[23] “I'm back”

[One week later]

[World Awakening Academy]

In a small room, four figures were nervously discussing the current situation. "What are we going to do? Ares killed another member of the world ranking," someone was heard saying.

Lucy Bourdon, terrified, responded, "Now it's known that he's in perfect condition and that the rumors we spread were false."

Terry Miller, trembling, suggested, "I don't know... What if we escape? The director is furious with us for getting involved where we shouldn't have."

Frank Mude, angry, looked at Terry Miller and exclaimed, "Escape? Are you crazy? Do you think we would get far?"

Matthew Long, with a weary voice, said, "We have to face the consequences of our actions. You don't want to be chased for the rest of your life."

Lucy Bourdon added, "Stop talking nonsense. Now that Ares is alive, he will continue challenging other awakened individuals."

"As far as I know, this guy Mathias Dufour challenged Ares when he was injured," Lucy Bourdon continued.

Terry Miller asked hesitantly, "Is he seeking revenge?"

"Who knows?" Lucy Bourdon responded.

"Did anyone else challenge him or mess with him when it was said he was injured?" Frank Mude asked.

"I think so. The number 52 in the world ranking, Hassan Can, as soon as the rumors of Ares being injured spread, he challenged him and said a few too many words," Matthew Long confidently replied.

"That might be our opportunity, to inform Hassan so he can attack Ares," Lucy Bourdon suggested.

"Yes, I'll let him know," Frank Mude affirmed.

Suddenly, a loud sound at the door interrupted their conversation. A figure dressed entirely in black appeared at the entrance.

"Gentlemen, the director has summoned you," the figure announced with an authoritative voice.

"The director?" the four professors asked, trembling.

"Yes, he told me to tell you that the World Association is here," the black figure responded.

"The Association is here?" the four professors exclaimed, astonished.

"Hurry up! Don't waste time!" the black figure shouted, releasing a powerful orange aura.

The four professors, still frightened by the mysterious figure, didn't dare to respond to the order and simply followed.

After a few moments, they entered a room where they found Garis Luteroine, the director of the World Awakening Academy, and an elderly person with orange hair and dark skin, sitting in front of them.

The mysterious figure simply said, "Here they are," before disappearing at an incredible speed without looking back.

The professors, impressed by the figure's speed, were left speechless and observed the two men in the room, waiting for an explanation of what was happening.

"I have gathered you here to inform you that you will personally have to take care of the problem you created," Garis Luteroine declared.

"The person beside me is Edwin Schinke, sent by the World Association of Awakened to help you solve your problems," he added calmly.

"Ares is in recovery and is seeking revenge against the awakened individuals who messed with him. We believe his next confrontation will be against Hassan Can, which is why you will join forces with Edwin to try to defeat him," Garis Luteroine concluded.

Lucy Bourdon was astonished upon learning the situation.

"The plan is to let him face Hassan Can, and if he defeats him, we intervene," Garis continued.

"Be careful, Ares is very strong," warned Edwin Schinke.

"You may leave," Garis Luteroine concluded, taking the papers from his desk.

The five of them left the room.

"I hope they die. It's impossible for them to defeat him, even if he's worn out from fighting," Garis thought in the lonely room.

....

[A few days later]

[At the South Korean Awakening Academy]

Han Seongik stood with his arms crossed behind his back as he looked out at the urban landscape through the window of his office. At that moment, a young figure entered the room and informed him about Ares, who had returned to battles three weeks ago, defeating Mathias Dufour and more recently, Kayla Rose.

'So, he has regained his strength,' Han reflected to himself, thinking about the last opponents Ares had challenged, both ranked in the Top 57 and 54 worldwide.

"You may leave," Han told the young person before they exited the office.

'It's surprising to see how, despite being ambushed, Ares continues to challenge the world's best,' Han thought as he was left alone in his office.

'The next generation is truly enthusiastic and selfless,' he concluded in his thoughts.

....

[Pov Kayden]

As I sit with my legs crossed at the top of a towering building, admiring the bustling city below, I can't help but wonder, "How is it possible that no one from the Top 10 has accepted my challenge?"

With my long, bluish-black hair and deep blue eyes, I decide to take matters into my own hands. 'I should send a challenge to all the individuals in the Top 10 of the world rankings,' I think to myself. I'm confident they won't be able to resist accepting my proposal.

'With a little patience, I just have to wait for them to accept my challenge. I'm sure they will do so soon.'

....

As I sit with my legs crossed in an abandoned house, meditating and radiating a golden light.

I think to myself, 'I know I have recovered, and I am ready to exact revenge on Hassan Can, the 52nd ranked individual in the world rankings, who dared to challenge me when I was injured. I will make sure he pays for his arrogance and hubris.'

'He is the President of the Mumisaha organization, and I am determined to destroy them all.'

'My last battle was nothing out of the ordinary, as I am rapidly becoming incredibly strong in a short period of time.'

'The individual ranked 54th that I faced had metal powers. He could cover parts of his body in metal and create and manipulate it at will. However, he had very obvious weaknesses. He couldn't fly, although his long-range attacks were powerful. Dodging his attacks was quite easy, and in the end, I completely crushed him.'

'I know that at these levels, one must be a well-rounded awakened individual in all aspects; otherwise, they will have a significant disadvantage against other opponents. But I am confident in my abilities and ready to face anyone who dares to challenge me.'

….

1061 words.

Next chapter "Pending accounts"