----
By the time they got home, the entire day had settled into something almost laughably normal.
Almost.
Because in the middle of the living room—
Kayden was doing pull-ups.
With one paw.
In cat form.
Asuka stopped in the doorway.
Stared.
Then slowly tilted her head.
The large orange cat with white markings hung from the edge of the reinforced pull-up bar Jiwoo had installed specifically because Kayden had complained that the house lacked proper training equipment.
His body rose.
One paw.
Down.
Up.
Down.
Perfect control.
Absolutely ridiculous visual.
Asuka watched for several seconds.
Kayden noticed.
Obviously.
He continued the pull-ups anyway.
"What?"
Asuka's mouth curved.
"Nothing."
"That expression says otherwise."
She leaned against the wall.
"I am simply appreciating the contrast."
Kayden narrowed his eyes while pulling himself up again.
"What contrast?"
"You are one of the strongest awakeners in the world."
Up.
"And currently…"
Down.
"…you look like a very round orange cat exercising at a pet rehabilitation center."
Kayden stopped.
Jiwoo, already on the living room floor surrounded by cats, burst into laughter.
"Asuka!"
Kayden slowly turned his head.
"Asuka."
She covered her mouth.
"I apologize."
"No, you don't."
"No."
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
Then he resumed.
One-paw pull-up.
Slow.
Controlled.
Defiant.
Asuka watched again.
It genuinely did amuse her.
A lot.
There were certain things no amount of reincarnation could prepare someone for.
Watching an internationally feared awakener build upper-body strength while shaped like an overweight orange cat was one of them.
Jiwoo was still laughing quietly.
He lay on his back across the floor, one arm under his head.
The tabby was curled against his side.
The black-and-white cat had somehow taken over his stomach.
The grey scarred cat rested near his shoulder.
Another kitten had wedged itself against his arm.
Jiwoo looked completely trapped.
And completely delighted.
"Hehehe…"
Asuka looked toward him.
He was smiling at the ceiling.
Not his usual gentle smile.
Something brighter.
Almost childish.
The kind he got when something had gone especially well.
Asuka knew exactly why.
"You are happy."
Jiwoo's grin widened.
"I won."
Kayden snorted from the pull-up bar.
"You sound surprised."
Jiwoo turned his head.
"I am!"
"That's insulting."
Jiwoo blinked.
"To who?"
"Me."
Another pull-up.
"I trained you."
Jiwoo immediately sat up—
or tried to.
Three cats protested.
He stopped.
"Sorry."
The black-and-white cat settled again.
Jiwoo remained trapped on the floor and instead lifted his head toward Kayden.
"You're right."
Kayden's ear twitched.
Jiwoo smiled brightly.
"Mr. Kayden, thank you."
Kayden paused halfway through a pull-up.
Jiwoo continued.
"I really could feel the difference today."
The smile softened.
"My movement felt easier."
Kayden dropped to the floor gracefully.
Well—
as gracefully as a very large cat could.
"You were using the secondary storage better."
Jiwoo nodded quickly.
"I thought so too."
"You still wasted energy."
"Yes."
"Your third acceleration was sloppy."
"Yes."
"You lifted your center too much."
Jiwoo nodded.
"Asuka said that too."
Kayden looked toward her.
Asuka hummed.
Jiwoo continued enthusiastically.
"But I could keep moving without feeling like everything disappeared after one burst."
He looked down at his hands.
"It felt like…"
He searched for the words.
"Like there was always something left."
Asuka smiled.
"That is the point."
Jiwoo looked toward her.
"And your advice helped a lot too."
Her expression softened.
"Mine?"
"Yes."
He nodded.
"Watching the shoulders and hips before the technique."
Asuka hummed.
"That helped?"
"A lot."
Jiwoo's eyes brightened.
"And then watching you fight after…"
His smile became even wider.
"I understood even more."
Asuka stared at him for a moment.
Then looked away.
Fond.
Quietly pleased.
"Good."
Jiwoo smiled.
"You're really amazing, Asuka."
She sighed softly.
"Oppa."
"What?"
"You already praised me enough today."
"But it's true."
Kayden sat down nearby.
"He's right."
Asuka turned toward him.
Kayden looked smug.
"My disciples are obviously exceptional."
Asuka raised one brow beneath the bandages.
"Your disciples?"
"Yes."
"You did not teach me that technique."
"That doesn't matter."
"It seems relevant."
"No."
Jiwoo giggled again.
Kayden ignored him.
"You're still my apprentice."
Asuka hummed.
"Convenient."
"Correct."
For a while, things were quiet.
Jiwoo remained sprawled among the cats.
Kayden started cleaning one paw as though he had not been doing one-paw pull-ups five minutes earlier.
Asuka settled onto the couch.
Her book sat nearby.
But she did not pick it up yet.
Kayden noticed.
"So."
Asuka tilted her head.
"So?"
"Explain."
She knew exactly what he meant.
Still—
"Explain what?"
His eyes narrowed.
"The fire."
Jiwoo looked up immediately.
"Oh."
Asuka sighed.
"I was hoping you forgot."
Kayden's expression turned offended.
"I forget nothing."
"That is objectively false."
"Explain."
She rested her cheek against one hand.
Jiwoo shifted carefully beneath the cats.
"I want to know too."
Asuka looked between them.
Then sighed.
Fine.
She raised one hand.
"Awakened energy has flow."
Kayden's eyes sharpened immediately.
Jiwoo listened.
"Not metaphorically," Asuka continued. "Literally."
She moved two fingers through the air.
"It leaves the core."
"Moves through the body."
"Then into the technique."
Kayden nodded slowly.
"Yes."
That much was normal.
Asuka continued.
"But I do not see only the technique itself."
A pause.
"I can perceive the connection."
Kayden stopped grooming his paw.
Jiwoo's eyes widened.
"The connection?"
Asuka nodded.
"Like lines."
Her fingers traced something invisible through the air.
"Or veins."
She thought for a moment.
"Threads might be closer."
Kayden's expression became much more serious.
Asuka continued.
"When Jaehyuk released the wind attack, I could see the energy moving from him into it."
Jiwoo stared.
"Even with the bandages?"
"Less clearly."
A pause.
"But yes."
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
"And without them?"
Asuka shrugged.
"Very clearly."
Of course.
Naturally.
Kayden already knew her eyes were abnormal.
But every new explanation somehow managed to make them worse.
Or better.
Depending on perspective.
Jiwoo tilted his head.
"So you saw where his power was connected to the attack?"
"Yes."
"And then…"
His brows furrowed.
"You put the fire there?"
Asuka smiled faintly.
"Essentially."
Kayden's ears twitched.
"No."
Asuka looked at him.
"No?"
"That is not 'essentially.'"
His tail flicked.
"You attached your flame to the energy flow sustaining someone else's technique."
Asuka considered it.
"Yes."
"And then sent it backward."
"Yes."
"Toward the user."
"Yes."
Kayden stared.
Asuka stared back.
Jiwoo looked between them.
Kayden's eyes slowly narrowed.
"So you didn't burn the wind."
"No."
"You burned the awakened energy carrying the wind."
Asuka tilted her head.
"More or less."
Silence.
Jiwoo blinked.
Then—
"That sounds really strong."
Kayden turned toward him.
"That sounds completely unreasonable."
Asuka nodded.
"Yes."
Kayden stared at her.
"And you figured that out during the spar."
"Yes."
"Just now."
"Yes."
"Because you were curious."
"Yes."
Kayden's face went flat.
Jiwoo looked concerned.
"Mr. Kayden?"
Kayden slowly turned toward Asuka again.
"You are a menace."
Asuka smiled faintly.
"I have heard that before."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
Kayden stood.
He paced once across the rug.
Then back.
His tail moved sharply.
"If what you're saying is accurate…"
Asuka watched him.
"You could potentially interfere with techniques before they fully form."
She nodded.
"Yes."
"Disrupt circulation."
"Yes."
"Redirect output."
"Possibly."
"Destabilize attacks."
"Yes."
"Trace released energy back toward whoever created it."
Asuka paused.
Then nodded again.
"Yes."
Kayden went quiet.
Jiwoo looked increasingly impressed.
Asuka looked increasingly bored.
Because to her—
yes.
That was what she had just explained.
Kayden stopped pacing.
"And this isn't limited to fire."
Asuka's head tilted.
"No."
Jiwoo's eyes widened.
Kayden stared.
"Of course it isn't."
Asuka smiled slightly.
"The fire was simply convenient."
"Convenient."
"Yes."
"You could have done the same thing with electricity."
"Probably."
"Spatial interference."
"Perhaps."
"Time."
Asuka paused.
"…That would require testing."
Kayden's expression darkened.
"No."
Jiwoo blinked.
"No?"
Kayden pointed one paw at Asuka.
"You are not testing time manipulation on random academy students."
Asuka looked offended.
"I have standards."
"You used Jaehyuk as experimental material."
"He volunteered."
"That does not help your argument."
Jiwoo tried not to laugh.
Failed.
Kayden turned toward him.
"And you."
Jiwoo immediately straightened from the floor.
Or tried to.
The cats prevented it.
"Yes?"
"Stop encouraging her."
"I wasn't."
"You were smiling."
"I'm proud of her."
Asuka looked toward him.
Her expression softened instantly.
Kayden stared between the siblings.
Then groaned.
"Hopeless."
Asuka looked at her hand again.
She could still remember it.
That strange sensation.
The line.
The flow.
The moment her fire caught not the wind itself—
but what gave it shape.
It had been almost effortless.
Too effortless.
"A cheat," she murmured.
Kayden looked toward her.
"What?"
"It feels like cheating."
He stared.
"That bothers you?"
"No."
"Of course not."
Asuka smiled.
"It is simply accurate."
Kayden sat in front of her.
"Your perception is the real problem."
She nodded.
"I know."
"Most awakeners can sense energy."
Another nod.
"But not like that."
"No."
"You're seeing structure."
"Yes."
He thought.
"Possibly pathways."
"Yes."
"Relationships between user and technique."
"Yes."
He became quiet.
Then slowly—
a grin appeared.
Asuka noticed.
Jiwoo did too.
"Mr. Kayden?"
Kayden looked almost pleased.
Almost proud.
Actually—
very proud.
His chest puffed slightly.
"As expected."
Asuka tilted her head.
"Of?"
"My apprentice."
Silence.
Asuka stared.
Kayden's grin widened.
"Obviously."
She blinked.
"You are taking credit."
"Yes."
"For something I discovered independently."
"Yes."
"You contributed nothing."
"That's irrelevant."
Jiwoo started laughing.
Kayden ignored him.
"As expected of my apprentice."
Asuka crossed her arms.
"I feel robbed."
"Good."
"Of intellectual ownership."
"Build character."
"You are shameless."
"And strong."
"That does not make the first statement less true."
Jiwoo was laughing harder now.
The cats began shifting because of it.
The tabby climbed onto his chest.
Jiwoo hugged it gently.
"Mr. Kayden really is proud of you."
Kayden froze.
Asuka slowly looked toward him.
Kayden immediately turned away.
"I said no such thing."
Jiwoo smiled.
"You kind of did."
"No."
"You said 'as expected of my apprentice.'"
"That is an objective assessment."
Asuka's mouth curved.
"A proud objective assessment."
Kayden whipped around.
"Don't start."
Jiwoo giggled.
Asuka hummed.
"I said nothing."
"You're both irritating."
Jiwoo relaxed back onto the floor.
The cats resettled around him.
His eyes moved toward the ceiling.
Then—
"I'm really happy."
Asuka looked over.
Jiwoo smiled.
"Today was fun."
Kayden stared.
"You got into a fight."
"A spar."
"You got punched."
"Not much."
"You nearly got blasted by wind."
"But I didn't."
Kayden looked offended by his optimism.
Jiwoo continued.
"And I learned a lot."
He looked toward Asuka.
"I got to watch you."
Then Kayden.
"And use what Mr. Kayden taught me."
His smile softened.
"And I won."
There it was again.
That little delighted laugh.
"Hehe."
Asuka smiled.
"Yes."
Jiwoo turned his head toward her.
"Asuka."
"Hm?"
"Were you proud of me?"
She did not hesitate.
"Yes."
Jiwoo's smile became impossibly bright.
Kayden made a disgusted noise.
"Don't encourage him."
Asuka glanced toward him.
"You are proud too."
"No."
"You are."
"No."
Jiwoo smiled at Kayden.
"Thank you, Mr. Kayden."
Kayden turned away.
"Hmph."
Asuka watched him.
Then quietly—
"Your ears moved."
Kayden froze.
Jiwoo burst into laughter again.
"They did!"
"They did not."
"They did."
"You're both hallucinating."
Asuka leaned back against the couch.
Warmth settled into the room.
Jiwoo surrounded by cats.
Kayden pretending he was not proud.
Her book waiting beside her.
No intruders.
No politics.
No arrogant boys demanding proof.
Just home.
Asuka closed her eyes beneath the bandages.
Then heard movement.
She opened them again.
Kayden had returned to the pull-up bar.
One paw hooked over it.
His round orange body lifted.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Asuka stared.
Then quietly reached for her phone.
Kayden stopped mid-pull-up.
"No."
Asuka paused.
"I have done nothing."
"You were going to take a picture."
"No."
"Yes."
Jiwoo lifted his head from the floor.
"Oh, can you send it to me?"
Kayden's eyes widened.
"JIWOO."
Jiwoo started laughing.
Asuka calmly opened the camera.
"Asuka."
"Yes?"
"Put the phone down."
She angled it slightly.
"Your form is excellent."
"That is not the point."
"It deserves documentation."
"ASUKA."
The shutter clicked.
Silence.
Jiwoo buried his face against the tabby, laughing.
Asuka looked at the photo.
Perfect.
A feared world-class awakener.
Round orange body.
White markings.
One paw.
Mid-pull-up.
She smiled.
"Very dignified."
Kayden dropped from the bar.
"Asuka."
She stood.
Jiwoo's eyes widened.
"Oh no."
Asuka backed toward the hallway.
Kayden's tail puffed.
"Delete it."
"No."
"Delete it."
"I think Inhyuk would appreciate it."
Kayden's eyes became murderous.
"Asuka Seo."
She turned.
And disappeared down the hall.
Kayden launched after her.
Jiwoo remained on the floor surrounded by cats, laughing so hard his stomach hurt.
And somewhere between Asuka's footsteps, Kayden's furious threats, and an entire house full of cats—
the Seo home returned to exactly what it was supposed to be.
Warm.
Chaotic.
Safe.
Home.
The basement was quiet.
For once.
No shouting.
No crashing.
No Jiwoo accidentally sending himself into a wall.
Just the low, steady hum of awakened energy circulating through the room.
Jiwoo sat cross-legged near the center mat, eyes closed, breathing slow and even.
Asuka sat farther back against the wall.
Her book was open across her lap.
Naturally.
One hand rested loosely against the page while awakened energy moved quietly through her body beneath the surface.
Force control while reading.
Because apparently doing only one thing at a time was inefficient.
And Kayden—
Kayden was lying on a folded towel.
Also doing force control.
His orange-and-white body was curled slightly, tail resting beside him, eyes closed.
His breathing had slowed.
His awakened energy circulated properly.
Steadily.
Precisely.
Then—
somewhere between one circulation and the next—
Kayden fell asleep.
His dream was horrible.
Absolutely horrible.
He stood somewhere completely white.
No walls.
No floor.
Nothing.
Just—
himself.
Except—
not himself.
Kayden looked down.
And froze.
His upper body was human.
Mostly.
His arms.
His torso.
His face.
Everything normal.
Then below his waist—
orange fur.
A massive cat body.
Four legs.
White paws.
A tail.
Silence.
Kayden stared.
Slowly.
Horrified.
He turned.
His tail moved.
He looked back.
Then down again.
"…What."
The nightmare offered no explanation.
He was—
some unholy combination of human and fat orange cat.
A feline centaur.
Kayden's eye twitched.
"No."
His cat body sat down.
His human torso remained upright.
"No."
He tried moving.
Four paws carried him forward.
"Absolutely not."
Then, from somewhere far away—
Asuka's voice.
Very dignified.
Kayden's face darkened.
"No."
Then Jiwoo appeared.
Smiling brightly.
"Mr. Kayden! You look amazing!"
"NO."
Inhyuk appeared next.
His eyes filled with tears.
"My little Casein Nitrate got bigger!"
"NO!"
Then Jisuk.
Hands clasped.
"Sir."
Kayden's entire soul screamed.
His eyes snapped open.
Kayden sucked in a breath.
For several seconds, he just lay there.
Staring.
Then his head immediately dropped.
Two front paws.
Good.
He twisted.
Orange body.
Four legs total.
Normal cat anatomy.
Well.
Normal-ish.
He stared at himself.
Then let out a deep breath.
"I was half fatty cat."
Jiwoo opened his eyes.
Asuka's page stopped turning.
Kayden muttered—
"Like a centaur."
Silence.
Asuka's lips twitched.
Kayden stared at his paws.
"That was one damn nightmare, all right."
Jiwoo blinked.
Kayden continued, still visibly disturbed.
"I guess I'm lucky to be like this compared to that dream."
Asuka slowly lowered her book.
She stared at him.
Then smiled.
Not dramatically.
Just enough.
Kayden immediately noticed.
"Don't."
"I have said nothing."
"You're laughing."
"I am not."
"You are."
Asuka looked down at her book again.
"A cat centaur."
Kayden's ears flattened.
"Asuka."
Her shoulders shook.
Jiwoo looked between them.
"Mr. Kayden?"
Kayden sighed.
Jiwoo leaned forward.
"Are you okay?"
Kayden glanced toward him.
"Yeah."
He rubbed one paw over his face.
"I think I dozed off."
Jiwoo relaxed slightly.
Kayden frowned.
"Ever since I got stuck in this body…"
He looked down at himself.
"I get sleepy all the damn time."
Jiwoo smiled.
"You don't have to worry."
Kayden narrowed his eyes.
"Why?"
"Cats sleep a lot."
Silence.
Asuka's mouth curved again.
Kayden's face slowly darkened.
"I'm not a cat."
Jiwoo blinked.
Then smiled.
"Oh yeah."
Kayden stared.
"That response was way too casual."
Jiwoo laughed softly.
"Sorry."
Kayden muttered something under his breath about "sleep conditioning" and "wasting perfectly good training hours."
Jiwoo tilted his head.
"Are you going to train sleeping too?"
Kayden's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Maybe."
Asuka looked up from her book.
"That sounds deeply unnecessary."
"Improvement is never unnecessary."
"You are considering optimizing unconsciousness."
"Yes."
Asuka stared.
Kayden stared back.
She looked down again.
"Of course."
Jiwoo smiled.
"Mr. Kayden."
"What?"
"You really never take a break from getting stronger."
Kayden sat properly.
"Obviously."
Jiwoo thought for a moment.
Then asked—
"Why?"
Kayden blinked.
Jiwoo continued.
"Why do you try so hard to get stronger?"
Asuka's attention shifted faintly.
Kayden was quiet for a moment.
Then he shrugged.
"No special reason."
Jiwoo waited.
Kayden looked toward the ceiling.
"I guess…"
A pause.
"I just want to be stronger than everybody else."
Jiwoo blinked.
Kayden grinned faintly.
"That's enough of a reason."
Jiwoo smiled.
"That sounds like you."
"Of course it does."
Kayden looked down at one paw.
"And…"
His claws flexed slightly.
"It's fun."
Jiwoo tilted his head.
"Getting stronger?"
"That too."
Kayden's expression became thoughtful.
"Figuring out what I can do."
A pause.
"Especially like this."
He gestured at his cat body.
Jiwoo looked amused.
Kayden continued.
"This body is completely different from my real one."
"Balance is different."
"Reach is different."
"Movement."
"Force output."
"Everything."
His tail flicked.
"Sometimes it's frustrating."
A pause.
"Inefficient."
Asuka hummed.
Kayden ignored her.
"But that makes overcoming it interesting."
Jiwoo listened closely.
Kayden continued.
"Then there's fighting strong awakeners."
His grin sharpened.
"That's fun too."
Jiwoo smiled faintly.
"So…"
He thought.
"You don't see being in this body as only a bad thing."
Kayden looked at him.
"No."
A beat.
"Mostly bad."
Asuka snorted softly.
Kayden glared.
"But not only bad."
Jiwoo nodded slowly.
"I think I understand."
"That's one way of looking at it."
Kayden's expression softened faintly.
"You use what you have."
"Then make it better."
Jiwoo looked down at his own hands.
His core.
The secondary space.
His speed.
Everything he was still learning.
His smile returned.
"Okay."
Then—
Kayden's ears twitched.
At the same moment—
Asuka stopped turning the page.
Both looked upward.
Toward the ceiling.
Toward the front door.
Jiwoo noticed immediately.
"What?"
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
"Someone's here."
Asuka hummed.
Jiwoo stood.
"Who?"
Kayden's expression sharpened.
Then—
"Jiyoung."
Asuka turned another page.
Kayden looked at her.
Then narrowed his eyes.
"You already knew."
Asuka's mouth curved faintly.
"Perhaps."
"She's been coming here and you didn't say anything?"
"I was reading."
"That is not an answer."
"It answered something."
Kayden stared.
Then huffed.
"Of course."
His eyes shifted toward the ceiling again.
"She's good."
Jiwoo paused.
Kayden continued.
"I didn't detect her until she was close."
His gaze sharpened.
"That means her control is extremely precise."
Asuka glanced up.
Kayden looked at her.
Then sighed.
"Not that you count."
She tilted her head.
"Why not?"
"You're built wrong."
Asuka smiled.
"That sounds rude."
"It's accurate."
Kayden looked away.
"She completely suppresses unnecessary output."
A pause.
"Hard to sense from far away."
Then he glanced back at Asuka.
"You, meanwhile, probably knew before she left the building."
Asuka said nothing.
Kayden's eye twitched.
"Troublesome apprentice."
She smiled.
"Troublesome teacher."
Jiwoo laughed softly and headed upstairs.
Jiyoung stood outside when Jiwoo opened the door.
His face brightened immediately.
"Jiyoung!"
She inclined her head.
"Jiwoo."
Jiwoo stepped aside.
"Come in."
"Thank you."
Asuka came upstairs a few moments later.
Not hurried.
Never hurried.
She settled onto the couch with the grey scarred cat climbing almost immediately into her lap.
Her book reopened.
Jiyoung's gaze found her.
"Asuka."
Asuka tilted her head faintly.
"Jiyoung."
A small pause.
Then Jiyoung's expression softened.
Barely.
She sat opposite them.
The black cat wandered through the room.
Jiyoung's eyes followed it.
Asuka noticed immediately.
Of course she did.
The black cat approached cautiously.
Paused near Jiyoung's foot.
Jiyoung looked down.
Her expression changed.
Softened.
Just a fraction.
Asuka's mouth curved.
She likes cats.
Interesting.
The cat sniffed Jiyoung's shoe.
Then sat.
Jiyoung remained still.
Almost respectfully.
Asuka looked down at her book.
Definitely liked cats.
Good to know.
Jiwoo returned carrying tea.
"Here."
Jiyoung accepted the cup.
"Thank you."
Jiwoo sat beside Asuka.
The grey cat shifted but did not leave her lap.
Jiwoo rested his hands against his knees.
Jiyoung looked between the siblings.
Then spoke.
"Can I ask you something?"
Jiwoo blinked.
"Oh?"
He smiled.
"What is it?"
Jiyoung held the cup quietly.
"Do you know force control?"
Silence.
Jiwoo blinked again.
Then—
"Yeah."
Jiyoung's eyes sharpened slightly.
"You…"
A pause.
"You do?"
Jiwoo nodded.
"Yeah."
He scratched his cheek.
"It's a way of controlling awakened powers."
Jiyoung watched him carefully.
"I've been able to do something like it since I was little."
Another awkward smile.
"Although I wasn't very good at it."
Jiyoung hummed softly.
"I see…"
Jiwoo looked toward her.
Jiyoung set her cup down.
"Like you said…"
Her tone became more serious.
"Force control is a way of controlling awakened powers."
Jiwoo nodded.
"But what I'm asking about is something slightly different."
Asuka's finger paused on the page.
Jiwoo listened.
Jiyoung continued.
"For a long time, awakened ones have studied ways to use their powers more efficiently."
A pause.
"And ways to become stronger more quickly."
Jiwoo's expression became thoughtful.
"They achieved that."
"Not through one method."
"Through many."
Jiyoung folded her hands.
"Because awakened abilities differ so greatly, different methods were created through different kinds of research."
Jiwoo nodded slowly.
He knew this.
Kayden had explained it.
Asuka had too.
But hearing Jiyoung describe it made the scale of it feel larger.
More real.
"These methods were not shared publicly," Jiyoung continued.
"They were protected."
"Passed only to family."
"Trusted people."
"Members of the same group."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Because once leaked, they could spread."
Jiwoo looked down.
He understood now.
More deeply.
What Kayden had given him.
What Asuka had given him.
Not just techniques.
Not just training.
Something rare.
Something other awakeners fought over.
Something powerful enough to completely change a person's future.
His chest warmed.
He thought of Kayden downstairs.
Yelling at him.
Training him.
Correcting him.
Then Asuka beside him.
Quietly redesigning his core structure like it was no bigger deal than fixing a shelf.
Jiwoo's fingers curled faintly.
They gave me something really special.
Again.
Just because they wanted him stronger.
Safer.
He swallowed.
Jiyoung continued.
"Awakened abilities can differ enormously depending on whether someone knows an advanced force control method."
Jiwoo looked up.
"The stronger and more efficient that method is…"
Jiyoung paused.
"…the more valuable it becomes."
"Not only to individuals."
"To organizations."
She gestured faintly.
"Shinhwa has its own force control."
Jiwoo listened carefully.
"It has been passed down for generations."
"That is why most people directly tied to Shinhwa develop and refine wind-based abilities."
Jiwoo thought of Jisuk.
Inhyuk.
Jiyoung.
Jiyoung continued.
"Others connected to Shinhwa learned variations depending on rank, family, and role."
Jiwoo nodded slowly.
"That's why…"
Jiyoung continued.
"People put enormous effort into obtaining higher-level force control."
Her expression became serious.
"The better the method…"
"The stronger someone can become."
A pause.
"There have been countless conflicts over it."
Jiwoo's eyes widened slightly.
"Countless?"
"Yes."
Jiyoung's voice lowered.
"That is how important force control is."
The room quieted.
Jiwoo thought for a moment.
Then asked—
"So…"
He looked toward her.
"Are you asking whether Asuka and I know that kind of force control?"
Jiyoung met his gaze.
"Yes."
Jiwoo went still.
Immediately—
Kayden's warning returned.
Keep it secret.
Asuka's warning too.
Do not discuss the method.
People will want it.
His heartbeat quickened.
This is why.
His thoughts moved quickly.
Should he lie?
Could he lie convincingly?
Probably not.
Definitely not.
Jiwoo was terrible at lying.
And Jiyoung was smart.
Very smart.
She would notice.
He had promised Mr. Kayden.
He could not expose him.
Not after everything.
His fingers tightened.
Jiyoung watched him.
"I'm thinking…"
Her voice remained calm.
"…that you've obtained a different force control method recently."
Jiwoo's eyes widened.
Jiyoung noticed.
Of course she did.
"That would explain your progress."
Jiwoo swallowed.
His control.
His speed.
His reserves.
His growth.
Of course she noticed.
What should he say?
Should I pretend I don't know?
But she already knows something changed.
Mr. Kayden told me to keep it secret.
Asuka too.
If I say the wrong thing—
"The force control is mine."
Jiwoo froze.
Jiyoung's gaze shifted.
Asuka turned a page.
Calm.
Completely calm.
Jiwoo stared at his sister.
"Asuka?"
She did not look up.
"It is mine."
Jiyoung went still.
The room became quiet.
Jiwoo understood almost immediately.
She was covering for Kayden.
Of course.
If Shinhwa believed the new force control came from Asuka—
then Kayden disappeared from the equation.
No one would question Casein Nitrate.
No one would wonder whether Jiwoo had contact with some unknown high-ranking awakener.
No trail.
No suspicion.
Just—
Asuka.
And after everything Shinhwa had already seen from her?
It was almost believable.
Almost.
Jiyoung looked at her carefully.
"You developed it?"
Asuka hummed.
"Yes."
Jiwoo watched Jiyoung.
Even she looked surprised.
Not dramatically.
But enough.
That said a lot.
Because developing force control—
real force control—
was not something someone Asuka's age should casually claim.
Especially someone who had barely entered the awakened world publicly.
Jiyoung's brows lowered slightly.
"How?"
Asuka finally looked up from her book.
Her bandages faced directly toward Jiyoung.
"It was not particularly difficult."
Silence.
Jiwoo looked away.
He loved his sister.
But sometimes she said things that made other people's accomplishments sound unfortunate.
Jiyoung stared.
Asuka continued.
"My eyes helped."
That was all.
Nothing more.
No mechanics.
No explanation.
No deeper truth.
Just enough.
Jiyoung's gaze lingered on the bandages.
Her memory returned instantly.
Sky-blue eyes beneath the night.
Clear.
Unusual.
Eyes that had followed awakened energy through a wind technique and turned it against its user.
Of course.
Her eyes.
Again.
Jiyoung did not push.
She knew better.
If Asuka wanted to explain more—
she would.
If not—
forcing the question would only damage trust.
Jiyoung nodded.
"I understand."
Asuka smiled faintly.
"Do you?"
A tiny pause.
Jiyoung's mouth almost curved.
"Enough."
Asuka accepted that.
Jiwoo still looked nervous.
Jiyoung noticed.
Her expression softened.
"You don't have to be nervous."
Jiwoo blinked.
"I'm not asking you to reveal the method."
His shoulders loosened slightly.
"I'm not asking where every part of it came from."
Asuka's gaze sharpened faintly.
Interesting wording.
Jiyoung continued.
"And I'm not going to force either of you to explain how you gained it."
Jiwoo relaxed more.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Jiyoung picked up her tea again.
"I came here for something else."
Jiwoo tilted his head.
"What?"
Jiyoung looked directly at him.
"To tell you to keep it secret."
Jiwoo went still.
Asuka's expression did not change.
Jiyoung's voice became serious.
"If other awakeners realize you possess an unusually efficient force control…"
A pause.
"You'll be in danger."
Jiwoo nodded.
He understood.
Very well.
Jiyoung continued.
"They may not care where you got it."
"They may only care that you have it."
"Some will try to take it."
"Some will pressure you."
"Some may target people around you."
Jiwoo's eyes sharpened.
Asuka's finger stopped against the page.
That last one—
dangerous sentence.
Jiyoung saw the shift.
Then added calmly—
"That is why you should be careful."
Jiwoo nodded.
"Yes."
His voice was more serious now.
"I understand."
Jiyoung looked toward Asuka.
She already knew Asuka understood.
Probably better than most.
Asuka hummed.
"We will."
Jiyoung nodded.
"Good."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Jiyoung stood.
Jiwoo blinked.
"Oh."
He immediately got up too.
"Are you leaving?"
Jiyoung nodded.
"Yes."
She smoothed her sleeve.
"I'm finished with my business."
A pause.
"So I should get going."
Jiwoo looked slightly surprised.
"That's all?"
Jiyoung nodded.
"Yes."
He stared.
Then his expression softened.
Because—
she had come all the way here.
Not to ask for their force control.
Not to demand allegiance.
Not to question Asuka's explanation.
Just—
to warn them.
Again.
Asuka noticed the same thing.
Of course she did.
Jiyoung had personally visited because she thought they might be in danger.
No benefit.
No exchange.
No leverage.
Just concern.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Jiwoo smiled.
"Thank you."
Jiyoung looked toward him.
"For coming all the way here to tell us."
Her expression softened.
"You're welcome."
Asuka closed her book.
The grey cat remained in her lap.
"Thank you, Jiyoung."
Jiyoung looked toward her.
Asuka's tone was quiet.
Sincere.
"For warning us."
A small pause.
Jiyoung nodded.
"Of course."
Jiwoo moved toward the entryway.
"I'll walk you out."
Jiyoung followed.
Asuka stood as well, gently placing the grey cat on the couch before joining them.
At the door, Jiwoo smiled.
"Drive safely."
Jiyoung nodded.
"I will."
Then her eyes moved toward Asuka.
Asuka tilted her head.
"Good night."
Jiyoung paused.
Then—
"Good night, Asuka."
A beat.
"Jiwoo."
"Good night!"
The door closed softly behind her.
For several seconds—
silence.
Then Jiwoo exhaled.
Long.
Very long.
"Asuka."
She looked at him.
"Yes?"
His shoulders dropped.
"I almost panicked."
"I noticed."
"I didn't know what to say."
"I noticed."
"I'm bad at lying."
"Yes."
Jiwoo stared.
"You could be nicer about that."
Asuka smiled.
"You are wonderfully terrible at lying."
Jiwoo blinked.
Then smiled.
"That is nicer."
From downstairs—
Kayden's voice echoed.
"ARE YOU TWO DONE?"
Jiwoo looked toward the basement.
Asuka sighed.
"Yes."
"THEN GET DOWN HERE."
Jiwoo smiled.
"Mr. Kayden sounds impatient."
"He was listening."
"Probably."
They headed downstairs.
Kayden was waiting.
Sitting on the mat.
Tail flicking.
The second they entered—
he looked at Asuka.
"You blamed yourself."
Asuka walked back toward her place by the wall.
"I took responsibility."
"You lied."
"I redirected."
"You lied elegantly."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't praise."
Jiwoo sat down.
"It sounded like praise."
Kayden stared at both of them.
Then sighed.
"Asuka."
She reopened her book.
"Yes?"
"She believed you."
"I know."
"That should concern you."
"It does not."
"Of course it doesn't."
Kayden looked toward Jiwoo.
"And you."
Jiwoo straightened.
"Yes?"
"You did well."
Jiwoo's eyes widened.
Kayden looked away.
"Not talking."
Jiwoo smiled.
"Oh."
"You were terrible at hiding anything."
His smile dropped slightly.
"Oh."
"But you didn't reveal me."
Jiwoo's expression softened.
"No."
Kayden's gaze sharpened.
"Good."
Jiwoo smiled again.
"Okay."
Kayden then looked toward Asuka.
"She's sharp."
Asuka knew who he meant.
"Jiyoung?"
"Yes."
"She noticed the change in Jiwoo quickly."
"She would."
Kayden's tail flicked.
"And she came personally to warn you."
Asuka turned a page.
"Yes."
Kayden watched her.
"You like her."
Asuka paused.
Jiwoo slowly looked toward his sister.
Asuka looked up.
"I respect her."
Kayden grinned.
"That wasn't what I said."
Jiwoo's eyes widened slightly.
Asuka stared.
Kayden's grin widened.
Then—
Asuka closed her book.
Slowly.
Kayden immediately stood.
Jiwoo blinked.
"Why do I feel like something is about to happen?"
Kayden backed away.
"Asuka."
She smiled.
"Yes, Teacher?"
His ears flattened.
"That tone."
"What tone?"
Jiwoo started laughing.
And just like that—
the force-control discussion ended.
Not with danger.
Not with secrecy.
Not with awakened politics.
But with Kayden sprinting around the basement in cat form while Asuka calmly chased him with terrifying efficiency and Jiwoo laughed from the floor.
Which, for the Seo household—
was probably healthier anyway.
----