The training hall buzzed as Jiwon stepped back from his spar, Aura Suppression keeping his strength hidden.
Mr. Jang's sharp gaze lingered on Jiwon before shifting. "Next pair! Let's move!"
Jiwoo stepped up, facing a wiry kid with enhanced analytical thinking. His speed—faster than most expected—kept him untouchable, dodging with ease and landing light taps which resulted in Jiwoo winning by a landslide.
Wooin followed, his telekinesis control precise, overpowering a stocky telekinetic girl with minimal effort. The other unaffiliated students sparred, some showing promise, others flailing. Jang watched closely, jotting notes.
After the final spar, Jang clapped. "Okay, that's enough for today. You are all dismissed. Rest up—you'll need it."
As the group dispersed, a SYSTEM ping flashed in Jiwon's mind:
"MIssion: Complete 5 training sessions under Mr. Jang. REWARD: 50 Market Points, +5 Extra Points."
Jiwon's INT logged it. 'Small missions, but they add up.'
He caught Principal Han's silhouette in the hall's observation deck, his piercing gaze fixed on him.
'He's watching me. Gotta stay low-key.'
Jiwoo's sparks hummed as he joined Jiwon. "That was intense, Hiro!" Wooin trailed, silent but present. Jiwon grinned, his act firm. "I think that was just a warmup guys."
====================
Days Later - Cafeteria
A few days passed, the routine of training under Mr. Jang settling in. Jiwon, Jiwoo, and Wooin stuck together, their bond tightening, though the other unaffiliated students—kept their distance, more acquaintances than friends.
Jeongsu, the burly guy, had cooled off slightly, his fiery vibe less hostile, but his glares at Jiwon still carried a grudge.
'He's not picking fights, but he's not my fan either.'
At lunch in the cafeteria, Jiwon sat with Jiwoo, Wooin, and the unaffiliated kids, trays piled with rice and grilled fish.
The psychokinesis girl, Jihye, slammed her chopsticks down, her voice sharp. "This is bullshit. Affiliated kids get private chefs and cushy dorms, while we're stuck with leftovers and concrete beds."
The table murmured agreement, tension rising. Jeongsu, across from Jiwon, shrugged, his tone gruff. "Quit whining. At least Mr. Jang's got our backs. Be grateful." He stood, tray in hand, and walked out, his heavy steps echoing.
Jiwon's mind clicked, his past memories flaring.
'Jeongsu's tied up with Baekdu's recruitment in the plot. He's desperate.'
He glanced at Jiwoo, whose sparks flickered with concern, then stood. "Gonna stretch my legs for a bit " he said, his act casual, Enhanced Senses locked onto Jeongsu's trail.
Jiwoo nodded, distracted by Hyejin's rant. Wooin's gaze followed Jiwon, sharp but silent.
Outside, Jiwon tailed Jeongsu discreetly, weaving through the Academy's sleek paths. Near a secluded building, a sharp voice cut through—Sucheon Kang, Baekdu's heir, flanked by two lackeys.
"Jeongsu, over here." His gyrokinesis hummed faintly, air warping around him.
Jiwon ducked behind a wall, Aura Suppression tight, watching.
Sucheon's cold eyes bore into Jeongsu. "You said I could trust you to handle those unaffiliated brats. Then you get floored by Shinhwa and Union's lapdog?"
Jeongsu's shoulders slumped, his fiery energy dim. "It wasn't like that, Sucheon. That guy, Hiro—he's—" Sucheon's hand lashed out, gyrokinesis pinning Jeongsu to the ground, a sickening thud echoing.
"Don't make excuses!" Sucheon snarled, kicking Jeongsu's side. "You're useless." His lackeys smirked, watching Jeongsu grit his teeth, not fighting back.
Jiwon's mind pieced it together—'Jeongsu's desperate to join Baekdu, taking the beating to prove loyalty...'
Sucheon leaned in. "Fail again, and you're out. I'll kill you myself." He turned, lackeys trailing, leaving Jeongsu crumpled.
Jiwon stayed hidden, Protected Mind shielding his rising anger. Jeongsu staggered up, wiping blood from his lip, and limped away, silent but unbroken.
'He's a decent guy deep down, just caught in Baekdu's game.'
Jiwon's mind churned, his past memories of Sucheon's cruelty to Jiwoo in the manhwa fueling his resolve.
'Time to mess with Baekdu's heir.'
He stepped onto the path, Super Speed ready but restrained, and called out, his act laced with a taunting edge. "Yo, Sucheon! Got a minute?"
Sucheon turned, his gyrokinesis humming, eyes narrowing. "Huh? Who the fuck are you? What do you want, unaffiliated trash?" His lackeys snickered, but Jiwon's grin didn't waver.
"Big talk for Baekdu's heir, Sucheon. You sure you're not just coasting on daddy's name?" He leaned forward, grin sharp, deliberately poking at Sucheon's pride without a word about Jeongsu. 'Let's see how thin your skin is.'
Sucheon's eyes flashed, his gyrokinesis spiking as the air grew heavy. "You're begging for a beating, trash," he snarled, stepping forward, hand raised as if to summon a force wave. His lackeys tensed, ready to back him up.
Jiwon's Super Speed twitched, ready to dodge, but his Hiro act stayed cool, his DEX keeping his stance relaxed. 'Gotcha, hothead.'
Before Sucheon could strike, a sharp voice cut through the tension. "What's going on here?"
A woman strode toward them, blonde-red hair catching the sunlight, her presence calm but commanding—Professor Miyoung Ko, Animal Synergy pinging her power: Animal Communion. A faint chirp of nearby birds seemed to echo her steps.
Jiwon's Enhanced Senses had already caught her approach much earlier.
Sucheon froze, his gyrokinesis dimming, while his lackeys shuffled nervously.
Miyoung's eyes flicked between them, her voice firm. "Care to explain why it looks like a fight's about to start?"
Jiwon seized the moment, his Hiro act shifting to innocent charm. "Just chatting, Professor Ko, but Sucheon here seemed ready to throw some powers around." He shrugged, tossing a playful glance at Sucheon. "Guess he didn't like my jokes."
Sucheon's face reddened, but he bit back a retort, his clenched fist betraying his guilt.
Miyoung's gaze narrowed on Sucheon, her animal communion picking up the tension in the air.
"Using powers outside training is against the rules, Kang. You know that." She crossed her arms, her tone sharp. "Consider this a warning. Next time, it's detention—or worse."
Sucheon's lackeys shrank back, and he muttered, "Yes, Professor," his eyes burning with humiliated rage.
Miyoung turned to Jiwon, her expression softening slightly. "And you, keep the 'jokes' to a minimum. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Jiwon chirped, his Hiro act flawless, flashing a grin. As Miyoung continued scolding Sucheon, her voice rising, Jiwon took his chance. Super Speed moved him silently around the corner, his steps light as a shadow.
Nice try, Sucheon. Better luck next time. He slipped back toward the main campus, buzzing with satisfaction.
'Hahaha! That'll keep him fuming'
Jiwon glanced at the training fields in the distance, the sea breeze rustled through, carrying the faint hum of the Academy's energy.
Principal Han's watchful silhouette from several days ago lingered in his mind.
'He's still got eyes on me. Gotta keep playing smart.'
======================
Several Days Later - Training Hall
Jiwon leaned against the training hall's reinforced wall. Several days had passed since his taunt of Sucheon, and he'd kept busy—completing SYSTEM missions like daily training drills, sparring under Mr. Jang, and dodging Principal Han's piercing stares from the observation deck.
Jiwoo and Wooin stuck close, their trio a quiet anchor amid the unaffiliated students sometimes chaotic bond.
Mr. Jang clapped, his energy humming faintly, drawing the group's attention. "Listen up! Today, I'm going to teach you Force Control. We're learning the basics of neutral force control—lowest level, pure energy manipulation."
His voice was gruff but patient. "Master this, and you'll have a foundation for any power."
Jiwon perked up. 'Force control? Could be useful.'
He glanced at Jiwoo, whose sparks flickered with curiosity, and Wooin, whose calm posture hid his focus.
Jang gestured to the polished floor. "Sit cross-legged. Close your eyes. Feel your energy, then guide it like I say."
The unaffiliated students obeyed, some excited, others nervous. Jiwon settled beside Jiwoo, his movements smooth, Enhanced Senses tracking the room for energy analysis.
Jang's voice steadied, guiding them. "Breathe deep. Picture your energy as a stream—let it flow to your core, then push it outward, slow and steady."
Jiwon followed, his Force Control already leagues ahead, but he played along, curious about Jang's method.
Most students struggled—Jihye's psychokinesis flickered erratically, Jeongsu's fiery energy sputtered, and others groaned in frustration.
Jiwoo's sparks hummed softly, his focus sharp, channeling a faint pulse of neutral force with ease. He noted: 'Jiwoo's a natural, like in the manhwa.' Wooin's telekinesis synced seamlessly, his energy steady as stone.
Jiwon, testing Jang's technique, let a sliver of his own force flow, Force Control shaping it effortlessly into a precise pulse.
Jang's eyes widened slightly, lingering on the trio, his voice breaking the silence. "Seo, Choi, Yamamoto—good. Keep that focus."
Jiwon's curiosity deepened, analyzing the technique.
'Neutral force control, huh? Basic, but versatile.'
He pushed further, mimicking Jang's guidance, but frowned internally.
'This level's too weak—barely a ripple compared to my Force Control.'
He considered integrating it, tweaking his own technique to incorporate the neutral flow, but dismissed it. 'Not worth the effort. My lvl.23's already light-years ahead.'
He dialed back, his Hiro act masking his disinterest with a relaxed slouch.
Jang paced, correcting students. "Focus, Lee! Your energy's all over the place!" Jihye flushed, her psychokinesis stuttering. Jeongsu grunted, his fiery vibe stabilizing slightly, but his progress was slow.
Jiwoo's sparks brightened, his neutral force steady, earning a nod from Jang. Wooin's control was flawless, his energy a quiet hum.
Jang snorted, moving on. "Keep practicing. This is just the start." The session ended, students stretching with groans.
Jiwoo's sparks flickered happily as he stood. "That was kinda fun, Hiro!" Wooin nodded, his rare smirk flashing.
=====================
Cafeteria
Jiwon strolled toward the cafeteria with Jiwoo and Wooin.
Jiwoo's sparks danced as he chatted about the force control lesson, his voice bright. "It's like guiding a little stream, right, Hiro?" Wooin nodded, his rare smirk lingering. "Not bad for a start."
Jiwon's Hiro act flashed, a grin masking his focus. "You two nailed it. Mr.Jang was practically glowing."
The cafeteria buzzed with chatter, trays clinking as they grabbed rice, grilled fish, and tea, joining Jihye and other unaffiliated kids at a table.
Jiwoo's sparks flickered happily. "Force control's kinda cool, huh? I wonder what else Mr. Jang'll teach us."
Jihye snorted, her psychokinesis faintly lifting her chopsticks. "Hope it's something useful. I barely got that stream thing." Jiwon chuckled, Protected Mind hiding his amusement.
The table's chatter lightened, but Jiwon's Enhanced Senses pinged a shift—heavy steps, a sharp voice cutting through the noise.
Sucheon Kang stormed in, his gyrokinesis humming faintly, flanked by two lackeys with smug grins.
His cold eyes locked onto Jeongsu, who sat alone at a nearby table, head down. "Jeongsu," Sucheon barked, striding over. "Is it true Mr.Jang taught you force control?"
Jeongsu froze, his fiery vibe dimming. "Y-yeah, it was just—" Crack! Sucheon's hand lashed out, slapping Jeongsu's face, the sound echoing. "Without my permission?" Another slap, harder. "You think you can learn tricks behind Baekdu's back?"
Jeongsu's head snapped sideways, but he didn't fight back, his shoulders hunched.
Jiwoo's sparks flared, his voice sharp. "Stop it!" He stood, fists clenched, eyes blazing with defiance.
Sucheon's lackeys sneered, one stepping forward, his bulk looming. "Who's this runt? Sticking your nose in Baekdu's business?" The other lackey cracked his knuckles. "Mind your place, unaffiliated trash."
Jiwon's body tensed, Super Speed ready, but before he could move, two voices cut in. "Back off." Jaehyuk and Boyoung, Shinhwa-sponsored students, stepped into the cafeteria, their presence commanding.
Jaehyuk's wind energy swirled faintly, while Boyoung's vibe chilled the air. "Jiwoo's with Shinhwa," Jaehyuk said coolly. "You mess with him, you mess with us."
Sucheon's eyes narrowed, but he waved his lackeys back. "I'm just teaching this idiot a lesson," he spat, gesturing at Jeongsu, whose cheek was red and swelling. "This brat's ordering me to stop."
Jiwoo's sparks surged, his voice firm. "It's not a lesson—it's bullying!"
Sucheon's gyrokinesis spiked, air warping. "Bullying?" He turned to Jeongsu, voice mocking. "Am I bullying you, Jeongsu?"
Jeongsu's eyes darted, his voice low and hesitant. "N-no, sir."
Jiwon stood, Hiro act sharp. "That's bullshit, Sucheon, and you know it."
Jiwoo's gaze hardened as he stepped forward, voice rising. "You Affiliated kids think you can push us around just because you've got backing! You abuse your power, hurting people like Jeongsu who can't fight back. It's wrong, and you know it!"
The cafeteria fell silent, students staring, Jihye's chopsticks frozen mid-air. Jaehyuk and Boyoung exchanged glances, impressed.
Sucheon's face twisted with rage, his gyrokinesis roaring as he raised a hand toward Jiwoo. "You little—!"
Jiwon moved, Super Speed controlled blur, his sidekick slamming into Sucheon's chest.
Sucheon stumbled, crashing to the floor with a thud, air hissing from his lungs. His lackeys lunged, one summoning his energy, the other charging with enhanced strength, but a booming voice stopped them cold.
"Enough!" Mr. Jang strode into the cafeteria, his energy heavy, eyes sharp. The lackeys froze, and Sucheon scrambled up, glaring.
Jang's gaze swept the scene—Jeongsu's bruised face, Jiwoo's defiant sparks, Jiwon's tense stance.
"I saw everything," he said, voice stern. "Kang, Yamamoto—consider this a warning. No powers outside training, and no fighting in common areas."
Sucheon's jaw clenched, but he muttered, "Yes, sir," his eyes burning with venom as he stormed out, lackeys trailing.
Jang turned to the unaffiliated students, softer but firm. "Back to your dorms. Now." Jiwoo's sparks dimmed, his shoulders relaxing. Jiwon's Hiro act returned, a sheepish grin. "Guess we got carried away, sir."
As they filed out, Jiwoo glanced at Jiwon, gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks, Hiro." Wooin nodded, his gaze steady.
Jihye muttered, "That was wild," while Jeongsu trailed behind, head down, silent.
Jiwon trudged back to his dorm. The cafeteria clash replayed in his mind—Jiwoo's fiery speech, Sucheon's humiliated glare, Jeongsu's silence.
Neko greeted him with a soft meow, curling up on his bed. Jiwon flopped down, Healing Control soothing his adrenaline . 'Rest up, Hiro. Tomorrow's another day.'