[19] "The recovery continues"

[World Academy of the Awakened]

[At the same time]

"Are you aware of the problem you caused? The world is trembling, and you can't handle a simple Awakened. If he recovers, be prepared for the consequences. The global association has said to wait. we'll take care of the young ones, and they'll take care of the adults," Garis Luteroine said with a grim expression.

"But sir, we don't know if he managed to survive," Lucy Bourdon said, frightened.

"We shouldn't rush, Mr. Luteroine," Terry Miller said.

"Everyone should know what happened with Kayden a week ago," the vice director said.

"What did Kayden do now?" Frank Mude asked with doubt.

"Don't you know?" Matthew Long replied.

"What are you doing, not worrying about the outside? Kayden finished off the three survivors from the confrontation against Ares and destroyed the organizations of those six," Lucy Bourdon said, angry.

"What? Really?" Matthew Long responded, surprised.

"Yes, moreover, Kartein was seen in Norway, and Kayden just killed the one who leaked his whereabouts," Frank Mude added.

"Do you know what that means, right?" Lucy Bourdon said.

"It's possible that Kartein tried to heal Ares," Matthew Long said nervously.

"Isn't it better for us if Kayden keeps causing trouble out there?" Terry Miller said.

"Better for us?. Do you think it's better for Kayden to go around killing any Awakened he wants and causing his country to start a war to decide who will be the new number one? It could lead to Awakened from other countries intervening for their own interests and so on, affecting more countries. Generating a bloody war worldwide," the vice director said angrily.

The five figures trembled upon hearing what the vice director said.

"We must send someone to find them and deal with them immediately," Frank Mude said impatiently.

"Do you think we haven't tried? We sent several Awakened, but they all died, causing a lot of losses for us," the vice director said.

The four professors in the academy are astonished and concerned about how events have unfolded.

"Stop worrying about that now and accept the consequences. We have to balance and pacify the world in the meantime to prevent a large-scale war in which we are all involved. We will repel the Awakened from other countries who want to intervene in Norway. I will personally give the instructions, and I don't want any more inconveniences," Garis Luteroine said with an imposing voice.

"You may leave," Garis Luteroine finished saying, paying no more attention to the people in front of him.

The five figures stood up and silently left the room, leaving Garis Luteroine alone.

'These inept ones can't do anything right, and everything falls on my shoulders.'

'I have to speak with the World Association of the Awakened. Yet another problem. They'll have to propose some plans to keep the world from hanging by a thread,' Garis thinks as he leans back in his chair.

....

[POV Ares]

Ares wakes up and begins to examine his body and the surroundings.

'My body is without injuries?... Phew... Phew... Thank goodness... Where am I? Am I in Kayden's safe house? I don't remember how I got here... How much time has passed?' As he reflects, he hears a voice shouting,

"Kayden woke up, come quickly," a voice said.

Kayden responds, "I'm coming..."

A few moments later, Kayden approaches Ares and asks, "Hey Ares... How are you feeling?"

"Master... crush all those ants together," Ares replies with a smile.

Kayden returns the smile. "HAHAHAHAHA, that's my boy. You're safe here, Kartein healed you, and you'll get better soon."

Ares expresses gratitude, "Thank you, Mr. Kayden. Mr. Kartein, how long have I been in a coma?"

There is a moment of silence. "You're welcome... You've been in a coma for two and a half months, but of course, you'll recover. It was me who healed you," Kartein says proudly in his words and attitude.

Kayden intervenes, "Rest well, kid. We'll talk later." Kartein and Kayden leave the room, leaving Ares alone to rest.

[Two weeks later]

Ares is sitting in a wheelchair facing Kayden and Kartein at a table.

"I'm ready for another challenge... OUCH!" exclaimed Ares, feeling immense pain throughout his body.

"Kid, stay still for a while. It was difficult to heal you, and you need to rest for another six months. You're too restless, even worse than your master," Kartein said, looking angrily at Kayden and then at Ares.

"You're way crazier than him," Kartein added.

"Sorry," Ares said with a sad voice.

"Channel your strength control. You'll recover faster, even though your injuries were severe. It's a miracle that you can recover without any scars or future problems," advised Kayden.

"Your healing factor saved you, and if you use your strength control all the time, you'll recover sooner. But you have to do it carefully," Kartein added.

"Thank goodness..." sighed Ares.

"Kid, what happened? Why did you fight against six guys?" Kayden asked.

Kartein and Kayden fell silent, staring at Ares.

Ares sighed and replied, "I don't know. After facing Devil Blood, I was moving around to prepare for my next fight, but suddenly those six people appeared and started attacking me without warning. I had to defend myself as best as I could."

"Fortunately, I managed to defeat them when they were caught off guard. I was pretty lucky... that they weren't so good at cooperating with each other," explained Ares.

"Do you know why?" Kayden asked.

"How did they track you down? You should be like your master, not staying in one place for too long," Kartein added.

Ares said with evident doubts in his voice, "I'm not sure... I think it was the World Academy of the Awakened. After facing Devil Blood, I immediately left the place."

"Those bastards?" exclaimed Kayden.

"The World Academy of the Awakened? It must have been on the order of the World Association," Kartein said.

Ares recounted, "There was one among the six who was quite talkative and claimed that it was easy to earn a favor from the World Association of Awakened Individuals."

Kayden asked, "Did they offer them something? It must be something of great value for them to act."

Kartein intervened, "Indeed, they must have offered them something substantial. Even the World Academy of Awakened Individuals would have to spend significant resources to act."

Kartein's next statement was a bombshell: "They must have offered a huge bounty on your head..."

Ares intervened, "I think..."

But before he could continue, Ares asked, "Kartein, how long will it take for me to recover?" Kayden and Ares turned their gaze towards Kartein.

Kartein pondered for a moment before responding, "You'll need two months of bed or wheelchair rest, followed by six months of rehabilitation."

Ares exclaimed, "So much time?"

Kartein retorted, "What do you mean, so much time? You should be grateful to be able to recover from those injuries. It was a miracle."

Kayden advised, "You need to rest. Use this time to reflect on your experiences throughout your challenges against the world's best. You can either do that or stop obsessing over frenetic fights and take a break for a while."

Kartein intervened, his voice rising with anger, "You need to take it easy! What's wrong with you two?"

Ares admitted, "Fine. I have to analyze the fight."

Kayden encouraged, "During this time, your power will grow rapidly."

Excited, Ares asked, "What happened to the awakened individuals I fought against?"

Kayden let out a deep sigh and responded, "You killed three of them, and the rest were severely injured."

Disappointed, Ares muttered, "Oh... only three survived."

Kartein intervened, "Relax, Kayden took care of them and their respective organizations." Surprised, Ares exclaimed, "Really? Thank you very much, Master."

Kayden reassured him, "Yes, don't worry about them. I took care of it. Just focus on resting and recovering."

Kartein scolded him, "You should go to your room and rest. I told you it's not very convenient for you to be here."

Ares agreed, "Yes, Kartein," and turned his wheelchair towards his room, reminiscing about his past battles.

[3 months later]

Ares and Kayden were sitting cross-legged, emanating blue and golden lights.

Ares slowly opened his pupils and looked at Kayden.

'These past three months have been tough,' Ares said with regret. 'Not being able to use my awakened abilities worried me a lot, but as of today, I no longer have those restrictions. Kartein's treatments ended two months ago. I would like to spend my remaining five months of recovery with my family. Since I can use 50% of my powers, I shouldn't have any problems and I can protect myself.'

"Ares," Kayden said, opening his eyes and looking at his pupil. "What's going on? Can you use some of your powers normally now?"

"I want to spend my last months of recovery with my family. I want to go to where they are," Ares said, with some insecurity in his voice.

Kayden thought for a moment and then said, "Alright, let's go."

"But I don't think you understand," Ares said, hesitating. "I want to go alone. You've taken care of me all these months, and I don't want you to keep wasting your time on me when I can use my powers. I should continue challenging other awakened individuals."

Kayden showed a surprised expression and remained silent for a moment.

"Are you sure, kid?" Kayden asked with concern. "Even if you can use your abilities, if you come across a powerful enemy, you won't have any help. You can always count on me, you don't have to bear the burden of your problems alone. I can always assist you."

"I know I can count on you, Master," Ares replied. "But I want to be alone for a while and spend some time with my family. Besides, you have a challenge coming up in a few days, and there are rumors that you're regretting it. Go and face that bastard, showing that they're just lies."

Kayden laughed. "HAHAHAHA. Those rumors are not important. What's most important is your health. Sooner or later, they will pay for it. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know. I will come to your aid anytime."

"I appreciate your help, Mr. Kayden. I wish you the best in your battles, and if anything happens, you'll be the first to know," Ares said happily.

"Alright, kid, you need to plan when you'll leave. You mustn't be noticed," Kayden said, ending the conversation.

….

1755 words.

Next chapter "Back home"