Otis continued to fix his eyes on Lucios, as if he were in front of an exotic and fascinating creature, something he had never encountered before. His gaze was piercing, a mix of intense curiosity and critical evaluation, almost as if he were trying to decipher every secret Lucios might hold. The intensity of this gaze was palpable, charged with an energy that made Lucios feel examined on a personal level.

Lucios, for his part, felt the discomfort grow with every second that gaze stayed on him. It was like being under a spotlight, unable to hide or protect himself. He began to shift his feet, trying to mask his discomfort, looking down at the floor and feeling his face heat up under Otis's attention. The tension was almost tangible, and he had to resist the impulse to step back or make any gesture that might seem rude.

Realizing the effect his gaze was causing, Otis finally looked away, giving Lucios a brief respite. When he looked back at the boy, the previous intensity had vanished, replaced by a gentler expression. His voice, now more restrained and without the initial animation, sounded calm and measured:

"I usually don't watch all of Liliam's duels with her suitors," he explained, emphasizing that it wasn't a matter of total disinterest but of selectivity. "There are many, and I prefer to reserve my time for other matters. However, when you arrived, I was genuinely eager to see how you would fare in my niece's usual test."

"When the duel began, I was curious to see in what you would excel," Otis continued, his eyes shining with the enthusiasm of a true connoisseur. "I wondered if your specialty would be in technique, speed, and agility, like Liliam. These skills are fundamental for a swordsman who prefers quick and precise movements, capable of attacking and defending with a fluidity that is hard to follow."

"Or perhaps," he mused, "you might excel in strength and physical endurance. These are qualities that transform a swordsman into a veritable wall in combat. Maybe you were the type to use more flexible strategies, capable of reading the battlefield like a book, identifying the opponent's weaknesses and adapting your tactics in real-time, minimizing losses while exploiting the adversary's mistakes. A true game where every move is calculated to ensure victory."

"Imagine my surprise when I discovered that your style is... common," Otis admitted, his tone carrying a slight disappointment, quickly replaced by a sympathetic smile as he continued. "However, upon reflection, it's to be expected. You must have focused most of your time on perfecting your achievement in path development. Your fighting style may be common now, but that's understandable, considering where you concentrated your efforts."

"I didn't expect you to have reached the metamorphosis stage so young. Although I have heard stories of people who achieved such a feat at your age, they are still very rare cases. Metamorphosis is a level of mastery that many only reach after years of arduous training and discipline. Seeing someone as young as you reach this stage is truly extraordinary. It not only demonstrates your innate talent but also a dedication and determination that are rare to find."

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Lucios, still surprised, began to understand why Otis had analyzed him so intensely a few moments ago. Otis believed he had reached the metamorphosis stage purposefully, as a result of some kind of rigorous and methodical training. The intensity of Otis's gaze now made sense; he was trying to decipher the path Lucios had taken to achieve such a level of mastery at such a young age. To Otis, metamorphosis was a grand feat that required meticulous planning and almost obsessive dedication, something not everyone could achieve.

What a surprise it would be for Otis to discover that Lucios had advanced to the metamorphosis stage in a completely unplanned way, in a life-or-death battle? Instead of a methodical and intentional journey, Lucios's transformation had been triggered by a desperate need to survive in the heat of battle, with death looming over him.

Understanding what Otis thought of him, Lucios decided not to reveal the truth. Otis's perception that he had reached the metamorphosis stage through deliberate and disciplined training and not through sheer luck created an aura of genius around him.

Considering his task of forging an alliance with House Kamaiura, Lucios recognized the value of this new perception. Baron Oliver was known to respect exceptional strength and skill. If they believed Lucios was a prodigy, achieving extraordinary feats at such a young age through pure mastery and determination, they would be more inclined to see him as a valuable and reliable ally.

Understanding Otis's expectation, Lucios decided to maintain the illusion. "The metamorphosis stage was an early goal of mine," he said, maintaining a tone of humility. "I spent years training rigorously, studying every move, every technique. It was a difficult but rewarding path."

Otis seemed satisfied with the response, but realizing from Lucios's answer that continuing might seem rude, he soon changed the subject, turning his attention to something more practical. "Let's talk about something more immediate. You saw the fencing technique used by Liliam. I'm sure it caught your attention."

Lucios nodded, taking advantage of the change in focus. "Yes, I was very interested. I have never met anyone who fought that way in my family's territory in Kaapurina. It's a unique and fascinating technique."

Otis smiled slightly, as if appreciating Lucios's enthusiasm. "It's not surprising. The technique Liliam uses is not native to here, but from a southern kingdom. It's a form of fencing that combines agility and precision, a style that few master completely."

"It's truly impressive," Lucios admitted. "The way she moves, the fluidity and speed of her attacks, is something I would like to learn."

Otis raised an eyebrow, a glint of interest in his eyes. "Would you be interested in learning this technique, Lucios?"

Lucios met Otis's gaze, his mind already evaluating where Otis was going with this question. "Yes, very much. I believe mastering this technique could make me an even more complete warrior by compensating for my current weakness."

Otis leaned slightly forward, his tone becoming more serious despite the smile on his face. "If that's what you want, I can arrange for Liliam to train you. However, it will be a rigorous challenge. I bet she will accept nothing less than perfection."

"I am ready to face the challenge," Lucios replied with determination. "I am willing to do whatever it takes to learn and improve."

Otis nodded, satisfied with the answer. "Very well, I will make it happen."