To earn the title of mentor, an apprentice had to challenge her own teacher to a ceremonial exhibition match. Victory wasn't required, but it was enough. What truly mattered was showing dignity, honor, and courage.
One day, a graduation ceremony was prepared.
One of the girls challenged her mentor, Varka, a towering woman with muscles like stone and a gaze that could freeze fire.
The match was intense, but short.
The small apprentice couldn't make her opponent budge, it was like a feather facing a storm. She fell, she rose, she fell again, but she never gave up.
"Good try…" the mentor said at last, offering her hand when the girl could no longer stand. "You didn't win today. But tomorrow could be different."
The courtyard filled with applause and cheers for the apprentice. The Aunt stood from her seat in the front row as the girl, overwhelmed, began to cry,
Lua wrapped her in a warm embrace and whispered:
"You've become strong. Your dream is to teach others… but maybe you still have more to learn. Keep getting back up, and soon, you'll become the mentor you're meant to be."
Then, to everyone's surprise,Varka raised her voice. "Now I challenge you, Aunt."
The voices around them fell silent. Surprise spread through the crowd like lightning—followed by murmurs of disbelief.
The Aunt, her expression serene, nodded and stepped calmly into the ring. With a playful smile, she said simply, "Varka, darling, don't hold back."
Varka charged with all her might, her powerful arms launching fists like cannonballs. But the Aunt dodged them with ease, leaping, spinning, moving with impossible grace.
The duel was spectacular, the Aunt's small frame danced around Varka's attacks with inhuman precision. Varka gave everything she had. But in one brief opening, the old woman caught her by the arm, and with a single, elegant lock, brought her to the ground.
"You still have much to learn," the Aunt said, helping her up.
With a booming laugh, Varka rose and bowed low.
"Thank you, Aunt. This means the world to me."
"My dear Varka," the Aunt chuckled, wrapping her arms around one of Varka's massive legs, "you've always been competitive. But if you want my place, you still can't have it."
"No, Aunt," Varka said, kneeling to embrace the old woman,
"I don't want that, I just want you to keep teaching me."