Chapter 57: 57. Cheater fails even after cheating
Jiwoo returned to the arena after being examined and cured by Kartein. This could've ended back for Jiwoo but I'm sure he would've been fine considering that he is the main character after all.
Jiwoo walked to the arena with determination in his eyes. Determination to defeat Duke.
"I didn't know that you had it in you. Especially that look on your face when you stare at me... Are you angry about my betrayal as well", Duke mocked.
"Let's just fight. I don't really want to talk to you", Jiwoo blatantly stated. Even I was stunned by him.
"You hear that? The way he subtly makes his opponent angry before the fight resembles you", said Kartein excitedly making the ginger cat awkward.
Without further ado, Duke launched a long-range attack that Jiwoo dodged easily. Since both had speed as their main ability it was a bit tough to keep up with their movements but by now I was used to it. Duke continued with the attack whose pattern was the same as it was in the beginning. Does he think strength is all that matters and doesn't work on strategies except for being a big-ass cheater? Jiwoo got hurt when he tried to break through the attack and then electrocuted Duke. The fight went on before Jiwoo acted like he was losing and when Duke was standing near him he used a skill I hadn't seen before.
Was this the skill the Principal taught him? Whatever it was it seemed like Duke had no strength to get back up and with that Roist claimed Jiwoo as the winner of the match.
After getting Jiwoo to his room a healer from the Frame came to treat him and left soon after. After evaluating his treatment I think I kind of get why Kartein the healer 'cause his treatment was very much similar to that of an average doctor. He used his awakened ability to stop any serious bleeding.
Kartein explained why he couldn't heal Jiwoo as either his presence would get noticed or they may suspect why he had healed so soon. Kartein advised me to save my energy as much as I could considering the circumstances we were in.
I cuddled beside Jiwoo wanting to rest after a long day. However, life barely ever goes as planned because I was now sitting in Jiwoo's lap while facing one of the world's top 10! I don't even know if I should cry or laugh at my luck...
"As soon as I came out of my isolated training, I heard an interesting story. That you defeated Duke? Despite that punk's cheating", said Roist's master whose name is so difficult that I forgot, "I see that punk Kayden, has been raising a useful boy. However, that's the extent of it. You are still very weak. Anyway, where is Kayden right now?"
Roist explained, "Seo Jiwoo came here alone to begin with."
"Is that so? I came thinking Kayden might be here... Looks like I wasted my time", he said which irked me.
Before he could step out, Supri came in with her disciple Muse.
Great! As if one wasn't enough...
"Supri, what brings you here?"
"Speak for yourself, Why are you here right after your isolated training?"
"I thought Kayden was here... I guess you thought I'd lay my hands on Kayden's disciple."
"Your disciple has been beaten so considering your usual personality, that's understandable."
"Even Duke is my disciple in name, I've only raised him to amuse me. It's only been 5 years since I took him in so it's not been that long. He can't be compared to Kayden's disciple.
FIVE?! DID HE REALLY SAY 5 YEARS AND NOT MONTHS?!
"That's true. As much as Kaydeb had been completely hiding his disciple's existence until recently, I am sure Kayden worked hard to raise him since he was young", said Supri.
"Excuse me...", Jiwoo meekly interrupted, "I've been Kayden's disciple for only about a year.
Both the top 10 and their disciples were stunned by the newfound information.
"One year?", Supri confirmed.
"Yes..."
"Hey kid", started Schneider, "Don't speak nonsense. Do you think it makes sense for you to be Kayden's disciple for only a year?"
"...it's true."
The whole room fell into deep silence.
"What an absurd boy", he proceeded to leave again but this time Supri asked.
"And what about your brother? How long has he been Kartein's disciple?"
Schneider stopped in his tracks, a tiny bit curious to know.
"It's only been about half a year..."
"What...? Did he have such great healing abilities that Kartein took him in?", Supri asked.
"Actually... Eunwoo wasn't even aware of what he could do with his ability since it hadn't been long since he awakened..."
"A late awakened?"
"...yes."
"Roist you've met that kid before, right?", Schneider asked.
"Yes, Master. It's safe to say that his ability is on par with that of Duke's."
"Didn't you say he was a late awakener? ...Ha! How did both these punks find such an unusual pair of twins?"
After Schneider left, Supri came near Jiwoo and said, "I have misunderstood you, boy", and left right after.
"Why did they react so strangely to find out how long Eunwoo and I have been disciples?", asked a curious Jiwoo.
Kartein explained, "It makes no sense for a kid like you who's been Kayden's apprentice for a year to show that ability like that. The development of one's attributes takes years. Moreover, unlike Kayden, you specialize in close combat yet you can still use his unique powers."
"But in Eunwoo's case it's different", stated Kayden perking my interest. "Most late awakeners grow at a slower pace as compared to that of an average person, their powers can't ever reach the top 100 in the world. Normal age for awakening is 3-7 years yet Eunwoo awakened at 17 years which is unheard of. I bet they were caught off guard he is the apprentice of the world's best healer and also showed remarkable combat ability when fighting in the World-awakened Academy. Kid, you don't give yourself enough credit but you're also growing incredibly fast. Your powers are unique and you somehow easily sync them with Kartein's."
I felt embarrassed as well as relieved hearing his comment. I had figured it out earlier that I had the potential to create any type of attack I could think of. In the beginning, I was stuck at creating weapons but after the Golden Chains, I understood that I was making myself wear a handicap with that mindset.
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