Chapter 16: Precision, Pride, and Parental Bonds

[ Forest, Star City Outskirts ]

"Stand up straight, with your feet naturally apart and shoulder-width apart. Use your left hand to control the direction of the arrow, and your right hand to keep it steady. Use your index, middle, and ring fingers to pull the string. Place your index finger above the arrow tail, and your middle and ring fingers below it."

Malcolm kept adjusting Thea's posture, correcting every minor error. As a true master of archery, his instruction was crisp and professional. He didn't just show her how—it was always the why that followed. Many can perform well but fail to teach others; Malcolm Merlyn was not one of them.

Thea held a red, low-poundage recurve bow—simple, without a sight or stabilizer. It was light, suited to her current strength, though even then, it felt heavier than expected. This was the disadvantage for most women: natural upper body strength. Games and anime might be full of female archers, but in real training, it was brutally difficult. Low strength equaled low lethality. Historically, despite the carnage of war, no monarch had ever assembled an all-female archer corps.

In the original timeline, Thea Queen had earned the nickname "Speedy" as part of Team Green Arrow. Perhaps she'd leaned on speed to compensate for power. But she eventually faded into obscurity and left the team for a while—proof that strategy hadn't worked.

But this time, it's different.

The future is in your hands now, Thea reminded herself. You've already touched your destiny. You can change everything.

With a deep breath, she steadied herself and recalled Malcolm's lessons. A big tree stood ten meters away, and he had drawn a red circle on its trunk as a target.

Exhale. Inhale. Focus.

Thea raised the bow and let her mind go silent. With a smooth motion and a soft whoosh, the arrow flew.

Something clicked inside her—like part of her spirit had soared with the arrow. This will hit, she knew.

A muffled pop sounded. The arrow embedded itself within the red circle, near the center. A solid seven or eight points if judged by competition standards.

Malcolm was... jealous. Genuinely.

When he trained under Ra's al Ghul, it took three grueling days without rest just to hit that level.

Not wanting her to get overconfident, he brought out a 20-meter target. Thea's next shot missed—but only just. The arrow still struck the tree trunk. Malcolm felt a little better.

What he realized—but she didn't—is that Thea's first hit was less about archery skill and more about her enhanced perception. With her unusually expanded range, everything within ten meters was in her awareness. Focus enough, and she could land a hit every time. It wasn't supernatural—many people know instinctively when a three-pointer will land. It's a gut feeling. Mysterious, yes—but not magic.

Twenty meters, however, was beyond her cheat zone. Her mind knew the first ten, but the final distance drifted. The deviation was natural.

Thea thought, I'm miles away from being perfect.

Like Prometheus—he had that helmet that downloaded all martial arts instantly. Like clicking 'Install' on a PC. One search, one click, and boom—you're a master. Where the hell did he get that helmet? It's not even in the comics!

She chuckled to herself and returned focus to Malcolm, who had launched into a full, methodical breakdown of long-distance aiming techniques. Surprisingly, he was patient and thorough—like a seasoned professor from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Oops Wrong universe. I mean like a seasoned professor from the Nanda Parbat school of martial mastery. Thea absorbed the knowledge eagerly.

The fusion of two souls—her own and the past life—had sharpened her memory, reflexes, perception, and increase her thinking speed. The original Thea Queen may have only been sidekick-tier. But now? She had the foundation of a front-line hero.

By the end of the session, Thea could hit 9 out of 10 shots on a 20-meter target. Malcolm felt a pang of sorrow. It had taken him a full week to reach that level, and he had trained until his body ached with pain.

Ah, youth, he sighed inwardly. He gave himself a quiet excuse—maybe she's just more gifted.

He personally escorted Thea to the Queen mansion before heading home.

...

[ Merlyn Mansion, Star City ]

At Merlyn Manor, he changed into more relaxed clothes and asked his butler, "Is Tommy back yet?"

"No, sir. There's just a phone message that needs attention," the butler responded.

"Hmph," Malcolm grunted. Probably off with Laurel again.

A strange helplessness settled over him. He really had no idea how to parent this son left by his late wife. Courage, wit, instinct—none of it matched his own. If he didn't trust his wife's faithfulness, he might have questioned if Tommy was truly his. Especially when compared with Thea...

Everyone has talent, he told himself. It just has to be discovered.

It wasn't that Tommy lacked talent. He just hadn't applied it in the right place. In the future, Oliver Queen would encourage him open a bar—and sure enough, Tommy would thrive. Business booming, expansion on the horizon. If only Malcolm's "earthquake plan" hadn't ruined everything, that business might've gone successful across nation!

He stared at an old photo of his wife, memories crowding in. I'll give him six more months. If nothing changes, I won't force it. I'll make sure he lives well and comfortably. That's the least I can do—for her.

...

[ Queen Mansion, Star City ]

Back at the Queen mansion, Thea returned home to find Moira Queen waiting in the living room. Thea rushed over and hugged her tightly.

"Mom, I'm back."

Moira had been restless. She'd heard Malcolm had hired someone to train Thea—but didn't know he was doing it personally. Her worry had only grown. Was her pampered daughter ready for this kind of hardship? Could she get hurt? Moira didn't believe the training was necessary. With money and resources, bodyguards could be hired. Why subject herself to danger?

Seeing Thea's bright smile, she softened—but still needed to know what her daughter truly felt.

"If you're too tired, don't go tomorrow. I'm worried about you."

Looking at her mother's concerned expression, Thea stood tall. "I'm not afraid of hardship, Mom. I'm afraid I won't be strong enough to protect you... and this family."

Moira's eyes glistened. "My poor child... I told you—I'll support whatever you choose. But if one day you change your mind and don't want to continue, promise me you'll tell me. Okay?"

"Okay. I promise," Thea replied, smiling.

Mother and daughter walked arm in arm to the bedroom, wrapped in warmth and quiet understanding.

To Be Continued...

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[POWER STONES AND REVIEWS PLS]