It was around the evening time when the sun was setting in the background, when Mars finally struck down the wolf with a wooden sword. He took a deep breath and wiped his sweaty face with his arms.

As his breathing calmed down a bit, he flopped down on the floor.

He was dead tiredhe had been moving his body all day long.

Cloud went and sat down next to him.

Hows it? How do you feel about killing a wolf for the first time?

What the, thats what you ask from someone who is finally getting his piece of rest after being worked to death?

Dont now people usually say that you have worked hard?

Mars looked at Cloud with a fed-up expression, then sighed and released his expressions.

Come to think of it, he was always like that, rather, being normal would be his abnormality.

Honestly speaking, I was scared sh!t at first. I was so nervous that I couldnt even move ambly.

It felt like his heart had stopped moving when the wolf growled and showed its razor sharp fangs.

However, I managed to hit it once, and that once became twice, and the twice became thrice, and at some point, I was just no longer afraid.

Instead of fear, rapacious fighting spirit filled his heart as if to outflow to his mind. A wolfs wild predatory gaze and sharp molars frighten him no longer.

Is that so? Good job.

Cloud smiled and patted Mars on the back. When Cloud, who was stingy with his praises, praised him, Mars smiled brightly as well.

Right bro. Its something Ive been wondering about before. Why do you hate Isabelle so much?

Some may not like someone else in their first encounter, havit a bad first impression. However, Clouds attitude toward Isabelle was too extreme.

Mars couldnt help but wonder why.

Cloud spoke, looking straight into Marss eyes.

You like her, dont you?

W, What?!

Mars was taken aback by the sudden query. What followed was a combination of crude excuses that were embarrassing to even utter. Only after a while, was Mars finally able to calm himself down.

He slowly nodded his head in affirmation.

Yes, thats correct. I do like Isabelle.

Then isnt it good for you that I hate her? To be honest, I was a bit sassy indeed. But, if I had been interested in her, it would have been the end for you, buddy. You wont even stand a chance, ha.

Cloud rubbed his palm against his neck.

Just then he thoughtno, Mars will have his confidence shambled, but, he had nothing to console with, because everything he said was too true.

Compared to Mars, who has a moderately decent appearance, Cloud had a face that made him look like a high nobleman.

Frankly speaking, Mars was indeed a little relieved from inside that Cloud was hostile to Isabelle.

As Mars was feeling the bitterness of reality, Cloud opened his mouth while savouring the last glow of sunset.

I also had a childhood friend like Isabelle.

Mars realized that those words were the real answer to his question. He listened to Cloud with a serious expression.

I was an orphan. I lost my parents when I was young, so I cant even remember their faces.

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Mars widened his eyes.

Perhaps it was because he couldnt fathom that Cloud was an orphan like him.

And, you know what? Children are pure and innocent, but sometimes cruel too. I was bullied by the village children because I had no parents.

At that time, the only friend who reached out to me was Neria. She was the village chiefs granddaughter, and she always took care of me and, helped me.

She was the village chiefs granddaughter, so, the village bullies did not dare say anything reckless about Cloud anymore. Saying that, Cloud chuckled with a nostalgic expression on his face.

I liked her as a kid. How can I not? She was the one and only person who took care of me when the world ignored me. Cant help but falling in love with her, eh?

Mars smiled and nodded his head as if he knew that feeling too. Thats what Isabella was to him too.

And, you know what? Nerias dream was the same, just like yoursto become a knight. It was a dream too big for a small village chiefs granddaughter.

But she did not give up on. She ardently practiced her swordsmanship skills, and even saved her pocket money to buy herself a sword. I knew, she was just meant for it. So I decided to follow her. I wanted to like what she liked too.

Mars continued to listen quietly.

After a lot of hard work, I finally got the right to stand by her side. We went on many adventures. Caught monsters and meet many new people. Then, we met a man.

Mars noticed.

When Cloud mentioned a man, his face contorted for a moment.

However, he soon returned to his normal laid back expression and continued the conversation.

That man had some pretty great skills. He was honestly much stronger than me. He wanted to accompany us and we gladly accepted it.

That was a mistake. Cloud murmured under his breath while sneakily glancing at Mars.

Our adventures continued, and then from a certain moment, the distance between the two of them began to grow closer. In case of a critical situation, Neria relied more on him than on me. It lobbed my pride, but what could I do?It was true that I was weak, too weak.

Cloud had a deep sense of defeat on his face.

Mars had no choice but to swallow his saliva. Cloud so much stronger than him, but even someone like him couldnt do anything

Once again, he felt that the continent was wide.

I thought it was fine though. Unlike him, I thought that Neria and I were bound by a strong bond. Have you ever felt the same way with that lass named Isabelle?

Yeah, I do feel that way.

When he gets married later, his wife could only be Isabelle.

Mars had that conviction.

But, it was all an illusion.

huh?

It felt like suddenly a hammer hit his head.

Before Mars could back come back to his senses, Cloud continued.

It was that one night. It was a particularly sleepless night. I wanted to go for a night walk, at that time, I noticed that she wasnt in the bed next to me. I was trying to find out where she had gone when I heard some strange noises from the room next door. The voices from the room next door was Nerias. An ominous imagination gripped my mind. But, I opened my door, believing it was nothing like that.

Mars swallowed his saliva.

But, my damned ominous imaginations had have always been right. What I saw through the gap in the door was Neria, who was biting that mans cock.

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There were many emotions on Clouds face, which he struggling to hold up to this point.

Sadness. Anger. Betrayal. Disappointment, etc.

It was mixed, with all the negative emotions that a human could imagine was mashed up in a hodgepodge.

Seeing that expression, Mars couldnt almost breathe for a moment.

That, big bro

Ah Im sorry, I must have been too empathetic. Its been a while, but even now, when I think of it, its comes up like this, mh.

Cloud had an awkward expression as he shook the back of his head.

Anyway, thats why that lass named Isabelle didnt look so nice to me. Because she was just as beautiful and just as youthful as Neria back then.

..

Haha, loosen your face, you baby chick. This is just my story anyway. Yours would be different, right?

Yes, definitely.

Ha, look at heavy atmosphere I caused. I was just talking. Thanks to you, I now have to say goodbye in this heavy atmosphere.

Mars, who had a grim expression on his face, widened his eyes.

Goodbye?

Yeah, Im no mama bird, boy. I cant stay here forever.

Yeah, b-but cant you just stay a little longer?

Nope. To be honest, Im already running a little late.

Having said that with a grin, Cloud took out a money bag from his arms and threw it at Mars. Mars, who received the heavy money bag, tilted his head.

This..?

About 2000 gold. With this, go to a Swordsmanship Guild in a nearby town and learn some cool sword skills.

2000 gold?!

Mars looked at the money bag in his hand, startled like a little lamb.

He never held 100 gold in his whole life, let alone 2000 gold.

Marss hand holding the money bag trembled.

He resolutely shook his head and handed the money bag back to Cloud.

No, I dont think this is right. I cannot pay you back.

Duh, what should I do of a guy who wants to become a brave knight but is scared of some measly 2000 gold?

Still

Succeed in your ventures and pay me back, you idiot. Dont worry, its interest free!

The grim expression on Clouds face was long gone. He patted Marss back with a bright smile as usual.

To that, Mars also laughed helplessly.

Yes, I will pay it back after I make it big.

Do pay it back. Dont die before you do, you stubborn punk.

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After giving him a few more tips, he turned his back and left. Mars waved his hand to see him off.

Eventually, when he disappeared from sight, Mars expression darkened.

Because of the recount Cloud had told him earlier.

Cloud bro is handsome.

Not just handsome, but very handsome.

He is also slightly taller than average and has a good physique. He is a skilled adventurer and not poor.

His personality is little questionable, but still charismatic in its own right.

He was the one who took care of Mars like no other, he was a kind man too.

Yet brothers love did not come true.

He devoted himself to the woman he liked, but his love was not reciprocated.

Cloud had no shortages.

Cloud was like that too, but, what about him?

He is uglier than Cloud, has no skills to speak of, was dirt poor, with a less interesting personality.

He was how he was.

Mars! Did that big brother go? Can I come up now?

Just then, his unrequited love, Isabelle showed up.

She was as lovely as ever.

However, Marss gaze on her was quite complicated.

* * *

I didnt stop by this village to take Mars with me.

Of course, if I take Mars with me and train him, he will grow quickly, but

It could be a poison pill instead.

What is a protagonist?

Isnt it referring to someone who overcomes the hard trials that befall on him in the name of fate and carves out a path of his own way ahead?

But what if I take Mars with me and change his ways?

Thats no longer the main character.

Its just an extra or a slightly important supporting role.

Thats why I didnt take Mars with me.

Because that guy has to carve his own path as the main character.

All I can do for him is to give him some advice and to steer him on his path while being away from tragedy.

My lie must have created a stir in Mars heart.

Hopefully the next time we meet, the stir will be bigger and ready to become waves that leads him to joy.

* * *

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