The old Dwarf sighed. He knew that Calvin would be beaten, but he wanted to see what all Brenen had taught him. It seems it was not to be the case today. It did ease his old heart to see that the commander cared about her troops, though. Kannizan crept towards where Calvin was.

"Oi, lad. How are ye feeling about the academy now?"

"I'm not all too sure...but I'll get used to it. It's nothing a boy like me can't handle. In fact, I'll do better off when I finally get to see whats in this here case."

He lifted the case gingerly.

"Well, not necessarily what I had in mind. I hadn't intended to do anything drastic. No insult would've been given, I assure you. However, if you wish to take his place, then I am up for a challenge. Though your guess about age is somewhat off... Unless I miss my mark. Though I would not believe that boy to be 9 years old... He is too large for that."

Hirokuun circled around, observing the woman in her fighting style. He hadn't been counting on this.

"Isn't it proper to first introduce ourselves first? I had been intending on introducing myself to the young warrior there. However, since you're challenging me now, I believe you should do so yourself."

She gave the elf a once over and answered his question,"Lakota, and I never was good at guessing an elf's true age but if I'm within ten or twenty years then I guess I did alright." His strange blue hair made is vibrant blue eyes stand out. He was shorter then her so she made sure to keep low so he couldn't take advantage of her height. She tried to keep her eyes on his chest because his core wouldn't lie to her when he made a move, but her eyes kept traveling to his face. What where those strange markings.

"Well Lakota, it's nice to meet you. I am honoured to make your acquaintance. And to tell you the truth, I'm going to guess a humans age now. That boy looks developed. I'm going to guess he's reached adulthood, perhaps even passed it. So, if I'm not incorrect, adulthood is roughly 18 or so. Your guess of ten times was only slightly off then... I am only 96 years of age."

Hirokuun was carefully taking this time while stalling to observe the woman. Her eyes kept moving, alternating between his face and his chest. She knew how to fight, and had good instinct, but his tattoos seemed to be distracting her. They weren't intended for that, but they seemed to have that effect.

"As for myself. My name is Hirokuun Tokugawa, of the Tokugawa house in Elevera. My father, until recently, was the king of the realm, and my mother has taken over now as ruler. I am still young by elvish standards, but I have learned enough."

Hirokuun added a small bow at the end of his introduction. Resuming his stance, he looked at his opponent. "Well, on your mark Lakota."

Kannizan had a deep grunting laugh at the scene in front of him. "The man thinks ye've reached 18. I'd take that as a compliment, laddie." He stared at the ring, intent upon the fight. This would be interesting.

Calvin nodded at Kannizan humorously.

He looked tensely back and forth between the two combatants. Where this blue haired Elf had come from, he did not know, but he spoke of himself as though he were royalty. Calvin knew full well that the Elven state was under the legislative power of the Elevera Kingdom, therefore making the ruler Queen Elizibeth Marialla. He scratched his head.

Perhaps he was refering to one of the seven Elven counties. He knew two of them by heart.

Tolkenen 'Jirhiste, meaning wide river, was the central county of the old Elven society. The city of Jirhiste sat at it's center.

Muornonen Cal' Faist, or The Deep Wood, was the oldest county, and the seat of the primary count or countess of the Elven society. He wondered if he refered to this seat of power. Probabaly. This elf seemed slightly full of himself, and he was happy he would not have to deal with him for long.


He peered past the two wrestlers and took in the academy's west wing. Atop the west wing sat the centeral tower. This was the location of the headmasters quarters. He glanced at the window and saw several shapes moving about in the room, one of them rather menacing looking.

He looked away to observe the wrestlers, and when he turned back, only one shape remained in the window. Whoever was there had left. He knew it wasn't his business, and he would never find out, but he could not help but wonder. Perhaps it was a scout from the Tlyvarian army...

It was Calvin's dream to join the Tlyvarian Military. If only so he could see the mainland. Life on the island of Drlva was lonely. He'd never once seen the grand cliffs of Tlyvary, or the high peaks or the magnificent cities. He dreamt about it every day, but some part of him was attached to this place. Brenen had been the greatest father he could ask for. He loved this place.

The elf had given her the honor of beginning. It was a sound strategy. Giving him the chance to gauge her and her weaknesses.

"All right, Mark." Lakota said as she lunged at him. She aimed for just below his shoulders with lightning speed hoping for a chance to upset his center of gravity. The huntress started to awake inside and itch to be let out as the action and physical contact played out. Lakota clamped down on her. Letting her help was okay from time to time but this was not a hunt and she could not be allowed complete control here.

A good way to start... Rather brutish, but effective. Hirokuun thought to himself. From where he judged, she was aiming at his stomach. His stance however, was prepared for that such attack. As she approached him he pivoted and moved his stomach out of the way.

However, he had been slightly incorrect in his judgement, as she had been aiming at the shoulders, not the stomach. He felt her make contact with the shoulder that hadn't moved as quickly. Off balance slightly, but still out of the way, Hirokuun backed up.

"A commendable effort. Now, it's my turn Lakota."

With a surging push, he leapt forward, with the hand that had been pressed against his back coming around aiming for a grab on the legs, and his other arm reaching for the upper body. This was proving to be an interesting fight already.

Lakota didn't expect her first move to actually do much other then get him moving. She was surprised when she connected with his shoulder. She saw his hand move from behind his back and assumed that he was going to go for knocking her off balance while they were so close together.

She felt his inside arm reach for her waist and anticipated his next move. With her inside arm she reached around the back of his neck, and swung her leg out of reach driving her upper body into his side adding her weight to his forward momentum. With his arm still wrapped around her waist, and hers about his neck they where both sent tumbling to the ground.

He wasn't really paying attention to the fight, although his eyes were locked onto the two as they tumbled about the arena. Instead, his mind had wandered to a better place.

He was a noble Tlyvarian knight, outfitted in the highest grade steel armor, mounting a white stallion into battle against some unknown force. He smiled to himself. He knew people shouldn't think so fondly of war, but fighting was something natural to him. He was a Tlyvarian, he lived in Tlyvary, he'd grown up feeling an intense pride for his county. And yet, there was something else there as well. There was a pride for his country he couldn't quite place the origin of. He felt so strongly toward his fatherland, but he could not sense why. It seemed as if it was in his blood.

He shook his head, and a new thought came to his mind. He daydreampt about Rhoste Citello. Ruby City...the City of Angels, City of Hope, Center of the World. Every culture, every piece of architecture, ever little scrap of history ever collected in Aalon and all the known world beyond it could be found within its white walls. He was dazzled by the very thought of it. An imprenitrable fortress of justice and hope. A beacon to lost souls and wary travelers. The greatest center of commerce, ideas and faith the world has ever known. The Grand Market District, the Library of the Elders, the Eternity Cathedral. These were the most influential structures in their field, and yet they were all dwarfed by one above all. He tried, as he had all his life, to imagine it's glory. But he could not. He had heard that the mere sight of it could bring tears to any mans eyes. Dwarves hailed it as the single greatest piece of architecture the world has ever known, and it was not even dwarven.

Ruby Castle. What he would give to see it.

Hirokuun smiled as Lakota fell to the ground around him. His arm was still around Lakota's waist. He grunted slightly as the two of them hit the ground. But with his hand in that position, he had a perfect tactic. It wasn't the most honourable tactic, but it was effective.

He took his pointer and middle finger from each of his hands and jabbed them in to Lakota's kidneys. He braced his neck for the shock that was to go through it as she recoiled from the uncomfortable sensation. But after this, he would call it an end... he had had his fill.

As Hirokuun jabbed his fingers into Lakota's kidneys she jerked from the sharp pain that coursed through her back. A deep growl in her throat rose in an inhuman snarl. She healed fast and was not worried about the damage done to her soft organs, but she was not a fan of playing dirty. She knew how to, but it was something she saved for survival.

She cursed out loud at her naivety, and continued to growl as she fought the change that her wave of emotions had triggered. Lakota brought her knees up close to her chest then kicked her opponent as far from her as she could. Rolling away to the far side of the ring from the on lookers she crouched low and counted backwards from ten. Her fingers wrapped around her, began to grow long curved claws and her back shifted seeming to change color.

3....2....1

Everything stopped. Lakota took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled. Then she rose with a grace and dignity that belied her bruised pride. She walked over to Hirokuun and saluted him. Then the other students, "I believe this demonstration proves that you must always believe your opponent capable of anything. And most importantly in this place respect those you train with by never holding back while sparring. That is the only way you will grow."

Turning to the Dwarf master, "Kannizan could you show them to their sleeping quarters for me. I need to run this off."

As Lakota kicked him away, Hirokuun rolled and kicked off, sending himself into the air, then righting himself, and landing on his feet. He stands in a neutral stance and almost calls for a truce when he sees something strange with his opponent. She seemed... feral? Was that the right word?

This does not bode well. Be ready for anything Hiro... Hirokuun moved his hands in an elaborate circle and bringing them down in fists by his side. This was his power stance. He let out a breath, and you could see it form a slight mist.

However, he needn't do anything. His opponent then seemed to get a grip. Hirokuun acknowledges her salute, then flips out of the ring in a rush to grab his Dual Bladed Naginata as she addressed her class. Then, he caught up with Lakota, a stone sculpted face, but a gleam of respect in his eyes.

"Mind if I join you? I believe there is somethings we should discuss."

Kannizan nodded before Lakota ran off.

"Alright lads and lasses. Follow me up the tower 'ere."

As he walked through the hallways, he reached a spiral staircase leading up the northern tower.

"Everyone up that tower. Warriors, first door on the right. Mages, first on the left, and scouts will walk straight back the corridor to the door at the end.

He grabbed Calvins arm as he walked past. "What class ye got first tomorrow?"