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A month later, Nathanos and Gudul were sparring with swords as usual. Though Gudul had taught him for only a little over a month, Nathanos's progress truly astonished him. He had even begun to suspect Nathanos never slept at all, because Nathanos no longer fell behind when facing him.

"Come on, you little girl!" Gudul shouted at Nathanos. This was a technique he had taught Nathanos: during a duel, try to taunt your opponent a few times. It would make them angry, and their attacks would reveal openings.

"Again." Gudul dodged one of Nathanos's slashes. "You little gnome girl, have you ever seen a gnome? Shorter than me. Just wait until I catch you, you... ah!"

Nathanos's shield slammed hard into the taunting dwarf's nose. Fortunately, Nathanos did not yet possess an adult man's strength, or Gudul's nose would have bled—or been crushed outright. Gudul staggered back several steps before regaining his footing.

"Are you all right?"

"The battle isn't over, lad. I'm not your prisoner yet, and I'm not worth your pity."

Hearing that, Nathanos readied himself for the next attack.

The two trained from noon until sunset. Nathanos's Shortsword flew into the air, and Gudul leaped forward with a downward chop. The edge of his axe struck Nathanos's shield, and the ringing clash of metal startled birds from the surrounding rooftops.

"Excellent!" Gudul picked up his axe. Nathanos had bent one knee and dropped low to receive that difficult blow. "You've learned every move I taught you. You did very well, Nathanos."

The boy breathed heavily and looked at the Shortsword lying on the ground. "I still didn't win."

"You have plenty of time, child. What you did today already satisfies me greatly. After all, there is only so much I can teach you. The rest, you must learn on your own."

Lordaeron Training Grounds

The sky was gray, and a light rain fell sporadically. In the center of the grounds stood a middle-aged man and a child. The man had his arms crossed as he watched Nathanos try to draw his Bow and Arrow.

"Ready?" Uther asked.

The boy nodded.

The middle-aged man placed a hand on his shoulder, helping him level his gaze before correcting his stance. "Relax your shoulders. Don't be tense. Keep your hands steady." Uther stood behind Nathanos, looking in the same direction as him.

"Now, release!"

Nathanos let go, and the arrow struck the target ten yards away. However, it did not hit the bullseye, landing slightly to the lower left instead. The boy frowned, dissatisfied with the result. He turned to Uther. "I was clearly aiming at the center."

The middle-aged man looked up at the weather. The day outside truly did feel oppressive. "It's all right, child. This weather makes it difficult for anything to turn out as you want."

Uther's words caught Nathanos's attention. He looked up at the sky. Behind the dim clouds, a faint pearly whiteness could be seen, while the ever-shifting wind below brushed against his face. After a while, he looked at Uther. "I want to try again."

His mentor nodded.

Nathanos drew the bowstring again according to Uther's instructions. He was more confident than before; his tension had turned into calmness. Once again, his arrow missed the bullseye, striking the edge of the red mark.

"Good boy," Uther praised. The two shared bear meat and peach juice prepared by the cooks at a table.

"Mentor, where can I find materials for making bows and arrows?"

Uther had not expected Nathanos to ask that. He took a sip from his cup, thought for a moment, then looked into Nathanos's expectant eyes and answered, "Probably in Quel'Thalas."

"The land of the Elves?"

Uther nodded and looked out the window, as though Eversong Forest lay just beyond it.

"The Elves possess the finest craftsmanship in this world. It is said that their bows and arrows can reach distances of five hundred yards." Uther smiled at Nathanos as he spoke, his expression meaningful.

The boy calmly replied, "Incredible."

"Ridiculous, just like their clothing. Their important figures always like wearing extravagant robes, like women." Uther laughed, sweeping away his usual sternness. The atmosphere relaxed considerably. He sounded as though he had made an enormous joke, and Nathanos did not know whether it was merely a sudden fancy of Uther's or whether such rumors truly existed.

"What Elves pride themselves on is their extraordinary shooting ability and magical studies." Uther leaned closer to Nathanos as he spoke, then continued, "But they have one fatal weakness."

Nathanos looked at Uther in surprise, waiting for him to continue.

"They're too stingy, hahaha...!"

Both of them laughed.

"But Elves are not invincible in the forests. Nature created a mortal enemy for them."

"Trolls?"

Uther nodded, tore a piece of bread in half, and stuffed it into his mouth. "Forest Trolls have always harassed the borders of the Elven lands. There are also more or fewer Trolls within the human kingdoms. They are intelligent beings with their own written traditions, but they are savage and have a habit of eating people. Moreover, their bodies possess naturally powerful regenerative abilities. Ordinary wounds can heal in a day or two."

"But the Elves defeated them," Nathanos said.

Uther wiped his mouth and answered casually, "Without human aid, the Elves might have gone extinct long ago."

Nathanos remembered Jonathan telling him of King Sor'Thalas's deeds: how he had joined with humanity to defeat the Trolls. But that had been a thousand years ago.

"Mentor, do you know the strengths of a Ranger?" Nathanos asked.

Uther stroked his chin. He was an important figure in Lordaeron and knew many things others did not. That was why Nathanos had asked him. If even Uther could not give him a definite answer, then perhaps no one could.

"I only know that they possess superb shooting skills and keen perception. Of course, they are highly agile. Even when facing a warrior clad in heavy armor, they can still keep the enemy occupied."

"What weaknesses or shortcomings do they have?"

"In the forest, their combat strength is formidable. But once they arrive on a battlefield, they can only rely on bows and arrows to stop the enemy from approaching. You must understand, Nathanos, though Elves are tall, they are not strongly built. If you put an ordinary Elf Ranger against one of my soldiers in a one-on-one fight, I am very confident that the human would win."

Nathanos nodded. Uther had told him much.

"Mentor, I may have to leave for a while."

"I know. Sister Kana told me she would be taking you to Alterac."

"Yes, but I meant after that," the boy explained.

"After that, where are you going?"

"Home."