Aaki stood in front of the Princess and said calmly,
"You have a lot of potential, but you're not there yet."
"Have you practiced your barrier magic?"
"Yes, Mr. Aaki," the Princess replied proudly. "My barriers can now change their shape according to the situation, and they're much more durable than before."
Aaki nodded slightly.
"That's good to hear. Can you show me how your barrier changes shape and how durable it has become?"
The Princess smiled excitedly.
"Yes, of course!"
"Good. Then show me."
The Princess raised her hands into the air, closing her eyes in concentration. A crystal-like barrier formed in front of them, shining like ice under the light.
Aaki observed it calmly.
"How is it?" the Princess asked eagerly.
Aaki placed his hand against the barrier.
"It's definitely better than before."
Then, just like before, he threw a normal punch toward it.
This time, however, the barrier didn't shatter. Only a few cracks appeared across its surface.
Aaki turned toward her.
"Good work, Princess. I'm impressed with your growth."
The Princess's eyes sparkled with happiness.
"But…" Aaki continued, "it's still nowhere near your true potential. And you know that too, don't you?"
The Princess nodded confidently.
"Yes, Mr. Aaki."
"Keep improving as much as you can," Aaki said calmly. "Remember, if a day ever comes when someone you love is in danger… you must be strong enough to protect them."
"I will, Mr. Aaki," she replied with determination.
Suddenly, Miyuna dragged the Prince toward them.
"Don't tell me you beat up the poor Prince again," Aaki said.
"Sure did," Miyuna replied with a smile.
The Prince looked completely exhausted.
Aaki helped him stand up and healed his injuries.
"Woah… the pain's gone," the Prince said in surprise.
Miyuna smiled awkwardly.
"Want more?"
The Prince instantly jumped behind Aaki.
"Master, save me!"
Aaki sighed.
"Leave the poor kid alone, Miyuna. Why are you angry at him?"
Miyuna crossed her arms.
"He needed some manners, so I taught him very politely."
The Prince trembled.
"Master, she's lying! There was nothing polite about it. She beat me like I was a pillow!"
The Princess burst into laughter before quickly covering her mouth.
"What are you laughing at?!" the Prince shouted.
"Nothing really," she replied, still trying not to laugh.
"That's enough now," Aaki said.
"Princess, continue your training."
Then he looked toward the Prince.
"Prince, come with me."
The Princess nodded and returned to her practice while the Prince followed Aaki.
After walking a short distance away, Aaki finally spoke.
"The duel… how many days are left?"
The Prince froze internally.
How does he know about the duel?
A second later, he sighed in his mind.
Well… obviously Big Sis told him. Who else could it be?
"Two months are left for the duel, Master," the Prince answered.
Aaki let out a quiet breath.
"At least we still have enough time."
Then his voice turned serious.
"Listen carefully."
"Yes, Master."
"A duel is not just about power. It's about intelligence."
"What do you mean, Master?"
"Power is only one half of strength. The other half is the mind."
"When both are combined… that's when someone becomes truly strong."
"It doesn't matter how hard you can fight. What matters is how intelligently you fight."
The Prince thought for a moment.
"So… using my strength according to the situation? Is that what you mean?"
Aaki nodded slightly.
"Good catch. But there's more to it than that."
He continued,
"Let's say you're fighting someone ten times stronger than you. What would you do?"
The Prince thought carefully before answering.
"I'd try to distract him, and when I find an opening, I'd attack with everything I have."
"It's a smart use of strength and strategy… right?"
Aaki looked at him calmly.
"Rather than smart, I'd call that a dumb move."
"What?! Why?!" the Prince asked in shock.
"Didn't you hear what I said?" Aaki replied. "Strength is only half of power. The mind is the other half."
"If your opponent is ten times stronger than you, then he's already far more capable physically."
"If you try to attack the moment you see an opening, do you really think he'd be foolish enough to leave one in a one-on-one fight?"
The Prince fell silent.
"Never underestimate your opponent," Aaki continued.
"If you don't know what your enemy is capable of, always stay defensive first."
"What looks like an opening… could actually be a trap."
The Prince slowly nodded.
"Oh… I understand now, Master."
"But then… how am I supposed to defeat someone stronger than me?"
"That," Aaki said calmly, "is where you use your brain."
"You don't wait for openings."
"You read your opponent's movements."
"You find their weakness."
"And once you find it… you attack from their blind spot."
The Prince hesitated.
"But Master… isn't that unfair? Attacking from behind?"
Aaki replied without hesitation,
"If you're standing against someone far stronger than you, then the fight was already unfair from the beginning."
"So if the fight itself is unfair… then you have every right to fight unfairly too."
"But Master…" the Prince said quietly, "that still feels wrong…"
Aaki looked at him calmly.
"Then tell me."
"What exactly is right in this world?"
The Prince froze.
"Huh…?"
"You don't know the answer, do you?"
"Master… I…"
Aaki looked toward the kingdom below.
"Listen carefully. Everything in this world is unfair."
"What you think is right… could be wrong to someone else."
"And why look far away? Just look around you."
"You live in a palace while the people of this kingdom live in small houses."
"Isn't that unfair too?"
The Prince's expression slowly darkened as Aaki's words sank deep into his mind.
After a long silence, the Prince tightened his fists.
"Master… can I ask something?"
Aaki looked at him.
"What is it?"
The Prince gathered his courage and finally spoke.
"Isn't it unfair for you too?"
Aaki's eyes widened slightly.
"After everything you did for your sister… she still blamed you for everything."
"What was your fault in any of it?"
"What did you do to deserve being blamed?"
The Prince's eyes filled with tears as he spoke.
Aaki stood there silently.
His eyes slowly lost focus.
And his hands fell weakly to his sides.