Cedric stands there stiff, watching the Duke speak with Kyle… watching Kyle be chosen. Something twists in his chest... shame, anger, and something much deeper.
He steps forward.
"Kyle."
Kyle turns, calm as ever. Cedric clenches his fists, jaw tight.
"I'm not letting you leave me behind," he says, voice trembling but firm. "I don't care who you train under. I don't care how far you get… I'll catch up. No... I'll surpass you."
The courtyard goes quiet.
Kyle studies him, that old, unreadable gaze returning. Then he nods.
"I'll be waiting," Kyle says softly. "You remember the promise we made, right? Back then… before everything changed?"
Cedric's eyes widen.
That old afternoon in the dusty backyard…Two boys sitting on a fence, wooden swords in hand, swearing loudly:
"We'll be the strongest in the world!"
He thought Kyle forgot. He thought Kyle gave up. He thought he'd been left behind alone.
And now, hearing those words again…
A fire flares back to life in Cedric's chest. Not pride, not jealousy, but Determination.
Cedric breathes out shakily."…I won't break that promise. Not again."
A rare smile forms on Kyle's lips. "Good."
The Baron watches, warmth filling his eyes. He rests a hand on Cedric's shoulder.
"If this is your resolve," he tells his son, "then I won't hold you back. You want to grow stronger? I'll train you harder than ever. No… I'll make you stronger than ever."
Cedric nods, eyes burning. For the first time in years… he feels alive.