The crackling sounds of the fire filled the room.

  ?Cassian stood against it, his smile absent, his eyes deeply focused on the fire.

  ?"So, you’re telling me you left her there to die?"

  ?"Yes..." Lysric muttered, standing behind him with his head lowered.

  ?"That’s troublesome, little brother. What would you do if she decided to speak up?"

  ?"I don’t know... I’m—"

  ?Cassian turned to him, each of his steps making Lysric flinch.

  ?He moved closer. His eyes weren't judging him, but rather demanding an explanation for his failure.

  ?Easing the pressure, he whispered to himself.

  ?"I really can’t believe you did something so half-hearted."

  ?Not being able to hear it clearly, Lysric asked, "B-brother?"

  ?After a heavy sigh, he faced Lysric again.

  ?He placed his hand on Lysric’s shoulder, patting it gently.

  ?"It’s too late for her to speak up now, so you don't have to worry about that.”

  ?His voice was anything but comforting.

  ?Still, Lysric couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief.

  ?“But tell me, what exactly happened there?"

  ?Averting his eyes and twiddling his thumbs, he spoke.

  ?"...I ran, left her with the bear, and when I came back, she was standing—"

  ?Cassian raised his hand to stop him.

  ?"No, not that part. You said Isengrim always went for Aelira. Is that true?"

  ?"Yes..."

  ?“Was it always on her? Didn't it come your way or something?”

  ?“No… the focus was on Aelira the entire time.”

  ?His eyes narrowed, as if calculating something carefully.

  ?"And now, one week later, you have a duel with her..."

  ?Cassian’s words pulled Lysric back to yesterday, to the moment when their grandfather’s cold, commanding voice echoed in the hall.

  ?"So you two truly want to duel each other, is that right?"

  ?"Yes!" they both shouted without a trace of hesitation.

  ?Sylas’s gaze shifted to Aelira.

  ?"You understand that if you lose, you must step down from the title of ‘Hero,’ as you promised.

  ?Since you are the younger one, I will ask again: are you certain about this? You may even lose your life."

  ?She didn’t speak, but her eyes held an unwavering answer.

  ?"Very well then. One week from now, the duel will take place at the training grounds, early in the morning." He looked around at each face.

  ?"Dismissed."

  ?Shaking his head, Cassian glanced at his brother, worried.

  ?"Is something wrong, brother?"

  ?"No, nothing. You can leave now. Thank you for telling me."

  ?Still confused by his brother’s behavior, Lysric lingered. Cassian gave him a reassuring smile.

  ?"Ah! Don’t forget—this stays between us. If anyone else hears about it, it could become a very big problem for you."

  ?"O-okay." Lysric nodded, slowly opened the door, and left.

  ?Right after he was gone, Lucien entered the room.

  ?"What happened? It didn’t sound good from outside."

  ?"It didn't," Cassian admitted, resting his hands on the table before him. "Isengrim focused on Aelira the entire fight."

  ?Lucien frowned, confused.

  "Isn’t that normal? Isengrim always goes for the weak first. That should actually be a relief for you."

  ?"That’s what most believe... but in reality, it only targets the weak to distract the strong."

  ?He stayed quiet until he understood the meaning.

  ?"Don't tell me… "

  ?"Yes. If Isengrim consistently attacked Aelira, it means it saw her as a greater threat than Lysric."

  ?"Are we sure about that?"

  ?Cassian’s silence was enough of an answer. Lucien rubbed his chin.

  ?"But isn’t Isengrim just a bear? We can’t trust its instincts."

  ?"According to every hunt record for Isengrim, it had strong judgment skills."

  ?Cassian walked over to the window and stopped, his voice heavy.

  ?"I don’t want to admit it, but if Lysric loses this duel... there will be no turning back for us."

  ?Now I think there really is cause for concern for his place.

  ?The sound of nail-biting broke his thoughts.

  ?Turning, Cassian saw his uncle gnawing at his fingers again, his face darkening with each bite.

  ?This might be our only choice after all…

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  ***

  ?"Each time I say, 'Don't push yourself,' it just ends in a different way."

  ?She shook her head firmly, rejecting his offer. "I have to be stronger, otherwise I can't beat him." Her eyes glimmered with determination.

  ?"You can't beat him, huh? Where did this idea of a duel even come from?"

  ?"It… at first, it was his idea, not mine. But later, I just wanted it to end this."

  ?"What about the bear?"

  ?He stared at her in deep silence.

  ?"I-I thought it was a good idea."

  ?"A good idea… How did you beat Isengrim? It was way too big for you."

  ?He paused, letting the silence take over between them.

  ?“Sensei, I already told you everything. Are we going to train or not?”

  ?“Alright, then. Let me teach you a few more things to prepare." Stepping backward, he created a distance between them.

  ?"Show me what you've got."

  ?Aelira frowned in confusion. "D-do you want me to attack you?"

  ?"Yes. I need to see how ready you are for a duel."

  ?"...Shouldn't you already know that?"

  ?Ignoring her dull eyes, he picked up a wooden sword, took his stance, and waved to her.

  ?"Come now."

  ?Aelira tightened her grip, raised her sword, and rushed forward.

  ?He countered her strikes: first, second, third…

  ?It was all easy for him.

  ?But the weight of each blow was much heavier than the last time he remembered.

  ?After she stepped back, he smirked. "I see, you seem to have figured it out."

  ?Aelira, having passed Zaek, smiled too—until a sudden gust of wind hit her. She couldn't dodge in time, and the impact pushed her back. "Guwah!"

  ?Right after, he rushed toward her. "Never let your guard down!"

  ?“...”

  ?As soon as she stood up, she rushed forward.

  ?After countering her several times, Zaek raised his sword upwards.

  ?Seeing it move slowly, she used the opportunity and created some distance.

  ?She remained alert, her awareness on a completely different level.

  ?“In one-on-one fights, it is important to read the opponent. If you know how to counter, you can win.”

  ?Although it was surprising to hear that he had started teaching, it did not falter her stance.

  ?"For this reason, you have to know three types of casters."

  ?Lending her ear, Aelira began drawing a circle around him, keeping her guard up.

  ?"First, the stable type. People like me—we don't lose speed while casting magic."

  ?In the middle of his talk, Aelira dashed toward him once again.

  ?He parried all her attacks without moving an inch. She stepped back and jumped to the other side.

  ?"Second, the burst type. People like you tend to start fast with their magic, but the longer it takes, the slower it becomes."

  ?Aelira started drawing another circle around him. She reflexively stepped back as his cape rose into the air—but it was too late; she was on the ground.

  ?"Third, the reverse-burst type. They’re the opposite of you—the longer their magic lasts, the faster it becomes."

  ?He smiled as he reached out his hand.

  ?"Each type has disadvantages for the user. It’s better to figure them out quickly."

  ?"How will I do that?"

  ?“You can also focus on their mana. If it slows down over time, it’s burst type, like you. If it speeds up, it's a reverse-burst. If it doesn’t change at all, it’s stable."

  ?It sounded simple, but understanding this during a fight was another matter.

  ?"I see… Thank you, sensei."

  ?"Your mana enchantment is much better now—you won’t fail—but it still needs work.

  ?“As for your swordplay, your balance and timing are good. In terms of technique and speed, you can keep up with him.”

  ?Aelira continued to listen attentively as he spoke.

  ?“With those, you can handle the lack of power. Your biggest problem is being too passive.

  ?Whenever you have the option to attack or dodge, you always choose to dodge."

  ?As he continued talking, he realized that this might be difficult for her to understand.

  ?"Short version—with a few tips—you’re good to go."

  ?"Really?"

  ?"Yes. Even if that kid is your opponent, your chances aren’t zero."

  ?"...Is that a compliment?"

  ?"It is. He’s five years older than you. As an eleven-year-old, you shouldn’t have any chance against him, yet you do."

  ?Aelira’s eyes shone at his words, but it didn't last long. "Still… he’s the most likely winner…" She looked down as she spoke.

  ?"When the odds aren’t too far apart, it’s always about who’s more determined. Don’t forget that."

  ?He ruffled her hair roughly.

  ?She didn’t try to fix her hair. She just stood there and lifted her head.

  ?"Thank you, sensei."

  ?"It’s too early to say thank you. You still have a match to win, kid." He smiled.

  ?"Okay!"

  ***

  ?Lysric, wearing his training outfit, looked around.

  ?"Is there a problem, sir?"

  ?"Where is Josef?"

  ?"Mr. Josef won’t be accompanying you anymore, Master Lysric."

  ?"What do you mean by that?"

  ?"After the incident, he has been removed from his position as your caretaker. I will be your personal butler from now on."

  ?"What?!" Lysric clenched his fists, ready to burst out, but before he could shout, a voice cut through.

  ?"Master Lysric, a man must take responsibility for his actions." It was Telgit.

  ?"Huh? What is that supposed to mean?"

  ?"You pushed him to act, to deceive the guards. You are the one who caused this."

  ?"?!" The shock on Lysric’s face darkened his expression.

  ?"However hard it is to accept, it’s still the reality you must face."

  ?Because of me… Josef.

  ?"Now, are you going to be a man and stand by your actions, or are you going to back down? Give me your answer." Telgit stood before him, hands clasped, unmovable like a mountain.

  ?"Huh… Telgit, you’re talking differently today."

  ?"You are the one who changed, Master Lysric. I only respect that."

  ?Lysric chuckled. "Does Father know about this?"

  ?"Most likely."

  ?"Of course he does. Yet he didn’t say it to me—he sent you instead. Did he tell you to be harsher on me too?"

  ?"…"

  ?"Fine, it doesn’t matter. First, I’ll kick your ass."

  ?As he adjusted his clothes, he suddenly grabbed the sword beside him and attacked.

  ?The clash of metal rang through the area as Telgit met him blow for blow.

  ?"You were expecting this…" Lysric said.

  ?"I don’t provoke anyone without thinking, Master Lysric. Your attack was splendid… even if it was cowardly."

  ?Lysric narrowed his gaze and dashed forward again. Telgit prepared for the next counter.

  Steel clashed repeatedly before Lysric fell back.

  ?"What’s the matter? Already tired?"

  ?"SHUT UP!" Lysric charged again, their attacks colliding more fiercely than before.

  ?"Arghhhh!"

  ?Despite his battle cries, Telgit didn’t falter. A kick to Lysric’s stomach sent him crashing to the ground.

  ?That bastard… he wasn’t serious until now?

  ?Coughing, trying to catch his breath, Lysric looked up at Telgit standing before him.

  ?"There seems to be a misunderstanding," Telgit said. "I thought I was fighting a man… Poor Josef burned himself for such a child.

  ?He added, “Now that I think of it, it’s really a misfortune for Master Celdric to have a boy like you. I’m sure it was disappointing for him as well."

  ?Lysric, sitting on the ground, glared at Telgit. His eyes practically seethed with hatred.

  ?"…" Unconsciously, Telgit took a step back. “What hatred…”

  ?"?!"

  In the next instant, Lysric was in mid-air, aiming his sword at Telgit’s head. Telgit barely parried it. "That was close."

  ?He struggled for breath as Lysric began casting a spell. He raised his guard—but nothing happened.

  ?? That’s right… he’s reverse-type.

  Telgit tried to close the distance, but it was too late.

  ?| Ice Pillars |

  ?Several shot toward him. He rushed forward, breaking them apart. As he closed the distance, he raised his sword.

  ?“You did well, but it's over now.”

  ?| Ice Pillars |

  ?The next three pillars struck him—one piercing his stomach cavity, another hitting his shoulder, the last missing entirely.

  "Grahhh!" He writhed on the ground, clutching his arm.

  ?Lysric, barely breathing, supported himself on his hands and feet.

  ?Slowly, he pulled himself toward Telgit.

  ?Facing him, Telgit forgot his pain. Something else took over him: fear. The fear of death.

  ?Telgit screamed from the bottom of his lungs.

  ?“Someone! Someone stop him!”

  ?"Master Lysric? THIS SHOULD BE ENOUGH! YOU’VE ALREADY WON!"

  ?He didn’t hear it. He didn’t want to. All he wanted was to strike the man before him.

  ?When he reached him, Telgit’s eyes widened.

  ?"Master Lysric, please… forgive me. I was only doing what I was ordered to do. Please… show mercy."

  ?Lysric slowly raised his sword to land the final blow.

  ?"That’s enough, brother."

  ?"?!"

  ?Cassian’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

  ?"What… what are you doing here?"

  ?"Sorry to disturb you, brother. But Telgit is right—I told him to do it so you could release all your hatred. You really did well, Mr. Telgit. Thank you for your cooperation."

  ?Telgit said nothing, only breathing heavily.

  His eyes lost the hatred they had held before.

  ?"...W-why would you do such a thing?" His voice was weak and slow, clearly exhausted.

  ?"For your sake, of course. If you lose, I also lose Father." Cassian looked down, a hint of sadness in his voice.

  ?"But please… Don't forget this hatred when you fight against Aelira, brother."

  ?His gentle smile somehow put Lysric at ease, and he could no longer keep his eyes open.

  ?He fell forward onto Cassian.

  ?"Oh? He seemed to have passed out." After making sure, he stepped aside, freeing himself.

  ?With a last glance at Lysric, he turned towards Telgit. “What do you think?"

  ?"...He’s a monster. That little girl has no chance against him."

  ?"It’s better if you’re right. Otherwise…"

  ?His deep, dark green eyes made Telgit feel the chill running down his spine.

  ?"You don’t have to tell me."