saiki

86

Ch. 86.1 - Unexpected Event (2)
"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.