“Anyway…” Valeria said, attempting to steer the conversation back to something less aggravating. She turned her gaze toward the contestants in the arena, her voice carrying an edge of formality as she nodded toward the fighters below. “What do you think about these guys?”
Lucavion’s smirk softened into something more thoughtful as he followed her gaze. Over the past few weeks, watching the matches together had become an unexpected ritual, one that Valeria found herself looking forward to more than she’d anticipated.
Despite his infuriating personality, Lucavion had a unique way of seeing through each fighter’s technique, breaking down their flaws and strengths with a precision that was almost surgical. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
And for someone like Valeria, who valued skill and discipline above all else, his insights were strangely compelling.
“Hmm,” Lucavion murmured, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the contestants taking their stances. “See the one on the right? He’s too stiff. Look at his shoulders—he’s forcing the stance instead of letting it flow. He’ll lose power in his strikes, and he’ll tire faster than he realizes.”
Valeria nodded, catching the subtle tension in the fighter’s posture. “And his footwork,” she added, leaning in slightly as she examined his stance. “It’s too flat. He’ll struggle to adjust if his opponent shifts the angle. A single feint could throw him off.”
Lucavion’s smile turned appreciative, a quiet spark of approval in his eyes. “Exactly. He’s relying on power alone, which only works until someone catches onto the pattern.” He paused, his gaze drifting to the second fighter, who seemed lighter on his feet, his stance more fluid. “Now that one—he’s got better balance, but he’s holding his blade too loosely. He’s fast, but he won’t be able to control his strikes if he tries to overpower.”
Valeria’s eyes followed his line of sight, and she felt a small thrill at the clarity in his observations. “If he had even a fraction more control, he could turn his speed into a real advantage.” She glanced over at Lucavion. “Would you be able to do it?”
Lucavion chuckled, his gaze remaining on the fight as it began. “Guess?”
“….”
And as the two fighters clashed, Valeria leaned in, her focus sharpening. She and Lucavion fell into their usual rhythm, exchanging observations and critiques as the match played out before them.
It was during these moments, discussing the intricate details of each technique and debating improvements, that she felt most at ease, her usual wariness melting away as she immersed herself in the conversation.
It was ironic, really. Despite Lucavion’s insufferable teasing, it was in these discussions that she found herself genuinely enjoying his company. Here, beneath the arena’s lights and amidst the clashing steel, they spoke a language only the two of them seemed to understand—a shared passion for the sword that transcended their differences.
With each insight, Lucavion’s voice lost its usual mocking edge, replaced by an intensity that almost mirrored her own. In these rare moments, Valeria felt an unspoken connection—a camaraderie forged not through words, but through the unyielding pursuit of mastery.
She couldn’t help but feel a flicker of excitement every time he pointed out something she’d missed or added a layer of insight she hadn’t considered.
For Valeria, this was the best part of her week.
*******
*
Just like that, some more matches went down, and it was time for Valeria’s match.
As Valeria stood up, readying herself to head down to the arena, a wave of nervous anticipation rolled through her. She tried to steady her breathing, her fingers unconsciously brushing the hilt of her sword for reassurance.
Her opponent this time was different from anyone she’d faced so far—a young beastkin boy whose strength was an enigma. She had watched him fight before, but something about his movements made it hard for her to gauge his abilities. Each of his matches had ended quickly, with a fluidity and ease that left little indication of his true limits.
Lucavion’s gaze drifted toward her, a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he took in her expression. “A little nervous, are we?” he asked, his tone somewhere between teasing and genuinely observant.
Valeria shot him a look, half-annoyed and half-grateful for the distraction. “I’m not nervous,” she said, though the tightness in her voice betrayed her. “I just… can’t quite read him yet.”
Lucavion chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair as he regarded her with that all-too-familiar smirk. “That’s because it is the first time you are encountering a beastkin fighting, isn’t that right?”
Valeria nodded, her gaze distant as she recalled the beastkin boy’s previous fights. “Yes… It’s the first time,” she admitted, a flicker of hesitation in her voice. “But it’s not just that.” She glanced back toward the arena, where her opponent had fought.
“As you said, beastkin fight differently,” she continued, thinking aloud as she tried to piece together her unease. “But this one…..it’s not just the speed or strength; there’s something… urgent about their movements. Like he’s fighting with a certain desperation.”
Lucavion’s smirk softened, a glint of understanding in his eyes as he nodded for her to continue. It was rare for her to admit feeling unsettled, and he seemed to recognize that there was more behind her words than mere nerves.
“He looks young, but… it’s like he’s willing to risk injury, as though holding back isn’t even an option for him,” she said, frowning slightly. “It’s strange to fight someone who fights with that level of abandon. It feels… wrong.” She couldn’t quite explain the feeling, but something about her opponent’s fighting style unsettled her. The way he moved was like someone who had learned to push past pain, almost as if he were used to treating every battle as a life-or-death encounter.
Lucavion’s gaze sharpened, his tone quiet but thoughtful. “You are indeed sharp.”
Lucavion didn’t elaborate further, his expression unreadable as he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Regardless of whatever it is,” he said finally, his tone firm yet calm, “just go out there and prove what you need to. That’s it.”
Valeria met his gaze, feeling a faint prickle of suspicion at his words. The way he’d spoken—so careless, yet with an underlying familiarity—made her wonder if he knew something about the beastkin boy.
But Lucavion offered no further insight, and his expression remained closed, leaving her with only more questions. Deciding not to press him, she pushed her unease aside, reminding herself to stay focused.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded, more to herself than to Lucavion. She turned away, making her way down toward the staging area where her armor awaited. As she walked, she could still feel the weight of Lucavion’s gaze on her, his unspoken words echoing in her mind.
Once in the preparation area, Valeria methodically strapped on her armor, feeling the familiar weight settle over her shoulders. The metallic clink of each piece, the well-worn leather of her gloves, all of it helped steady her nerves.
She adjusted the hilt of her sword, feeling the cool metal beneath her fingers, grounding her. Whatever mysteries surrounded her opponent, she knew her own purpose here: to test her skill, to refine her strength, to prove her own path.
“VALERIA! OLARION! VALERIA! OLARION! VALERIA!”
“GO, LADY KNIGHT! GET THEM!”
Stepping out into the arena, the roar of the crowd washed over her. The air felt thick with anticipation as her boots hit the sand, the weight of her armor grounding her in the moment.
She looked at the lounge, and there, saw him observing the field….
And well, it did take a small effect.
Across from her, the beastkin boy stood waiting, his posture loose and unguarded, but his eyes sharp, studying her with the same intensity she’d come to expect from him.
‘Yeah…..regardless of what it is…
Valeria took her stance, her fingers flexing around the hilt of her sword. She felt the familiar surge of adrenaline, the steady beat of her pulse in her ears. Her gaze met his, unyielding, and she could see that same fierce determination mirrored back at her.
‘A really fierce gaze…’
It was weird for someone this young to have such a gaze.
‘I wonder what happened.’
She was curious.
“Ladies and Gentlemen!”
But when the announcer’s voice echoed through the arena, signaling the beginning of the match, Valeria steeled herself, her focus narrowing to the figure in front of her.
‘Young or not…..This person managed to pave his way through the tournament….they must be strong.’
That is why, she would not underestimate him.
This was her moment, and whatever unknowns lay between them, she would face him head-on.
********
On the other hand as the fight was about to start, Lucavion’s gaze was focused on a certain young boy.
“Found you.”
It was one of the people that he wanted to come to know about.
‘Vitaliara.’
He called to Vitaliara in his head.
Today, he was going to prevent the fate of some people from going down.