The clapping sound resounded around the large arena, hinting at some mysterious force behind it, for the pair of hands that were performing the applause were slender, elegant and the effort refined. They belonged to a man that Bowyer naturally recognised as he restrained himself from rolling his eyes.
"That was stunning, young lady," the man's focus happened to be upon Pria, who looked startled in the first moment, yet on guard in the next. The shyness she expressed when glancing at the one in her heart had faded and she resembled the strong martial artist she actually was. If Bowyer had to say, he would have stated that he preferred her this way, but still not to the extent where he would become her beau.
Unheeding the sway of the currents in the air, the man continued to praise her; "Your sword play is quite elegant, a touch raw perhaps here and there, but I see that you have excellent potential."
There are few people that do not like accepting praise, Pria was not one of those and despite attempting to retain an amicable yet slightly indifferent expression, the tips of her ears reddened even as her eyes sparkled with pride. "My skills are only just so, I daren't accept such praise."
"Hey," murmured a second familiar voice behind Leon and Jin Li who were observing on the sidelines, "what's going on?"
Jin Li clicked his tongue and crossed his arms about his chest. Yet another interrupting, when was this whole thing to be done with so he could take his small alchemist away to attend to more interesting matters...? Leon glanced back at Sun and shook his head as he responded to the former's question. "I'm n-not sure." He stuttered through a brief explanation on how Maimai was assisting Bowyer to help the other girl with some techniques, but then this man appeared from nowhere to begin praising the girl's skills.
"Maimai can fight?" Sun questioned, his eyes wide as he re-evaluated the girl he knew was prone to blowing up cauldrons. He did recall following his words that she had a fondness for weapon, like himself, but he'd assumed it was like how some girls liked jewels and accessories and other girls liked musical instruments or whatever.
"I wouldn't call it fighting," Jin Li was never generous with his praise and he'd also laid some blame squarely on her shoulders for some things, hence his low evaluation.
Maimai sneezed suddenly, catching the attention of Bowyer and the other girls. Bowyer stepped forward to offer her a handkerchief, asking if she was alright. She waved away the silk cloth under the envious eyes of others before taking out her own and dabbing lightly her nose. "I'm fine," she smiled in return. "I suspect someone is just speaking behind my back." Instinctively, she looked over at Jin Li, but he did not meet her gaze.
At her words, the young man turned to Pria and quickly asked; "Shall we continue training? If Maimai is feeling under the weather, we might need to change your sparring partner though."
"No need," Maimai reassured them both, noticing the hint of frustration in the other girl's eyes.
"Indeed there is no need," the aloof, older man agreed with her, but his context clearly held different meaning. His eyes glancing over her, Maimai felt that they held a distinct disdain with in them that caused her to frown. She didn't know this person, so what was with his attitude?!
"Headmaster, with all due respect," Bowyer stepped in, his tone cold, very unlike the man that they all knew. "This training session was requested by my junior in order to help her gain another perspective on a set of sword moves. While Pria has made improvement, I feel that it would be in her best interests to continue. This isn't a formal session, but Pria is not your student. Please don't interfere."
Pria couldn't help but feel a chill down her spine. Was this still the strong martial artist with the jovial and kind manner that she had always looked up to? She wasn't sure how she felt about this unexpected side of him, which gave rise to some confusion. Wasn't he being a bit rude to the gentleman who'd just offered her a bit of praise in passing?
"Is this really the Headmaster of our school?" Sun squealed beneath his breath.
"No," Jin Li refuted, bluntly and Leon also shook his head at the same time.
Sun had a momentary flash of brilliance; "That... he must be the Headmaster from the Qilin First Academy of Excellence then! It was mentioned that he had appeared at our school in order to poach students!"
"What Ac-cademy?" Leon wasn't aware of such a place, although he wracked his brain to try and recall memories from his childhood in case it was mentioned. However, he really believed he'd never heard of it.
Sun felt delighted to enlighten him and shared him the information recently learned by himself as if he'd had it in hand all along. Jin Li listened lazily as his eyes flickered over the older man in vague assessment. Sure enough, this man exuded a strong aura. He was mainly restraining it, but also purposefully letting it leak here and there as if he couldn't abide others not knowing. For a noble personage as his stance and mannerisms suggested, Jin Li felt this behaviour was really unsophisticated.
"Your lack of refinement really reminds me simply why there is such a gap between the students attending my school and those who have no other choice but to attend here," Headmaster Phichus mused out loud. His words could have meant one thing, could have meant another, but hinted strongly that he really believed that his own school was far superior to this one. Ignoring the clenched teeth and angry expressions from more than one student in hearing range, he returned his attention back to Pria. "You really would fit in amongst my students and likely they would be of better influence than... certain others. How about it, would the young lady consider transferring?"
Pria hesitated, looking back at her friends, who held mixed expressions, some better than others. Then her eyes glanced towards Bowyer, but he still did not look at her despite everything. She felt sour in her heart and found herself replying; "I appreciate the offer, Sir, however would I be allowed sometime to consider your offer before I reply?" A friend or two gasped, but held their tongues.
"But of course," his smile widened and his eyes seemed to curve in the way that a satisfied predator having caught some prey to play with would. "I will be in residence for these next ten days. I would appreciate a response by that time." Pria nodded in agreement, before her eyes wandered one last time to Bowyer. Still not seeing what she was desperately seeking, she turned to take comfort in her friends.
"I'm curious," Maimai couldn't help but mutter towards Bowyer after their exchange, "the gap between these schools... how is it that my father has never mentioned it?" The older man's eyes narrowed, but her pretty face held an expression of innocence that he couldn't quite tell whether it was facade or not. Her best friend naturally understood that it was not.
Bowyer covered his smile with one hand before coughing lightly and responding; "Sect Master of the Dawn Sect is generous and takes in strong martial artists from many walks of life so long as they can pass the induction tests. The Qilin Academy has a more specific criteria on whom they will accept to teach." This was the most generous description he felt he could give the school, considering the Headmaster of such was close by and no matter how he might disagree with the man's policies, he was far stronger in ability and cultivation than Bowyer after all.
Hearing this and considering that Bowyer was not only one of the most talented martial artists in the inner sect but also the object of her friend's affections, one of the girl's called out in question; "Has senior ever considered entering Headmaster Phichus' school?"
"Unfortunately, this young man does not meet our standards," the older man smiled genially at the young lady who had spoken.
"He doesn't?" Even though she was hurting, Pria couldn't help but be startled from her pain by the Headmaster's firm words. He once more confirmed his conviction, by shaking his head.
"Pria," Bowyer called to the girl to clarify a thing, less she misunderstand. It wasn't that he didn't agree that she had talent and potential in cultivation, but that he didn't want her mislead into thinking that the Headmaster wanted her to attend his school simply due to that. "Ari doesn't have the qualifications to attend the Qilin Academy either."
That piece of information did cause the girl to hesitate. Everyone knew just how strong Ari, who had taken the highest position on the Standings board this year, the previous and the one before that, was. What she may not have known was that Ari was a commoner born. More than that, he'd resided in an orphanage prior to gaining the chance to attend the Institute. The chances he would even enter the Academy as a servant was unlikely.
"So who would win in a battle," Sun suddenly blurted out in question, "Ari or the top student of Qilin Academy?"
"I have no doubts that the students of my school would achieve victory in a match against your highest ranked ones," Headmaster Phichus boasted.
"Really?" Pria sounded hopeful, Bowyer sounded doubtful and Sun simply sounded excited by the prospect of seeing the best of the best battling it out before him!
"Oh really?" Another voice drawled with a heavy sneer. A Teacher with the shadow of a beard upon his chin and slightly messy hair tied at the nape of his neck stepped into the area to question. His eyes were filled with casual doubt, before rolling sideways until reaching a specific target. "My dear Student! Weren't you meant to be retrieving your sword from your quarters?" Sun froze and chuckled nervously. Busted.
Author’s notes; no excuses, this is just late!