Meanwhile, Arianna was continuing her training back at Everdale academy. "I want to try something new," she told Argus, who once again practiced with her.

"Ho?" the old man looked at her curiously. "What do you mean, something new?"

"We've only been learning spells so far. And I know there's nothing wrong with that. But with the upcoming academy competition and the Magornis, I feel like I need to be working more toward a fighting style that fits me rather than just knowing as many spells as possible."

"I never thought I'd see the day!" he chuckled. "That is good thinking, my child! Very solid thinking! Just knowing spells is not enough. You need to learn to combine them effectively to find a casting style that suits you and you feel at home with. You're absolutely correct!"

"Right," she nodded. "But how do I do that? How do I find what fits me?"

"The answer to that question lies here," he patted his chest. "You and Velvet are like polar opposites. She uses too much of this. But you use too much of this," he pointed to his head.

"She uses her heart too much, and I use my head too much," Arianna read his message. "You're saying I need to try to think less and feel more?"

"Precisely!" Argus raised his index finger. "Magic is affected by your thoughts. But it is also affected by your emotions. Only combining both will grant you the best results. Find yourself, and you will find your fighting style. Think about what you like to do. What makes you feel at home? And then incorporate that into magic. Add your own twist to it, if you will. The same spell can be cast in many different ways. It's up to you to find the one that fits you most."

"What makes me feel at home," the girl repeated and glanced down at the staff in her hand.

"Well, I'd say that's enough for today," the old man turned around and started walking inside. He turned around after making a few steps and smiled mischievously. "Since you are asking me this, I take it I can count on you entering the competition once I announce it?"

Arianna looked back up from her staff and nodded. "I will. And I intend to win it."

"Ho, ho! Now that's the kind of attitude I like to see! I'm glad that your friend is starting to rub off on you! I will see you tomorrow for your next training session then!" Saying this, he walked off, leaving the girl standing alone on the training grounds.

I know what you're trying to do, Velvet, she thought. You want us to cover more ground to find teachers for our academy now that you have the money and are tier three. I know you are counting on me and want me to become more independent. That's why you are pushing me out of the nest, aren't you? I get it. Well, you don't have to worry. I will do my part. I promise.

***

Loretta spent the next few days showing Velvet around the Eldar academy. The classrooms, the dining hall, the recreation area, and the garden. Everything was grand and luxurious. Even the student's chairs were padded and made as comfortable as possible. In here, she really felt like she was some sort of royal. Unfortunately, there were also downsides to that. Most of the other elves were pretty stuck up and self-centered, thinking they were all that when in fact, their knowledge and skill in magic were average at best and utter garbage compared to that of Velvet.

Still, she was the human. The outsider. The one everyone looked at with suspicion and disdain. Not when she was around Loretta, however. Honestly, the difference in treatment she received when she was alone compared to when she was with her new friend was like night and day. Nobody even dared to not smile when the green-haired elf was around. It was as if she possessed a special kind of magic that made everyone smile and be polite as soon as they saw her. They even talked to Velvet when she was in her presence.

"You have to teach me this magic of yours," the brown-haired girl teased.

"There is no magic," Loretta replied. "I promise. And even if there were, I would consider this more a curse than a blessing, really."

"How so?"

"Everyone wants something from you," she explained. "They either want to talk to you, or spend time with you, or just be seen around you. But in the end, you still feel lonely. Because none of them want to hang out with you for what is under the pretty face. You are treated like an object. Like a prize to be won. All I ever wanted was to be treated like a friend. That's why I like hanging out with you the best. For you, I am just a friend. Exactly as it should be."

Velvet nodded understandingly. "I get it now. Don't worry; I will be the friend you wanted."

"Thank you," she smiled and looked away.

"Is there something wrong?" Velvet asked, putting a hand on her shoulder and walking around to face her.

Velvet came to a stop when she saw Loretta's face. Her emerald eyes were filled with tears that started overflowing and sliding down her rosy cheeks. "Oh...you're crying."

"I'm sorry," Loretta said, wiping her tears. "I didn't mean to. But what you just said...I didn't know how much I needed to hear this from someone."

The other girl said nothing. She just stepped forward and hugged her. The elf was so shocked that she stopped crying momentarily, staring wide-eyed over her shoulder. Everyone in the hallway ceased what they were doing and stared at them. They were all commenting.

"What is that human doing?"

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"How dare she?!"

"She just invaded Loretta's personal space!"

"Should we call the guards?"

"No, no...you can't," the elf whispered. "Not in front of everyone. They'll think you're bad!"

"I don't care," Velvet said sternly, squeezing her tighter. "My friend needed a hug. So I gave her one. If that is considered wrong, then they can go ahead and sentence me for it!"

"Ghhh!" Loretta gritted her teeth and gripped her shirt. She sunk her head into Velvet's chest and cried while the other elves watched, silently judging the human for her atrocious act of embracing the crying girl.

***

That evening, a knock was heard on Velvet's door. When she opened it, Loretta stood there, shuffling nervously. Velvet invited her in and made tea for the both of them.

"What's up?" Velvet asked when she set the cup on the table before her. "Can't sleep?"

"I came because I wanted to thank you," the elf spoke quietly. "What you did there in the hallway, despite everyone staring and judging you..."

"Was something anyone should do for their friend," Velvet cut her off and sat next to her.

Loretta chuckled. "It's funny. It took a human to show me what it means to have a true friend. You're not even here a week and you are doing things nobody has done for me in six years."

"Sucks for them, I guess!" the brown-haired girl exclaimed. "They're the ones missing out! Because you are a great person! They should be happy to have a friend like you!"

"You are so kind to me," she lifted the teacup and took a sip. "That's why I want to do something for you too. As a token of gratitude."

"But you're already doing so much. You're showing me around, spending time with me, teaching me about elven culture and customs...I don't really need any more than this."

"I know," the dainty elf replied softly. "I still want to do it, though. There is a festival starting in a week. Us elves celebrate the coming of winter and the coming of spring. Now, in autumn, it's called the Festival of Leaves. In spring, it's called the Festival of Flowers. These are two of the biggest events that we all participate in. I want you to come with me to this one. Will you?"

"Sure! I'd be glad to!" Velvet said enthusiastically. "That sounds like fun!"

"Thank you," Loretta set her cup back down. "I'm sure you'll love it. There are games and food and music and laughter all around! It's my favorite time of the year. The spring one is fun too, but I like autumn better. The warm colors of the leaves are so pretty."

"No doubt! I'm looking forward to it!" the other girl smiled.

When they finished their tea, the elf made a suggestion. "Do you want to come over to my room? We can use my pond if you want and relax a bit?"

"You have a pond in your room?!" Velvet looked at her in shock. She thought her room was fancy for having a bathtub in it. Were there even more luxurious rooms in this place?

"Yes," she giggled. "Come over and see for yourself!"

The human didn't need to be told twice. She immediately jumped up and followed Loretta a short distance down the hallway. Loretta unlocked the door, and as soon as she opened it, a fresh smell of flowers filled their nostrils. When Velvet stepped in, her mouth fell agape. This room was nearly twice as big as hers, which was already enormous to begin with. It was so large that a whole family could live in it comfortably. A massive bed with a thin layer of drapes hiding it from view. A couch and bathtub even more oversized than the ones in her room. Even something that looked like a pool was at the far end of it in a separate segment filled with plants and flowers. That's where the flowery scent was coming from.

"Wow! Your family must be rich to afford this!" Velvet said the first thing that came to mind.

"Ah...yes," the timid elf felt a bit awkward admitting this. "We are pretty well off, I guess."

"I'll say! This is awesome! So, what did you have in mind?"

"Uhm...we can use the pond if you want?" she said, guiding her to the room within the room. It looked more like a garden than a room, really. A small pond littered with rose petals was sitting in the middle, crystal-clear water sparkling within. The elf dipped her hand in and splashed her guest with it.

"Hey!" Velvet exclaimed, shielding herself with her hat. "That's not nice! I'll get you back!"

They splashed around a bit, making their clothes all wet, laughing and giggling like children.

"Well, might as well jump in!" the brown-haired girl said and took off her shirt, shorts, boots, and socks before plunging into the pond headfirst. Loretta undressed and joined her as well.

"This is nice," she said, leaning her head back and letting her dark-green hair get soaked.

"It is. Thank you for inviting me over!" the other girl agreed. She played with rose petals that drifted between them, pushing them below the surface and watching them float back up.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it," the elf replied.

"It's good to relax a bit," Velvet said. "But I will have to start training with Miss Pampleton next week. That is why I came here after all. She said I should take the first week off."

"I know. But you will still hang out with me when you are not, right?"

"Of course. We're going to the festival, remember? And I want to learn more about elves!"

"Yes. I can't wait for the festival," Loretta said as she sunk into the water, leaving only her face sticking out.

Thank you for reading this part of the story! You rock!

[https://img.wattpad.com/7cc65b190dc32c93e6e90842d17bbbc65cd39d08/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f46314b6b7846592d644f6c7a48413d3d2d313239313437313131342e313732643639346663666432623833653437313835363536333732362e706e67]

Next time we go to the festival of leaves! Winter is coming.