Whispers spread like wildfire among the villagers as Alden and Elrian's intense spar continued. Tensions ran high, the swordplay commanding everyone's attention, but it was the murmurs from the crowd that painted an even more incredible narrative.
"Isn't that young Elrian, son of Lyssandra and Arlan?" an older villager, with wrinkles etching tales of time on his face, asked, squinting at the young combatant.
A middle-aged woman, her hands full of fresh produce, responded with wide eyes, "Yes, that's him! But he's just a child, isn't he? He shouldn't be any older than eight. And to think he's holding his own against Master Alden!"
Another villager chimed in, a hint of awe evident in his voice, "Eight years old and already a Qi Sensor. When my son was that age, he was still playing with wooden swords. And now look at Elrian, parrying real blows from one of the best."
