"Disappointed... you say?"

"Yeah..."

Even as his throat tightened, Haewonryang's pupils shook visibly when Mayuseong spoke those words.

Mayuseong and Haewonryang.

Their first meeting was somewhat unique.

"You, let's have a duel."

Spring of their first year in middle school.

Their connection began with Haewonryang's challenge.

"Huh? Why?"

"I can't admit that you're on the same level as me. It's so irritating. I need to correct the rumors about you that the world knows."

Since Haewonryang gained the ability to awaken his powers and speak, he had been studying magic. Even as a kindergarten student, he effortlessly used magic that could only be acquired as an adult, and in elementary school, he easily defeated upperclassmen from the middle school division.

Haewonryang was a prodigy attracting attention from the world.

But suddenly, out of nowhere, this guy named Ma Yuseong appeared, calling himself another genius.

Wasn't he threatening his position?

So Haewonryang observed Mayuseong for a while. What kind of person he was; what kind of training he did; and what kind of studies he pursued.

The results of his observation were extremely disappointing.

Mayuseong didn't put in any effort, spent his days goofing off, and during class, he read strange books unrelated to the subjects.

It was unacceptable.

His pride was hurt.

To be treated the same as that guy.

He thought of sorting out the hierarchy clearly. That way, he would feel refreshed.

But...

"... I won, didn't I? That magic battle was something else. It was so much fun!"

He lost. He lost to a complete newbie who seemed like he had never even experienced a magic battle in his life.

Haewonryang was at a loss.

Why did he lose?

He couldn't understand.

"To someone who doesn't make any effort, doesn't study, how...!"

The conclusion was simple.

"I was not disciplined enough."

Since then, he had trained relentlessly.

He trained and trained, and trained some more.

He grasped all of Mayuseong's magic, analyzed it, and studied it.

He swore to never lose in their next battle.

However, despite all his efforts...

"I won again this time! It was even more fun. How do you know my magic so well?"

Haewonryang lost again.

Mayuseong won once more.

From that moment on, Mayuseong probably considered Haewonryang merely as an entertaining playmate. He knew that his own talent was extraordinary, so he casually dismissed the idea that Haewonryang could win against him, even though he put in all his effort.

It had always been like that.

However, something changed when Haewonryang received the admission letter to Stella.

During dungeon training, Mayuseong nearly lost to Haewonryang. He was completely overwhelmed by someone he had regarded as just a playmate.

It was the first time Mayuseong doubted his perfect talent and experienced a bitter sense of defeat.

It was the first time he realized he had a competitive spirit.

Although it was only a close call in a competition, it felt like his entire worldview was crumbling.

That day, for the first time, Mayuseong turned his back and ran away from someone he considered weaker than himself.

After that, unlike his usual carefree self, Mayuseong incorporated "training" into his daily routine. He became determined to grow stronger to the point where he would never want to return to his old self, even going so far as to visit his hometown.

As a result, he discovered that he had noticeably become stronger. It was a sense of accomplishment he had never felt before.

When something considered natural no longer remained natural, it gained value.

"I will definitely win this time."

Finally, Mayuseong found value in his competition with Haewonryang. The joy of striving to defeat him became evident to him.

"I worked hard for our bet, and you... you rely on mere dark magic to defeat me?"

"No, that's not it..."

"We have always fought as equals. You're the only person who can make me feel tense."

"I have never defeated you!! That's why, that's why I...!"

At some point, Haewonryang regained the ability to speak properly.

"... You resorted to dark magic just to defeat me easily?"

Mayuseong spread his arms wide. His expression seemed free from the suffocating pain.

"Then kill me. With that power you easily obtained, pierce through my heart."

Haewonryang's arm trembled instinctively, but for some reason, he couldn't do it.

"I felt competitiveness from you for the first time, and I also made efforts to defeat you. But you…”

“Enough. Please stop."

Without realizing it, Haewonryang released his grip on Mayuseong's neck and took a step back.

With this immense power, it felt like there was nothing to fear in this world. Haewonryang believed he could defeat anyone, including himself.

However, there was still one thing that frightened him. It was disappointing someone he had always considered a lifelong rival.

"If you want to defeat me so easily... then go ahead, take the victory you desire."

"Ugh, I... I..."

Haewonryang's right hand mutated sharply, but due to the confusion in his mind, he couldn't move.

"I'm not afraid of death."

Mayuseong brought his sharp hand to his own chest.

"Instead... it's disappointing that we can never make another bet."

Will this victory, achieved at such a cost, truly be sweet?

Or rather, will it feel empty? If Mayuseong died, the result would forever remain that he never defeated him with his true power.

He must stay alive to break this streak of defeats and finally achieve a true victory.

He couldn’t remain an eternal loser.

He must keep himself alive and wash away this disgrace with his own strength.

Haewonryang clenched his teeth and said, "I won't... kill you."

Because he still hasn't defeated him.

Rumble!

At that moment, the full-powered magic was completed. She had originally intended to resolve the situation through dialogue, but for some reason, Mayuseong took that method instead and achieved quite successful results.

"I don't know what trick you used... but now is the chance!"

Now that Haewonryang's emotions had returned to almost human-like, if she used the purification magic, she could restore him to his original state.

Flash!

Finally, her magic was complete, and in the moment the chains of light were about to envelop Haewonryang...

…

Crack!!

Suddenly,

"Snap!"

"Ugh...!"

Tremendous pressure began to weigh down from all directions.

The magic remained incomplete and unable to be casted, and the three of them fell to their knees on the ground.

Thunk.