's eyes suddenly opened.
For the umpteenth time, is awoken by the same recurring dream. In the dream, thunderous applause resounded as a single beam of light victoriously advanced towards his adversary on the high platform, . Like a massive wave, the crowd surged past him, their eyes completely fixated on the winner. They left standing alone in the shadows, with nary a flower or congratulation to be found.
But he wasn't alone on that platform. In the deepest, darkest recesses of his mind, Shadowheart clung to him like a ghostly specter.
It was an Inner Demon, the nemesis of the God of Victory and all competitors. Residing within the Spiritual Domain, it was said to treat the arena as a hunting ground for spirits, feeding on the spiritual energy generated by intense competition by infiltrating the hearts of competitors. It represented defeat and doubt, abandonment and fear.
In 's case, it swirled around him, assuming the form of a dragon that embodied his fears.
"How tantalizing your taste is. Such passion, such intensity, and all that unbridled enthusiasm... Victory or defeat is the true meaning of competition!" Shadowheart taunted mercilessly. "It's a pity, though. Despite your fear of failure, none of it will get you any closer to victory. It shall never belong to you ever again."
looked up, gazing at the M Championship symbol hanging in the sky. This marked his inaugural defeat. He had never anticipated it would occur in such a public and ignominious fashion. He kept plummeting down. The glory and honor that his family had once been so proud of was now subsumed in darkness, sprouting sharp thorns that pierced his skin during his descent. At the pinnacle of the tower, appeared to sense something and cast a fleeting glance backward. Yet, so blinding was the light which enveloped him, that was unable to read his expression.
For a fleeting moment, a speck of light bent through a broken window sill and gently touched 's face.
suddenly awoke.
"Big bro!" 's voice broke through the nocturnal silence.
It was the day of her regional competition, and before dawn had even broken, she was already outfitted in her Mecha Suit, patiently waiting outside 's door.
Upon 's emergence, she welcomed him with a beaming smile. Even in the early morning light, the determination in her eyes was both palpable and unmistakable.
Just as they had done once before, aspired for to be her mentor, and for her to be his disciple.
In the past, when the M Championship had come to a close, was reluctant to return to his family after such a bitter defeat. He roamed aimlessly and, by chance, strolled past the training grounds in the Outer Ring where was stationed. The young girl had faced a string of defeats during her sparring matches, but she remained resolute and had not even entertained the idea of giving up. Profoundly touched by this display, imparted a few words of guidance, which subsequently led to her very first triumph.
"Wow, that was awesome!" exclaimed, brimming with admiration and enthusiasm. "From this day on, please let me train with you, big bro!"
"... I don't have much to teach."
"Indeed. How could a failure like you have the gall to teach anyone?" jeered Shadowheart from within. remained silent, simply observing the joyful girl who had just claimed her first victory. 's determination never wavered, and since that day, she and trained together every day. With every new technique she practiced, with every utterance of "big bro", her resolve grew and grew.
As time passed, found himself compelled to provide with more guidance. However, he never officially recognized her as his disciple. Shadowheart had a point — he was not worthy of teaching others. He was destined to be a failure all his life, doomed to one day fall back into the abyss of despair.
"Bang!" With the sound of the starting gun, the entire regional competition arena erupted in a bombastic display of excitement. The electric atmosphere of the competition pulled back into the whirlpool of memories he associated with the M Championship. Although it was 's regional competition, watching her on the battlefield nonetheless caused to reflect on his dramatic ascent to victory before.
was giving it her all in the competition. She had absorbed all the knowledge and skills that had imparted upon her, from handling a relentless bullet barrage to mastering agile positioning and seizing opportunities with pinpoint precision. However, her opponent proved to be exceptionally formidable. He deftly blocked most of her bullets and anticipated her every move, effectively countering a majority of them and quickly gaining the upper hand.
"No, not like this!" clenched his fists tightly, his eyes locked on 's struggles in the arena. Despite himself, the memories of his own defeat to resurfaced in his mind.
"What do we have here? A loser's disciple treading the same path, falling on her face even harder than her predecessor?" Shadowheart mocked, but soon it sensed the surge of Competitive Spirit that was channeling. This energy transformed itself into binding fetters that suppressed the demon and forced it into silence.
paid no further attention to Shadowheart. He kept his focus on the escalating situation in the arena, feeling deep concern for . It felt as if she was about to follow in his footsteps and suffer a similar defeat.
But was different. After the match, he saw her, celebrating along with her opponent who had bested her. She wasn't disturbed by the defeat at all, and was radiating her usual effervescent bubbliness.
Her laughter was as ebullient as ever, like a ray of sunshine piercing through the darkness.
"Aren't you scared of losing, ?"
"Losing?" blinked, her expression showing bafflement. "It's not that big a deal, big bro. What matters is savoring the experience and just enjoying the ride!"
"Sure, winning would be great, but in every battle, there's going to be two sides."
"What I remember isn't who won or lost, but the joy that each match brings."
...
's response echoed through 's mind, creating ripples like a stone dropped into a deep, reflective pool.
Indeed, he recalled his initial introduction to competition, a time when he remained a novice, still fumbling with the rules and the very essence of the competition. It struck him that, similar to 's current enthusiasm, it was the sheer joy that emanated from the competition itself that had initially set him off on this journey. The sensation of being driven, of persevering and pushing forward, was never about the applause, glory, or titles. It was the pure, unadulterated happiness it brought.
"But you are afraid," Shadowheart sneered. "And you will never escape your fear!"
"I don't plan to," replied, extending his hand. "For there to be light, there must also be shadow."
Radiant specks of light flowed between his splayed fingers, twinkling like a constellation of stars. In a sudden, unexpected twist, managed to break the shackles he had placed on Shadowheart. He opened his arms and embraced it for the first time, accepting it with a sense of calm. He understood that light and darkness, calmness and fear, were all integral to his being, and he couldn't run from them.
"Perhaps I am afraid," admitted. "But that's alright. Victory is my goal, but I will never allow that desire to hold me back." Light and shadow were both undeniable parts of his existence. In a fraction of a second, radiant beams showered from above, and light and darkness intertwined amongst each other in a harmonious dance. A melodious, resonant dragon's roar filled the air, and the golden Mecha Suit, embodying the spirit of a dragon, surged forth from the Spiritual Domain...
"Are you leaving, big bro?" noticed packing his belongings.
The television had broadcast the exciting news about the upcoming M Championship, and the chants of "Ignite the Star" echoed throughout every corner of Nimbus.
responded, "Not leaving... returning."
Under the brilliant sunlight, a series of space stations, arranged like rings around a white dwarf's pale blue halo, illuminated the surroundings. The fervent Competitive Spirit had transformed into a blazing wildfire, surging through the resounding and deafening cheers. had once again embraced the grand festival dedicated to the Star. This time, he could clearly see the expression on the face of his longstanding rival, , who stood on the opposite side, as if it was always meant to be.
"I never expected to see you again," remarked, raising his battle axe ominously. "Returning to the arena requires courage, a trait which you lacked the last time we met."
stood not in fear, but in respect. It was a sense of camaraderie, a mutual understanding. "Someone helped me rediscover the true essence of competition. It's not just the winners who can ignite the Star. As long as you find joy in the competition, that feeling can ignite something extraordinary."
's gaze swept across the spectators in the stands. He knew that she was out there.
"And the person who taught me all this, is my one and only disciple."
