A year had passed, and both Kevin and Cu Chulainn had undergone tremendous growth. Beyond the physical changes in height and physique, their temperaments had matured noticeably.
This was particularly true of Cu Chulainn.
Once impulsive and brash, he now carried himself with an air of reliability and calmness, though his fiery spirit still simmered just beneath the surface.
"Kevin..." Cu Chulainn, holding the magic spear, addressed his brother. His long blue ponytail swayed as he smiled, his red eyes glowing with determination. "Finally... I've waited for this day!"
"Could you stop with the dramatics?"
Kevin, slightly shorter than the now over 1.8-meter Cu Chulainn, rolled his eyes. His slimmer build made the contrast even starker. "If anyone overheard, they'd think I stole your livestock or something."
Cu Chulainn's grip on his magic spear tightened as he declared, "I lost to you a year ago. After that, Master said I wasn't allowed to challenge you again until I graduated!
But today… that day has come! Fight me, Kevin!"
Kevin sighed, looking at Cu Chulainn, who radiated uncontainable energy.
He had to admit, this was the stark difference between a genius and someone who achieved everything through sheer hard work. Kevin had spent five grueling years in the Kingdom of Shadows, constantly teetering on the edge of death, just to earn his place.
But Cu Chulainn?
It had taken him only a single year to graduate under Scathach's tutelage—a feat that was almost unheard of.
The hardships Cu Chulainn endured in that year were probably no less than Kevin's. Driven by a burning desire to catch up to, and surpass, his brother, Cu Chulainn compressed what should have taken two or more years into a mere twelve months.
Kevin glanced around, scanning the crowd of disciples who had gathered to witness this long-anticipated duel. He searched for one figure in particular but did not find her.
He smiled faintly. She's watching somewhere.
"Cu Chulainn," Kevin said, meeting his brother's gaze. "Do you remember the promise we made when we were kids?"
"Of course," Cu Chulainn replied without hesitation. "But wasn't that promise based on the condition that I'd surpass you?" He grinned. "I don't mind getting hurt, so don't hold back!"
Kevin chuckled, unsheathing the magic sword at his waist.
Gone was the effeminate impression Cu Chulainn had teased him about a year ago. Now, Kevin radiated an aura as sharp and cutting as the sword he carried.
"You know what?" Kevin said with a wry smile. "I've been looking forward to fighting you too… for a long, long time."
Cu Chulainn blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "…I thought you'd use the magic spear for this fight."
"But wouldn't this make you happier?" Kevin countered with a knowing smile.
"Yes!" Cu Chulainn roared, laughing heartily. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he declared, "Alright, then let's settle this, just like we promised when we were kids. First to get hurt loses!"
"Let's add one more condition," Kevin said after a moment of thought. "One move decides the outcome."
"One move?" Cu Chulainn frowned, his excitement briefly replaced by skepticism.
"If we really start fighting seriously," Kevin reasoned, "we'll never stop until one of us is dead."
Cu Chulainn hesitated but finally nodded. Kevin's logic was sound. They were both too stubborn to quit once the fight began.
"Fine," Cu Chulainn relented. "One move to decide it!"
As the crowd murmured in anticipation, both brothers began to prepare.
Kevin drew runes in the air, channeling his magic into the magic sword Flagrak, its silver glow intensifying with every passing second. Cu Chulainn did the same, his magic spear blazing with a fierce red light that seemed to ripple with raw power.
The stark contrast between the two couldn't have been more apparent. Kevin's approach was calculated, each move precise, his silver aura a testament to control and refinement. Cu Chulainn, on the other hand, radiated raw, explosive energy, his presence as overwhelming as a raging fire.
The crowd watched with bated breath as both warriors reached their peaks.
Then, in an instant, Kevin lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air like a streak of silver light.
At the same time, Cu Chulainn hurled his magic spear with all his might, the fiery weapon tearing through the air like a comet.
The collision was nothing short of catastrophic.
A deafening explosion rocked the training ground, sending shockwaves through the air. The gathered disciples scrambled to shield themselves as debris flew in all directions.
When the dust settled, the once-pristine training ground was in ruins.
And at the center of the devastation sat Kevin and Cu Chulainn, both battered, clothes torn, and visibly drained.
"You two…"
Scathach's icy voice pierced the tense silence. She stood amidst the destruction, her expression unreadable as she surveyed the damage.
Kevin and Cu Chulainn flinched, their heads lowering instinctively like scolded children.
"Tomorrow…" Scathach's voice was deathly calm. "Get out of the Shadow Kingdom."
No one could say who had won or lost the battle.
Kevin and Cu Chulainn, exhausted but smiling, walked side by side out of the training ground.
Their fight had been a culmination of years of effort, growth, and brotherhood. Both had pushed themselves to their limits, but neither had truly desired to harm the other.
In a way, the outcome didn't matter.
For Kevin, Cu Chulainn had always been the imaginary enemy he sought to surpass.
And for Cu Chulainn, Kevin had been the motivation driving him to greater heights.
They were brothers in arms and rivals, but above all, they were family.
As they prepared to leave the Shadow Kingdom the next day, both carried the knowledge that their paths would cross again—and when they did, they would fight not as teacher and student, but as equals.
In this moment, they were satisfied.
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