260 Class Chat

Isadora picks up speed, her focus sharpened, as she dashes towards Professor Aelendir with renewed vigor. The professor, with practiced ease, deflects her relentless assaults, eventually lifting her off her feet with a gentle but firm push. "That's enough," he declares, a hint of concern in his tone. "I'm afraid you'll destroy this place if we continue. This field isn't designed for sparring at such intensity." Isadora lands gracefully, a slight huff of breath her only concession to the exertion, as she strides off the field.

Kael watches her approach, a thumbs-up ready to greet her, followed by the offering of a bottle filled with coconut water. 'She's doing great, just needs to...' His thought trails off as he scans the surroundings, catching the unmistakable chill of disapproval from the elves. Their glares, icy and unwelcoming, are directed at Isadora. 'What...? Why are they glaring at her?' His gaze flicks to Lúthien, seeking answers, only to find her evasively looking away. 'What the hell did she do?' he wonders, before directly addressing Lúthien, "Hey Lú, why is everyone glaring at her?"

Lúthien, caught off guard, fumbles for a response. "Hmm? I-I have no idea," she claims, her voice tinged with feigned ignorance.

Professor Aelendir, seizing the moment to redirect the class's focus, claps his hands, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Settle down, everyone. Save the romance for after class," he jests, his smirk directed at Lúthien, before shifting the topic to the lesson at hand. "Everyone here is familiar with physical enhancements, yes?" He paces leisurely among the students, engaging them with his presence. "Coating your body in mana or aura is the most basic form of enhancement. Whether for defense, strength, improved vision, or flexibility, it's all quite rudimentary."

He pauses, his gaze sweeping over the class before settling on Kael and Isadora. "This next advancement is specific to mana users," he continues, his smile polite yet apologetic. "I'm afraid I have no equivalent method for aura practitioners. It would be best for you to refrain from attempting this until you return to your human territories."

Kael exhales sharply, a mix of frustration and concern lacing his breath. 'Dammit... Why do they hate Isadora so much? Looks like I'll need to adjust my strategy. A "friendly" chat with Lúthien after class seems inevitable now.' Turning to Isadora, he speaks in a low, hurried tone, "You won't be able to learn anything today, so can you head back? I'm worried Biana and Lysandra might stir up trouble." 

Isadora, her usual impassive self, nods in understanding and begins to walk away. However, she pauses mid-stride, turning back to face Kael with a determined look. "You need to train with me today," she states plainly, her voice carrying an uncharacteristic edge of insistence. Without waiting for a response, she turns on her heel and strides away, oblivious—or perhaps indifferent—to the cold stares piercing her back from the gathered elves.

Kael watches her leave, then turns back to Professor Aelendir, offering an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that, but it's best she leaves for now," he explains. The professor nods in agreement, "That's fine," and continues with the lesson, his demeanor unaffected by the brief interruption.

"Coating your body, without clear intent, is a crude practice," Professor Aelendir elaborates, moving through the class with a teacher's grace. "To maximize efficiency, the purpose of your enhancement must be clear before you begin. The density and flow speed of mana are critical factors. Achieve perfection in these areas, and you'll see an efficiency increase of up to 71%."

He approaches a large boulder, a physical testament to the lesson's practical applications. "Then, there's the master level," he continues, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "At this stage, external coating becomes unnecessary. Enlightenment allows for the internal circulation of mana just beneath the skin, enhancing both destructive power and mana conservation." With a casual tap of his hand, he demonstrates, puncturing the boulder with ease, leaving a clean hole through its center.

Turning back to the class, his smile broadens as he makes eye contact with Lúthien. "For generations, my family has specialized in body enhancements. I'm here to guide you as you practice." He gestures, and a magic circle materializes, floating gently before him. "First, memorize this. It will circulate mana across your body, adjusting the density and speed based on your objectives. Though invaluable, reliance on this tool should be avoided."

Professor Aelendir addresses the class with a constructive suggestion, "You may choose a partner and discuss your thoughts with each other." His gaze momentarily settles on Lúthien, imparting a piece of advice, "Being open-minded will help you in the long run." With a final clap of his hands, he encourages, "Now please have fun."

Kael mentally braces himself, 'Ugh... Here goes the cliché exchange,' suppressing the urge to roll his eyes at the predictable setup. As Professor Aelendir approaches Lúthien with a congenial smile, offering personalized assistance, "Lúthien, since you're always ahead of everyone else, why don't I help you out?"

Lúthien, seizing the moment, responds with a warm smile, "Oh how kind of you~" She then strategically hugs Kael's arm and leans on him, creating a display of closeness, "But I'm sorry, Professor, V and I already have plans~" This act prompts a ripple of whispers among their classmates, all eyes darting between them.

The professor, undeterred, turns his attention to Kael, probing, "She's not forcing you into anything, right V? I know she can be very... enthusiastic and a bit out of control." Kael, seizing the narrative, pulls her closer in a convincing display of camaraderie, caressing her arm before interlocking hands. "Of course not. Lúthien and I..." He trails off momentarily, choosing his words with deliberate care, "We've gotten really close the past two days." His voice softens, accompanied by a suggestive wink at her, reveling in the mischievous joy of his own performance, 'Hmhmhmhmhahahaha, how do you like my acting, huh? If you're going to drag me into your drama, let's do it with flair.'

Lúthien, meanwhile, struggles to keep her composure, her thoughts racing in a tumultuous whirl, 'H-huh? What is going on? W-what is he doing? W-wait, don't tell me he likes me...' Her facade nearly crumbles under the unexpected twist, leaving her grappling with her own bewildering feelings.

The surrounding students, taken aback by this sudden development, can barely contain their reactions, with shock etched on their faces and giggles breaking from the girls. The professor, after a brief moment of scrutinizing Kael with an icy stare, relents with a smile, conceding, "I see. It's great to see you two getting along."

Kael, maintaining his composed facade, turns to Professor Aelendir with a respectful nod, "Please excuse us, Professor Aelendir, we're going to have some... one-on-one training." The professor, with a hint of amusement, responds, "Please have fun," before diverting his attention back to the class.

Kael, seizing the moment, winks at the intrigued girls and firmly pulls Lúthien away, their hands intertwined. The background fills with the whispered speculations and suppressed giggles of their classmates. As they distance themselves, Kael's thoughts sharpen, 'Now it's time to find out what she did.'

He leads her to a secluded spot, ensuring privacy for their impending confrontation. With a swift movement, he pins her against the wall, his voice dropping to a whisper, "You've been a bad girl, Lú..." His hand traces her jawline, eliciting a visible reaction as her face blooms with an intense blush, "T-there's a m-misunderstanding," she stammers, flustered by the sudden intensity.

Kael clicks his tongue, feigning disappointment, "Tsk, tsk, tsk." He continues the act, circling a finger on her cheek, "I don't appreciate being played with, but I've overlooked it since I need access to the library. However, having everyone glare at Isadora like that... that's unacceptable, you understand?" Her blush deepens, misunderstanding his intent, "S-so you don't like me..." she mumbles, barely audible.

He raises an eyebrow, genuinely surprised by her conclusion, "Huh?" She quickly recovers, "N-nothing. When did you find out what I'm doing?"

Kael exhales, a mix of frustration and resolution in his voice, "You're too obvious. Now, if you want me to continue this charade, you'll need to rectify whatever you said about Isadora, got it?" Regaining her composure, Lúthien nods rapidly, "Y-yes, yes, okay, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. C-can you step back? You're too close."

Before Kael can respond, a teasing voice floats down from above, "Hmhm~ Look what we have here~ Two little lovebirds~" They both look up to find a figure lounging on the roof, capturing their attention with her unique appearance. Her eyes shimmer with a vibrant shade of electric blue, contrasting starkly against her lavender hair, which cascades down in an intricate braid adorned with shimmering beads. The sunlight catches on her distinctive silver earrings, shaped like tiny, intricate leaves, adding to her mesmerizing beauty.

Lúthien's reaction is immediate and steeped in shock; she hastily pushes Kael away, her voice a mix of urgency and reverence, "G-get on your knees!" She herself bows deeply, proclaiming with utmost respect, "It's a pleasure to meet Your Highness." Her eyes flick upwards, stealing glances at the figure above them.

The figure, lounging with an air of casual royalty, smirks down at them, her voice laced with amusement, "Hm Hm Hm~ How interesting, forbidden love between an elf and a human~" Her gaze, playful yet piercing, locks onto Kael.

Kael, for his part, manages only a sigh and a respectful bow, "It's a pleasure to meet you." The figure observes his demeanor, her amusement evident in the smile she can no longer contain. With a graceful roll, she descends from her perch, falling in front of Kael. Kael, instinctively stepping back, narrowly avoids rolling his eyes at the dramatic entrance.

The moment Lúthien attempts to intervene, the individual inadvertently falls onto her. From her position atop Lúthien, she frowns up at Kael, her curiosity piqued, "Do you know who I am?"

Kael, unfazed by the theatrics, responds with calculated calm, "Of course, Your Highness. There are only three individuals apart from the king himself who are referred to as Highness: the queen, the prince, and the princess. Given your distinctive appearance, I would surmise you're the princess."

Her interest piqued, she challenges, "So why didn't you catch me?" Kael's reply is disarmingly straightforward, "That's simple. You're a dick." Lúthien, mortified by his audacity, trembles on the ground, urging him, "Apologize, you idiot!"

The princess pauses, her expression unreadable for a fleeting moment before she erupts into laughter, "Pfffhahahahaha. You're funny~" She affectionately pats Lúthien's head, "I see why you like this boy." Standing, she assists Lúthien to her feet, brushing her off with a gentle firmness. "I-I can do it myself, Your Highness," Lúthien protests, but the princess insists, "You be quiet. It's my fault you're covered in dust."

Once Lúthien is dust-free, the princess turns her attention back to Kael, delivering a pat on his back that is anything but gentle. "Okay, human boy, I'm sorry for interrupting your lovey-dovey time, but I need you to lead me to Ayla."

Kael addresses Lúthien with a firm tone, ensuring his point is clear, "I'll talk to you later, remember to fix the mess you made." He waves dismissively at Lúthien as he starts to walk away, leaving her to contemplate her next actions.

The princess watches the exchange with an amused smirk, trailing behind Kael. She playfully grabs his shoulders, leaning in, "Ah~ to be young and in love~ Hehehehe." She manipulates his posture, forcing him to face her, "So tell me, I heard you humans arrived just a day or two ago. How did you manage to make her fall for you? Hmm~?"

Kael exhales, the weight of the situation pressing down on him, "It's not like that, we're not dating, and we're certainly not in love." Despite his clarification, the princess hides her grin behind her hand, teasingly doubting his denial, "Sure~ Sure~ Whatever you say~"

Trying to maintain his composure, Kael internally reminds himself, 'I need to calm down. As much as I want to punch her, this is not the place.' Despite his efforts, she continues to ruffle his hair, leaning in to whisper mischievously, "Don't worry, I fully support you two. It'll be fun to see those old geezers go crazy~" Her smirk widens, clearly entertained by the prospect of chaos.

Kael proceeds to walk, his face a mask of impassivity, as he contemplates the situation, 'It's like dealing with a toddler...'