Just as this new, uncomfortable respect was form, a small, hesitant voice piped up from the back of the assembled knights.
"Excuse me? Sir Hero? Can...Can I also duel you?"
All eyes, including Luca's, swiveled toward the speaker.
It was a young centaur with a short, tousled mane of bright orange hair and a face that was currently flushing a deep scarlet under the sudden scrutiny.
She looked young, her armor slightly too large, her posture a mix of eagerness and terror. It was obvious she was a fresh recruit, barely out of training.
"D-Don't misunderstand!" She stammered, flushing under the collective attention. "I know I'm nowhere near as strong as Commander Sigrid! I'm probably the weakest one here!"
She let out a self-deprecating chuckle that was more of a squeak.
"I don't even think I could beat a training dummy on a bad day."
But then she took a deep breath, her hands clenching at her sides.
