Not-So an Extra

Arriving at the training ground, the knights who were in the middle of their training quickly halted their movements and made a line.

With a swift and practiced motion, the knights drew their swords and held them aloft in a salute.

"We greeted His Highness' Princes Nathaniel and Adrian!"

Nathaniel and Adrian returned the salute with a nod of their heads, acknowledging the knights' respect.

Soon an officer stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Highness, we are honored to have you here."

The black-haired boy nodded and responded.

"Thank you so much for the hospitality, but please don't mind us."

The Knight officer looked surprised, unsure of how to proceed.

After a moment of hesitation, the officer ordered the Knights to resume their previous activity.

"Your Highness, is there something with which I could assist?"

The Knight officer asked once again, and Nathaniel turned to face him squarely.

"Ah, yes. I was wondering if there is an available training room that we could use?"

"Certainly, Your Highness. Please follow me; I will show you to the room."

The officer courteously led Nathaniel and Adrian to a nearby training room.

After bidding farewell, the officer left, and the boys entered the room.

Soon, they were greeted by a spacious and well-equipped room where a variety of weapons were displayed, and training dummies adorned the walls.

Adrian moved to the center of the room and took out his sword from his Magical Sphere.

"Shall we begin, then?"

The black-haired boy glanced ahead, and his golden eyes widened his eyes in horror.

"Ah…"

There, Nathaniel saw Adrian's figure blend into one of his memories of him standing in the forest in the exact same stance.

Unbeknownst to him, he took a few steps back, and his heart began to race uncontrollably. 

The memory of him slaying his own brother played vividly in his head.

Noticing Nathaniel's sudden change in demeanor, Adrian approached him.

"Are you okay?"

Concern etched his voice, and Adrian couldn't help but be surprised upon seeing him.

Nathaniel's face was pallid, and a few beads of sweat formed on his forehead; even his fingers trembled.

Only then did Adrian realize how severe Nathaniel's trauma was. 

It looked like he challenged him to a duel which triggered Nathaniel's memories of that fateful day.

Now he understood why Nathaniel had been reluctant to accept the offer to spar with him.

"Let's move somewhere else."

Putting his sword away, Adrian promptly guided him out of the room to get some fresh air.

Settling under a tree, he gave him a bottle of water.

"Drink this."

"Thanks."

Nathaniel accepted and drank it.

Lowering the bottle from his lips, he leaned his head against the tree and looked up at the drifting clouds.

His mind flew.

=====

Nathaniel's golden eyes stretched wide.

"Ah…"

As if the world was slowing down, he could see how the sword in his grasp moved swiftly and grazed a boy's body in front of him.

Red liquid jumped out of the wound and splattered on his face.

—Thud!

The boy's body fell backward, blood continuously flowing from a diagonal gash that extended from his chest to his stomach.

Before long, the red liquid on the ground crept toward his feet and drenched the ground beneath him.

"Ah…"

=====

Nathaniel closed his eyes tightly, trying to push away his bitter yore.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, attempting to soothe his racing heart.

"Haa… haa…"

After clearing his mind, Nathaniel glanced sideways and found his little brother sitting next to him, silently watching the Knights sparring in the distance.

"Thanks."

Nathaniel handed the bottle, and Adrian received it.

"Don't mention it."

With that, the white-haired boy returned his sight to the Knights, seemingly lost in thought.

However, Nathaniel couldn't help but feel curious.

"Aren't you… going to ask?"

Adrian peeked at his brother before shrugging indifferently.

Well, that was because he already knew the reason behind his trauma, so there was no need for such a question.

Nevertheless, he answered anyway.

"Everyone has their own circumstances."

·ƈθm "...yeah."

Nathaniel nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of relief that he didn't have to explain himself.

"Thanks."

The black-haired boy expressed his gratitude once again.

"But, you to know—"

Adrian maintained eye contact with him, staring directly into his golden eyes as he continued.

"—I'm here."

Ah…

Nathaniel's eyes widened, and his brother's words echoed in his mind.

Warmth began to spread in his chest, and upon seeing those cerulean gems present before him, Nathaniel felt a glimmer of hope.

'That's right.'

Although Adrian meant that he would stay by his side, Nathaniel had his own perspective.

For him, it meant everything.

Just like Adrian said, 'he was here.'

His little brother was here, sitting next to him.

He was breathing and… 

Alive…

Soon, a warmhearted smile formed as the corners of his lips tugged upwards.

With a gentle touch, Nathaniel began to stroke Adrian's hair.

"Thank you."

Maybe… he couldn't change the past, but he could make a better future, and…

It was time to let go of the past and move forward.

"Yeah."

Adrian let out a smile, but it wasn't long before his expression turned sour.

"Hehe."

At first, Nathaniel was gently patting his head.

But soon, Nathaniel ruffled his hair vigorously as if there was no tomorrow.

Adrian rolled his eyes in boredom. 

Every time he let his brother pat him, it definitely never ended well—just like this.

"Stop it."

His voice dripped with irritation.

"No, hehe."

As Adrian swung his hand, Nathaniel instinctively pulled back and let out a disapproving click of his tongue.

"Tsk. My brother is such a bore."

Adrian's lips twitched with annoyance.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself, huh?"

Nathaniel shrugged nonchalantly and stood.

"Anyway, let's go!"

"Yeah."

With that, they walked side by side.

Having nothing to do here, Adrian planned to return to his palace and train there.

Well, all thanks to a very particular person; his valuable time had been wasted.

However, the white-haired boy furrowed his brow as he watched Nathaniel turn and head toward the training room.

Stopping abruptly, Adrian asked.

"Where are you headed?"

Nathaniel turned and faced him.

"Don't we have a sparring session scheduled?"

Ho?