"Let us make a bet."
Marisse's brow arched, suspicion and curiosity briefly threading through her expression.
"Oh?" Her tone was smooth, but the faint tightening at the corners of her eyes betrayed caution. "And what bet would that be?"
Lucavion's smirk deepened, the kind that suggested he already knew the next five moves.
"A bet," he said slowly, "where we both get what we want."
That earned a small tilt of her head, the faintest shift in posture that hinted she was listening despite herself.
"…?"
"You," Lucavion continued, "are going to pick a student for me to fight."
A faint ripple of reaction passed through the gathered crowd—some startled murmurs from the nobles, low scoffs from the commoners who recognized the provocation for what it was.
Marisse's eyes narrowed slightly, but he pressed on before she could interrupt.
