=== Diamant & Alcryst ===
--- C ---




[Alcryst]
Thanks for asking me to be your training
partner today, Diamant. It means a lot.
[Diamant]
Of course. We are brothers, after all. A bit of
roughhousing is expected of us.
[Alcryst]
I can't offer an even match─my skills pale in
comparison to yours─but I'll learn what I can.
[Diamant]
We all have our own strengths and weaknesses.
Constant self-deprecation counts as the latter.
[Alcryst]
It's not self-deprecation. It's the truth. How am
I supposed to win against the prince of Brodia?
[Diamant]
You are a prince of Brodia, Alcryst.
[Alcryst]
Yes, I am a Brodian prince, but I'm not THE
Brodian prince. I'm not you, Diamant.
[Diamant]
That's an awful way to think about it. Is that
how you talk when I'm not around?
[Diamant]
You can't bring that lack of confidence to
the battlefield.
[Diamant]
Enemies much stronger than you will be waiting
out there. Don't offer them your weakness.
[Alcryst]
Yes, Diamant... I understand.
[Diamant]
We need to get you in the right mindset for
battle. Let's focus on your strengths.
[Diamant]
You're a skilled archer, right?
[Alcryst]
People say that, sure, but I'm actually not
very good...
[Diamant]
Stop. That's your lack of confidence talking.
Did you hear what I said about weakness?
[Alcryst]
Do you have any weaknesses, Diamant?
[Diamant]
Ha! Good question. What do you think?
[Alcryst]
I can't spot a single one. You're flawless.
[Diamant]
Well, you certainly won't find any if we don't
start training. Let's build Brodia a better future!
[Alcryst]
Yes, Diamant...
[Alcryst]
For Brodia's future, I'll do the best I can.
--- B ---

[Diamant]
...
[Diamant]
Ngh...not good enough. I can't protect the
kingdom like this...


[Alcryst]
Diamant?! Are you OK? You're drenched in
sweat. What happened to you?
[Diamant]
Alcryst... You're not supposed to see me
like this.
[Diamant]
I'm fine. Don't worry. I was just doing some
focused training with a few of our mages.
[Alcryst]
I've never seen training wipe you out like this...
[Alcryst]
You might have some kind of illness. We should
get a doctor in here to check your─
[Diamant]
I'm not ill.
[Diamant]
Alcryst... Do you remember when you asked
if I have any weaknesses?
[Diamant]
Now you know. This is my weakness.
[Alcryst]
Your weakness is...training with mages?
I don't understand.
[Diamant]
As a boy, I made a careless mistake while
handling magic. Had a serious injury for a while.
[Diamant]
Ever since then...I've been afraid of magic.
[Alcryst]
You? Afraid?
[Diamant]
That's right. Now I work like this every day to
overcome that fear and conquer my weakness.
[Diamant]
That's why training with these mages is
so important.
[Alcryst]
I always thought you were flawless...
[Diamant]
No one is flawless. I have to train like this every
single day.
[Diamant]
Alcryst. You must not speak of this to anyone.
Do you understand?
[Alcryst]
I won't tell a soul.
[Diamant]
I should get back to it. I don't like to keep the
mages waiting.
[Alcryst]
Diamant, you don't need to push yourself so
hard.
[Diamant]
We're Brodia's protectors. It's our duty to grow
stronger in every way we can.
[Alcryst]
Oh...
[Diamant]
Talking with you has settled my nerves a bit.
I'll be fine. Don't worry.
[Diamant]

[Alcryst]
But, Diamant...
[Alcryst]
He's afraid of something. My brother has
a weakness. I can't believe it...
--- A ---


[Alcryst]
...
[Alcryst]
Ah, bullseye. That's good! I'll do 50 more,
just like that.

[Diamant]
You really are skilled with a bow, you
know that?
[Alcryst]
Diamant? How long have you been watching?
[Diamant]
Long enough to see that archery is definitely
one of your strengths.
[Alcryst]
Thank you...but there's still plenty of room
for improvement.
[Alcryst]
I need to train more. I want to grow stronger.
[Diamant]
There it is! That's the right attitude. I knew my
little brother had it in him.
[Alcryst]
...
[Alcryst]
Diamant, may I... May I challenge you to an
archery contest? If you have the time?
[Diamant]
Ha! That sounds like my kind of fun.
[Diamant]
What's the challenge? Most bullseyes out of
10 wins?
[Alcryst]
That sounds good to me. Let's begin!

[Diamant]
Alcryst... I'm shocked. I knew you were a
skilled archer, but...
[Alcryst]
What are you talking about? You scored nine
over my miserable eight. I've been defeated...
[Alcryst]
Heaping praise on your brother after soundly
defeating him at his own contest? What a bully.
[Diamant]
Ha! I'm not going to let my baby brother win.
If you want to beat me, you have to beat me.
[Alcryst]
Heh heh, I should have expected nothing less
from the crown prince of Brodia.
[Alcryst]
I wish you knew how reassuring it is to have
an older brother like you, Diamant. I'm lucky.
[Diamant]
I'm lucky to have you as a brother, too, Alcryst.
[Diamant]
No other challenger has ever been as skilled and
polite as you─archer or otherwise.
[Alcryst]
I'll just have to train more and grow stronger.
When I'm ready, I'll come looking for a rematch.
[Diamant]
You're on. But be warned, my own training
won't slow down. I'll be stronger as well.
[Alcryst]
I have no doubt that you will, Diamant.
[Alcryst]
I'm behind you for now, but I will catch up.
No. Better than that─I'll surpass you.
[Alcryst]
And whatever else happens...I will always
protect you.
[Diamant]
Hm? What was that last bit, Alcryst?
[Alcryst]
Just talking to myself. Don't worry.
--- S ---