----
The training room was quiet.
Not peaceful.
Quiet.
There was a difference.
The kind of quiet that happened when everyone inside was waiting for something interesting to begin.
Wooin stood on one side of the room in his sparring attire, adjusting the sleeves of his black jacket after changing in the locker room.
He looked calm.
Almost too calm.
But Jiwoo could tell.
He was nervous.
Not because he was afraid of Subin.
Because he didn't want to hurt her.
"Sorry, Wooin."
Jiwoo lowered his head slightly.
"I thought if I brought you here, you wouldn't have to fight."
Wooin looked at him.
Then shook his head.
"It's fine."
He slid his glasses off and carefully placed them inside his school uniform.
"If it wasn't for you, we would have caused a scene on the street."
He closed his locker.
"This is the right place."
Jiwoo looked at him.
Wooin continued.
"Besides…"
His expression softened slightly.
"This is why she was looking for me."
A pause.
"I should be apologizing."
Jiwoo's eyes widened.
"Wooin…"
"I got you involved."
"No."
Jiwoo immediately shook his head.
"That's not true."
Wooin looked at him.
"You didn't do anything wrong."
Jiwoo smiled.
"You're my friend."
For a second, Wooin went quiet.
Because even now…
He still wasn't used to hearing that.
The locker room door opened.
Mr. Park stepped inside.
Both boys looked over.
"Mr. Park."
"Mr. Park."
Seongha smiled slightly.
"You don't have to fight."
Jiwoo blinked.
"Huh?"
Seongha sighed.
"I'm sorry for getting you two involved in this situation."
He looked at Wooin.
"I already spoke with Subin."
Jiwoo looked relieved.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Seongha nodded.
"She won't bother you anymore."
Jiwoo smiled.
"That's good."
Then he hesitated.
"But…"
He looked slightly concerned.
"She seemed like an unstoppable kid."
Seongha paused.
Then slowly nodded.
"T-That's true."
Wooin looked at him.
Then walked toward the door.
"I'll do it."
Both Seongha and Jiwoo turned.
"What?"
Wooin looked back.
"Like Jiwoo said…"
His expression remained calm.
"She doesn't look like she'll give up."
A pause.
"It's better to finish this now."
Jiwoo stared.
Wooin continued.
"And honestly…"
His eyes lowered.
"This is something I need to deal with."
And that was how they ended up heading toward the training room.
Where Subin waited.
Alongside Inhyuk.
Jiyoung.
And—
Asuka.
Who looked completely uninterested.
She stood near the edge of the room.
Jisuk had somehow managed to drag her here.
Despite her very clear answer.
No.
She had even texted Jiwoo.
I'm fine staying home.
Then Jisuk appeared at the door.
And somehow she was here.
Again.
Asuka stared blankly at him.
A troublesome person.
Definitely.
At least Kayden understood her suffering.
Mostly.
Subin stretched.
"Guess I'll go easy on you."
Wooin looked at her.
"I was planning on kicking your ass."
Jiwoo immediately looked worried.
"Mr. Inhyuk."
"Yes?"
"Is Subin really that strong?"
Inhyuk's expression became serious.
"She is."
He looked toward Subin.
"She's one of the few young awakened ones in Korea who can match Jisuk."
Jiwoo's eyes widened.
"Then…"
He looked at Wooin.
"Wouldn't this be really difficult?"
A pause.
"She knows a lot about him too."
Inhyuk looked thoughtful.
Then turned.
"Mr. Park."
Seongha looked over.
"Did you give Subin information about Wooin?"
"No."
Seongha immediately answered.
"And I didn't give Wooin information about Subin either."
He looked toward the two.
"I assumed they don't know each other's abilities."
Asuka tilted her head slightly.
Technically…
Jisuk had already revealed Subin's ability.
Ice.
He had mentioned the Union. He had mentioned her power. But that information was probably not something Jiwoo even remembered. And Seongha definitely didn't know.
Asuka remained quiet.
Because she already knew.
The outcome wasn't dependent on information.
The elevator dinged.
Everyone turned.
The doors opened.
"Nice!"
Jisuk walked in. And everyone immediately knew something was wrong. Because he was smiling.
Too much.
"Didn't start yet!"
He walked inside proudly carrying a box of popcorn.
And sitting on his shoulder was—
Kayden.
Silence.
Inhyuk stared.
Then his face softened.
"Casein Nitrate…"
His eyes sparkled.
"He came to watch."
Kayden immediately regretted everything.
Jisuk looked proud.
"He's prepared."
Asuka stared.
"You brought popcorn?"
"Of course."
"Why?"
"Because this is entertainment."
Inhyuk looked offended.
"Jisuk."
"What?"
"This is a serious spar."
"Exactly."
A pause.
"That's why it needs snacks."
Asuka covered her mouth. Not because she was shocked. Because she was trying not to laugh. Kayden hopped down from Jisuk's shoulder. He walked over. Straight toward Asuka. She immediately bent down and picked him up.
Like this was completely normal.
Because for them…
It was.
Kayden settled comfortably in her arms.
Then noticed something. Two different stares. One from Jiyoung.
Suspicious.
Careful.
Analyzing.
And one from Inhyuk.
Bright.
Adoring.
Almost frighteningly affectionate. Kayden's ears lowered slightly.
Why.
Why did this keep happening?
He was a powerful awakened one.
A legendary figure.
A person feared across the world.
And now…
People stared at him because he was a cute cat.
Ridiculous.
Absolutely ridiculous.
Asuka looked down.
"You're uncomfortable."
"No."
"You are."
"I am not."
"You are."
Kayden clicked his tongue.
Troublesome.
Subin immediately noticed Jisuk.
"Hey."
Everyone looked.
"Jisuk."
She pointed at the popcorn.
"Are you kidding me?"
Jisuk looked confused.
"What?"
"You brought popcorn?!"
He shrugged.
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Because popcorn is perfect for this."
Subin's eye twitched.
"Do you want to die?"
"No."
Jisuk ate another piece.
"But I do want to enjoy the show."
Inhyuk sighed.
"Why are you like this?"
Jisuk ignored him.
Asuka looked around.
Jiwoo was nervous.
Wooin was calm.
Subin was angry.
Jisuk was enjoying himself.
Inhyuk was stressed.
Jiyoung was quietly observing everything.
And Kayden…
Was sitting comfortably in her arms.
Pretending he wasn't interested.
Despite the fact that his eyes had not left the arena.
Asuka almost smiled.
Almost.
Because honestly…
This was ridiculous.
A spar between two powerful young awakeners.
And somehow the biggest source of tension in the room was whether Kayden would get found out.
Kayden noticed her expression.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're laughing."
"No."
"You are."
Asuka looked away.
The match hadn't even started yet.
And somehow…
She already knew this was going to be troublesome.
A familiar feeling.
One that seemed to follow her everywhere.
The referee, Inhyuk stepped forward.
Everyone became quiet.
"Both sides ready?"
Wooin lowered his stance.
Subin's ice aura began to spread.
The air temperature dropped.
Jiwoo watched carefully.
Jisuk leaned forward excitedly.
Inhyuk sighed.
Jiyoung focused.
And Asuka gently held Kayden closer as his tail flicked once.
Finally.
The match was about to begin.
The room went silent.
Not because everyone was nervous.
Not exactly.
More because everyone was waiting to see what would happen next.
Wooin stood calmly in the center of the training room.
Subin stood across from him.
The difference between them was obvious.
Subin had years of structured training.
A powerful family.
A powerful organization behind her.
Wooin had none of that.
But he had something else.
Experience.
And a reason to fight.
"Begin."
The first beep sounded.
Subin immediately lowered her stance.
Cold air spread from her.
Ice crystals formed around her feet.
"Don't think you're special just because Mr. Park personally gave you an offer."
Wooin didn't react.
Asuka, standing nearby with Kayden in her arms, tilted her head slightly.
The amount of talking was impressive.
Almost concerning.
The second beep sounded.
Subin continued.
"From that energy, I can tell your power is useful."
She looked at Wooin.
"But I'll show you."
Her eyes sharpened.
"I'll show you the difference between us."
A thin layer of ice formed over her hands.
"I was systematically trained from the beginning."
She stepped forward.
"I was taught properly."
Another step.
"Unlike you."
Her gaze became colder.
"You just wandered around."
Asuka blinked.
Then slowly looked around.
Do all awakeners talk this much?
She had met Kayden.
Kayden talked.
A lot.
Jisuk talked.
Also a lot.
Inhyuk talked about cats.
Way too much.
Mr. Park was probably one of the more normal ones.
Jiyoung barely talked, but she was observant enough that it counted.
Jiwoo—
Asuka glanced at her brother.
A complete cinnamon ball.
A kind person.
A training addict.
Wooin was probably one of the few normal people here.
Along with Mr. Park.
Maybe Jiyoung.
Maybe.
The third beep sounded.
And instantly—
Wooin moved.
"!"
Subin barely had time to react.
A force slammed into her face.
Not enough to seriously injure her.
Just enough.
To make a statement.
The impact sent her flying backward.
Everyone froze.
Silence.
Asuka sighed.
"Expected."
Jiwoo blinked.
"Wooin…"
Even Jiyoung's eyes widened slightly.
Because that was not hesitation.
That was a decisive opening attack.
Subin for a moment, was suspended in the air, simply stared at the ceiling.
Confused.
Completely confused.
What just happened?
Asuka looked at her.
For a brief moment…
A terrible thought crossed her mind.
Should I stop time?
She imagined it.
Subin frozen in the air.
A perfect picture.
A funny addition to the photo album.
She already had plenty.
Jiwoo making weird faces.
Jisuk complaining.
Wooin quietly existing in the background.
Even Inhyuk had somehow ended up in some pictures.
A suspended Subin would be hilarious.
But…
No.
She should be generous.
It was already embarrassing enough.
Talking confidently.
Giving a speech.
Then immediately getting knocked down.
That was painful enough.
THUD.
Asuka glance at the Subin lying flat on her back.
Yeah, she'll be generous just this once.
Then—
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Everyone turned.
Jisuk was laughing.
Hard.
Absolutely shamelessly.
"HEHEHEHE!"
He shoved more popcorn into his mouth.
Jiwoo stared.
Asuka stared.
Even Kayden stared.
The cat's expression was completely blank.
Is he insane?
Kayden genuinely wondered.
What is wrong with this kid?
Jisuk pointed toward Wooin.
"I knew it!"
Everyone looked at him.
"He always lands the first hit!"
He laughed again.
"She was standing there talking forever and he just—"
He punched the air.
"Boom!"
More popcorn.
"Instantly!"
Jisuk walked over and slapped Wooin's back.
"Good job!"
Wooin blinked.
"Thank you?"
"You never change, do you?"
Jisuk grinned.
"I knew you'd do it again!"
Wooin looked slightly confused.
But Jisuk looked genuinely happy.
Subin slowly sat up.
Her expression was unreadable.
"This…"
She touched her face.
"He got me?"
A pause.
She stood.
"This is fucking embarrassing."
Jisuk looked over.
"Huh?"
Subin's eyes sharpened.
"You're dead meat."
Before she could move—
"Stop."
Seongha stepped forward.
Subin froze.
"This is Wooin's win."
"But—"
She turned.
"Sir, I was caught off guard for a moment."
Her hand clenched.
"He only got me once!"
Seongha looked at her calmly.
"And?"
Subin stopped.
"You were caught off guard."
A pause.
"By an opponent you were fighting."
His expression became serious.
"Do you understand what that means?"
Subin went quiet.
"If Wooin continued attacking after you fell…"
Seongha looked at her.
"You would have been seriously injured."
The room became silent.
"An opening is an opening."
He looked toward Wooin.
"A fight does not stop because someone believes they should have another chance."
Subin clenched her fist.
"This is ridiculous…"
Then Wooin spoke.
"If you're that upset…"
Everyone looked at him.
"Let's do it again."
Jisuk immediately grinned.
"Oh?"
Wooin continued.
"I don't think you'll accept this result."
Subin froze.
Kayden, sitting comfortably in Asuka's arms, narrowed his eyes.
Finally.
Someone with the right mindset.
An awakened fight was a fight.
Why stop halfway?
If there was uncertainty…
Resolve it.
That was how strength was built.
Subin slowly smiled.
Then punched her fist into her palm.
"I really like you."
Wooin blinked.
"What?"
"Okay."
Her aura rose.
"Let's get started."
Jiwoo immediately looked worried.
"S-Subin."
She turned.
"What now?! Stop acting all friendly with me!"
"Your nose is bleeding."
Silence.
Everyone looked.
A thin line of blood ran from her nose.
Then another.
Subin froze.
Her expression slowly changed.
"What?"
Kayden immediately made a strange choking noise. Not because he was hurt. Because he was trying not to laugh. Asuka covered her mouth. She failed.
A small laugh escaped.
Jisuk stared.
Then—
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
He completely lost it.
"Subin got a double nosebleed!"
He pointed.
"That's so embarrassing!"
Subin's face turned red.
"Shut up!"
Jisuk laughed harder.
"HAHAHA!"
"You asshole, shut the hell up!"
"Don't wanna!"
Jisuk grinned.
Everyone else just stared.
Speechless.
Jiwoo looked between them.
"Are they always like this?"
Wooin thought for a moment.
"…Probably."
Asuka nodded.
"Unfortunately."
Kayden sighed from her arms.
This is my life now.
A legendary awakened one.
Reduced to watching teenagers argue while one of them laughs at another person's nosebleed.
Ridiculous.
Absolutely ridiculous.
And yet…
Somehow…
He wasn't leaving.
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