Under the cover of minimal movement to avoid drawing attention, Ouyang Ge successfully brought the equipment back to his little wooden cabin.
“Damn it, no time left…”
The multifunctional watch he’d specially bought showed 5 PM. The Ouyang Clan’s flight would be landing right about now. Even with traffic jams, it’d take them only an hour to get from the airport to the estate.
What could be done in one hour?
The answer was nothing. A mere sixty minutes—3,600 seconds—wasn’t even enough to properly distribute the explosives, let alone handle any extra tasks…
“Guess I’ll call it off today… Can’t afford to slip up. If my sister finds out I bought all these dangerous weapons, she might destroy them…”
Just imagining his sister standing with hands on hips, freezing every hard-earned piece of gear into ice crystals before shattering them made Ouyang Ge shudder.
No choice. Ouyang Shi watched him like a hawk. With the life-or-death battle three nights away, caution was non-negotiable.
He shoved the suitcase under his bed and lay down quietly—then fell asleep…
......
..
A civilian aeroship descended vertically from the sky, landing smoothly at its designated spot. The roaring Klar Particle engines fell silent.
“Let’s go.”
Ouyang Long rose from his plush seat and led the way out of the cabin. Ouyang Lijia followed, holding her daughter’s hand, while Ouyang Shi trailed behind in silence.
“Huh. So this is Mountain Plains? Its prosperity truly rivals Radiance.”
Zokilia pushed his glasses up his nose, genuinely impressed by the distant cityscape.
“Is that so.”
Ouyang Shi standing beside him felt no particular awe—even as the dazzling lights of Mountain Plains began to glow in the dusk.
After the Magic Exchange Tournament, Zokilia had oddly insisted on traveling with Ouyang Shi. He claimed he needed to brief Ouyang Long, but was it really to visit Ouyang Ge? No one knew. That was just his way—handling everything with casual indifference, impossible to read.
Ouyang Long and the others had already headed back to the Ouyang estate. Though unaware of Zokilia’s exact identity, they could guess. After all, he was the man The Divine had publicly named as his teacher. His status couldn’t possibly be lower than Imperial Tutor.
And since Zokilia had specifically requested Ouyang Shi as his guide, Ouyang Long gladly agreed—eager to strengthen ties between Zokilia and the Ouyang Clan…
“Well then, show me around the city?”
“No.”
Ouyang Shi’s icy reply doused Zokilia’s excitement like a bucket of water.
“Huh? Where are you going?!”
“I’m going home to find my brother. I need to cook for him.”
“But I—”
Ouyang Shi, already two steps away, suddenly stopped. She turned back, frowning. “You have hands, feet, and surely money. Can’t you manage alone? Why must I accompany you?”
“Uhh~ Well… having a local guide keeps me from getting scammed at shady shops…”
“Boring.”
Zokilia’s answer sparked zero interest. Now that she was back in Mountain Plains, her brother came first. Not even Ouyang Long’s orders could change that. This was her unshakable boundary.
“W-wait! Don’t go! I won’t go sightseeing, alright? I’ll just head to the Ouyang estate first…”
Zokilia ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. Having such a uniquely stubborn prospective student was troublesome… though he did love a challenge.
“Do as you like.”
Ouyang Shi didn’t pause her stride. Her voice remained cold.
“Tch… What a terrible personality…”
Zokilia muttered under his breath as he hurried after her.
Soon, they hailed a taxi at the airport and arrived at the Ouyang Clan’s territory.
Naturally, Ouyang Long welcomed Zokilia warmly. With the highest-level hospitality activated, the entire estate buzzed with activity.
Yet the deepest core area remained undisturbed. This was where Ouyang Long’s direct line resided. Its security operated on a different tier, with independent kitchens and living facilities. Even if the outer grounds were bombed flat, life here would continue uninterrupted.
Ouyang Lijia, the clan head’s wife and daily operations manager, was usually swamped. But now, despite mountains of tasks, her mind was elsewhere.
“Xiao Feng.”
In her daughter’s room, Ouyang Lijia sat on the bed, heart aching as she gazed at the girl lying motionless.
Since that battle, she’d changed. Her once lively spirit had vanished, replaced by hollow silence.
“……”
Ouyang Feng gave no reaction to her mother’s call. She just stared blankly at the ceiling.
Her crushing defeat to Ouyang Shi had wounded her deeper than her parents realized. Her pride in her magic meant nothing against her sister. Then what had all those years of training been for…
Just to lose to that detestable sister…?
“I can’t accept it…”
“Hm? Xiao Feng?”
“I can’t accept it…”
Her lifeless eyes clouded with tears. Fat droplets rolled down her cheeks—the first flicker of emotion since leaving Radiance.
“Xiao Feng…”
Ouyang Lijia pulled her daughter into a tight embrace, her expression pained.
“Why… why did I lose to her? Wasn’t I supposed to be the strongest in the Ouyang Clan…?”
“……”
Her mother held her tighter, saying nothing. In that moment, Ouyang Lijia made a decision.
“It’s alright. Mother will help you. Don’t lose heart, Xiao Feng… Mother will help you…”
Lost in her obsession, Ouyang Feng never saw the expression on her mother’s face—that maniacal grin burning with boundless hatred…
.....
...
“Brother!”
The door burst open. Ouyang Shi charged into Ouyang Ge’s room.
“S-sister?!”
Ouyang Ge jolted upright, “startled awake” by the noise.
“I missed you so much!”
Ignoring his flustered state, Ouyang Shi yanked him into a crushing hug, nuzzling his head.
“Sister… I can’t… breathe…”
A muffled plea escaped her embrace, accompanied by Ouyang Ge’s frantic patting on her back.
“Eh?! Ah! Sorry, brother! Are you okay?!”
She released him instantly, scanning his body with panic.
“I’m fine, just… you hugged too tight…”
“Oh, thank goodness…”
“Ugh!!”
She pulled him into another embrace, sighing with delight.
“Sister~ Aren’t you tired? You just got back…”
“No worries! A little brother time recharges my energy!”
“That’s so weird!”
“Wheee~ Brother smells amazing!”
Ouyang Shi melted into a fangirl daze. Ouyang Ge didn’t resist—he simply buried his face in her chest, comforted.
“Sister… I need to tell you something.”
“Hmm? What is it, brother?”
She loosened her hold, studying his unusually serious face. His expression made her tense.
*Is he going to propose?* Absurd.
“Before I say this… I need you to prepare yourself mentally.”
“Okay?”
She tilted her head, adorably puzzled.
“Ouyang Shi. My sister. Have you ever heard of rebirth?”
“………”
