The Queen of Scrolls never admits defeat

The commotion finally caught Elder Ryandor's attention. He strolled over, his face showing a gentle, inquiring expression: "Children, what's going on? Focus..."

His words stopped abruptly the moment his gaze fell upon the Moran bark paper. He almost immediately looked up at Mathilde, who had been standing not far away, his eyes filled with questioning and disbelief.

Mathilde returned his gaze with a calm, knowing nod, as if to say, "See, this is the difference I was talking about." Though the turmoil within her was no less than that of Ryandor.

Elder Ryandor withdrew his gaze and looked at Moran again, having suppressed the turmoil in his heart. He spoke to her in as calm a tone as possible, "Little Moran, your vine body... you've mastered it exceptionally well. Would you like to try something more challenging—the flowing wind body?"

The Flowing Wind style requires brushstrokes that are as smooth and flowing as the wind, demanding a higher level of control over the wrist and an understanding of the spirit and rhythm of the characters. It is usually a field that elves only explore after they have mastered the Vine style.

Moran nodded vigorously without hesitation, her emerald green eyes sparkling with eager anticipation: "Yes!"

The vine script was already established in Valen, but the wind and leaf vein scripts are the essence of Thran's elven script. The leaf vein script, in particular, can even carry magical energy, so this is a good opportunity to try it out.

She picked up the grass-stem pen again, and this time, her movements were noticeably more cautious.

The strokes of the Liufeng style no longer pursue winding and nodes like the vine style, but emphasize the continuity, lightness and dynamism of the lines. She recalls the models in her memory and tries to move her wrist in a more dexterous way.

The pen tip fell again, and dark green lines began to meander on the bark paper. However, the writing of the Flowing Wind style was obviously a level higher. She had not practiced it before, and the lines were no longer so stable, with occasional unexpected pauses. The structure of the characters also appeared somewhat loose due to her first attempt. Overall, it looked stumbling. Although she could still see a good foundation and control, far surpassing that of a real beginner, it was no longer as amazing as when she wrote the Vine style.

Those little sprites who had already begun learning the Flowing Wind style couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing this scene.

Terri couldn't help but voice her thoughts: "Thank goodness Moran didn't start practicing the Flowing Wind Body while inside the Cocoon of Life!"

If even the Wind Flow Body can reach the standard right from the start of practice, then those elves who have been practicing for decades should really find a tree hole to crawl into.

It would be incredibly heartbreaking and devastating for an elf in their forties or fifties to be completely overwhelmed by a tiny creature only three or four days old.

Elder Lendor looked at Moran's raw yet promising Flowing Wind script, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. He had finally found a way to guide her:

"Very good. The key to the flowing style lies in the 'meaning' rather than the 'form.' Your wrist should be more relaxed, and imagine your pen tip is a gentle breeze brushing across the tips of grass..."

Moran listened attentively, her little face full of focus. She adjusted her pen strokes from time to time according to the instructions. Even though she wasn't as exaggerated as when she wrote in the vine style, she was still making progress at a visible speed.

"Alright, that's all for today. Next week at this time, if the weather is still this clear, let's come back here to continue exploring the mysteries of calligraphy!"

Upon hearing Lendor's voice, Moran, who was engrossed in practicing calligraphy, subconsciously looked up at the sky.

The sun was shining brightly at the moment, and it was clearly still a long time before dusk.

get out of class is over already?
Her eyes were full of confusion.

Has it even been an hour since it started? And the class might not even continue next week depending on the weather. This kind of course pace is far too short and haphazard!
Moran now understands why it takes elves twenty or thirty years just to train their vine bodies!

However, the little elves around seemed to have gotten used to it.

They methodically tidied up their bark paper, grass pens, and inkwells. For elves with long lives, learning was more like a lifelong stroll than a race against time.

Polly leaned closer and invited her, "Moran, would you like to see the lilies of the valley I planted? They're in the little garden under my treehouse, and they're blooming beautifully these days! You can pick some to take home and use as flower arrangements!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the quiet Celine also spoke softly, with a hint of expectation: "I...I'm going to the stream outside Lady Lila's herb garden to pick water-washing flowers to make water-washing ink. Do you want to come with me? I can give you some when it's done."

Before Moran could respond, Dominic, who had been itching to get going, darted forward, pushing Polly and Celine aside slightly, and said eagerly, "Hey, what's the point of looking at and picking flowers! Moran, come with me to watch the forest spirits dance! I know where to find them, it's so much fun!"

Three pairs of eyes looked at Moran expectantly, awaiting her choice.

Moran looked at the three little elves. The lily of the valley smelled wonderful; she had never seen lily of the valley in Seran's world before, so it would be good to go and see it. Using water to wash ink for calligraphy practice was very economical with paper, and it was used frequently during the calligraphy practice stage, so it was worth watching. Watching the forest elves dance... that sounded good too; she was now filled with curiosity about this world.

However... she actually wanted to continue practicing calligraphy!

The tactile sensation of the pen still lingered on her fingertips, and the lingering traces of the flowing calligraphy in her mind had not yet faded. That feeling of gradually gaining control from initial awkwardness fascinated her.

She knew that only by mastering the Flowing Wind script as soon as possible could she access the Leaf Vein script, which could carry magical energy, more quickly.

That was the area she truly longed to explore.

Mathilde now understood Moran a bit better. Seeing her looking down at her pen and paper, she knew what Moran was up to. She was both amused and worried. "Moran, go play with everyone! Your wrists are still very delicate. Your bones and muscles are still growing. You can't do such fine writing exercises for a long time, or you'll get injured. A balance between work and rest is the way to long-term health."

"Alright!" Moran said with some regret, but quickly accepted reality and looked at his newly met elf friend, saying, "It's still early, can... we all go?"

This greedy suggestion, which aimed to please everyone, surprised the three little elves for a moment, and then they all laughed.

"Great! Great!" Polly clapped first. "My lily of the valley is closest to here!"

“Yes, picking and washing flowers is quick too,” Celine whispered in agreement.

Although Dominic felt that looking at flowers was a bit of a "waste of time," he reluctantly agreed: "Alright then! But you'd better hurry, or the forest spirits will all go home to sleep!"

"Go in peace," Chief Matilda patted Moran's hair affectionately, then added, "Remember not to leave the tribe's protected area. Wherever you go, the Tree Spirit will watch over you." (End of Chapter)