"You're right. Overestimating oneself is a mistake, but I've realized that underestimating yourself is just as dangerous."
"I'm glad you see it. Now, let's move to the next phase. You’ve identified the hurdles—how do you plan to clear them?"
Ryuga watched Marcos with satisfaction. The man was finally assessing his own strength with clarity and mapping out a way forward. Before him, Marcos stood lost in thought as he weighed the problems Ryuga had presented.
Against someone as strong as Yugo, defense alone won't cut it, he thought. I need more options.
That was the obvious part. The real question was what those options would be. What kind of fighting style should he focus on mastering?
His first thought was long-range magic. If an enemy closed in, he could use the Giga Scissors to weather the storm and push them back, then resume his magical assault once he’d created distance. That would allow him to handle both close-quarters and ranged combat. Plus, he could use the Giga Scissors to block probing strikes while preparing a finishing blow.
Alternatively, he could focus on debuffs. It was a bit of a first-time trap, but given his natural toughness and defensive skills, it was a viable strategy. The longer the fight lasted, the more his opponent would weaken. Knowing that he held the advantage of time would give him a mental edge, and even if the strategy were exposed, the pressure of a ticking clock would likely make his enemy reckless.
"It looks like you’re coming up with a few ideas on how to break out of your shell."
"I am. Ryuga, I want your opinion. Which direction do you think I should take?"
Ryuga gave a soft chuckle. He smiled, genuinely pleased to see his friend so hungry for strength. But after a brief pause, his expression hardened into one of serious intent.
"Marcos... don't ask me questions."
Marcos recoiled. Ryuga had spent the whole session coaxing him forward, but now he had suddenly reverted to his usual, aloof self. The rejection stung, but the meaning behind it quickly became clear.
"I see. I have to find the answer on my own from here on out."
"Exactly. There are times when asking for help is the right move, but this specific step has to be taken of your own volition."
Marcos had spent his life mastering the traditional use of the House of Borg’s magic items. He had mastered the stage of Shu—the fundamentals—and had grown strong within those boundaries. But to move beyond that, following someone else’s instructions would be meaningless. He wouldn't truly reach the realm of Ha unless he paved his own way.
He had to think, experiment, and find the form that suited him best. Ryuga’s role as a guide had reached its end. Now, Marcos had to forge his own path to power.
"Like I said, the Ha stage is all about trial and error without a map. It’s going to be the longest and most difficult part of your journey. Don't lose heart, Marcos."
"Hah! Who do you think you’re talking to? I am Marcos Borg, heir to the noble House of Borg! I don’t falter!" Marcos laughed, his usual bravado returning in full force.
Ryuga nodded, then turned to leave with Fee. Before they could get far, Marcos called out to his back.
"Ryuga! Thanks to you, I think I’ve finally cleared this hurdle. Thank you for the advice—and for fighting me with everything you had. I truly appreciate it."
"I only did what any friend would do," Ryuga replied without looking back, waving a hand as he walked away. "Besides... I'm the one who should be grateful."
Fee hurried to catch up. As they walked side by side, Ryuga shot the boy an apologetic look. "Sorry, Fee. We were supposed to go get dinner, but I ended up dragging this out until dark."
"No, it's fine. I’m rooting for Marcos-san, too!"
Their first meeting had been a disaster, but Fee genuinely supported Marcos’s struggle to reach the level of the man he admired. Watching Marcos refuse to give up, chasing a strength he didn't yet possess, inspired Fee to work harder himself.
"You didn't hold back at all, Ryuga-san," Fee noted. "Even though you were dominating the match, you stayed serious until the very end. Marcos-san was really thankful for that."
"There's no reason to thank me for that," Ryuga said casually. "I didn't refrain from holding back just to guide him. I fought seriously because I had to. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have won."
Fee stared at him in shock. Ryuga had won overwhelmingly, yet he spoke as if the gap between them wasn't nearly as wide as it seemed. Perhaps Ryuga’s claim that there wasn't much difference in their strength wasn't just a polite lie.
Marcos-san would be so happy if he heard that, Fee thought. Then again, he'd probably just get a big head about it. He smiled to himself and hurried after Ryuga.