Monster Hunter Story (Heartless to Compasionate)

Mission

It's been a month after their first encounter with Ariel. Sometimes, things never changes. The cadets are practicing their moves and some of them are just resting on the bench, examining their fellow friends tactics and fighting styles. The group separates themselves to different training grounds. Hikari is practicing with some bald headed guy, Arithia with Sora, Lolita and a chevalier girl, Hiyama fights Aiwa while Ray is fighting with one of the Admin of Delta Force himself, Calem.

Earlier, General Calem came to Astera to check on the young teen. Of course, he came to onlt give him a little talk and a smack to the head for not taking his mission seriously. Ray was dumbfounded by Calem's action but didn't care nonetheless. He was confused by Calem's reaction the moment he looks at Ariel. He could feel a dark aura surrounding the commander and he would never forget what he said to him that day.

"You FOOL! What are you thinking!? Taking care of a kid. You're a soldier Asaki. You are bornt  to become an assassin. A heartless fighter that only cares for blood. I won't accept any kind of actions you're doing later on you low class soldier!" Calem hissed at the now Ray laying on the ground with Calem stomping his head with his feet.

Back to the training.

"Neon Shield!" Ray summoned an energy shield on his device blocking Calem's bullet here ant there. He stopped and pulled out his blade and threw it beside the general. Calem smirked as he threw a light grenade. Ray quickly appeared from behind by replacing himself with the blade. he extends his sword from the device and managed scar his right shoulder, thus ending the fight with Ray winning the training.

He slid back his sword to its place and grabbed back the knife he threw. He walked to Calem and picked him up. Suddenly, one of the assistant came to them to give the training status report. 

"That was impressive. From my data, Ray had shown to be using less stamina and power, meaning that he could become really sustainable when a new mission going to be on. I wonder what changed you?" the female assistant puts her finger on her chin a thinking way. Ray just shrugged.

"It's probably nothing. Just some normal training I guess. Thanks you for the report," he smiled nonetheless, unconsciously. Leaving the assistant stammered as it was her first time seeing him smile. Back in the old days he would just gave this menacing look and fear to everyone who gets close to him. But know here it is, smiling innocently.

The assistant just nodded and quickly headed out before he could recognise her now red face. Ray tilted his head in confusion while Calem just left without saying a word, probably mad that a lower class man defeated him in a sparring session, Well it was time for him to take his leave. He's already done checking on Ray. Ray just waved goodbye before Calem gets off with a helicopter back to the city. 

The others were finally done with their training, of course resulting them winning the sparring match and tie between the girls. They met up with Ray so they could get to the cafeteria for a break. He nodded and followed them nonetheless. The moment he arrived at the cafeteria, he sudden;y heard noises talking about him, but he just shrugged it off.

"Hey didn't you hear, that Ray guy smile at the assistant?"

"What? But I thought he will just nod or stood there with his weird aura. He seldomly  open up his mask when training,"

"Wait, isn't that him? He sure did change thought out the month"

"You bet, there's one day where he helped me out. But too bad I didn't get see his face clearly that night,"

The news spread like wildfire. Why? It sure is a big thing when the coldest guy in Astera gave smiles and opening up his mask throughout the time. The group also noticed this and snickered at Ray. While Ray just being him didn't care at all.