Back to Cassandra and Liria, in her Liria's garden...

"Again," Liria instructed. Cassandra complied, feeling her anger slowly dissipate. "There. Now, what don't you understand about your training?"

Cassandra opened her eyes, her tone now calmer compared to the shaky tone from before. "It's... I still don't understand what you all are trying to teach me." She raised her hands in surrender. "I just want to UNDERSTAND! Why is Cullin treating me like a punching bag? Why does Marie give me a concert while her minions attack me? Why does Atreus make me run for miles and lift weights? What does that have to do with magic?!"

Liria chuckled at her tangent, almost snorting as Cassandra continued. Cassandra noticed and stopped, blushing slightly.

"W-what..?" Cassandra asked, confused by the reaction. Liria laughed a little more before clearing her throat and regaining her composure.

"It's just funny. My apologies, I couldn't help myself." She wiped a tear from her eye and then looked at Cassandra. "Let me help you understand, but knowing the answer won't necessarily make their training any easier. Understood?"

"YES! Please, I need your help!" Cassandra clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture, almost like a follower praying to their god or deity. Liria chuckled again.

"Alright, let's start with Cullin. Tell me about his training."

Cassandra thought about it. His training mainly consisted of dodging his wires. It felt like fighting against multiple people, and every time she thought she had the upper hand, Cullin would put her in her place, tangling her in his wires. She relayed this to Liria.

"I see. The answer is clear. Just think," Liria said. Cassandra, still not understanding, was dumbfounded.

She thought hard-was it the wires? His magic? His condescending tone? She couldn't help but find that last question funny.

"I'm sorry, I still don't get it," Cassandra admitted, giving up. Liria smiled and said, "Okay, let me give you an example."

Liria thought for a moment. "What if you were surrounded by Hunters?"

Cassandra raised an eyebrow. "What does that have to do with-?"

"Humor me... what would you do in that situation?" Liria interrupted.

Cassandra thought for a moment. The basic answer was "fight," but she felt that would be wrong. Still, she couldn't think of anything else.

"Fight?" she replied uncertainly.

"I guess you could do that, but handling so many Hunters can be overwhelming-especially for a baby witch like you," Liria teased.

Cassandra pondered again. "Run away?"

"You could also do that, but without a clear escape route, it could be difficult..."

Cassandra thought on what Liria said. Both options were possible, but something was missing. She thought about her many training sessions with Cullin, always ending the same way-with her losing. Then, she realized something.

"Is it because of planning?" Cassandra guessed. Liria smiled and nodded.

"As you told me about your sessions with Cullin, you'd immediately act without thinking ahead, causing you to lose repeatedly." Liria's tone was that of a teacher speaking to a student. "Cullin is very calculated. He's always several steps ahead, prepared for any situation. As a witch, you need to understand that things can always turn for the worst. Now, about fighting and fleeing..."

Liria continued. "Fighting isn't the issue. Knowing your limits is what matters. If you fight an enemy stronger than you, you're committing suicide. As for fleeing, you need to wait for the right moment and plan your escape carefully."

"So... I should run away from Cullin?" Cassandra understood her point but was still confused about what to do against him.

Liria shook her head. "No, my dear. You need to think of a way to gain the upper hand. By now, he's probably expecting the same moves from you, so do something unexpected. That's how you'll beat him."

Cassandra nodded in understanding.

"But remember, having the upper hand doesn't mean you can let your guard down. Plan well and act accordingly," Liria emphasized.

Cassandra nodded, then Liria asked, "What about Marie and Atreus? Both offer different types of training. What are they?"

Cassandra thought for a moment.

Marie, known as The Siren, was the ninth coven leader. Her attitude toward Cassandra was always condescending, as though she were talking to an idiot. As for training, Marie would always begin by singing-her voice was beautiful, but it distracted Cassandra when she fought against Marie's two lieutenants, Bill and Hill. Both were skilled fighters, their movements perfectly in sync with the music, making them a terrifying duo.

Atreus, known as The Great White, was the sixth coven leader. A man of few words, he was intimidating, being half-shark and half-man. The first time they met, he had commented on Cassandra's physique with a single word: "Skinny." From then on, their training consisted solely of exercise.

Cassandra snapped out of her thoughts and told Liria about her confusion regarding their training.

"You've already told me the answer without realizing it. Think carefully," Liria said with a chuckle.

Cassandra thought about it again, but her frustration showed. Liria noticed her struggling and decided to intervene.

"Why are you paying attention to Marie while fighting?" Liria asked, pulling Cassandra from her spiraling thoughts.

"She's loud when she sings," Cassandra replied bitterly.

"No, my dear. I mean, why are you focusing on her instead of her lieutenants during the fight?" Liria asked, as if stating the obvious.

Cassandra smacked her forehead as the realization hit her.

"I was losing focus."

Liria nodded. "Exactly. One of the reasons witches die is because they lose focus or hesitate. Pay attention to your actual enemies-the twins. Now, as for Atreus..." Liria stood up and extended her hand to help Cassandra to her feet. Cassandra took it and stood with her.

"Why do you think he has you exercising? What does it do for you?" Liria asked, her eyes on Cassandra.

"Helps me get stronger and stay healthy?" Cassandra answered, unsure but giving it a shot. Liria smiled widely.

"That's right. It's vital for us witches to take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. Our health is key to making our magic work. As they say, the body is a temple."

Cassandra nodded, thinking carefully.

"You have your answers now. It's time to use that knowledge wisely. Understood?"

Cassandra's eyes filled with determination. "Yes, understood."

With that, she left the garden and exited Liria's laboratory. Liria chuckled to herself, finding Cassandra's burst of energy adorable.

Cassandra, now filled with determination, walked through the castle's long hallways, thinking of how to face her challenges. Her thoughts led her to a door marked with the number 8-Cullin's faction.

She knocked on the door, and it was soon opened by a very tall, muscular woman. She had long hair tied in a ponytail and wore a white long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, paired with black dress pants accented with red. This was Alexandrite, one of the three lieutenants in Cullin's faction. The woman looked down at Cassandra, her gaze sharp and assessing.

"I need your help, Alexandrite!" Cassandra's voice carried both urgency and determination.

Alexandrite took a moment to analyze her before responding.

"All right, come in."