Otis looked at Lucios with a profound gaze. He hadn't imagined the boy to be so frustrated. When he saw Lucios was distracted, he merely thought the boy was sad for losing to Liliam for the first time. It never crossed Otis's mind that Lucios felt inferior in fencing compared to his niece.

Otis's surprise was particularly significant because he believed Lucios, having already reached the metamorphosis stage, a feat Liliam hadn't yet achieved, would have unshakable confidence in his abilities. Lucios had won previous duels against Liliam precisely because of this advantage; in Otis's view, it should have been enough to keep the boy's spirits high.

The expression of frustration and self-deprecation on Lucios's face was something Otis hadn't expected to see, especially considering the remarkable progress the young man had already demonstrated. To Otis, it was almost inconceivable that someone with Lucios's achievements would feel so affected by a single setback.

Otis looked at Lucios before him. "Don't underestimate yourself so much," he said, his voice full of sincerity. "Your fencing technique is good, very good indeed. It's the result of countless hours of practice and dedication, I bet. You should be proud of that."

He paused, his eyes turning to the path they had come from, as he thought of Liliam. "However, Liliam is... different," Otis continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. He looked up as if trying to reach a distant memory. "She's always been like this, since..."

Otis sighed, a frustrated expression passing over his face. "Since her mother died in Anette's childbirth... well," he sighed again, this time more deeply, "Liliam began to mirror only her father. It led her to develop an obsession with duels."

He continued, "Her swordsmanship didn't come easy. She worked hard for it, training day after day, year after year. But there's also a stubbornness in her that worries me. She's headstrong, sometimes too much so."

Otis chuckled, as if trying to lighten the mood. "You know, almost every soldier in the castle has been challenged by her at some point," he said, a playful gleam in his eyes.

Lucios listened calmly to the first part of what Otis said, as he had received a great deal of detailed information about Baron Oliver, his family, and his territory before coming. He knew that the baron's wife had died in the childbirth of their third daughter, six years ago.

Upon arrival, Lucios found Liliam's appearance strange. She looked much like a boy in almost everything: short hair, practical and masculine clothes, a determined way of walking, and fearless behavior nothing like the young noblewomen he had known. What really set her apart was her feminine voice, a striking contrast amidst her masculine appearance.

However, Lucios quickly connected these observations with the information he had received, especially the explanation that after her mother's death, Liliam began to mirror only her father.

But when Lucios heard the last part of Otis's account, he was taken aback. In his homeland, Kaapurina, he never shied away from fencing training, dedicating himself with great effort and diligence. Compared to books on grammar, rhetoric, and arithmetic, fencing practice was almost a relief for him, a welcome break where he could truly feel alive and focused. Fencing was not just a duty but a passion that consumed him and motivated him to constantly improve.

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Although he often dueled with soldiers during these trainings under the guidance of his teacher, Lucios only spontaneously challenged his brothers. He felt these duels were more balanced, as his brothers, being only a few years older, offered a fair and motivating challenge. This made these disputes even more stimulating and meaningful for him, providing a battlefield where he could test his skills on equal terms.

The revelation that Liliam challenged practically every soldier in the castle was a genuine surprise to Lucios. He was impressed to realize the intensity and fierce determination his opponent possessed. Previously, Liliam was just a nuisance to him on his mission, always challenging him to new duels and refusing to accept her own weakness. However, this new understanding not only brought a new degree of respect for her but also made him reflect on his own motivations.

Otis paused, assessing Lucios's reaction, before continuing. "You have no idea the headache your arrival brought to my brother and me," Otis observed Lucios's surprised look and said, "When your father sent the letter proposing an alliance between our houses, we were surprised. The idea of an alliance was unexpected enough, but the mention of a marriage proposal caught us completely off guard. And when he stated that he would send his most talented son to demonstrate his sincerity and commitment, my brother simply couldn't believe it."

Otis continued: "Despite House Kamaiura being a newly born noble house, situated on unfavorable ground, my niece received numerous marriage proposals. Most of them came from knights' sons, but we also received proposals from some northern noble houses. They were always for their younger sons, but still, there were many."

Otis chuckled before continuing. "Liliam turned them all down. She always said she would only marry someone as strong as her father. To her, he is the standard of strength and virtue. My brother, on the other hand, believes in the importance of being firm but also can't force her into anything. So, he doesn't pressure her to accept any of the many marriage proposals we've received."

Otis paused, recalling some of the proposals. "Of the boys sent by families to try to win my niece's favor, all were challenged by her to a duel. They accepted, confident, but all changed their minds after being miserably defeated by Liliam. She faced them with the same determination and skill she admires in her father, and none of them could prove themselves worthy in her eyes."

Otis looked directly at Lucios and, with an energetic tone, said, "But then you arrived. Since I received the letter, I was already expecting your arrival, anticipating that you would show skills well above average." He laughed a bit and continued, with an intensity in his eyes suggesting a mixture of admiration and envy. "I always thought if there was any boy her age capable of defeating her in a duel, it would be the prodigies trained by the great noble houses with their secret and mysterious techniques. Those young men are true living legends, molded from an early age for excellence, something that has always fascinated me and, I must admit, caused me some envy."

Lucios felt a mixture of nervousness and shock growing within him with Otis's words.

Taking a brief pause and adopting a deep look, Otis concluded: "Two weeks ago, when Liliam came to me, radiant, saying that another boy had arrived to take a beating, I knew things were about to change. She was absolutely confident, as always, certain she would defeat another boy who dared to challenge her. Her joy in facing yet another opponent she considered unworthy showed how much she underestimated anyone who appeared. But with you, Lucios, I felt it would be different, and you surpassed my expectations."