He took a step forward, then another, before suddenly breaking into a run. Hyun-soo mirrored him, both of them charging ahead, grinning wide like kids about to crash into a memory.
As they clashed, the air between them cracked with tension.
Hyun-soo suddenly spun, his movement sharp and fluid, and swung his right leg in a wide arc toward Jinhwan's stomach. But just as it was about to land, Jinhwan caught the leg mid-air with both hands, his grip firm. Without hesitation, he twisted his body, spinning Hyun-soo along with the motion and throwing him off balance.
But Hyun-soo didn't waste a second. Using Jinhwan's grip as support, he coiled his body mid-spin and lashed out with his left leg, aiming a swift kick toward Jinhwan's neck.
Jinhwan saw it coming. He released Hyun-soo's leg just in time, letting him crash down onto the ground. The thud echoed across the training yard. Jinhwan didn't waste a second he stepped in and drove his right leg toward Hyun-soo's face in a powerful strike.
Hyun-soo crossed his arms just in time, creating a tight block as the impact shuddered through his guard.
Jinhwan smirked.
Without pausing, he brought his left leg around and slammed it into Hyun-soo's stomach.
"Ugh!" Hyun-soo gasped, the air knocked clean out of him.
But pain didn't stop him.
Using the moment, Hyun-soo quickly curled his arms and legs like a spring trap, wrapping around Jinhwan's extended leg. In one swift motion, he pulled, yanking Jinhwan off balance and slamming him down onto the ground beside him.
A puff of dust rose around them.
At the edge of the field, Mr. Park watched the exchange closely, arms crossed.
"They've improved a lot," he murmured to himself. "Even without mana.. they're putting on one hell of a fight like always."
As Jinhwan hit the ground, he threw his hands out to break the fall, stopping his face from slamming into the dirt. In one swift motion, he rolled onto his back and spun, driving his right leg into Hyun-soo's head with a sharp kick that sent it whipping to the side.
Hyun-soo's vision tilted for a moment as his head snapped back.
Jinhwan pushed himself up, catching his breath, sweat beading on his forehead. Then he froze. He felt a sudden grip around his right leg.
Hyun-soo was crouched low, smirking through heavy breaths, his fingers locked tight around Jinhwan's ankle.
Jinhwan's eyes widened. "Fuc-"
Before he could finish, Hyun-soo let out a guttural yell and hurled Jinhwan down with everything he had. Jinhwan's back slammed against the ground with brutal force, a growl of pain ripping from his throat.
Hyun-soo staggered to his feet, chest heaving, but the smirk still lingered on his face as he stood over Jinhwan. Then, suddenly, Hyun-soo's balance broke.
Jinhwan's left leg shot out like a spring trap, sweeping Hyun-soo's legs out from under him. Caught off guard, Hyun-soo tumbled forward, falling directly onto Jinhwan.
Just as Hyun-soo was about to crash into him, Jinhwan twisted his torso and smashed a right hook into Hyun-soo's cheek. The impact sent Hyun-soo rolling off, landing on the ground beside him.
Now, both of them lie flat on their backs, side by side.
Breathless.
Bruised.
Neither is in any shape to keep fighting. The only sound left was the rhythm of their exhausted breathing echoing across the field.
"You two did a good job. I can tell you've worked a lot on your skills over the summer," Mr. Park said, nodding with approval as he turned to face the rest of the class. "Now. Who's next?"
Jinhwan and Hyun-soo slowly pushed themselves up, still catching their breath. Sweat clung to their faces, their bodies sore but satisfied.
"I'm going-going back to the classroom, Mr. Park," Hyun-soo said, waving lazily over his shoulder as he limped toward the school building.
Jinhwan exhaled and whispered under his breath,
"I'm going to the nurse's office...." Without waiting for a response, he turned and followed after Hyun-soo, walking with a slight hunch from the earlier slam.
Mr. Park's gaze shifted to the remaining students, one boy and three girls, all standing awkwardly in the corner of the training ground.
"Hmm... you four are all mage types," he said, scratching his chin. "Miss Seo's absent today, so... how about a little hand-to-hand combat training?"
They exchanged quick glances, then all smiled politely.
And quietly walked off toward the school building.
Mr. Park watched them go, then sighed and chuckled to himself.
"They really hate close combat," he murmured. "Well.. I can't blame them. Their first opponents were Jinhwan and Hyun-soo after all."
Shaking his head, he followed behind them, hands in his pockets, making his way back toward the building with slow, steady steps.
In the nurse's office, Suhyeon lay quietly on the bed, sleeping peacefully. Beside her, Seyoung sat with one leg crossed over the other, sipping orange juice through a straw from a can. Her injured hand was already healed. The room was quiet, the soft hum of the AC filling the silence and keeping the air comfortably cool.
Suhyeon slowly opened her eyes, blinking up at the white ceiling.
"I can't believe I lost to that bitch again," she muttered under her breath.
"What's there not to believe?" Seyoung replied casually, without even looking her way. "It's not like you've ever beaten me before."
Suhyeon flinched at the sudden voice and turned her head, startled. Seyoung was sitting there calmly, still sipping her juice with the same relaxed expression.
"What the-"
Her brows furrowed. "What are you doing here?"
Seyoung glanced at her sideways.
"It's the nurse's office. Why do you think I'm here?"
"So what? Your hand's already healed. Leave now," Suhyeon said as she sat up on the bed, irritation creeping into her voice.
"Don't wanna," Seyoung said simply, leaning back in her chair.
"You-" Suhyeon started, but stopped as the door suddenly creaked open.
Jinhwan stepped inside, drenched in sweat, his shirt clinging to his back. He didn't say a word just walked over and slumped down in the chair near the bed, catching his breath.
"Jinhwan? What happened?" Suhyeon asked, her tone softening as she looked at him. "Don't just sit there, come lie down."
She patted the bed beside her, shifting to make space.
Jinhwan lay down on the bed without a word. Suhyeon stretched her legs out and gently slid them under his head, offering them as a pillow. Without hesitation, he rested his head on them, eyes half lidded with exhaustion.
[Episode 16 End]