Back in the living room, Misha sat on the couch, watching him as he reappeared. She stared, clearly surprised by the change.
"Now you actually look like a person," she said, voice almost amused, "and not a bum."
"You know," Misha said, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm as she leaned back on the couch, eyes locked on him, "for a guy who looks like he kills for fun, you sure do listen. Almost like you actually like being ordered around."
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Shut up," he muttered, annoyance creeping into his voice.
She laughed softly, the corner of her mouth twitching into a teasing smile. "Oh, why would I shut up when you're the one hanging on every word, obeying my orders like some lost puppy?" Her gaze sharpened, a flicker of challenge in her eyes.
He shot her a glare but couldn't hide the hint of a smirk threatening to break through. The way she pushed his buttons was infuriating—and strangely addictive.
Oh my god, am I really into manipulative women? Adrian thought, blinking in disbelief as Misha practically dragged him out of her house.
"I'm going to work now," she said, her grip firm on his arm as she pulled him toward the door. "And if you break into my house again, I will kill you."
Adrian chuckled, a small laugh escaping his lips despite the threat. "Can't make any promises," he said, eyes glinting with mischief.
Misha shot him a sharp look, then slapped him hard on the back. "Well, try your hardest. I'm reporting what you found to the guildmaster, so don't get yourself killed by the assassins before then."
He shrugged, still smiling. "I won't die. Not till I'm at least in my nineties."
With that, they parted ways. Misha headed off to work, her stride confident and steady. Adrian stood for a moment, uncertain where to go next—maybe find an inn to crash at while the dust settled. His thoughts drifted, and with a slow breath, the memory of his past came rushing back.
After the woman kidnapped him and dragged him to her sprawling estate, the real training began.
"1, 2, 3, 4!" Adrian counted aloud, punching a tree with all the frustration he could muster. His knuckles bled, but he didn't stop. "5—ahh! Ow, you bitch!" A sharp karate chop slammed down on the top of his head.
His trainer's voice was cold and commanding. "Your form is all wrong. Use your whole weight like I taught you. Aren't you this stupid? I know you can do it—you're just trying to piss me off."
Adrian snarled, anger flaring. "Well, fuck you. I'm doing my best, so stop pestering me, asshole." Gritting his teeth, he adjusted his stance, driving more weight into his punches.
"I told you to call me Melissa," she snapped, delivering another hard chop.
"I'm not calling you by your name, you bitch," he shot back, rubbing his sore head. "And stop hitting me so much. My head hurts enough from all your yapping." His fists kept pounding the rough bark of the tree.
Melissa smirked, almost amused by his defiance. "For a kid, you've got quite the potty mouth. Who even taught you that language?" She hit him again. "Put your legs closer together. You're not here to dance—you're here to punch."
Adrian shifted his stance, glaring. "Well, I've got a potty mouth 'cause some drag queen-looking woman—if I can even call you a woman—kidnapped me ten days ago and makes me punch a log every damn day. Not to mention all the running around the estate doing laundry, cooking, chopping wood. You're just making me a servant and pretending it's training."
Melissa chuckled, her tone teasing but edged with something sharper. "You make me sound like a villain. I'm just being kind by teaching you how to fight."
"I'm gonna kill you, I swear," Adrian growled through gritted teeth, the frustration fueling every punch he threw. His knuckles tore into the tree bark, which started to crack and flake away under his relentless blows.
Melissa chuckled darkly, a spark of approval lighting her eyes. "Good, good. Keep that promise." She delivered a sharp karate chop to his back, laughing a little more freely this time.
Before Adrian could catch his breath, a servant appeared, bowing respectfully. "Mistress, a message came for you." The servant handed Melissa a folded letter.
"Oh, a letter," Melissa said with a sly grin. Without warning, she kicked Adrian down onto his hands and knees, then casually settled onto his back.
"Ow! Fuck, get off me, you bitch!" Adrian hissed, struggling to hold himself up under her weight. "You're heavy, you fatso!" The insults tumbled out, sharp and fast.
Melissa slapped him sharply across the cheek. "Shut it," she said, teasing but firm.
Adrian fell silent, the sting lingering as he focused all his strength on keeping her from crushing him.
Melissa unfolded the letter and scanned its contents quickly. Adrian's breath slowed as she read aloud.
"Hmm… a wraith?" she murmured, intrigued.
"Ohhh, this is good," she said suddenly, her voice bright with excitement.
"Adrian, this could be perfect training for you," she said, eyes gleaming. "Don't you think? A real fight where you have to channel your mana. Since you're so terrible at learning it the normal way…" She grinned wickedly. "You're going to be fighting wraiths, and unless you can channel your mana, you're gonna dieeeee." Her tone was playful, almost gleeful, as she stood up.
Adrian pushed himself up, anger flashing in his eyes. He swung a punch at her jaw, but Melissa blocked it effortlessly and shoved him back against the tree.
"Hmmm… it's pretty close by," she mused, looking down at him with a predatory smile. "So I'm taking you with me."
Lost in thought, she barely noticed Adrian launching another desperate attack. He swung wildly, but she blocked every strike with ease, steadily pushing him back while her mind stayed elsewhere.
"Okay, we leave tomorrow," Melissa said, folding the letter carefully before handing it back to the servant, who bowed and slipped away silently.
She turned to Adrian with a sharp gleam in her eyes. "Alright, time for your run. Let's find you something heavy to carry."
Adrian smirked, unable to resist the jab. "I might as well carry you since you're heavier than a cow."
Melissa's eyes flashed with mock offense—and then, with surprising agility, she leapt onto his back. Her hands curled tightly around his neck while her legs locked around his waist like a vice.
Adrian's breath hitched. He staggered, trying to find balance. "I was joking! Get off—ahh, you're heavy," he muttered through gritted teeth.
"Nope," Melissa said firmly, voice amused but unyielding. "Now start running."
"Ahh, fuck," Adrian groaned, muscles protesting as he struggled to move forward. His steps were slow and labored at first, every step a battle to keep her weight from dragging him down.