Cat Mania

11. They're Just Kids

"Jisuk! God dammit! Why'd you go hard on him?!" Inhyuk scolded him.

Jisuk walked away from the scene, a bit nervous, "what was I supposed to do?! He started it!" He clearly didn't know how to take the blame.

"He's right..."

The two looked towards where the voice came from.

It was Jiwoo.

Jiwoo shakingly got up, stumbling a bit in the process. He raised his arms again. He was full of scars, but he continued to say, "I'm not done yet."

Kayden furrowed his brows, 'he protected his body by directing the hit to minimize the impact to his body.' Then smirked at the thought of his thinking.

'Jiwoo.. that kid's smart.' Cale thought. 'But he's also stubborn, which makes him at a disadvantage...'

"Will you be okay?..." Inhyuk worried, but he had no right to refuse him.

"Yes.. I can still fight." Jiwoo's face was serious.

Inhyuk watched him, observing him, his current state. 'Jisuk's attack was powerful compared to him, just what did he do?'

'Who is this kid?'

His words left everyone in deep thinking.

Jisuk gathered his wind at his right arm, grinning, 'I just have to hit harder than!'

Jiwoo clenched his jaw.

'If this continues, Jiwoo will be in a bad situation...' Inhyuk took a deep breath, "that's enough!" He yelled loudly, "it is too dangerous to continue!"

They all turned his him, the referee.

Jisuk sighed, 'are they trying to protect this kid?'

"I— I can still continue!" Jiwoo yelled, although not that loud.

Inhyuk grew worried, "you've already proven yourself worthy. If you continue, your injuries will only worsen. If Jisuk had used his full power, it won't just end there." Inhyuk informed him.

'That.. wasn't his full potential...?' Jiwoo looked at Jisuk.

"..."

'Will you give up or will you fight?' Kayden awaited for the answer.

"I will continue." Jiwoo clenched his fists, that were held to his chin.

Kayden smirked, 'that's it!'

"I'm alright. I want to fight till the end." His eyes glared at Jisuk with unbreakable faith.

Jisuk grinned, 'this kid's different. I like that.' "Let him be, he can use this to learn his limits." The surge of wind came back.

"Jisuk Yoo!"

"Please allow us to continue, mr. Inhyuk!" Jiwoo countered.

"Let him do what he wants." Jiyoung spoke, for the first time since the spar started.

Inhyuk looked at Jiyoung in disbelief.

There was no glisten in her eyes, "he's better than he looks."

'If the chairwoman thinks so...' Inhyuk turned to the kids, nervous, "alright, continue."

Dash!

Jiwoo ran straight at Jisuk.

It was the same as before, but Jisuk's power had surged higher, and Jiwoo was weakened by his injuries, but those factors didn't stop either of them.

"Your attacks are useless if they can't reach me." Jisuk grinned, gaining an advantage. He threw blades on wind towards Jiwoo's way.

Swoosh!

Jiwoo dodged each and every one of them, making his way closer. Then he came to a halt, "a.. wall...?"

Jisuk smirked, "this is the difference between us. To me, this is just children's play! You can't beat me!"

Jiwoo's eyes dilated.

'Not only did he adapt to his speed, he adapted to his fighting style.' Kayden observed. 'That is the difference in experience and strength.'

The wall bursted into shatters.

Flash!

It knocked Jiwoo backwards. His once clean clothing was now stained in blood, both vibrant and dull.

"Yoo Jisuk!"

"Why is it my fault again?!" Jisuk became agitated, "he wanted to continue till the end!"

Inhyuk sweated, there was no way around that kid.

"This is just how the world is! Do you think he'll get away if he met someone else other than me?!" Jisuk didn't look like it, but he seemed to worry for Jiwoo. "He better learn sooner than die unprepared."

Inhyuk couldn't refute, Jisuk was right.

'That's cruel.' Cale frowned. 'He's still a kid, yet the way he thinks is do or die...'  Cale was talking about Jisuk.

"Wait!"

It was Jiwoo again.

"I can still fight." His legs were shaking heavily, no, rather, his whole body was.

"Jiwoo, you have to stop."

"He's right. You keep this up and you'll die at this rate." Even Jisuk agreed with Inhyuk now.

'...' Cale watched as Jiwoo got up.

Inhyuk furrowed his brows, 'he's still standing despite the wounds on his body.'

"Jiwoo." Cale stepped out.

All eyes were on him.

Cale walked up to Jiwoo, "you should stop now. If you get more injured, your cats will worry for you, who will feed them then?" Cale gently placed his hand on his shoulder.

Jiwoo's eyes widened as he lifted his head to looked at the person in front of him. His fists unfolded as his body relaxed a bit.

"I get it, you're still young and energetic, but you should take care of your body first." Cale opened his pouch, a dimensional storage from the archmage, Rosalyn, and pulled out a small bottle.

'What is that?'

"Drink it." Cale instructed.

"H- huh...?" Jiwoo looked at it, he took it hesitantly, then drank it. As the liquid settled in him, he felt a sudden sensation, he felt refreshed. The injures that were once untreated, disappeared.