After Seraphina and her cousin left, Helena approached where I sat recovering.
"You lasted seven minutes against an S-rank duelist. That's not bad."
"I lost."
"You survived and you impressed her. Against someone of her caliber, that's victory enough." She examined my bandaged ribs. "Another time you've cracked these. They're going to have permanent damage if you keep this up."
"Occupational hazard of being ambitious."
"Or stupid. Sometimes hard to tell the difference." But there was approval in her voice. "Seraphina Valorheart doesn't offer compliments lightly. What she said about your fighting style, that's rare from her."
"You know her well?"
"Trained with her once. Years ago. Different battlefield." Helena sat on the bench beside me. "She's pure. Honorable to a fault. Sees the world in terms of worthy opponents and unworthy ones."
"And I'm worthy?"
"Apparently. Which means she'll be watching you." Helena leaned back. "Question is, what will she see?"
