CHAPTER 120: SIBLING’S TIME I
Kael and Rose walked through the ruins of the school, the latter sitting on her brother's neck.
It had already been two days since Kael awakened his Talent, and by now he was already used to his new companions. Despite his sister sitting around his neck, she didn't affect the three snakes at all, her body seeming to phase through them.
Seris snuggled affectionately beside the side of his head, her golden eyes darting around the place in wonder. As for little Jinx, she had been trying to come into contact with his little minx of a sister. Yet no matter how she snapped her jaws, rammed her head, and whatnot, she simply passed through Rose. The little snake hissed threateningly at Rose, yet she didn't give up, and resumed her attempts soon after.
Kael simply ignored her.
During these past two days, aside from constantly training, Kael took his time to walk through the school grounds, hoping against hope that his new passive would activate.
If he couldn't even summon his Talent Avatars, then he had to make full use of his Talent-devouring abilities.
Of course, his endeavor hadn't proved fruitful these past two days, but Kael wasn't discouraged. If there was something he was good at, it was being patient. And as fate would have it, his sister decided to tag along today.
By now, with all those who could enter their trials having been successful, they were already starting to plan how they would escape from this wretched academy.
From the system messages in the past, they already knew there were safe zones for human survivors to live in, Nexus Citadels, as the system had called them. It was just that while the system had mentioned they could purchase Teleport Scrolls to the nearest Citadel at any time from the shop, that point might as well not have been mentioned. After coming out of their trials, the Epic ranks and above realized the coins required to buy a Teleport Scroll had almost doubled, and considering they were the main fighting force of the group, it meant there was no one able to purchase such goods.
'The system is truly an insufferable bastard.'
Kael shook his head at the thought. By now, they had been constantly meeting to plan out their escape. It was just that many, if not all of them, already harbored great fear of his sister. And unfortunately for the lot, the little minx could be insufferable. She kept spending most of her time with the other survivors, and the new four under her control always followed her like silent shadows.
What really hit the nail on the head was the presence of Max, the Ruinsteed. When they realized Rose had practically rendered their most powerful combatants powerless without even relying on her beast, the survivors' fear festered into horror. Though, to be fair, Elena had not tried to attack the little girl for a moment. But no one knew that.
It was then Ms. Claire dropped by, and in a subtle way hinted at his sister avoiding contact with the others. And if his sister wouldn't be involved in their special plan, he didn't care to join either. Nathan and the others could always fill them in on what was planned. To be honest, Kael was a bit disappointed in the young teacher. By now, she spent more time with Sophia than his little sister.
Of course, it wasn't that he didn't understand them. No matter what, his sister had killed four people. But it wasn't like he could abandon his sister for them, right? That was totally impossible. But that didn't mean he would do nothing. To that end...
"So..." Kael started, gathering his thoughts for a moment. "How do you feel about taking a live?"
"What is there to feel about it?"
The reply came faster than he expected.
Kael came to a stop.
Around them were collapsed walls, debris, and craters. With the sunlight beaming down upon them from above, the sibling duo looked strangely out of place amidst the desolation surrounding them.
"You killed four people, Rosy." Kael started, his voice turning serious. "You took human lives. That kind of thing leaves a scar on a person."
"So? I heard you also killed a person."
Kael's jaw tightened slightly.
"...It is a decision I deeply regret. It wasn't until later, when my head had cooled, that I realized I could have handled the situation differently, and might have been able to resolve it without taking a life."
A pregnant silence suddenly settled over the area, while the wind swept gently through the ruins and stirred the dust around them.
Only after a full minute passed did Rose reply. Throughout that time, Kael refrained from shifting his head upward, afraid to see his sister's expression. But when he heard her next words, he couldn't help but turn his eyes toward her.
"You shouldn't regret killing him. He tried to kill you, and it's only normal he gets what he deserved."
Two pairs of dark-as-night eyes locked quietly together.
After a while, Kael sighed.
"I don't know what happened in your trial. But remember that what you experienced was not real. It was only a test designed by the system to temper you..." There was more Kael wanted to say, more he felt he should speak. But he also felt the matter was a bit delicate, and he shouldn't rush into it. Only with time could such a wound truly heal.
What Kael didn't know was that his little sister had responded, but in a voice so low, that even he, with his exceptionally keen perception, couldn't pick up her words.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that..."