Awakening

In a certain pavilion, surrounded by an artificial lake. Two old men were sitting facing each other with a small table between them.

The atmosphere around them was calm and serene. Truly the best place to relax.

An old man in a white robe moved a chess piece as he opened his mouth, "So, what do you think of our new Chief Instructor?"

On the other side, an old man in a brown robe had his eyes fixed on the chessboard as he stroked his long white beard.

It was unknown if the old man was thinking about his next move or an answer. He looked very serious, yet calm. After a moment, he flicked his hand and moved the chess piece.

"He's amazing, isn't he? With him around, I am relieved for our future generation!"

This time it was the old man in the white robe who looked solemnly at the chessboard. He rubbed his chin and made his move.

"You know what I mean, old Kim! You really like to beat around the bush! Let me be direct: aren't you interested in his technique? A lightning dragon and a phoenix, he is beyond amazing for someone of his age!"

The old man called Old Kim suddenly smiled and moved his chess piece in a flash.

"Huhu... It's my victory this time! And I'm certainly interested in his technique, why don't we pay him a visit, Old Wu?" Old Kim looked up and his eyes met those of the white-robed old man.

"No, not now, it's too early for us! I sent Yanhong to confirm his techniques first. What if those techniques are just flashy techniques..." Old Wu shook his head.

Old Kim rolled his eyes, "Just so you know, the flame has continued to burn the land until now, and the lightning mine hasn't died down yet!"

"Then why did you send your great-grandson? Don't you want to test him as well?" Old Wu smiled.

"No, it's a good experience for my pupil to face such a strong opponent. It will benefit him, after all, a strong opponent like him is hard to find..." Old Kim stopped halfway and shook his head in regret.

"Unfortunately, he refused to become the Supreme Sun. If he takes the position, I might have to retire early..."

"If you speak like that for the young man, I want a match against him!"

"He's not young anymore, Old Wu! He'll be 41 this year, he's much older than he looks!" Old Kim took something out of his sleeve and threw it over.

Old Wu caught the envelope and took out the contents. The envelope contained a piece of paper with Heero's details written on it.

Old Wu read the paper with a surprised look on his face. Just as Old Kim had told him, Heero would turn 41 this year.

He looked at the photo. The photo was clear, this Heero looked like someone in his early twenties.

"Interesting! He seems to have a lot of secrets. It's worth my time to meet him," Old Wu smiled happily as he read the paper.

His interest in Heero grew. Heero also seemed to have a technique that made him look younger. As someone who was at the end of his life, it was natural that Old Wu was interested in Heero's secret technique.

"Don't make trouble, Old Wu! He is on our side..."

"I know! I know that! At most, I will have a little chat with him. I will not bother him at all, just a little chat between us!" Old Wu waved his hand at Old Kim.

Old Kim shook his head and continued, "I'm just telling you, I won't help you if anything happens.

"You should worry about him instead of worrying about me!" Old Wu grinned.

*** ***

"Kuhu..."

Heero chuckled and leaned closer to Kang Seo-Yeon.

"Is there such a tradition in the Hero League?"

Kang Seo-Yeon continued with a "What?" face, not understanding the question.

"A tradition where the new Hero Instructor is challenged by an Emperor Class Hero and two..."

Heero stopped halfway as his eyes fell on two men, Wu Yanhong and Kim Seung.

"These two are not a hero though... Two passers-by, I guess!"

He learned about Wu Yanhong from Bai Xin Yue's mouth. As for Kim Seung, he could tell from his clothes that he was no hero.

The guy called Park Jin-Soo wore formal clothes and the same was true for Wu Shen Lei, Kang Seo-Yeon and Bai Xin Yue. The heroes he met wore formal attire, while these two wore casual attire.

"There is no such tradition. They are just idiots who think the world revolves around them!"

A voice came from the entrance and Heero recognised it. It was the voice of Musashi Hirata coming out of the building. He had his sword at his waist and a cold expression on his face.

But of course, he was not alone, a couple was walking next to him, Sun Zhou Yi and Bai Shuang'er.

Musashi Hirata and Sun Zhou Yi walked towards Heero while Bai Shuang'er rushed towards her sister and whispered something to her.

"Hohoho... Look who's coming! The disciples have come to save their master, but can you two really stop us from beating your cowardly master?"

Wu Yanhong sneered at the two uninvited guests. He was not the least bit afraid to face the famous heroes.

"Hah... You have truly lived up to your name with your filthy mouth. Wu Yanhong, is it? Why don't you duel with me instead of my master? I can take three of you at once!"

Musashi Hirata sneered at Wu Yanhong. This was how Musashi Hirata dealt with these arrogant brats. You just had to be more arrogant than them.

Park Jin-Soo frowned and replied, "I don't have a problem with you. This matter is between me and your master!"

Kim Seung's eyes fell on Sun Zhou Yi. He had come here on the orders of his master to have a fight with Heero. But deep inside he was more interested in Sun Zhou Yi.

"But my master's business is my business! If you want to face my master, you have to go through me first! Two against three!

Sun Zhou Yi opened his mouth. As soon as he opened his mouth, he came with a strong momentum.

"That's my man~," Bai Shuang'er cheered.

Piak!

Heero immediately slapped Sun Zhou Yi's head.

"My master's affairs are also mine!" Heero copied Sun Zhou Yi's way of speaking and added as he rolled his eyes, "What are you? My wife?"

Then Heero turned to the three men blocking his way and said, "Just as they said. If you want to fight me, defeat them first! I am busy and have no time to play with you, children!"

Having said his piece, Heero walked forward. He passed the group, but Wu Yanhong was not ready to give up.

"Wait..."

Wu Yanhong reached for Heero's shoulder, but Heero shrugged. Wu Yanhong's hand was shaken away with a mere shrug. Not only that, but he was also pushed back three steps.

Wu Yanhong looked down at his right palm with a surprised expression before he looked back at Heero. He met sharp eyes that shook his mind.

"You should respect the elder and watch your mouth. This time I will be kind and overlook your foul mouth. Remember, this will be the first and last warning from me!"

Heero's voice was ice-cold, his words were effective.

Badump! Badump! Badump!

Wu Yanhong's heart was beating chaotically. He could feel that if he continued with his antics, he would surely be doomed. His guts told him to keep his mouth shut.

After that, Heero entered the building with the two women. No one stopped him this time, he entered the building with ease.

Meanwhile, Wu Yanhong looked at Heero's back with a complicated look. After losing sight of Heero, he looked back at the palm of his hand that had touched Heero's shoulder earlier.

It was only a shrug, but the throbbing pain was still there. It was as if a sword had pierced his palm, but his palm was fine.

"What's wrong with you, Yanhong?" Kim Seung decided not to follow Heero and asked when he noticed something strange about his friend.

"Nothing!" Wu Yanhong clenched his hand into a fist and shook his head.

*** ***

This time, Heero arrived at his destination without a hitch. It was the control room to monitor the awakening process.

Standing behind glass, looking through the glass, he saw a man accompanied by two men in white robes. The man was one of the Chosen.

One of the white-robed men seemed to be talking to the Chosen One, while the other white-robed man was handling a tube containing a translucent red liquid.

"This is a high-grade Awakening Elixir," Bai Xin Yue informed Heero in a low voice.

After a moment, the preparation was finished. The two white robed ones sat the chosen one on the chair and gave him the elixir. Then the two white-robed men left.

"During the awakening process, we will feel excruciating pain, so the Hero League has prepared a room for awakening!" Kang Seo-Yeon explained the process.

She had experienced awakening once. She was familiar with the process.

The man on the other side of the room seemed nervous as he held the tube. He took a deep breath and swallowed the elixir.

At the same time, Heero's eyes turned blue. His eyes focused on the man, watching the change in the man's body.

A few seconds after the man had swallowed the elixir, he screamed in pain. A scream filled the other room.

A few minutes later, a violent wind wreaked havoc. The wind was sharp as a razor, scratching the floor and wall, leaving a traces of cuts here and there.

"Ah, I see!" Heero muttered as he nodded his head.