Scarlett blinked slowly, her eyes fixed on Devil’s claw.
"What are you suggesting?" She asked, skepticism in her voice.
Devil’s grin widened.
"To prove your ever-so-loving, seemingly perfect, and most of the ti, irritably dense brother wrong... by becoming a force to be reckoned with."
She frowned.
"Doesn’t that imply I’d be going behind his back? I prefer to wait until he deems the ti right to train !" She declared.
Devil had to suppress a laugh to avoid waking the others.
"Oh, so you intend to wait? Then your understanding of his nature is extrely lacking, girl. You have no idea how much he talks about you all. His affection for his family runs so unbelievably deep, it makes want to fucking puke."
Devil’s singular pupil gazed into her erald eyes.
"In the future, he may feed you all kinds of treasures and techniques... but that will only give you superficial power. He’ll never allow you to experience a real battle, a true struggle. He’d rather lose all his limbs than watch his family endure any pain. It’s the foolish goal he’s set for himself."
He paused briefly.
"And that... would be a sha. He’s too stubborn to realize that he’s severely hindering your growth, never allowing you to reach your true potential. Tell , what kind of future do you prefer? One where your lovely brother achieves even more fa, and people brand you as a fragile little sister who’s nothing but a parasite to his accomplishnts...?"
Devil drew closer.
"Or one where you stand by his side as an equal?"
Scarlett bit her lower lip, her palms clenching into fists. Despite not wanting to admit it, Devil had been completely right in his assessnt.
Michael always placed the needs of his family above his own... but that also ant unless Scarlett gained power independently, she would never be able to relieve the pressure on her brother’s shoulders.
In the future, she didn’t want people to think of her as a nuisance. Heck, there was no doubt so already had that impression of her.
"I can’t believe a monster, literally nad Devil, is offering power, and I’m actually considering it. I’m going against everything I was told in fairy tales as a kid..."
Devil’s tilted his head in amusent.
"What can I say? I’m one amazingly generous Devil... Now stop wasting my ti and accept. I know teenage girls like you need ti to make sense of their emotions and what not, but the grown-ups don’t have ti for such things."
Scarlett heaved a sigh.
"Okay... But know this. I’m not going to lie to my brother! If he suspects sothing is off and asks , I’ll tell him everything... including that it was your idea!"
Devil scoffed.
"How fucking surprising. Just like her brother... Both impossibly ungrateful brats..."
Before he changed his mind, Devil let her change into battle attire and lead her toward the underground training grounds.
As luck would have it, Michael had ensured the place was private. This allowed Devil and Scarlett to carry out their secret training under the cover of night without anyone discovering them.
As the two settled into the room, Scarlett looked different. Her long hair was now styled into a ponytail, allowing her to move freely without hindering her movents.
"This is so exciting!" She giggled with joy, feeling her rebellious nature stir within her soul.
anwhile, Devil sighed in dejection.
"Goddamn it, when a teenager goes behind the backs of the grown-ups, it’s supposed to be for drinking, vandalism, or looting. Things like that, not... training."
He shook his head.
"One twisted family this is..." He muttered.
Devil waited several minutes for the young girl to get her excitent under control.
After clearing her throat, she assud a soldier’s stance, though her form was off by quite a bit.
"Then I’ll be in your care from now on, um... sir?" Halfway through, she realized she didn’t know how to address Devil. After all, Devil was his na, and she felt like she should be using a more honorable title.
Devil stroked his chin.
"You can call Uncle."
Scarlett giggled.
"Oh, so you’re one of those cool uncles who guides the clueless kids about the way of the world?"
Devil grinned.
"Still green... But you catch on fast."
Taking the training weapons on display, he threw them one by one toward her.
"Pick them up." Devil exclaid. "Observe how they feel in your grip, your center of gravity, and all that other bullcrap."
With an arched brow, Scarlett complied. The only experience she had was wielding a pen, and nothing more. So, understandably, she didn’t feel connected to any of the weapons she tried.
"Then maybe go for a sword? They’re the most versatile, after all. There’s a reason my brother uses them..." She wondered.
Devil’s mocking voice rang out behind her.
"Oh, how original!"
She frowned.
"If that’s the case..." She muttered, taking hold of two short daggers.
"Hoo...?" Devil was visibly intrigued.
"What made you choose them?"
She blinked a few tis.
"They’re light, so they won’t impair my movents... Plus, getting close to the opponent would make it more personal, and I kind of like the idea of that."
Devil was montarily stunned. The similarity the siblings shared was utterly shocking.
After a mont, he shrugged. "Alright. But keep in mind, you’re not locked into a specific weapon or battle style. The best soldiers, like your brother, are skilled with all kinds of weapons, both ranged and lee."
She nodded, dropping into what she assud was a battle stance. "I will take it into consideration."
Appreciating her straightforwardness, Devil wiggled his claw mockingly.
"Good... now try to kill ."
"..."
Scarlett’s brow twitched.
"Killing you right off the bat? Shouldn’t you show so moves at least?"
Devil erupted into laughter. Fortunately, the underground training grounds were soundproofed, so no one would hear him.
"It’s no surprise you don’t understand. A soldier always displays the characteristics of their ntor. Take Victoria and Claire, for example. Their elegance in battle reflects their upbringing. Ava, with her unpredictable style, draws from the lessons learned across battles. Richard’s rugged approach cos from his years dealing with criminals, while Michael’s adaptability has developed from the countless enemies he’s faced."
He paused briefly.
"Well... I am different. My aim is to instill terror, pain, and anguish. The kind that will haunt my enemies for eternity. Fear, which carves out respect from both enemies and allies alike, driven by the uncertainty of my true potential. That is the style I wield... and the one I shall pass on to you."
Devil smiled nacingly.
"Am I not the most amazing uncle in the world?"
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