Hellbound Heart

Elle did not even have the chance to ponder about Alexander's latest statement because of Lilith and Alicia's arrival to the scene.

"I think that the princess is a little too pressured. Why don't we make her training a little bit more fun?" Lilith said, causing everyone to look at her questioningly. Everyone was piqued by her suggestion and wanted to know what fun training she was talking about.

"She had suggested a hunting game. But it would be with maybe a few of us involved as her target." Alicia was the one who answered. "Experience is always the best teacher as they say... so since she does not have the luxury to train normally due to lack of time, I agree with Lilith's suggestion. We should simulate her training to be, as best as possible, the closest to reality as it can get."

Somehow, Elle was starting to feel a little nervous after hearing the suggestion that Lilith and Alicia had suggested and agreed upon. She felt nervous because everyone's actions right now were telling her that things seemed to be getting really serious... and fast. They were obviously trying to rush her to learn as fast as possible. And she did not even know why... Was the situation with Elijah getting worse? Were they keeping something from her? Thinking about it, she decided to bite the bullet and just directly ask about it.

"Is there... a serious problem going on that I know nothing about?" Elle could no longer stop herself from asking. All these while, she had already had a feeling that there were certain things that she seemed not to be privy to. "Everyone seemed... suddenly in a rush..."

They looked at her, not saying anything. She waited but still no one spoke until Alexander cleared his throat and finally responded to her. "Don't worry. If you're worried about what's happening outside the Black Forest or with matters on Sebastian, everything's fine as of now. Elijah still has yet to make any moves actually. But that is the reason why we are trying to utilize any time of peace that you have right now. Something could happen any time now, and by then, you won't have the luxury to train anymore. Thus, what Lilith and Alicia said is really relevant."

What he said was understandable. If something did happen... there was no way she could still focus especially if Sebastian was being forced into a dangerous situation. Though she felt as though there seemed to be more to this, Elle decided to brush that feeling off and put it aside for now. She'll bring the issue again after this because right now, she knew she had to focus and grab this opportunity. If this truly was the fastest way for her to learn then... she needed to do it now.

"Lilith's suggestion is a hunting game, right?" Alexander asked.

"Yes." Lilith nodded then she looked at Elle before giving short and clear instructions. "You alone against a number of witches. Hunt them down and shoot at them with this gun."

The gun that Lilith handed to Elle was one that had a silencer equipped on it.

"The reason we chose the witches is because we know you are definitely scared to really shoot at anyone. We understand how you feel. But as long as you have that fear, you won't be able to move past it and get better." As Lilith explained, a witch appeared. It was a woman with dark hair and almost ashen skin.

Without any preamble, Lilith shot at her, shocking Elle. There had been no warning, no hints, not even a slightest indication that Lilith would react in such a way.

And what she saw next had her eyes widening in shock once again. The witch had exploded into bats as soon as the bullet hit her and then came together once again.

"The bullets you shoot are not capable of killing them. It won't even make them bleed a little." Lilith continued. "You'll only find out that you manage to shoot if they explode into bats. So, if one does explode, it means that you have successfully shot at them... If you pass this challenge, we'll move on to the real deal. Which is going to be some of us you will hunt next."

Elle secretly swallowed. Her heartbeat raced but not out of pure nervousness. She could feel the thrill mixed in there too.

"Will you be able to handle this, Princess Elle?" Alexander asked, looking straight into her eyes, wanting to determine how she was taking it. That challenging look was there in his eyes again. And that only caused the determination to flare up even more within her.

Sweeping her gaze over everyone, Elle realized that she was surrounded by extremely powerful people - powerful not just in positions that they hold, but also in real and natural powers that they hold within themselves. Not just figuratively but physically as well. Everyone was either non-human and supernatural, while she... was just a human. But for the first time in her life, she felt like she was starting to feel something different. She felt like this was the beginning of something she knew nothing about yet.

Maybe with this... she could be one day closer to them. If not, at least she could be somewhat useful. And she would no longer feel like she did not belong in these powerful people's company. No, she would do her best to strengthen and grow herself to be deserving of all these amazing people's support and the chance is being placed before her right now. She would do this. There was no way she would let this opportunity slip through her fingers.

"I will do it!" Elle declared with so much fighting spirit, her eyes sparkling as though silvery flames were burning behind those blue irises.

"Good." Alexander said and nodded decisively as everyone smiled proudly at her. "Then let the game commence. We will be waiting here patiently for our turn to be hunted by you."

"I will do my best!" Elle exclaimed and with that, Caelian and Lilith began their coaching as Alexander, Abigail and Alicia gathered the witches who will be participating in this exercise and had discussed some secret matters with them.