Want to train with Illumi?
Wanting to train is true, but the "with Illumi" part is entirely unnecessary.
Because of Silva's previous official phrase, "when I have time," I am very tempted to respond with the official phrase, "I'll consider it." I really hold grudges, you know.
Of course, I only think about it. I know that from my position, I'm not qualified to speak like a superior. He's a top assassin in the world; his time is precious. Wasting too much time on me isn't economical. Therefore, his pursuit of me is symbolic, brief, and without any expectation of results. He'll soon go back to what he was doing.
It's better to rely on yourself than on others. Don't place your hopes on anyone else—this is the truth I've truly experienced and verified throughout my entire life in my "real world."
And then, bow your head when you should. You're not that special.
I crave experience points so much that I'm willing to shamelessly piggyback on Illumi's training. I believe if Silva agrees to increase my training, Zeno won't stop me. Zeno isn't a very forceful person, and he would have to give face to his own son, the relatively young current head of the Zoldyck family, wouldn't he?
So, I nodded firmly at Silva.
And then Silva arranged for me to be Illumi's sparring partner, with the condition that I "wouldn't fight back."
"???"
"You need to learn defense and evasion first. By understanding the target's state from their perspective, you can then launch more effective attacks," Silva explained.
I don't know how much truth there is in his explanation. Regardless, his explanation is similar in direction to Zeno's statements. Perhaps they've communicated, or perhaps they naturally hold the same view of me. After all, Silva was personally taught by Zeno, and their teaching methods would have a degree of consistency.
Perhaps my mindset is indeed a bit too restless. I always want to achieve something, and Illumi, who started at a similar pace to me, is always more outstanding. It's hard for me to maintain a normal state of mind.
No, it's not that I'm unwilling to admit Illumi is more talented than me. I just don't want to be left too far behind, as it would make living in the Zoldyck household difficult.
I don't want to end up like Milluki in the original work, bullied by his younger brother and existing as a comic relief.
Dignity, if I can have it, I want to try and maintain it.
I endured hardship and bore the humiliation, studying alongside the prince.
Yes, considering Milluki and my combined aptitude, before Killua was born, calling Illumi the prince wasn't wrong. He was undoubtedly the most qualified son in the eyes of his elders, Silva's pride, and Kikyo's beloved.
I desperately await Killua's birth to break Illumi's monopolistic dominance. Unfortunately, according to the original setting, Illumi, leveraging his elder's experience, will firmly oppress Killua for at least twelve years… Poor Killua.
If I work hard enough now, could I perhaps slightly check Illumi's power then, making Killua's life a little better?
No, I don't plan to, nor do I have the confidence to push Illumi aside and give Killua a happy childhood free from Illumi's shadow. If the original plot is too heavily influenced, Killua might die in future life-or-death battles outside, and that won't do.
"..." Before even considering the unborn Killua, shouldn't I consider myself first?
Being chased by Illumi all over the training ground, I've come to deeply realize that Illumi's self-centered rotten personality was cultivated step by step by the Zoldycks.
With the elders' complete permission, he mercilessly attacked his own sister with lethal intent.
What about the family rule of "Zoldycks do not kill family members"?
Kikyo, watching with young Milluki, cheered repeatedly, clearly excited. Kikyo is a character who, in the original work, would weep tears of joy even when her own son cut her face and threatened to kill her… she's a bit psychologically disturbed. Her reaction doesn't matter; "I" am indeed her biological child.
Speaking of which, the fact that my appearance as the elder sister being chased by her brother all over the place is so early etched into young Milluki's memory spells a dire future status for me, and I've lost all face.
"Don't run too far. If you can't be touched, then there's no real training effect," Illumi stood in the center of the training ground, holding his palm up towards me. "This isn't endurance training; it's combat training. Please come over here, Sister."
See? Does this sound like something a brother should say to his sister? Don't you understand? Let me translate: "Come here, Sister" equals "Come get hit, Sister."
"Not being able to touch you isn't my problem," I replied, giving him a thumbs-down gesture and mouthing the words, "It's your problem."
"Oh," Illumi nodded, then struck his left palm with his right fist, feigning enlightenment. "Right, Sister is correct."
He took off his short-sleeved shirt, revealing a dark undershirt that made his pale skin appear even paler, like skin that hasn't seen sunlight and lacks blood color. As expected of another world, the skin's sun protection level is terrifyingly high.
"The warm-up is about done," Illumi adjusted his bangs that were messed up when he took off his shirt. "Sister, I'm officially starting now."
As soon as he finished speaking, with a whoosh, he suddenly accelerated, and in the next instant, he was close to me.
Due to the disfigurement incident in the Meteor City arc, he knows I cherish my face, so his attacks were aimed at my face first.
According to the training rules, I cannot attack; I can only choose to defend and evade.
So then…
When will a formidable character appear to punch this little brat Illumi to death?
Illumi attacking my face is a feint, intended to expose my weakness. However, if I don't dodge, I believe he wouldn't mind turning the feint into a real attack. He doesn't understand or care about the victim's feelings; he's a genuine scumbag.
Kikyo, who was watching, was engrossed and didn't question Illumi's actions. She is also one of the culprits in fostering Illumi's scumbag personality.
The education from one's original family indeed has a significant impact on a person's personality.
Those who emerge unstained from the mud are always the extreme minority, like Killua.
This is terrible. Not being able to fight back is more painful than I anticipated. I really want to retaliate against Illumi; I really want to punch him in the face.
No, Silva has already told me the key points of the test. If I can't even follow simple rules, even if I defeat Illumi, it will still be my unilateral failure.
My raised arm, used for defense, was cut by Illumi's sharp claws, bleeding profusely. He wouldn't let go of my injured state and continued with a series of fierce attacks. I restrained myself from using my usual "attack to defend" strategy, sidestepped to evade his attack, but my movement was a bit slow, and the fabric of my shoulder was torn.
As expected, dodging attacks with the smallest possible movements, like Zeno does, requires extremely precise judgment of attack range and speed. In other words, it demands strong observational skills.
A killer is a profession that lies in ambush, observing the target's weaknesses and openings to achieve a single decisive blow; observational skills are indispensable.
I must endure. Observe Illumi's attacks and find the trick to perfect evasion.
I won't get hurt; minimal movements.
The chilling touch of his nails against my skin, the shiver of pain licking my senses, the sticky warmth of flowing blood.
I recalled the immersion in the arena during the Meteor City arc.
[Clench Teeth: Level 10]
The flowing air, the transmitted breaths, the contact of our bodies.
The ground was soft and elastic. My footwork was erratic as I leaped and landed.
I extended my claws, then bent my knuckles before they could touch Illumi's nose.
No, I cannot attack.
[Clench Teeth: Level 9]
Illumi's bangs were wet with sweat, clinging to his forehead. A bead of sweat was about to fall into his eye when he raised his hand.
"That's enough for today," Kikyo suddenly spoke. "Your condition is starting to decline. Rest before continuing with other training."
Illumi continued his upward gesture but retracted his claws, choosing to wipe the sweat from his forehead instead.
Kikyo was right; my condition had also declined. My heart was beating rapidly after the strenuous exercise. I placed my hand on my chest and slowly retreated out of the training ground.
Blood and sweat clung to my body, a painful and hot sensation. The quickest way to relief right now would be a cold shower.
Young master Illumi also wanted to shower. The downside of such a large estate is that the nearest shower room and the second nearest shower room are far apart. Thus, I had to walk the same path as Illumi, with my body covered in wounds inflicted by Illumi—the victim and perpetrator walking together for a bath felt so bizarre.
"Sister really listens to Father," Illumi said, walking a short distance behind me. "You can't attack, so it must be hard to endure, right? Why are you so obedient?"
"..." I'll ignore him and quicken my pace.
After showering, I still need to treat my wounds. I have one more troublesome task than Illumi, and I don't want to delay the subsequent training.
After the Meteor City arc, I became quite skilled at treating wounds. Now that someone else is doing it, it took me quite some time to get used to it.
After everything was tidied up and I stepped out, I was surprised to see Illumi hadn't left yet. His colorless pupils shifted slightly. With my current sensitivity to gazes, I knew he was looking at the bandages on my body, likely assessing the results of his training based on my injuries. He's very adept at calculation.
I took a few steps forward and opened my palm, blocking his view.
He tilted his head and looked at my eyes through the gap between my fingers. "Sister really isn't very good at this. I was careful to avoid killing you."
"..." What are you trying to say? Are you mocking me, you little brat?
"I'm very happy," he said. "To feel someone's full attention. This is what true family is, isn't it?"
"..." I don't quite understand his thought process.
He leaned forward, his bangs brushing against my palm which was blocking his view. His freshly washed hair was incredibly smooth and fine, like a cat's fur.
Unless deliberately controlled, a person's body is not completely still; it moves slightly up and down with the rhythm of their breathing.
I didn't withdraw my hand, and Illumi made no other move. His hair continued to gently brush against my palm.
In the past, I've petted Illumi's head, not often, but more than once. When you pet it a lot, I don't mind a head that's easy to groom.
Objectively speaking, Illumi's head is easier to groom than Silva's. Silva is too imposing. The one time I petted his head, my inner timidity significantly affected the fluffiness of the touch. I didn't pet it freely or with satisfaction, nor did I pet it thoroughly… I really want to pet Silva again.
Oh, there's no need to be sad about not being able to groom Silva. I've persisted until today. If I persist a little longer, once Killua is born, I can groom Killua! I've been living for the day this happens for years!
Illumi's groomability is bound to decrease rapidly as he gets older. Once Killua arrives, I can completely ignore Illumi and focus all my attention on grooming Killua. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
While Illumi still has some value for grooming, I must cherish this brief period.
I thoroughly groomed him.