The young man walked down the corridor, passing other Stufons who were looking in his direction. Filier felt how some of the girls were showing their interest in him.
He realized he was attractive to all members of the races except the two princesses, who made it clear they weren't interested.
The young man winced as he thought about them. Yesterday, when they were training, the rune stones began to attract the attention of the entire team, including those who sat and watched the training.
The training sessions weren't hidden from the other Stufons, and everyone had the opportunity to observe them.
As captain, he, seeing the behavior of his charges, tried to attract the attention of the team members who had stopped.
Over the past three months, the team had begun to change. While previously everyone thought their defeat was a foregone conclusion, Filier pushed the entire team to give it their all.
He remembered well the director's words about how if they performed poorly at the Six Academies Tournament, his stay at the academy would not last long. He had no desire to return to the duchy in disgrace.
Filier saw the faces of those reading the message on the runestones begin to change. Some began to cautiously glance at where the two former princesses of the light and dark elves were training.
The young man saw their glances and wanted to ask the team members what they had read; he didn't want to distract the girls, who were absorbed in their training.
After rumors spread throughout the academy that the half-elf Trey had disappeared in the forest, Cassandra and Samantha changed and became even more obsessive in their training.
Filier feared that one day they would leave the academy to search for the half-elf, but two weeks later, word came that stufon Trey had returned to the city and would soon return to the academy.
Upon learning this news, the young man hoped it was just a rumor, but that the half-elf had actually disappeared into the forest, thus freeing the two former princesses from his influence.
Approaching Afiere, who, seeing a gloomy Filyer approaching, winced and put away the runestone.
Her black eyes looked expectantly at the young man, who was pondering how to ask her what she had read in the runestone. He doubted his acquaintances had already written to him; girls always learned news faster from other girls or boys trying to attract their attention.
- Captain, are you telling me by your expression that it's time for me to resume training? - the dark elf asked in a gentle voice, tilting her head and lowering her voice to a whisper. - Or perhaps you're wondering what I read and why everyone's looking at Cassandra and Samantha?
Wincing at Afyera's gentle voice, he'd realized from their time together that the girl was trying to put her best foot forward so that the young members of the race would do whatever she wanted, hoping to build a relationship.
The dark elf liked to mention that she hadn't had a marriage agreement, and some humans and light elves hadn't given up hope of reaching an agreement with her parents, who occupied one of the lowest castes among the dark elves.
- You're right, we need to get back to training, but I'm also concerned about the team members' condition, - Filier said cautiously, casting quick glances at the girls who continued training. - Have you received news about the half-elf? If he's dead, we need to inform the girls carefully so they don't do anything wrong.
The girl just chuckled at his words and shook her head, her black hair braided into braids swaying in time with her head.
- Your attempts to connect the news about the half-elf to the team speaks volumes about how afraid you are of being expelled from the academy. - Afyera said quietly, smiling at the young man. - Don't worry, if you are expelled, I'm ready to accept you as a servant.
He could tell the girl was seeing their conversation as an opportunity to make fun of him and his expulsion from the academy.
Looking around for anyone else who might know the news, his gaze fell on a short-haired fair elf named Ka'Ula.
The dark elf followed the young man's gaze and, laughing, beckoned Filier closer. As he approached the girl even closer, inhaling her pleasant scent, the young man tried to restrain his desires. Afiera's gaze, as she studied his face with interest, revealed that she was amused by Filier's behavior.
- You're right, the half-elf Trey has returned to the academy, but not completely. - the girl said quietly, observing the boy's puzzled look as she placed a finger to his lips. - According to my friends who saw him, part of his face is badly burned.
Listening to the dark elf, the young man looked at her in surprise, not noticing that she hadn't removed her finger from his lips.
Filier wasn't surprised that Afiere had been told such details about the half-elf's physical changes; he cared little about Trey's appearance; he was more concerned with the two elves' reactions when they learned their husband had returned.
Unlike Cassandra, who had displayed a snake on her hand, the light elf didn't have one. Whether the absence of the snake was due to Samantha's reluctance to perform the wedding ritual with Trey or another reason.
Moving away from Afiere, the young man looked at the two elves and began walking toward them, stopping near where the two girls were fighting.
Filier watched with interest as they trained. While many team members needed incentive to push themselves, the two former princesses trained at full strength during all their training sessions.
At times, the other team members seemed to see the girls competing with each other. Samantha's air magic against her friend shattered against the dark elf's defense, allowing her to attack with her staff.
The light elf blocked the staff with one of her sabers and attempted to strike with the other, but her saber was blocked by Cassandra's magical defense.
The young man, breaking his gaze on their battle, called out to them several times, but it seemed they hadn't heard him.
Just as he was about to attract their attention with a wave of magic, the girls paused. Their gaze was fixed on him; he could see they were displeased at the interruption of their training.
- What's wrong, Captain Fillier? - Cassandra asked irritably, emphasizing the young man's position.
Hearing the dark elf's intonation, the young man winced. Throughout the team's training after he became commander, Cassandra had always emphasized his position within it.
- I think you need to hear that Stufon Trey has returned to the academy. - Filier said, looking from Cassandra to Samantha, who was standing next to him.
When he wanted to report the changes in the half-elf's appearance that were according to the news that Afiera's friends told him, the girls exchanged glances and, not listening to what the young man began to tell them, headed for the exit.
- Where are you heading? Training is still going on. - the young man said, trying to make his voice stern. - You need to stay to continue training; once it's finished, you'll be free to go.
The girls stopped, and it seemed to Filier that they had decided to stay, but instead of turning back, Cassandra turned to the young man. He could see a disdainful smile appear on the girl's face.
- You may continue training without us, Captain Filier. - The girl said loudly, attracting the attention of the remaining team members. - Dean Shego'Lo has given us permission to leave training.
Having mentioned the dean, the young man glanced at the seated deans and professors overseeing the practice.
He looked at the dean, who nodded at Cassandra's words, confirming that they were cleared to leave the team's practice.
- Okay, since Dean Shego'Lo allows you to leave training, you may go," the young man said in a resigned voice. - We expect you for training tomorrow. Stufon Trey is listed as a substitute, so if he's available, please let him come with you tomorrow.
The girls, without responding to what the young man was telling them, turned around, bowed to Dean Shego'Lo and left, leaving Filier and the others in silence.
The dean looked from one stupon to another, who were listening with interest to the conversation taking place between their captain and the girls with the dean.
- The rest of you, return to training and don't get distracted from it," Shego'Lo said in a stern voice, turning and following the departing girls.
The young man wanted to say something about what had just happened. Clenching his hands and trying to calm himself, he began giving commands to the remaining team members.
Wincing at the memory of yesterday's team training, Filier hoped the girls wouldn't forget to come to practice and bring a half-elf.
The young man wanted to show this overconfident Trey how lucky he was in a duel against two princesses.
Approaching the training area, he saw figures, some sitting, others standing next to those who were seated. Unlike the representatives of the light and dark elves, he couldn't hear what the team members were saying; occasionally, he could hear laughter.