Scarlett was a hardworking girl. Though she always underestimated her own achievents, she not only was at the top of her class but also didn’t utter a single complaint when she helped her mother with their family business.
Before Michael had managed to secure a stable source of funds, she had also been working several other part-ti jobs in order to earn more money.
She didn’t drink or smoke and had never even considered starting. In that regard, she followed her brother’s example of being free from any addictions and constraints to a tee.
And on top of all that, she went to the gym regularly. Her commitnt wasn’t obvious at first glance. Her modest clothing revealed very little, but beneath it, she had a physique many won would envy. Despite still being in her growing phase, she had already surpassed the majority of the won in terms of appearance... All thanks to her disciplined lifestyle.
It was safe to say that if Michael’s shadow didn’t loom so impossibly high, she would have been regarded as the perfect golden child... A person who chose to live this way, not out of pressure from her parents, but by her own free will.
Scarlett now found herself in a situation unlike any other.
Her body was sprawled on the ground, only her arms keeping her from completely collapsing. Her lungs burned, stretching to their limit as they demanded air, but it never seed enough. It was impossible to stand. Her senses betrayed her.
And the reason for her current condition was...
"Is that all you’ve got?"
With a frown Scarlett lifted her head, gaze settling on Devil.
The monster sat casually in a chair, twirling one of her daggers with a claw while using the other to scrape between his teeth.
"This is our first training session..." Scarlett groaned. "What did you expect?"
Devil shrugged.
"Honestly? A bit better considering who you share blood with. All that cardio and weight lifting seems kind of pointless now, doesn’t it?"
Usually Devil’s remarks wouldn’t have been enough to irritate her. But by now, her rationality had been forsaken, as she barely clung to consciousness.
"You! Stop mocking ..." She bellowed, struggling to stand. "And start taking this fight for real!"
Ignoring the strain in her body, Scarlett managed to throw a weak punch.
"HAHAHA! You’ve got spirit, I’ll give you that!"
Devil taunted, effortlessly dodging her strikes.
"But you are a long way off hitting your Uncle!"
Of course, he never failed to throw a hurtful remark.
"AHHHHHHH!" Scarlett scread. No matter how hard and fast she attacked, it never seed enough.
"Stop running away!"
Despite that, she didn’t pause for a second.
"Good!" Devil’s grin was cruel as he pushed her joints, tipping her balance.
Usually this would make others reconsider their approach, but it only ignited Scarlett’s rage further.
"Now this is more like it!" Devil’s eyes glead. "Realize how insignificant you are before ! Feel the desperation!"
Scarlett only grew angrier, Devil’s remarks burning deep in her pride.
"Die! Uncle, die for ! DIE!"
The more desperate she beca, the wider Devil’s grin stretched.
"Disregard them! Terror, pain, and anguish. They are nothing! Feel the rage! The bloodlust that demands you crush the enemy before you!"
Swoosh!
Devil’s form blurred. His repulsive aura intensified. With a cruel grin, his claw flexed in pure delight, shooting toward Scarlett’s face with lethal intent.
"Surpass every ordinary soldier! Face it! Overco it just like your brother did!"
In that mont Scarlett’s breath hitched, the surroundings slowing down to a crawl. Her eyes narrowed to the size of needles as she tracked the claw heading straight for her face. A giant skull seed to have materialized behind Devil, its suffocating presence marking her doom.
In that mont one singular emotion reigned supre in Scarlett’s mind.
’Ah... am I going to die.’
She had miscalculated. Isolated with Devil, there was no one left to prevent her demise. Her life was about to be cut short.
"..."
Gradually, her focus returned. Devil’s claw had stopped, hovering a hair’s breadth from her eyes.
Thud!
Before she could even process what had just happened, her legs buckled beneath her, and she collapsed to the ground.
"W—What... was that?" Her voice cracked.
Devil chuckled darkly, crouching down to et her eye level.
"That little girl was death itself. Rember that sensation well. From now on, your goal will be to instill that feeling in your enemies."
He had concluded that the fastest way for Scarlett to comprehend his battle style was for her to experience it firsthand.
"This concludes the first lesson. You didn’t wet yourself, so I’ll rate you better than expected."
He paused briefly.
"I thought about teaching your mother, but ultimately, I reconsidered. If you want her to beco stronger, you’ll have to be the one to teach her. After all, the best way to master sothing is to teach it to soone else."
Slowly, Scarlett regained her composure. "You must be insane if you think I’ll let my mother experience—"
Devil instantly interrupted her, pinching her nose, making sure not to hurt her.
"Well, well, well... now you’re starting to sound and think just like your brother! Don’t forget, he faces this every single day, so it’s ti to reconstruct the image you’ve built of him. And bear in mind, part of his reasoning cos from your pathetic excuse for an existence as his sister."
Deciding that he had inflicted enough trauma on the poor girl for the night, Devil stood up.
"For recovery, sleep a lot, eat well, and cultivate. I reckon even you will be able to handle that on your own. We will train again tomorrow night, sa ti... I’ll be waiting."
With that Devil left, his dark insight lingering in the tense silence.
Scarlett stared at her trembling hands in pure disbelief.
Getting stronger... was so much more painful than she had suspected.
anwhile, Devil returned to Michael’s room.
"I didn’t bother asking how you’ll be training." Michael asked. Not fallen asleep. "But didn’t your training session wrap up too soon? Was it even worthwhile?"
Devil nodded with a smile.
"Actually, things went much better than expected... I reckon you’ll be surprised in the near future."
Michael didn’t bother asking for details. Managing to slip into slumber shortly after.
The next morning arrived swiftly. It was ti to discuss the future with the soldiers who had co to aid the Indomitable Alliance and strategize for what lay ahead in the tournant.
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