Becoming a Shadow in the New World

These were the first words Claire spoke after entering. Then, the girl tackled him to the ground, and a sword appeared in Sid's field of vision, slashing towards his neck.

Sid still didn't understand his sister. She wouldn't just draw her sword and smash the door to pieces after he closed it; she would already have her sword drawn, just waiting for him to open the door.

Given his B-level strength, he couldn't possibly dodge the attack when his sister ambushed him, meaning Claire was going to take his first blood.

As the sword drew ever closer to his neck, Sid closed his eyes and accepted his fate.

"Oh!"

"Why not hide?"

Just kidding, he couldn't sense any killing intent in Claire's sword strike; he knew it was just a friendly spar.

Lying on the ground, he glanced out of the corner of his eye at the spot where Claire's sword had struck him—the floorboards were only a fraction of a centimeter from his neck, the tip of the sword completely embedded in it.

...He just seemed to have really walked on the edge of death. When did his sister develop this kind of self-control? This self-control is so strong that she can prevent her murderous aura from showing.

"Tell me, why didn't you dodge just now?"

Seeing that Sid did not answer, Claire, who was riding on Sid, asked again.

"My sister is too strong, how could I possibly react in time?"

The standard answer; this is the excuse I've used to get by since I was a child.

"You're lying. You could get away with it a year ago, so why can't you get away with it now?"

If I hadn't run away a year ago, I don't know how long I would have been tormented by you.

Over a year ago, in order to get him into his current school, Claire put him through hellish training—training that could send his sister into hell if she wasn't careful.

Conservatively speaking, during those months, he nearly sent Claire to hell at least tens of thousands of times. When he went out to kill thieves at night, his first thought was always how he would inevitably be defeated.

In order to end this torment as soon as possible, he was forced to increase his strength a little and dodge Claire's sword strike.

You should know that although a B- is slightly better than a C+, it is still hovering around the admission line. He didn't need to do this. The biggest investor in this school is Gamma, so he is 100% guaranteed to get in.

Of course, he said he couldn't say that, and could only give his sister an awkward smile.

"Sister, don't you see how much stronger you are now than you were a year ago? You know my talent is very ordinary, how could I possibly keep up with your growth rate?"

Hearing Sid's words, Claire bit her lip and stared intently at Sid, while Sid maintained an awkward smile and met her gaze.

After a long while, Claire stood up from Sid, turned her back to him, and pulled out the sword that was stuck in the floor next to her and sheathed it.

"Don't say that. You haven't broken through because you're lazy and unwilling to train. Sid, your talent is extraordinary."

Starting today, I will be training you. With my encouragement and without slacking off, you will definitely graduate with an A.

"Even if you say that, sister, I still trained at the same intensity as before at school. My strength has increased, but only by a little bit."

Besides, graduating with an A grade is too much for my talent; I'd be happy with a B grade.

Claire suddenly turned around and looked at Sid.

Sid saw a lot in those eyes: anger at her lack of ambition, guilt for putting pressure on him and forcing him to train, and...pleading.

It seems his sister has finally recognized his talent, instead of trying to prove to others that he is amazing and extraordinary.

"Never mind, I still have some time to train this weekend, so I'll have to trouble you then, sister."

Actually, he should have continued talking at this point, preferably breaking his sister's perception of him. Not only wasting his time, but also disturbing his role as an extra. But since his sister was categorized as the type he "didn't want to give up but could give up," he figured he might as well make things a little more complicated.

"Hi, good morning, Nagisa."

"Um!?"

Looking in the direction Sid greeted her, Claire saw that the door to the next room had opened at some point, and a girl with short black hair peeked out and looked in their direction.

"laugh…"

Seeing that the two of them had discovered his presence, Akinagi had no choice but to give an awkward smile and step out. Hmm, she looked much better than he had just pretended. She's naturally gifted.

"Um, Mr. Sid, I didn't mean to peek. I heard some noises over here and thought something might have happened to you. If nothing was wrong, I could wake you up for breakfast, so I came over. It was really just a coincidence, not intentional."

"Oh, it's alright, I wasn't there..."

"Wait a minute, Sid, what did she just say? She told you to get up and eat?!"

Seeing Claire's shocked face, Sid knew that he had probably gotten himself into big trouble again.

Chapter Fourteen: The Struggle Between Two Women

Seeing Claire sitting on the sofa, Akina stood timidly in front of her.

Even though it was Akatsuki Nagisa looking down at Claire, for some reason, Sid felt as if Claire was looking down at Akatsuki Nagisa.

Nagisa, where's your usual talkative self? Aren't you always able to become friends with anyone in no time? Why are you acting like a coward now? Stand up straight!

"Well, that..."

Seemingly having heard his thoughts, Akinagi took the initiative to speak.

Oh my gosh! Nagisa, do your best! You'll definitely be able to chat with my sister.

Of course, although I don't know what's going on, judging from the current atmosphere, I guess we'll start arguing, but it's okay, I'm just waiting for you guys to start arguing so I can slip away.

"Um, hello, you must be Sid-senpai's older sister, right? My name is Akatsuki Nagisa, and I'm Sid-senpai's neighbor..."

...?, I @~):~

"Stop, Sid, you speak."

Claire seemed to notice Nagisa's nervousness and turned her attention to Sid, asking him to make the introduction.

Faced with this unexpected disaster, there was nothing Sid could do. He could only empty his mind, let his strong instincts guide his words, and step forward, reaching out his left hand towards Akatsuki Nagisa.

"Sister, this is Akatsuki Nagisa. I met her a year ago when I moved to Itogami Island. She helped me a lot back then and has always taken good care of me. She's also my junior and my junior. I like her a lot, so please don't bully her, sister."

What did I say? I should have stirred things up and created an opportunity for myself to escape.

Before he could finish thinking, he reached out his right hand towards Claire.

“Nagisa, this is my older sister, Claire Kagano. She is a graduate of the Midgard Magic Sword Academy and a member of the Midgard Knights. She probably lost control just now because she had just come from the World War, so please don’t blame her. I will make it up to her.”

Oh no, I've gotten myself into trouble.

"Sid, are you saying it was my fault just now, that I deliberately bullied her?"

“Sid…kun!”

Look, all the pressure that was just on Xiaonagisa has gone to him. Nagisa is safe, but he's in danger.

Claire looked at Sid with a dangerous gaze, and Nagisa Akatsuki looked at Sid with her big, watery eyes, her face flushed for some reason.

The psychological pressure is getting heavier and heavier, Sid, think of a solution! Quickly punch your brain and get some ideas!

"Gu~gu~"

Oh dear, why is his stomach rumbling?

"Are you hungry, Sid? You're right, you haven't eaten since this morning. I'll go make some food now."

No, no, no, Nagisa, the problem isn't that I'm hungry, it's how to fool my sister, and also, why am I hungry?

In theory, he only needs to use a little of the magic power he uses to train his body every day to maintain his physical needs, and he can skip the eating part.

Even if he reduced the training effect by acting like an extra and being unwilling to use any magic, and maintained his daily eating habits, his body alone could still keep him from feeling hungry for at least a month.

In short, we need to get Nagi Sara back and not let her run away. We can't let him bear all the pressure alone.

"No, Nagisa, I..."

Wait a minute, I was so engrossed in my own world that I didn't notice, but after his stomach made a sound, the atmosphere on the field seemed to improve. I don't know why, but I'll just go with it for now.

"By the way, Nagisa, if possible, could you please make another one for my sister?"

"Don't worry, I'll definitely make the portion for Sister Xide," Nagisa replied from the kitchen.

Sid looked at his sister. Although she wasn't under as much pressure anymore, her face was still pale, and she was clearly sulking. "Find something to talk about, Sid."

"Sister, you're in luck! Nagisa's cooking skills are excellent. Look, I've gained quite a bit of weight over the past year."

"I won't eat her food. If you want to eat it, then eat it yourself."

"Ah."

Sid sneered inwardly; he knew it was arrogance.

……

"Smack smack, sizzle, ah...ha."

"Don't think that I'll approve of you just because you cook well. Let me tell you, there are plenty of people in this world who can cook well."

Sis, could you please stop what you're saying before you start talking? Also, I've been living on Itogami Island for almost a year, and I've never seen anyone cook better than Nagisa. You know, I even occasionally go to Gama's place for a free meal.

"Ah, ha, um... big sister."

Nagisa, stop talking. I'm going to argue with my sister. I know you're not in a good mood today, but what you're saying is just cheesy.

"Big sister, I've always wanted to meet you since I heard Sid talk about you. Today, seeing you in person is worse than hearing about you. I find that you are even better than Sid described!"

"Who are you calling 'sister'... What did you just say? Sid always talks about me like that."

Claire's face broke into a smile as bright as a blooming flower.