Aldric tilted his head slightly.

"Oh… how unfortunate, Young Master," he said with delicate politeness.

"So you truly intend to gamble your life… in a duel?"

Lucas frowned.

"…What?"

The word came out on its own.

"A duel?" he scoffed. "What duel? No one challenged you, dumbass."

The room turned awkward.

The Baron lifted a hand and pressed it to his forehead.

Tap.

Silvara closed her eyes briefly.

Then opened them again—sharper than before.

Aldric, however, smiled.

Not kindly.

Amused.

"My, my… extraordinary," he murmured.

"Absolutely extraordinary."

Lucas snorted. "Care to explain?"

Aldric raised one finger.

"In any civilized territory," he said lazily,

"anyone who dares to point a weapon at a knight—"

His gaze flicked toward The Great Hoe.

"Whether it is a soulbound weapon, or a common tool dressed as one—"

His smile thinned, aristocratic and cruel.

"—is formally declaring a duel."

Lucas's heart sank.

Silvara cursed inwardly.

The Baron released a slow breath.

Lucas swallowed.

"…Damn."

He glanced at the hoe in his hand.

Then back at Aldric.

He had only wanted the man to shut up.

Not—

Not this.

I let my emotions get the better of me…

Aldric watched every twitch of regret.

Every shift of uncertainty.

With visible delight.

"Ah," he said softly.

"So you truly had no idea."

"Tch." Lucas clicked his tongue.

Silvara stepped forward.

"This is absurd," she snapped.

"He never intended to challenge you. You know that very well."

"Intent is irrelevant," Aldric replied smoothly.

"Custom is law."

He turned back to Lucas.

"The weapon is already raised."

Lucas gripped the handle tighter.

It felt heavier than before.

The Baron finally spoke.

"Aldric. That's enough."

But Aldric paid him no mind.

His eyes were fixed on Lucas.

Savoring the moment.

"Now then, Young Master…" he continued gently, almost indulgently.

"You may retract your challenge."

Lucas blurted out, "I can?"

"Certainly," Aldric said pleasantly.

"Lower your weapon. Admit your discourtesy. Offer an apology."

His smile curved higher.

"And I… may be inclined to forgive you—

if you surrender that land as well."

Lucas's grip tightened.

Tomatoes were already growing there.

The tomatoes weren't even ready for their first harvest.

He could not throw that away.

Lucas exhaled slowly.

Long.

Deep.

Then—

The Great Hoe dissolved into light and vanished.

Aldric blinked in faint surprise.

Lucas straightened.

His voice changed.

Calmer.

Controlled.

"I ask for your grace," he said evenly.

"Withdraw the duel."

The room stilled.

Even Silvara froze.

Aldric stared at him.

This was not the reaction he expected.

So polite?

Tch. Who cares.

Aldric smirked.

"Very well," he said lightly. "Out of respect for House Voss, I shall indulge you."

He turned toward the Baron briefly.

"A week," he added.

"Prepare yourself well, Young Master."

Lucas clenched his jaw.

But stayed silent.

Aldric gave a shallow bow.

Then turned.

And left.

The door closed.

The moment it did—

The Baron's voice thundered.

"ARE YOU A MORON?!"

Lucas flinched slightly.

"I know you're no obedient son," the Baron continued sharply,

"but throwing your life away over a patch of land?!"

Lucas didn't answer.

He didn't explain.

He didn't argue.

He simply looked away.

Then—

His posture shifted.

His voice lowered.

Colder.

Sharper.

"Father," he said softly.

"Just watch."

He turned.

And left the study.

---

Lucas walked down the corridor in silence.

The manor felt colder than usual.

His footsteps echoed against the stone floor.

Silvara followed closely behind him.

"…You can't win against him," she said bluntly.

Lucas did not stop.

"A week?" she continued. "That's nothing. Even if you train like a madman, you can't make up for that gap."

He still said nothing.

"And you can't even control mana properly," she pressed.

"Your health is terrible. Your body is weak."

Lucas slowed.

Health…

Mana…

Two words echoed in his mind.

Then—

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"I might have an idea," he murmured.

Light flickered in front of his eyes.

[DING!]

(・∀・) Are you sure, Unc?

--

Lucas didn't answer the system.

He turned his head to Silvara.

"Take me to Healer Mae."

Silvara froze.

"…What?"

"Now," Lucas said simply.

---

They headed straight to Healer Mae's clinic.

Mae flinched the moment the door opened.

Her heart almost stopped.

Lucian Voss stood there, breathing rough, his face pale.

"Young Master?!" Mae rushed forward.

"What happened?! I'm sorry—I should have told you sooner about the poison in that wine—"

Silvara let out a slow breath and shook her head.

"That's not why we're here."

Mae froze.

"…Then what is it?"

Lucas lifted his eyes.

His voice was calm.

Almost too calm.

"I want you to make me a potion."

Mae blinked.

"…A potion?"

Lucas looked straight at her.

"One that strengthens my body to its absolute limit."

Mae froze.

"Y-Young Master, that kind of thing is—"

Silvara cut in sharply.

"Don't be stupid," she said.

"It's useless. Aldric isn't some low-level knight."

Mae stiffened.

"Aldric…?"

She looked between them.

"Sir Aldric… the regional knight?"

Silvara nodded.

"Yes."

Mae swallowed.

"But… why?"

Silvara answered quietly.

"…Young Master just challenged Aldric to a duel."

Mae's eyes widened.

"To protect his tomato field."

---

Mae looked confused.

"Tomato… field?"

Silvara glanced at Lucas, then back at Mae.

"…Yes."

Mae stared at him.

"Y-Young Master… you've been growing tomatoes all this time?"

Lucas nodded.

"Yeah."

"And I'm not giving it up."

He stepped closer.

"I'll pay for the potion," he added calmly.

"And don't worry…"

A crooked grin appeared on his face.

"I won't report you to the Central Cathedral over that little 'accusation' you once made about me."

Mae went pale.

Her lips trembled.

Then—

"…I understand."

She bowed stiffly.

"I'll prepare it."

Silvara narrowed her eyes.

Again…

Using the real Young Master's reputation…

She exhaled.

---

They returned to the manor in silence.

The night air felt heavier than before.

When they reached the front gate—

Someone was already standing there.

The Baroness.

Her posture was rigid.

Her eyes were red.

The moment she saw Lucas, she started walking.

Fast.

No—

Almost running.

"Mother—"

SLAP!

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