𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖'𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐑 | Jungwon

chapter 08

Jay choked on his water, accidentally spitting it out on the back of Sunghoon's head. Sunghoon elicited a big gasp.  "What the fuck, Jay!" Sunghoon raged.

"What!?" Jay coughed, knocking on his chest. Jake, who walked beside him, patted his back.

"Ugh– your disgusting saliva is all over me," Sunghoon growled, gritting his teeth. Sunghoon's shoulders rose up, and his eyebrows tied together in a deep furrow.

"Why don't you freeze it up like you did to the sink?" Jay blurted.

"How about I freeze your–"

"Guys, let's not argue. It's only morning," Heeseung sighed.

"Here, I got this," Jake volunteered, lifting his hand. As his fingers slowly scrunched up, liquid seeped out of Sunghoon's clothes, flowing back into Jay's water bottle. Sunghoon displayed a grateful smile to the blond, thanking him afterward. Jay only rolled his eyes.

The boys continued heading to the training area, but a familiar girl had appeared at the opposite hallway ahead of them. She swiftly turned and entered through the exit. Jungwon noticed how the sun bounced off of her skin, creating a glistening look from her sheen of sweat. And her ravenette hair swayed in its weak ponytail with a fritz of baby hairs sticking out. Had Suyin been training on her own? Jungwon had no clue.

The rest of the team followed outside soon after, meeting with Master Wonchul who had been waiting at the center of the training area. The old man in grey whirled around, catching sight of the younger ones. "Sparring drills," Wonchul commanded, flicking his hand-held fan.

A groan escaped one of the youngest members. "Can't we just start by using our powers today, Master Wonchul?" Niki inquired, raising his hand.

"Physical strength and balance are extremely vital, child. If you want to be the warrior you've been chosen as, learn to be patient. You'll be able to use them when you have individual training time today... Now we're going to do some sparring drills," Wonchul declared, and he turned to Jay, "you and the Cryo. Partner up."

"What– I'm not partnering with this asshole again," Jay scoffed, pointing his thumb at the silver-haired boy.

"I'm not partnering with this dick either." Sunghoon agreed.

"HEY!" Jay exploded, hands scrunching into fists.

"So immature," Sunghoon shot, crossing his arms, "At least I didn't complain about the 'asshole' thing."

Suyin watched as Jay scowled. He darted towards Sunghoon with an accusing finger. "I'll shove fire at you if you don't quit it."

"I swear, you have anger issues–" Sunghoon remained unfazed as Jay grabbed his collar. "You need serious help."

"Guys! Enough with the arguing," Heeseung butted in.

"Jay, I don't understand why you let things get to you so easily sometimes. Especially when it comes to Sunghoon," Sunoo commented while analyzing his nails.

"STAY OUT OF–"

The old man chose silence as his weapon. Wonchul lifted his arms, revealing his power to the younger ones for the first time. He closed his eyes, slowing down time until it had almost frozen. Everyone in the training area had gone silent with the slow-moving time except Wonchul himself. Wonchul sauntered towards the two, piercing his eyes through their guilt before slicing his hands into the air.

The team stumbled back into regular time. Jay and Sunghoon took off to the spots in a rush, quietly bickering amongst themselves. When Suyin didn't expect the worst, the rest were partnered up, and she was left with Jungwon just like on day one. She heard an exasperated exhale from the boy, but when she turned, he already strolled off to their spot.

The two settled into their stances, slitting their eyes at one another. "I held myself back," Jungwon's words rippled through Suyin's memory. Master Wonchul's training had an excellent effect on her–she had improved on how to block and execute new techniques these past two weeks. She knitted her eyebrows, stealing the first move this time. She threw her leg at Jungwon. She missed, but her wrists blocked his incoming fists. As Jungwon dove forward, she wrapped her hands around his shoulders and turned, gaining control. Jungwon almost fell, but he shot his leg up. His fist plunged forward, but the girl traveled under his arm and shoved him to the ground.

Jungwon finally slipped and pounded the concrete. The slightest smile greeted Suyin's lips, satisfied when she noticed the spite in Jungwon's face. In the corner of her eyes, she could tell the others were watching.

"I still held myself back, you know," Jungwon pointed out.

"I did too," Suyin responded, holding her chin up. She shot her arm down to the boy, closing her eyes.

Jungwon observed her offering hand, but he stood up without her assistance. "Again," Jungwon stated, "let's go."