23 – Siblings

Trish walked among the trees near the base, with Lance beside her.

"Where are we going?" Nathaniel, who was following them, glanced around. "You haven't answered me, Trish."

The big sister still didn't answer and remained silent. She only spoke when they arrived at an empty land. "It's been a long time since we sparred, brother. I'll kick your ass again like back then."

Nathaniel sighed, searched the ground for a moment, then picked up a long branch.

"Ah, that's right." Trish walked to one side of the empty land. "You have abandoned your father's martial arts and become a swordsman."

"I have to learn sword or spear to be able to join the military."

The brothers moved away from each other. The brother takes a stance, while the sister stands normally with her arms folded across her chest.

"You look down on me?" Nathaniel gripped his branch tighter.

The female warrior was silent and just closed her eyes. This triggered Nathaniel to advance while raising his 'weapon.'

As soon as Trish opened her eyes, she shifted and kicked her brother's leg, forcing him down.

"You win if you manage to touch me just once with your 'sword', Nat." Trish's tone turned colder.

Lance had never found Trish's expressions to be that serious.

The younger brother got up with a sharp gaze, then attacked his big sister again.

This went on for a while. Trish could always dodge, then make her little brother fall using various techniques. From pushing him from various directions to slamming him without mercy.

Over time, many dirt stains decorated his clothes. His breath was running out, too.

Despite this, he assumed his stance again.

"Give up, Nat." Trish sighed. "Go home. This doesn't suit you. Look for another passion. Maybe you can help out at mom's food stall."

Nathaniel's eyes widened. "So, I have to throw away my hard work?"

"Your luck is running out, Nat. With abilities like this, you won't last long." Trish stepped forward. "Mom, dad, and Kayla will be sad if you're gone."

Nathaniel's facial veins became so tense. He ran to his sister for the umpteenth time.

This time, Trish caught Nathaniel's branch, kicked his brother, making him fall backwards.

"This is for your good." Still speaking in a bitter tone, Trish broke the branch.

Nathaniel rose for the umpteenth time, but with his head lowered. "You think I want this? Despite my effort and practice, the results were... I'm still behind compared to others. Trust me, Trish. My body can't move according to my wishes."

Nathaniel's last words caught Lance's attention.

Trish closed her eyes. "That's it, Nat. Your body is different. Your muscles are stiffer than ordinary people, making it harder for you to move, making your reflexes slower. If you just do normal activities, you won't feel it. But you won't be able to do heavy physical activities like martial arts."

Nathaniel raised his face. "Huh? What did you say?"

"That's something you're born with, Nat. An illness that has no cure. We already knew that, but Dad didn't want to believe it. He still insists on training you to become a warrior." Trish's voice cracked. "Until our father realized that…. So, he doesn't train you anymore."

Lance came to a conclusion. Whatever Nathaniel does will be useless. He will always be stuck.

"But I aspire to be a great warrior like you and Dad. Since I was little, that's all I've ever wanted." The little brother's tears fell. "This is unfair."

Trish also started sobbing. "But your struggle is still extraordinary, Nat. You should be proud of that."

Nathaniel walked away, saying nothing else. Trish wanted to talk to her little brother again but couldn't. She turned around and wiped her tears instead.

"Come to the powered armor testing area at midnight." Lance whispered as Nathaniel passed him. The engineer then approached Trish without looking at the little brother.

Nathaniel just stared at Lance's back, then continued walking.

***

"Hey, champ." Sitting on a wooden box, Lance greeted Nathaniel, who had just arrived.

Nathaniel looked at Eve and Cecil behind Lance. Cecil smiled as she waved her hand at him, while Eve kept her blank expression, as usual.

"Excuse me, sir. But what are we going to talk about?" Nathaniel asked.

"Ooh, we're not just going to talk." Lance stood up while showing a smirk. He then pulled the black cloth that was wrapping something large beside him. "You'll pilot this, right here, right now."

Nathaniel's eyes widened. That was a finished Etna IV armor. Its metal color was still shiny, a sign that it had just been completed.

"I will adjust anything according to your feedback." Cecil added. "And relax, you are not alone. We will help you no matter what happens."

Eve raised her magic staff. It emitted sparkles that spread to various corners of the test area. "You don't need to be afraid of disturbing others. I used soundproofing magic."

Instead of being happy, Nathaniel looked down. "Why me, sir? You already know my abilities, right? I think there are many more suitable candidates to pilot this armor."

"I won't say much." Lance's smirk widened. "I just wanted to ask you. Do you want to take this opportunity or not? You are a warrior, right?"