The Young Scholar had initially been a little confused about himself.
Now, he understood.
Why was he so determined to see the Black Monster one more time?
Maybe...
Besides his disappointment and disbelief over failing the exam, he also felt some anger and... hurt at being betrayed by a friend—feelings he hadn't even noticed himself.
That day in the capital, he had only been venting.
The Black Monster hadn't reacted at all.
After...
Calming down a little, an idea took root in his mind.
He wanted to hear what the Black Monster had to say.
That thought kept him going...
And turned him into a stubborn mule.
No one could change his mind.
Not even his older brother.
He was set in his ways.
During what felt like an interminably long wait, the Young Scholar even tried to make excuses for the Black Monster...
Though in the end, he failed.
He couldn't think of any excuses...
Then the Young Scholar wondered...
If the Black Monster apologized to him...
Would he accept it?
The Young Scholar didn't know.
But he clearly felt himself wavering.
Through all those long hours of studying...
He had always been alone, but now he had a small visitor.
Though this little visitor was greedy and ill-mannered.
After all, a guest who was always eyeing the food in the host's bowl was certainly no polite guest.
But there was no denying it...
The Black Monster had brought some change to the Young Scholar's unchanging daily routine of studying.
The changes were small.
Easy to overlook if he wasn't paying attention.
After his relationship with the Black Monster fell apart, the Young Scholar realized...
Or, perhaps it was more accurate to say he became aware of it.
In the end...
The Young Scholar