My Scumbag System - Chapter 232

Chapter 232: The Scumbag’s Epiphany
“Don’t get cocky. You’re still slow. Telegraphed. Any competent fighter would see that coming a mile away and counter before you even connected.”

Her smile faltered.

“But,” I added. “For day one? Not bad. You’re learning. That’s what matters.”

The smile returned. Smaller. But genuine.

We continued. I showed her how to block. Demonstrated a parry. Guided her through the movements that would minimize damage. Simple things. Foundation.

She absorbed it all. Asked questions when she didn’t understand. Made mistakes. Fixed them. Tried again without complaining.

After about an hour, sweat dripped down her temples. Her breathing came in short gasps. But her eyes were bright. Excited even.

“That’s enough for tonight,” I said. “You did good.”

“Really?” She looked up at me. Those warm brown eyes searched mine.

“Really. Your form still needs work. Your speed needs improvement. Your power is pathetic. But you’re coachable. That counts for something.”

She grabbed a towel from her bag. Wiped her face. Left a streak of blue hair plastered to her forehead.

“Can we do this again? Tomorrow maybe?”

I hesitated.

Tomorrow was going to be another disaster with the full team. More chaos. More frustration. More evidence of my incompetence as a leader.

But this? This had worked.

One student. Focused instruction. Clear improvement.

Maybe I could use this. Build individual skills. Then integrate them into team exercises later. Start small. Build trust one person at a time instead of trying to herd thirteen cats at once.

“Yeah,” I said. “We can do this again. Same time tomorrow.”

Her face lit up. “Thank you! Really. This means a lot to me.”

“You’re part of the team. Need you functional.”

She picked up her datapad. Started gathering her things. Paused at the door. Turned back to look at me.

“Satori?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re a good teacher. I know today didn’t go well with everyone. But you’re good at this. When it’s just one-on-one. You’re patient. Clear. You actually care about people improving.”

I stared at her.

Patient? Clear? Caring?

Those weren’t words anyone had ever used to describe Kaelen Leone. Hell, those weren’t words I’d use to describe myself.

“Don’t read too much into it,” I said. Kept my voice casual. Dismissive even. “I just need my healer to survive long enough to heal.”

“Sure,” she said. That knowing smile crossed her face. Like she could see right through my bullshit. “Whatever you say.”

She turned and walked down the hallway. Her ponytail swung with each step. The fabric of her shorts stretched across her curves as she moved away from me.

I watched until she disappeared around the corner.

Only then did I slide the door shut.

Let out a long breath.

My smile faded. Replaced by something colder. More analytical. The performance was over. The audience had left. No need to maintain the facade anymore.

I pulled up my System screen with a casual flick of my wrist. The blue light illuminated my features in the dim room. A notification was waiting. Pulsing gently.

[Bond Rank with Emi Aoyama has increased to Rank 2!]

A slow smile spread across my face.

I might be a terrible teacher when it came to groups. But one-on-one? I was still the king.

I glanced at Bartholomew. He’d finally reached the top of his enclosure. Now he was contemplating his next move. Antennae waved gently.

“Slow and steady, right?”

The snail didn’t respond. Just continued his glacial journey across the glass. Patient. Methodical. Unstoppable in his own way.

I dismissed the System screen. Walked over to my futon. Collapsed onto it.

Stared at the ceiling again.

Today had been a mixed bag. The group training was an absolute disaster. But the individual session with Emi? That was a win. Small. But a win nonetheless.

Maybe that was the key. Stop trying to force everyone into the same mold. Work with them individually. Build bonds one at a time. Then use those bonds to create the team dynamic I needed.

It was slower. More tedious. Required more effort than just barking orders.

But it worked.

I thought about each member of the team. Their personalities. Their quirks. Their weaknesses.

Jacob needed confidence. Someone to believe in him when his anxiety told him he was worthless. Maybe I could work with him on his analytical skills. Turn that nervous energy into something useful.

Raphael needed an outlet for his aggression. Someone who wouldn’t flinch when he got angry. Who would meet his intensity head-on instead of trying to calm him down.

Juan needed motivation. A reason to care. He was smart. Talented. Just lazy as hell. Find what he actually cared about and leverage that.

Akari needed to feel special. Appreciated. She used that aloof façade to hide insecurity. Crack that open and she’d be putty in my hands.

Isabelle needed respect. Recognition of her abilities. She was used to being the best. Stroke that ego and she’d follow.

Jaime needed direction. Focus. Someone to channel his enthusiasm into productive action instead of wasted energy.

Hikari needed structure. Clear goals. Turn her boundless energy into something useful instead of letting it scatter in every direction.

Soomin needed patience. Gentle encouragement. Build her confidence slowly instead of throwing her into the deep end.

Marco and Malachi were already a unit. Just needed to integrate them into the larger group dynamic.

Skylar needed challenge. Something to keep her interested. She was bored. Give her something exciting and she’d engage.

Noah needed purpose. She was military through and through. Give her clear objectives and she’d execute flawlessly.

Emi needed support. Someone who believed she could be more than just a healer. I’d already started that process tonight.

And Natalia?

Natalia was mine already. Just needed to keep her that way. Keep building that bond. Keep making her feel special. Keep her invested in me.

It was a lot of work.

But it was doable.

I just needed to stop thinking like a gang leader and start thinking like a… what? A mentor? A friend? A manipulative bastard who pretended to be both?

Yeah. That last one.