In truth, although we sparred frequently and had grown accustomed to each other, I usually came out as the winner. Despite this, watching Ha Hyun’s body find its own answers, it was impossible not to realize that the talent he was born with was almost unfair.

But even with such talent, it was impossible to overwhelmingly defeat Ha Hyun.

“So, he must be the protagonist.”

That’s why it never hurts to be cautious. If one person could definitively outperform and instruct another, using internal energy would be permissible. But since that wasn’t the case.

If our master was here, he would stop the spar using internal energy before someone got hurt. But with just the two of us, it’s no joke. A wrong move could render someone crippled.

“That’s why I can’t proceed without hesitation.”

Frankly, the sharp sword still scares me from time to time. Aside from the talent Ha Hyun possesses, I sometimes wonder if such a powerful weapon should be in the hands of a mere individual… An unsettling thought that doesn’t quite fit this world.

I approached Ha Hyun and asked, “How’s your hand?”

“I’m fine. Seems perfectly okay.”

Ha Hyun casually replied, twisting his wrist and clenching and unclenching his fist. As far as I could see, other than a slight redness, there seemed to be no major issue, so I slowly nodded.

After tidying up a bit, as always, we reviewed our recent sparring session.

“Moving in this direction would have been better just now.”

“But then, I would have lunged straight at you.”

“Hmm.”

I stared at Ha Hyun, who was pondering over my answer.

This is something I feel quite often, not just during spars but also in everyday situations: Ha Hyun is exceptionally rational when it comes to winning and losing. Should I say he evaluates his own level with surreal accuracy and objectivity?

“He never loses sincerity, but he doesn’t get upset over a loss either…”

Thinking back, Ha Hyun has been like this since he was young. In some sense, he has always been an extraordinary person.

After spending some more time reviewing, I stood up. As I did, I noticed the shadow cast over me by Ha Hyun, who had also risen.

“What’s the matter?”

No… the shadow is quite long.

He was tall even when he was young, but Ha Hyun, who didn’t stop growing, was now almost as tall as our master. Consequently, when our master walked ahead and Ha Hyun and I followed, I would end up moving within the shadows both in front and to the side of me.

“How much of a difference was there?”

Roughly a head? Maybe a bit more than that?
Realizing the height difference between us, a familiar feeling of regret briefly flitted through my mind. Growing up, I had personally experienced that the taller you are, the wider the range your sword can reach.

“……I really wish I were a bit taller.”

“Hm?”

At my mutterings, Ha Hyun chuckled as if he found it absurd.

“Do you really care that much about height? You’re already slightly taller than the other knights.”

That’s true, but.

Right after I arrived at the volcano as a child, I was smaller than my peers. But I had suddenly grown quite a bit in the last couple of years, and the knights still marveled, ‘When did our siblings grow so much?’

I grew so suddenly that I was concerned about adjusting my spatial sense, but thanks to the talent Ha Hyun possessed, I didn’t take long to adapt, which was fortunate.

I did grow that much, yet why do I still wish I were taller…?

I blinked a few times and easily found the reason. The culprit was right in front of me.

“It’s because of you.”

“What did I do?”

“Even if I’m taller than the other knights, you’re the one I spend the most time with.”

Some would say it’s wrong to even compare in the first place.

No, before that, comparing itself was wrong. I sighed and hung my head. Holding onto regrets about something I couldn’t change was pointless.

But then Ha Hyun spoke in his laid-back tone.

“Because you’re with me? Then isn’t that something you don’t have to worry about?”

“Hm?”

When I turned, he was chuckling.

“I couldn’t beat you again today, could I?”

I narrowed my eyes and fell silent for a moment. His words felt as if spoken with the generosity of one who has, but maybe I was the one being twisted.

“Fine, I acknowledge my shortcomings. I will strive to improve.”

“Why are you like this when I was being kind?”

Though he complained, his expression looked truly unbothered. I rolled my eyes in response.

A normal person would have been offended by my answer, or at least a little irked. But I knew Ha Hyun wasn’t that kind of person. He’s as cold towards himself as he is warm towards others; his tolerance level is incomparably high.

I found myself wondering how he ended up with such a temperament. Was he like this from birth, or did some event before his initiation toughen him up?

I was pondering this when—

“Hey, our youngest ones!”

A voice called out to Ha Hyun and me from behind. Turning around, I saw a familiar person approaching.

“Knight.”

I turned my body halfway, acknowledging them. It was Knight Ha Jeong.