As Selene approached the tree where Teo lounged, her sharp gaze settled on him with a mix of irritation and impatience. Dressed in a tailored white shirt and black pants, she moved with authority, her long hair cascading in soft waves from light pink to yellow at the tips. Her vivid orange eyes narrowed slightly as she repositioned her golden glasses, catching the sunlight as she surveyed Teo’s lazy sprawl on the branch above.

Selene stopped at the base of the tree, crossing her arms as she looked up at him. “You know,” she began, her tone firm, “it wouldn’t kill you to be a bit more considerate with these dungeon clearings. Some of us actually have to deal with the aftermath.”

Teo raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, but he stayed silent.

Her gaze softened, and after a small sigh, she asked, “Did everything go okay in there?” The sharpness in her voice gave way to something almost gentle.

Teo rolled his shoulders in a casual shrug. “Handled. Same as always.”

Selene’s expression softened further. “Blunt as ever.” She hesitated, a flicker of curiosity crossing her face. "But... why did you mention your seventeenth birthday before heading in?” A realization dawned on her, and she looked at him sharply. “You awakened in there?”

“Sure did. I’m still a vampire, even if I was banished from the family.” Teo’s tone was dry, as if he were commenting on something entirely mundane.

Selene's eyes widened for a brief moment, her arms unfolding as she processed his nonchalant response. A headache seemed to start its way up her temples. "And you didn’t think to mention this to me before entering the dungeon?" She gave him a sharp, annoyed glare, then shook her head, pressing her palm to her forehead in frustration.

“Why should I mention it?” Teo shrugged carelessly. “It’s just my awakening. Every vampire goes through it on their seventeenth birthday. It’s nothing special.” He hopped off the branch and landed next to Selene, unfazed by her frustration.

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Selene exhaled sharply, her eyes narrowing. “It’s not just about the awakening, Teo. It’s about being responsible. You can’t just skip over important details like that, and your rank will need to be reevaluated.” Her voice hardened, but there was an underlying hint of exasperation. She couldn’t understand why he made everything so difficult and why he always distanced himself from the things that actually mattered.

Teo shrugged, looking completely unimpressed. “It’s just a technicality. Just give me the S-rank and be done with it. No need to involve others.” His tone suggested he wasn’t really interested in the conversation at all.

“Don’t give me that,” Selene snapped, her patience finally running thin. She stepped closer, her voice firm. “Stop acting like this, Teo. Your rank and responsibilities matter. We’ve been through this before. You’re going to the Hunter Association for your reassessment, whether you like it or not.”

Teo blinked in surprise. It had been a long time since he’d seen her this angry. He opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it. Without another word, he turned and started walking toward the black car parked a little way off.

Selene glanced at John, who was waiting nearby, and her tone softened slightly, though it still remained firm. “John, come here and drive us to the association immediately.”

John gave a nod and moved toward the car without question. Selene followed, her mind already turning toward the paperwork and the inevitable questions that would arise from this reassessment. She disliked these moments, when everything built up and had to be dealt with. But it was something that needed to be done.

As Selene slid into the car beside Teo, the silence that followed was filled with unspoken words. She could feel the tension in the air, both of them trapped in the same small space but miles apart in understanding. Teo slouched in his seat, his arms crossed, closing his eyes as if to say this situation doesn't concern me.

John, sensing the tension, kept his focus on the road ahead. The hum of the engine was the only sound breaking the silence. Selene could only sigh and took her phone out of her pocket to send messages in preparation for the assessment.

After sending all the messages and putting away her phone. Selene could only stare out the window, wondering why Teo had to act so reckless. She knows he had a tough, traumatic childhood, but she felt like she did a good job giving Teo a somewhat enjoyable childhood. But how he acts made her feel like she failed miserably.

Even though she knew he acted this way to shield and distract himself, she couldn't help but let the words. "Why do you always do this, Teo?" slip, covering her mouth in the next instant. But Teo turned his head.

"Do what?" his voice flat, filled with indifference.

"Never mind." Selene said, turning her body so she couldn't see Teo anymore.

Teo, slightly confused by her actions, just closed his eyes again, not minding it too much; he has known her for more than 10 years. If there was something, she would say it eventually.

The drive to the hunter association headquarters felt longer than usual. Selene lost herself in thought, worrying about Teo and her duties. Meanwhile, Teo was just sleeping in the car without a care in the world.

Finally, as the car rolled to a stop outside the imposing building of the hunter association, Selene broke the silence. "We're here."