46. Can I become a 'cat'?

After arriving, Jiwoo and Kayden had to go to Shinwha so Kartein and I went home with Mago. After getting settled in, Kartein got in his human form and said, "Let's continue our training, there will be many like Fedor in the future. We have so much to train for; strengthening your barrier and physical attacks, healing capacity, Golden chain and how can I forget your new attack, that huge sword?! Which I had very clearly said not to..." He continued muttering while rubbing his temple, "Though it did help for some time to distract him."

I sat on the couch patiently waiting for him to stop nagging. By now I knew very well that he wasn't angry at me for fighting against a top 50 or because I disobeyed him but because it was too treacherous considering I lacked energy at that moment.

And Kartein demanded, "I will not unseal your full energy until I'm sure that you have magnificent control of what you already have."

"I understand Mr. Kartein", I started. "But I was thinking, wouldn't it be better if I learned to transform into a cat?"

"What do you even- DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A SKINNY CAT AS WELL?!"

"Please hear me out, sir."

Kartein sighed before nodding.

"If I can turn myself into a cat, I could easily fool even the world's top 50 awakeners and escape without getting into a fight. That way I could even sneak anywhere."

The blond male thought for some time considering my statement and let out, "It doesn't sound that bad an idea in your circumstance... Fine. We do it after your training is done."

I quietly cheered before asking, "Mr. Kartein, when will you teach me that other skill of yours? It was so cool! Was it called 'Dark Swamp'?"

"That's right. But I'm not planning to teach it to you any time soon."

"May I ask why...?"

"For now, you know only the light element for your force control. But where there is light, shadow exists as well. The force control you made is complete to a certain degree but to truly understand it you also need to embrace the darkness in it without getting submerged by it. Once you come to understand this darkness you will know and treasure the light that you already have."

I pondered on his words and somehow they sounded philosophical. After some time our training began with the older showing no mercy.

~~

Finally, the hellish training was over with Kartein reluctantly teaching me how to become a cat, which I failed miserably at, Kartein decided that it was enough training for today but I still had to study the book that the principal gave me. I agreed nonetheless.

It was evening now, Jiwoo and Kayden hadn't returned till now and we were out of cat treats so I decided to run some errands.

"Mr. Kartein, I'm stepping out for some time."

"Alright, alright", he replied pouring food for the other cats and Mago.

The sun had already set yet the sky was still brightly colored with orange and pink shade. The moon was visible in the dark cloudy sky.

Has the sky always been this pretty? In my past life, did I ever halt and gawk at this beauty? Nah. I was too busy trying to earn a living, then paying rent and winning competitions...

While walking for some time near the ally I saw a white kitten with light brown patches on his ear and back. It looked about 2-3 weeks old and the cold weather of the night was too harsh for it was shivering. Well, it wouldn't hurt to add another member to the family... I went to pick him up but just then...

SWISHHHHH!

A bright light came which overwhelmed me for a minute. Upon opening my eyes, the first thing I noticed was that the world had suddenly gotten gigantic! The building and the trees looked larger or is it that I am the one who has gotten smaller?! I looked down at my feet only for them to be replaced by tiny paws.

Wait! Wait a darn minute! DON'T TELL ME I BECAME THAT KITTEN!!!! ^%$^#^&*%^%#

After some time when I had calmed down, I decided to go back home, which now looked like a long trip to me.

When I came to the park, I could hear children playing around until one of them pointed at me and said, "Whoever gets that kitty wins!" And they ran after me.

Maybe becoming a cat wasn't that good of an idea!

I ran as fast as my tiny paws could take me. Just then one of the kids threw a stone at me which hit my leg, making me whine in distress.

"Come on, Minho, get him now!"

I turned to another ally and hid behind a trashcan, waiting for the kids to go away. My right hand- I mean paw was throbbing in pain and since the body was still young it was tough for me to bite back crying. When the kids had gone away, I continued my journey.

I finally, after very long, reached home. Thankfully I didn't encounter any more devilish kids or harmful animals. The next hurdle was... How do I even ring the bell?! $#@%!^*

I failed to jump high enough to ring the bell and couldn't scratch the door because of my injured hand which made me feel frustrated and miserable. Angrily sitting on the doormat I started meowing because if I said anything the people passing by would surely take me to a laboratory or call a Shaman!

"Meww... meww..."

Damn it! This is so embarrassing!!

I heard Mago bark from right behind the door. That's right Mago it's your dad! Bring someone to open the door. "What is it Mago? Is there someone outside?", I heard Jiwoo's voice before he opened the door.