As I woke up in the morning, a note caught my attention on the nightstand. It was a message from Artair, requesting a meeting at the training grounds. Curiosity piqued, I decided to oblige and make my way there. The training grounds, a sprawling expanse of open fields and well-equipped arenas, hummed with the energy of warriors honing their skills.

Artair greeted me with a warm smile, revealing his eagerness. "Brother, I want to see firsthand the skills you've acquired during your time at the academy," he expressed.

Returning his smile, I replied, "Certainly, it's been too long since I've truly unleashed. Mind if I go all out?"

Chuckling, he replied, "You better, because I won't hold back!"

With a nod, I initiated my transformation, feeling the surge of power as my golden fur emerged, my face and forearms taking on their familiar simian appearance, and my tail gracefully swaying behind me. Being in my true form once again filled me with a sense of exhilaration.

We charged at each other with intense fervor, Artair's rage echoing through his scream while I chanted the incantation for the spell . As expected, four golden-illuminated copies of myself materialized, joining me in a synchronized dash. One of the clones leaped forward, intercepting Artair's punch, only to dissipate into a golden mist upon impact. With a coordinated effort, my remaining clones and I leaped into the air, encircling my brother. Swinging our collective might, we unleashed a barrage of attacks. In a roar of defiance, Artair unleashed a powerful strike that sent me and the clones soaring backward. I managed to regain my footing, but the rest of my clones vanished into thin air.

Artair's voice reverberated with a challenge, "Quit relying on these cheap tricks and fight me head-on!"

I couldn't help but laugh, relishing the moment, "If that's what you want, just be prepared for defeat." Summoning a wooden staff into my hands, I skillfully twirled it, readying myself for the next phase of our encounter.

"With every strike, you'll understand why I earned the title of 'Great Mage Equal to Heaven' at the academy," I smirked confidently and swiftly dashed towards him once again.

Closing the distance between us, my staff whirled through the air with astonishing speed, tracing dazzling arcs and expert parries. Artair, a formidable warrior in his own right, adeptly met my relentless onslaught with a mix of agility and sheer strength. Despite his best efforts, my strikes were skillfully deflected by his muscular forearms. However, as he saw an opening and lunged forward with a powerful punch, I anticipated his move and swiftly conjured the spell, warding off his attack.

Recasting , I leaped up to launch a joint attack with Artair, fueled by our combined might. However, just before the strike, all of the clones vanished into thin air, leaving me off balance and falling flat on my face. A cold voice abruptly interrupted our skirmish.

"Stop this nonsense at once!" Colt's voice echoed, disappointment lacing his words. "I would expect this behavior from you, Artair, but Sun... I expected better from you," he chastised, striding away with an air of authority, expecting us to follow suit.

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Artair protested, "Hey! Why did you intervene? I was about to win!"

Colt let out a weary sigh. "Oh, please. If Sun weren't holding back all the time, you would never defeat him."

I chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood. "Come on, Colt, don't completely shatter his hopes."

Artair appeared taken aback. "You've been holding back all these years?"

With a sigh and a sheepish rub of my neck, I confessed, "Kind of. It's not really that enjoyable for me if I unleash my full power. I've never utilized my innate magic against anyone yet."

Artair's expression turned crestfallen. "You don't think I'm worth your best effort," he growled, his gaze fixated on the ground. "I understand now. I get it when I'm not wanted." And with those words, he abruptly turned and ran off.

Colt's frown deepened. "Great, you've gone and upset the brute. Now what am I going to tell father?"

Chuckling, I replied, "Why would father care if Artair is upset? He hardly pays attention to us."

"He does when he has a mission for us," Colt retorted, glaring at me. "That's why I sought you out. Father wants the four of us to embark on a diplomatic mission to the Elven continent of Reodone." He sighed, his frustration evident. "You need to mend the brute's feelings, even if it's just temporary, before we embark on this journey." With that, he turned to leave. "Get him a cake or something," he suggested before walking away.

I ventured through the silent training grounds, my steps were cautious and deliberate. Artair sat alone on a bench, his posture defeated, as if carrying the weight of his perceived inadequacies. I approached him gently, aware of the delicate nature of the situation.

"Artair," I called out softly, my voice carrying a mix of concern and sincerity, "can we talk?"

He looked up, his eyes filled with a cocktail of emotions. Resentment and sadness lingered in his gaze. "What is there to talk about, Sun? You've shown me that I'm not worth your best effort."

Taking a seat beside him, I carefully considered my words. "It's not about worth, Artair. Unleashing my full power is a responsibility I've wrestled with for a long time. It's a part of me that I've learned to control, for the sake of everyone around me."

His gaze met mine, searching for understanding. "But why hold back? Aren't we warriors? Shouldn't we give it our all?"

Sighing, I shared the depth of my inner struggle. "It's a complex matter, Artair. When I unleash my full power, it becomes overwhelming. It's like a tempest raging within me, a force that I fear losing control over. I've always been afraid of causing harm to those I care about."

Artair's voice quivered, his vulnerability palpable. "I know I'm not as skilled or talented as you, Colt, or Macau. I'll never excel in matters of diplomacy like Colt or possess the intellect of Macau. But when it comes to you and me, I thought we were equals," he sighed, his self-doubt creeping in. "I'm the older brother, Sun. I shouldn't burden you with this. I shouldn't be telling you all of this."

Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, I reassured him. "Artair, your worth is not defined by comparison. True strength isn't solely measured by physical prowess or magical abilities. It's rooted in determination, in the unwavering will to do whatever is necessary. You've shown that strength in your unwavering loyalty and dedication to our family and kingdom."

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Artair's lips, a glimmer of hope emerging. "Thank you, Sun. I needed to hear that."

I nod. "We should go meet with Colt now. Father has a mission for us."