"That's the Wing Sweep move!" Delmar shouted as Ostrich's fist curved mid-air. He recognized it instantly — the sharp, sweeping arc, the precise pivot of the rear foot.
Of course he knew it.
He knew all the moves of the Purple Phoenix Style.
He'd pored over their theory again and again, tracing every form with obsessive focus. He could name them in order, even mimic their stances in slow motion. But knowing a move wasn't the same as using it.
And he was too slow.
Ostrich's fist slammed into Delmar's face.
The blow snapped his head to the side, making him stagger a few steps back. Thanks to the enhanced stats from his titles, it didn't hurt as much as it should have — but it shook him all the same.
"I told you not to get cocky!" Ostrich sneered, a smug grin spreading across his bloodied nose. He rolled his shoulders. "For a second there, I really thought you caught up to me."
He charged forward again, confidence swelling.
"Purple Phoenix Style—Talon Jabs!"
Delmar braced.
The next moment, Ostrich unleashed a flurry of claw-like strikes. His arms blurred, each jab curving at unpredictable angles, designed not to break through power — but to overwhelm reaction.
Swipe. Swipe. Swipe.
Each curved jab came from a strange angle, and though Delmar blocked what he could, he couldn't parry everything. His forearms stung, and the pressure mounted fast.
'Shit… I guess strength isn't that important if you don't know how to use it…?'
"Hahaha!" Ostrich laughed, weaving between his own strikes like a bird in flight. "I was such a fool! For a moment, I thought you'd actually improved! But you're still the same loser of always!"
Delmar couldn't get a word in. The strikes just kept coming. Every block felt clumsy. Every breath came harder.
On the edge of the clearing, Dahlia clenched her fist.
She didn't like watching this.
She hated watching this.
Delmar had always been kind. He trained with her. He'd taken hits for her. He never gave up. When they were kids, Ostrich used to cry behind Delmar every time someone picked a fight with him. But now?
'Ostrich… why are you so mean to him?' she thought, fists trembling.
She almost stepped forward.
Almost.
But she remembered Delmar's words back then — when she had tried to protect him once, years ago.
"Don't stand in front of me like I'm weak."
Delmar gritted his teeth. His arms shook under the pressure of Ostrich's assault. Not again. He didn't want to be mocked again. Not after everything. Not with the Title System on his side. Not with all this power in his body and no way to use it.
Then—
"Do you guys want to know the best method to stop the Talon Jabs move?"
The words echoed in his head.
His old instructor's voice, calm and clear from years ago.
Delmar's eyes sharpened.
He remembered.
Delmar moved.
He dropped beneath the jabs, letting Ostrich's strikes cut air above him.
He coiled, twisting his torso like a spring under pressure.
And then—
"It's the Rising Coil move!"
His fist launched up in a spiraling uppercut, his body untwisting with all the strength and momentum he'd stored.
Crack!
The punch landed flush on Ostrich's jaw.
Time froze for a second.
Then Ostrich's feet left the ground.
His body arced upward, sent flying by the sheer force of the blow. He spun once in the air before crashing down hard, limbs splayed.
Dust settled.
Delmar stayed crouched for a moment, arm still raised, chest heaving.
Then he stood.
He was smiling.
...
"That was the... Rising Coil!" Dahlia gasped, her eyes wide in disbelief. "He did it!"
Her voice cracked with emotion.
For the first time, Delmar had succeeded in using a real technique.
A heartbeat later, before he could even lower his fist, Dahlia threw her arms around him, tears already streaming down her cheeks.
"You did it!" she cried. "You finally did it!"
Delmar froze.
What?
Wasn't she the one who stopped talking to him?
Didn't she ignore him because he was a failure?
He stiffened, confused, his arms slowly wrapping around her in return.
"Dahlia..." he whispered. "Why did you... abandon me as well?"
She buried her face in his chest, her voice trembling.
"Because... people started bullying you more because of me. I thought if I stayed away, they'd stop. So I..."
She trailed off, her cheeks flushing red. But in his arms, she felt safe again.
"Stupid..." Delmar murmured, his voice low. "You're so stupid..."
His hands gripped her tighter.
"I'm sure I told you back then... I'm not weak."
"I know..." she said softly.
A few paces away, Ostrich groaned from the ground.
He rolled onto his side, clutching his jaw.
But it wasn't the pain that stung.
It was the sight of her — hugging Delmar. Always Delmar.
Again.
Why was it always Delmar?
Why was he born more handsome?
More charismatic?
More brave, more determined, more damn admirable?
He gritted his teeth, his nails digging into the dirt.
Delmar had always treated him like a brother. Even when Ostrich was crying behind him, Delmar stood tall. Delmar laughed. Delmar dreamed.
And Ostrich?
Ostrich envied him.
That's why he picked on him when he got stronger. That's why he acted like Delmar was beneath him. Because for once, Ostrich wanted to feel superior. Like someone. Like he mattered.
But now—
A memory rose from the depths of his heart.
...
Two boys sat on a cliff's edge, beneath a crooked old tree, staring out at the endless sea. The wind played with their hair. The sun warmed their backs.
"What's your biggest dream, Ostrich?" Delmar asked, smiling as he leaned back on his hands.
Ostrich stared at the waves. "To become the greatest Marine. I want to strike fear into pirates across the world. Just hearing my name should make them run."
Delmar grinned wider. "That's awesome. Really."
"And you? What about you? I've always been curious."
Delmar tilted his head.
"Me? I want to become the Pirate King."
Ostrich blinked, shocked. "Wait—what? You want to become one of them?"
Delmar chuckled, eyes sparkling with mischief and fire. "Yeah. It sounds crazy, huh? You're actually the first one I've ever told."
"Not even your mom?"
"Especially not her. She's got all kinds of prejudices about pirates."
Ostrich frowned. "But why tell me then? I just said I want to catch pirates."
Delmar turned toward him, face serious.
"Because... you're my most trusted friend."
Ostrich had smiled then, warm and wide.
Delmar laughed. "If my pirate crew ever catches you, I'll make sure to let you go."
"You wish you'd catch the greatest Marine!" Ostrich shot back, grinning.
...
The memory faded.
Ostrich's chest tightened.
Tears welled up and fell freely now.
That was friendship. Real friendship. Not this bitter jealousy, this cruelty. How could he forget that? How had he become someone who hurt the boy who shared his dreams?
He got up.
"Delmar..."
Delmar looked toward him—just in time to be pulled into a tight embrace.
"Sorry!" Ostrich choked out, voice breaking. "My brother... I was stupid!"
Delmar tensed. Was he faking it?
But then he saw them — tears, real and raw, tracing down Ostrich's dirt-streaked face.
He hugged him back, tight.
"I was stupid to envy you," Ostrich continued, voice thick.
Delmar blinked. "Envy me? You're the talented one! I should've been the one envying you."
Ostrich laughed bitterly. "Yeah... I..."
He looked down, embarrassed.
But Delmar cut him off.
"Don't worry, Ostrich. Don't say it."
They held each other in silence.
Then Dahlia joined them, wrapping her arms around both boys.
'Finally… we're back like old times…' she thought, tears falling as her smile bloomed.
The three of them hugged beneath the fading sun, the warmth of old bonds rekindled at last.
To be continued...
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