Lucien was already in his private resting area when he received the announcement.
The top four teams that would be advancing to the single elimination rounds had already been released.
Team Valmont, Team Veyne, Team Arelia and Team Nox would be the teams to move on and face against each other.
He sat alone — his arms resting on the ledge while he stared out the window, eyes unfocused while the previous match replayed in his mind. His thoughts shifted as he leaned back on the chair, his focus moving toward the battlefield he could still see in the distance.
'Regis Valmont'
The name sat at the edge of his mind.
The next team he would face would be Team Valmont — the team that had dominated the whole tournament so far.
The upcoming match wouldn't allow him to be patient. Regis and the rest of his team didn't allow for patience, their fighting style was focused on sheer power without any tactics.
He closed his eyes for a moment and let out a sigh.
'Corin alone won't be enough this time.'
A knock at his door broke the silence and brought him back to reality.
Lucien opened his eyes again and waited a moment before walking across the room and opening the door.
His father stood on the other side, hands together loosely behind his back.
Lucien noticed the tension that covered his face earlier was no longer there.
"You fought well," his father said.
Lucien lowered his head slightly. "Thank you," he waited a moment before continuing. "The match went as expected."
A faint silence settled between them as his father studied him subtly.
"You didn't show any hesitation," he said.
Lucien didn't respond, he let out a faint nod.
His father stepped inside, the door closing softly behind him.
"The elimination rounds will be different," his father said. "There won't be time to analyse your opponents."
"I know," Lucien replied.
Another pause settled.
His father's eyes glanced toward the window, where the arena sat in the distance.
"House Valmont will push hard."
Lucien met his eyes without hesitation. "So will I."
Something close to a look of approval flickered across his father's expression.
"Rest," his father said. "We'll speak properly after the tournament."
Lucien nodded again.
His father turned and left without another word, his footsteps echoing as they faded down the hall.
He left too shortly after.
He hadn't made it more than a few steps down the corridor when he noticed what sounded like an argument down the hall.
Regis leaned against a stone wall by the infirmary, his arms crossed loosely, boots planted against the wall with his posture relaxed. His team were also there, the three of them with uneasy expressions painted on their faces as he belittled them.
"Idiots," Regis said. "What did I tell you about showing off?"
"But the whole point of the tournament is to—" One of his team mates said before Regis interrupted him, his patience growing thin.
"Don't get too ahead of yourselves. Without me you guys are nothing. I am the captain." Regis spat out, his voice growing louder throughout the corridor.
Another one of his team members tried to talk but Regis put up his hand, silencing them instantly.
"You should feel privileged. I let idiots like you have a spot on my team." Regis interrupted. "But don't get it twisted. The glory will be mine alone."
His team shifted around awkwardly as if unsure how to reply further, their faces showing clear annoyance that they couldn't voice their opinions due to his temper. They shook their heads and walked off, leaving Regis alone resting against a wall with the same arrogant look on his face.
Regis looked up as Lucien walked by, letting out a small mocking laugh.
"So," he said, his arrogant expression extending. "You made it through."
Lucien stopped a few steps away. "We did."
Regis' eyes looked him up and down judgmentally.
"Funny," he continued. "You didn't seem to do anything worth watching, little Nox"
Lucien didn't react to his taunt.
"That Corin saved you twice," Regis went on. "Maybe more actually, it's hard to tell when everything happens so slowly."
Lucien looked up, a little surprised that this reckless fool had been watching his team's matches.
"You sound like a fan." Lucien said.
Regis' snapped. "A fan?" He fixed his posture, pushing off the wall.
"I'm from one of the three great houses, you're nothing." he continued, "I wanted to see what type of captain you were."
"And?" Lucien asked.
Regis stepped closer, stopping at an uncomfortable distance. "Boring."
His eyes flickered dismissively before continuing.
"You hide behind your team, such a weak loser."
Lucien's expression didn't change at the insult.
"That bothered you?"
Regis scoffed. "No," he followed up shortly after. "It annoyed me."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
"When we meet on the field," Regis said, turning away slightly to walk over to his team,
"I'll show you true power, little Nox."
They both left without another word, walking in opposite directions down the hall.
The weight of Regis' words didn't phase Lucien at all — the insults, the taunts, just made him feel more determined.
He opened the door to where the rest of the team was resting.
Inside, the room was dim, lanterns out and curtains drawn half-way to keep too much natural light from spilling in. Corin sat near the edge of one of the benches, his leg stretched, resting on a stool.
"So… House Valmont huh?" he asked.
"Yes," Lucien replied.
Faye shifted in her seat, fidgeting with her hair.
"They're favorites to win the tournament."
Lucien looked over at her, his expression calm.
"It doesn't matter."
Faye's shifting stopped as she noticed Lucien's calm demeanour, a flicker of hope showing in her eyes.
Alya stood up, looking as determined as ever.
"What's our plan?" she asked.
He let out a small smile as he walked over toward them, sitting on a stool nearby as he began to work on a new plan.
"We prepare," he said. "And we stop holding back."