[71] "Dilemma"

[At Jiwoo's house]

Ares and Kayden are sitting on a couch, looking at each other with a frown.

Kayden smiles and says. "What have you been doing this last while?"

Ares frowns and makes an exhausted face "That Top 11 all he knows how to do is run, I ran into him by chance and he ran as soon as we exchanged a few attacks."

Kayden nods in understanding and says. "I expected nothing less from you, you sure made a lot of fuss."

Ares shrugs and says. "A little, I don't know if the news has spread yet, I chased him for quite a while, killed his subordinates and left him wounded."

Kayden frowns, showing concern. "I hope you were careful. We don't want to attract undue attention needed."

Ares nods, understanding Kayden's concern. "Yes, I had to act quickly and forcefully. I can't have them interfering in my battles, but you're right, we need to be discreet for a while."

Ares frowns, concerned. "How's Jiwoo been?" he asks, changing the tone of the conversation.

Kayden sighs, showing some frustration. "I don't understand why you didn't train him from a young age, but I've been training him hard and he's grown at an incredible rate, just like us. He's slowly getting used to this cruel world where power rules all."

Ares sighs sadly. "I wanted to train him from a young age, but you know how my mother's character is. She wanted Jiwoo to have a normal life even though we all knew that sooner or later he would enter this world, so I only taught him a part of my force control that he could benefit from and trained him the short time I was at home."

"Well, it's true that your mother's character is complicated, but you had a good idea to train from time to time on your force control, it will enhance his awakened powers with his speed and my electricity, and your healing factor will make him a powerful and fearsome awakened for everyone," Kayden says, with a voice full of confidence and assurance.

Ares laughs arrogantly. "Just like us?"

Kayden and Ares laugh fiendishly, sharing their malevolent plan.

"So what shall we do now?" asks Ares.

"Of course, escort Jiwoo on his way while I recover and get revenge on those fuckers," Kayden replies with kindness in his voice, which then fills with murderous determination.

"It'll be fun to watch the boys fight, I'll train Jiwoo hard," Ares says with a big smile, then adds. "Don't worry about your revenge, get well first and then I'll help you."

Kayden nods, showing his appreciation.

An electric light energy from Kayden's body, transforming him into a fat cat and his eyes widen in surprise looking at Ares.

"It can't be..." cried Kayden in bewilderment.

....

[Shinhwa]

In the evening, Jiyoung is sitting in her chair, with paper on her desk, while Inhyuk is standing in front of her with his arms crossed behind his back.

"Inhyuk, have all traces at the scene been erased?" asks Jiyoung with a piercing look.

"Yes, President. Wooin and Jiwoo said they were unconscious at the time and don't know what happened," Inhyuk replies.

After a moment of silence, Inhyuk adds. "There are burns on the Klein brothers' bodies, and they seem to have been caused by electricity, it has nothing to do with you and the younger Klein brother also has burns, but they don't seem to be caused by electricity or fire, but by some other power."

Jiyoung frowns, thoughtfully. "This is very strange..."

Inhyuk looks worried. "President, do you think someone helped them?"

"It's very possible. Wooin and Jiwoo have serious injuries and were in bad shape, they were probably unconscious after receiving such damage and Jisuk was also wounded in the arm, making him unusable to continue fighting," Jiyoung explains.

"They even have different burn prints, one from electricity, which could be Kayden's handiwork, since we know he's in our territory. And the other burn print we don't know what could have caused it, but Ares, Kayden's disciple, has awakened powers of light, so he could also be involved," Jiyoung continues seriously.

Inhyuk shows astonishment and trembling in his voice. "Are you suggesting that Kayden and Ares are in our territory and also helping the boys, those two wouldn't help just any people they are known to be ruthless."

"I'm just considering the possibility that they might have helped them," Jiyoung replies in a calm voice to calm Inhyuk down.

After a moment, Inhyuk reacted and said. "From the way the Klein brothers were moving, it is quite possible that they are looking for Dr. Delein. As soon as they wake up, we will interrogate them. Wooin told us they asked them about their teacher."

"Hmm," Jiyoung murmurs, thoughtfully.

....

[Awakened Union, in the morning.]

Delein was sitting, pinning his serious gaze on Wooin.

"Do you realize how dangerous that was, Wooin?" reproached Delein earnestly. However, he did not stop there and continued. "Why did you leave that house? You were safe there."

Wooin averted his gaze, fixing it on the table, and replied evasively. "I wanted to be in control of my own life, Professor. I was given the opportunity to choose how I wanted to live, and I decided to make my own decisions, without having to follow the decisions of others..."

"I understand that you have no regrets, Wooin," Delein replies resignedly, keeping his gaze on his disciple's serious eyes. He sighs deeply before continuing, seeking to understand the situation.

"Okay, this is no time to scold you," Delein admits, acknowledging that they can no longer change what happened. "Tell me how you made it out of there alive? I know better than anyone that neither of you is a match for them to face."

Wooin is thoughtful for a moment before answering. "I don't know... We were unconscious, we have no idea what happened next," he comments, evidencing his lack of information about subsequent events.

Delein watches Wooin closely, trying to find some clue in his expression. 'You're not lying, are you;' he thinks to himself, intrigued by the unknown of who might have helped his student in that compromising situation.

Wooin interrupts Delein's thoughts by mentioning something that captures his attention. "They said there were traces of burns at the site, but not caused by fire powers," Wooin comments, snapping Delein out of his reverie.

Delein's frown intensifies as he ponders silently. 'Kayden... o... Ares?";, he inwardly wonders, considering the possible parties involved.

"Let them be the ones in charge of the investigation and let's hope they're lucky enough to discover something," Delein replies earnestly. "You can go get some rest, Wooin. It's been a tiring day.... I know you escaped from the hospital," he adds.

Wooin nods in understanding and bids a polite farewell. "See you, professor."

Delein watches as Wooin leaves the room and, in a thoughtful gesture, turns his chair, sinking into a sea of thought, his expression full of concern and consideration.

After leaving the room, Wooin meets Seongha, who walks up with seriousness and coldness on his face.

"Why did you leave Shinhwa Hospital as soon as you woke up?" questions Seongha with a tone of voice laden with coldness. "You need to rest and recuperate."

Wooin lowers his head, showing some guilt in his attitude. "I wanted to see the professor," he replies quietly, explaining his desire to connect with Delein.

Seongha sighs, understanding the motive behind Wooin's decision. "You must hurry back to the hospital for another check-up. I don't want your injuries to get worse," Seongha emphasizes authoritatively. "I will talk to Delein about what happened."

Wooin bows in thanks and shows his respect by saying. "Thank you very much, Mr. Park."

"Go back to the hospital," Seongha insists, making clear his desire for Wooin to follow his directions.

Wooin nods and turns away, leaving the union facility.

Meanwhile, Seongha watches his departure and then opens the door to Delein's room.

....

1341 Words.

Next Chapter "Learning and reunion"