This was a highly classified military operation. His location was strictly need-to-know. "Yes, Mom. How did you find out?"
"Julian told me," she huffed dismissively. "He happens to be in Severia for a business deal."
Jerrick sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Mom, my deployments are classified. Tell Julian to stop poking around in military intelligence just to check up on me."
"He only checked because we have family business to attend to!" Catherine scolded. "Jerrick, your sister happens to be in the Severian capital right now representing the country in the global academic tournament. You haven't shown your face once since we brought her home. All you've done is call a few times and wire allowance money into her account."
"Since you and your sister are in the exact same city, and Julian is already there keeping an eye on her..."
"I don't care how busy your military stuff is. You are going to clear your schedule."
"You will go see your sister in person and cheer her on!"
Listening to his mother's rapid-fire lecture, Jerrick could only massage his aching forehead.
His sister.
Hearing the word suddenly flashed the image of the girl from the garage across his mind.
The black hoodie, the impossibly gorgeous, icy face, the devastating combat skills that had pinned him to the floor, and that deadpan, utterly calm 'Love you too, Mom.'
She... was also an Elyndorian student competing in the academic tournament.
A wildly absurd thought sprouted in his brain.
If *that* girl was his sister... how insanely awesome would that be?
He would never let his squad hear the end of it. He'd brag until they went deaf!
But he quickly killed the fantasy.
Impossible.
Jerrick chuckled at his own delusion, wincing as his ribs flared.
He had definitely taken too many hits to the head tonight.
"Alright, Mom," Jerrick finally surrendered. "I'll make time to go see her."
Then, a thought struck him. "Wait. You guys have been complaining for months that I haven't come home to see her, and you specifically refused to send me a picture so I'd be forced to visit."
"If you want me to go support her at the tournament, you have to at least send me a photo. Otherwise, how am I supposed to find her in a crowd?"
Catherine let out a triumphant scoff. "In your dreams."
"You ignore your baby sister for months, and now you want the easy way out? Not a chance!"
"You want to see her, you go find her yourself. If you can't figure out which one is your sister, go ask Julian. He's there too."

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