The training progresses better than Lì had predicted. Despite an initial adjustment period during which both Rei and Kahn didn't seem overly thrilled to be there—especially the muscular one on the verge of nausea—they both showcased their abilities, standing out in the earthy field among the other minor demons, who follow them with enchanted eyes until their own moment of sparring.

The leader observes the training without much ceremony, seldom intervening to correct subordinates' posture. Still, every time Kahn is quick to take his place, it definitely earns him the role of teacher. The fubai watches him with an ironic smile on her lips, looking at him, wielding a spear. It’s all another show; that weapon really seems made for Kahn. His muscular arms manage to handle the weight, executing a remarkably broad range of attacks that leave the demon visibly satisfied.

Amid occasional injuries, Kahn's laughter reverberates across the field when his amber eyes suddenly widen at the sight of an approaching pink silhouette. A determined smile graces his lips as he plunges into a deadly frenzy of movements, earning curious looks and expressions of admiration.

Meanwhile, Wu stares at someone else. Her green eyes narrow into small slits on Rei, capturing A-Yin's attention. He snaps his tongue and walks away from the field, closely followed by the purple-haired demon. The two make their way toward one of the closed rooms near the training ground.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

Wu crosses her arms over her chest, avoiding direct eye contact, so A-Yin, undeterred, takes her by the shoulders, gently shaking her to capture her attention. “Can you tell me what's wrong?”

“I don’t like this situation.”

“Be more specific.”

Her body lies in his grip, which softens condescendingly. With a harsh but calm voice, the leader comments, “There is nothing different from other times; new people arrive, and it takes some time for them to acclimate. You’re the one who told me.”

“I feel like she is dangerous. I don’t trust her.”

A-Yin shrugs and says, “Neither do I. That’s why we’re monitoring her movements, isn’t it?”

Wu sighs and murmurs consent, not too convinced but reluctant to oppose him.

“Well, go back to doing what you were doing, and don’t worry too much.” He kisses her on the forehead and just ruffles the tufts that caress her eyebrows. “Trust me.”

The purple-haired demon smiles shyly and then leaves him to his thoughts.

His dark metal scales emit a subtle TAC as his nails pass by, scratching his chin. I don’t understand. Actually, something is blocking me. This time, he also feels that something is off. Is Rei really dangerous? It might just be Wu's impression since she doesn't seem to like her, but he also feels a slight restlessness. Nothing terrible, though.

He turns toward the open door, and his icy gaze glides over the window that opens to the outside, reflecting his figure. An amused smile graces his tanned face as the demon strides towards the glass. It's been a while since he pondered on it. Raji would have known exactly what to say in a situation like this. Gazing at his reflection in the window, he places his hands on the edges, aligning them with his reflected shoulders.

“You ask me why I allow her to roam the shelter as if nothing happened?" His smile widens, framed by the black scales. Rei is a descendant of heroes; after all, he understands how Wu feels. He shrugs and replies, “It is because she surely has a secret, too intriguing to be disposed of so hastily."

As if his reflex responds to him, he says, “After the last 800 years, I’ve never felt this kind of curiosity for someone. It’s completely normal.”

He shakes his head, and his hand searches in the shirt for a cigar, finding a couple of them inside the inner pocket. “Yet I am slowing myself in reaching my goal, and for what?”

The reflex reciprocates the intense look as he lights the cigar up, pulls an aromatic breath, and then comments, “A pretty face and a rockin’ body, that’s what I think. But I know there’s more.”

A-Yin nods thoughtfully to himself. “I should somehow convince her to be marked with my own blood, like the others, so that I can control her more easily.”

Wu’s words didn’t tell him anything he didn’t already know or think for himself. Yet they were a simple push to make him decide. “Her rasuah is weird. I need more time to figure it out.”

After a short pause, he goes out, smoking with a calm grin on his lips. Yeah, that’s what confuses me. Rei is just a mystery I want to unravel. 

With a slow stride, he makes his way back to the training ground, his icy blue eyes once again fixated on her graceful figure. There are numerous targets to reclaim before unlocking the gates, and she will be the final one. The fubai skillfully evades an attack aimed at her head, countering with a precisely placed kick to the belly that sends her opponent sprawling to the ground. She then laughs before assisting him back up. 

That’s if she doesn’t make some strange joke first. Otherwise, I won’t beat around the bush too much.