Linyae lay on the frozen ground, a fine mist of snow swirling gently around her. Her usually composed eyes widened—just barely, but enough.
Surprise.
She felt it for the first time.
"Someone actually landed a blow…"
She had fought many opponents—peers, rivals, even other Overlord family scions—but none of them, not a single one at her level, had ever touched her.
Yet here and now, this girl—Sophia Lancaster—had done what even the elite of her clan had failed to do.
Something stirred in her chest.
It was faint, unfamiliar—like the flicker of a candle in a long-frozen cave.
"Excited…?"
The moment the thought formed, she crushed it—emotion was imperfection.
She smothered it ruthlessly, as she had been taught. There was no room for warmth in the Sora Family. No room for cracks in the ice.
She stood up, her movements graceful and silent.
Sophia didn't attack her while she was down.
Linyae's cold gaze narrowed.
"Is this some sort of warrior's code…?"
