My sister is my sister.
They were his only family in this world where he was alone, adrift, without relatives or friends, and living a life of utter helplessness.
He didn't want to become the kind of person who would stop at nothing to become stronger.
Because he felt that wasn't him.
Chapter 73: Crafting Five-Star Cards! Obtaining Armament!
Various thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant.
Teacher Kijika from the top-tier class walked onto the stage, gently patted him on the shoulder, and praised him:
"Qiji- kun, you won beautifully! You truly deserve to be called the City of Kindling's Number One Genius!"
Then, Kijika cleared his throat and addressed all the first-year students in the audience.
"There's only one month left until the Academy Grand Tournament competition!"
Just now Qiji and Suyo gave us a wonderful match. I hope everyone learned something from it!
Kijika, as expected of a top-level teacher, quickly got into teaching mode, using the duel between Qiji and Suyo as an example to explain and analyze it in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
Qiji realized that it was pointless for him to remain on the ring, so he lightly touched the ground with his toes and slipped off the ring.
The members of Class 8, including Huomu, Setsuna, and Bai Lili, were excitedly approaching him, seemingly eager to tell him everything.
However, Qiji's gaze swept over Suyo, who was still slumped on the ground, unable to get up...
Looking at the girl's slightly trembling shoulders, which would be easily missed if you didn't look closely, he felt a pang of unease.
Did I go a little too far just now?
Nine minutes and ten seconds—isn't that a bit too insulting?
This was the first time he had ever had such thoughts about his opponent.
So why have I been inexplicably concerned about this guy ever since just now?
It's probably because...
Do you feel somewhat indebted?
Qiji found a seemingly reasonable explanation for this inexplicable emotion.
After all, for so many years, all he's been doing is seizing the other party's ecological niche...
The moment the thought flashed through my mind, a system notification popped up—
[Bite!]
[Congratulations, host! You have brilliantly defeated the strong contender for the "Thousand Faces" card!]
[You have been officially selected as the "Thousand Faces" candidate, and your five-star card is being made!]
[After completing the five-star card, you will receive the complete "Thousand Faces" card Lineage Investiture!]
[Friendly reminder: Please continue to maintain the "Thousand Faces" persona during production!]
"!!!"
Holy crap?
After being selected as a five-star card, you even get a free Armament?
That's not invincibility!
Qiji overjoyed and quickly clicked to check it out.
However, after watching it, I calmed down a bit.
It doesn't mean he directly comprehends the Armament, but rather it's more like the "Imagery Forgery" that Suyo just used...
Of course, it's pretty good too; it was a pleasant surprise!
Qiji exited the system interface, and then, unexpectedly, he saw the girl sitting dejectedly by the ring again.
Thinking about the memories that belonged to the other person that I had just seen...
I couldn't help but sigh.
Why!
Call him hypocritical if you want, or say he took the benefits and then pretended to be a good person.
Qiji felt guilty if he didn't do something.
So, before Huomu and the others arrived, Qiji suddenly appeared behind Suyo, grabbed her by the collar, and disappeared from the training ground.
This surprised the group of people.
"Qiji- kun, where are you going?"
Are you coming back for lunch?
It's still the familiar rooftop.
Qiji casually tossed Suyo, who had slumped into a puddle of mud, onto the ground.
Seeing that she made no move to resist, Qiji guessed what was going on.
This guy...
It's probably really broken.
After watching the video of "Brother and Sister" that Suyo had mentioned, he could roughly understand it.
This guy has barely made it this far by constantly pushing himself to win.
The girl was so tense that she never gave herself a moment to breathe or relax.
This means that you are constantly pushing your limits. In this situation, if you fail even once, you will completely collapse.
Qiji reached out and removed the mask of Suyo once more.
As expected, the other party didn't react at all; they didn't dodge or resist.
And the face beneath the mask was exactly as he had expected—
The tears didn't stop at all; she even cried so hard that snot was running into her mouth.
Qiji sighed and tossed her a pack of tissues.
But the other party did not answer or respond.
He had no choice but to squat down, unfold a tissue, and wipe the snot from her face.
So, even though this guy provoked him first, why does he feel guilty after winning, as if he's the bad guy?
"Hey? Can't you pull yourself together? The way you're acting makes your brother look pathetic."
Upon hearing the word "brother," Suyo seemed to regain his senses.
She slowly and stiffly raised her face, looking at Qiji, as if she hadn't heard him clearly, and asked him for confirmation:
What... did you just say?
I said, your brother is pitiful.
"You're not allowed to talk about my brother like that!"
Sure enough, she only seemed to regain some of her spirits when talking about her brother.
Knowing his approach was correct, Qiji continued, sticking to this strategy:
"Look at you! Even I would be angry if I saw you, let alone your brother!"
Is losing to me something to be ashamed of?
Or do you think you'll never lose in your entire life?
Is genius a title only worthy of those who consistently win?
There's no such person in this world!
Even if your brother were to come, would he be able to beat me 100%?
"Meeting!"
Qiji: "..."
Qiji opened his mouth, but the next sentence he had already prepared stuck in his throat.
What else is there for him to say?
Brother complex is truly amazing...
Moreover, the person being controlled is an older brother who has already died.
That would be even more awesome.
They were practically invincible.
"... Fine, fine, I'll assume your brother can beat me."
Qiji didn't want to argue with a dead man about who would win or lose.
He can definitely beat you!
Qiji took a deep breath and endured it.
"Alright, then tell me, what's wrong with you right now?"
"I'm useless... I don't deserve to be your older brother..."
Are you looking down on me? No trash could push me to that point!
You are not only demeaning yourself, but also insulting me! And you make your brother, who risked his life to save you, seem utterly pathetic!
When he saved you, he must have felt that you were someone very important to him, right?
It's more important than his life!
But look at yourself now, I really feel sorry for him!
If I were him, I'd just kill you!
"Then let me die! Give me back my brother!!!"
Watching the girl, enraged by his words, rush up and keep punching his chest with her little fists...
Qiji waited until the girl had vented her emotions before handing the fox mask back to her.
"Then put on the mask and let that Suyo return."
She almost beat me just now.
Suyo paused for a moment, then her tears gradually stopped; perhaps she had cried all her tears out.
She stared blankly at Qiji and said:
"But you just said... that you only used 30% of your strength?"
"That was just me bragging."
Qiji grabbed Suyo's hand and pressed it against her chest.
My Heart Essence is empty, and my Echo are no longer usable.
You were just a hair's breadth away from beating me.
You are not useless.
You are the strongest opponent I have ever faced.
Qiji looked at the girl and pretended to be serious as he spoke.
However, those who knew him immediately recognized his true colors in the comments:
"Hajiqi! Damn Azathy!"