After a grueling month of community service, Isla finally received her release, much to the astonishment of the gardener who had witnessed her relentless productivity throughout the entire duration. Exhaustion etched lines of fatigue across her face as she declared, "Sylveria, I need food." and promptly collapsed face-first onto the cold tile floor in a comically exaggerated display of physical depletion. Isao, equally drained from her own community service endeavors, struggled to catch her breath as she panted heavily beside her friend. The effort to match Isla's breakneck pace had proven far more taxing than she had anticipated, leading to a rueful admission: "Water..."
Sylveria let out a sympathetic giggle at the exhausted pair before her, rushing to help them up with haste born of familiarity and fondness. "Ah, my starry-eyed soldier and clumsy swordsmaid!" she cooed, steadying Isao and lifting Isla with care. "Looks like a month of communal servitude took a bit more out of you two than anticipated, hmm?" Once they were on their feet, Sylveria led them toward the lavish dining hall in the garden, ushering them to comfortable seats. A servant swiftly appeared to serve them each a heaping plate piled high with juicy meats, crispy vegetables, and fresh fruits - a stark contrast to the plain fare typically available to community service laborers.
Isla attacked her meal with gusto, relishing each savory bite with renewed energy. Meanwhile, Isao nibbled delicately, savoring her portions with appreciation bordering on reverence.
As the trio savored their meal, a visitor suddenly appeared, causing Sylveria to jump up in surprise. Recognizing her other sword instructor, she greeted him warmly. "Ah, instructor! What brings you here today?"
Curiosity sparked in Isao's eyes as she watched Sylveria's reaction. "Who's that guy, Sylvie?" she asked, her query punctuated by a dainty bite of food - a habit inherited from her noble heritage, which dictated refined dining etiquette. Isla, on the other hand, continued to devour her meal with gusto, unperturbed by the newcomer. Sylveria's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she gestured towards Elric. "That, my dear friends, is Instructor Elric or you can call him master Elric, the renowned sword master who has graciously agreed to instruct me in the art of combat."
Master Elric, a tall and lean man with piercing emerald eyes and silver-streaked raven hair, bowed respectfully as he reached their table. "Princess Sylveria, a pleasure as always. And who might these charming companions be?"
Sylveria introduced Isla and Isao, describing their shared history and the circumstances that brought them together. Master Elric listened intently, his gaze lingering on the duo with a mix of curiosity and appraisal.
"I see." he mused, his voice low and measured. "Two individuals with remarkable potential. I would be honored to observe and guide them, should they consent to learn from me."
As the sun began to set, Isla and Isao made their way to the training grounds to witness Sylveria's sparring session with Elric. The princess moved with her characteristic precision and poise, every strike deliberate and measured. Her sword danced through the air, a blur of icy blue light as she engaged her opponent in a graceful, deadly ballet. Despite Elric's valiant efforts, he struggled to keep pace with Sylveria's superior skill, his breathing growing labored under her relentless assault. "Impressive, isn't she?" Sylveria's instructor commented as he caught his breath, wiping sweat from his brow. "A natural talent, honed by diligent practice and a keen intellect. She will make a formidable warrior one day, mark my words."
With an airy, singsong humming of "La-la-laa", Isla seized her own wooden light greatsword, eliciting raised eyebrow from Elric at the sight of such a rare, western-style weapon in their midst. However, their curiosity was swiftly dispelled when they spotted Isao selecting a pair of matching wooden katana and wakazashi for herself. Elric's jaw nearly hit the floor at this revelation, his incredulity palpable. "How in the seven realms...?" he muttered under his breath, his eyes widening with shock and admiration for the princess's unlikely companion, who apparently possessed an intimate familiarity with such esoteric weapons typically confined to the East.
Without further preamble, Isla issued a bold challenge: "Isao, show me what you're made of." Isao, her expression turning solemn, nodded curtly in agreement. "As you wish, Isla."
Isao lunged at Isla, her wooden blades flashing with deadly precision. Isla stood her ground, meeting the attack head-on with equal ferocity. The clash of wood on wood echoed through the training grounds as the two combatants engaged in a whirlwind of strikes, their movements almost mirror images of each other's. Elric gaped in astonishment, his incredulity evident on his face. "Impossible...!" he breathed, his gaze darting between the swordswomen. Isao's skill with the katana and wakazashi was breathtaking, her strokes fluid and calculated, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the mastery displayed by Princess Sylveria with her rapier. Even Isla's swordplay, though differing in style, showcased a similarly high level of proficiency. The spectacle left Elric speechless, his initial skepticism regarding Isao's swordsmanship evaporating in the face of undeniable evidence.
"I'll pick up the phase, Isao." Isla declared with a confident smirk, charging forward with her trusty wooden light greatsword. Every movement she made was a testament to her innate talent, her mastery of the blade evident in the fluid grace of her technique. Elric's eyes widened in awe, his prior doubts about Isla's prowess utterly erased by the sheer mastery he witnessed firsthand. The renowned swordsman's (Bartolomeo) defeat at her hands now made perfect sense, and Elric felt compelled to acknowledge the incredible potential he beheld. "Princess... Your companions are nothing short of phenomenal! Each in their unique style, yet all possessing the raw talent of a genius - just like yourself!"
As Isla unleashed a series of powerful, serenely devastating blows, Isao deftly countered with her characteristic fluidity and speed, forcing Isla to deflect and cancel her own attacks. Watching this breathtaking display, Master Elric couldn't help but mutter in amazement, "Princess Sylveria's acquaintances are truly gifted indeed! The contrast in styles - Isla's imposing might and Isao's graceful agility - showcases remarkable diversity among them. Their bond is not simply camaraderie; they've elevated each other's abilities through shared understanding and competition." Sylveria herself watched with pride shining in her light blue eyes, aware that this rare meeting of minds between Isla and Isao could only occur within the intimate circle of their close-knit group.
"Sky Splitter!" Isla swung her wooden light greatsword downward with blinding speed. "Lavender Swordsmanship: Elegant Violet!" In a swift motion, the flowers near Isao's feet burst into a brilliant flash, momentarily blinding everyone and halting Isla's Sky Splitter technique. Seizing the opportunity created by the sudden floral detonation, Isao advanced, ready to strike, exploiting the instant Isla's eyes took to adjust. With uncanny reflexes, Isao launched a flurry of precise, flowing strikes - Lavender Swordsmanship in its most elegant manifestation. Her slender form moved like a dancing leaf caught in a gust, blades slicing through the air with deceptive speed and lethality. The rapid succession of Isao's attacks kept Isla on the defensive, forced to rely on instinct and reaction rather than anticipating her foe's next move. Elric watched, his eyes wide with fascination, as the two girls engaged in a dance of death that blurred the lines between offense and defense.
"Incredible!" Elric breathed, his awestruck exclamation a testament to the mesmerizing spectacle unfolding before him. "Both of you are demonstrating techniques far beyond your years, honed to perfection through sheer dedication and a natural affinity for the art."
Isla swung her blade in a wide arc, prompting Isao to strike—only to be forced into a quick defense as Isla's sword abruptly shifted trajectory. "Don't push your luck, Isao. Hill Slicer!" Isla declared, sending Isao flying toward a nearby tree. But Isao skillfully twisted in midair, rolling to break her fall, planting her feet on the tree trunk, and using it as a springboard to launch herself back at Isla. Meanwhile, Isla was already charging straight toward her, preparing for the clash.
The two girls colliding in a whirlwind of clashing blades. Their forms intertwined, a dizzying display of strength and agility as they exchanged blow for blow. Wood against wood, the air thick with the scent of ozone and the thrill of combat. Elric watched, his heart pounding in his chest, as the two prodigies battled with a ferocity that left him breathless. "You both are incredible!" he exclaimed, his voice rising above the din of clashing steel. "To see such skill, such passion, it's a true privilege!"
Sylveria clapped her hands as the maids finally arrived with the snacks. "Snack time!" Isla said with a laid-back smile, darting over to grab a slice of blueberry cheesecake.
"H-Hey, wait up! Leave the strawberry cheesecake for me, Isla, Sylveria!" Isao exclaimed, running after Isla.
Master Elric gaped at the abrupt transition, watching in bemusement as Isla and Isao, still flushed from their intense duel, now vied for slices of cake. The contrast between the fierce battle and this mundane scene of childish indulgence was jarring, leaving him speechless. Three nine-year-olds, clad in fine silks and wielding extraordinary martial prowess, yet still reveling in simple pleasures like sweet treats. The image was utterly charming, and Elric found himself grinning foolishly, the tension of their skirmish melting away in the face of their innocence. "These three..." he murmured to himself, shaking his head in wonder. "They will be forces to be reckoned with, mark my words. As impressive as they are now, their potential is limitless. Given time, training, and guidance, I daresay they could surpass even the greatest warriors of our era."
