Reborn: My Two Systems at War

Chapter 25: Is The Cousin Normal?

The two platinum-haired girls just stood there in a hug. Tia's previously frantic heartbeat gradually eased, finding solace in the warmth of the hug.

"I always knew you'd come to rescue me. I just wasn't sure if you would be faster than the guards. It looks like they are truly incompetent." She whispered softly into Tia's ear.

Finally, her cousin loosened her embrace, stepping back with a radiant smile that betrayed no hint of her prior fear.

"Do you think I might have some special powers too?" the girl asked with hopeful eyes.

Tia paused, pondering how to respond. Her own powers stemmed from her system, so she was sure her genetics had nothing to do with that. After all, if it were that straightforward, the government would have already identified the responsible genes and created an army of Esper soldiers.

Despite her reservations, Tia couldn't bring herself to shatter the girl's hope when she saw her lilac eyes almost shining with expectation.

"Maybe you have."

To her surprise, the young girl snapped her fingers, and all the surrounding teens froze, their eyes vacant and unresponsive. It was as if their minds had vanished, leaving behind mere empty shells.

'What? Mind control?' She couldn't help, but take a step back at the sudden development.

"You are right, Hel. We are both special!" the girl proclaimed, her eyes glowing with a sinister gleam and her once warm smile replaced by a wide grin filled with pride, like a child seeking praise.

'Nah, she is still my cousin. However, I was betrayed before.'

On instinct, she immediately raised the threat level of her cousin from cute and harmless to cute and dangerous.

Her cousin was no longer that sweet child she used to be, 'Whatever happened since we last met, has changed her.'

Still, she pushed aside her apprehensions and extended her hand to pat the younger girl's head, gently ruffling her soft hair.

"We need to hurry up. It was already hard to arrange this meeting. The number of minds I had to alter to make this work..."

"So this was all staged," Tia realized, connecting the dots.

As she thought about it, there were too many inconsistencies in the supposed kidnapping. Her cousin came from a wealthy family and had personal guards, just like her classmates. It seemed highly improbable that the criminals she fought off could execute such a plan successfully.

Also, the timing of the entire thing was too coincidental with her escape.

The girl continued, her tone becoming somber, "A month ago, my Mom almost died of heart failure and is still in a coma, and a year before that, Uncle Bill died in a hovercraft crash."

'Someone is killing our family?!' She immediately remembered the hitman, who almost killed her on the night when she awakened her systems.

"Why?" Her family had attained wealth through their reputable security software company, and as far as she knew, there were no illicit dealings that would warrant such a ruthless attack on her entire family, including herself, who was presumed to be mentally unstable and isolated.

"It's bad, Hel. I don't know who's behind it or why, but I came to warn you." Her cousin reached into the pocket of her black blazer and retrieved a small square piece of metal with a single blue, glowing indicator. "Take this. It contains a few million in untraceable crypto and a way to stay in touch."

As Tia accepted the object, her hand trembled slightly. The amount offered was enough to secure her escape from the planet, a tempting offer amidst the danger she now faced.

However, she no longer wanted to run. Even though she hated and despised most of her snobby family, she was the only one who could kill them! Someone has attacked her and endangered even her cousin. They couldn't get away with it!

'My parents also died in rather suspicious circumstances... is it possible?'

She saw her family die in her past life, and she wouldn't make the same mistake again. Even though they were garbage, they were still her family, and she would rather for them to stay alive.

'Instead, I will punish them myself. They will be my puppets, and they will hate it for how they used me.'

There was only one thing she needed to confirm, "Tell me. If I left the planet, would you join me?"

Without hesitation, the younger girl shook her head, causing her long hair to flail around, "No, this is personal, and I will not just run away and abandon everything."

'She is right. Running away? Hell no! I will instead take over this entire fucking planet and make it my base of operation. There is already my family business here to mask my activities.'

The situation changed as a new plan formed in her head, 'If I can get my cousin to take over the family business. I could easily use it to my advantage. At the same time, I could comfortably stay in the shadow, using it as a front to clear money from my magic business.'

POV Inspector ???:

The inspector grinned as he watched the projection of the apartment building on the screen of the command table. The murderer was already inside, ready to be slaughtered.

Still, with all the eyes on him and the influence of the hostages, he couldn't move recklessly.

"Sir, the enforcer drone is in the position, and the tactical team three is ready."

He had to keep the priorities even with the anger burning within him, "The security of the hostages is still a priority. Wait till she leaves the property, then we will strike her."

The annoying blonde woman immediately opened her mouth, "Sir, shouldn't we ask her for surrender..."

"No! She is a dangerous, murderous lunatic with the power to slaughter an entire tactical team! She needs to be put down without any hesitation, or she will slip away and cost more innocent lives."

He already hated that annoying detective, 'Only protocol and rules...'