Another punch is coming, but it stops midway when Jade touches Migo's shoulders.

"You can stop now, Migo," she says.

Migo looks down at her and withdraws his fist. He takes a deep breath and moves away from Renz.

"Are you sure you don't want this guy to pay?" he asks.

Jade shakes her head. "He chooses someone over me. I need to accept that there are people who will disappoint me."

I watch Renz clench his teeth especially when Migo places his arms protectively around Jade, as if proving his connection with her.

Then Jade looks up at Migo and touches his cheeks to check for any injuries. And he seems to enjoy the attention. Renz snorts and wipes the blood off his face. Annoyed that Jade's attention is on Migo rather than him who is more visibly injured.

Suddenly the door opens, and my attention goes to it. It's Rajah Sinagtala and his aide, Isagani. Is he really required to come to these meetings?

"Are all of you the newcomers?" he asks. His voice is deep and booming, and it fills the entire room.

I look at Jade, her hands are frozen at Migo's face.

"Jade?" Migo asks.

As if woken up by Migo's voice, Jade whirls around abruptly. She faces the Rajah but when the Rajah's eyes settle on her, too long for comfort, Jade looks away.

"One is missing, by the name of Cielo," I say.

However, the Rajah does not turn his attention away from her. I raise an eyebrow. So, Jade really is the one who ended the relationship? But, is she blind? This looks like a man who doesn't want their relationship to end.

Rajah Sinagtala walks closer to Jade, and upon sensing it, she steps back. Forced to speak, she says, "Thank you for allowing me access to your Collections. We are grateful."

"Jade, I—" The Rajah starts but Isagani places his hands on his shoulder, preventing him to come any closer to her. There's familiarity in the way he calls her. "Can I speak privately with you?" he asks instead.

Jade peeks at him but then shifts her attention just as fast. But who would not? The Rajah seems to be restraining himself so he will not make a move on her. Even I, as loveless as I am, can feel the tension between the two.

I turn my attention to Renz, curious about how he is taking this in. I smirk. He is confused! Huh! I feel triumphant. His gaze is going back and forth the Rajah and Jade and then to Migo and then to the Rajah again. Like me, he can sense the familiarity between the two. Serves him right! Even if, I should not be the one feeling good about this.

"I'm busy," Jade finally says but with uncertainty in her voice.

Ugh! The stupid woman! I just told her to seduce him! To ask things from him! Why is she trying to push him away when it's obvious that the Rajah wants her?

Besides, I doubt she is busy. Bagwis is lenient on the two because of their past injuries because of the challenges! There's nothing more important than her coming back to the Rajah's embrace and asking him for things! Ask him where we are, ask him everything! Damn, the stupid, stupid woman!

"Just five minutes?" the Rajah insists.

Instead of answering, Jade's attention goes to Isagani. "You came to talk about the third challenge, right?" she asks and walks towards Isagani.

However, the Rajah's hand stops her. The contact makes a huge effect on Jade and she slaps his hand away. Then she tells him, "Don't touch me."

My breathing hitches. I chill at the voice she uses against the Rajah. Damn this girl! Is that even wise?!

The Rajah let her go but I can sense his rage seeping out like a tightly bound balloon pierced by a needle. I feel hot and anxious.

Thankfully, Isagani clears his throat and announces, "Your third challenge will be to pass an examination."

Then, Isagani goes to the table and lays some books on it. "We will give you a week to study and then you'll take an exam that you will need to pass. I've asked the cleaners to send the other books later."

"What happens if we fail?" I ask.

Isagani looks at me and says, "You will know after you fail it."

I snort. Probably, whoever fails will be the first one to be culled. He doesn't need to be so secretive about it. Still, I thought I can make him spill it.

"The examination will happen in this room. And to prepare for the examination, we do not require you to report to your designated workgroups. For all of you who will pass, you will become officially a Hiraya citizen."

But only a week to study the characters then read and understand whatever is on those books? It will be easier if we already know the characters like Jade. Well, Migo and I know the basics of it because Jade taught us. But I doubt that Renz and Cielo know how to read.

Ha! I look at Jade and the Rajah. Damn this woman. She doesn't need to do more to seduce the guy. Rajah Sinagtala has already fallen for her! Shit! Why is she not using that to our advantage?! I think back on how hard their first challenge as hunters is. Then the request to defeat that huge crab. And the second challenge came but with Laki. Then this visibly easier final third challenge. This challenge, I am certain as hell, is designed so Jade will pass without a f*cking problem!

After leaving the books, both Isagani and Rajah Sinagtala leave, and Jade finally relaxes on the chair, while looking over the books that Isagani brought in.

I walk towards her and then slam the table in front of her. She jumps in surprise and scowls at me.

"You f*cking woman!"

"Words," Jade says.

"You f*cking have a chance! That Rajah is smitten with you!"

"No matter what you see in him. Those are fake, okay? He's not, well, he's not what he seems to be."

"Everyone knows that, but you--" I stop myself.

What's the best way to persuade her to use the Rajah's affection to our advantage?

"You've been at his Collections before, did you already read this?" Migo interjects.

Jade looks guilty, and I glower at Migo. Why does he keep on interrupting? What I am saying is more important to our survival!

"I haven't. I am reading some other books. Can you believe it? That library houses even fictional books! I especially like the book entitled, The Heart of Naya. And no, it's not romance, it's a legend."

Like Migo, I scowl at her. What the f*ck has she been reading?! She's wasting time!

"Shouldn't you be reading history books?" Migo asks. "Or the economy? Or perhaps, geography?"

"But I always liked legends," she reasons. "Let me finish this story and I'll start on these. I'm on the part where weird-looking creatures are about to invade Naya."

I take a deep breath. I need to compose myself before speaking. "Let me guess, that's already close to the ending?" I ask, calmer this time.

Jade looks at me and then says, "Come on Aian, stop being a tight-ass, I'm a fast reader."

My mouth opens in disbelief. "You--"

"Before you flare up on me, I'd like to tell you that I am reading about the economy of the Mainland, but I got bored with it, so I take another book to rest from all those numbers," she admits.

"Ah! So you got bored with it?" I ask, my annoyance increasing.

Jade ignores the mockery in my tone and continues, "If we are to leave this place, we need money. The economy is flourishing on the Mainland and I think we can find more clues there. It's also the strongest Kingdom. They call it the Fuhua Kingdom."

My frustration decreases. At least, she learned something beneficial. "The Mainland is only a single Kingdom?" I ask.

Jade nods. "Hiraya is just one of the small islands around it. Fuhua uses currency compared here."

"Does it mention anything about transportation?" I ask.

"It did, but no clues on how to get out of this island. No mention of boats since Fuhua is a single continent. The islands are not mentioned as much as well."

Jade stands up.

"Where are you going?"

"To the Rajah's Collections. To read more."

"Aren't you in a fight with him?"

"Well, he hasn't taken the key from me yet, so I guess I am still allowed to visit it."

After that, she leaves but somehow; I don't sense any excitement from her. She's not as thrilled as I am. Why is she being passive about her discovery? I turn to Migo to ask, but he's staring at the door as if he wants to bore a hole in it. And I think we have the same thoughts this time.