Chapter 54

There was a girl and a boy.

The girl always greeted people with a bright smile, got along with everyone, and won the affection of many.

Her shining golden hair and golden eyes that glowed like the moon in the night sky. Her appearance, reminiscent of gold, was enough to captivate countless people.

The boy, on the other hand, always had an expressionless face unless it was a special occasion, didn’t get along well with others, and rarely won anyone’s favor.

Unlike his mother, his black hair didn’t shine, and his eyes were hollow and deep. Though he had a handsome appearance, his natural aura kept people at a distance.

The two were as different as day and night.

Though they were taught together, they didn’t have much interaction. Their personalities were too different, and they rarely had the chance to talk.

Still, the girl broke through that wall and approached the boy.

She chased after the boy, who was throwing steel balls to catch quails, and deliberately grabbed his shoulder to start a conversation.

“Hello, Raul Berze. This is the first time we’ve greeted each other like this, right?”

“…”

Raul ignored her and started looking for the quail.

Still, the girl kept her smile and spoke again.

“I’m Layla Nevermore. Since we’re learning under the same master, you should at least know my name, right?”

“…”

“Everyone wants to get to know you. You always disappear after training, after all. Sometimes it’s good to hang out with your peers…”

“I have a question.”

Finally hearing Raul’s response, Layla smiled brightly and replied.

“If it’s something I can answer, go ahead.”

“Why do you hide your true feelings and force yourself to smile?”

“…”

Layla dropped her smile and, with a colder expression than Raul’s, said,

“…How did you know? I thought I was good at acting.”

“I can’t explain it. It just felt that way.”

“Since I’ve shown my true face, I’ll ask you properly. Why do you act like you’ve seen it all? If you just force a smile, people will like you. You’re not bad-looking, so there must be plenty of people who’d like you.”

“That’s true. If I forced a smile and acted like a good person, people would definitely like me.”

Raul took a step closer to Layla and met her gaze.

It was a stare that seemed to coexist with shining gold and darkness that absorbed all light, but neither of them showed any expression.

“Then wouldn’t that just mean they like the act I’m putting on?”

“That’s rich. It’s still important to be liked, even if it’s just an act.”

“…I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about wanting to be liked by others.”

Layla couldn’t understand Raul.

If he didn’t know how important image was as a noble, then he was a fool.

That’s why she, too, forced a smile and acted like a good person. To protect her family and her only younger sister.

“Those people will leave in disappointment when I can no longer smile. What’s the point of keeping people around who will leave when you need them most?”

“…Are you an idiot?”

“I just don’t like relationships built on lies. Forcing a smile is also quite a hassle.”

At that, Layla burst out laughing.

It wasn’t the usual fake smile, but a genuine laugh that came from deep within her heart.

How long had it been? Since she had laughed in front of someone other than her sister. Since she had laughed out of joy, not pride.

“You really are an idiot.”

While others struggled to win favor, he stood alone, inviting dislike. It was so funny she couldn’t help herself.

It was like walking into fire on purpose.

“That’s why I don’t dislike you. In fact, I like you.”

That’s why she liked him.

Layla didn’t dislike fools like Raul.

There were many pigs wearing fancy shoes walking on flower paths, but only Raul would walk barefoot into the flames.

“I don’t dislike you either.”

“Really?”

“I like circuses.”

Layla tilted her head in confusion.

What did she have to do with circuses…?

“I don’t dislike clowns who are good at acting.”

“You jerk!”

Raul tried to run, but Layla, who was faster than anyone, caught him and gave him a thorough beating.

And so, their intense relationship began. Like a sprout growing from seeds scattered on the ground.

—

Raul eventually fully joined the group because of Layla. Due to his unique personality, he often fought with Camilla, and after being told he resembled His Majesty, he fought with the First Prince until his bones broke.

In the end, thanks to Layla and Penelope’s mediation, they eventually came to understand Raul’s personality and way of speaking.

Even though they all got along, the person Raul had the deepest connection with was undoubtedly Layla.

—

Layla, who excelled in every field with 99 points, and Raul, who scored 0 in everything except hand-to-hand combat and staff techniques. The two were polar opposites.

Yet, they always trained in hand-to-hand combat and staff techniques together, growing closer over time.

“I told you. In these two areas, I won’t lose to you.”

Raul scored 100 points in fighting with a staff and bare hands.

“Just a one-point difference, don’t get too cocky, Raul.”

“I see. You’re still hung up on that 99, huh?”

“Men who keep poking at a woman’s sore spots aren’t popular, you know?”

“From what I know, women who obsess over trivial things aren’t popular either.”

“You jerk!!!”

The two were polar opposites.

Yet, at the same time, they were very much alike.

Both cherished their younger siblings more than their own lives. Both had surprisingly childish sides. Both were cynical but liked people with convictions. Both had unfortunate pasts and cherished each other. Both struggled to hide the scars in their hearts.

That was their relationship. Like grains ripening, their bond matured over time.

—

Years passed, and the two grew up, successfully enduring their training.

The Minister of War bestowed weapons upon his students who had completed their training.

To Penelope, who could predict enemy movements with near clairvoyance, he gave a sword that always struck first.

To Asel, who could control extreme heat and fire, he gave a greatsword that could summon and amplify flames.

To Camilla, who could amplify her body’s electricity to wield high-voltage currents, he gave a spear that amplified her power.

To Layla, who was faster than anyone and could wield any weapon, he gave a ring that could transform into any weapon.

And to Raul, he gave an unbreakable staff.

—

“That jerk only gave you a slightly sturdy staff?”

Hearing this, Layla exploded in anger and began cursing her master.

For a weapon to be given to a disciple who would face the harshest battlefields, it was pitifully lacking.

The Minister of War’s armory was filled with far superior weapons.

“…I actually like it.”

“What? It’s just a slightly sturdy staff.”

“It’s the only way I can beat you.”

“But there are much better staffs in that man’s collection.”

“My resonance specializes in destroying opponents. A staff that can withstand that resonance is perfect. Plus, there’s no better staff for blocking attacks.”

“Unnecessarily positive.”

Layla was annoyed that Raul didn’t even protest.

—

“I said I like this weapon.”

“Honestly, what’s so great about a weapon that’s just a bit sturdy…!”

“It’s the opposite of your weapon.”

“Huh?”

“Your weapon can become anything. And mine can never be destroyed, so its form never changes. Don’t you think it’s similar to us?”

Raul thought the weapon resembled them.

Layla, who could act out countless expressions. Himself, whose expression rarely changed.

Layla, who was a natural talent in every field. Himself, who was worse than a fool in everything except staff techniques and hand-to-hand combat.

“It’s like a weapon made for the two of us. I’m happy about that.”

“You, you… making such remarks without even realizing…!”

“Also, I have no confidence in speed or technique. I was relieved because you could fill that gap.”

Raul handled offense and defense. Layla handled speed and technique. With different strengths, the two perfectly complemented each other’s weaknesses.

“I’m an incomplete human being.”

Raul held Layla’s hand and confessed his honest feelings.

“I can only become complete with you.”

“…Everyone is incomplete, you idiot. Me too.”

And Layla also tightly held Raul’s hand.

“I can only become complete with you too.”

The two were like day and night. Though they seemed like opposites, they were two sides of the same coin.

They were opposites but alike. Like two halves of a split piece, their shapes were different, but their edges fit perfectly.

They were incomplete but could become complete through each other.

“Half-body.”

Layla pulled Raul’s hand to her chest.

“You’re my other half. Without you, I’m incomplete. Likewise, I’m your other half. Without me, you’re incomplete too.”

“Half-body… That has a nice ring to it.”

“We’re one body now. That one body can’t be defeated by anyone. Because we can become complete through each other.”

Layla showed the most beautiful smile in the world. Not the fake smile of the past, but a genuine, complete smile.

“Understand, my other half?”

Raul, too, responded to the title with a faint smile, not his usual expressionless face.

“Yeah. I understand completely. My other half.”

And so, the two became each other’s other half.