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### Chapter 100: The Senior Sister
🕑 Added 2025-07-24 15:36:44 +0000 UTCThe winter wind bit at Russell's face as Pidgeot soared through the cloudless January sky. Despite the cold, he barely felt it—Arrogance's subtle protection wrapped around him like an invisible cloak, keeping the worst of the chill at bay. Below, the city gradually gave way to rolling hills dotted with estates.
Following the navigation to Hazel's location, Russell couldn't help but whistle low when the destination came into view. The manor sprawled across several acres, its traditional architecture speaking of old money and older power.
"What a rich woman," he muttered, guiding Pidgeot to land at the front gates.
After dismounting and returning Pidgeot to its card form, Russell approached the ornate entrance and pressed the doorbell. The chime echoed somewhere deep within the estate. Moments later, heavy footsteps approached, and the gate swung open to reveal an imposing figure.
Russell blinked. The man—if it could be called that—stood nearly seven feet tall, muscles rippling beneath a yellow turban. Incongruously, a floral apron stretched across his broad chest.
A Yellow Turban Warrior? Russell's mind raced as he studied the creature. Wearing an apron?
"Young master," the warrior rumbled, bowing respectfully. "The mistress has been waiting for you."
Definitely a card, Russell confirmed. That's... one way to save on labor costs. He couldn't help but smirk at the thought. Though he wondered—was this a simple creature card, or something more complex like a "Summon Soldier Beans" effect?
His question was answered as they walked through the meticulously maintained grounds. Yellow Turban Warriors were everywhere—some polishing windows until they gleamed, others carefully trimming topiary despite the winter dormancy. One was even attempting to rake non-existent leaves from the frozen lawn.
This many? Definitely not individual creature cards, Russell concluded. Has to be a mass summoning effect.
The warrior guide led him through winding paths to a set of carved double doors. "Young master," he whispered—an odd sound from such a massive figure. "The mistress awaits you inside."
"Thank you," Russell replied quietly, matching the warrior's tone.
He pushed open the door and stepped into what could only be described as a scholar's paradise. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined three walls, while the fourth consisted entirely of windows overlooking a snow-dusted garden. And there, bathed in the midday sun, sat his senior sister.
Hazel looked exactly as he'd imagined a university professor might—intellectual, composed, wearing a cream turtleneck sweater and reading glasses. The sunlight streaming through the window created a halo effect around her, highlighting curves that made Russell squint and quickly shift his position. The sun. It's just the bright sun, he told himself.
He waited for her to acknowledge him, but she remained perfectly still, eyes fixed on the book in her lap. The room was so quiet he could hear his own heartbeat.
One minute passed.
Then two.
Russell studied her more closely. Her chest rose and fell with breathing, but... Has she turned a single page since I walked in?
"Senior Sister?" he ventured tentatively.
At the sound of his voice, Hazel moved for the first time, carefully placing her book on the side table. Her lips parted slightly.
"...Yes."
The word was more mouthed than spoken. If not for Arrogance enhancing his senses, Russell would have missed it entirely. A sudden realization struck him.
"Senior Sister... you don't have social anxiety, do you?"
She gave the tiniest of nods, barely perceptible.
Everything clicked into place—the Yellow Turban servants, the isolated manor, the struggle to speak. His senior sister wasn't being eccentric or showing off wealth. She simply couldn't bear human interaction.
But wait. Russell frowned. "Can people with social anxiety still be university teachers?"
Her expression remained unchanged, but another whisper-soft response came: "I teach practical classes. Not much talking needed." A pause. "And I'm diamond-level."
Russell's eye twitched. Senior Sister, you're stronger than 99% of the country. Why are you hiding here teaching students? But he kept the thought to himself. Who was he to judge her choices?
"Senior Sister, I need to exchange some materials. Teacher sent me to you."
"I'll add you to the group." Her voice gained slightly more volume, though it still wouldn't disturb a sleeping mouse.
She held out her phone, displaying a QR code. Russell scanned it and found himself in a chat group with the decidedly unglamorous name "AAA Northgate Material Exchange."
[Hazel]: This is my junior apprentice, Russell. Please take good care of him from now on.
She's establishing my credibility, Russell realized. Despite her anxiety, she was looking out for him.
[Russell]: Hello everyone, I am Russell. Please take care of me in the future. [Russell]: I have a silver-level [Waters of Styx] (Gold) and a silver-level [Bowl of Five Flavors] (Gold). Looking to exchange for sword-related materials of the same level, preferably with life and death attributes.
Almost instantly, a reply appeared.
[AAA Material Wholesale Mr. Warren]: Private chat.
Russell blinked at the speed. "That was fast." He glanced at Hazel. "There aren't any scammers in this group, right?"
"Invitation only," came her mosquito-quiet response.
Ah. No one would dare try anything funny with these people. Russell opened the private chat.
[Russell]: Mr. Warren, I'd like to see the materials first. [AAA Material Wholesale Mr. Warren]: Silver-level [Sword of Transformation] (Gold), Silver-level [Blade of Immortality] (Gold).
Two images appeared. Russell frowned as he examined them. Only life attributes? Where's the death aspect?
[Russell]: Mr. Warren, nothing related to death? [AAA Material Wholesale Mr. Warren]: No, these are the only silver-level sword materials for life and death categories.
Russell stroked his chin thoughtfully. Do I change my plan?
Focusing solely on "life" wasn't impossible—he could still create Retsu Unohana's Shikai state. Her Bankai would be out of reach, but honestly, he'd never expected to achieve that at silver level anyway. That would require emerald or even diamond-tier materials.
A new idea formed.
[Russell]: Any biological materials proficient in swordsmanship? [AAA Material Wholesale Mr. Warren]: Silver Level [Old Sword Saint] (Gold).
Perfect. If I can't get her Bankai, I'll enhance her swordsmanship instead. Plus, he hadn't forgotten his promise to Zoro—to show him the pinnacle of this world's swordsmanship.
[Russell]: I'll take the [Blade of Immortality] and the [Old Sword Saint]. Where should we meet? [AAA Material Wholesale Mr. Warren]: [Address Attached]
The transaction complete, Russell turned to Hazel with genuine gratitude. "Thank you, Senior Sister. Without your help, I'd be gambling on sketchy trading websites right now."
"It's okay." She nodded slightly, then seemed to remember something. "I'll add you to another group."
"Another trading group?"
She presented a new QR code. This time, Russell entered a much smaller chat called "A Loving Family." Only six members total, including himself. He noticed Director Blake Whitmore among them.
The Masters' private group, he realized.
[Russell]: Hello, seniors. I am Russell. Please take care of me in the future. [Hazel]: Welcome! (scattering_flowers.jpg)
The emoji from his socially anxious senior sister made Russell smile. No one else responded, but that was understandable—it was the middle of a workday.
Pocketing his phone, Russell stood. "Sister, I'll head out now. If you need anything, just message me."
Hazel nodded silently, already reaching for her book.
As Russell left, following a Yellow Turban Warrior back through the manor, he couldn't help but glance back at the study. Through the window, he could see Hazel had returned to her original position—bathed in sunlight, perfectly still, a book in her lap.
The study would remain just as quiet as when he'd arrived, he knew. But now he understood it wasn't emptiness—it was sanctuary.
(End of Chapter 100)
Comments
Raphael Espinoza Angulo
First, I remembered that in Peru there's a primordial god/entity who has a totem called the Two-Faced Idol, I think. Second, Hazel smells like waifu power.
