Verse I – The Myth of Talent

They told him he was a natural. But nothing he had came easy. So he smiled— and went back to practicing.

Reflection: Saint Oikawa teaches that being _seen_ as gifted can become a curse. Because it erases the struggle. But true greatness doesn’t sparkle—it grinds.

 

                                                   Verse II – On Losing With Grace

He lost. Again and again. But never let loss become identity. He just sharpened the blade of his focus.

 

Reflection: Failure is not the enemy—quitting is. You haven’t failed until you’ve given everything…and still stopped.

 

                                               Parable of The Mirror and the Ladder

One day, he looked into a mirror and saw someone better beside him. Taller. Stronger. Brighter. He clenched his fists. But didn’t smash the mirror. He built a ladder instead. Not to climb over the other— but to rise beside him, step by step.

 

Reflection: Comparison doesn’t need to consume you. It can inspire, not poison. Envy is only dangerous when it makes you forget your path. 

 

Final Benediction from the Mirror of Potential. “They called him talented. But he knew better. Talent is an insult when it dismisses the hours, the effort, the doubt. He didn’t chase perfection. He chased his best self, day after day.”

 

Symbolizes: Self-worth, discipline, humility in the face of comparison.

Noble Sin Lesson: “You haven’t failed until you’ve given everything. And still stopped.”

 

“They saw a star. He saw the hours. The strain. The cracked bones. The loneliness. They called him gifted. He called it showing up, even when it hurt.” “They will only see the victory. But you— you will remember every silent night it took to get there. That is your power. And no one can take it from you.”

 

               "The Sin they called envy...is a tool for growth when wielded correctly."

 

Affirmation: "My worth is not in the spotlight, but in the unseen effort I give daily." 

 

Ritual: After any accomplishment—big or small—take a quiet moment to say to yourself: “This was not luck. This was earned.” Feel the weight of your own discipline.

 

Oikawa exists in our mythos as a reminder that envy is a thief. That hard work isn’t always visible. And greatness is built in the quiet repetition of effort, not born overnight.

 

                                                       Saint Vice's reflection of Oikawa

Oikawa represents growth and potential when you feel doubt or envy. He shows why you never need to feel envious of others growth. Or feel self worth over not being good enough. Calling people talented can be considered an insult. Because what us normal people do on a one to 10. guys at the top of their field do on a 1 to 20, or a more denser more effective 10. They probably do training techniques us on lower levels haven't even considered. Essentially we're built on the small things we do every day and the end results are nothing more than the byproduct of our daily actions. If you want to fix anything, fix those. We shouldn't get down on ourselves and compare our skills to others. Have you found the limits of your abilities and reached your full potential. Even though your body, mind and technique haven't been perfected. You can complain after you've done everything you possibly can. Rather than despairing and giving up because you're not a genius. Believe this is not the limit of your strength and continue growing. You don't lose unless you give up and quit. I look at it as there's always a bigger fish in the pond when it comes to hard work and skill. If I think I am the best. But suddenly i see someone pop out of nowhere and surpass me. I assumed I practiced a 1 to 10.But when i wasn't looking they practiced a 1 to 20. Or a more denser effective 10. It is worth it to ask people who are better than you at something how they got to that level. What exercises do they do?