A wise warrior chooses his battles - Yet he does not

He bowed his head before John. "I see you are quite remarkable to see my inexperience within mere minutes after we have met. You are indeed correct with your assumption that I may not be ready to face any threat I may be sent against, but fear not, for it is not a shame to take decades to complete the second trial. Neither is it a shame, but a reason to celebrate for the family, if one dies in an attempt to complete it."

So he was happy with dieing if it was for his trial? Not much of an immortal lifestyle, if throwing your life away counts as a good idea.

"Would you explain to me why that is... dear elven friend? I am also looking... sorry, in search of information, as are you, so please... enlighten me in your cultural ways." It became easier for him to talk like this, but it was still something he had to get used to. Yet the elf seemed to not understand the question, so John had to be more precise. "Why is it such an act of importance to partake in these trials? Who is it, you try to impress by completing them? Can you not become a warrior by yourself?" Now he understood and started his explanation.

"It is not only for the rank of a warrior I am doing these trials. Only those who have proven themself worthy in knowledge, combat and service would ever be considered a suitable mate for one of our female warriors. Their natural talents far surpass ours. We, as a folk, are trying to repeat after them as much as we can, yet only the fewest of us are capable of achieving these feats. The female elfves are quite efficient in their battles and would never accept to stand beside a male who has not proven to be of equal strength."

"So all you want is to get some pussy?" John barked out, before he could catch himself and his speech. "Apologies, I was speaking rudely. But it does strike me odd, that you have to take these hardships, only to be considered a partner to have intercourse with. Why don't the strong females teach you what they know instead, so you can stand as equals? This looks like a really sexist society you are living in." But he shook his head.

"Their strength surpasses ours by nature. For a male to achieve the strength a female has without training, it would take us years." John had some more thoughts on the topic, but he quickly stopped himself. This was giving him the perfect opportunity.

"Let me offer you the following then: As you noticed already, I have quite some abilities myself. Yet, I propose to form a binding agreement with you. I will agree to teach you in the arts of fighting, once I notice specific knowledge or techniques I can teach you. In return you will lend me your strength, if I am in request of it." He loved the medieval speech patterns right now. It gave him a full new option of lying without speaking the untruth.

The elf bowed. "This offer is great indeed, yet I have to decline. I am not yet in my second trial, so it would be heresy to spend my time preparing for it, when I should focus on the first one and how to solve it." John shrugged.

"Please, dearest Ashthyn, don't take me for a fool. I am fully aware of what you already told me, so I will have to add to my proposal. I will tell you all the details of the world I live in, if you ask for them, for you to complete your first trial with them. I am binding these answers to the other contract I offered you. In this way you are almost **** to take the contract of exchanging strengths, if you wish to complete the first trial. And you would train for your second trial... as something of a side effect of it." A long pause followed, before Ashthyn finally replied.