Chapter 91: Big Brother?
Kael sat quietly inside the waiting room, leaning back against his chair as he slowly regulated his breathing.
The violent trembling that had overtaken his body after his battle with Hulk had subsided considerably.
Although the pain lingering in his mana conduits hadn’t completely disappeared, his depleted mana was steadily recovering.
Outside, the sounds of construction echoed faintly through the corridors.
The arena had suffered tremendous damage during his battle with Hulk, and according to one of the academy staff, it would take some time before the next match could begin.
One of the earth mages walked into the waiting room after checking on the progress of the repairs.
"Mr. Kael," he said politely, "the arena is still being repaired. At the current pace, it should take approximately one hour before the next match can begin."
Kael nodded.
"I figured as much."
After witnessing the state of the arena himself, he wasn’t surprised.
Entire sections of the battlefield had been reduced to rubble after repeated clashes between his fists and Hulk’s enchanted mallet.
Not long after the earth mage left, one of the academy’s healing mages entered once again.
The elderly mage looked at Kael with visible concern.
"Mr. Kael..."
"Why don’t we simply cast a minor healing spell on you?"
Kael didn’t even lift his head.
The healer sighed before continuing.
"You’re fighting in the next match."
"And your opponent is Zion."
"Surely you understand how important it is to recover before facing someone like him."
Kael finally looked up.
"I appreciate your concern."
"But my answer hasn’t changed."
The healer frowned.
"You’ve refused our treatment several times already."
"A minor healing spell won’t interfere with anything."
"It will simply help your body recover faster."
Kael slowly shook his head.
"I didn’t ask for your services."
"So please..."
"...don’t keep trying to persuade me."
His tone wasn’t rude.
But it was firm enough to leave no room for negotiation.
The healing mage sighed once more.
This wasn’t the first time he had tried convincing Kael.
Nor was it the second.
At this point, he had honestly lost count.
Still...
As someone responsible for the students’ well-being, he couldn’t simply ignore Kael’s condition.
"You’re an incredibly stubborn young man."
Kael smiled faintly.
"I’ve been called worse."
The healer rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"You do realize that refusing treatment before fighting Zion is practically asking for trouble?"
"I know."
"And yet you’re still refusing?"
Kael nodded.
"It would affect me more during my battle with him."
The healer looked completely confused.
"What do you mean by that?"
Kael merely smiled without answering.
Some things...
Were easier experienced than explained.
Seeing he wasn’t going to get another answer, the healer let out one final sigh.
"Very well."
"But if you change your mind before the match begins..."
"Our services are always available."
Kael gave him a small nod.
"I’ll keep that in mind."
The healer finally gave up and quietly left the room.
Silence returned once more.
Kael closed his eyes.
His breathing gradually became steadier as he carefully circulated the little mana he had recovered throughout his body.
Just then—
Click.
The waiting room door suddenly opened.
A heavy silence accompanied the newcomer.
Kael slowly opened his eyes.
Standing opposite him...
Was Zion.
Kael blinked in surprise before a grin slowly spread across his face.
"Zion?"
"What an unexpected surprise."
Zion’s sharp gaze immediately locked onto Kael.
His expression was as cold as ever.
"From what I hear..."
"...you don’t want to be healed."
His tone carried obvious irritation.
Kael simply leaned back in his chair.
"So that’s why you’re here?"
Zion folded his arms.
"Do you actually believe you can defeat me while not being at full strength?"
His scowl deepened.
"Or are you looking down on me?"
Kael couldn’t help laughing softly.
"I didn’t peg you as the type to worry about your opponent."
"So..."
"You do have a heart after all."
A vein popped slightly on Zion’s forehead.
"Hey."
"Answer the damn question."
His voice turned noticeably more serious.
Kael’s amused smile remained.
"Let’s just say..."
"I don’t need healing."
"It would affect me more during my battle with you."
Zion stared at him for several silent seconds.
Then he spoke.
"That arrogance of yours..."
"...could end up being your end."
He stepped closer.
"And don’t expect me to hold back..."
"...just because you’re the one I’m fighting."
The atmosphere inside the waiting room immediately became heavy as the two future opponents quietly stared at one another.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
The silence lingered inside the waiting room until Zion suddenly reached toward his waist.
Without saying a word, he tossed something toward Kael.
Kael instinctively caught it.
"...A sword?"
He looked down at the weapon in his hands before slowly drawing it from its sheath.
The blade gleamed brilliantly beneath the room’s lights.
It was obviously of far higher quality than the academy-issued swords he had been using throughout the tournament.
Kael examined the craftsmanship for a moment before lifting his head to look at Zion.
A teasing smile gradually spread across his face.
"Did you actually give me a sword for our fight?"
Zion immediately turned his face away.
His gaze drifted toward the ceiling as though it had suddenly become the most fascinating thing in existence.
"It’s not what you think."
Kael stood up, still holding the sword.
"Oh?"
"Then why aren’t you looking at me?"
He slowly walked toward Zion with the same mischievous smile.
"Are you shy?"
"It’s nothing like that."
Zion replied almost immediately.
"Your sword was already destroyed during your previous fight."
"If you entered our match using another cheap academy sword..."
"...it would probably break again."
Kael blinked.
"So you brought me your old one?"
Zion nodded once.
"This was the sword I used before Master Crawford gave me my current blades."
"It should be enough."
He finally glanced at Kael.
"Just..."
"...don’t let it break."
Kael looked back at the weapon in his hands.
It felt noticeably better balanced.
Even the mana flowing through the blade felt smoother than anything he had previously used.
A puzzled expression appeared on his face.
"That’s nice and all..."
"But I’m not Master Crawford’s disciple."
Zion immediately frowned.
"You are."
Kael tilted his head.
"What?"
"In the dojo..."
"Anyone who practices the Celestial Star Sword Art is automatically considered a student."
He answered naturally before suddenly stopping himself.
Kael immediately narrowed his eyes.
"...Wait."
"There’s something you aren’t telling me."
Zion remained silent.
Kael slowly stepped closer.
"There is, isn’t there?"
"..."
Zion sighed in defeat.
"If you must know..."
"It’s tradition."
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly before continuing.
"When a disciple receives a new sword..."
"...their previous sword is passed down to their junior brother in the dojo."
He shrugged as though trying to make it sound insignificant.
"Or something like that."
"So don’t think too much about it."
The moment those words left his mouth, Zion immediately turned around and started walking toward the exit.
He had absolutely no intention of continuing the conversation.
Unfortunately for him...
Kael had already caught on.
A slow grin spread across Kael’s face.
"Oh..."
"I understand now."
Before Zion could leave the room...
Kael reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Zion froze.
Kael’s grin somehow became even wider.
"So..."
"...that makes you my Big Brother."
The hallway outside suddenly became deathly quiet.
The moment those words left Kael’s mouth, Zion’s shoulders visibly stiffened.
"...Don’t call me that."
He brushed Kael’s hand off his shoulder and immediately resumed walking down the hallway.
Kael followed closely behind him with an amused smile plastered across his face.
"Whatever do you mean, Big Brother?"
Zion’s pace quickened.
Kael matched it effortlessly.
"Why are you following me?" Zion asked without turning around. "Aren’t you supposed to be resting before our match?"
"Well..." Kael answered with a grin, "a certain someone doesn’t seem willing to take responsibility for becoming my Big Brother."
Zion suddenly stopped walking.
He turned around and pointed a finger directly at Kael’s chest.
"I still consider you a copycat."
"And a fraud."
"I’m only following the dojo’s tradition."
"Nothing more."
Kael stared at him for a second before the grin on his face widened even further.
"So..."
"You admitted it."
Zion frowned.
"...Admitted what?"
"That you’re my Big Brother."
For a brief moment...
Zion genuinely regretted opening his mouth.
"...You damn idiot."
He turned around once again and continued walking away.
Kael casually followed behind him.
"Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed, Big Brother."
"I said don’t call me that."
"Aww..."
"So you really are shy."
"I am not."
"Then look at me while saying it."
"I refuse."
"Why?"
"...Because you’re annoying."
Kael chuckled.
"I’ll take that as a compliment."
Several students walking through the corridor glanced at the unusual pair.
The usually cold and composed Zion was being relentlessly followed by Kael, who looked like he had just discovered his favorite pastime.
Most of them wisely chose not to interfere.
They simply stepped aside and watched the bizarre scene unfold.
"Big Brother."
"..."
"Big Brother."
"..."
"Big Brother Zion."
"..."
A faint twitch appeared at the corner of Zion’s eye.
Kael noticed it immediately.
"Oh?"
"You’re finally reacting."
"You know..." Kael continued thoughtfully, "I think ’Big Brother Zion’ sounds better."
"..."
"Or maybe..."
"’Dear Big Brother.’"
Zion finally stopped walking again.
He slowly turned around.
"What does it take..."
"...to make you stop?"
Kael folded his arms, pretending to think very seriously.
"Hmm..."
"That’s a difficult question."
Zion’s patience was hanging by a thread.
Finally, he let out a long sigh.
"If..."
"If I admit to being your Big Brother..."
"...will you stop pestering me?"
Kael’s eyes immediately lit up.
He nodded so vigorously that he looked like a child asking for permission to buy sweets.
"Absolutely."
Zion stared at him for several seconds.
Then, almost reluctantly...
He looked away.
"...Fine."
"I’m your Big Brother."
"There."
"Happy now?"
Kael stood frozen for a moment.
Then a bright smile appeared on his face.
"Very."
Zion shook his head in disbelief.
"...You’re unbelievable."
Without waiting for another response, he continued walking toward his own waiting room.
This time...
Kael kept his promise.
He didn’t follow.
Instead, he stood there with a satisfied smile on his face.
"Although Zion likes putting up a brave front with that cold personality..."
"Deep down..."
"He’s probably one of the kindest people in this world."
"At least..."
"To the people he considers worthy."
Kael shrugged before rubbing his hands together mischievously.
A dangerous smile slowly spread across his face.
The gears in his brain had already begun turning.
"Now then..."
"How exactly do I abuse this ’Big Brother’ privilege?"
Some distance away...
Zion suddenly felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine.
He frowned and instinctively looked over his shoulder.
"...Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling about this?"