Special Event - Blades and Bonds (Luca)

The sun has only just risen to greet the day, yet you can already see couples walking hand in hand through the streets of Sorrol. Even the guards steal a moment of their time to exchange gifts and share affectionate moments with their loved ones before setting off to fulfil their duties.

All except for one.

You find Luca in the guard’s training yard, wielding his sword with precise, calculated movements. His expression is the same as always, absolute seriousness and unwavering focus. Even without his armour on, the red-haired warrior is as imposing as always, his well-defined arms alone enough to intimidate.

For him, Heartbinding Day is just another day of training, another opportunity to sharpen his combat skills.

You step closer to the training grounds, leaning your arms on the fence. “Training early again?”

Luca doesn’t stop moving, executing a firm strike before replying. “There’s always room for improvement.”

“Today is Heartbinding Day, though. You know, people celebrate, get together, enjoy themselves… Don’t you plan on taking a break?”

Luca frowns for a moment, as if the mere idea were absurd. “I don’t see the need. It’s no different from any other day.”

You raise an eyebrow, watching him as he continues training with the same intensity. He circles the training dummy with an agile movement before striking and stepping back.

“Wow, not even once a year do you take a break. I wouldn’t be surprised if you dream about training in your free time,” you say with a laugh.

Luca huffs. “I’ll rest when I’m dead.”

You fall silent for a moment, observing his firm stance and the way his gaze remains fixed on his training without a single distraction. Lavina had already told you the day before, Luca lost interest in festivities and everyday pleasures after their parents passed. And she had also expressed her concern about it.

You press your lips together. Convincing him to take a break will be nearly impossible, but then an idea crosses your mind, a way to pique his interest without him realizing it.

“In that case, let’s make things interesting…” you say with a mischievous grin. “How about a little challenge?”

He pauses for a moment and gives you an inquisitive look. “...What kind of challenge?”

Your grin widens. You already have him. Still, you play it cool and shrug. “I don’t know… How about a short friendly duel? …Emphasis on ‘friendly,’ by the way.”

“If you want to lose your dignity in combat, you don’t need to ask for a challenge,” he says flatly, gripping his sword again.

“If I win,” you continue, ignoring his comment, “you’ll come with me to celebrate Heartbinding Day with the rest of the village. You need to see that today is a special day.”

Luca raises an eyebrow and studies you for a moment before asking, “And if I win?”

“I’ll pay for your drinks at the tavern for a week,” you answer.

Luca stares at you for another second before nodding. “Deal.”

He sheathes his sword and sets it on a nearby bench before grabbing two wooden training swords. Which you appreciate. Knowing him, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he had insisted on using real weapons.

Without further ado, you both prepare, and the duel begins. Luca doesn’t hold back, attacking with the same strength and determination he would in a real fight. His first strike forces you to step back, but you keep your guard up and quickly adjust to his rhythm. For now, the only thing that matters is the sound of clashing wood filling the air.

At first, the fight is purely technical. You block, dodge, and counter his attacks with the precision you’ve honed over your years as a hunter. But as the battle progresses, you notice something different. There’s something in his stance, in the way his green eyes gleam with a peculiar excitement, that changes everything.

Little by little, the strikes become less calculated and more playful. It catches you so off guard that, with one swift move, Luca knocks you to the ground. He steps forward, resting the wooden blade on his shoulder, and looks down at you with a smug expression.

“Do you yield, MC?” he teases with a smile.

For a second, you’re taken aback. The usual professional, serious air about him is gone. Now, he’s simply enjoying the moment.

Luca points the sword at you. “Looks like I’ve won.”

Then, you recover and smirk. “Not yet.”

With a sweeping leg, you knock Luca off balance, making him fall to the ground as you get back on your feet. He quickly rolls backward and charges at you again.

The fight drags on, both of you too engrossed in the duel to notice how time passes. Every strike is met with equal force, but now neither of you are fighting to win or lose. You’re not even training anymore.

You’re just playing.

A brief laugh escapes Luca in the middle of a particularly intense block, and you can’t help but laugh too.

“Hey, you two!”

Omar’s voice pulls you both out of your little world, and you simultaneously turn to find the doctor standing with his arms crossed on the other side of the fence.

“Are you planning on staying there all day or what? It’s lunchtime. You’ll pass out if you keep training on an empty stomach.”

Luca and you step apart and look up at the sky, where the sun is now at its peak. Both of you are breathless, your skin glistening with sweat and your arms heavy from the effort.

“Wow, looks like the whole morning got away from us…” you say, lowering your sword.

“Yeah…” Luca responds, his tone thoughtful.

You chuckle. “I guess this is a tie, then.”

Luca doesn’t answer right away. He looks at the sword in his hand for a moment, his brow slightly furrowed before he softens and lets out a short laugh.

“You’ve won,” he says as he lets his sword drop to the ground.

You blink. “Huh?”

“And you were right, today is a special day. Or at least, the morning has been,” he admits, ignoring your confusion. His voice is less firm than usual. “I’ll keep my word and join you for the celebration in the square after we eat.”

His words take you by surprise, your heart beating a little faster in your chest. Before you can even respond, he turns and heads toward the exit.

“Come on! Gara’s waiting for us!” Omar calls out.

It takes you a few seconds to process everything, your gaze lingering on Luca’s back. You smile to yourself and leave the sword forgotten alongside his, hurrying to catch up with the warrior and already thinking about everything you’ll get to share after lunch.

And after a good shower, of course.