Chapter 45: Home Sweet Home.

After a day or two of nonstop driving, the group finally makes it home. As soon as Sunny steps into the house, she collapses onto the couch, looking utterly exhausted. Luna walks over, gently draping a blanket over her and slipping a pillow beneath her head. She smiles softly before turning toward the kitchen to grab something to eat, while Tera excitedly runs around, checking out the house.

JJ heads off to find his room—Sunny had told him he could take one of the empty ones, the same offer she made to Tera. Meanwhile, Jamal retreats to his own room, lying down to reflect on everything that happened and the new ability he acquired.

Luna makes her way to her room, but before she can enter, Sronk, their little goblin friend, scurries up to her, handing her a letter from the Sanctum Organization. Curious, she shrugs and tears it open. Her eyes widen in shock and excitement—her rank has increased from one to two stars!

Not only that, but she's received a bonus of two thousand dollars! A joyous grin spreads across her face, and she twirls like a dancer down the hallway, laughing. However, she spins a little too much and crashes straight into JJ, who had just stepped out of his room after unpacking his clothes.

JJ raises an eyebrow as he steadies her. "Whoa, calm down, Giggles. What's got you in such a good mood?"

Luna looks up at him, still laughing. "I ranked up! I'm a two-star hunter!"

JJ chuckles and reaches over to ruffle her hair. "Good job, kid. I'm proud of you. You know, Jamal probably ranked up too—according to Sunny, you both got your licenses at the same time. I'll bake a cake for the two of you to celebrate!"

Luna quickly jumps up and runs over to Jamal's room, eager to see if he ranked up as well. She knocks on his door and hears his voice from the other side.

"Yes, Luna, I ranked up."

Luna jumps up and down excitedly. "Aren't you happy?"

She hears a sigh from behind the door. "Yeah, I am… now I'm going to continue napping."

Luna frowns slightly, wishing her friend was a little more enthusiastic about his achievement.

Just as she turns around, she notices Tera standing behind her.

Luna blinks. "Yes?"

Tera lets out a hearty laugh. "Hah! Human, I wish to take your so-called hunter test so I can be licensed!"

Luna tilts her head, confused. Can non-humans even take the hunter exam? That's definitely a question for Sunny. "Uh… I don't know. Ask Sunny?"

Tera crosses her arms, looking just as puzzled. "What do you mean you don't know? Why wouldn't they let me become a hunter? I, Tera, have no ill feelings toward hunters, so why not?"

Luna pauses, thinking to herself. That's a fair point. She's not evil or malicious toward anyone, really… so what harm would it bring? Then another thought crosses her mind. Wait… when are they even hosting the next exam?

Tera tilts her head. "Well, human, answer me! I wish to know!"

Luna shrugs, feeling flustered. "I-I don't know when the next exam is!"

Tera's face shifts to one of annoyance. "How do you not know, human? You took the exam, so why wouldn't you know!?"

Luna, now getting nervous, stammers, "I mean… well, uh… you know, they might not have a test every month!"

Tera's expression suddenly shifts back to a bright smile. "I see… they fear my potential. That is the only logical explanation!"

Luna blinks, taken aback. "What?"

Tera nods confidently. "They fear that if I were to receive a hunter's license, I would surpass every hunter in the world. That is why they will never host a test when I am able to take one!"

Luna just slowly nods her head. "I… see."

With that, Tera turns around and marches off, beaming with pride.

Luna walks back to her room and decides to lie down on her bed, relaxing. As she settles in, Alter appears beside her.

"You did alright in that fight," he says. "So keep at it and make sure to give it your all in the next one."

Then, just as quickly as he appeared, Alter fades away.

Luna blinks, surprised that Alter actually said something somewhat nice to her. She slowly begins to drift off to sleep, sinking into the comforting embrace of her bed. As she dozes off into a peaceful slumber, JJ can be seen in the kitchen preparing to cook dinner.

Sunny walks in, pouring herself a cup of coffee, and raises an eyebrow at him.

"Now, now, now, I'm going to bake for them. You go out and get the grill ready, Grandpa."

JJ rolls his eyes with a smile and heads to the backyard to get the grill set up.

Sunny hums along to a song playing on the radio while she bakes, but her focus is interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. She wipes her hands on a towel and picks it up.

"Hello?"

A refined voice responds, "Hello, my name is David Edwards. I am the butler for Mistress Priscilla, daughter of Lord Dracula."

Sunny pauses, trying to process whether or not someone is messing with her. "...Uh-huh. Umm, why are you calling me?"

The man clears his throat. "Yes, ma'am, my Mistress wishes to meet with you and your team at your humble abode."

Sunny falls silent, taking an even longer pause. "I see… Priscilla wishes to speak with my team. Umm, why?"

Edwards chuckles. "Yes. Will you grant my Mistress permission to enter your home?"

Sunny sighs, rubbing her temple. "Yes, I suppose that would be fine. It's not every day you get to speak with the daughter of Dracula."

"Very good," Edwards replies. "She will arrive in a few days at noon, midday. Be waiting and ready."

With that, he hangs up, leaving Sunny staring at her phone, perplexed about what Priscilla could possibly want with her and her team.

Nevertheless, she shakes her head and exhales. "This cake isn't going to bake itself," she mutters, turning back to her work.

The day ends with a celebration and an unexpected guest—the daughter of Dracula—coming to visit them.