Chapter 41: 41. Andrei
"Kayden... Break...!"
Kayden was standing on Earthquake and holding Jiwoo in one arm by his waist. I finally took a breath of relief.
Finally, this mess will stop...
I tried to get where Jisuk and others were but it would be better to not move right now. My shoulder was broken along with my right leg and had a few broken ribs.
"Wait... Why are you attacking me like this?", asked Earthquake whose face was now bloody with many injuries on his body done by Kayden's single attack.
Kayden arrogantly glanced at him. "Say what? I can't hear a damn thing."
"H-Hold on!"
Without waiting a moment, Kayden attacked Earthquake again and the power this time was so strong I felt like I would evaporate. I need to get away from here!
My every bone was hurting as I tried to move but before I could even catch it, someone held me by my waist in one arm just like Jiwoo and the next I see is a huge golden shield.
"Mister!"
I heard Subin's voice come from behind. I looked up to the person who was holding me and not to my surprise it was Kartein.
"Mr Kartein...", I murmured.
"Don't move and stay still. You have enough broken bones", he said examining my shoulder.
I heard Kayden say, "I knew it'd take more than one blow. Oh, well, here goes another one..."
"Wait!", one of the Frame said. "You attacked us because of that kid, right? Had we known he was your apprentice, we would've never laid a finger on him."
The whole arena was shaken on the discovery that Jiwoo was actually Kayden's apprentice. 'Jiwoo Seo is Kayden's apprentice? Kayden had an apprentice? I can't believe this... and that's Jiwoo Seo?', that's what many thought.
"So you wouldn't have harmed if you knew he was my apprentice?", Kayden asked with pure annoyance displaying on his face.
"That's right. Because we, the Frame, have no intention of turning you against us."
Kayden glanced at Jiwoo's condition and then looked in my direction before angrily smirking, "But you did, already."
"You don't want to do this. I'm telling you. Making an enemy of the Frame isn't a smart move."
"Then let me ask you this...", Kayden asked stomping harder on Earthquake, "Is the Frame being smart rubbing me the wrong way?"
With another attack, even Earthquake's body vanished. I watched the scene in astonishment.
"Kill the bug", Kayden said feeling refreshed.
"Kayden... So you'll have us as your enemy."
"You should've known better to not provoke me. Go to hell."
Kayden's energy was surrounding the arena and was ready to give a big blow to the remaining Frame. The attack was huge but the top ten protected the other kids from the blow and Kartein expanded his shield to protect everyone near him.
"That darn wild Pikachu...", he grumbled.
However, Kayden's attack was precisely aimed at the frame and got them all injured.
"Kayden!", shouted one of the Frame, "You'd better be ready to pay the price for the choice you've made."
But the latter scoffed. "Don't you know that the Frame's already gotten on my nerves in the past? What makes you think we could be besties all of a sudden?"
"But at least we weren't complete enemies... Since there were instances when we were helpful to each other. But what you did today is totally different."
Kayden laughed somehow finding the situation funny. "Bring it on. I'll be waiting. I will kill every one of you that comes my way again and again... Until the very last of the Frame stops breathing on this earth."
He once again attacked the Frame but this time a strange red energy blocked his attack.
"Now, this is interesting", the man said. "Kayden, I sure didn't expect to see you here..."
It was a member of the Frame and also the world's top ten, Andrei.
His presence is suffocating...
"Kayden", Andrei started, "I would've reconsidered the whole plan had I known of your presence... And... Kartein's... I get why Kayden is here, but what about you?"
"I had to come since you were hurting my apprentice", Kartein replied.
"That kid is your apprentice?", he asked pointing at me.
The blond nodded and the arena was once again full of murmurs. 'Eunwoo Seo is the apprentice of the world's best healer?! How's that possible? I had heard the he awakened not long ago!', though nearly everyone who was in the arena.
"I see now. It wasn't even a matter to be considered. This mission should've never been carried out." Andrei said.
With that happening Kayden challenged Andrei for a match but then hesitated when Andrei asked if he was sure since he had to protect someone in his arm. However, Jiwoo asked Kayden to not give up this chance for him and just go for it. Kayden handed Jiwoo to Kartein and accepted the match.
As the match was about to begin before Kartein got dragged into it. He placed Jiwoo where the other kids of our academy were and formed a shield large enough to protect all the students from the destructive battle that was about to take place.
"It's a nuisance, but I guess I could. Still, fight as far as from here as possible."
Once everyone had gathered near Kartein, Kayden said, "Kartein, isolate the space for me." Which made the blond even angrier but he didn't refuse.
The match began with Andrei starting with his tricks. The attacks were very strong which made it difficult for Kartein to hold up his spatial isolation along with his defense and still hold me in one arm. The professors and instructors helped in keeping the defense sturdy.
Both of them threw attacks on each other one after another. After some time the match ended with Andrei withdrawing and leaving a warning behind.
The match was insane! Both of them were neck to neck with each other! Not to mention the unbelievable control they had over their powers!!!
Kayden glanced at us only to find all the kids gazing at him with admission.
"How are you holding up?", he asked looking down at Jiwoo.
"I can manage."
"Yeah, right. Your chest bones are crushed. Had he stepped on you with a little more force, all your inner organs would have burst, including your heart. You need to be treated asap", Kartein said holding at Jiwoo while the younger sweater nervously.
Kayden again took Jiwoo by his waist as he looked at me. "And how about you? How are you holding up?"
"My body just feels heavy...", I said as I had decided not to lie knowing well that Kartein must be furious right now.
Kartein spoke up, "Just feels heavy, you say? Half your body is broken and you don't have any energy to even try to heal anything."
I looked away trying to avoid eye contact with him.
"Kayden and Kartein, I believe I owe you both my gratitude", the principal expressed. "Could I have a word with you?"
"Don't worry about it. We can talk later", saying that Kayden left also taking Jiwoo along with him.
Kartein followed behind while glaring down at me, "Don't think that you're off the hook, kid. We need to have some serious discussion."
I nervously sweated but nodded nonetheless.
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