March 7th officially began her fifteen-day sword training regimen, and the three staged assessments Yunli had prepared for her were now on the schedule as well.
Just like that, the fifteen days passed in a blink, and it was time for March 7th to fulfill her appointment. Naturally, Fu Shi wouldn't miss it.
The moment they stepped into Aurum Alley, a flash of green fire burst into view, like a flickering will-o'-the-wisp , before vanishing straight into Scott's body.
Fu Shi quickly approached Stelle, lowering her voice.
"Stelle, that green flame that just went into Scott, what was that?"
Stelle patiently explained the situation from start to finish. When she finished, Fu Shi nodded slightly, then suddenly smiled with a teasing glint.
"Why should that Tail have all the fun to himself? Would you all like to see what's hidden deep inside Scott's heart?"
"Of course I'm curious," Stelle replied crisply.
"Then watch this."
Before Fu Shi's words even faded, she closed her eyes. In the next instant, the scene around them twisted and shifted , Scott's inner world had been completely projected before their eyes.
"Whoa, what's going on?" March 7th jumped back in shock, eyes wide with confusion.
"Don't panic," Fu Shi said, a hint of pride in her tone. "We're inside Scott's mind."
March 7th stared at her, astonished.
"Fu Shi, you did this?"
"Who else?"
Huohuo hurriedly stepped in front of Tail as if to protect him, but her hands passed through like mist. She turned and whispered,
"Tail... it's like he can't see us."
Fu Shi lifted her chin and replied softly, "We're still outside. Of course he can't. Let's just watch quietly."
The group stood silently behind Tail as he muttered to himself while walking, "So this is Scott's inner world, huh? Let's see where his most twisted desires lie."
As he moved forward, a blond man appeared before him. The man opened his mouth and immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Scott! Get over here right now!!!"
Tail froze, smacking his lips. "Ah, looks like that's his old man. Humans always say 'we spend our lives healing from childhood trauma.' Maybe Scott's no exception."
March 7th whispered, "That's Scott's father? He looks fierce…"
Young Scott rubbed his eyes as he walked up, his tone groggy and impatient. "Dad, what's with all the yelling on the weekend? I was sleeping in!"
Scott's father immediately scolded him, his words firing off like a machine gun. "Lazy brat, still sleeping in... how many times have I told you, do credit points sleep in? Does the free market sleep in? Does the invisible hand sleep in? Ugh, forget it, we'll come back to that."
"Pephana's parents just came by. Apparently he broke his leg playing flyball, and you carried him to the hospital. They insisted on meeting the father of their son's 'dearest friend.'"
Tail couldn't help sighing. "So little Scott was kind-hearted as a kid, huh?"
Huohuo hesitated. "Maybe… maybe Scott isn't as bad as we thought?"
March 7th said evenly, "I'm sticking with my original judgment. My gut says it's not that simple."
The father-son exchange continued, until Scott's father suddenly roared, "You idiot! Isn't Pephana your rival for the skydart team captain spot?"
"You play at being friends with your rival? You even carried him to the hospital, how caring of you!"
"Lyndon Skott, how many times do I have to remind you? The Scott family crest is the 'Lone Wolf,' and our family motto is: 'No enemies, no friends, only prey.' Would you carry your prey to the hospital?"
Tail shook his head. "Man... growing up in a family like this, poor kid didn't stand a chance."
Fu Shi nodded in agreement. "No wonder he turned out this way. Makes sense now."
But the next second, young Scott said flatly, "But Dad, I broke his leg on purpose. If I didn't take him to the hospital, people would've gotten suspicious."
Tail froze, dumbfounded. "...Huh???"
March 7th crossed her arms. "Knew my gut wasn't wrong."
Fu Shi's face darkened, stomping her foot in frustration. "Damn it! Give me back the sympathy I just felt!"
Stelle frowned thoughtfully. "What did he even just say? Those words shouldn't form a sentence…"
Meanwhile, Scott's father hesitated, his expression softening awkwardly.
"Ah, so that's how it was... I'm sorry, Scott. I shouldn't have scolded you without understanding. Please forgive me."
Scott smiled brightly.
"It's okay, Dad! I love you the most~"
"...Good lord," Tail muttered, rubbing his temples. "A wolf for a father and a wolf for a son. No twisted desires here, just plain twisted."
He flicked his tail and moved on to the next memory.
The scene changed.
Scott's father, now graying, was being stopped by two IPC agents.
"You're suspected of taking massive bribes. Please come with us."
Tail blinked, then burst into laughter.
"Oh! The old man's getting busted? Hahaha!"
Scott's father looked calm, clearly expecting it. He glanced up and asked, "Walk by the river long enough, and your shoes will get wet. I only have one question, officer, who sold me out?"
"It was an internal report. We can't disclose the source." The agent's face stayed blank.
Scott's father frowned, deep in thought.
"An internal report... most of the people involved had no motive or evidence. Who could it be?"
The answer came faster than expected , adult Scott stepped forward, pride written all over his face.
"Dad, it was me. I turned you in."
Huohuo: "ヾ(≧﹏≦)ﾉﾞ"
Fu Shi covered her ears against the laughter echoing around. "Is he even human?"
Stelle chuckled. "A true family comedy, huh?"
March 7th clicked her tongue. "After all this, you think there's still going to be some shocking twist?"
Old Scott trembled, his voice shaking. "You... Scott, you betrayed me!"
Tail laughed so hard he teared up. "Such a loving father and son! I'm moved to tears!"
Then came the line that stunned everyone, Old Scott's voice softened, full of pride. "I'm proud of you, son!"
Silence fell. Tail finally let out a helpless laugh. "I give up."
The Peeping Quartet sighed together. "So do we."
"Father..." Scott's voice wavered with emotion.
Old Scott placed a hand on his son's shoulder, eyes full of satisfaction. "Step over me and climb higher, Scott. You're the pride of the Scott family, a true Lone Wolf. I'm proud of you."
Scott straightened his back, eyes firm, answering solemnly through a tight throat. "Father, I will honor your teachings."
Tail sighed quietly. "This guy's childhood was doomed... his 'most twisted desire' isn't here."
Fu Shi rubbed her temples, muttering in disbelief. "This father and son, neither of them are normal."
March 7th's gaze followed Tail as he moved ahead. "There he goes again... what kind of mess will we see next?"
When Tail found Scott again, a cheerful young man stood beside him, patting his shoulder with a grin. "Scott, my best friend! I've been reassigned to Tartarion. Let's grab a drink after work."
Even Tail raised a brow at that, genuine surprise flickering in his eyes. "He actually has a friend? Maybe there's still a spark of humanity in him."
Fu Shi snorted. "A man full of schemes and greed, and he has a friend? Yeah, right."
Scott didn't look happy about the farewell, frowning instead. "Tartarion? That's a frontier fortress. You've done good work, why would they transfer you?"
Ashavat chuckled, his eyes calm and knowing. "Ha, because you made it happen. No one else on our team could pull strings like you."
Tail smirked coldly. "Heh, called it."
Stelle, March 7th, and Fu Shi crossed their arms in unison. "Heh~"
Seeing the act was up, Scott dropped the mask, greed twisting his expression. "What can I say? Your position was too tempting. I had no choice."
Ashavat looked at him steadily, shaking his head. "It's not just the position, is it? There's also... Rakshmi. You won't have to compete for her anymore."
"Rakshmi…?"
Tail's tone grew thoughtful. "Rakshmi... 'a green light flickering in the fog'... could she be Scott's beloved?"
Fu Shi scoffed. "Someone who'd betray his own father? Please. Love? Not a chance."
Ashavat's voice grew heavy. "Promise me you'll treat her well."
Scott immediately smoothed his expression into a falsely sincere smile, patting his chest. "Of course, Ashavat. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Rakshmi for you."
Tail sighed softly. "So even here, his 'most twisted desire' remains hidden."