Lucios, with the scar on his lip still open, follows Otis out of the training field. Every step he takes is accompanied by a slight pain from the cut, a constant reminder of the fight he just endured. The cloth Otis gave him to staunch the bleeding is now soaked, a tangible symbol of the battle lost to Liliam. Lucios grips the cloth tightly, as if squeezing it might somehow lessen the pain.
Recalling the confrontation, the anger he felt upon seeing his own blood trickling down his face was immediate and visceral, an instinctive reaction to the pain. However, as he walks alongside Otis, the fury that consumed him in the training field begins to dissipate, replaced by deep reflection.
Lucios can't help but replay the scene in his mind, analyzing every detail with a critical eye. He thinks about his technique, Liliam's movements, and the mistakes he made. The initial anger gives way to more calculated thoughts.
Lucios remembers his tumultuous childhood, marked by constant teasing and fights with his older brothers. They always found a way to irritate him, whether through cruel jokes or heated disputes. When he sought justice from his mother, she invariably reacted with loud outbursts that attracted the attention of the whole house. This only made his father's ire fall upon everyone, including Lucios, even when he was the victim. The punishments, though unjust, taught him to control his emotions and be colder in his reactions. The need to avoid unfair punishments led him to develop a patience that would stay with him forever.
This careful demeanor was intensified by the near-death experience he had the previous month when he encountered a starving wolf. The ensuing fight was brutal. Lucios used all his skills to survive, barely escaping with his life, but not without physical and mental scars. This encounter made clear to him the fragility of life and the necessity of being vigilant and strategic in all situations. The memory of the wolf's wild eyes, the searing pain of his injuries, and the exhaustion he felt after the battle are vivid reminders that reinforce his caution every day.
Additionally, the current context demanded even more prudence. Lucios was in Baron Oliver's territory, far from the protection and familiarity of his own land and family. Here, he needed to be doubly careful with his actions and words. Every movement was observed, every decision potentially scrutinized. The politics and power dynamics in the Baron's territory were still unknown, and Lucios knew that a misstep could have serious consequences. He could not afford to act impulsively or let himself be carried away by anger.
These memories and experiences combined to shape Lucios into someone more restrained and thoughtful. He learned the importance of staying calm in difficult situations, to carefully evaluate every move before acting. His outburst of anger in the fight against Liliam was, therefore, a disturbing anomaly for him. Reflecting on the episode, Lucios realizes how much it could have compromised his mission. He needs to constantly remember why he was sent there by his father: to facilitate an alliance that would favor the Apurina house, not to engage in unnecessary conflicts. The need for self-control and focus has never been more crucial.
Lucios wonders what would have happened if Otis hadn't intervened. He looks at Otis, the younger brother of Baron Oliver. Despite having similar appearances, almost like reflections of each other, their personalities could not be more different. Where Baron Oliver is austere and reserved, Otis is the epitome of joy and sociability.
Always with a smile on his face, Otis has a disarming way that puts everyone around him at ease. He moves with an almost carefree lightness, spreading a human warmth that contrasts with the Baron's strategic coldness. With every step, Otis finds someone to greet, and each greeting is received with genuine enthusiasm. He not only waves or murmurs quick words of courtesy, but he also stops, asks questions, laughs at small jokes, and is sincerely interested in the answers. This authentic connection with the people around him makes him beloved and respected, not just for his title, but for who he is.
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Lucios observes how the castle workers interrupt their tasks to greet Otis. Their faces, initially tired or focused, light up upon seeing him. It’s as if Otis's mere presence is a welcome relief in the daily routine. He reciprocates each greeting with warm comments and an attentive gaze.
Lucios admires this quality in Otis, recognizing that, in many ways, it is a strength as powerful as any combat skill.
Noticing Lucios's distant and absorbed look, Otis slows his pace until he stops completely. He observes the young man with a curious expression. Lucios is clearly lost in thought, his gaze fixed on an invisible point, entirely oblivious to the world around him.
Otis understands that, despite his noble lineage, a defeat like that can weigh heavily on a boy's mind. Otis tilts his head and leans forward slightly, trying to make more direct eye contact. He gives a small smile and speaks in a soft, friendly voice, breaking the silence, “You seem distracted. Still thinking about the fight?”
Lucios, abruptly awakened from his thoughts by Otis's words, blinks several times as reality slowly reconnects to his consciousness. He feels a slight blush rise to his face, a mix of discomfort and embarrassment upon realizing that his distraction was evident enough to be noticed. For a few seconds, he remains silent, trying to organize his thoughts that still float between reflection and the memory of the fight.
Finally, he takes a deep breath and responds, his voice hesitant: “Yes... At that moment at the end of the fight, I didn't realize I had stepped out of the arena. It wasn't my intention to ignore the rules of combat when I tried to return.” He averts his gaze for a moment, uneasy with the vulnerability exposed, before gathering the courage to face Otis again.
Otis then laughs, his voice reverberating with warm joy. “So you're worried about that? Come on, relax, kid. Everyone has moments of anger when they lose control, especially someone like you, who is still learning to master your own energy.”
Hearing Otis's words, Lucios's face turns even redder. He stammers, trying to hide his embarrassment: “Was it that obvious?”
Otis smiles broadly, his eyes shining with a mix of understanding and humor. “Was it obvious?” He says in an amused tone. “Lucios, in the middle of the fight, when you started using your energy to enhance your eyes, it was still fine. You were only releasing half of your energy outside your body. But when you tried to enhance your entire body,” Otis lets out another laugh, “it looked like you were wasting your energy, as if it didn't matter.”
He pauses, his expression becoming more serious and reflective, demonstrating his deep knowledge and experience. “The truth is, if I hadn't interrupted your advance and allowed the fight to continue, you would hardly have beaten my niece, especially if she had adopted a defensive stance.”
Lowering his head in shame, Lucios murmurs: “I know I'm not ready to fight using the advantage of the metamorphosis stage. But no matter how much I try, I can't gain the upper hand against her if I only keep my energy in my vital core when I fight with Miss Liliam.” He pauses, his frustration evident as he struggles to find the right words. After a few moments of silence, he finally admits something he was reluctant to reveal. “The truth is, I would have lost all her challenges if I hadn't already reached the metamorphosis stage. No matter how much I try, I can't get used to her fighting style.”
Lucios feels a lump in his throat as he continues. "The way she handles the sword is... exceptional. Every move she makes is precise, every thrust calculated. It feels like she's always three steps ahead, anticipating my actions before I even decide them. Her fencing technique is not just proficient; it’s almost like a dance, a fluidity that disarms and leaves me breathless."
He looks at his own hands, feeling the weight of inadequacy. "It was Liliam's superior skill that forced me to resort to the metamorphosis stage. Every time I tried to fight with my energy contained in the vital core, she simply outclassed me. It was like fighting a shadow, something intangible and unattainable. There was no room for mistakes, and I made many."
Lucios takes a deep breath, trying to control the wave of emotions threatening to overflow. "I had to use metamorphosis to try to level the battlefield, to at least keep up with her speed and precision. But even then, it felt like I was just reacting, never in control. Her fighting style forces me to be at my best, and yet, I always feel like I'm behind, always one step behind." He then raises his eyes to Otis, hoping to find an explanation, and asks, “She doesn't seem much older than me... how did she attain such mastery?”