[110] "Return"

[The next day]

[Shinhwa]

Jiwoo looks at Jiyoung with a cheerful expression, while Jiyoung focuses his gaze on Jiwoo, clearly noticing the change in his attitude and thinks to himself. 'I don't know what must have happened in his training with Ares and Kayden, but his attitude and the aura he now projects are completely different. He has matured considerably and shows incredible self-confidence'.

"It's good to see you again, Jiyoung," Jiwoo said with a slight blush on his cheeks.

Jiyoung smiled and replied. "Same to me, you're back at last."

They both blushed and avoided each other's gazes, showing a sweet shyness between them.

"Cough, cough, what was the place you went to like?" asked Jiyoung, breaking the strange mood.

"I went to a wonderful place. I met other awakened ones my age who were disciples of extremely powerful people, with abilities comparable to those in the top 50 of the world rankings," Jiwoo commented excitedly, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Jiyoung frowned and thought in amazement. 'Where would Ares and Kayden have taken Jiwoo? Being disciples of people with such high powers is not common, let alone a place where they meet, especially if rumors indicate that they don't have a good relationship with those in the world rankings'.

"I wanted to invite them to come and meet my friends, but since they were at the Wooin, Jisuk and Subin academy I decided to leave it for another time, besides they are continuously going out into the world to gain experience," Jiwoo added.

"I will invite Subin, Jisuk and Wooin there," Jiwoo concluded as he spoke enthusiastically.

Jiyoung nodded with a smile and replied, "I'm glad you liked the place you went to, I guess you trained a lot."

"Yeah," Jiwoo replied excitedly, showing how much he was looking forward to it. "Everything was amazing."

Jiyoung let out a smile and asked politely. "Do you want to go to the academy?"

Jiwoo pondered for a moment and answered shyly. "I'd like to spend some time with you before I go, if I may."

Jiwoo's words surprised Jiyoung, who saw Jiwoo get nervous and added. "But a person like you, you must have a hard time finding time for me."

Jiyoung frowned, taking a serious tone as she said. "Don't worry, I have plenty of time for you," a warm smile escaped his lips.

Jiwoo was shocked by the response and smiled shyly, though inside, happiness was sweeping over him.

....

[Korea Awakening Academy]

[Han Seongik Office]

"I didn't expect you to arrive unannounced!" exclaimed Han Seongik with a warm smile as he looked at the two figures seated in front of him. An imposing silhouette with pale skin, short hair and white eyes. Beside him, an elegant woman with long hair tied in grayish tones and black eyes exuded a confident and distinguished attitude.

"We just heard about this academy and decided to come. We had not been informed by you about this academy," the man commented, showing a tinge of curiosity.

Han Seongik responded amicably. "We are still in the process of testing...as soon as it is up and running, we were planning to let the world academy know."

The woman showed disinterest and expressed. "I don't understand why they decided to create an academy of their own having one at the world level."

"Our young people are not yet at the level of their academy. They need more training and development," Han Seongik explained.

The woman added with a hint of irony. "It may be that not all young people have the power, but we have information that they have four exceptional young people who would have those skills."

This time, Han Seongik frowned and replied. "That is by our standards, but they still have a ways to go."

The woman let out a derisive laugh and commented. "We've also heard about the problems they had with awakenings from outside, and that Kayden and Ares were in this place."

Han Seongik frowned and replied seriously. "That's true. We've faced a lot of difficulties because of those clashes."

"That's a pity..." said the woman, with a smirk that denoted a certain satisfaction.

However, Han Seongik also smiled, but his expression changed to seriousness as he added. "I would like to see how they would face Kayden and Ares, to really know what they are capable of."

The faces of the woman and the man hardened, clearly showing their displeasure at that suggestion. Their ugly gestures reflected a mixture of anger and distrust towards Han Seongik.

"Now, I would like you to explain the real reason for your visit. You said it was to meet the academy, but you brought your young men with you," Han Seongik inquired, a piercing gaze scrutinizing them.

The man did not like the way Han Seongik spoke and said. "We came to analyze this institution."

The woman nodded firmly and said. "We want to test the level of this academy, that's why we brought our young people here." After a few seconds of silence, she added sarcastically, "I hope you don't mind."

Han Seongik replied with a reassuring smile. "Oh, of course I don't mind. They are perfectly within their rights to evaluate and compare. As long as they don't cause trouble and follow the rules, everything will be fine."

The tense atmosphere seems to lighten a bit with Han Seongik's understanding attitude. Despite the differences and tensions, he demonstrated an open and cooperative stance, keeping calm in the face of the visitors' provocations.

....

[A few days later]

[At the Korean Awakening Academy]

Jiwoo dressed in his training clothes as he walked cheerfully along the path. His hands rested relaxedly behind his back.

Beside him, Jiyoung radiated beauty in her beautiful dress that highlighted her graceful curves. Although they were dressed differently, they both shared a deep connection.

"Jiyoung, there was no need for you to escort me here," Jiwoo commented, looking at Jiyoung with a smile.

"Don't worry, Jiwoo. I had to come soon anyway, so I thought it would be better to do it now," Jiyoung replied a little blushing.

As they continued their walk, the two continued to chat happily, enjoying the beautiful scenery around them. The sun's rays filtered through the treetops, creating a play of light and shadow on the path.

As Jiwoo and Jiyoung continued on their way, they came to an area where two imposing guards were guarding the entrance. Upon seeing Jiyoung, the guards were visibly surprised and one of them bowed respectfully.

"Miss Jiyoung," the guard expressed respectfully, clearly recognizing the distinguished young woman.

Jiyoung nodded gracefully in response to the greeting and continued walking beside Jiwoo, keeping their conversation unaffected by the attention she was receiving.

"I'm so excited to be able to see you already," Jiwoo commented with a spark of excitement in his eyes and a broad smile on his face.

Jiyoung admired Jiwoo's genuine smile and smiled as well, letting himself be carried away by that moment of shared warmth. However, after a brief moment, he returned to his usual coldness.

As they move forward, deeper into the academy, they walk down a corridor that leads them to the training area.

Before they get there, their gazes fall on the bleacher, the only bleacher that can be seen in front of them at the end of the corridor, shattered and in ruins, as if a violent confrontation had taken place recently.

Their eyes meet a young man lying sprawled on the ground, his body covered in debris and dust. A severe wound in his stomach, while his nose is bleeding copiously. His face shows a look of pain and exhaustion.

Then, a sarcastic and indifferent voice slips into the tense air around them. "That's it? Pretty pathetic."

Jiyoung and Jiwoo exchange a glance and decide to walk across the hallway.

Crossing it, on the other side, they witness the vastness of the entire hall in front of their eyes.

Before them stretches the arena, surrounded by bleachers that in one of its areas are filled with students silently watching their faces in awe.

In the wide training field, Jiyoung and Jiwoo's attention is focused on a lone young man standing in the center.

On the right side in front of him, forming a line, are the teachers of the Korean Awakening Academy. Next to them, four students are lined up, all with serious and determined looks.

On the opposite side of them, stood an adult man and woman, projecting an imposing presence. Next to them, four other young men and women prepare for the challenge, displaying a mixture of confidence and calmness.

....

In one of the bleachers away from the audience, there were three cats. One of them was a fat, orange cat with white lines in its fur. Another was a white cat with a malnourished and emaciated appearance. And lastly, there was a small brown kitten, so tiny it appeared to be a baby in the middle of those two adults.

Ares, cursed between his teeth as he settled into the bleachers and growled angrily. "Damn midget body, I don't even have the strength to climb some damn steps..."

"Grrr... Grr... Grr..." quivered Ares in anger, as he focused his gaze on the fights taking place in front of them.

Kayden and Kartein watched in amusement as Ares grunted awkwardly, letting out a laugh as they enjoyed their sweets and were entertained by the youngsters' confrontation.

"It didn't last a minute," Kartein commented, seemingly uninterested in the outcome.

Kayden, savoring his candy with a smile, added. "It was most expected. The world academy should have sent above-average youngsters and the Koreans didn't put out their strongest lineup."

Kartein sighed and said. "Surely they want to keep their powers hidden."

"Exactly, Han Seongik is here," Kayden commented.

"Really?" asked Kartein in surprise, then added. "I heard that old man retired because he was getting older and losing power."

"You'll know when you see him. He hasn't lost an ounce of power, in fact, he's gotten stronger," Kayden stated with conviction.

Kartein ate his candy seriously and commented. "That damn old man..."

"When will Jiwoo be back? He told us he was going to visit Jiyoung and he's missing all the fun," Ares commented, as he then added with a mischievous grin, "I'm sure he's winning Jiyoung over."

Kayden and Kartein looked at Ares in disbelief and Kartein said, "Most likely he's already at a good age to form a relationship with someone."

Ares nodded, agreeing with Kartein's words.

"Let's stop worrying about that and focus on the showdown...the next one is about to begin," Kayden commented, deflecting the topic.

....

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