“What a cutie,” Kyuhyun said as he messed Gain’s hair. “You did good out there.”

Gain smiled wider. “I did, right?” she said, grinning before coughing softly, holding onto his abdomen firmly. “But I don’t think I’ll be able to go further,” she admitted, taking his hand away only to reveal Kyuhyun she was bleeding. “That boy sure hits hard…”

Kyuhyun frowned, making Gain rest for a little while. “It’s dark already,” he said, looking up and out the window.

There was a short break before the final battles started and this time, they wouldn’t allow the students to sleep. They couldn’t risk the academy falling down once more. “You can’t help me,” Gain said, smiling as she closed her eyes slightly. “I’ll just rest and do my best against my opponent next time,” she sighed softly, her face contracting in pain.

Kyuhyun pursed his lips. Night meant he could help Gain healing, because that’s what darkness could do for him. But it was against the rules to use his powers that way and if he did, both of them would be disqualified. “I’ll try to finish soon,” Kyuhyun promised. “As soon as you’re out of the competence, I can help.”

Gain was sweating and trembling. “I’ll hold on,” she said. “I’m a Cho.”

Kyuhyun smiled, gently caressing his cousin’s cheek. “A Cho, indeed.”

………………………….

There were only eight participants left.

Hyukjae and Sungmin, from class A. As well as Eunjin, who could manipulate weather and who also was from class A and a Lee ally. Siwon and Kyuhyun passed to the next round, along with Gain. The other two were Jia and Hyosung, both from class A and Cho allies.

Blocks disappeared and they were asked to form a line to determine their next opponent randomly.

1 vs. 2

3 vs. 4

5 vs. 6

7 vs. 8

Kyuhyun was the first to pass. “Number 5,” the mediator announced and his face was quickly put in the board.

Jia got seven and Hyosung eight. Siwon was next getting number four and it was a big shock to everyone when number three became Sungmin. Hyukjae was the first one and Gain the second one.

Hyukjae vs. Gain

Sungmin vs. Siwon

Kyuhyun vs. Eunjin

Jia vs. Hyosung

They waited for the arena to be ready. This time, they would use it entirely. It was big enough to cause a disaster, but it could only be fair for them to fight.

The first fight would be Hyukjae against Gain. They both went out and found each other face to face. Hyukjae frowned as he saw the girl sweating but still with a determined expression. “You know the rules,” the referee said. “Start!”

Rules. Hyukjae liked the rules because they were little. It was basically not killing and not helping others to have an advantage.

Gain was weak. But not weak enough. Hyukjae’s attacks weren’t effective on her because she didn’t existed. She had gone against Donghae before and it was obvious she was strong enough as to compare her with one of the main Lee’s.

Donghae was stronger than him, how was Hyukjae supposed to win this battle when he couldn’t even touch his opponent?

Gain could only do physical contact. His powers only allowed her to avoid everything but not to attack from distance. She had to get close to her opponent and turn off his power for only a second as she punched the other.

It took about an hour of heating fight that Hyukjae realized how Gain’s powers worked. He was sure he had bruises all over his body already from the many punches he had received already. He looked at the girl and frowned as he saw her approach once more as quick as possible. No water, fire, air or even earth attack would function against her when she had her power activated.

So Hyukjae had to wait and be patient. He had to be careful as of how much time she became vulnerable and how he could hit her.

Half an hour later, it was Hyukjae who was attacking and Gain had no more energy left. Her wounds were bleeding and Hyukjae, for a second, thought he had caused serious injuries on her. “I-” Gain breathed out in short breathes, looking at Hyukjae before raising her hands weakly, turning to the referee. “I give up,” she breathed out, almost a whisper.

As soon as the referee declared Hyukjae the winner, Kyuhyun was there. Gain was about to fall and Hyukjae had no idea of how fast Kyuhyun was to receive her body and carry her away quickly.

Hyukjae stood in the middle of the arena for a few seconds, not knowing what he just did but he felt bad. It took Kyuhyun only a few seconds to go get his cousin and yet, his face reflected pain. As if Kyuhyun himself was suffering from her injuries.

Hyukjae felt his chest contract painfully. Was he injured as well? He looked down to see his hands. He was fine. He still had a lot of energy yet. He looked up again. Kyuhyun and Gain had disappeared already and when he realized, the audience was cheering for him.

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