Two years have passed. Shiro and I have trained intensively. We've both become incredibly strong.

I'm now seven years old, and Shiro is nine, though his birthday is still ahead of him.

Today is the last day of our training. Reina has taught me a lot, and I've even developed my own technique. I call it Wind Cloak.

In addition to magic, I've also learned how to handle a dagger so that I can hold my own in close combat.

Shiro and I stand opposite each other on the training ground. A final battle, where we will show everything we've learned in the past two years.

I grip my wooden dagger tightly. Shiro stands before me, holding his wooden sword loosely in one hand. His gaze is calm.

Before the fight even begins, I activate my Wind Cloak. It takes a moment to fully activate.

With the Wind Cloak, I form a kind of wind aura around myself, eliminating all air resistance.

My agility and speed triple.

Our father raises his hand. "Begin."

Shiro charges forward, and I dodge with a simple step. I glide sideways as his strike cuts through the air. 

The fight starts as always. He attacks, and I evade at the last moment.

But something is different.

Shiro doesn't look frustrated. Normally, he would try to overwhelm me now, trapping me with sheer force. But this time, he keeps the pressure steady, forcing me to move, but nothing more.

He's planning something.

Again, Shiro attacks, and again, I dodge. He falls to one knee but immediately gets back up.

What was that just now? Did he lose his balance?

Another attack. This time aimed at my right side. I focus. 

I can't let myself get distracted. 

I dodge to the left.

That was a mistake.

Shiro's plan falls into place.

Then it happens. Something flies toward my eyes.

I notice it at the last second. 

Dust and dirt, thrown unnoticed, right in the direction I had to dodge.

Clever.

He dropped on purpose to grab some dirt. When he rushed me, he threw it at eye level to my left. To ensure I dodged in that direction, he deliberately aimed his attack at my right side.

My body reacts instinctively. A gust of wind blows the dirt away before it can blind me.

"Shit!" I think.

The Wind Cloak requires intense concentration. So much that I can't use any other wind magic without dissolving it.

My heart skips a beat. 

Without the Cloak, I'm slow. An easy target and Shiro knows that.

He's already there. His wooden sword swings toward me.

No chance to reactivate Wind Cloak in time. No time for a normal dodge.

I do the only thing left.

I use earth magic.

A wall bursts up between us. It's sturdy. 

This should be enough!

Then Shiro's strike slams into it and shatters it.

"What?!" I shout.

Stone fragments fly in all directions. My shield is gone. My mind races, but my body is too slow.

I need distance. Now.

No, there's no time. He's going to hit me. I've lost.

Then, an idea strikes me.

I channel the air beneath me, gathering it with everything I have left. Then, I release it all.

The wind blast launches me high into the air, just in time to avoid his attack.

Shiro is already waiting below.

He probably thinks I'll reactivate the Wind Mantle. But I don't.

I bet everything on one final move.

I focus my magic one last time. The last remnants of my mana. 

If this doesn't work, I lose.

I use Wind Burst again, but this time, I launch myself straight at Shiro.

I shoot toward him like an arrow.

He notices at the last moment. His eyes widen. He tries to react, but I'm too fast.

My foot lands lightly. My dagger pressed against his throat.

"Stop!" Our father's voice cuts through the silence.

Shiro lets his wooden sword drop.

I win.

Slowly, I lower my dagger. My arms are trembling, my breathing shallow. My body exhausted. It almost feels like when I overused my mana back then.

Shiro smiles. "Lost again. You're really amazing, Sota!"

I thank Shiro for the compliment.

"You weren't bad either. For a moment, I thought it was over." I reply.

Shiro nods. "I'm going inside. I need a break."

And with that, he heads into the house.

I remain on the training ground, catching my breath. My muscles ache, and my body feels heavy.

"Not bad." I turn around. Reina stands there, looking relaxed as she speaks.

"You analyzed the situation quickly and made a decision, even under pressure." She steps closer, her gaze turning serious. "Your last wind burst was risky. If you had miscalculated, Shiro would have won."

I nod slowly. "Yeah, but it was my only option."

Reina smiles. "And that's what makes you an exceptional mage. You don't just use magic. You think with it. You don't have your brother's raw strength, but you use your mind to your advantage."

I can't help but grin slightly. 

Getting praise from Reina is rare. She only gives recognition when it's truly deserved.

"Thanks, Reina."

She sighs softly and places a hand on my shoulder. "But don't forget. You don't fight with just your mind. You have limits."

"I understand."

Reina studies me for a moment before nodding. "Good. Rest up. That was a tough fight."

I leave the training ground and collapse into the tall grass. It doesn't take long before I fall asleep.

Inside, the house is quiet. The only sound is the faint creaking of the wooden floor under Shiro's steps as he walks down the hall.

He stops.

The smile he showed outside. The friendly, admiring smile, is gone.

His hands clench into fists.

"I lost. Again."

He looks at his reflection in the window. His eyes, filled with anger.

Not at Sota but at himself.

"Why am I always the weaker one?"

He feels the frustration. The envy. The bitterness.

He's told himself he can accept it. That Sota just fights differently. That he's smarter. But that's a lie.

"I don't want to be the one left behind anymore."

His gaze shifts to his wooden sword. His fingers tighten around the hilt.

He wants to become stronger.

No. He must become stronger.