"Big sister!"
Mira stood at the door.
Leo was drying his wet hair. The moment he saw her, a smile spread across his face on its own.
They could only meet now and then. Still, Mira’s eyes were the same as ever. When she looked at Leo’s handsome face, they got stuck there. She even forgot to blink.
On top of that, since he had just bathed, a faint fresh scent drifted from him.
"I just finished practice," Mira said with a sweet smile. "I saw you coming back, so I thought I’d drop by."
She reached out and ruffled his wet hair.
Leo blushed a little. "Big sister, come in. I’ll get you some water."
"Don’t be so formal. I just came to see you."
The moment she walked in, she grabbed Leo’s shoulder in her easy way, as if it were her own room.
Leo was 1.7 meters tall now. But Mira stood at 1.75. Long legs, a slim waist, the kind of figure people stared at. Only, nobody dared get close to her. After all, everyone knew her as the Hell Rose.
She patted his shoulder. Then she pinched his arm and laughed.
"Looks like your hard work is finally showing! You get more impressive every day. Sometimes your big sister just wants to squish those cheeks forever. I wish my skin was as nice as yours!"
Leo sighed helplessly.
"Big sister, you’re starting again! Do you think I like this? I got this face from Mama and Papa. What can I do about it? I just look like my mother, that’s all."
Mira burst out laughing.
"Okay, okay, I’ll stop! Come on, let’s talk business."
Her face turned a little serious.
"The Alliance Magical Beast Hunt trials will be held in six months. I’ve already reached the second rank of the Vanguard Knight stage. So this time I’ll give everything to get chosen for the Hunt."
Her eyes shone with fire.
"I’ve already asked Uncle Rowan to take you with us. So you can feel that atmosphere yourself. Five years from now, when you enter the Hunt trials, you’ll already have some experience. You’re not even twelve yet!"
Leo listened carefully.
"There’s just one problem. We need the Iron Wall’s approval. It’s best if you talk to him yourself. Worst case, Uncle Rowan can order him to send you. Then Stone Face can’t do anything about it!"
Leo smiled lightly.
"Okay, I’ll ask him. Big sister, tomorrow I’m going out with Master Kessel. I’ll talk to him then."
But even as he said it, he felt a small sense of helplessness.
The Iron Wall’s rules were very strict. He wouldn’t let anyone see the results of Leo’s training. Not even Rowan.
In Rowan’s words, "Stone Face" was the most stubborn man in the world. He had only one goal. To shock the whole world with Leo’s amazing feats.
Mischief sparkled in Mira’s eyes.
"Little brother, you’re not allowed to tell me about your training. Fine, I won’t even ask. But since you’re following the Iron Wall, I’m sure you’re not missing anything!"
She leaned in a little.
"When we go from Moonhaven City to the Hunt trials this time, there will be a lot of people there. Like that Liora! She’s determined to go too. So you’ll have to help your big sister there!"
Leo was silent for a moment.
"Big sister..." he said softly. "You’ve been talking in circles for so long. Please, just stop."
Then he paused.
"From what I understand, every time you two meet, you start fighting. But deep down, you actually think of each other as friends."
"Ew, ew, ew!"
Mira made a face.
"Who thinks of that girl as a friend? Have you lost your mind?"
But the tips of her ears had turned a little red.
"Okay, I’m going. And listen, practice like crazy these six months! Don’t embarrass me there!"
She was always in a hurry. The moment she finished talking, she was gone like the wind.
The door closed. The room suddenly went quiet.
Leo watched her go. His heart filled with warmth.
The only love he had received since leaving his parents had come from this big sister.
He still remembered the day Mira had made that huge bet for him. Just so he could have a good shield.
In his heart, Mira had long been his dear big sister. He would give his life for her.
But Leo was terrible at showing his feelings. He had never been able to tell her how much he loved having her around.
Deep down, though, he was very grateful to her.
He took a deep breath, shook his head, and calmed his mind.
The room was quiet again. Leo sat cross-legged. It looked like he was finally about to sink into meditation.
Talent alone doesn’t always guarantee success.
On the path of cultivation, countless talented people fail. Many of them are broken by their own temperaments. Some drown in pride, and some fall apart from impatience.
Leo’s cultivation speed was very fast. But his state of mind was just as important as his natural talent.
He closed his eyes.
With a calm heart, moving forward one step at a time, no distracting thoughts came to him during cultivation. No rush to win, no fear of losing.
His mind was far steadier than an ordinary person’s.