12. The great Kartein

Kartein stared at Jiwoo for a couple of seconds before breaking the silence. "Is this your apprentice?"

"Right", confirmed Kayden.

"He is not what I expected."

While Jiwoo and Eunwoo awkwardly stared at the tall blond.

"I thought he would look like shit, just like your personality", Kartein said.

Eunwoo tried his best to not burst out laughing. 'Let's hold it...' Kayden thought.

"Mr. Kayden, who is this person?", asked Jiwoo trying to break the awkwardness.

"Someone I know", Kayden replied.

"Sounds appropriate." Kartein glanced at Eunwoo making him flinch. "And who's that kid? Another apprentice?"

"No, he's my apprentice's brother."

"H-hello...", Eunwoo hesitantly greeted the blond.

"Hmm... Let's not drag this, I'll get right to it."

"His body is-" Kayden tried to explain but Kartein interrupted him.

"Shush. Don't interrupt."

At this point, it was beyond Eunwoo's power to stop himself. "Pfft-"

He covered his mouth with his hands when Kayden glared at him.

Kartein began examining Jiwoo. "Just lie down and accept my power. I'm checking your condition."

"...yes."

"Was he badly injured? His power dispersed after the core was shattered."

"And his arms were also broken, but got healed", explained Kayden.

"Hmm! Who healed them? Not bad! The issue is his shattered core, but like this, he can't gather or move his awakened power anymore... Looks like someone smashed it on purpose. It must've been very painful." He continued, "Are you asking me to restore your apprentice's core?"

"Yeah."

Eunwoo and Jiwoo silently observed the older awakened ones. The older twin was anxious while the younger was amused.

"Kayden. I heard you got injured, but was it a head injury? Asking me to restore a broken core... Did you forget it's impossible to fix it once it's broken?"

"I know."

"Does someone who knows asking me to do it?"

"Kartein. Is it impossible even for you? Among things people say about you, there's this. That you're the best healer who can heal any creature as long as they're breathing. I also thought what they said about your healing ability, at least was right. But, I guess I was mistaken." He turned his back acting disappointed and continued, "You can go. I now know that you can't heal him, so I've got no business with you."

"Wait."

'Victory! He took the bait~ But I don't know if Kayden is evil or not...' thought Eunwoo.

"I didn't say it was impossible for even me. I'll fix his core. Don't forget what you promised me."

"Don't worry about that."

Eunwoo whispered to Jiwoo, "Hyung, he can heal your core! Isn't that awesome?"

"Yeah but... Umm... Did you say you were Mr. Kartein? Can I talk to you in private? Mr. Kayden, just for a moment. Can also you take Eunwoo?"

Kayden sighed before picking up Eunwoo and silently leaving the room. Eunwoo didn't utter a word and just let Kayden take him. Since he was wearing shorts, he was glad that Kayden took a blanket along with him.

While waiting outside Kayden asked looking down at the younger boy, "Are you able to move your legs?"

"No... I can't feel them at all... Dr. Delein said they will be numb for a few months but we can begin physical therapy once I can make some movement."

"Hmm... Delein did say that your lower body is paralyzed and you won't be able to do even mild activities after the therapy."

"At least I'll be able to walk on my own...", Eunwoo said. He was starting to feel down again because he could never play MMA again nor could he live normally as an awakened one. He had tried to ignore this feeling but he felt upset and vulnerable because, in his previous life, he was always so independent he didn't want to depend on others more than necessary.

Noticing the change in Eunwoo's emotion Kayden dropped the subject.

'Even though he said he was alright in front of Jiwoo It does bother him a lot...' Kayden thought.

He tried to eavesdrop but didn't hear a thing because Kartein had made the room soundproof.

"Hyung's gonna refuse the treatment, isn't he?", Said Eunwoo.

"That's just how he is", Kayden said with a scoff.

After a few moments, Kartein came out. Eunwoo was nearly asleep again because of the strong medications.

"Aren't you both eavesdropping too explicitly?", he said. "Guide me to your place."

"What?"

"I came all the way here for you, so I should at least rest."

"Then wait a moment. Let me get this kid back in bed", Kayden said gesturing toward Eunwoo.

"Hmm...", Kartein looked at the boy who had nearly dozed off.

After putting Eunwoo back in the bed and covering him with a blanket Kayden left the room.