The next day, Arthur parked his car outside Hank's house. Hank was already waiting at the door.
As Arthur got out of the car, he tossed a small device to him. "A signal jammer? You and Howard probably designed this back when you were with SHIELD, didn't you?"
"The technology has been refined significantly since then." Hank took the device, a hint of wistfulness in his eyes. He looked at Arthur but remained silent.
Arthur paused for a moment before saying, "The last day, isn't it?"
Hank nodded. "Thank you."
"No need for thanks. Consider your favor repaid," Arthur said with a faint smile.
"I'm just hoping I don't end up losing money on this deal." Hank turned to walk back inside.
After a moment's consideration, Arthur asked, "Have you ever thought about sharing the Pym Particle formula?"
Hank turned back. "You're being remarkably direct."
"I just feel that some things are better discussed openly," Arthur said, following Hank into the house. "You understand the potential of this technology better than anyone."
"And that's exactly why it must never be widely used for military purposes!" Hank gritted his teeth. "You must understand what that would mean."
Arthur remained silent.
Hank took a deep breath, composed himself, and said, "You're different from them. I've felt that ever since I first met you. That's why I agreed to let you work with Scott. But that's as far as it goes. I won't give the Pym Particle to anyone."
"You know, if I really wanted it, I could get it in a thousand different ways." Arthur shrugged. "But, to me, the truly valuable thing has always been you, the person who created it."
"Your ambitions are too grand, aren't they?" Hank asked, frowning at Arthur.
Arthur shrugged again. "Doesn't matter. You don't need to answer now. There's still time... at least three years."
"Three years..." Hank's brow furrowed. "What does that mean?"
"You'll find out eventually... probably," Arthur replied, smiling. "Now, where's Scott?"
"He'll be here soon." Hank didn't press Arthur for more information. Although he was curious about Arthur's words, he had no intention of delving deeper.
Having lived this long, he knew only too well that once you investigate some things, it becomes impossible to turn back.
…
The day's training session concluded without incident.
Arthur never believed that Scott could surpass him in such a short time, nor did he ever strive to achieve that.
If Scott had actually defeated him so easily, Arthur would have been humiliated beyond measure.
He had invested countless hours and resources to achieve his current level of mastery.
If Scott could surpass him in just a few days, all that effort would have been for nothing.
Arthur's only purpose in training Scott was to enhance his close-quarters combat skills and improve his ambush and counter-ambush techniques.
However, the real danger lay not in a lack of technique but in an absence of instinct.
Leaving the door open for thieves would inevitably lead to disaster.
When the time came, Scott took off his battle suit, stretched his limbs, and told Arthur, "I'm ready."
Scott would never forget his daily beatings.
Arthur waved his hand. "No sparring today. Tomorrow, you'll be fighting alone. Let's leave each other with relatively pleasant memories, shall we?"
Scott thought for a moment. "So, is the training over?"
"You could say that."
"But I haven't defeated you yet!" Scott looked at his hands, a hint of frustration in his eyes.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "If I actually let you beat me, I might as well pack up and go home. Come on, let's chat for a bit."
Scott eyed Arthur suspiciously. "The time for sneak attacks is over. You can't keep playing your tricks!"
"...When have I ever played tricks?" Arthur sat down at a rickety table, and Scott joined him, copying his posture.
"Have you thought about the future?" Arthur asked.
"The future..." Scott shook his head. "To be honest, I've been in a state of near-captivity from the start. That's how it started. Later, after I'd got to know Hank and Hogun better, I wanted to do something myself."
Arthur nodded. "And then?"
"Then we'll make it happen."
"And after that?"
"I hadn't thought that far ahead," Scott admitted.
"Well, you can start thinking about it now," Arthur said. "You've heard of the Avengers Alliance, right?"
"Of course. Who hasn't in this day and age?" Scott replied, then suddenly eyed Arthur suspiciously. "You're not one of them, are you? Was calling yourself a superhero just a trick? Are you actually just a glorified errand boy for the Avengers?"
"...That's a bit insulting, don't you think?" Arthur retorted. "Let me tell you a secret: the Avengers are just a front. I don't know if there are any other superheroes left in the world, but the truth is that the real Avengers... the true team... is far larger than you realize. Some of its members have always remained hidden. As a whole, they're called the Superhero League."
"Why do you know about something like this?" Scott asked, astonished. "And why are you just casually telling me?"
"I know about this because I founded the Superhero Alliance myself." Arthur looked at Scott.
Scott blinked and stared at Arthur for a long moment. Then he shook his head, frowned, and scratched his ear. "What did you say?"
"Exactly what you heard," Arthur replied. "The reason I'm telling you so casually is because you have great potential. Young man, no, old man, would you be willing to join me in saving the world?"
"...Who exactly are you?"
Arthur thought for a moment and said, "It's a little embarrassing, since I don't appear very often... but perhaps saying this will make you feel slightly more familiar..."
As his words trailed off, Arthur's attire transformed into a pitch-black ensemble. He casually removed the mask from his face and smiled. "They... all call me Instructor."
(End Of Thus Chapter)
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