"What do you mean?"
"I mean that you're stronger than him in every conceivable way,"
"If you'd faced him at full strength, without any interference from me or anyone else, you still would have won. I believe that completely."
Kaelen's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by Julian's sudden intensity.
"That's... generous of you to say, but—"
"It's not generosity; it's observation,"
"I've seen enough to know talent when I see it. The academy recognized it too—that's why you're here. But more importantly, you need to recognize it in yourself."
"Don't let anyone else dictate what you can or cannot do. Not Marcel, not the professors, not even Francine."
A thoughtful silence settled between them as Kaelen processed Julian's words.
The distant sounds of celebration continued beyond the curtain, but in this small space, something significant was shifting.
Finally, Kaelen's expression softened into a smile. He extended his hand toward Julian.
