"What a failure."
"I never thought you were one of us."
"Why haven't you received any blessings in this age?"
"Don't worry, my prince. You'll grow stronger soon, just like your siblings."
Francis was dreaming... a haunting dream of everyone mocking him. He felt shame—an overwhelming shame for only now realizing the weight of their words and the sting of their ridicule.
He had been frustrated when people said those things to him, but deep down, he craved the praise that came whenever he accomplished something noteworthy. That fear of trying harder, coupled with his laziness, kept him weak in both body and spirit.
It all came to a head during his time at the academy. For the first time, he met people who didn't shower him with compliments. His peers were far stronger than him, and he couldn't escape their shadows.