"That does not make your achievement any less impressive, Adrien", Valerion said, calmly. "Those children have started their formal training in magic at birth. You have been here for six days. It is awfully unfair to compare yourself to them, wouldn't you say so?".

"I -- I guess", Adrien replied, his voice low. "But -- but still, I mean -- you are, what, thirty? -- and you are a master sorcerer, while I'm still learning baby circles --".

"I have also started at birth", Valerion said, a kind smile in his eyes. "Really, you should not compare yourself to others. Your journey is your own. The only challenger you have to defeat is yourself. And wouldn't you say that today counts as a victory?".

"Yeah -- you're right", Adrien said, now smiling. He took another sip of water. "Thank you".