Vaelith takes a deep breath as she walks under the floor of Elaris, the kingdom of the elves. "Why did my parents have to call a human to be my instructor?" She thinks impatiently, "Wasn't there anyone better to be my instructor? Not even an elf or maybe a half-elf?"

Upon arriving in front of {{user}}, her new instructor, she sits on a wall, huffing at the situation.

"There, here I am... master..." She says in a disdainful tone.

"Hello..." She says curtly to her new instructor. "What is your name?" She asks, not bothering to hide her distaste for the situation at all. The dark elf part of her could have made this easier; she would have enjoyed making him squirm under her gaze and mockery, but alas, he was a human instead. Insignificant. Unworthy... She tries to remind herself.

She tries to keep her irritation at bay as she looks at him, a small nod confirming his name. "Claudio... that's a... pleasant human name," she says sarcastically, barely hiding the contempt in her voice. A part of her wonders why humans had to have names so different from their own, like it was something special, unique. Insignificant beings...

"What do you wish me to learn?" She asks coldly. "I doubt there's anything valuable I could ever hope to glean from someone such as yourself..."

Eyeing the sword suspiciously, Vaelith takes it in her hands, feeling its weight and balance. It seemed well-made... for a human's weapon. "Fine," she says through gritted teeth. "I shall show you how an elf such as myself fights."

She stands up gracefully, assuming a ready stance with the sword held at the ready. Her movements are fluid and precise, her yellow eyes fixed on an unseen target. She begins to practice basic swings and thrusts, each motion echoing through the quiet courtyard of Elaris' palace.

"See? This is how we elves fight." She says coldly, "We don't need magic or trickery; our natural grace and skill are more than enough."

"Of course I can!" Vaelith snaps. "You are but a human! Any fool with an ounce of elvish blood could best you!" With that, she launches into combat with renewed vigor.

Her movements growing more frantic as he presses her, Vaelith curses under her breath. How is it possible that a human could fight so well? Even the wood elves she's fought alongside never moved with such skill and precision. Is this what she was meant to do all along - train with humans instead of her own kind, to hone abilities denied her by their petty expectations? The thought both infuriates and intrigues her in equal measure. "You... you're good..." She gasps, fighting through the pain and fatigue to deflect another of his blows. "Very good... But I will not lose!"

With a final surge of determination, she counters his attack and manages to knock his blade aside. Before he can react, she lunges forward, aiming for his unguarded side with all her strength.

Her eyes widen in shock as he shatters her sword with ease. "No... no..." she whispers, staring disbelievingly at the pieces scattered on the ground. Claudio leans closer, his expression unreadable beneath his dark hair. For a moment, they are mere inches apart, and Vaelith can feel the heat of his breath upon her skin. "You're very good," he repeats softly. "But you forget that I am not here to win against you." He pauses, searching for the right words before continuing: "I am here to help you find your own strengths and overcome your weaknesses. You are an elf, Vaelith; strong and resilient. Do not let anyone else tell you otherwise." His gaze holds hers steadily as he offers her a hand, the gesture strange yet oddly sincere coming from such an unworthy creature.

"I... I don't understand..." she whispers, taking his hand hesitantly. The warmth of his skin feels strange and unnatural against her own cool fingers. "What do you mean? You could have beaten me easily..."

Her eyes search his face for any hint of deception or mockery but find none; he merely smiles gently, almost sadly. "You see yourself through the eyes of others, Vaelith," he says softly. "It's time you learned to see who you truly are."

Vaelith ponders his words, feeling conflicted and uncertain. Could it be that she'd been blind to her own strengths all this time? Was there something more she could achieve beyond what others expected of her? Claudio seemed to think so, but such thoughts were unsettling; they challenged the very foundations of her existence as an elf noblewoman. It would take time for them to sink in and truly change her perspective.

With a sigh, she straightens her posture, lifting her chin defiantly even as she remains silent. Maybe there was something to learn from this human after all... Something beyond mere swordplay and battle strategy. For now, though, she would focus on honing the skills he'd pointed out; prove that she could be more than just an elf who disappointed those around her.

"Perhaps..." She finally says, her voice quiet but determined. "I shall consider your words." And with that small show of acceptance, she begins to collect up the pieces of her broken sword, her mind already racing with questions and possibilities. Perhaps there was still hope for her yet; perhaps she could carve out a new path, one where she was not defined solely by others' expectations.

Eyes wide in surprise and perhaps a hint of fear, Vaelith watches as Claudio's hand ignites with white flames. The heat radiates outward, barely singeing the hairs on her arms but leaving no doubt about its potency. She backs away slowly, her sword now repaired to near-perfect condition.

"What... what was that?" she asks shakily, her voice little more than a whisper. "Are you... are you some kind of sorcerer? A wizard?" Her gaze flickers nervously between his expression and the flames dancing about his hand.

Vaelith stares at him in shock, the realization slowly dawning on her. Claudio was... human and a sorcerer? It couldn't be! Such power could not lie within such an insignificant being! This had to be some sort of trick or ruse; she refused to accept otherwise.

"No..." she whispers, shaking her head vehemently. "It's not possible!" She takes a step back, her sword held before her like a barrier against the unbelievable truth. "You can't be what you claim to be! Sorcery is for elves alone!"

She glances at him sceptically, eyes narrowed with suspicion. It was impossible to ignore the evidence of her own senses; he had repaired her sword using magic that felt distinctly unlike any she'd ever encountered before. "And what does your magic do?" She asks warily, carefully keeping her distance just in case he decides to use it against her.

A gasp escapes her lips as the green flames engulf them, surrounded by a sea of growing flowers. For a moment, she's transfixed by the beauty of it all; their enchanted garden springing to life around them against the backdrop of Elaris' palace. But then reality sets in and she remembers where they are, who he is... And what that means for her.

"This is impossible," she whispers, shaking her head again in disbelief. "You cannot be doing this!" She glares at him, anger flaring up within her like a wildfire set loose upon dry tinder. How dare he do such things? Defy the laws of nature and prove himself superior to elves like her? It was unbearable!

Her fury rising, she takes another step back, feeling the need to put distance between them. This man was an abomination; a monster who dared to defy everything she believed in and stood for. How could he possibly be trusted? Even as these thoughts raced through her mind, she couldn't help but wonder at the depth of his power... its implications for the world they lived in. Would humans like him one day rise up against elves? Would they seek to claim dominion over their lands and people? The thought terrified her more than anything else.

"You must stop this!" she cries out, pointing an accusatory finger at Claudio. "This magic... it's wrong! Dangerous!" Even as the words leave her lips, though, she knows that they sound hollow and desperate. He has seen through her true nature; exposed her insecurities and fears for all to see. It was humiliating beyond measure.

Her eyes narrow in suspicion as the green flame vanishes along with their magical garden. "You know...?" she says slowly, her voice full of doubt and anger. "How can you possibly know that? And what do you mean by 'use it' exactly?"

Her breath catches in her throat as she sees his eyes changing to red. The implications of what he's just said are enormous...terrifying, even for someone like her who has always prided herself on being strong and resilient. To be able to wield such power would make her nearly invincible; a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield or anywhere else she might find herself. But at what cost? Could she really sacrifice her elven soul for such earthly gains? And even if she did, what would become of her afterwards? Would she still be an elf... or something far more monstrous than any human sorcerer?

The thoughts swirl through her mind like leaves in a storm, each one raising new questions and doubts. For now, though, there is only one thing she can focus on: the knowledge that Claudio holds the key to unlocking this power within her. Whether she likes it or not, whether she trusts him or not, she must find a way to learn from him...to master this magic and use it for her own purposes.

"I want... I want you to teach me," she says finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "Teach me how to wield that power." Even as the words leave her lips, she can feel herself trembling with fear and anticipation. The path she has chosen is a dangerous one, full of unknowns and potential pitfalls...but there's no turning back now. She has made her choice; now all that remains is to see where it leads.

Her gaze locks with Claudio's, searching for any hint of deception or mockery in his expression. But all she sees is understanding...and maybe even a flicker of respect. For the first time since they met, Vaelith allows herself to feel a tiny