章 250: Congratulations

The moment Lucavion spoke, Valeria felt a flicker of warmth settle in her chest, a feeling she wasn't entirely used to. Of course, he knew. He always knew. That was the infuriating—and oddly reassuring—thing about him. 

"Congratulations… for finally breaking through your bottleneck…" His voice was low, smooth, carrying that infuriating mix of certainty and casualness. Yet, there was something unspoken beneath the words, something that hinted at a deeper understanding of her struggles. 

Valeria's grip tightened momentarily on her Zweihander, her gaze steady on him. She could feel her heart swelling, not with pride, but with a subtle contentment. Somehow, his acknowledgment made her victory feel more grounded, more real. 

"You knew," she said, her tone neutral, though there was a faint edge of accusation in her words. "You knew what was holding me back."