"Huh?"
I turned around after hearing the familiar voice.
A blue ball of light the size of a ping pong ball was floating behind me. Her blue short hair was dancing in the wind that created by her four dazzling wings. Her skin, as white as snow, radiates every time she smiles. Her bright blue round eyes and glittering dress reflected her cheerful personality.
This mysterious figure was known as the Pond Spirit. She helped me many times by saving me from slimes, feeding me delicious foods, sheltering me from the cold night, educating me about the world, and teaching me magic.
But why was she here? I thought she was helping other spirits in their Spirit Rejuvenation.
"I didn't expect that you can defeat a Big Slime by just using Water Ball."
When I heard the name of my enemy, I felt a wave of exhaustion rush over me. I got down to my knees and looked at my trembling hands.
All of my running and throwing took a toll on my body, leaving me weak. Even moving my lips became difficult.
The Pond Spirit approached me and landed on my hand. She looked at me with troubled eyes.
"Are you okay?" The Pond Spirt asked, worried about my silence.
My vision was becoming blurry, and my body was becoming heavier. Pain burst from my head and spread through my veins, affecting every part of my body.
"Orion? Something wrong? Ori-"
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I slowly opened my eyes, expecting to see my posters, but all I saw were the bright stars of the night sky.
"I miss my posters."
Did I pass out again? I tried to get up to sit, but I can't move my body, except my lips. I felt as if I were paralyzed.
"Am I... dead?"
"No."
The Pond Spirit flew above my face.
"What happened to me? I can't move my body."
"You exhaust yourself by fighting the Big Slime."
My head hurts after hearing my opponent's name. Running while throwing for a long time was probably not a smart idea for this body.
"You look cool while fighting them, you know. I didn't think you'd be able to beat it with only Water Balls."
"It's all thanks to your teaching."
"I only taught you a simple spell. You accomplished everything in your power."
"HAHAHA! Yeah. But, I collapsed at the end. That was pathetic of me. I always pass out after each fight."
"That's fine. Those fights make you brave and it will surely make stronger. You collapsed because you used too much mana. Did you forget? You've been using mana from practicing until the fight. You don't look pathetic; in fact, I'm impressed that you defeated the Big Slime despite being exhausted from learning magic."
She was right.
I fainted from my first fight because I exhausted my stamina and I collapsed from the second fight because I used so much mana. Having a young body was a disadvantage. Maybe training myself will cover those.
"Thank you..."
"Don't feel discouraged. You didn't give up until the last moment. You gave it your all, and for that, I am proud and happy for you."
She smiled at me as she patted my hair.
All the negative emotions that I'm feeling have gone away after hearing her words and seeing her sweet smile.
She flew away from me and reached out her hands to me. Her blue aura dimmed slightly, but her small hands glowed brilliantly. Blue light sprinkles appeared around her hands and fell to my body. The light embraced me with warmth, setting my body at ease. The accumulated fatigue from my fight slowly seeped away replacing it with energy. Every second, my body begins to regain control.
I sat down slowly. Now that I'm seated, I can see that my body was covered by blue light as it illuminates the dark grassy field. I brought my hands closer to my chest, opening and closing them to feel my strength. Then, the light faded slowly.
The blue aura of the Pond Spirit and the fire beside me were the only sources of light that remained, allowing the darkness of the night to engulf the field around us.
"How are you feeling now?
"My strength came back, but I can still feel a bit of tiredness."
"I see. Can you stand? Eating might fill you up."
"Uhm... Yes. But, are you alright?"
"Hm? I'm always fine! Why?"
I think something was wrong with her. Especially her aura.
[Pond Spirit] [Level 38]
Hm... I knew it! So the dimming of her aura showed the decrease in her level. From Level 48 to 38, isn't that a bit much? Was my recovery the main cause of it?
"Are you sure? Your light dimmed a little."
"Huh? Hm... Maybe because we used too much mana. I shared my mana with you, remember?"
"Sorry... It's my fault." I lowered my head to hide from my blunder.
Why hadn't I thought about that? I'm dead set on accomplishing my revenge on those slimes. I'm so stupid for being excited just because I have more mana. I guess I'm still a kid on the inside.
"Don't worry, it will recover after some rest. I forgot to mention that my pond is full of mana, so I can recover my lost mana faster, and I'll be in good shape before sunrise."
She showed me her usual bright smile reassuring me of my worries.
"Come now, you must be hungry. I cooked something while you are sleeping."
I followed her and sat on my usual spot. She then flew next to me, carrying a bowl of soup.
"Here, eat it so you can sleep earlier."
I didn't ask any more questions because there might be a reason why she wasn't discussing it with me.
"Thank you! Hm... It's so delicious!"
Yup. Her soup was the best!
"HAHAHA! Of course! Tell me whatever you want and I'll do it for you," she exclaimed while puffing her chest.
"I wish you're my big sister..."
"Oh! I can be if you just asked, you know. Heehee"
"R-really?!"
"Yes~"
Finally! My daily prayers were not in vain. I will actually experience sisterly love now that I have a big sister! I'll get pampered all day and night. Her size doesn't matter as long as she became my big sister. I'll make her do-
"Orion?"
"Ah. I'm sorry. I'm just happy. I've been dreaming of having a big sister that will- Ehmm... Support me. Yes."
That was a close call. I almost said my fantasies. If she finds out, she might refuse me.
"Oh. Then allow this spirit to pamper you!" She pats my hair once again as she smiles at me.
AAAAAAA!!! She said my second top phrase on my "List of All Big Sisters Should Say to all Men on Earth," in short, LABSSSME! Oops... It will show on my face if I let my excitement push me. Breath! Breath!
"R-really?"
"Aw~ You're so cute! It can't be helped, I guess I'll pamper you until you fall asleep."
OOOOOH!!!! She said it again, but this time BETTER! I'm going to cry! This is too much! This is not a dream, right? RIGHT?! Breath! Breath! I'm not going to let my desire ruin the mood. This is my one and only chance. Orion, go for it!
"C-can I call you Big Sister?"
The million dollar question!
*Gulp*
"Of course, my dear little brother!"
WAAAAAA!!! She's getting better and better! That was the cherry on top! "My dear little brother," is the topmost and my favorite phrase in my LABSSSME! Oh, my heart! Please remain calm. I suppose having a cute look was a huge plus. I don't regret having received this wish from the God or something. My heart is going to explode from the excitement. Breath! Breath! BREATH!
"Orion? Something wrong? Your breathing is heavy and your head is getting warmer."
"I-I'm fine. I'll finish my food so I'll get pampered- AH! I mean sleep earlier."
"Very good!"
I finished my bowl of soup and rolled on the soft grass.
I'll just sleep today and get pampered by the time I wake until I sleep. My dream of having a cute and caring big sister will come true starting tomorrow. I need to...
My vision became blurry along with her silhuette and I can't feel my body anymore. I'm getting sleepy. The fatigue really got me. I need...
"Sorry, Orion. I can't keep my promise. I should have-"
Zzz...
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"Hey! Kid! Wake up!"
"Uh...."
I'm still sleepy.
"Boy! Wake up! Hey!"
"Wait..."
"Heeeeey!"
"Huh?"
My eyes bulge open from my surprise. It wasn't because the sky was supposed to be my poster, but because of the person that woke me up.
I was supposed to be woken up by the cute voice of the Pond Spirit, also known as my loving Big Sister, but instead I was woken up by the voice of a middle-aged man.