33. Vatore

(A few days later)

I was returning home with Mago after getting groceries. Since Mago was still very young I had him in a leash because he kept wondering around. When I was near my house, I saw Sucheon and Jiwoo talking.

Upon seeing me the black haired boy tsked and walked away after saying bye.

"What did he come for?", I asked Jiwoo after we entered our home.

"He said that a world ranker Vatore is asking to meet either Mr. Kayden or me", Jiwoo said sitting down. He looked stressed out probably about Kayden's safety more than his.

"Man, this is great! Vatore coming after you is the last thing we want!", expressed Kartein.

"Who exactly is he?

"He is one of the Grandes... The world's top 50 awakened ones."

"Whys someone like that looking for Mr. Kayden", I asked and the cat experienced how the world ranker wanted to fight him.

Jiwoo got worried when Kayden agreed to fight Vatore even though he was injured. But the latter replied, " Didn't I tell you already? I've never turned down a challenge. Stop worrying about me and get to your training you both."

Reluctantly we made our way to the basement and continued training our force control.

_____

Later in the evening, Kayden had left to accept Vatore's challenge and Jiwoo as expected was worried sick. Kartein was playing with the three cats while I sat on the floor brushing Mago's fur.

I sighed and spoke up, "Mr. Kayden will be perfectly fine, hyung. Vatore won't even land a hit on him."

"Why didn't you say something earlier, you punk?!", Kartein exclaimed nearly pouncing on me. He sure likes to act like he doesn't care about Kayden.

"If you say so, Eunwoo. I feel a bit relieved now", Jiwoo stated with a sigh and went to make dinner.

A few minutes later the white cat plopped down from the couch and walked toward the entrance. "You're going to check on Mr. Kayden?", I asked.

"Who's worried about that punk? I going out for a walk", he huffed and left.

Who is he trying to fool? Someone who can 'see future'?

______

"What a relief! I was worried sick!", exclaimed Jiwoo to Kayden who had just returned after beating up Vatore.

"What's there to worry about? It was easy peasy." Said the ginger cat feeling proud. "Look I don't even have a scratch."

"Woah! Mr. Kayden, you're the best...", Jiwoo's eyes were twinkling with admiration for the cat.

"Tsk... You really gotta show off like that after you whipped him a few times?", started the white cat.

"Yep, that too after Jiyoung beat him first", I said while reading my thick book of force control.

"This brat..." He started, "Then what, was I supposed to show mercy to that bastard when he came to kill me knowing I was injured?"

Kartein shrugged. "Just saying."

"He deserved that. Though I believe the match was fair." I said turning the page while taking notes.

"How so?", Jiwoo asked in confusion.

"Well, Mr. Kayden and him, both were injured, weren't they?"

"Even though he's a brat sometimes, I like his sense of judgement", Kayden said nodding his head.

"But anyways", Kartein started. "You know what Kayden did... Lol"

____

DING DONG~

Early morning the doorbell rang waking up everyone. I didn't bother getting up and just turned around and cuddled with Mago. Jiwoo went to check who it was along with Kayden and Kartein.

After some time he returned. I asked in a sleepy voice, "Who was it?"

"Sucheon came saying that Vatore is asking to meet Kartein now", he explained.

I nodded in reply and went to sleep.

_____

"That Vatore guy asked you to treat him?", Jiwoo asked.

I was continuing my book which stated how to alter force control to treat wounds which were caused long ago.

"Yeah... I have to take a look at him first. But I don't want to", answered Kartein.

"It must get on your nerves knowing how stubborn he is", asked Kayden.

"Hmph. Let him be. What could he possibly do?"

_____

DING DONG~

DING DONG~

DING DONG~~

The bell rang again in the morning.

"Ugh...", I frowned my brows and tiredly rubbed my eyes.

"Go back to sleep. We'll see who it is this time", Kayden said placing his paw on my forehead. I obeyed him nonetheless.

_____

(Next day)

Jiwoo got a message from Sucheon, 'He's here again.'

Kayden and Kartein left and I didn't have to wake up this time.

_____

(Next day)

Sucheon: He's here

_____

(Next day)

Sucheon: Here

_____

(Next day)

Sucheon: He's here and he's asking for Kartein's apprentice.

"He's asking for Eunwoo now?", asked Kayden.

"Yeah... But I don't think he should go...", Jiwoo said feeling worried for his younger twin.

But Kartein reassured him saying, "He'll be fine since we both will be with him." Jiwoo nodded and the blond man proceeded to wake up his apprentice.

I felt someone shook me. Tiredly opening my eyes I saw that it was Kartein. "Umm... What is it Mr. Kartein?"

"Wake up and get dressed. Vatore is asking for you this time."

"I don't wanna...", I whined but Kartein pulled me up by my arm and told me to change.

After changing from pajamas to a hoodie and sweatpants I took an overcoat along since it was pretty cold today. Suman greeted us when we entered the Baekdu building. We were sitting on the couch and I was fighting back sleep. I rubbed my eyes tiredly when Vatore entered the room.

He greeted Kayden and Kartein before saying, "Kartein do my treatment today."

"Don't wanna", Kartein said not even looking at him.

I yawned before covering my mouth with my hand.

"I know I can't force you to treat me." He continued now looking at me, "Is this kid your apprentice?"

"He is. Why did you want to meet him?" The blond and Kayden glared at Vatore.

"I was just curious. Since the world's best healer got an apprentice I wanted to see who it was. I thought he would be wild but this kid is rather gentle looking. Though he surely has the looks to be called your apprentice."

"He isn't called 'sleeping beauty' for no reason", Kartein stated proudly. Everyone in the room sweatdropped. Kayden was holding in laughter and I could feel my ears burn from embarrassment.

"Ahem... What's your name kid?", Vatore asked me.

I bowed to him and introduced myself, "I'm Eunwoo Seo, sir."

"I don't think you've been an apprentice for long. Do you want to try treating my scar?"

"This punk... I knew that's what you wanted all along...", Kartein said under his breath.

I thought for a moment before asking, "Mr. Kartein, will it be alright if I can at least try?"

"It's your choice, kiddo." He said before glaring at Vatore, "If he can't heal you don't think that I would."

"I know, I know."

Saying that he sat beside me on the couch and faced me. I could feel Suman's attentive gaze on me. I brought my hands near his scar and examined his condition. Hmm... I don't think I can heal him fully but I still want to practice what I learnt from Mr. Kartein and the book. I could feel Kayden's energy in his body which is probably the result of getting electrocuted so many times which made me worry because it was interrupting my energy.

"I don't think I can heal it fully... But I'll try to do what I can", I said looking up at Vatore. The sleep in my eyes was long gone because of the stress I felt.

"It's fine", Vatore assured.

Taking a deep breath I started the treatment. I felt like Kayden's energy was absorbing mine and I could even feel very little electric shock from time to time. My head was getting fuzzy meaning that it was time to stop now. However, I still continued for a couple of minutes before finally halting.

I opened my eyes and everything was blurry for some time. Vatore held me by my upper arm because my body nearly swaying from lack of energy.

"I guess you're not used to using your powers much", I heard Vatore's voice and looked in his direction with my unfocused eyes.

"This kid always overdoes it...", Kartein mumbled before making my head lean against the couch. "Rest for a bit. You've done enough."

I nodded and soon Varote's scream was heard. Turns out he was looking in the mirror. "W-WOAH!! How the hell did you do that, kid?! Not even experienced healers could help me with this scar!!", he exclaimed coming toward me. After using a chunk of my power, all I could do was make his scar appear a bit faint.

Kayden stood in front of me blocking Vatore from coming any closer. The teal-haired man sighed before saying cheerfully, "Kartein I'm grateful to your apprentice for his treatment. If you need any help in the future, just give me a call, kiddo. I'll return the favour anytime."

"I don't know why you're even surprised. This kid is MY apprentice after all", Kartein repeated his most recent favourite statement and I felt my face heat up a bit in embarrassment.

"But his abilities are truly remarkable for someone his age and such little experience", I heard Suman say. I was now sitting up since I didn't want to look like I was at my limit.

"You give me too much credit, sir. It's all thanks to Mr. Kartein for accepting me as his apprentice", I said politely.

"I can see why Kartein took you in under his guidance...", Vatore mumbled.

Kartein was visibly enjoying the praise and recognition his apprentice was getting and couldn't hide his proud grin. Kayden glared at the smirking blond from the corner of his eye feeling amused by his unusual behaviour.