Outcome

Rosaline approached Flora with a sincere smile and said, "Thank you for healing him."

"It's no big deal, really."

Flora gazed at Luka again. She heard the boy's rage-filled cries during the duel. She could feel the sorrow, anger, and hatred emanating from his voice.

When they first met on that rooftop, she hated Luka. He embarrassed her and even abused his authority to force her contracted wind spirits to betray her. Flora wanted retribution. She wanted to return what he did to her ten– no, a hundredfold. His rudeness was something she couldn't let be.

But after hearing Luka's words during the duel, she realized that she didn't know the whole picture. Perhaps there was a reason behind his rude personality? He must have suffered in the past, she thought.

She wouldn't forgive him for his transgressions, but she open-mindedly just gave up on trying to punish Luka.

Seconds later, Luka's eyes groggily opened. He looked around and saw that he was lying on the ground. Everyone was looking at him with different expressions. Rosaline and Rebecca showed worried faces. Flora's face was neutral, but... he saw sympathy in her eyes. Then there was his opponent. Roberto's face was contorted with rage and contempt.

Roberto has completely lost all respect he had for Luka. Throwing dirt and sand to block his vision was a cowardly move he absolutely despised. Coupled with the fact that Luka's driving force was vengeance, Roberto doesn't even see him as human anymore.

However, he was thoroughly confused about why his master went out of her way to heal the trash. But he didn't question her decision. Who is he to question someone that is far above him? He is but a mere servant. He lives to serve, not to ask. But his opinion regarding Luka is still the same.

Speaking of Luka, after remembering the events prior to losing consciousness, he felt frustrated. His growth over the past year is fast when compared to any other fighter. But it wasn't enough for him. He wanted more.

He thought he had a chance of winning against Roberto. With his special wind abilities, he was able to match Roberto's speed. However, he was severely lacking in both strength and technique.

The feeling of weakness only bolstered his already rage-filled heart. He wanted to scream and cry and punch away his frustrations. Luka resisted these urges as best as he can and cooled his head.

He was an adult. Acting like a child will get him nowhere, even if he is technically a child right now. Either way, he got a good look at his weaknesses from the duel. The only thing left to do from now on is make up for those weaknesses through training.

Luka got up, dusted off his clothes, and faced Flora.

He lost the duel, and so he has to keep his end of the bargain.

"So, how do you want to do this?" Luka asked Flora.

"Pardon?" Flora was confused by his question.

"I mean, how do you want to research me or whatever. Do I just stand here and let you look at my eyes?"

Flora almost forgot the wager. Since Roberto won, she could freely study the anomalous powers of a Blessed One.

"Oh right! However, I am not going to begin the research just yet. I need to prepare quite a bit before I could get started. So, perhaps a month or two from now. I'll send a letter announcing my arrival at the Montampes estate. Would that be all right, Lady Rosaline?"

Rosaline nodded her head and responded, "Of course!"

...

Soon, Rosaline and her escorts began their journey back home with a prisoner in tow.

Flora sent them off. As she watched their figures become smaller and smaller on the horizon, her loyal butler expressed his thoughts regarding the gray-haired boy.

"May I speak my mind, Milady?"

"Proceed."

"I do not approve of Your Ladyship interacting with an honorless pig. He may be blessed by the Wind God, but he may as well be the child of an animal."

Flora sighed. She didn't bother to reprimand him. She's known Roberto long enough to know that his sense of honor makes him a narrow-minded fellow. Trying to make him see the bigger picture would just be a waste of time.

"Let us head back inside. I wish to prepare my tools for next week"

"As you wish, Milady." Roberto bowed before following behind Flora back into the manor.

The days passed and weeks went by. Rosaline and co. finally returned to the Montampes manor.

Rosaline immediately went to see her father to endearingly divulge her experiences from the journey. Needless to say, Duke Montampes was extremely enraged the moment he heard the Black Mamba's attack on his precious daughter.

Hearing how the slave he bought protected Rosaline and even apprehended a Black Mamba mercenary together with the knights soothed his rage a tiny bit. For this service, he wanted to reward Luka. But first, his attention was on the detained prisoner.

Duke Montampes wanted to immediately order her execution for the crime of attempted abduction of Rosaline von Montampes. But he was no fool. He needed information about the client who hired the Black Mambas. He had his suspicions, but he needed solid proof. And so the prisoner was immediately sent into the dungeon for questioning.

And finally, Luka went straight to Weiss, hoping to find a way to get strong faster.