[115] "Not Invited"

Duke painfully gets out of bed and looks at himself in the mirror, noting the wounds on his body.

'Shit... I better go back to bed, and I'll do my best to recover as soon as possible,' Duke says to himself as he lies back down.

A few minutes later, Andrea enters the room and informs him. "They already accepted your challenge, it will be a week from today. I didn't even have to push."

"The doctors here will do everything they can to cure you in three days, so be prepared for treatment" Andrea comments.

Duke nods earnestly and responds. "Accept my challenge? How arrogant are you to dare to accept my challenge? I'll have him know where he stands in the world."

Andrea shrugs off Duke's anger and advises him. "Rest and don't get up. Circulate your strength check to recover while you're not in treatment, so we streamline the process and make your recovery process shorter. I'll ask for a room, so we can train together."

"I know that's what I've been doing since yesterday, and I'm slowly feeling better, but I'm still in pain" Duke replies.

"That's obvious, that injury is pretty bad," Andrea comments.

"Well, that's all I was coming to tell you. Get some rest. I'll be back a few hours later" Andrea says goodbye.

....

[Two days later]

[In the morning]

A young man with long, straight hair of a purple hue keeps it tied back in a golden bun. His golden eyes and long eyelashes give him a piercing gaze as he walks with a confident stride alongside a majestic black panther, whose eyes also glow with the same golden radiance and two golden stripes at the end of its tail, both slowly approaching the two guards guarding the entrance to the academy.

The two guards stare in awe at the majestic panther, speechless at such an imposing presence.

The young man, with an enigmatic smile, speaks with authority as he introduces himself. "My name is Cain Luterain, and I have come to this academy."

Lancelot fixes his gaze intently at the two guards, impressing upon them a certain fear. One of the guards, nervous, replies. "Please, Mr. Cain, you may come in, would you like me to accompany you?"

"I can't go alone" Cain comments, determined, and continues on his way towards the buildings he distinguishes in the distance.

The two guards watch as Cain walks away, and one of them comments in surprise. "I didn't think he would come."

The other nods and adds. "We didn't expect Arthur Bryan and Duke Grane to come either."

Both guards exchange glances, making it clear that the arrival of these three has taken them surprised.

....

Jiyoung looks seriously at Inhyuk and expresses his concern, "It's been two days, and he's still not here. Will he come here or not?"

Inhyuk sighs and replies uneasily. "I don't know, but this worries me. Having Veramonte Patrick himself come is something that shouldn't be simple, and I'm uneasy about it."

Jiyoung nods, and at that moment, someone knocks on the office door.

Toock... toock... Toock...

"Come in," Jiyoung invites.

Duke enters the office and greets respectfully. "Good morning."

Inhyuk frowns at the sight of Duke.

"Good morning" Jiyoung comments, showing a neutral expression.

Duke seems to notice the tension in the atmosphere and comments. "I hope I'm not interrupting you."

"Don't worry, what do you need?" replies Jiyoung keeping her face unperturbed.

Duke frowns and respectfully says. "I came to apologize for what happened the other day."

Both Jiyoung and Inhyuk are taken aback by the unexpected apology.

Jiyoung nods and replies. "Don't worry, I accept your apology."

"Thank you for your understanding" Duke said as he clenched his fist in anger. Then, he added earnestly. "I only came for that, I will withdraw."

Jiyoung and Inhyuk nod in agreement as Duke leaves.

Inhyuk comments again in surprise, "This is weird. I didn't expect Duke Grane himself to come and apologize. Although he went overboard, I didn't think he would do that."

Jiyoung nods in agreement with his thought and stands up from his seat and says. "We agreed that I would train with Jiwoo."

Inhyuk replies respectfully. "Yes, chairwoman."

....

Duke closed the office door and started walking down the hallway. His face reflected equal parts of frustration and determination.

'How frustrating...', he muttered to himself as he clenched his fist tightly.

In his mind, he thought. 'I must become stronger... I can't let this happen again.'

....

[In the afternoon]

Veramonte, accompanied by Jurion, is on a luxurious ship as he watches the island become more visible on the horizon.

"I see they went to a lot of effort to create this place, they even tried to hide it," Veramonte comments with a smile.

Jurion nods, but shows his confusion and asks. "I don't understand why we have to come all this way to meet her."

Veramonte looks at Jurion and expresses his thoughts. "I want to meet her. It is said that she was the one who defeated Jan Schäfer, and if that is true? I want her to engage with you."

Jurion is surprised by the statement and shows some disbelief. "Do you really believe those rumors? We are of a similar age, and she is the number 1 awakened in Korea.... Everyone knows that the awakened in this country are weak, it's impossible for her to have defeated Jan Schäfer."

Veramonte frowns and replies firmly, "You must broaden your horizons. I understand that you don't believe the rumors because they are quite exaggerated, but if she has that talent, she should engage with you. That would benefit her a lot, considering that she runs your organization from a very young age."

Jurion ponders Veramonte's words and finally says. "I understand."

....

[Training room]

Jiyoung, dressed in black pants and a tight T-shirt, nimbly dodges Jiwoo's attacks while warning him, "Attack faster, don't slow down when attacking."

Wasting no time, Jiyoung counterattacks with the same hand, launching bursts of wind in rapid succession. Jiwoo responds with fluid movements, dodging the blasts by moving his body with great dexterity.

Jiwoo disappears before Jiyoung's eyes, who quickly senses his presence behind his back just as he throws a powerful punch. Without hesitation, Jiyoung channels his wind skill to move even faster forward, turning his body in an impressive maneuver. With pinpoint accuracy, he parries Jiwoo's blow with the same hand, and at that moment, a towering gust of wind is unleashed with force upon impact.

With a warm smile on his face, Jiyoung observes Jiwoo and admits with sincere praise, "Your speed always impresses me."

Jiwoo takes a shaky breath, trying to catch his breath after the intense exchange of blows. With humility, he replies, "It's no big deal."

Jiyoung nods sympathetically and adds with genuine appreciation, "I see your improvement is based on your fighting style and the efficiency with which you fight and use your powers."

"Sure," Jiwoo confirmed with a smile on his lips.

Jiyoung, always frank and direct, added, "I think focusing on that is the best option for you right now."

Watching Jiyoung with admiration, Jiwoo nodded with determination and shared, "The director taught me a technique, and I am convinced that with his mastery, my strikes will be considerably more powerful."

Jiyoung frowned slightly, showing his determination as he looked at Jiwoo. "Then, we will take advantage of these remaining four days before your match to fully familiarize yourself with your new technique."

Excitement shone in Jiwoo's eyes, responding enthusiastically, "Yes!"

"Let's get going," Jiyoung commented with a smile lighting up his face.

The warm atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by a voice echoing through the place. "Miss Jiyoung," the voice uttered in a polite but firm tone.

Jiyoung turned towards the direction of the sound and spotted Veramonte and Jurion walking towards them.

Jurion couldn't help but look away from Jiyoung, being mesmerized by her beauty. 'What a beautiful smile... I didn't expect her to be so beautiful,' he thought to himself as his eyes couldn't tear himself away from her. Then, slyly, he observed Jiwoo with a serious look. 'Is he her boyfriend?'

....

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