Chapter 133: Onii-chan
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Chapter 133: Onii-chan
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Xanthia's efficiency was remarkable, as she swiftly completed the daily and regular tasks listed in the system.
At last, her figure skating skill had risen from Level 1 to Level 2.
That familiar sensation of knowledge, experience, and trained memories flooding her mind returned once more. The feeling of breakthrough and enlightenment was simply exhilarating!
Now, should she utilize her Level 2 figure skating skills to attempt those recent moves, she was certain she wouldn’t fall as hard as before. In fact, she would even qualify to challenge a higher-difficulty mission even if her chances of success remained low.
After completing her tasks, she noticed she was drenched in sweat, her forehead glistening. Removing her gloves, she wiped her brow and sniffed, taking in a pleasant scent. It suited her character perfectly—what could be more fitting for someone who diligently upgraded their attributes while maintaining an immaculate presence?
During the intense focus on her tasks, although her stamina had rapidly dwindled, the effects of the “Strong Body” attribute allowed her to recover swiftly.
Moreover, having eaten a hearty lunch earlier, the ample reserve of energy stored in her breasts helped immensely. When her stamina lagged, she would simply activate the "Blue Bar."
As her figure skating skill reached Level 2, alongside her previously acquired Level 2 skill in table tennis, she successfully completed the task that granted her the “Light as a Feather” attribute.
In that moment, she felt a profound sense of relief, almost as if her compulsive need to collect attributes had been healed.
Possessing the “Light as a Feather” attribute meant that in the future, when she used her “Happy Points” to enhance her agility, her efficiency would soar. It was akin to how her efficiency in strengthening her strength attributes had increased after acquiring the “Strong Body” attribute.
Additionally, while the “Strong Body” attribute provided a unique effect of rapidly restoring stamina, the “Light as a Feather” attribute decreased stamina consumption. Activating both attributes would transform Xanthia into a "machine!"
With these two attributes and the backup energy, she could easily win a marathon!
However, Xanthia had little interest in such endurance-based races. If a competitive sport didn’t provide her with joy, she wouldn’t dedicate much time to it. This was a form of mercy from fate—steering clear of those fields where she could effortlessly outshine others and rack up countless pain points!
In contrast, figure skating in the ladies' singles was entirely different. She found herself genuinely relishing the sensation of gliding across the ice. The thrill of leaping high into the air, completing spins—it was exciting and, in a way, an extreme sport she could challenge to its limits.
Such competitive sports that brought her joy were undoubtedly worth her time and effort.
Moreover, the costumes worn by female figure skaters were stunningly beautiful, luxurious, and extravagant, adorned with numerous rhinestones that sparkled under the lights. The sight of figure skaters dancing gracefully on the ice exuded an ethereal quality, perfectly matching her aura and sophistication!
She believed that as long as she could earn experience in professional arenas, she would surely acquire plenty of system-sponsored customes, alternating between outfits that would leave others awestruck. Just imagining this filled her with delight!
And the prospect of making friends with beautiful figure skaters from around the world, experiencing various exotic cultures...
This brought a sense of anticipation to Xanthia.
The best part was that the figure skaters in this world were not much different from those in her original world. In fact, the timelines were unified, creating a "golden era" in ladies' figure skating. It seemed like everyone was performing at an astonishing level akin to world champions, almost as if they were all using cheats.
Familiar names filled her with a sense of connection, compelling her to seek out the excitement.
Once Xanthia finally paused, her brother Dionysius, who had donned a painful mask, rushed over. With caution, he inquired, “Xanthia, are you alright?”
In Dionysius's eyes, his sister’s previously pale cheeks were now flushed, enhancing her rare rosy white beauty, making her appear as though she was in a state of "sweetly perspiring."
He had never witnessed this intense side of his sister during physical activity.
To be honest, this sport was far too exhilarating. Every time he watched Xanthia tumble heavily onto the ice, his heart would tremble as if she wasn’t the one falling. Her resilience was astonishing, and her determination was unwavering!
Yet, all the pain she endured seemed to siphon away his own suffering.
Despite this, Dionysius did not dare to forcibly stop Xanthia. He remembered that day at the school sports meet when, despite injuring her knee, she had insisted on claiming victory.
He understood that once his sister set her mind on something, it was futile to try and dissuade her. If he intervened, she would erupt in anger and retreat into her shell. What then could he do?
Xanthia seemed to have mastered a nuclear weapon against Dionysius’s gentle prodding. Should he defy her, she would merely retreat into herself to show him.
Since Dionysius always perceived himself as the "older brother," he accepted the responsibility of accommodating his sister's stubbornness.
Although Xanthia had fallen hard, it was clear she was doing so with a level of finesse that suggested she had received guidance from a top-notch figure skating coach. This gave him a temporary sense of reassurance.
When Xanthia heard Dionysius's inquiry, she beamed brightly. “I’m perfectly fine! That was amazing!”
Having levelled up her figure skating skills and acquired the “Light as a Feather” attribute brought her immense joy.
Dionysius breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as you’re fine, that’s all that matters.”
“By the way, do you think I could become a professional figure skater with my skills?” Xanthia asked with playful intent.
Dionysius was momentarily taken aback by her question—
'Sister, may I call you little sister in my heart? With your success rate in those difficult jumps, how could you ever hope to become a professional? Can you compete with those prodigies who have been on the ice since childhood, especially those who seem to pull SSR cards like it’s nothing?'
Furthermore, being a professional athlete requires grueling training. How could he bear to watch his sister endure such inhumane trials?
“Why so silent?” Xanthia asked, her smile unwavering.
“Your skills have potential for the future,” Dionysius diplomatically replied.
“Great! Then look forward to my progress. If I really reach a professional level, do you have any connections to help me enter competitions?” Xanthia inquired pointedly.
Hearing this question, Dionysius felt relieved. So that was her intention! It was easy enough to arrange. All he needed was to let his sister experience the brutal reality of professional competitions. If she lost terribly, she would undoubtedly reconsider.
“Of course, there are connections! In our country, there’s nothing money and relationships can’t solve. The Papadopoulos familia sponsors quite a few sporting events, and with figure skating being one of the most popular and sought-after National Olympic events, it’s only natural that we would be involved. A bit of backdoor access, coupled with connections, should pose no problem,” Dionysius replied nonchalantly.
However, he also withheld his true feelings—that while entering competitions was relatively easy, achieving a commendable result was akin to climbing a mountain. She might even end up as a laughingstock.
After all, there’s a saying: don’t let your hobby collide with someone else’s profession.
“Perfect! I’ll be coming to this rink often to level up. Whenever I feel ready for a professional competition, you’ll help me find a way in. Competing will help me improve even faster!” Xanthia said, her excitement palpable.
Dionysius chose to remain silent, suppressing the urge to comment—
'Sister, have you been lost in a fantasy novel? “Competing to improve”? Are you planning to experience a sudden epiphany during a crucial moment and turn the tables in a last-minute victory?'
“Alright, but remember that figure skating involves intricate choreography and custom costumes, which are quite professional. Shouldn’t we consider getting you a team?” Dionysius casually suggested.
Xanthia thought to herself that no matter how professional it was, she needn’t worry. The system was the most expert. As long as she built momentum early on, she could use her victories to fulfil system challenges and earn rewards closely related to figure skating.
Yet, everything begins with difficulty. Having a team from the outset would certainly make things easier. It seemed that her identity as a “wealthy heiress” offered some hidden benefits; if she were just an ordinary grassroots individual, she wouldn’t have the means to participate in professional competitions, let alone assemble a support team.
“If you’re capable, then go for it. Just know that once you step onto the field, I guarantee I won’t let you down!” Xanthia declared earnestly.
Seeing Xanthia’s determination, Dionysius suddenly felt a weight of pressure on his shoulders.
While he still doubted her impulsive desire to pursue a professional career, he couldn’t help but recall her unyielding spirit displayed during the long-distance running event at the school sports meet, along with the stubbornness she had shown earlier. A flicker of unexpected hope began to stir within him.
He couldn't help but ask, "What on earth has sparked this sudden enthusiasm for sports? And why are you so committed to it?"
Xanthia chuckled. "I’ve taken others’ advice and decided to work on my fitness. But merely exercising isn’t enough; I want to meet more skilled individuals and have a good spar with them! You know me—if I’m going to do something, I’m determined to excel at it!"
Dionysius finally nodded with conviction. "Right! I believe in you; I shall not let you down."
What he didn’t share with Xanthia was that, as the top student in the high school entrance exam, he had made a promise to his grandfather, Nikos El Papadopoulos, upon his acceptance into Thessaloniki First High School.
Initially, he planned to wait until university to utilize this promise and start a venture of his own. However, now he resolved to invest this commitment in Xanthia instead!
While this decision was undeniably impulsive, Dionysius genuinely appreciated Xanthia’s “spirit and determination.” After all, investing meant investing in people, and one must always consider the right timing and opportunity.
He thought it wiser to place his bets on Xanthia rather than chase after fleeting trends for investment or entrepreneurship. Even if it ended in failure, and all his investments were to go awry, what of it? It would merely be a matter of starting afresh.
As long as Xanthia was happy, that was all that mattered!
Seizing the moment of youth, Dionysius decided to indulge his whims; he felt as if he had become a passionate fool like Xanthia…
Indeed, to his eyes, although Xanthia appeared delicate and gentle on the surface, she possessed an undeniable fervor and drive that defied typical feminine traits. Such passion was something he greatly admired!
After all, they say men remain boys at heart until their dying days; who hasn’t harbored a touch of youthful idealism? And true geniuses have the ability to realize such dreams!
Dionysius was all in; he was betting that his sister was such a genius!
Before long, the evening grew late, and the two departed from the venue, with Dionysius continuing to treat Xanthia to a lavish meal.
After dinner, they lingered a while longer in conversation.
Xanthia activated her ability, “Voice of Truth,” assuming the role of a witch, and thoroughly examined Dionysius, confirming one vital fact.
That was, indeed, Dionysius was trustworthy—a sincere and upright younger brother!
He cherished the bond of blood that tied him to Xanthia and would never betray his “sister.” There was no need for reasons; this was the resolution of a man without a sister, yet one who possessed the spirit of a devoted “sister complex”—a true model of Lelouch!
Xanthia felt that if Dionysius were to be rated like a character card in a system, he would surely achieve a “gold” status. Hence, he was certainly worth nurturing!
Having decided, she would use her “Nightmare Phone” to craft a personalized “script” for Dionysius, honing him into the true national crush; for now, he was still too green.
However, she had never utilized that particular function on the “Nightmare Phone” before, so she thought it best to first experiment on a small test subject. Otherwise, she might inadvertently ruin this golden card through a misstep.
“By the way, Onii-chan, your birthday is coming up soon! What would you like your sister to gift you?” Xanthia asked, grinning cheekily.
Dionysius was momentarily taken aback; he blurted out, “This ‘Onii-chan’ address is rather cringe-worthy! And why call yourself ‘sister’? How very amusing!”
Having vented his inner thoughts, he continued, “I can’t believe you remember my birthday! I’m a bit surprised and quite touched. There’s no need to buy anything; if it’s a handmade gift, I’d be even happier!”
After saying this, Dionysius covered his face. Who ever asks for handmade gifts on their birthday? This “truth-telling” mode was doing wonders for his mental state!
“A handmade gift, you say? Understood! I hope you don’t drop any ‘little pearls’ in the process.”
Xanthia’s mind whirred, and she decided to cook a bowl of “Soul-Stirring Chicken Soup” for Dionysius. After all, on one’s birthday, one traditionally eats the wonderful flavors of soup; she thought her chicken soup would suffice!
“‘Dropping little pearls’? What in the world? My quirky little sister is trying to scare me again. I shall see what gift could possibly move me to tears,” Dionysius remarked, exhaling his thoughts.
He was already accustomed to this dynamic. To mask his embarrassment, he shifted the conversation. “By the way, I’ll be hosting two birthday parties. One will be organized by me, inviting my old friends and new ones from high school next Sunday afternoon. The other will be a familia gathering, much like the Autumn Festival gathering—very formal, akin to a soiree… Would you care to join?”
Xanthia countered, “Do you want me to attend both?”
“Of course! But if you still feel uncomfortable about the latter, then perhaps it’s best you skip it.”
“Well then, I shall attend both; it’s time I acquainted myself with more members of the Papadopoulos familia.”
Now, Xanthia felt bolstered and confident; getting to know more of her relatives wasn’t about building rapport but rather about gathering more experimental subjects—adding them all to her contacts. It would be splendid to infiltrate more influential familias connected to Papadopoulos familia.
“That’s splendid! It’s truly wonderful to see you opening up!” Dionysius exclaimed, his spirits soaring. “Isn’t this exactly what I’ve longed to witness? Through my persistent efforts, you’ve chosen to embrace the Papadopoulos familia!”
In her mind, Xanthia thought she was merely infiltrating enemy lines! Rolling her eyes, she switched off her “Voice of Truth” ability.
“All right, the ‘Dare or Truth’ game concludes splendidly. Your performance has thoroughly pleased me! Oni-san, Oni-chan, brother, big brother, elder brother… I’ve called you so many variations of ‘brother’—are you satisfied with this reward?” Xanthia declared, her joy palpable.
Satisfaction, indeed; not a single heartfelt one among them!
As Dionysius grumbled internally, he sighed in relief. You see, this was the very reason he chose to invest in Xanthia. She was undeniably gifted —when compelled to speak his truth, he could not help but comply!
His sister—no, his enigmatic elder sister—was undoubtedly deserving of his respect!
After their heartening exchange, the two parted ways, with Dionysius heading off to meet Dematero.
On his way to see Dematero, Dionysius felt marvellous. Despite being toyed with by Xanthia until he was a sweaty mess, he was elated with how well he’d performed today; he sensed that Xanthia trusted him even more now!
As he reflected on the day, he even liken that rather than Xanthia possessing whatever ability to make him speak what he is in mind, it was perhaps that he cared too deeply for their blood ties. Thus, when she prompted him to speak his truth, he did so without a second thought. He felt confident that whatever he said would only bring her joy, never disdain.
Even when he audaciously commented on Xanthia’s looks, she hadn’t taken offence—clearly, her tolerance for him was exceptional!
All in all, today had been splendid. Whether as a sister or a brother, Xanthia was simply delightful!
He wondered what further surprises the “mysterious” Dematero had in store for him.