Chapter 94: Induction
Apparently, the estate’s population was far larger than Scar had thought. Despite training here for over a month, he’d never grasped how vast it truly was. Until now.
After meeting with the Rover family heads, he was introduced to many people. Some attended exclusively for his banquet and couldn’t be visited, including the first nun of the Rover family who had raised his mother, among others.
By tradition, those who weren’t officially Rovers could only meet Scar on the day of his formal induction.
He met some distant family members and cousins who resided at the estate, though they exchanged only brief pleasantries. He’d been eager to speak with Amber’s siblings, Nitin and Hayder, but his nervousness proved unnecessary.
Neither Nitin nor Hayder could spare him any time. They were buried in business matters, V’s attack days ago had severely damaged the family’s commercial interests. The most Scar got from them were perfunctory handshakes and tight-lipped smiles.
He didn’t encounter any of his cousins, not even Jules and Loki, the notorious pair who’d tormented him before.
But he didn’t waste the opportunity. He visited the three Rover family training rooms beyond the courtyard where he and Arthur practiced. Though the estate had numerous facilities, most served the cadet squad; only three were designated for family members.
Two of the rooms had simulation capabilities, which was precisely what he sought. He needed training against all the threats that would come for him.
Even all that didn’t occupy the full day. Eventually, he invited Julien and Purple to come keep him company.
As they settled in the courtyard, the place where they felt most at ease, Purple enthusiastically filled Scar in on everything that had happened while he was unconscious.
Learning that Purple had enhanced her family’s reputation interested Scar. However, everything she described seemed too peculiar and precisely timed to be mere luck or coincidence, though she downplayed it as such.
"How did you know Theo would actually follow through? He’s still a Scarlet Kin, you know."
Julien’s eyes widened with sudden interest. He stood several meters from Scar and Purple, who lounged on a bench nearby.
"Exactly, Scar. There’s clearly something she’s keeping from us. How did you even figure out how to kill V. That was something that even a god-like being like Theo couldn’t?"
A soft smile tugged on Purple’s lips, and she shrugged.
"How could I know? One of my ancestors held that knowledge. I merely inherited their memories after they passed."
Julien frowned and sneered.
"Sometimes I wonder if you deliberately allowed your family to die, just to take their memories."
Julien and Purple exchanged words, but Scar was preoccupied with Theo. How could something be humanity’s protector when its summoning cost so many lives? And if it truly sided with humans, why hadn’t it eliminated the moon and ended their suffering?
Purple exhaled deeply.
"Whether Theo stands with humanity or against it is irrelevant. In the condition we find ourselves, no one can claim with certainty that their actions serve humanity best.
"Maybe V was right, and the only way for us to survive is not to survive at all. Everything in this world seems determined to destroy us.
"There’s no one right answer. Until someone becomes strong enough to understand the mysteries of this world, no one can say what’s best for humanity."
She was right. More strength meant more memories, more understanding of their Inheritances. He knew power was the only path to answers and he craved it.
"But if that’s true, don’t you think the God Killers would have some answers? I’m not sure if any of them are below tier-3, but surely that would mean they possess some information, right?"
Julien asked.
"It’s not every Inheritance that can give you valuable information. Executors only have limited knowledge, unlike an Architect, who would know much more.
"Executor-class Inheritances originate from human beliefs, much like my Thread of Souls, which is linked to the convictions of the Vey family. Don’t expect me to surpass the knowledge of an Architect, or an Outlaw with access to forbidden knowledge."
Scar frowned. He hadn’t thought much about Inheritance origins, though he’d heard about them plenty. But thinking now, his was an Outlaw. What if he possessed forbidden knowledge? After all, both Architects and Scarlet Kins hunted him.
It sent a chill through him. The source of his Inheritance had to be something truly vile for such powerful entities to despise even its remnants. But that meant the recovered memories would hold secrets about this world few knew.
But he couldn’t shake a feeling that there might be more than predecessor battles ahead. Last time in his realm, there’d been a chained creature. Human-sized, yet restrained by chains that could pull mountains. What was that thing? Would he have to fight it eventually?
Despite his troubling thoughts, he knew this wasn’t the right time to think about that. He dragged himself from his daze and engaged in conversation with the others for some time.
"Julien, wait. Where have you been staying? Do you have a family, or...?"
Scar asked, genuinely confused.
"Oh, Purple rented a hotel for me. The academy’s still under construction, and we have a month before we go back, so I’ll be staying there for a bit."
Scar seized the opportunity to speak.
"Oh, then why not stay with me? We can train together, and I doubt anyone would mind. I can ask Amber to set you up with a room, but if she refuses, you can just sleep in my room."
Julien’s expression darkened.
"Are you really sure? Since you just came back to the family, would they actually allow that?"
Scar shrugged.
"I’m not sure, but you can still stay. If it makes you feel better, just give me the money you’ve been paying for the hotel. I need 10 gold to settle with the Supreme Council anyway."
Julien shook his head in disappointment.
"Are you helping because it’s kind, or just because you want some money for your debts? Seriously, what’s 20 bronze going to do for you?"
The money didn’t matter to Scar. This had been bothering him for a while. Before coming to the academy, Julien used to sleep on the streets or, when he could find work, take shelter and food as payment instead of money.
What would happen to Julien after they left the academy? That’s what bothered Scar. Even if he’d never returned to the Rovers, he would’ve offered Julien a place at Isaac’s.
Julien’s help may have come from the goodness of his heart, but goodness wasn’t enough.
Scar needed a reason solid enough to ensure Julien owed him, enough to stay on his side no matter what came. Purple was easier to read. She had been treating him well for a while now, and he knew as long as he continued giving her whatever reason she needed, she would stay.
He wasn’t calm-headed like Julien, who always knew what to do and thought carefully through everything before acting. And he wasn’t as smart as Purple. He knew his limits. That was exactly why their loyalty mattered.
"Don’t let his tough act fool you, Scar. He actually asked to stay with me, but I said no. He’ll stay with you, he’s just a bit too shy to admit it."
Purple said with a mischievous smile, and even though Julien was throwing a tantrum over what she’d said, she didn’t pay him any mind. She locked eyes with Scar instead.
"So you need ten gold, huh? Less than two months, right? Just say the word, and I’ll gladly help, but you have to follow my instructions exactly."
Her expression gave Scar goosebumps. Purple, smiling? The sight was chilling, though she had been different ever since they visited Area 17.
But thinking about it, Purple wasn’t the kind of person to offer help without a plan. She definitely had something in mind.
"Sure, but I won’t be your slave."
Purple offered her hand with enthusiasm. Scar reluctantly took it, and they shook on their agreement.
"The banquet is just three days away, right? We’ll handle everything right after that."
Mentioning the banquet dragged up everything Scar had been avoiding with Julien and Purple’s company. Three hours of etiquette training daily, and he’d have to meet countless strangers. The thought made him sick to the stomach.
There was one bright spot, though. Thinking of Haven Velanora made him smile. He’d convinced Amber to make sure she attended. Things had been rocky between them for some reason, but he’d use the banquet to fix it.
All he had to do was present his badge to Haven, the way Purple had given him hers. If he did it publicly, her cold-hearted father would have no choice but to ally with the Rover family.
The Rovers had the numbers advantage over the Velanoras. Karl would appreciate having his daughter tied to a family as powerful as his own.
He just couldn’t wait.