The sparring match had ended, leaving Lia and Selene both exhilarated and puzzled. Their older brother, Basil, had shown remarkable skill during their bout, matching their combined attacks with ease. While they both grudgingly acknowledged his strength, they had no idea just how far apart they truly stood in terms of ability.
As they rested on the sidelines of the training grounds, Selene stretched her arms and grumbled, "He's better than I expected, but there's no way he's been slacking all this time."
Lia wiped the sweat from her brow, her expression thoughtful. "I hate to admit it, but he's... different. He used to just rely on brute strength, but now his movements are more calculated, almost like he's... holding back."
Selene shot her sister a questioning look. "You think he was going easy on us?"
Lia frowned, unsure how to answer. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Basil than met the eye.
Meanwhile, Basil sat nearby, his sword resting against his shoulder as he watched his sisters with an amused smile. Their skills were impressive, no doubt, but they were still young, still learning. What they didn't realize was that he hadn't even used half of his strength during their spar.
"Your forms are excellent," Basil said, breaking the silence. "But you rely too much on your elemental affinities. A strong opponent will exploit that."
Selene scowled. "What's that supposed to mean? You think we're weak?"
"Not weak," Basil corrected, his tone calm. "Just inexperienced. Your aura cores and mana cores are still in their infancy, and your reliance on them makes you predictable."
Lia crossed her arms, her curiosity piqued. "And what would you suggest, oh wise one?"
Basil chuckled softly. "Focus on refining your base skills—your footwork, your timing, your awareness. Power is important, but control is what makes a true warrior."
The twins exchanged skeptical glances. While they knew Basil was strong, his sudden shift in demeanor and advice felt... unfamiliar.
"Fine," Selene said, standing up and grabbing her sword. "If you're so wise, why don't you show us what 'control' looks like?"
Basil smiled faintly and stood, stretching leisurely. "Alright. But only if you promise not to cry when you realize the gap between us."
The twins bristled at his teasing tone, their competitive spirits ignited.
The Truth Beneath the Surface
The three stepped into the training circle again, but this time Basil's demeanor was different. He wasn't defensive or playful; he was calm and composed, as if the outcome of this match had already been decided.
The twins launched their attacks simultaneously, their blades a blur of wind and lightning. Lia's strikes came at him from all angles, while Selene's crackling blade aimed to overwhelm him with sheer force.
But Basil barely moved. With subtle shifts of his feet and precise parries, he avoided every attack, deflecting their blades with almost casual ease.
The twins grew more frustrated, their movements becoming more desperate as they poured everything they had into their attacks. But no matter how fast or powerful they struck, Basil was always one step ahead.
Finally, Basil decided to end the charade. With a swift motion, he disarmed Lia, her sword flying out of her hand and landing several feet away. A moment later, he sidestepped Selene's strike and tapped the flat of his blade against her shoulder, signaling her defeat.
Both twins froze, their breaths ragged, their pride stinging.
"How...?" Selene muttered, her voice filled with disbelief. "You weren't even trying, were you?"
Basil sighed, lowering his blade. "I told you, there's a difference between power and control. You have potential, both of you, but you're still at the beginning of your journey."
Lia clenched her fists, her frustration evident. "How are you so far ahead of us? We're not weak—we've both awakened our aura and mana cores at 15! That's unheard of!"
Basil's smile faded, and for a moment, his gaze turned distant. "Unheard of, perhaps. But not impossible."
Selene narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Basil hesitated, debating whether or not to reveal the truth. Finally, he sighed and said, "Do you know when I awakened my aura and mana cores?"
The twins shook their heads, their curiosity outweighing their resentment.
"I was seven," Basil said quietly.
The silence that followed was deafening. Lia and Selene stared at him, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.
"Seven?" Lia repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Basil nodded. "I was the youngest in recorded history to awaken both cores, and not just that—I trained them equally from the very beginning. By the time I was your age, I was already at four stars in both."
Selene's jaw dropped. "Four stars... in both aura and mana? That's... that's impossible!"
"It's rare," Basil admitted. "But not impossible. I worked hard, harder than you can imagine, to reach that level. And I didn't stop there. The reason I've been so distant all these years wasn't just because of my behavior. It was because I was constantly training, pushing myself beyond my limits."
The twins were silent, their hostility slowly giving way to a newfound respect.
"So... all this time," Lia said, her voice trembling, "you've been hiding your true strength?"
Basil shrugged. "It's not about hiding. It's about using it when it matters. Strength without purpose is meaningless."
The twins exchanged a glance, their earlier frustration replaced by admiration and a tinge of shame. They had underestimated their brother, not just as a person, but as a warrior.
"I guess we have a long way to go," Selene said, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"We all do," Basil replied, his tone gentle. "But that's what makes it worth it. Keep training, both of you. You're stronger than you realize."
For the first time in years, the tension between the siblings seemed to ease. While the road to rebuilding their bond was still long, a small step had been taken—a step toward understanding, respect, and perhaps even reconciliation.