Talent Store - Chapter 3

10,000 Hours of Effort (2)

Evan came to the backyard with a frustrated mind. He seemed to be able to maintain a sane spirit by inhaling fresh air. Evan walked through the backyard for a while and saw a familiar back in the middle of the bush.

‘Father?’

It was Evan’s father, Robert.

Robert was talking to someone when he heard his voice, it seemed to be his mother, Vanessa. While trying to reach out to his parents, Evan stopped walking.

Evan’s parents were talking about him.

“I think it would be difficult for Evan to enter the Rhodes Academy.”

“Will Evan be disappointed?”

“Even I’m disappointed, I can’t help it. As soon as next year, Astin goes to the Valencian Empire to take classes. It takes a lot of money to finish the knights class, but it is hard to handle Astin in the family matter. Under the current circumstances, it’s impossible to send Evan to the Rhodes Academy. I can’t afford the tuition, and to be honest, Evan doesn’t have any talent for the sword.”

“But you know how much Evan is trying. How can there be no way to send him to the academy?”

“Vanessa, I would have supported Evan’s path as a swordfighter if Evan had any talent, even if it comes late. Maybe not in Rhodes Academy, even in other academies. But no… It’s right to say that he hasn’t shown any talent for more than six years without a prospect as a swordfighter.”

“Sigh… … . “

“It may be hard, but let’s ask for Evan’s understanding. Evan is a good child, and he will understand the family situation.”

Do they know? He thought that it wasn’t the only conversation between the two, and nothing can change the truth about him.

“Alas… … .”

At the moment, Evan’s knees buckled, and he almost collapsed. However, he bit it and endured it.

He didn’t want to let his parents know that he had heard everything. Evan moved, struggling with his trembling legs.

* * *

Evan has been thinking this way.

‘As long as my parents are there, they will always trust and support me.’

Although not talented, he thought his parents believed in him. So he was able to work hard for more than 6 years.

His parents’ support was one of the driving forces behind Evan. However, realizing that the truth was different, he fell into great despair that was hard to describe in words.

Disappointed Evan, like a drunk man, wandered around, stumbling in every step. It seemed that his mind, which was spinning with many thoughts, would explode immediately.

‘Is there really no possibility for me?’

Although they were siblings, the talent gap between the two was remarkable. Astin had enough talent to be called a genius, while Evan had no talent.

No matter how hard he tried, it was so bad that nothing could be achieved.

It was so unfair. He didn’t think that the efforts he had made so far were less than his brother’s.

Instead, he knew he worked hard enough, even harder than everyone else. Moreover, it wasn’t that he wanted the skills of Austin.

He has been trying to catch up with just being an average swordfighter, but nothing has changed.

‘If I had great talent like my brother, wouldn’t the situation have changed?’

The envy soon became resentment, and resentment became hatred. Now he felt that Astin’s great talent was hateful.

He used to be proud that his younger brother was such a great person, but he was envious of his talent when the cold reality came to his eyes.

It was a blessing from heaven that he could go forward as he tried. Despite having the same blood, the fact that he did not share the blessings his brother had made Evan’s heart hurt.

‘Did you have to take all the talents? Could you at least give me some?’

He wanted to ask his brother.

He wanted to ask why he was living a miserable life.

Evan kept searching for his brother, suppressing the fierce emotions. Asking his brother will not give the answer, but maybe it can lighten his burden.

There was also a thought that he would receive his own folly if he was always wise and cared for his brother.

With a whirling pace, he returned to the party, but his brother was not there.

Evan asked his servants where his brother disappeared even though the party was still in full swing. And when he finally found him, Evan couldn’t reach him.

In an accident that stopped momentarily, Evan fell down on his knees. After sitting on the ground, he stared blankly at his dimly-formed brother.

* * *

“Hoo.”

Astin exhaled deeply and looked at the sword with sharp eyes.

Astin’s clothes, which had been in a haze for a long time, were dressed luxuriously. He was sweaty. Astin’s appearance gave Evan another realization.

‘Yeah, he was a man like that.’

Today was the day to praise Astin, not anyone else. There was a party for Austin and food for Austin.

As the protagonist of the party, he deserved a break today. Had Evan been in the same position, he would have enjoyed the party by now.

However, Austin didn’t.

Astin went to the haze without forgetting that people were delighted with his achievements.

If you don’t practice swords even for a day, you’ll be behind others, so you should practice anytime.

“brother… … .”

Only then was Evan insane. The truth that he forgot because of desperation came to mind.

Astin wasn’t just a gifted man. Since he had always tried without compromising on his talents, he was able to climb where he is now.

Perhaps it is because Evan grew up watching his diligence since he was a child.

In the past, seeing Astin practicing with his sword, Evan thought he would do as his brother did.

It wasn’t just the talent gap that made Austin so much better than Evan.

‘I tried harder than you?’

He asked himself a question. His answer was negative.

His effort was also less than that of Austin.

He was ashamed to think that he was lazier than a genius when he didn’t even have any talent.

In other people’s eyes, it looks like Astin and Evan are the same sword-crazy person, but Evan realized his lack.

When it was too hard, Evan sat down at that time to take a short break, but Astin clenched it and wielded the sword once more.

Apparently, Evan’s efforts were great, but Austin’s will was even more significant.

Evan thought that the difference of 1 minute and 1 second might have made him like his brother. He tried, but it was not enough for his brother.

“Don’t make excuses. The reason I couldn’t succeed was not because of my talent or my brother. It’s all because of my lack of effort. If I try harder, I can achieve the result. Yes, I’m sure I can.”

The day everyone blessed Austin.

Evan made a new change.