The parlor fell into a contemtive silence after Lucavion''s request, the weight of his words lingering in the air. The Marquis sat back, his expression neutral but thoughtful. Valeria remained still, her hands now sped tightly around her knees. Despite her outward calm, her thoughts churned, a storm of conflicting emotions breaking through the surface.


    She had grown used to Lucavion''s presence over their time together in Andelheim—the strange mix of irreverence and sharp insight that defined him. But now, the mention of his departure struck her like an unexpected blow.


    ''So it''sing to an end...'' she thought, her mind grappling with the reality. She hadn''t let herself consider it before. They were always so busy—sparring, bickering, navigating theplexities of the tournament, and the undercurrents of Andelheim''s political schemes. Lucavion had been there for all of it, a steady, irritating, and strangelyforting presence.


    ''I didn''t even notice how much of my days revolved around him.'' The thought gave her pause, her hands tightening slightly. ''When did it be so... normal? To have him there? To rely on him?''


    Her gaze shifted to Lucavion. He lounged in his chair with his usual nonchnce, his smirk still in ce, but his eyes were sharp, observant. He was probably already aware of her turmoil, though he hadn''t said a word. It was just like him—to push her into this position and leave her to figure it out alone.


    ''We''re not the same,'' she reminded herself, the thought carrying a bitter edge. ''He''s not bound by duty or legacy. He moves where he wants, does what he pleases, while I...'' She frowned slightly. ''I have my responsibilities, my family''s name to uphold.''


    Yet, the idea of returning to the life she had known before—one without him—felt strangely hollow. The weight of her family''s expectations loomedrge, as always, but now it waspounded by the sudden void his absence would leave.


    ''Maybe it''s better this way,'' she thought, trying to quell the ache in her chest. ''We were always meant to go our separate paths. He was never part of the n, after all.''


    But despite her rationalization, the words rang hollow in her mind. She looked down at the cup of tea before her, untouched and cooling, the delicate porcin a stark contrast to the turmoil she felt within.


    For the first time in a long while, she felt uncertain.


    On the other side, the Marquis nodded slowly, his sharp gaze softening with understanding. "Very well, Lucavion. I''ll honor your request. Your reward will be delivered privately, and arrangements will be made for a discreet departure. If anyone asks, you''ll simply be preparing for your next journey."


    Lucavion inclined his head though it was tempered with a quiet sincerity. "Thank you, Marquis. I appreciate the consideration."


    Valeria, sitting silently beside them, felt a strange pang deep in her chest. Her fingers twitched slightly against herp, but she kept herposure, her expression as disciplined as ever.


    The Marquis broke the momentary silence, his tone shifting to something more practical. "Now then, let''s discuss the rewards for the tournament. Traditionally, there are several categories of prizes: gold, artifacts, and asionally unique items tailored to the winner''s needs."


    He reached for his teacup, taking a small sip before continuing. "However, This tournament was a little… different, Lucavion. Since it was a rather youngster-focused tournament, we needed to find something fitting to present the people with something equally unique."


    Lucavion raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Oh? You''ve got my attention, Marquis. What might that be?"


    The Marquis smiled faintly, a glimmer of pride flickering in his eyes. "Your reward includes gold, of course—five thousand crowns to be precise. But more importantly, it includes something far rarer."


    He paused, letting the moment build before continuing. "The Eternal Skyroot Herb."


    The Marquis leaned forward, his tone gaining gravity. "The Eternal Skyroot Herb is one of the rarest herbs in the world. It is said to grow only in the highest peaks of the Skyshadow Mountains, where mana converges and crystallizes into its purest form. This herb, when properly absorbed, can significantly enhance one''s cultivation, elevating their mana reserves and refining their control. It is not an item to be squandered—it is a treasure that many would risk everything to possess."


    Lucavion''s expression turned thoughtful, his smirk reced with a faint, calcting smile. "The Eternal Skyroot Herb," he murmured, his voice quieter now, as though tasting the words. "That''s quite the prize, Marquis. And you''re just… giving it away?"


    The Marquis chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I came into possession of it by sheer luck. It was part of a shipment intercepted from raiders near the northern border of my territory. At the time, I didn''t realize its value. But over the years, I''vee to understand just how extraordinary it is."


    He ced his hands on the table, his gaze steady as he met Lucavion''s eyes. "A tournament of this caliber, attended by promising youths and aspiring awakened from across the region, deserves a reward of equal magnitude. And you, Lucavion, have more than earned it."


    With a flick of his fingers, the Marquis signaled toward the doorway. A momentter, a servant stepped in, carrying a small, ornate artifact. The artifact was a rectangr box, crafted from polished ckwood and iid with intricate golden runes that shimmered faintly under the light. It emanated a subtle aura of mana, a quiet hum that hinted at the treasure within.


    The servant approached the table and set the box down gently before stepping back, bowing before leaving the room.


    The Marquis gestured toward the box. "This artifact serves as a preservation vessel for the Eternal Skyroot Herb. It keeps the herb in a state of suspended vitality, ensuring its potency remains untouched until it is ready to be used."


    Valeria''s eyes widened slightly, her disciplinedposure faltering for just a moment as she studied the artifact. Even without opening the box, she could sense thetent power contained within.


    Lucavion leaned forward slightly, his smirk deepening as he inspected the artifact. "Impressive," he said, his tone carrying a note of genuine appreciation. "You really didn''t hold back with this tournament, did you, Marquis?"


    "I did not of course."


    Lucavion carefully took the box containing the Eternal Skyroot Herb, his fingers brushing over the intricate golden runes. The faint hum of mana emanating from the artifact sent a subtle warmth through his fingertips. With a flick of his wrist, he activated the enchantment on his spatial bracelet. The box shimmered momentarily before disappearing into the storage space, safely tucked away.


    He leaned back in his chair, his smirk faint but thoughtful as he regarded the Marquis. The older man''s smile lingered, calm andposed, but there was something in his eyes—an unspoken weight that Lucavion couldn''t ignore.


    "Marquis," Lucavion said lightly, tilting his head. "You''re still smiling at me like there''s more to this than you''ve said."


    The Marquis chuckled softly, leaning forward slightly. "Sharp as always, Lucavion. There is indeed something more."


    Lucavion''s smile depened, though his gaze grew sharper. "Do enlighten me, Marquis. What else do I have the pleasure of learning today?"


    The Marquis straightened in his seat, his smile faint but unwavering. "Just this morning," he began, his tone measured, "I received information that all the Cloud Heavens Sect disciples and their Envoy have left Andelheim. They will not be attending the ceremony."


    Valeria stiffened slightly at the news, her sharp eyes flicking to the Marquis with a hint of surprise. Lucavion, however, remainedposed, as he nodded.


    "And we both know," the Marquis continued, his gaze locking onto Lucavion, "why that is."


    Lucavion let out a quiet chuckle, inclining his head slightly in acknowledgment. "Of course," he said smoothly. "I might have made their stay… ufortable."


    The Marquis''s smile widened faintly, though it carried a glimmer of something colder. "Ufortable is an understatement. Whatever you said, whatever you did, it was enough to send them running before the festivities even began. And because of that…"


    He paused, letting the weight of his words hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "The reward that would have naturally gone to Lira Van, their chosen champion, now belongs to you as well."


    Lucavion raised an eyebrow, a flicker of intrigue crossing his face. "Oh?"


    The Marquis nodded, his tone calm but firm. "It was decided beforehand that the top four contestants would receive specific rewards. Lira Van, representing the Cloud Heavens Sect, was expected to im one of those positions. But with her withdrawal, the reward meant for her defaults to you."


    Valeria''s gaze flicked between the two men, her disciplinedposure faltering slightly as she processed the revtion. "And what reward would that be?" she asked, her voice steady but tinged with curiosity.


    The Marquis gestured to the servant waiting just outside the room.


    The servant stepped forward, carefully holding an artifact draped in a deep, velvety ck fabric. As he approached, the item seemed to shimmer faintly in the light, as though it were alive with its own subtle energy. With a practiced motion, he unfolded the fabric to reveal a cloak—sleek, elegant and imbued with a faint, iridescent glow that shifted between shades of deep blue and silver as it caught the light.


    The Marquis gestured toward the cloak, his voice carrying a note of pride. "This is the Veil of Dusk."


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