Subin Lee's POV
A week later, Seongha called her after school, his voice calm but clipped, like always.
"Subin, I checked Hiro Yamamoto. Nothing. He's a 17-year-old from Kyoto, Japan. Good grades, genius-level test scores, no criminal record, no ties to Hikari, Kage, or any Awakened orgs. Just a normal kid."
Subin's ice aura flickered, her scowl deepening. "Normal? Uncle, you saw my text—those sparks were lightning!"
Seongha sighed. "Could be a late awakening. It happens. Keep an eye on him, but don't push. If he's clueless, you'll scare him off."
Subin huffed, hanging up. 'Normal genius, my ass!'
Her suspicion started to crack. Hiro kept up his normie act—tripping over words in class, geeking out over manga in the cafeteria, bowing like a dork whenever they crossed paths.
No aura, no slip-ups, just that stupidly warm grin. 'Maybe he really doesn't know.'
The Union's database was airtight; if Hiro was a rogue, there'd be a trace.
'Late bloomer it is, then.' She decided to back off, watch from a distance. If he sparked again, she'd pounce.
============================
Jiwon's POV
Weeks slipped by, Seoul's spring warming into May. Jiwon, 17, leaned back in his dorm, Neko purring via Animal Synergy.
'Subin's cooling off' he thought, replaying their interactions.
His plan was working—her suspicion was fading, replaced by curiosity.
Enhanced Senses caught her ice aura softening when they talked, her sharp grin less guarded.
'She's fun, actually.' Their personalities clicked—her firecracker sass matched his Hiro act's easy charm.
They'd started bantering in the hallways, Subin jabbing at his "clumsy" bows, Jiwon teasing her soccer obsession.
'Step one: befriend Subin. Check.'
He kept his powers hidden, but "accidentally" let Electric Control slip twice more.
Once, during a science lab, he "shocked" himself touching a circuit, a faint arc zapping the table. Subin's ice aura spiked, her eyes narrowing, but she said nothing.
Another time, he "tripped" in the courtyard, a spark trailing his hand as he caught himself. Subin stared, her scowl back, but she didn't confront him—yet.
'She's biting' Jiwon smirked, Animal Synergy syncing with a stray cat nearby. 'Just a bit longer.'
One afternoon, Subin cornered him in the library, ice aura humming low. "Yamamoto, enough with the sparks. You're Awakened, aren't you?"
Jiwon widened his eyes, Hiro act in full swing. "Awakened? Subin, you keep saying that—what's it even mean?"
She groaned, dragging a hand through her hair. "Tch, fine. Sit down, pretty boy." She leaned in, voice low, and explained—the Awakened world, powers like her ice control, organizations like the Union, Shinhwa, rogues.
Jiwon feigned shock, "Wait, so… superpowers are real? And you think I've got 'em?"
Subin nodded, ice aura steady. "Those sparks? Lightning. You're probably a late Awakener. You need training, or you'll hurt someone."
Jiwon tilted his head, his face crafting a thoughtful look. "That's… a lot, Subin. I mean, lightning? Me?"
"Wait...so you have powers too!??!" Jiwon acted surprised.
"Yeh" answered Subin making a tiny icicle at the tip of her finger. "Pretty 'cool' huh?" Subin showed to him grinning, emphasizing 'cool' in what she said.
"..." That was corny
"Hey! Did you just think about something rude??" Subin then put the icicle to my nape melting it in the process making my back wet.
"Hey!" Jiwon complained
"Hahahahaham thats what you get!" Subin bursted into laughter, slapping his back as she laughs.
"Sigh, I'm not sure. This is all new." Jiwon acted solemnly.
Subin's eyes softened, her Union training kicking in. "Look, Hiro, the Awakened Union can help. We train newbies, keep 'em safe. You should join."
Jiwon bit his lip, acting hesitant. "I… I need time to think. I'm still wrapping my head around this."
Subin sighed, ice aura cooling. "Fine, but don't wait too long. You're a walking spark plug." She smirked, but her tone was firm. "Union's the best place for you."
Jiwon nodded, hiding his grin. 'She's hooked.'
Subin respected his "hesitation," but her insistence showed she cared.
'Step two: gain her trust. Halfway there.'
'Subin's my bridge to Jiwoo's circle.'
==============================
Weeks Later
Subin and Jiwon's bond grew, their banter a campus staple.
They swapped manga recs—Subin loved One Piece, Jiwon pushed Hunter x Hunter—and argued over K-pop versus J-rock in the cafeteria.
Animal Synergy caught Subin's relaxed vibe, her ice aura warm when she laughed at his dumb jokes.
'She's a friend now' Jiwon thought, Enhanced Senses noting her trust.
Perfect. He kept his powers locked down (Aura Suppression), but Subin's faith in his "late awakening" made her less suspicious.
One day, Subin dragged him to the soccer field after school, ice aura buzzing. "Hiro, you're wasting your sparks. Come to the Union's battlegrounds. I'll help you practice your powers."
Jiwon blinked, Hiro act on point. "Battlegrounds? Like, fighting? I'm not sure, Subin…"
She grinned, tossing her soccer ball. "Not fighting, dummy. Training. You gotta control that lightning before it zaps someone. Union's got safe zones for newbies."
He nodded, feigning nerves. "Okay, but… go easy on me, yeah?"
Subin laughed, ice aura flaring playfully. "No promises, pretty boy."
'Step three: infiltrate the Union. Here we go.'
Seoul's skyline glowed beyond the field, Eleceed's heart beating closer. Jiwoo and Kayden were out there, the plot ticking. 'I'm ready.'
============================
Jiwon followed Subin through the sleek, fortified gates of the Awakened Union's Seoul headquarters, Neko's carrier left safely at his dorm.
The complex loomed in Yeouido, a maze of training arenas and high-tech labs, its aura thick with power. Enhanced Senses picked up dozens of Awakened signatures—ice, fire, telekinesis, more—humming like a storm.
He kept Aura Suppression locked tight, his Hiro Yamamoto grin masking the lightning in his veins.
Subin led him to a training hall, her ice aura buzzing with excitement. "This is it, Hiro. Don't freak out, okay?"
Jiwon scratched his neck, Hiro act on point. "Uh, no promises, Subin. This place is intense."
She smirked, tossing her hair. "You'll survive, pretty boy."
A tall man approached, his aura a crushing wave—calm, controlled, but heavy like a mountain. Enhanced Senses screamed strength, his instincts pegging him as top-tier.
'That's her uncle!' Jiwon bowed, feigning nerves. "H-Hello, sir. I'm Hiro Yamamoto."
Seongha Park, Subin's uncle and a Union heavyweight, eyed Jiwon, his gaze sharp but not hostile.
"Hiro. Subin says you've got sparks. Late Awakener?" His voice was steady.
"Uh, maybe? I'm still figuring it out, sir." Seongha nodded, aura easing. "No rush, kid. The Union's here to help."
Subin grinned, ice aura flaring. "Told ya, Hiro. Uncle's cool."
Jiwon's noted Seongha's power—'Stronger than most Hikari agents. Can't slip up.'
The Union bought his late Awakener act, no questions asked. Subin dragged him to a padded training arena, ice aura humming. "Alright, spark plug, show me your lightning."
Jiwon hesitated, keeping his stance loose. "Uh, I don't really know how…"
Subin rolled her eyes, forming a tiny icicle and flicking it at him. "Just focus, dummy. Feel the buzz in your hands."
Jiwon dodged the icicle, Super Speed a blur but slowed to normie speed.
He raised his hand, Electric Control sparking faintly, a weak arc crackling to the floor. "L-Like this?"
Subin's ice aura spiked, her grin wide. "Not bad, rookie! Keep it steady." She coached him, tossing icicles for him to "block" with sparks, her tips sharp but patient.
Jiwon played along, letting arcs fizzle or miss, Force Control subtly guiding them.
'She's a good teacher...surprising' he thought. 'And she trusts me.'
Seongha watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, his aura a quiet storm. Enhanced Senses caught his curiosity—'He's sizing me up.'
After an hour, Subin called a break, ice aura cooling. "You're not hopeless, Hiro. Keep practicing, and you'll be zapping rogues in no time."
Jiwon panted, faking exhaustion. "Thanks, Subin. This is… weird, but cool."
Seongha approached, his aura heavy but warm. "Hiro, you've got potential. Those sparks could grow into something big."
Jiwon's eyes widened, Hiro act dialed up. "R-Really, sir?"
Seongha nodded. "The Union needs strong Awakeners. Join us, and we'll train you right."
Subin jumped in, ice aura flaring. "Told ya, Hiro! You'd fit right in!"
Jiwon bit his lip, crafting hesitation. "I… I'm still not sure, sir. This Awakened stuff's new to me. Can I think about it?"
Seongha's aura softened, a rare smile breaking through. "Take your time, kid. Door's open."
Subin pouted, ice aura buzzing. "Come on, Hiro, don't be a wimp!"
Jiwon chuckled, hiding his smirk. "I'll think hard, Subin. Promise."
========================
Days Later – Union Training Grounds
Jiwon and Subin returned to the Union's training grounds, their banter now routine. Subin hurled icicles, Jiwon "blocked" with weak sparks.
'She's pushing me harder' he noted, Animal Synergy catching her excitement. 'Good. She's invested.'
Their manga debates spilled into training—Subin ranted about One Piece's latest arc, Jiwon countered with Hunter x Hunter's depth.
Mid-session, the arena's energy shifted. Seongha and a squad of Union agents stormed through, auras blazing—fire, wind, gravity.
Subin's ice aura spiked, her eyes narrowing. "What's going on?" She grabbed a passing agent, a wiry guy with a telekinetic aura. "Hey, what's the rush?"
The agent's voice was tense. "We caught Dr. Delein. Big op, Subin. Your uncle's leading it."
Subin's ice aura flared, her grin sharp. "Dr. Delein? That creep? About time!"
Jiwon's mind raced, Protected Mind shielding his shock. 'Dr. Delein? The Eleceed psycho tsundere doc? This is canon territory!'
Subin turned to Jiwon, ice aura buzzing. "Hiro, this is huge! Delein's a nutcase—experiments, rogue Awakeners, all that jazz."
Jiwon feigned confusion, Hiro act locked in. "Uh, sounds bad? Who's he?"
Subin groaned, tossing her hair. "Bad news, that's who. Union's been hunting him forever."
Jiwon nodded, Enhanced Senses catching the agents' urgency.
Delein's capture means Jiwoo and Kayden are active.
'The plot's rolling.'
His core pulsed, Electric Control itching to spark. 'I'm in the game now.'
========================
The Union training grounds buzzed with residual energy, the air sharp with the echoes of Seongha's squad tearing out to handle Dr. Delein.
Jiwon, 17, stood in the padded arena, Aura Suppression cloaking his power.
Subin, her ice aura crackling with excitement, tossed an icicle his way. "Come on, Hiro, don't zone out! Block it!"
Jiwon snapped to, Super Speed slowing the icicle to a crawl in his eyes.
He raised his hand, Electric Control sparking a weak arc to "deflect" it, the bolt fizzling for show. "S-Sorry, Subin! Got it!"
Subin grinned, ice aura flaring playfully. "You're such a rookie, pretty boy. Focus, or I'll freeze your butt!" She hurled another icicle, her laughter filling the arena.
Jiwon dodged, Force Control nudging the icicle off-course subtly, keeping his Hiro act clumsy.
'She's having too much fun' he thought.
Dr. Delein's capture looping in his mind. 'Jiwoo's out there, with Kayden. Wooin's next. The Klein Brothers are coming.'
Training stretched into the evening, Subin coaching Jiwon with sharp tips and playful jabs. "Your sparks are wimpy, Hiro! Picture zapping a jerk like Delein!"
Jiwon faked a grimace, Electric Control crackling weakly. "Uh, I'm trying, Subin!"
She laughed, ice aura warm, tossing her hair. "You're hopeless, but I'll whip you into shape."
As they took a break, lounging on the arena's edge, Subin ranted about One Piece's latest chapter, her ice aura buzzing with passion. "Luffy's gonna wreck Kaido, Hiro, bet on it!"
Jiwon leaned back, grinning widely. "Nah, Gon's smarter than Luffy any day. Hunter x Hunter's got depth."
Subin flicked an icicle at him, smirking. "Depth? You're just a Gon fanboy!" Jiwon dodged, his DEX making it look sloppy, laughing.
That's when his Enhanced Senses pinged—a faint, sharp aura, like a blade's edge, crossing the grounds.
Jiwon glanced sideways. A boy, same age, slipped through the training hall's far exit—short, dark hair, a cold, focused vibe. 'That's Wooin, right?'
'She's too caught up to notice anything.' Jiwon looked at Subin sheepishly.
Jiwon's past memories locked in, Eleceed's canon flashing: Dr. Delein's student, Jiwoo's friend, a force-manipulating prodigy. 'Subin didn't notice, too busy ranting about Zoro's swords.'
Later, as they left the grounds, Jiwon overheard two Union agents near the gate, their auras low. "Wooin's in Gangnam, near Yeouido. Union's got eyes on him 24/7 after Delein's mess."
The other grunted. "Kid's dangerous, but he's cooperative. For now."
'Wooin's in a nearby neighborhood, monitored. Jiwoo's probably there too.'
His transmigration knowledge churned: Jiwoo, kind-hearted and scrappy, was likely with Kayden, post-Delein. Jiwon's heart tugged—'He's my brother in this world.' Temptation flared to ditch the plan, find Jiwoo, spill everything.
But Protected Mind clamped it down. 'No. Too risky. I stick to the plan'
Back in his dorm, Jiwon sat with Neko, Animal Synergy syncing her calm. He opened his SYSTEM, glowing stats reflecting his grind:
[World]Eleceed
[Character Info]
〔Name〕Seo Ji-Won
〔Age〕17
〔Level〕25「Exp」■■■■■■■□□□
『HP 2000/2000』
『MP 1080/1400』
"Stats"
『ATK』28
『DEF』20
『DEX』40
『INT』30
「Extra Points」75
「Market Points」500
[Abilities]
●Super Speed - lvl.27
●Kinetic Absorption/Release - lvl.22
●Force Control (Unique) - lvl.23
●Healing Control (Rare) - lvl.17
●Animal Synergy (Rare) - lvl.19
●Electric Control (Rare) - lvl.26
●Aura Suppression (Rare) - lvl.20
●Energy Shield (Uncommon) - lvl.11
●Enhanced Senses (Uncommon) - lvl.17
●Protected Mind (Rare) - lvl.12
●Telekinetic Control (Rare) - lvl.9
'Wooin's here. Jiwoo's close. The plot's moving fast.' He resisted the urge to seek Jiwoo.
'Stay with Subin, use the Union, watch for the Klein Brothers.' Seoul's neon skyline glowed outside, 'I can do this!'
=================================
A Week Later
Jiwon stood in the Union's training arena, sweat beading on his brow—half-faked, half-earned.
Subin's ice aura crackled as she lobbed another icicle, her grin sharp. "Come on, Hiro, don't wimp out now!"
He raised his hand, Electric Control sparking a brighter, steadier arc than before, slicing the icicle clean in half.
The bolt fizzled deliberately, his Hiro act keeping it "sloppy." "Whoa, Subin, did you see that?" he gasped, wide-eyed.
Subin's ice aura spiked, her jaw dropping. "Hiro, that was… actually good! You're picking this up way too fast!"
She crossed her arms, ice aura humming with surprise. "A week ago, you were zapping like a broken lightbulb. Now you're cutting my icicles? What's with you, pretty boy?"
Jiwon scratched his ne. "Uh, just… practicing? You're a good teacher, Subin."
"Tch, flattery won't save you. You're, like, a prodigy or something!" Jiwon noted her awe.
'Perfect. She's buying the late Awakener genius act.'
Over the week, Jiwon had dialed up his "progress" with Electric Control. His arcs grew sharper, more controlled—still weak by his standards, but dazzling for a "newbie."
He'd "accidentally" zapped a training dummy yesterday, leaving a scorch mark, nearly turned into dust, earning a shocked "Hiro, chill!" from Subin.
Today's multiple icicle cut sealed it—she saw him as a rising star.
'Step four: cement my cover as a prodigy. Check.'
Training wrapped, and they lounged by the arena, bantering.
Their banter was cut short when Seongha Park stormed through the grounds, his aura a crushing wave—fire agents trailing him, auras blazing.
Subin's ice aura spiked. "Uncle!" she shouted, jogging over. "Why the rush?"
Seongha paused, his gaze sharp but guarded. "Union business, Subin. Shinhwa headquarters needs me. Stay here." He strode off, aura heavy.
Subin pouted, ice aura buzzing. "Tch, always so cryptic!"
Jiwon's mind raced. 'Shinhwa? It must've been the Klein Brothers fallout.'
Eleceed's canon flashed: Jiwoo, Wooin, and Jisuk clashing with the fire-based Klein Brothers, drawing Shinhwa's and Union's attention.
His core pulsed, Electric Control itching to be ket out, but he kept his Hiro act—feigning confusion. "Shinhwa? Is that an another organization, Subin?"
She groaned, tossing her hair. "Biggest Awakened org in Korea, dummy. They're, like, super elite. Something big's going down."
Jiwon nodded, Enhanced Senses catching the agents' urgency. 'Wooin's probably with Jiwoo and Jisuk now at a hospital. Seongha's tying up loose ends.'
==========================
The Next Day
Jiwon and Subin were in the training hall, Jiwon "struggling" to shape a lightning arc, but showing remarkable "progress" that left even some of the Union agents in awe.
Subin's ice aura buzzed, her coaching relentless. "Hiro, tighten it! You're not frying tteokbokki here!"
Jiwon chuckled, dodging her icicle. "Gimme a break, Subin!"
Their banter paused when Subin spotted Seongha across the grounds, his aura calmer but tense.
She stormed over. "Uncle, what's with the rumors? I heard you're personally recruiting some kid! But he remains undecided, he's giving up a golden opportunity! That fool!"
Seongha's aura stiffened, his gaze flicking to Jiwon, then back to Subin. "Rumors, Subin? You're too nosy."
She crossed her arms, ice aura sharp. "Come on, Uncle! Everyone's talking about it. Who's this mystery kid?"
Seongha sighed, aura easing. "His name is Wooin and- why am I even telling you this? Union business, Subin. Focus on your training—and Hiro's. He's got potential." He walked off, leaving Subin fuming.
'Wooin. Seongha's recruiting him post-Klein Brothers.' Jiwon recalled what he remembered.
Subin turned to Jiwon, ice aura buzzing. "Tch, Uncle's hiding something big. Bet it's some hotshot Awakener."
Jiwon shrugged. "Sounds intense. You think it's another prodigy like me?"
"You? Prodigy's a stretch, spark plug!" Her laugh warmed her ice aura.
"Well whatever, I'll just need to find him out myself and see what he's capable of!" Subin then stormed off. "Gotta go now then, Hiro! Just see yourself out! You can do that, right?" While running away.
'That girl....she's really trouble' Jiwon can't help but sigh at the situation.
'She's gonna find Wooin and get her ass kicked, just like in the story, and I wouldn't interfere with that, its her canon event' Jiwon thought, noting that he couldn't even stop her even if he wanted to, she's just that troublesome.
'Well whatever, gotta go home now' Jiwon then left Union's Headquarters and went back to his apartment.