Chapter 163: 163 Sister.

The Colosseum gasped, watching the figure of an Elven girl walk into the middle.

Iris’s beauty captivated everyone regardless of gender. Her golden ponytail swayed softly down her back, revealing the delicate curve of her nape.

Although the crowds had seen her appearance. But upon seeing it up close. It was an entirely different experience.

The girl was ethereal, like a lush forest, casting a soft shadow of comfort that embraced them in a gentle whisper.

Iris inhaled deeply, trying to calm her raging pulse. Her green eyes stared ahead.

In front of him stood a figure wearing brown robes, cloaking its figure in mystery.

She barely kept her mouth from twitching as Iris recalled her memories from a distant past when she met that man who aimed for her daughter.

’Who was it, again?’.

Iris tilted her head, seeming to forget the name of her bitter enemy.

’Hmph, who cares’.

As they stood a dozen meters ahead, the robed person flinched.

On the spectator’s seat, Selene raised her voice, inciting the silent arena to let out its vigor.

“Now, the ninth match begins”.

A cheer erupted in the place, shaking the now calmed Elves.

Iris felt her pulse quickened. She bit her lips and summoned her bow in hand.

Her other hand flicked and summoned an arrow in her hand.

But her opponent stood still; there was no indication of moving, only staring at the Elven girl.

Iris pulled the string tight, her posture straight and her sharp eyes fixed on her prey.

“…I found you”.

A small murmur escaped Iris’ opponent’s lips. It was fleeting yet melodious, like a familiar tune from a rustling forest soothing her heart.

’What’s the matter with her?’. Iris’ eyes narrowed.

As she looked closer, Iris noticed her opponent’s delicate hand extended forward, pulling off the hood that hid her face.

’A girl?’.

Iris muttered under her breath as she unconsciously tensed the force in her finger.

Once the hood pulled, a wave of gasps spread across the arena.

The identity of the robed person was none other than another Elves.

The girl had short hair that cascaded down her shoulder, shimmering like golden silk. Her pointy ears twitched uncontrollably, staring at Iris’s figure.

Strength left Iris’s body. She stared at the girl before her with disbelief.

“…Y-You”.

Iris’ voice stuttered; her trembling lips couldn’t hide how shocked she was.

“Ah!”. Iris unconsciously let go of the string, letting the arrow fly straight at her opponent’s side.

Her eyes widened with blood drained from her expression, but the arrow missed its target by a wide margin.

It struck the wall behind.

“It’s been a while, big sis, Iris”. The Elven girl loosened her facial muscles, smiling with tears glistening in her large blue eyes.

“N-Neri, is that you?”.

Iris’ voice cracked as she wanted to make sure that the figure before her was real.

“Big sis”. Nerine’s figure vanished as she reappeared before Iris and wrapped her hands around the startled Elven girl.

“I miss you”.

“…”. Iris’ mouth opened and closed like a fish, struggling to spill out the words in her throat.

The warmth and earthy scent that came from the girl in her chest reminded Iris of her homeland.

A flash of memory resurfaced; it was when Iris was still little, holding a bow in that lush forest.

***

Golden light filtered through the forest canopy, casting a warm glow onto the mossy ground where Iris grumbled at how bad Nerine’s aim was.

“I told you to aim straight, not like a falling squirrel”. Iris exhaled, her arms crossed over her chest.

“I did aim straight”. Nerine feigned ignorance.

Her lips puckered as she tried to blow her silent whistles. “The wind betrayed me”.

Iris held her breath. A vein twitched on her temple, barely holding back her fists from grinding on Nerine’s head.

“Don’t lie to me, yesterday you can shoot an arrow just fine, so why…”.

“Like I said, the wind… Ouch!”.

The big sister ran out of patience. Iris pounced from the little sister’s back and ground her fists on both of her temples.

“…Ouch, ouch, It’s hurt, big sis, Iris, please let go”.

Tears streamed down Nerine’s eyes, but Iris kept twisting her fists as she was having enough of her little sister’s whim.

“Stop lying to me! What’s your intention for calling me?”. Iris released her little sister and asked her solemnly.

Nerine rubbed her throbbing temple. Her eyes hesitated to look Iris in the eyes, but after a while, she opened her stiff mouth.

“…It’s because I want to play with you, that’s all”.

Iris’ shoulder slumped; she was too exhausted to be angry at her little sister.

“Then, why didn’t you ask me that in the first place? Instead of doing practice shooting”.

“…”. Nerine averted her gaze, for the half part of her intention was truly wanting to be trained by one of the best archers in her family.

Half of it was that she wanted some attention from her big sister, who was always busy holed up in her room, trying to hone her lack of mastery in spirit summoning.

Iris, who didn’t know what had transpired in her little sister’s head, exhaled, and a smile began to bloom in her earlier darkened expression.

“Jeez, what a troublesome little sister you are”.

***

Iris gulped, and now that troublesome little sister, who inherited her personality and temper, stood before her.

She would later become a source of headaches for Iris. ’Ukh, just imagining it already makes me sick’.

Meanwhile, as the two were absorbed in their own world, the Colosseum was enveloped in an awkward silence.

Some crowds, consisting of students who were present and eager to see the exciting match, sat in their seats, leaning comfortably.

Nerine, the Elven girl, hugged Iris for a minute straight, ignoring the mood in the place.

She reluctantly separated from Iris, exhaling softly, filled with relief.

“…I’m glad, you are alright”. Nerina swept her blue eyes over Iris’ body, then spoke in a worried tone.

“Where have you been all this time? Everyone’s been worried about you”.

Iris swallowed hard, exhaling to wash away the tension that gripped her throat, suffocating her.

“…Just like you see, I’m alright and?”. Iris’s brows knitted in wonder. “Worried? Who? I believe I made my stance clear that day”.

“Lie, you didn’t tell me anything about it”.

Nerine raised her voice, making Iris scratch her cheek in embarrassment.

“…Well, at that time you were gone into the deep forest, so I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye”.

Nerine’s cheek bloated. “Hmph, you are cruel, big sis”.

“I’m sorry”.

The two began to exchange conversation, forgetting that they were in the middle of the match.

Iris and Nerine’s expressions softened, and the tension seemed to melt with the silly laughter and close bond the two sisters had shared with the world.

Time passed, and the crowds exchanged silent glances. Sweat trickled down their temples.

They didn’t dare to open their mouths, afraid that a faint exhale could disrupt the reunion between the two in the arena.

So, they chose to keep their mouths shut and watched the conclusion.

No, they were just a coward who didn’t want to speak their minds, shouting their frustration.

However, what can they do, knowing that one of the candidates was a first-year student from Promethys Academy, who was filled with anomalies?

Also, as far as they were concerned, the Elves were a race that had high pride and tended to look down on others.

Not only were they blessed in appearance, but they also had a long life and were loved by spirits, which led them to believe they were superior to others.

That was why the Elves race chose to shut themselves in their homeland, refusing an attempt to connect with the outer world.

“Hei, big sis, how about…”.

“Um”.

Nerine’s blue eyes shifted toward the distance; she glared ferociously at Selene, who cut her speech.

The crowds leaned forward, and finally, after the awkward silence, There was someone who dared to break the stillness.

“What do you want, human?”.

“Nerine, what’s with that tone of yours?”.

The girl brushed aside Iris’s warning as she glared at Selene.

Blue mana began to stir around her, pulsating like it was living.

“You dare butt in on our reunion?”.

“Well yes, I dare, because we are in the middle of competition”.

Selene shot back, her calm voice laced with the salty taste that scrunched Nerine’s expression.

Nerine’s eyes narrowed as she swept her gaze over the crowds and snorted loudly.

“Hmph, there is no way I will fight my big sis”.

“So, you are saying that you concede the match?”.

Selene asked with a smile.

However, those close to her averted their gaze as they noticed a blue vein kept twitching on her temple, barely holding back the tides that wanted to wash the Elven girl’s arrogance.

“Hmph, do as you say”. Nerina scoffed and glanced at Iris before her.

Iris facepalmed; blood rushed to her head. She was battling the conflicting emotions that swirled in her heart, between embarrassment and anger at her sister’s rude behavior.

“Very well then, the ninth match ended. The winner is Iris from Promethys Academy”.

Selene’s voice echoed, but no cheer and nothing. The world turned muted as the Elven big sister grabbed her little sister’s hand.

“Neri, come here!”.

Without waiting for a reply, Iris walked away from the arena, stuffing her bow and arrow inside the storage.

Along the way, her green eyes met with Jin, who watched her with a blank expression.

Once Iris brought Nerine to the Alpha Class, she looked over the others, witnessing their stares that were like daggers stabbing her heart.

“Hey! Watch your eyes, human. You’re not worthy to even look at my big sister!”. Nerine snarled, making the other students stiffened.

“Neri enough!”.

Iris snapped back; the Elven girl’s voice, laced with rage, bounced back around the narrow tunnel.

From her side, she caught the snickering Lucya. Calm but curious, Silvia alternated her azure eyes between them.

Her green eyes peeked at Jin; his emerald eyes were silent, yet it felt heavy in her throat.

“Big sis, why?”.

Nerine asked, but the big sister exhaled in a peevish manner. Now, Iris understands the struggle of her deceased big sister in handling her rough personality.

A chuckle pulled Iris’ attention toward it, seeing Jin’s lips loosen in an amusing smile.

“…You are sisters indeed”.

Iris held her breath, her expression aghast, seeing the boy she adored make fun of her. ’Jeez, this is the worst’.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep