Chapter 97: Chapter 97- Challenge

After that, Talon explained the entire idea to Hyun-Jae in great detail. It wasn't a complicated plan, but it had multiple steps that needed to be taken before there could be any chance of seeing a good result.

Around twenty minutes or so later, he was finally done with the explanation. Looking up at Hyun-Jae, the girl had a frown on her face mixed with interest.

"It's... It's really smart... She probably would never expect such a thing." She said as she ran her hand through her hair. "But, it's still going to be a huge leap of faith. If all the students don't execute their roles perfectly, everything will go in vain."

Talon's plan was perhaps the best thing they could do, but it was still going to rely on the entire student body rather than Talon and Hyun-Jae alone. Before, all they had to do was to trust their own capabilities which made it easier to make a decision. However, for the first time ever, they will have to put their faith in the students they nurtured for the past few weeks.

It was a new feeling, one that wasn't pleasant at all.

"Yeah, that's our only choice I guess. Though, call me weird, but I think the students are going to do a great job. We have seen their progress so far, and they are far stronger than ever before."

"Mm, I know what you're saying. They have come a long way. I guess we have to believe in them. On the other hand, your part of the plan is what I'm truly concerned about."

Even with the students doing a perfect job, what Talon intended to do on his own was terrifying, to say the least. Hyun-Jae was conflicted about it naturally since it came with a lot of risks... Far more than anything Talon has been through so far.

'It's probably going to be a lot more dangerous than my fight with the Grim Roamer.' Talon thought to himself with a blank expression.

"If I don't do it, we all will die one way or another."

Hyun-Jae exhaled a long breath. "I know."

"Hey, why the down look?" He asked.

"Maybe because last time you executed one of your ideas, half your torso got carved off?" She asked back with a wry smile.

"Don't worry, this time, I will only lose a limb or two at most. It won't be that bad." Talon replied jokingly.

"Yeah... That sounds a lot better." Hyun-Jae murmured as she looked down again.

Seeing that, Talon bent forward on the chair to look at her eyes. "Hey, it's going to be fine. If anything, you also have a really risky part to do. I'm also worried about your well-being."

Hyun-Jae's role, while not as dangerous as Talon's, was probably far more delicate than his. Any mistake she might make would probably ruin the entire plan which also means everyone will die. The pressure on her equaled that of Talon and yet, she didn't seem that bothered by it and instead was worried about Talon.

When Talon realized that, he felt warmth in his heart. It made him feel rather happy that someone truly cared for him even when they themselves were in the same situation as he was.

"We're going to do it, together, ok?" He said in a calm tone.

Hyun-Jae looked up at him as her eyes flashed with complicated emotions. She couldn't see a shred of hesitance in Talon's eyes. In the end, the same situation repeated itself, she would worry and worry about everything. But, when she sees Talon's confidence, that worry suddenly vanishes as if it was never there in the first place.

He had that kind of effect on her and she had to admit that it was very effective.

'I need to stop worrying too much or I will never do anything like Talon does.' She thought to herself.

"Mm, that is true." Shaking her head, she smiled slightly. "Our teamwork is invincible. Let's keep it that way for a long time." She said as she raised her fist.

"Long time? Why not forever?"

"Isn't that a little too much to ask for?"

"What's up?"

Chin-Hwa didn't break eye contact as he inhaled a deep breath. "I want to fight you."

Talon: "..."

Hyun-Jae: "..."

Everyone went silent the moment the cold prince uttered those words. They were completely taken by surprise. Talon blinked before he smiled. "Excuse me? Fight me?"

"Yes, me and you, let's spar."

"Chin-Hwa what are you talking about?" Hyun-Jae asked with a frown as she stood up.

"Please don't get into this, president. It's a matter between me and him." Chin-Hwa turned around and said in a respectful yet determined manner.

'Matter? We had a matter between us? Since when?' Talon rubbed the back of his head as he tried to recall if he ever had any actual confrontation with Chin-Hwa. But, he really can't remember anything.

"This is ridiculous, Chin-Hwa. You can't just fight him. It's not the time for your antics." She said.

"Hold on a second, Hyun-Jae. Let me hear him." Talon stopped her as he stared at Chin-Hwa. "Let me get this clear, you want both of us to spar? But, what kind of spar?"

"I want to fight you, using our weapons. It's not a fight to the death. I just want to challenge you fair and square."

"Interesting... and your reason is?"

"No reason. I just want to see where I am on the ladder and how much I have to do to reach the peak. You're the strongest one I know so far, so I want to fight you."

"Hmm." Talon thoughtfully rubbed his chin. "I can accept."

"Talon?" Hyun-Jae spoke.

"But, on one single condition." He lifted one finger.

"State your condition."

"Neither of us can harm the other. The spar ends when the blade is close to one's body."

"... Accepted."

"Good, when do you want to do it?"

"In an hour. Meet me behind the gymnasium." Chin-Hwa said as he turned around to Hyun-Jae. "Excuse me for this, president. I had to do it."

"No, you did not," Hyun-Jae replied in a cold tone. "What are you trying to achieve by doing this? It's pointless."

Her words made Chin-Hwa's expression change for a split second before he turned around. "For you, it might be. But for me... It now means everything."

Then, he walked away, disappearing around the corner without looking back even once.

A//N: Though I usually don't make such requests, but, I would love it if we could reach top 5 in ps rankings ???? I believe we can do it. Thanks for reading.