Published: January 22, 2026
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A brown-haired boy not yet ten years old and a black-haired boy of about the same age were fiercely battling each other, each wielding a wooden sword.
Their fight was so intense it was hard to believe it was just a children’s duel.
When the brown-haired boy swung his sword, the impact gouged the ground, and when the wooden swords clashed, a gust of wind swept through the surroundings.
The brown-haired boy was clearly dominant.
It seemed only a matter of time before the match ended, but the black-haired boy was hanging on by a hair’s breadth.
“As expected of the hero. The prodigy just can’t keep up anymore.”
“Yeah. Even the prodigy’s past growth speed was impressive, but now he’s at the level of an average person. It seems only hero Oliver can fulfill our great wish.”
“True. Still, the prodigy should at least be able to serve as Oliver’s shield.”
Several adults standing a little distance away watched the fight and exchanged words just as the two finally reached a conclusion.
The black-haired boy lay on his back on the ground while the brown-haired boy, panting heavily, pointed the tip of his sword at him.
“Hah… hah… hah…”
“Man, I lost. There’s no way I can beat Oliver anymore. Haha…”
“—! Why aren’t you going all out, Orun? Your true strength can’t be this weak! You were so much stronger before!!”
“…You’re overestimating me. I was at full strength. Maybe I was stronger before, but Oliver’s growth just overtook me, that’s all. There’s no way you could beat the genius.”
“I don’t believe that! I still don’t think I’ve beaten you! Someday, I’ll beat the real you!!”
“That’s because… this is my full power right now…”
“Shut up! Just you wait. I’ll definitely make you go all out!”
The brown-haired boy called Oliver said that and turned his back on the black-haired boy called Orun, walking off somewhere.
“...I hope that chance never comes. I don’t want to kill you. I absolutely don’t want you to die because of me…”
Orun whispered in a voice so low that Oliver couldn’t hear it, watching his back.
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“Lady Shion, it’s about time to return.”
A maid-like woman called out to the silver-haired girl who had been watching the fight from a different location than the adults.
“Okay, got it. I’ll go say hi to Orun then.”
“Understood. We will prepare the carriage.”
The silver-haired girl called Shion headed toward Orun, who was still lying on the ground.
“Orun, good job. Too bad you lost.”
“Shion? You were here? I showed a pretty uncool side, huh?”
Orun sat up with an uncomfortable expression.
“Not at all. You were cool, you know? Besides, I know your true strength.”
“My true strength or not, this is my current power.”
“But that—”
“Yeah. That’s because my heart is weak. I couldn’t bear the fearful eyes from those around me and I cried for help. As a result, I ended up burdening Oliver. So I have to carry both his and my load—”
“I won’t let you be alone, Orun!”
“...Shion?”
“I’ll become strong enough to stand by your side! Strong enough to take down ■■ together! I am the same ■■■■ as you after all. I’ll always be with you! Even if you go far away, I’ll definitely catch up! So don’t carry it all alone…”
Orun was stunned by Shion’s words, but gradually his face flushed and his eyes grew moist.
“It’s about time for you to go home, right? I’ll walk you to the carriage.”
Orun turned his back and started walking toward the carriage, speaking quickly.
“Wait! …Huh? Hey, Orun? Are you crying because you’re happy~?”
“No way. If you want to tease me, wait until you catch up to the real me.”
“Hmm? Wasn’t that fight your true strength? Then that means I’ve already passed you~”
“Ugh… you’re just nitpicking.”
“Haha!”
They happily chatted as they walked toward the carriage.
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When they reached the carriage, Shion turned around and looked straight into Orun’s face.
“I know I sounded joking before, but I’m serious. I’ll really catch up to you. So for now, be my guiding light. Someday, we’ll walk side by side at that place, I promise!”