Meeting My Sister, C Rank Hero

I left the monster-blasted alley behind and kept walking toward Elina's training center. Still had like ten minutes to go. My legs were aching and my clothes smelled like shit, but for some reason… I felt light.

Maybe it was the adrenaline.

Or maybe it was the stupid idea popping into my head.

"This is a good chance to practice my teleport skill…"

I looked around to make sure no one was watching me act like an idiot. And then I focused on a spot five meters ahead and—

ZAP.

I teleported.

Straight into a fucking pole.

"Ugh—fuck!"

I grunted and held my nose. Damn thing hurt more than it should've.

Still, that was kind of cool. Let's try again.

ZAP. Missed the mark, landed in a bush.

ZAP. Too far left. Slammed into the side of a tree.

But the more I used it, the smoother it felt. My aim was getting better. My control too. It wasn't just flicking around blindly now—I could guide it.

After about ten more warps, I could land exactly where I wanted. Even while jogging.

And then—

‒‒

[You have used Teleport 100 times today.]

[Skill Updated: Teleport ➝ Phase II Unlocked.]

→ Phase II Perk: Blink Precision – You can now teleport to locations within a 15-meter radius with pinpoint accuracy, even in motion.

→ Cooldown Reduced: 60 seconds ➝ 40 seconds.

→ Stamina Consumption slightly reduced.

‒‒ 

I stared at the screen, blinking.

"Alright… guess the system's into overachievers."

Not that I'm complaining. The more I use these powers, the better I get. Simple logic. Spam to win.

By the time I reached the training center, my stamina bar was at like 60% and my shirt was sticking to my back from all the sweat.

There was no one at the front gate. Not even a guard. Just an open entrance and a digital welcome screen flashing names of sponsors and some motivational garbage like "Only the Brave Conquers the World."

Yeah, yeah. Bite me.

I walked inside.

And holy shit.

It was like someone mashed a military base, a gym, a dojo, a private academy, and a futuristic weapons lab into one building and said, "Yeah, this makes sense."

Huge corridors. Training zones filled with combat dummies, elemental testing rooms, strength-assessment machines. There were posters of top-ranked heroes hanging like idols, with stats underneath their faces like RPG characters.

I was still taking it all in when a tall guy spotted me from the side hallway. Looked old—like early fifties maybe, with a body that still looked like he could wrestle bears. Military buzz cut, gray eyes, arms folded behind his back like some elite commander.

"You lost, kid?"

I shook my head. "Uh, no. I'm here to pick someone up."

"Name?"

"Elina. Elina Rover."

The moment I said it, his expression lit up like Christmas morning.

"Oh, you're Elina's brother!" The guy stepped forward and shook my hand with a grip that could crush a boulder. "It's good to finally meet you. I'm Darius—vice captain and head instructor of this center."

I barely nodded. "Nice to meet you."

He didn't wait and just kept talking. "She's a brilliant girl. Fast learner. Top of her cohort. Fierce control over her energy output. Just last week, she cleared an entire D-Rank mock dungeon solo."

"Really?"

"She's got potential. If nurtured right, she might even get picked up for a Pro team within a year."

My stomach twisted a bit.

So Elina… awakened.

I mean, it was obvious. I knew it somewhere deep inside, but I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to accept that she had walked this dangerous path too.

She had died once already in my last life.

I wasn't going to let that happen again.

Darius called someone over and told them to fetch Elina. I waited near the entrance, fingers fidgeting, trying to act casual.

It wasn't long before she appeared.

Still wearing her training outfit. Tight black gear, combat boots, gloves. Her ponytail was messy, and she looked tired, but still sharp and focused.

Elina saw me… but didn't say anything.

She just walked past me and said, "Let's go."

Didn't wait. Didn't look back.

She kept a bit of distance ahead, walking like I was some annoying delivery boy she didn't want to be seen with.

I followed, quiet.

And even though the silence felt heavy as hell, I was still glad.

Glad she called me.

Glad I could see her again.

I walked behind her, matching her pace from a distance, hands in my pocket. I couldn't exactly run up and hug her like I did with mom. That'd just be weird. She'd probably deck me on the spot.

But maybe… I could talk to her.

At least try.

I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but before a single word left my lips, she stopped walking and turned her head slightly.

"I know what you're going to ask."

Her voice was calm. Sharp.

"I didn't want to call you. I could've gone home myself, but Instructor Darius refused to let me go alone. Said protocol or whatever."

…That was it?

That was the reason she called me?

I tried not to show it, but damn… that kinda stung.

I rubbed the back of my neck and mumbled, "Maybe he didn't let you go 'cause he was worried about you."

She scoffed. "I'm a C-rank hero. I can handle myself."

"I'm not saying you can't," I replied quickly. "But what if a stronger monster shows up? Or a group of them? Even a C-rank would struggle if things got out of hand."

"Still sounds like excuses."

"It's not. What if another awakened shows up and they're not friendly? What if something unexpected happens?"

She stopped walking again and looked at me over her shoulder. "Since when do you care?"

I frowned. "What?"

"You don't give a shit about me. Never have. You'd probably be happy if I died."

That pissed me off.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Are you fucking serious?"

She didn't say anything.

I stepped forward. "You really think I'd be happy if you died? You have to be an idiot to think like that."

She clenched her fists but stayed quiet.

"Of course I care, Elina."

She didn't look at me, but I saw it. Her ears went a little red. Just a little. Her pace slowed.

Not a word.

But she let me catch up and walked beside me now. Not ahead. Not behind. Just… next to me.

We walked together for a while like that.

Then she sniffed the air and made a face. "You smell like absolute shit."

I groaned. "Well, I did just run for my life and eat sidewalk."

"Still. Go take a bath or something, even if you hate it."

"Wow. Thanks. So much love and affection."

She didn't respond, but the corner of her mouth twitched. I think that was a smile. Maybe. Kinda.

We reached home. She didn't say anything else—just walked in and went to her room without even looking at me.

I stayed in the hall for a bit and then—

‒‒

[Quest Completed: Make Up with Elina]

→ Reward: New Skill – Telepathy (Beginner Tier)

Allows short-range mental communication with those you have a bond with. Range: 5 meters. Cooldown: 10 minutes.

‒‒

I stared at the screen and snorted.

"Tch. That was easier than I thought."

Honestly, I expected to lick her feet or beg for hours or something.

But I'm glad. Real glad.