After their training, Ilaya headed back to her room as she walked like a newborn fawn. The pain in her whole body is starting to show itself! She felt that every step was causing a massive pain in her thighs
Ilaya used the wall to support herself as she headed towards her wardrobe to get some clothes. She plans of taking a bath because she felt really uncomfortable from the sweat, itchiness, and to cool off her body
As she rummaged at her wardrobe. She saw some clothes that's fit to wear at home so she chose them. Then, she entered the bathroom as she walked slowly. Then, she undressed while groaning in pain.
She walked to the shower as she twisted the switch to make the water cold. The cold water falls into her and she couldn't help but shivered as she let out a sound
"Brrrr!"
'So cold!'
Ilaya looked at her body as she felt that the cold water was numbing her entire body. She felt relieved. Then, she sat on the floor as she thought
'Is it just me? Or is my body getting better? The pain is slowly vanishing'
As she thought of that, she gasp
"Is my recovery speed healing my tired body? If that's the case, then my body is really suited for training. I'll heal fast and can do more intense training. Through that, I can get stronger super fast"
Ilaya suddenly grimaced as she said
"But the pain is going to be hellish. Sigh… and Kyora also said that she's going to return here later…"
She then froze as Ilaya realized something. Then, she thought nervously
'Did… Kyora knows that I can recover quickly like her? No, she knows! If that's the case, then she's going to subject me to a truly terrifying level of training!'
Ilaya held her head as she screamed
"Ahhh!! I'm so dead!"
She suddenly wished that Ivana didn't come here later. Then, she thought of a plan
'Maybe I can go towards the restaurant for the time being? But, that's just avoiding the situation. And I'm sure that Kyora will drag me back here. And Nicole will probably not allow me to leave'
She sighed as she resigned to her fate. She was sure that Ivana kept some people to monitor her. And, she's kind of looking forward to hurting Ivana in their training even if it's just a scratch
"Of course, Kyora will absolutely pound my flesh to bits and crack some of my bones"
As she said that, she suddenly became anxious and terrified. She decided to quickly finished her bath as she wanted to rest for a bit before her suffering began
After about 10 minutes, she goes out of the bathroom fully refreshed and recovered. Then, she walked towards the bedroom as she watched TV shows to cope with the boredom. As she rests, a knock sounded at her door and soon, Nicole's voice called to her
"Ilaya. I brought you some food! I know that you can't move right now so I took the job of preparing and delivering your meal! Can I enter?"
As Ilaya heard that, she suddenly wish to apologize to her
'I'm sorry. I'm fully recovered now. But I can't say that to her. She'll become suspicious'
She replied to Nicole as she planned to act like she's still hurting all over
"Come in. Sorry I can't move very much right now"
The door opened and Nicole who similarly cleaned herself entered while holding a tray of food for her. Then, she closed the door with her foot as she said to Ilaya
"That's normal. The start is often the hardest when training your body. But you will get used to it pretty soon! Here, eat your breakfast"
Nicole put the tray to the table as she sat in the chair. Clearly, not intending to leave yet. Ilaya channeled her acting skill as she walked unsteadily towards the table. For some reason, she really felt embarrassed by her actions
She reached that table and sat on her chair as she started to eat her food by forcefully trembling her arm. Then, she heard Nicole said to her as she watched Ilaya eat
"How's your body feeling? Can you complete your training in the afternoon?"
Ilaya nodded to her as her mouth was filled with food, causing her cheek to become like a squirrel. As she swallowed her food. She said to Nicole
"Yes, I can continue. The pain is not that much painful now that I have taken a bath. By the way, have you eaten already?"
Nicole nodded at her and said in a cheerful tone
"That's amazing! If you keep that attitude, it will not take long for you to become stronger! Also, I have eaten already!"
Before Ilaya can said something, she heard about Nicole said something that bothered her
"I kind of got excited earlier and made you run five kilometers. I should've started slowly so as not to overworked your body. I plan to reduce your exercises, but it seems that I'm just overthinking it! Hahaha!"
Ilaya froze for a moment as she suddenly became regretful
'I should have said that the pain is killing me!'
Ilaya sighed as she continued eating her breakfast. Then, she asked Nicole
"Nicole. Is the boss going to arrive here later?"
Nicole then looked at her as she teased
"Shouldn't your question is; when will the boss arrive here? But, I heard that she's still busy preparing our men for the upcoming fight. There's no doubt that it's going to be a battle of attrition. Small scale fight will emerge from all over the city"
Nicole thought for a bit before saying
"Yup! Maybe she'll arrive at night. It's not easy to coordinate with everything that's needed to be done"
As Ilaya heard that, she became relieved that Ivana was going to be late, and sad about the inevitable fight. Then, she asked Nicole
"Nicole… Can I go somewhere right now? I'll be back before 4 pm for my training"
Ilaya really missed Mars and the owner. She wanted to at least see them before her training truly started in the earnest. And also warn them about the fight that will happen. Then, she expectantly and nervously waited for Nicole's reply
She was prepared to sneak out if she refused her request. But, her sneaking operation ended as Nicole readily agreed
"Sure! You need to have some fun too as to motivate you! I'll convince the manager to let you go!"
Ilaya felt happy and became fidgety. She started to think what gift she could give to them after so long. As she thought about the gift, she became sad as she looked at her bracelets on her wrist. She already cleaned them now and removed her and the serial killer bloodstains from it
'But, it's kind of morbid to give these to them'
As her expression became complicated, Nicole said to her
"You're making a funny face right now. A penny for your thoughts"
Ilaya hesitated a bit before sharing her concerns. As Nicole heard that, she realized something as she exclaimed
"Ahh! Right! You're the one that the serial killer captured! No wonder"
Ilaya nodded gloomily and didn't answer. She's still having that nightmare in the dark forest about what she had become. That dream always ended with her monster self trying to kill her. Then, Nicole said to her
"Then you can change your gift! Just buy something you like and give it to them!"
Ilaya hesitantly said
"But… I love these bracelets and I always wanted to give to them"
'These bracelets are with me through my darkest hours. I can say figuratively that my soul is connected to these bracelets. And I want them to have a piece of my soul for loving and caring for me'
Then, Nicole became annoyed as she shouted
"Then just give it to them! Why are you making things complicated!?"
Ilaya became embarrassed as she nodded
"Okay"
Then, she looked at her food. Losing her appetite as she became nervous about their reunion