The second phase of our hellish training started. This time Alicia didn't hold back. She showed me her true power. I realized I was nothing compared to her, yet I was so full of myself, thinking I was better than anyone.
"Alright, now, let me show you some real magic." Alicia took a stick from the ground; very dark smoke came out from it. It swirled around, forming a big storm; lightning struck, and then thunder roared.
"What the hell," I said in amazement. "How did you do that? How could you control the skies?"
"That's not something you can learn easily, Kaila. It took me thousands of years to master that skill, but I'm teaching you about it in just a week," Alicia said.
"That's insane."
I didn't know what would happen if we faced the enemy Alicia was talking about and that boy. It would be a huge destruction, just like two gods fighting each other. I hope there would still be another way to prevent that from happening, or a lot of people would die.
"Kaila, are you okay?" Alicia asked.
"Um, yeah, I'm fine. I just had a thought."
"About what?"
"Nothing. Just forget about it."
"Okay, then, let's continue your training."
We continued the training until morning. I was so beat up, but Alicia didn't show any mercy at all. She'd immediately heal my wounds and beat me up again and again until I fell unconscious.
When I woke up, I was inside a tiny thatched hut. I didn't know why Alicia liked small houses when she could live in a condo or a mansion. I looked at her; she was stirring something in a large pot again.
I stood up and walked towards her. "Are you cooking something?" I asked.
"Not really. I'm trying to find that boy," she said. "I'm glad that you're finally awake. You've been dormant for three days already."
"Three days?" I was shocked. "How?"
"You were so beat up, and I guess your body was trying to regenerate. I knew it was a bad idea to train you so hard. The human body has its limit though; even if your mind was telling you to keep doing it, sometimes you have to honor your body's needs."
"So, did you find him?" I asked.
"Not yet. It seems like he's using some concealment skill to hide his presence," she replied.
"What shall we do now?"
"I'll use this to find your other enemies. Please be ready. I want to see the results of your training."
"Okay." I went outside the hut and looked around. There were pine trees, mountains, a river, and a bridge made of vine. The sun has just risen up high above the mountain, shining a golden glow.
After a few moments, Alicia came out and said, "Let's go. I've found your enemy. This time, we have to get there first." She used teleportation magic and brought us to a casino.
There were a lot of people inside, playing cards, billiards, and dice, and drinking. The atmosphere was tense. I saw some guys with guns in their belts. I'm sure they wouldn't hesitate to shoot if they found themselves in a tight situation.
"What are we doing here?" I asked.
"Come, I want you to get some money," Alicia said. She led me to a table where guys were playing cards.
"Oh, there's a new player," one of them said. He was smoking. He looked Chinese. "Give her a chair."
They gave me a chair, and I sat down on it. The guys were looking at me, perhaps underestimating my gambling skills. I didn't really know why I had to do this.
"Bet all your money," Alicia said.
"Why?" I asked in a whisper.
"Just follow me. I've got your back."
Then I realized what she was trying to do. It couldn't be called cheating, though, since they couldn't see her, so I bet everything I've got. The men just laughed at me. Perhaps thinking of how foolish I am.
The man started giving us cards. I waited until all my cards were given before checking and arranging them. They put all their cards down, and I put mine.
"Shit! I lost again," one of them cursed.
"Come, let's get out of here," Alicia said.
"Huh, why?' I asked.
"Just do it."
I picked up all the money on the table and followed her. I didn't know what she was doing.
"Hey, come back!" One of the men followed me.
"Get inside the restroom," Alicia said.
I continued inside the restroom, let the guy inside, and locked the door. I realized why Alicia wanted me to do this. She didn't want me to cause trouble outside because there were a lot of armed men.
"Were you trying to escape after winning?" he asked.
"No, I didn't," I said. "You made a mistake by following me here. You won't get out of here alive."
"Are you trying to scare me? You don't know who you're dealing with, little girl." He pulled a small knife from the pocket of his jacket and attacked me. He tried to stab me, but I dodged and snatched the knife from him.
I kicked his face. His head bumped against the mirror down the sink. He bled, but I didn't stop. I stabbed his stomach. He screamed in pain. I covered his mouth with my palm until he stopped struggling.
"Is he dead?" Alicia asked.
I checked his pulse and felt his heart still beating, so I gave him one more strike. I heard his spine cracked. Did I do it so strongly? He bent to the floor, lifeless.
Alicia opened the small bottle and took something that resembled a smoke from the man's mouth. That was probably his soul. "Let's get out of here before they can find this out," she said.
I opened the door and got outside. I made my way through the crowd. The man's playmates were still there. "Hey, have you seen James?" one of them asked. He must be referring to the dead man.
I nodded. "He's in the restroom."
Just when I said the word restroom, I heard a woman scream. She had probably seen the corpse already, so I immediately left the place.