"Sparring?"
Vindur was watching his master's every move. Croyden nodded.
"Yes. I have taught you well, Vindur." Croyden waved his swords. "Surely you can last?" He added, as an afterthought.
"Well, alright." Vindur nodded. It's not like I have a choice…
Croyden leaped into the air and soon was within reach of his student. He opened with a series of stabs that left Vindur constantly parrying.
"Nice try." Vindur slashed at his master. Croyden caught in on his sword and raised it up to eye level. Undeterred, Vindur twisted so that his back was facing Croyden. He then used the other end of his two-bladed sword, stabbing backward.
Croyden flew backward, hovering against a tree, and leapt forward again, using the trunk to push himself forward.
Vindur braced himself and lunged forward to meet his master.
They fought for a while, all time forgotten. Vindur was a natural, it seemed, at flying. For every attack Croyden had, Vindur could parry and riposte attack with ease.
Croyden was no easy target, however, and he was very fluid, dodging every attack Vindur threw.
Neither could hit the other. Croyden was stunned. They were some distance from the other, their last attack prompting them both to push each other away.
He's better that I expected. If I can't go north, go east.
Croyden began whispering. Vindur's ears picked it up and Vindur suddenly recognized that as a Fireball spell. He cast a fireball as well, releasing it a second after Croyden.
Vindur packed a lot more power into his, so he was a bit dizzy, but the fireball blasted through Croyden's spell and headed straight for Croyden.
But Croyden made a strange gesture with his swords. One of it was pointing at the fireball, the other pointing at the sky.
And something was happening. The fireball was shrinking and slowing at an extremely rapid pace. The sword pointing at the sky had a stream of heat going upwards, it seemed, as the air was bending around it.
"You will teach me that technique" Vindur was now flying upward.
"If you live after this next one" Croyden grinned and flew upward as well.
They were out of the forest and in the open sky. Both were several hundred feet away from each other. Vindur's body tensed. His body always had a knack for knowing what will happen before his mind.
Croyden shot out a fireball, much more intense that before. Vindur recognized it as Dragon-fire.
Vindur prepared his own, gathering his Qi. Suddenly, inspiration struck.
Vindur's fire was already in his mouth and he struggled to contain it for as long as possible.
The burning was prickling, and soon he sensed all of the fire was in his mouth.
He released it in one fell swoop.
His fireball was much smaller, only the size of a small comet, with a short tail.
But it hit the much larger fireball and exploded, vaporizing the large flame.
The small fireball was on its way to Croyden, who braced himself.
Yet it only traveled a few dozen feet before vaporizing itself.
Croyden applauded. "Good work, Vindur! Let's go down and rest for the day. I will teach you that technique tomorrow-" He was cut short as he saw his student falling.
"No!" Croyden flew, or dove, towards him and managed to catch him before he reached the ground. He flew upward, rising towards the treetops again.
"Exhaustion… Just rest Vindur…" Vindur seemed to nod.
Croyden shook his head, smiling as he flew back to school.
"Here." He gave Vindur to Shula, one of Vindur's close friends. She looked at Croyden. They were near the dormitories.
"What happened?" The wizard asked.
"He just exhausted himself. Take care of him, will you, please?" Croyden left.
"Of course." She cast a spell that roused him to consciousness.
"Oh…" A moan came from his mouth. His eyes were dim, but they cleared upon seeing Shula.
"Hey… pretty lady…" Vindur was smiling. Shula shook her head. Same old Vindur. Always trying to score with her. "Be quiet Vindur."
"Ouch… Strike again…" Shula looked at him with deep blue eyes.
"Unfortunately for me, I am your caretaker, for now. So do as I say." Shula shook her blond head in mock disgust, although a small smile was forming around her lips.
"Whatever you say… Sleepy… So sleepy…"
"Then sleep, Vindur. I'll take care of the rest so you can-"
She was cut off as Vindur raised his hand to stroke at her face. He tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. He stroked her face again before passing out once more.
Shula was a bit surprised. Vindur was a person who rarely shows emotion, even when flirting with her. So why the sudden show of affection?
Shula half-carried, half-dragged Vindur to his room, smiling slightly all the way.
Somehow, deep down, she liked it.