by casually waving his hands… This had even caught Aurelion's attention. Faelan was much more skilled than he appeared.
"Alright!" Faelan said, with a casual air as if what he had just done was the most normal thing in the world.
"Now that I've separated you, it's time to determine the winner of this legendary fight! I wonder which one of you won this epic battle?"
Then he suddenly pointed his finger at Aurelion. "The winner… is poor Elf Aurelion!"
Just then, Brynja and Sigrid, ignoring Faelan's last comment, quickly went to Ylva's side.
The young Silverfang girl's hair was disheveled, her clothes were wrinkled, and that expression of shame and anger was still on her face.
Brynja gently took Ylva's arm, while Sigrid worriedly asked if she was alright.
Aurelion, however, ignored Faelan's meaningless declaration of victory. His attention was still on the wind manipulation Faelan had just displayed.
Roric slowly moved away from his place against the wall and approached them.
Ylva, briefly thanking Brynja and Sigrid, got to her feet with their support.
Her gaze first turned to Aurelion, then especially to Faelan.
Faelan, seeing Ylva's murderous glare, immediately stepped back. "Alright, alright!" he said, raising his hands as if surrendering. "If you want, we can call it a draw, I think? Or best two out of three wins? What do you say?"
Roric, cutting off Faelan's latest nonsense with a look, came to stand in front of Ylva.
"Ylva Silverfang. You fought bravely and didn't give up until the very end. You displayed a spirit worthy of your clan. Your techniques, your speed, and especially that counter-attack you made at the last moment were truly impressive. Congratulations."
Ylva seemed to have calmed down somewhat by Roric's words.
The sharp anger on her face had softened a bit. She brought her hand to her chest and saluted Roric. "Thank you, Captain."
Roric continued. "You also made mistakes, and I don't think I need to point them out to you one by one."
Ylva nodded in agreement with Roric. Then her eyes shifted back to Aurelion.
"Oh dear!" Faelan whispered, as if a new storm was about to break.
Ylva, ignoring Faelan, took a few steps towards Aurelion and stopped right in front of him. Unexpectedly, she extended her hand towards Aurelion.
Aurelion wasn't expected reaction like that. Then, looking at the girl, he too extended his hand and shook Ylva's.
"At first," Ylva said. "I came to understand the truth of what Falkar said about you. And I challenged you because I thought you might be someone strong."
She took a deep breath. "And it was true. I know you can use energy, and yet you didn't even use it against me. I clearly learned my shortcomings in this fight. For accepting my challenge... thank you."
Aurelion, though the girl was still visibly angry, inwardly appreciated this mature attitude she displayed. "I didn't think you could be this skilled, Ylva Silverfang," he said honestly. "You surprised me."
They withdrew their hands. "Hmph. Don't get relax, Elf," she said.
"Or next time, you won't even understand how I surpassed you."
Then she turned to Roric and saluted once more. "With your permission, Captain."
Roric nodded to Sigrid and Brynja. "You can stop by again anytime, Ylva," he said.
Ylva nodded and, accompanied by Brynja and Sigrid, left the training room.
The silence was broken, as usual, by Faelan. "You fight very well, lad! You literally knocked that girl around, wiped the floor with her! Did you know they were talking about that girl as the future genius of their clan?"
Aurelion paid no mind to Faelan's exaggerated praise. In his mind, Ylva's counter-attack that had struck his chin and the mature attitude she displayed afterward were still present. "She fought well," he said calmly.
Roric looked at Aurelion, raising an eyebrow. "You don't usually praise anyone so easily, brat."
Aurelion turned to the Captain. A smile on his face. "If I didn't say that someone who landed that punch on me fought well, I'd be insulting myself, Captain."
"Ooooh!" Faelan exclaimed, clapping his hands. "What confidence, lad! You're practically oozing arrogance! But let's give credit where it's due, you were the one who just floored that silver haired princess!"
Aurelion, ignoring Faelan, looked at Roric again. "I think the Silverfang Clan has wised up, Captain."
Faelan looked at Aurelion curiously, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean, lad?"
"After I visited the White Frost Clan, they made a less audacious, more indirect, and more… natural plan. This girl's arrival felt more like a probe and perhaps a step to draw me to their side, rather than a direct threat or pressure."
Faelan nodded. "So you're saying this little lady's arrival was all part of a plan? The girl clearly wanted to fight you, she seemed to have come of her own accord."
Aurelion shrugged. "I visited the Silverfang Clan about two or three weeks ago. Why didn't this girl come during that time, but came right after I visited the White Frost Clan and things started stirring between the clans? The timing is significant."
Faelan chuckled lightly. "Logical… Very logical, lad! That little brain of yours works like poison!"
Roric took a step towards Aurelion. "Well then, brat. Did you like the Silverfangs' natural plan?"
"The girl was really good technically, Captain. Especially that counter-attack… But overall,"
Roric completed his sentence. "But overall, even though the girl might surpass you in technique and speed, your fighting instinct, adaptability, and those ruthless wrestling skills allowed you to win this fight."
His eyes met Aurelion's. "This girl will face you much more prepared and stronger in the future. It's certain she will challenge you more."
A faint smirk appeared on Aurelion's face. "We'll see, Captain." Then he paused for a moment. "But these techniques… they seemed a bit strange to me. I mean, yes, Ylva fought well, her technique was effective, but at the same time… it was a bit absurd. As if something was missing. Even with my own martial arts, I was able to easily handle that Serial Claw Technique."
"You're right, brat," Roric said. "But not entirely." Aurelion looked at him curiously.
"Traditional Northern techniques like the Northern Mountain Stance I taught you and the Serial Claw Technique Ylva used can only show their full potential with the use of internal energy."
"These techniques are designed for energy to follow specific pathways in the body and focus on strikes. If energy is used appropriately with these techniques and in the right amount, that's when they begin to show their true power. You countered this girl's Serial Claw Technique, yes. But when that girl starts to combine that technique with her own internal energy, each of her attacks will become as sharp as a dagger, reaching the power to pierce you."
The void in Aurelion's mind was suddenly filled by Roric's words. He instantly grasped what the Captain meant. These seemingly traditional techniques were actually channels for directing energy. With this knowledge, his interest in these techniques instantly multiplied.
His own sparks came to mind. What would happen if he could combine that energy with these techniques?
That familiar, cunning smirk reappeared on his face. "So you're saying, Captain, that you taught me a technique that this girl learned when she was four. Perhaps it's time for a new technique?"
"Yes, brat. It's time for new techniques, but until you manage to fill those balloons without popping a single one and can properly channel your energy to the tip of that spear, you won't be expecting a new technique."
"The Serial Claw Technique they taught this girl is one of the Silverfang Clan's techniques and is suitable for her genetic heritage and energy structure. Later, when she starts to fully use her energy, she will easily adapt to that technique. But your circumstances are not the same as this girl's, brat. Your energy is different, your potential is different. These basic techniques I taught you are just a tool, a foundation for your own unique energy use. Without solidifying that foundation, without fully mastering the control of your internal energy, more complex techniques I teach you will only harm you, hinder your development."
"Absolutely!" Faelan interjected, suddenly serious and nodding his head. "The Captain is one hundred percent right, lad! Energy matters are no joke! One wrong move, poof! You're gone!"
Roric turned to Faelan. "Thanks for your help, Faelan,"
Faelan puffed out his chest proudly. "Anytime, Captain, always! It's my duty!"
Then Roric gestured towards the door with his hand.
Faelan's face fell. "Don't do this, Captain! I practically just arrived! Since I managed to get a day off from the Guild Leader, let me slack off here a bit longer. I swear I'm about to puke from analyzing those stupid Cores!"
"Analysis?" Aurelion asked.
"Yes, lad!" Faelan said, his face instantly brightening at finding an excuse to change the subject.
"Didn't Captain Roric tell you? These Cores, you know, those shiny, magical things that come out of those terrifying monsters… Of course, we have the same thing inside us too, you get it. Anyway, these Cores aren't just ornaments, of course! They're used in many fields. Weapon making, Rune crafting, potions… But these Cores befo-"
Roric, continued. "Before they are used, especially the valuable ones, they are carefully analyzed, brat. Their type of energy, potential, possible effects, which materials they are compatible with, such properties are examined and discovered in detail. Only after this analysis is the true value and application areas of a Core fully revealed."
Then he looked at Faelan again, who was preparing to continue his speech. "Get lost."
Faelan shrugged and headed for the door. "Alright, alright… But I'll stay longer next time, just so you know!" And he left the room laughing.
When the door closed behind him, Aurelion looked for a moment at the spot where Faelan had exited "He's a trustworthy person."
"You think so, brat?"
Aurelion nodded. "He might be a bit tactless and flippant, but he can step up in difficult moments. He was truly brave against Clan Leader Morwenna."
Roric smirked slightly. "Faelan is one of the few people I trust in this city. He doesn't look like someone to be taken seriously from the outside, and he doesn't easily want to get involved in dangerous business. But whenever we have to deal with dangerous business, he unexpectedly appears and somehow saves the situation. He's skilled."
"What exactly are these Guilds, Captain? He mentioned being from the Compass Guild when we were going to the White Frost Clan earlier."
"You can think of them like clans, brat, but the conditions for joining are looser, and they are not as restrictive as clans. They are usually structures where people with a certain skill or area of expertise come together, share information and resources, and sometimes undertake joint tasks."
"Didn't the clans oppose such a formation, Captain? Didn't they see it as a threat to their own power and authority?"
"If it's an order from the world you live in, no, they can't oppose it, brat."
Aurelion's brows furrowed more
Roric continued. "Strengthening policies… I've mentioned this to you before. After the Great War, all peoples and structures on the continent need to prepare against possible new threats by maximizing their potential. Guilds are also part of this strengthening policy. This, you could say, is the will of the world, the orders of Primordia."
Just as Aurelion opened his mouth to ask more questions, Roric raised his hand, stopping him.
"I'll explain these to you later, brat. Not now."
He gestured with his eyes towards the boxes full of balloons in the corner of the room. "You didn't buy those balloon boxes for nothing. Save your questions until after you've completed the tasks I gave you. Then, I will also answer these topics you're curious about."
Roric began to leave the room without saying anything else. When he reached the door, he paused, looking at Aurelion. "And remember, brat. Those balloons are just the beginning." And he left the room.
Aurelion stared after the Captain for a while. There was so much he needed to learn. But Roric was right, his priority for now was different.
He walked towards the balloon filled boxes. He opened one of them and took one of the balloon in his hand.
He looked at the deflated latex piece with a disgust.
These simple, seemingly foolish objects were one of the biggest obstacles on his path to controlling his internal energy. And he was absolutely determined to overcome this obstacle.
After staring at the balloon for a while. "My greatest enemy," he murmured to himself.
"I'm back."
Then he paused for a moment, a expression of surprise mixed with amusement on his face.
"It seems Faelan's nonsense is infectious."