When Yibo started training Zhan, he quickly realized that Zhan definitely had the basic skills and could apply them. Only here and there he improved the position or the way Zhan held his chosen weapon. But Yibo also noticed that Zhan was only half-hearted in his training in the simulator.

So Yibo decided to pick up a weapon himself and attack Zhan abruptly. Zhan was not prepared for this and lost not only his weapon but also his balance. But Yibo did not stop because of that. He kept Zhan training and kept attacking him when Zhan least expected it.

"Your attacks are good. But your defense is practically nonexistent. Of my 10 attacks on you so far, you've only been able to fend off one, and that's only because you tripped over your own feet. The simulation program is good, but it's ineffective for you. For one thing, you already know the simulations, and for another, there are no surprises there. Therefore, now we will fight man against man!" Yibo shouted.

"What, you want me to fight you?" Asked Zhan nervously.

"Yeah right. And if you don't give 100%, then I'll get mad and make you train all day. Then you won't be able to visit your animals today. And not tomorrow either!"

"But that's mean! You're much more experienced than me!"

"Zhan, you're 176 years older than me, who do you think is more experienced?"

"Hmph, you know what I mean. Also, it's totally uncool for you to tell me how much older I am than you. You've learned how to fight. Your movements look so natural and smooth. I look like a stiff dork."

"It's not about how you look when you fight. It's how well you can fight."

"Yeah, I know. But still."

"Zhan, if you really try hard now and stop whining, as a reward I'll tell you what super ridiculous alias my assassin training academy had."

"Mhhh, that sounds tempting. But, is it really ridiculous?"

"Oh yeah."

"How ridiculous? On a scale of 1 - 10, how ridiculous is the alias?"

"I'd give that alias an even 10. It doesn't get much more embarrassing than that."

"Well, if that's the case, I'm dying to know it."

"Then make an effort now. I know you're better than that. So show me!" Demanded Yibo. Zhan nodded and took his sword back in his hand.

No matter how many times the blades of their swords clashed, Yibo couldn't shake the feeling that Zhan was holding back a lot. He saw that Zhan had a good technique, but he did not use it. Zhan also does not seem to take advantage of his speed in Yibo's eyes. And the blows with the sword also seem cautious to Yibo.

Yibo stopped training and asked Zhan, "What's wrong? Why are you holding back so much?"

"I'll be honest. As a vampire, even though I am weak, I still have more strength than a human. I'm faster than you. And I'm afraid if I don't reduce my strength and speed, I might hurt you."

"Zhan, have you forgotten who I am? I'm not just any human. I'm an assassin and I've trained hard my whole life. I don't want to sound arrogant or like I'm overestimating my own abilities. But, I can say in good conscience that all the hard training, my training as an assassin, makes me a person who is better than most people. My strength, stamina, reaction and littleness are more than good. Also, don't forget that I want to learn how to kill a vampire. So you have to show me how vampires fight! But you can't do that if you make yourself weaker than you really are! So make an effort. And if you really get a hit, I will not only tell you the embarrassing alias of my academy. But on top of that, I'll also invite you to the cinema in my world."

"Hehehehe, you want to go to the cinema with me?"

Yibo stared at Zhan with wide eyes, for the latter's aura had suddenly changed completely. Was the cinema the stimulus Zhan ultimately needed to get serious? "Well then, let's see what you've got old man." Yibo finally said to provoke Zhan a little more.

"Old man?"

"Yes. After all, you are and always will be 176 years older than me. That's ancient!"

"Pah, no matter how handsome you are and how much I like you. I have to punish you for that statement."

"Hahaha, let's see that first. Such a scaredy-cat like you, never really dares to fight me."

"Oh yeah, well take a good look!" Shouted Zhan. In the next moment, Zhan seemed to have disappeared and suddenly appeared behind Yibo. Yibo, however, was quick enough to dodge. With a quick turn, Yibo dodged and the sword blades of the two clashed.

As the blades clashed, Yibo could feel a great force. Even two or three seconds after the blow, Yibo could feel the vibration in his sword and in his hand. Yet, that was still not the full force of Zhan.

The two faced each other and pointed their swords at each other. Jumping, dodging, slashing and doing it all over again. Their fight was fierce and both were relentless. This is how Yibo had imagined it. Finally he had lured Zhan out of his reserve. And finally he had an opponent who could not be defeated so quickly.

But that was still not enough. Zhan could do more, Yibo felt that very clearly. And then, after more than 20 minutes, Yibo finally had him ready. Zhan's true power was revealed when the beast inside him awoke. From then on, Yibo was no longer fighting against the good-natured Zhan. But against a monster with red eyes, fangs and claws. Claws he didn't even had when Zhan woke up with a thirst for blood.

The dark creature before him, this strong vampire Zhan, grinned and licked his fangs. This sight gave even the confident Yibo goosebumps.

"If you want to defeat Zhan at this stage, then you should use everything this room has to offer. What can't vampires handle? Think Yibo." Shouted Xiao Liang, who together with his wife had probably already been watching the two of them unnoticed.

Yibo thought for a moment and then it occurred to him. Light! Vampires can't handle that. He grabbed a second freshly polished sword and used the blade to catch the light and blind Zhan with it.

Zhan blinked and could no longer look directly at Yibo. Yibo saw his chance. He charged forward. But Zhan had seen through the trick and dodged with ease. "Come on Assassin, is that all you have to offer?" Asked the gloomy vampire. Then Zhan lunged again with his sword and Yibo who was still in his movement could only just turn to the side.

But the vampire had foreseen this and immediately struck again with the sword. Yibo froze for a second as he felt a short but sharp pain on his upper arm. Zhan really got him! But the fight did not end there. It seemed that Zhan had lost control of himself. Had Yibo gone too far? Had he drawn the beast in Zhan out of himself too much?

Yibo searched for a new strategy. Something he could use to defeat Zhan after all. But what was suitable to stop a vampire gone wild? And just now, when Yibo was bleeding at the upper arm and the vampire could smell the blood, he had to think of something even more urgently.

"Sometimes it's not the weapons that bring victory!" Shouted Zhan's mother.

Not the weapons? Are you telling me to fight Zhan with fists? Yibo asked himself. No, I guess I wouldn't get anywhere with that on Zhan. Now I understand what his parents meant when they said he was anything but weak. Zhan is strong, fast and his attacks come unexpectedly and quickly. I have to calm him down in another way.

As Zhan rushed at him again, Yibo struck Zhan's sword with all his might. The blow was so violent that the sword fell out of Zhan's hand. Yibo dropped his sword, rushed forward to Zhan and wrapped both arms around him. "You did well ZhanZhan." He whispered in the wriggling vampire's ear.

He held Zhan as tightly as he could. And after three or four seconds, Zhan stopped resisting the hug and slumped in Yibo's arms. They were both exhausted and fell to the floor. Yibo was still holding Zhan in his arms. He was breathing heavily, he was completely exhausted and even hurt. But he was smiling. "You did so great my ZhanZhan. I'm proud of you." He said.

"So what's your academy's embarrassing alias now?" Asked Zhan, whose eyes were still red. His fangs were also still there. But the claws became normal fingernails again.

"The name is "Susi Sunshine." And because it's called that, everyone thinks it's either only for girls, or that there are only mentally and physically handicapped people there."

"Susi Sunshine. Mhm, that sounds really ridiculous."

"So, do you know which movie I should invite you to?"

"Oh, never mind. You don't have to. I'm going to have a drink first. Let my dad take care of your wound. The smell of your sweet blood is almost unbearable for me." Replied Zhan. He stood up and left the training room.

"Why isn't Zhan the same as before? He seems so changed." Said Yibo as Zhan's father came to him and looked at his wound.

"Because this is still the transformed Zhan. Pure Zhan is loving, naughty and playful. But the transformed Zhan is more like you. Strong and unyielding." Explained Xiao Liang.

"But then why didn't he continue to fight?"

"Because he knows that Pure Zhan likes you very much and doesn't want anything to happen to you. But don't be fooled by our pure Zhan. Even if he's not transformed, he can be very tough."

"I understand." Replied Yibo.

A quarter of an hour later, Zhan came back to the training room. He squatted in front of Yibo and handed him a bottle of water. Still having his red eyes, Zhan asked Yibo, "Now that you know this side of me. Are you afraid of me then?"

Yibo thought for a moment and shook his head. "No. Transformed or not, you remain my Zhan to me, whom I like."

"Really? Why?"

"Well, I just like both sides of you. It was fun to compete with you. Now I know that if I want to protect you and kill a vampire, I have to try harder. It helps show me where and how I need to improve."

"Mmm, I guess you're right about that. But you know, while I'm still like this, let me tell you something. If it really comes to an attack, let's fight together! I'll show you how to kill a vampire. And you will show my cuddly self how to defend himself."

"Your cuddly self?"

"Don't you think the other me is cuddly?"

"Mhhh, I kind of do."

"Good, so do you and I have a deal?"

"Sure!" Replied Yibo. They reached out their hands to each other and smiled.

As Zhan's eyes returned to normal in response, Zhan slumped. Yibo caught him and held him close. He looked at Zhan's father who looked worriedly at Zhan. "Don't worry, he's just exhausted. I'll take care of him. You guys must be getting ready to leave, right?" He said.

"All right Yibo. We'll leave our son in your hands with confidence. Take good care of him. And don't forget to have some fun while we're gone, too. Fighting is not everything." Xiao Liang replied. Then he and his wife waved to Yibo and the two left.

Yibo still held Zhan in his arms and put his cheek on Zhan's cheek. "I really like your cuddly self and that's why I keep my promises. I'll invite you to the cinema! And I promise we'll fight side by side!" Whispered Yibo. Then he carefully put a mat on the floor for Zhan and lay down next to him.

Yibo lay down on his side and put his arm on Zhan. He looked at the sleeping Zhan and inside him he felt an incredible tingling sensation. But before he could ask himself what it meant, he fell asleep.

A/N: How do you like the story so far? Are you happy with the process they are making?