Silver wolf put Aselia through rigorous training sessions. Spending months without training had impacted her to a certain level, her stamina was a bit lower than before. Her sickness and emotional turmoil had taken a toll on her mind and body and it showed in her training.

"You have become soft and weak, that’s not what a hunter should be like," Silver Wolf taunted as he flipped her on her a*s for the umpteenth time. Although he knew she was still top-notch and only he was able to flatten her to the ground for he had trained the girl for so many years.

Aselia scowled at his words but said nothing. "Get up," he ordered and she jumped to her feet.

"50 push-ups, now," his next command had her quickly take up the position on her hands and toes as she began to carry out the push-ups.

"Be quick, I don’t have all day. Even a granny can do faster push-ups," Aselia picked up the speed at his words, sweat dripped down her face and neck and her clothes were soaked by the time she was done. She got up panting and wanted water but Silver was scrutinizing her so she stood her ground.

"Get your blade," he pointed to the table where Aselia’s sword lay. She nodded and quickly grabbed it. Silver unsheathed his sword from his belt and they both took positions. Circling each other with intense gazes.

Aselia preferred a katana while Silver was more of a sabre kind of a guy. While Aselia was agile on her feet, Silver had the strength to his advantage. Swords clashed sending little orange sparks flying from the point of their collision. Silver tried to kick Aselia in the gut as their blades fought for dominance. But she had anticipated the move and dodged his kick with ease by rolling to her left flank. Using her sword she grazed his calf muscle as she slid past him, just a tiny knick, blood seeped out from the cut and dyed his trouser.

"Damnit," he cursed and swiftly turned to face her and she was already on her feet with a smirk. She was too good when it came down to fighting with a sword.

Silver wasted no second and thrust forward with his sword aimed at Aselia’s neck, she tilted her head just at the nick of time and brought her sword down but Silver parried successfully, throwing her back a few steps. Aselia stumbled but didn’t fall and he was on her in a split second, his sword slanting inches away from plunging into her shoulder.

"Ehhhh," she cried out and dodged yet again by bending down and kicking his leg, Silver lost balance and she elbowed him in the back sending him plummeting to the ground. Silver knew Elves were faster than humans but Aselia’s speed had always been exceptional, he had always found it difficult to dodge her attacks.

Silver grunted and cursed, while Aselia offered her hand to him. He just glared at her and scrambled to his feet on his own.

"Take a break, we will continue later," he picked up his sword and walked away. Aselia smiled to herself and placed her sword on the table, she then left the training room.

She made her way to her dingy room and grabbing a fresh pair of jeans and a t-shirt she hopped inside the bath. After getting herself cleaned up and changed into clean clothes from the sweat-infested ones, she felt relaxed.

Propping herself on the bed Aselia grabbed her phone to text Xiran. They had three hours time difference between them and she knew he would still be sleeping. So she only texted him:

[Morning Handsome, (with a kissing emoji inserted)]

She then began to read the latest news on her phone. It was all the same, political unrest, economical crisis, more deaths at the hands of vampires, etc. Her favourite football team was doing well so that made her happy, it had been a few weeks since she watched any sports.

Her phone chimed and Xiran’s text floated on top. Her heart fluttered and she clicked open and began to read:

[Hey!!!Hey!!! My beautiful girl, I am still in bed wishing you were here in my arms. (followed by five kissing emojis)]

Aselia rolled her eyes and smiled, he was always needy. She hadn’t spoken to him about what Dr. Sumeria had asked her to do. She was still formulating a reply when he sent her another text:

[Rivan is holding a Winter Gala next month, I want you to attend it with me. Can you come? Pleaseeeeeeeee.]

Aselia knew meeting him again so soon will not sit right with her fellow hunters, but she wanted to meet him, badly. She knew what she would say to Aldridge and he would let her go. She had promised her superior to set up a meeting between Anmodius, Xiran and Aldridge and this would be the right time to do it.

[I will come, tell me the date.]

She replied without overthinking. Xiran was over the moon reading her message so he texted back:

[My Leia, you got no clue how happy that makes me. Take some days off, I want you to stay with me.]

[No issues, I will try to have a few days so we can be together. You owe me that ice cream.]

Aselia’s message filled him with ease as he replied:

[We will have that ice cream and whatever you want.]

[Yes, (loved emoji inserted)] As she pressed sent there was a knock on her door.

[Xiran, I will talk to you later.] She quickly sent the text before asking:

"Who is there?"

"It’s me, Yuri. Can I come in partner?" Aselia’s face broadened with a smile as she excitedly invited him in and threw a last glance at the phone.

[Ok, remember I love you. If anything happens or if you need anything, just text me. Talk to you later. Kisses.] She smiled and put her phone away.

Yurian dejectedly walked toward her bed with his shoulders slumped. He was still in his hunter uniform, indicating he had just returned from the mission. Settling down on the only chair in the room he threw his head back before sighing.

"You alright? The tough mission?" Aselia asked emphatically.

"More like a stupid partner. She is awful, if she wasn’t a girl I would have punched her for her stupid actions. She is so slow in combat."

Yurian was used to Aselia’s speed, and although he realized others couldn’t match her when it came to combat, he had anticipated Wasp to be a bit faster. He was highly disappointed at how most of the mission he was more worried about saving her than fighting and killing the vampires they had been sent against.

"Ahh, that bad," Aselia feigned innocence.

"I had to shift, it was that bad," their eyes met and both of them burst out laughing. Yurian never had to shift with Aselia as a partner. They always had it as their inner joke that shifting meant either the threat was too dangerous or the partner wanted to rest and will do nothing.

Sometimes Aselia let him have fun by simply standing at a side and he would shift to dispose of the enemy single-handedly.

"Seems like she did everything and still did nothing," Aselia replied between guffaws of laughter and Yurian joined in with a:

"Yeah."

"Well if it’s any consolation, I got Silver Wolf as my partner and he hates me. He doesn’t even try to hide his derision from me. Seems like we are both stuck in some tough luck."

Aselia confided in Yurian, making him go ’Wow’.

"At least he won’t leave you hanging, he is so good when it comes to combat. I worship the man."

"Yes, yes. I have seen you drool over him," Aselia teased him with a nudge and he laughed.

"How is Xiran?" Yurian asked.

"He is good, he has invited me over next month and I have decided to go," Aselia told him with a sly smile.

"Excellent, it will take your mind off everything. Have fun," Yurian smiled while getting up and speaking again, "Let’s go grab something to eat. I am starving."

"I will and let’s go."

Aselia got up with him and they both headed out towards the canteen area. Entering they found several hunters sitting at a table. Seeing Yurian and Aselia one of them shouted:

"Why is the traitor here? We don’t want you here. Get lost."

Another one shouted: "Leave bit*h."

"Watch your mouth, or I will pull out your tongue," Yurian shouted back at them and they sprang from their seats.

Before a fistfight could break, Aselia grabbed Yurian by the arm and murmured: "Let it go, Yuri, it’s ok. We will get the food and eat somewhere else."

"No, you have every right to sit here as well. These cockroaches who joined yesterday dare to call you that. Not even a single one of them can defeat you in combat."

Yurian’s eyes blazed with anger.

"I don’t see anything special about her, she won’t last a few minutes in front of me," a newly hired hunter who hadn’t seen Aselia in combat but only knew about her betrayal spoke up. This made Aselia smirk and she stepped toward him before speaking:

"So you think you can beat me? Then I challenge you, if you win I will never set foot here but if I win then be ready to become my bit*h."