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Chapter 137: Valeria Olarion

As I followed Valeria Olarion through the narrow streets of Rackenshore, my thoughts began to wander.

There's always that one character, isn't there?

While most romance fantasy stories throw the main character into a sea of suitors, with charming male leads falling over themselves to win the protagonist's favor, there's always the gatekeeper. The stern, no-nonsense girl who stands firmly at the side of the heroine, acting as a buffer between her and the horde of admirers.

Sometimes a best friend, sometimes a rival, but always the same type: sharp, cold, and with a face that could freeze the sun.

Valeria was exactly that type.

I could almost picture her role in the story—standing off to the side while the main character (most likely a princess or some magical chosen one) dealt with the affections of five, maybe even six different male leads.

Every time one of them got too close, too friendly, Valeria would step in with that same icy glare, maybe a sharp word or two, reminding them that the protagonist wasn't so easily won over. She was like a human chastity belt for the romantic tension.

'Blue-balling half the cast with a single look,' I mused to myself, barely stifling a chuckle.

In these stories, the stern girl isn't just a protector—she's a litmus test. If a potential love interest could get past her walls, then maybe, just maybe, he was worthy of the protagonist. If not? Well, good luck to him.

The thing about these characters is that they almost always have an undercurrent of loyalty that runs deeper than their sharp exterior suggests. It's never just about being cold or stern for the sake of it; it's about devotion.

They're the ones who protect the heroine from the wrong sort of attention, who stand by her side through thick and thin, often sacrificing their own happiness for the sake of the greater good.

Valeria fit the stereotype perfectly. From the moment she'd walked into the inn, her entire demeanor had screamed of someone who had devoted her life to something—or someone—far greater than herself.

Valeria Olarion—the moment I heard her name, it clicked. Of course, she fit the stereotype perfectly because she was the stereotype, at least in the world of Shattered Innocence.

I had almost forgotten…..Well, not that I had forgotten, but it is just that just reading some words describing someone's appearance and seeing them in real life does not always connect instantly.

While in the book, she was described as a knight with pink hair and violet eyes with a beautiful but stern face, the way I had imagined her as a reader was a little bit different from how she was looking now. And with the lack of illustrations, it took a little bit of time for me to realize who she was.

Valeria wasn't just any knight. She was a key character in the novel, one of the first real allies the protagonist, Elara, would make at the academy. Their relationship didn't begin smoothly, though. Valeria wasn't the type to warm up to anyone easily, least of all someone as free-spirited and rebellious as Elara.

At the beginning of the story, Valeria is introduced as the best friend of Elara's new roommate, a noble girl who is kind but unremarkable. It was through that connection that Valeria and Elara's paths crossed. Despite being in the same social circle, they were oil and water—Valeria's rigid sense of duty and discipline clashing with Elara's more carefree nature.

Valeria had been raised differently from the other girls at the academy. She was a product of the Olarion family, a line of knights whose history was drenched in honor and duty. From the moment she could walk, she held a sword. Her childhood wasn't filled with dolls or playdates like many of her peers.

Instead, it was filled with training grounds, the weight of steel in her hand, and endless lessons about duty, discipline, and the expectations of nobility.

In Valeria's world, noblesse oblige wasn't just a phrase—it was a way of life. She had been taught that her status as a noble wasn't a privilege to be enjoyed but a responsibility that came with burdens. She was expected to protect the weak, serve her house, and uphold the values of her family's legacy. And she did so with an almost terrifying devotion.

That was part of why she didn't get along with Elara at first. Elara's spontaneous, emotional approach to life and her refusal to be bound by the rules grated on Valeria's rigid upbringing. Where Elara saw freedom, Valeria saw recklessness.

Where Elara acted on instinct, Valeria would overanalyze every move, making sure it fit into the framework of honor and propriety that had been drilled into her since birth.

Their initial interactions were fraught with tension, especially during those early days at the academy. Valeria's formality and strict adherence to protocol made her seem distant, cold even. And to someone like Elara, that rather brought some not-liked memories, let's say.

But, of course, that was what made their eventual friendship so satisfying. Beneath Valeria's unyielding exterior was a sense of loyalty that ran so deep it bordered on self-sacrifice.

'She was a character that I had liked quite a lot at that time.'

Most of the male leads and their behaviors were always annoying to me as a reader, and seeing that Valeria was putting an end to such behaviors was indeed satisfying.

At the same time, her own acts and sometimes hypocritical way of thinking were also annoying. It was her flaws, and that is what makes a character.

No one in this world is flawless, and seeing someone change is always inspirational.

But that was still a long way off from where we were now. In Shattered Innocence, Valeria is introduced to the academy arc after Elara has already started her journey.

Right now….

Right now, Valeria is most likely far from the character I'd come to appreciate in Shattered Innocence. The development she would undergo, the subtle softening that would bring out her loyalty and the depth of her character—none of that had happened yet. She was still in the earliest stages of her arc, before she learned to temper that unyielding discipline with a bit of compassion.

The Valeria in front of me wasn't the nuanced, loyal friend I remembered from the story. No, this version of her was still rough around the edges. She was the embodiment of the rigid knight, the sword of justice that hadn't yet learned how to bend without breaking. Her world was built on rules, on tradition, and on the certainty that she was doing the right thing.

In a way, she was still the product of her upbringing, molded by the Olarion family's strict codes of conduct and sense of noblesse oblige. Her actions were always based on what she believed to be right, but that came with its own set of problems.

For Valeria, "right" often meant "by the book," and if someone didn't fit into her carefully defined boxes of honor and decorum, well… they were a problem to be dealt with, not a person to be understood.

And that was who she was right now: someone who saw the world in black and white, with little room for anything in between.

'She's still at the stage where everything is cut and dry for her,' I thought, watching her lead the way with that same stiff, disciplined stride. Right or wrong, honorable or dishonorable, duty or failure. There wasn't much gray in Valeria's world yet. She hadn't been tested in the way she would be later in the story, when those rigid rules of hers would start to clash with reality.

I had been so caught up in my thoughts, mentally dissecting Valeria's character, that I barely noticed we had been walking for a while. The rhythmic clinking of her armor and the sound of our footsteps on the cobblestone streets had become a background hum, blending into the noise of the city around us. It wasn't until she came to an abrupt stop that I snapped back to the present.

Blinking, I looked up to find Valeria standing just ahead, her back still straight, but her stance tense. Her violet eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I could see the clear annoyance in her gaze. She was sizing me up, as if trying to decide if I was worth the trouble.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and I could almost hear the deep breath she released, her irritation palpable. She looked me over, her expression sharp, as if there was something about my entire appearance that grated on her.

"Are you really the one who dealt with the bandit Korvan and his men?" she asked, her tone clipped and skeptical, as if the very idea of me doing such a thing was beyond belief.

I wasn't surprised by her question. After all, from her point of view, I probably didn't fit the image of a hero—or even a mercenary capable of handling a seasoned bandit like Korvan. To her, I must have looked like some laid-back fool who thought too much and took nothing seriously.

I met her gaze evenly and nodded, keeping my expression calm. "That's right," I said, not bothering to elaborate. The truth was enough.

Her eyes narrowed, clearly unsatisfied with my simple answer. She seemed to be waiting for more, perhaps a justification or some explanation that made sense in her rigid worldview. But I offered none, just a small, knowing smile that I knew would probably annoy her further.

"You dealt with Korvan," she repeated, almost as if testing the words in her mouth. "And his entire group?"

I nodded again, my tone light. "That's right."

For a moment, her gaze darkened, her frustration with me—and probably this entire situation—bubbling just beneath the surface. She clearly didn't like what she was hearing, but I wasn't sure if it was because she didn't believe me or because she did.

Her posture stiffened even more, and her hand hovered dangerously close to the hilt of her sword. It wasn't a threat, not yet, anyway, but it was a reminder. A reminder of who she was, what she stood for, and the fact that she wasn't easily impressed.

"I find that hard to believe," she said finally, her tone dripping with skepticism. "You don't exactly look like someone who could take down a group like that."

"Why are we repeating the same thing over and over again?"

Valeria's eyes flicked up to meet mine, locking onto me with a cold, calculating stare. She didn't flinch, didn't waver, just nodded her head once, sharply.

"You're right," she said, her voice quieter now, but no less firm. "We are repeating the same thing."

For a moment, I thought that was the end of it, that maybe we'd move on from this tiresome back-and-forth. But instead, her gaze shifted downward, locking onto the hilt of the estoc at my side. A faint glint of determination sparked in her violet eyes, and I knew exactly where this was going before she even said it.

"I'll see for myself."

Chapter 138: Valeria Olarion (2)

Valeria Olarion was born into a world of expectations and discipline. As the daughter of House Olarion, a family renowned for its long history of knightly service, her path had been set from the moment she took her first breath. From an early age, it was clear that Valeria was destined for greatness.

Her talent with a sword was evident even as a child, and those around her often remarked that she was a natural—her movements fluid, her strikes precise.

Her father, a veteran knight and a strict adherent to the Olarion family's values, wasted no time in shaping her into the warrior she was meant to become. Under his tutelage, Valeria's childhood was filled with grueling training sessions that stretched from dawn to dusk.

While other children played, Valeria was on the training grounds, sparring with wooden swords that seemed too heavy for her small hands but soon became extensions of her very being.

It wasn't just swordsmanship at which she excelled. From a young age, Valeria demonstrated an exceptional affinity for cultivation. Her ability to harness and manipulate mana impressed her instructors, and it wasn't long before people began to whisper that Valeria Olarion would one day be one of the kingdom's most formidable knights.

She had the strength of body, the discipline of mind, and the growing mastery of energy that few her age could match.

"You will make a great knight one day and recover our family's honor," her father often told her during their training sessions, his voice filled with a mixture of pride and sternness.

"Talent is only the beginning. It is the constant refinement of your abilities that will set you apart. You must train harder than anyone else, prove yourself in battle, and never forget that honor is the cornerstone of knighthood."

Valeria's family had not always been as they were now. Once upon a time, the Olarion name commanded respect across the kingdom, their lands vast, and their influence rivaling that of the most powerful noble houses. They were a county, proud and unyielding, their crest a symbol of strength and honor.

But that was before the dark stain, a chapter in the Olarion history that no one spoke of aloud, yet lingered over them like a shadow.

Her father often spoke of it, but only in passing, his voice tightening with bitterness whenever the subject neared. "Our family's honor must be restored," he would say, his eyes hard and distant. "We were once a county, respected and revered. Now, we are but a mere viscountcy, stripped of our rank, our name tarnished."

That was why the family had become obsessed with honor and results. It was no longer just about duty—it was about redemption. Every achievement, every victory, every accolade that Valeria earned wasn't just for herself. It was for her family, for the Olarion name, and for the chance to one day regain the status they had lost.

"You must be perfect," her father had drilled into her from a young age. "No mistakes, no hesitations. Every failure you suffer reflects on all of us. We cannot afford any more shame."

Valeria had taken those words to heart. Her life became a relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether it was mastering the sword or honing her cultivation abilities, she pushed herself to her limits, knowing that her family's future rested on her shoulders. The whispers about her talent weren't just about pride—they were about hope.

The hope that one day, the Olarion family would rise again, and the past would be erased.

The weight of that expectation was heavy, but Valeria bore it without complaint. She would succeed, not just for herself, but for the generations of Olarions who had come before her—and for those who would come after.

That was why she had been looking for missions, something that she could use to prove that her family and her name were not useless.

So that she can prove to her father that she became a full-fledged knight, someone that he could be proud of.

And that opportunity came not long after.

Her efforts finally bore fruit when she received word of a mission in the countryside—a bandit subjugation. Normally, such tasks were routine for any knight or mercenary, but this one was different. The information mentioned a peak 3-star awakened warrior leading the bandits, a rarity in such a rural area.

A warrior of that caliber was not to be taken lightly, and Valeria immediately recognized the opportunity it presented.

'How does someone like that remain unchecked in the countryside?' she had wondered at first. A peak 3-star warrior, powerful and dangerous, should have been dealt with swiftly, yet it seemed the situation had lingered unresolved. To Valeria, this was strange, but she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she saw it as an opportunity.

If no one else had been able to deal with this Korvan, then it was her chance to prove herself. If she could take down such a notorious bandit leader, it would solidify her reputation, not just as a competent knight, but as someone who could handle the challenges others could not.

Without hesitation, she prepared her horse and set out for the region. The journey was long and exhausting, but Valeria pushed through, her mind focused on the battle ahead. The image of her father's proud face, the thought of her family's name being restored, kept her moving forward. She could almost taste victory—this would be her moment.

But when she finally arrived, what she found was nothing short of infuriating.

As soon as she reached the outskirts of Rackenshore, she inquired about the situation with the local authorities, eager to confirm the details of the bandit problem. But the answer she received was not what she had expected.

"The bandit leader Korvan? Oh, he's been dealt with already," one of the guards told her casually as if it were nothing.

Valeria felt the ground shift beneath her. "What?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "When?"

"A few days ago," the guard replied, his eyes smiling. "A quick subjugation force was gathered from the city, and the bandit subjugation was successful. And Korvan was dealt by Sir Lucavion."

Valeria's mind reeled as she processed the guard's words. The bandit leader had already been defeated, and by someone she didn't even know. She had come all this way, prepared herself for the challenge, only to arrive too late. The frustration bubbling within her was almost unbearable, but she held her composure as best she could, though her voice carried an unmistakable edge of irritation.

"Lucavion?" Valeria asked, narrowing her eyes at the guard. "Who is this Lucavion?"

The guard's expression softened with a touch of admiration as he leaned on his spear. "Ah, Sir Lucavion," he began, his tone now respectful. "He's something of a local hero around these parts. Took down Korvan himself, along with more than half of the bandit's lieutenants, all in one go. It was quite the sight, or so I've heard."

Valeria felt her jaw clench tighter. A local hero? This was starting to feel even more aggravating by the second. "He did all of that on his own?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with disbelief.

The guard nodded, his smile widening. "Yes, ma'am. He didn't just lead the subjugation; he was the one who took the fight straight to Korvan. There were plenty of others in the force, but it's no secret who did the heavy lifting. From what I've heard, Lucavion's skill with that estoc of his was something to behold. Cut down those bandits like they were nothing."

Valeria's stomach twisted. She had imagined herself being the one to single-handedly take down Korvan, the one who would be recognized for her prowess. Instead, some local hero had swooped in and claimed the victory—and the glory—she had been so desperate to seize.

"Where is he now?" Valeria asked, her tone hard. She needed to know more about this Lucavion, needed to see for herself what kind of person could accomplish what she had come to do.

The guard shrugged. "He doesn't stick around long after his work is done. Last I heard, he was resting somewhere in the town, but he's the kind who moves on quickly. Always seems to have some other mission or goal. He's become quite the name around Rackenshore since dealing with those bandits."

Valeria's grip on her reins tightened. Her opportunity had slipped away, and the frustration of missing out on such a challenge burned deep inside her. But more than that, it was this Lucavion—a name she had never heard before—who had robbed her of the chance to prove herself. She was furious, but beneath that fury lay a determination that was just as strong.

"I see," she said through gritted teeth. "Thank you for the information."

With that, Valeria turned her horse, her mind swirling with thoughts. Whoever this Lucavion was, he had beaten her to the prize. But she wasn't about to let that stand.

'It may not be his fault, but at the very least, I want to see what kind of person he is.'

She needed to see who he was.

Determined and driven by a gnawing need to see for herself the man who had so effortlessly stolen her opportunity, Valeria wasted no time. As soon as she parted ways with the guard, she called for her men, her voice as sharp as steel. Her knights, loyal to her command, gathered quickly, their expressions attentive.

"Spread out through the town," she ordered, her tone crisp and authoritative. "Find that man named Lucavion. Search the inns, the taverns, anywhere a man might rest after a battle. I want to know where he is, and I want to know soon."

Her men nodded, splitting into groups and heading in different directions. Valeria didn't wait idly, either. She wasn't the type to sit back and let others do the work for her. Climbing back onto her horse, she set off, her gaze scanning the narrow streets of Rackenshore as she rode. Every corner, every building was searched with a keen eye.

She questioned shopkeepers, glanced into every inn she passed, and made sure to inquire with anyone who might have seen a knight fitting Lucavion's description.

It wasn't long before one of her men returned with a lead. "Lady Valeria," he called out as he approached, slightly winded from running. "We've found him. He's staying at an inn named Verdant Hearth."

The moment she heard the name, Valeria's eyes were narrowed, though she kept her expression impassive. She nodded curtly and sent the man back to continue his patrol. Without wasting any more time, she turned her horse and headed for the Red Lion Inn, her mind racing with thoughts of what she might find.

As she neared the inn, her mood darkened. This Lucavion had accomplished what she had come to do, had taken the challenge she so desperately sought. But the fact that he was already something of a hero in this town only added salt to the wound. How could she prove herself in a place where another had already won all the glory?

Still, Valeria pressed forward. She needed to see him, to assess this so-called hero for herself.

Chapter 139: Valeria Olarion (3)

Valeria dismounted her horse with a deliberate, measured motion, her booted feet hitting the ground with a soft thud. Her gaze lingered on the entrance to the inn, Verdant Hearth, as if she could already sense the frustration bubbling beneath the surface. She wasn't here to make friends, and she certainly wasn't here to congratulate this Lucavion on a job well done.

'Who is this man, anyway?' she thought as she approached the door, her hand already tightening around the hilt of her sword out of habit. 'Some unknown knight who just waltzes in and deals with a peak 3-star awakened warrior like it's nothing? It's absurd.'

She pushed the door open with more force than necessary, the wood creaking in protest as she stepped inside. The warmth of the morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow over the inn's interior. The scent of breakfast hung in the air, but she did not care.

"Hello, how may I help you?"

As she saw the approaching young girl who seemed to be around the same age as her, she spoke.

"I am looking for a man named Lucavion. I heard that he was staying here."

At the mention of the name Lucavion, the girl's face hardened a little.

"That…..He is not here right now."

"I see. Then I will wait."

Now that she had come to this town in the countryside, she had already invested a lot of time in it. She no longer had anything to lose anyway.

Thankfully, it did not take too long.

CREAK!

As the door opened, her attention was immediately drawn to the figure standing near the entrance—Lucavion.

He was not what she expected.

'This… is the man who took down Korvan?' Valeria's violet eyes narrowed as she observed him. He was tall but not imposing, his demeanor relaxed, almost too relaxed for someone who had supposedly bested a notorious bandit leader. His hair was dark, his posture casual, and there was an amused glint in his eyes that grated on her nerves instantly.

"Are you Lucavion?" she asked, her voice cold, cutting through the low hum of the inn.

She noticed how he paused as if taking her in, but she didn't give him the luxury of time to respond properly. Already, her mind was working overtime. 'He doesn't look like much,' she thought, eyes raking over him critically. 'No visible aura, no signs of power. How could this man possibly—'

"Yes, I am," Lucavion finally replied, his voice even and unbothered.

Valeria felt a spark of irritation at how calm he was, as if her presence didn't unsettle him in the slightest.

'Really?' she thought, her inner monologue dripping with sarcasm. 'This is the man who everyone is praising? He looks like he just rolled out of bed.'

But as her eyes scanned him from head to toe, she caught the faintest hint of a smirk on his face. It was small, but enough to make her blood simmer.

"So," she said, barely able to keep the sneer out of her voice, "you're the one who dealt with Korvan?" Her words were loaded, dripping with condescension as she tilted her head, eyeing him like he was a bug beneath her boot.

She saw it then—a flicker of amusement in his eyes, as if he found her attitude funny. That only made her angrier. 'What's so amusing? Does he think I'm impressed? Does he think I'll fawn over him like the locals?'

"I have to say," Valeria continued, voice sharp, "you don't exactly seem the part. I expected someone… taller. More imposing."

Her eyes bore into him, waiting for the usual defensiveness or pride she was accustomed to from knights eager to prove themselves. Instead, Lucavion just chuckled softly, as if her insult had bounced right off of him.

"Well," he said with an irritatingly calm smile, "not everything is as it seems, is it? A person's appearance doesn't always match what's inside."

Valeria's jaw clenched at his words, her expression darkening. 'What is that supposed to mean?' she thought, her mind racing. Was he implying something about her? That she was all show, no substance? The audacity! 'This commoner dares to mock me?'

"What exactly are you implying?" she asked, her voice lowering to a dangerous tone, barely suppressing the urge to draw her blade right there. She imagined how easy it would be to silence his smug face with one strike, to remind him of the difference between their statuses.

But once again, Lucavion remained unfazed, his playful expression unbroken. "Nothing at all," he replied smoothly. "Just that people often make assumptions based on appearances, and that can be… misleading."

The restraint it took for Valeria to not lash out was monumental. 'He's mocking me. He must be,' she fumed internally. 'Does he think this is a game? That he can humiliate me, of all people?'

Her father's words echoed in her mind, stern and unyielding: "You must be perfect. No mistakes, no hesitations. Every failure you suffer reflects on all of us. We cannot afford any more shame."

"Watch your words, commoner," she hissed, her tone icy, her frustration barely concealed. 'You think you can just walk in here and get away with that attitude? I'll make sure you regret underestimating me.'

"What if I don't?" he responded, his voice smooth and almost lazy, as though this entire confrontation was just a game to him.

Her fury rose like a storm within her, but she held it back. 'This man is insufferable. How did he take down Korvan? Did he bribe someone? Cheat? There's no way this laid-back fool is the knight they're praising.'

"You'll be punished for your insolence," she spat, her voice like a blade drawn from its sheath, the weight of her noble status behind every word.

Lucavion raised an eyebrow, pretending to be surprised. "A noble? You're a noble?"

The audacity of his tone—mocking her lineage so openly—set fire to her insides. Her noble blood demanded she silence him for good, yet something held her back. Perhaps it was the crowd watching, or perhaps it was her pride.

'This man has no idea who I am. He's nothing. A no-name knight riding on his one victory. He doesn't deserve the honor of facing me. But he will learn. I'll make sure of it.'

Forcing herself to rein in the tempest building within her, she stepped closer, her violet eyes locking onto his with cold fury. "I am Valeria Olarion, daughter of House Olarion," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "And I will not tolerate any more of your disrespect. You will follow me, or you will regret it."

But Lucavion didn't flinch. Instead, his smile widened, the challenge in his eyes growing.

"Now, was that so hard?" he asked, his voice still laced with that infuriating calm.

Valeria's patience was wearing thin. 'This man doesn't deserve my time. I could take him down with one strike, wipe that smirk off his face, and remind him who he's speaking to.'

"You have no idea who you're dealing with," she whispered, her voice a cold promise of violence. "Follow me now, or I will ensure you suffer the consequences."

Lucavion's eyes met hers without hesitation, and he held her gaze, calm and composed. "It's still an order, Valeria," he said softly. "And I already told you. I don't follow orders."

Her grip on her sword tightened. 'He thinks this is a joke. He's pushing me, testing me. But I won't break. I can't. Not for him.'

After what felt like an eternity, Valeria exhaled sharply, swallowing her pride. She could feel the weight of everyone watching, judging her.

"Very well," she said through gritted teeth. "Lucavion, will you please follow me?"

The words were bitter on her tongue, but she needed to get through this. 'This isn't over,' she promised herself. 'I'll deal with him later, but right now, I need to keep my composure. For my father. For my family.'

Lucavion grinned, bowing slightly in mock respect. "Now that wasn't so difficult, was it?"

Valeria's jaw clenched even tighter as she turned on her heel, her every step radiating with barely contained anger. 'Enjoy your little victory, Lucavion,' she thought darkly. 'Because it won't last.'

Valeria had been so caught up in her frustration—her thoughts swirling with the events of the morning—that she barely noticed how long they had been walking. The clinking of her armor and the soft echo of footsteps on the cobblestone streets became a distant hum, blending into the noise of the bustling town. Yet, despite the calm of the city around them, Valeria's mind was anything but tranquil.

She had wanted to dismiss him outright when she first laid eyes on him in the inn, but the calm way he carried himself unsettled her. It was as if none of this fazed him.

She came to an abrupt stop, frustration finally getting the better of her. She stood rigid, back straight, every inch of her posture radiating control, but inside, her patience was wearing thin. As she turned to face him, Valeria's violet eyes locked onto his with a look of clear annoyance. She could see him blink in surprise, as if he had only just noticed she had stopped.

The casualness of his demeanor grated on her, making her wonder how someone so indifferent could have bested a warrior like Korvan.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she exhaled slowly through her nose, trying to keep her voice measured. "Are you really the one who dealt with the bandit Korvan and his men?" she asked, though even as the words left her mouth, they felt incredulous. How could someone like him have done it?

When he responded with a simple, calm nod, it only made the irritation inside her grow. He gave no further explanation, no details, nothing that made the feat seem remotely believable. Just that annoying, self-assured smile that tugged at the corners of his lips, as if he found her disbelief amusing.

'You think this is funny, don't you?' Valeria thought, her eyes narrowing.

She repeated her question, almost testing him. "You dealt with Korvan... and his entire group?"

Another nod. The same light, almost indifferent tone. "That's right."

Valeria clenched her teeth, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. There was no denying that the bandit leader had been defeated—her investigation had confirmed it. But this man, this Lucavion, didn't fit into her vision of what a capable warrior looked like. He wasn't disciplined like her, didn't carry the same seriousness or the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

'Is this really the kind of man who can handle a peak 3-star warrior?' she wondered. 'He doesn't look like he takes anything seriously. How could someone like him have done what I came here to do?'

Her posture stiffened, and she felt the familiar pull toward her sword, her fingers hovering close to its hilt. It wasn't a threat—not yet—but a silent reminder of who she was. What she had worked for. What she represented. She had faced many capable fighters, many knights with real talent and discipline, and none of them would dare to act so casually in the face of such a challenge.

And yet here he stood, completely unbothered by her presence, by her status.

"I find that hard to believe," she said, her voice hard and flat, laced with skepticism. "You don't exactly look like someone who could take down a group like that."

The corner of his mouth twitched into a smirk, and his response was as dismissive as ever. "Why are we repeating the same thing over and over again?"

Valeria's jaw tightened as his words hit her. She couldn't stand how calm he was, how unaffected. Most men would have faltered under her gaze, would have been eager to prove themselves worthy in her eyes, but Lucavion seemed amused. As though the whole conversation was nothing more than a waste of his time.

She locked eyes with him, her stare cold and unyielding. Her instincts screamed at her to push him, to make him prove himself. She couldn't take this lightly anymore.

"You're right," she said, her voice quieter now but no less firm. "We are repeating the same thing."

Her gaze flickered downward, landing on the hilt of his estoc. The weapon itself didn't look extraordinary, but she had heard the stories—stories that painted Lucavion as someone capable of using that blade to cut down seasoned warriors. The more she looked at it, the more she could feel the tension coil inside her. There was no way to know for sure unless she saw it for herself.

'I'll see it with my own eyes,' she thought, her decision made. 'If he really is as good as they say, then he won't mind proving it.'

She lifted her chin slightly, her eyes burning with renewed determination. "I'll see for myself," she said, her voice cold, clear, and unwavering.