Jiwon's POV
Jiwon stood in the Union's training hall, sweat beading on his brow, Aura Suppression cloaking his power.
Subin Lee faced him, ice aura crackling, her eyes fierce. Two days after the Shinhwa spars, their routine had resumed, but today was different.
"Hiro, fight me seriously," Subin demanded, frost creeping across the floor. "Wooin's telekinesis showed me I'm not good enough. I need to get stronger."
Jiwon read her resolve—'She's shaken but fired up.'
His grin flashed. "Alright, Subin. No holding back." Super Speed hummed, sparks coiling faintly.
Their spar was intense—Subin's ice shards sliced the air, sharper than before, while Jiwon dodged, a blur of sparks, landing precise lightning jabs.
Her control had tightened, a product of their training, but Jiwon's kept him untouchable.
An ice spike grazed his arm(intentionally), and he countered with a low-voltage shock, knocking Subin back.
"Tch, you're too fast, spark plug!" she growled, but her grin betrayed excitement.
'She's pushing her limits. Good.'
Post-spar, they strolled through the Union's sleek halls, Subin's ice aura buzzing with energy.
Jiwon's Enhanced Senses caught a crowd ahead—Seongha Park and Union agents watching a training field.
Wooin stood there, dark hair shadowing his eyes, telekinesis lifting steel beams with ease, twisting them mid-air.
Agents murmured, impressed. "No wonder Seongha wants him," one said. "Kid's a monster."
Subin's eyes lit up. "See that, Hiro? Wooin's insane!" Jiwon's noted Wooin's precision.
Seongha spotted them, his heavy aura beckoning. "Subin, Hiro, come here."
They joined him, watching Wooin's display. Subin was thrilled, whispering, "Union's gonna beg him to join!"
'Wooin's loyal to Jiwoo, not the Union.' Jiwon thought.
Seongha's voice cut in. "I need to speak with you both." As Wooin finished, Seongha also called him over, leading them to a quiet office.
Inside, Seongha's aura filled the room, steady but commanding. "Korea's opening an Awakened Academy soon—a training ground for young talents," he said.
"Subin, as a Union member, you're required to attend. Hiro, Wooin, you can join as non-members. It'll sharpen your skills, open doors."
Subin's ice aura spiked, eager. "I'm in!"
Jiwon's mind weighed the offer. 'The Academy's new, but it'll keep me close to Jiwoo.'
"Sounds good, sir," he said, his grin playful.
Wooin's force aura flickered, hesitant. "I'll… think about it." Seongha nodded, dismissing them.
The next day, Wooin returned to the Union, force aura steadier. "I'll go to the Academy," he said flatly.
Jiwon deduced the reason. 'Jiwoo's going, so Wooin's in.'
Over the past days, Wooin had warmed to Jiwon and Subin, their banter lightening his guarded demeanor.
They weren't as close as Wooin was with Jiwoo, but shared spars and Subin's teasing built a tentative bond.
He's opening up, Jiwon thought, Animal Synergy catching Wooin's rare smirk.
The afternoon before the Academy departure, Subin cornered Wooin in the Union hall. "Yo, Wooin, train with us today! Prep for the Academy!"
Wooin's force aura stayed calm, but his eyes flicked away. "I'm heading to Jiwoo's."
Subin's aura flared, irritated. "What? Come on, training's important!"
Wooin's voice hardened. "Jiwoo and Jisuk are more important right now." He walked off, leaving Subin fuming.
"Tch, that jerk!" She grabbed Jiwon's arm. "We're going to Jiwoo's too, spark plug. Let's see what's so special!"
Jiwon sighed, his DEX keeping pace as she dragged him.
Outside Jiwoo's house, Subin's ice aura simmered, her knock sharp.
Jiwon's Enhanced Senses caught familiar auras inside—Jiwoo's soft sparks, Jisuk's chaotic wind, Wooin's steady force, and… Kayden's piercing gaze.
'Great. The whole crew.'
He braced himself for chaos, but his heart tugged at Jiwoo's presence.
Jiwon stood behind Subin as Jiwoo Seo opened the door, cream-colored hair tousled, sparks humming faintly in his surprised gaze. "Subin? Hiro?"
Jiwoo blinked, then smiled warmly. "What are you doing here? Come in!"
Subin marched inside shamelessly, muttering, "Tch, about time!"
Jiwon's act kicked in, a sheepish bow. "Sorry for her rudeness, Jiwoo. And for dropping by unannounced."
Jiwoo's sparks flickered, his kindness unshaken. "No worries! Join us!"
Inside, the living room was a cozy mess—bags of market-bought snacks (ramen chips, seaweed crisps, Pocky) scattered on a low table.
Jisuk Yoo sprawled on the couch, munching loudly. "Yo, ice brat! Spark guy! You stalking us now?"
Wooin sat cross-legged on the floor, nibbling a rice cracker, his dark eyes flicking to Subin with faint amusement.
Kayden, the obese white-and-orange tabby, lounged in a corner, one eye half-open but sharp. Animal Synergy caught his scrutiny. 'Kayden's watching me like a hawk.'
Jiwoo gestured to the snacks, sparks humming. "Help yourselves! We got plenty."
Subin plopped down, grabbing a Pocky stick. "Don't mind if I do, cat boy."
"Cat boy? Says the freezer who got smoked by Wooin!" Subin's ice aura flared, a frost-coated Pocky jabbing at him. "Shut it, wind loser! Hiro owned you!"
Jiwon chuckled, sitting beside Wooin, masking his tension.
The night unfolded in laughter and chaos—Subin and Jisuk's banter escalated, their auras clashing playfully (ice shards vs. wind gusts), while Jiwoo's sparks flared as he tried to mediate, giggling.
Wooin stayed quiet but tossed a chip at Subin's head, earning a mock-glare.
Jiwon's Hiro act was effortless—joking, snacking, deflecting Jisuk's taunts about their spar.
His INT kept him alert, Enhanced Senses tracking Kayden's gaze.
Hours later, yawns replaced banter. Jisuk sprawled on the couch, wind aura fading, snoring loudly. Subin curled on an armchair, ice aura dim, muttering about "stupid Jisuk."
Wooin leaned against a wall, force aura calm, eyes closed.
Jiwoo draped blankets over them, sparks humming faintly, then crashed on the floor, hugging a pillow.
The room was a mess—crumbs, wrappers, spilled soda. Jiwon stayed awake, 'Can't sleep with Kayden here.' He started cleaning, gathering wrappers quietly.
Kayden's tabby form hadn't moved, his gaze locked on Jiwon from across the room.
'He thinks I don't know he's human.' Jiwon kept his Hiro act, humming softly, tossing a chip bag into the trash.
Kayden's tail flicked, then he stood, wobbling on obese paws, and padded toward the basement door.
Jiwon's Enhanced Senses pinged—a surge of familiar lightning energy, muted but potent, as Kayden descended. 'He's recovering down there. That's his real power.'
Alone in the living room, Jiwon finished cleaning, 'Should I take a peek?' Jiwon debated whether he should follow Kayden in the basement. 'I wanna see how he uses his force control, it could help me make mine stronger'
After thinking for a while, Jiwon decided to sneakily get close to Kayden far away enough for him to see him using Force control. 'If he caught me, I'll just act like I didn't see anything and keep treating him as a normal cat'
His mind churned, eyes locked on the basement door where Kayden had vanished moments ago.
His Force Control was unique, but Kayden's mastery was legendary.
Jiwon's lips twitched. 'Risky, but worth a peek.'
He maxed out Aura Suppression, his presence vanishing like a whisper.
The basement door creaked softly as Jiwon slipped through, his DEX guiding his steps down the narrow stairs.
The air grew cooler, tinged with a faint hum of lightning energy.
Enhanced Senses pinpointed Kayden in the corner of the cluttered basement—boxes, old furniture, and a flickering bulb overhead.
The obese white-and-orange tabby sat, eyes closed, a subtle aura of Force Control rippling around him.
Sparks danced faintly, coiling into precise patterns, rebuilding his weakened form.
Jiwon crouched behind a stack of crates, mind analyzing. 'He's channeling lightning into force… tighter control than mine.'
Minutes passed, Jiwon's gaze locked on Kayden's technique—sparks weaving like threads, stabilizing the cat's aura. 'I could adapt that for my strikes.'
But then, Kayden's ears twitched, his Force Control faltering. His tabby eyes snapped open, locking toward Jiwon's hiding spot.
Jiwon's mind screamed—'He sensed me!'
Kayden's mind raced, lightning aura spiking faintly. 'That kid's here? Did he see my power? If he knows I'm not just a cat…' His tail lashed, weighing confrontation.
Jiwon acted fast, stepping out from the crates with a clumsy shuffle, Aura Suppression dialed back to seem natural.
His Hiro act was flawless—a wide, clueless grin. "Oh, hey, kitty!" he chirped, crouching a safe distance away. "Didn't mean to spook you. Just checking out the basement—cool spot, huh?"
Kayden's eyes narrowed, searching for deception, but Jiwon's Protected Mind held firm.
Jiwon tilted his head, voice warm. "You're Jiwoo's cat, right? I've got one too—Neko, back at my place. She's a purring menace." He chuckled, scratching the air like petting an invisible cat.
Kayden's aura steadied, his suspicion wavering. 'He's acting like I'm just a pet. No hint he saw my Force Control.'
The tabby's tail flicked, a low huff escaping—like a sigh of relief. 'Kid's either clueless or a damn good liar.'
Kayden flopped onto his side, obese frame jiggling, eyes half-closed but still watchful. 'I'll let it slide… for now.'
He resumed purring, Force Control humming faintly, less intense. Jiwon's Enhanced Senses caught the shift—'He's buying it.'
His grin widened. "Night, big guy. Don't eat all Jiwoo's snacks." He stood, stretching, and climbed the stairs casually.
Back in the living room, Jiwon leaned against the wall, memories replaying Kayden's technique. 'That precision… I'll practice it at the Academy.'
His use of Aura Suppression to the max left him drained, (MP 400/1400).
'Close call, but I'm still in the clear.' He sank to the floor, masking his exhaustion.
'Academy's tomorrow. Gotta stay one step ahead.' His eyes drifted shut, the hum of Jiwoo's sparks a quiet anchor.
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The Next Day - Departure Day
Jiwon woke up, his face catching sunlight streaming through Jiwoo's living room windows.
(MP 400–1400/1400 overnight recovery)
The mess from last night—crumbs, wrappers—was gone, thanks to his late cleanup.
Jisuk's buzzed with a loud snore, sprawled on the couch. Subin's aura flickered, her arm dangling off an armchair, muttering, "Stupid wind jerk…"
Wooin sat up, force aura steady, rubbing his eyes.
Jiwoo, already awake, was feeding his stray cats, sparks humming softly. Jiwon's heart tugged. 'He's always like this—kind, even half-asleep.'
"Morning, everyone!" Jiwoo chirped, sparks flaring as he set out instant coffee and rice cakes.
Subin groaned. "Ugh, too early, cat boy."
Jisuk bolted upright. "Food? I'm in!"
Wooin grabbed a rice cake, force aura calm but amused.
Jiwon grinned flashed, his DEX masking last night's drain. "Nice spread, Jiwoo. You're spoiling us."
Kayden, the obese white-and-orange tabby, lounged by Jiwoo's feet, eyes flicking to Jiwon.
Animal Synergy caught his wariness. 'He's still on edge after the basement.'
Subin's phone buzzed, groaning as she answered. "What, Uncle?"
Seongha's voice crackled through, firm. "Subin, you, Hiro, and Wooin are going to the Awakened Academy with Jiwoo and Jisuk. Inhyuk's driving a Shinhwa car to pick you up soon. Be ready."
Subin huffed. "Tch, stuck with these losers? Fine." She hung up, glaring at Jisuk's smirk. "Don't start, asshole" giving a middle finger to Jisuk.
The group scrambled to pack—Jiwoo stuffed a backpack with snacks and cat food, slinging Kayden's carrier over his shoulder. "You're coming too, Kayden!" The tabby huffed, eyes on Jiwon.
Jisuk tossed clothes into a duffel. Wooin packed light.
'Neko. Can't leave her alone.' Jiwon needed to stop by his apartment.
Outside Jiwoo's house, the group waited, Seoul's morning hum in the air. A sleek Shinhwa van pulled up, Inhyuk Goo at the wheel, his calm aura steady.
Two teens—Shinhwa-sponsored Awakened, a boy with a corny ass leopard clothes and a girl with cat like eyes, both their age—sat in the back, eyeing the group curiously.
"Hop in!" Inhyuk called. Subin climbed in, grumbling. Jisuk followed. Wooin and Jiwoo slid in, Kayden's on Jiwoo's lap.
Jiwon lingered, Hiro act polite. "Mr. Goo, mind a quick stop at my apartment? I need to grab my stuff… and my cat, Neko."
Inhyuk's eyes lit up, aura softening. "A cat? Of course, Hiro! I've got three myself."
Jiwon's Animal Synergy caught his genuine warmth, 'He really is a cat lover, huh? Easy ally.'
The van detoured to Jiwon's Gangnam apartment, where he darted inside.
Neko meowed, leaping into his arms. He packed her carrier, extra clothes, and his katana (hidden in his inventory), then returned. "Thanks, Mr. Goo," he said, Neko purring. Inhyuk grinned. "Anytime, kid."
The van sped toward Seoul's ship dock, the group's auras mixing.
Kayden's gaze stayed on Jiwon, but Neko's meows distracted him, earning a tabby scowl.
Jiwon's Protected Mind shielded his amusement. 'Kayden's not thrilled about another cat.'
At the dock, a sleek yacht gleamed under the sun, Shinhwa's logo on its side. Waves lapped the shore, and a salty breeze carried anticipation.
Seongha is already there, with some Union agents, waiting for them.
Inhyuk parked, aura brisk. "This is our ride to the Academy's island."
Subin hopped out, ice aura eager despite her grumbles. "Finally!"
Jisuk strutted, Wooin followed. Jiwoo carried Kayden, face filled with excitement.
Jiwon stepped out, Neko's comfortably laying in hand. 'From what I remeber, the Academy is located in a secluded island'
As they boarded, the gang strolled around the yacht for a while, looking the beautiful glimmer of the sea. 'Feels like I'm in Nagasaki again.... Mom, Dad... I miss you' Jiwon reminisced the life he had with Taro and Hana.
The group then sat around the tabke and decided to sleep there. They had been at it all night last night that they didn't get any proper sleep. Except of course, Jiwon.
The yacht's engine roared, cutting through the waves toward the unknown island. Jiwon's heart raced. 'Academy, here we come.'