A New Life in Eleceed

The final bell had rung, signaling the end of my first-grade year. Summer vacation had officially arrived, and the school grounds were buzzing with students eager to leave. Some were chatting excitedly with their friends, others were playing, and a few were still lingering with their teachers. Meanwhile, I stood near the school gates with my group of friends, waiting for our respective rides.

Minjun, one of my closer friends, waved as his family's black luxury car pulled up. "Annyeong, Rheon-ah! See you after the break! Annyeong, everyone!"

"Annyeong, Minjun-ah!" I waved back, watching as he got into the car and was driven away. One by one, the others followed, disappearing into their family vehicles with their respective escorts. Eventually, I was the last one left.

"Rheon-nim" a familiar voice called out. I turned to see my personal escort, Jung-seok, standing beside a sleek black car, the Lee family crest subtly embossed on the license plate frame. As expected of my family—always exuding power and prestige even in the smallest details.

Jung-seok bowed respectfully before opening the door for me. "Your car is ready, young master."

"Kamsahamnida, hyung." I stepped inside, setting my school bag beside me. Jung-seok got into the driver's seat and smoothly pulled out of the school driveway. After a few moments of driving, he glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

"How was your last day of school, Rheon-nim?"

I grinned. "It was fun! I got to play with my classmates one last time before vacation. But the classes?" I sighed dramatically, then fake-pouted. "Too easy. Boring, even." I have to keep up appearances like a first grader albeit a more mature one and what did I expect from a First-grader class I thought to myself sarcastically.

Jung-seok let out a polite chuckle. "That is to be expected, Rheon-nim. Considering how much of a genius you are, the family had already anticipated this."

I winced slightly at that. The family's expectations. It reminded me of my family in my past life.

It wasn't that I disliked being called a genius. Hell, I knew I was smarter than most kids my age—past life knowledge and all. But the weight of expectations from a family as powerful as mine was… something else. The Lee family wasn't just any wealthy household. We were at the pinnacle of South Korea's Awakened community, deeply tied to the Awakened Union. My father, Lee Hyeon-seok, was the acting chairman of the Union, and our bloodline was one of the most prestigious among awakeners in Asia.

As if sensing my thoughts, Jung-seok spoke again, his voice calm but informative. "Speaking of family matters, the head of the Shinwa Group will be visiting the main house tonight for dinner, along with his wife and daughter."

My eyes widened slightly. "They're bringing their daughter?"

"Yes, Rheon-nim. This will be your first time meeting her."

I leaned back, crossing my arms. "How old is she?"

"She is two years younger than you."

"Ohh." I hummed thoughtfully. Jiyoung Yoo, huh? This would be interesting.

I turned my gaze outside the window, watching as Seoul's cityscape passed by. My mind, however, drifted elsewhere—to my powers.

I had awakened at five years old, far earlier than the average age. It had caused quite the commotion in the Awakened community in Asia. Awakening early was rare, and my abilities were even rarer. My family's lineage carried Cryokinesis, but mine was different. Because of my deal with ROB, my ice wasn't just normal ice—it was modeled after Aokiji's Hie Hie no Mi.

Unlike my family's ice, which was a lighter crystalline blue, mine had a darker, deeper hue. It was far more potent, freezing things faster and more thoroughly. And it had a unique property—once frozen, my ice remained unbreakable for an extended period unless I dispelled it myself. It wasn't just cold; it was absolute.

The Union had been ecstatic, declaring me South Korea's future strongest awakener. Tch. As if that wasn't obvious. And that's too low for an ambition. I smiled, doing a small victory laugh in my seat.

----

"We've arrived, Rheon-nim," Jung-seok announced moments later.

I snapped out of my thoughts as the car pulled into the Lee family estate. Stepping out, I took a moment to admire the house—a seamless blend of traditional Korean architecture with modern elements. It was grand, imposing yet elegant, a testament to my family's status.

Standing at the entrance was my mother, Lee So-hee, waiting for me with her usual warm yet dignified presence.

"Rheon, how was your last day of school?" she asked as I approached.

"Same as always, eomma. But I had fun with my friends."

She smiled. "That's good to hear. Come inside. The head of Shinwa wishes to meet you."

I nodded, stepping forward. Well then, let's see what this Jiyoung Yoo is like.

----

As we stepped inside the house, my eyes immediately landed on my father, Lee Hyun-Seok. A tall and imposing man with sharp, chiseled features, jet-black hair neatly combed back, and piercing dark eyes that could command an entire room without uttering a single word. He carried himself with the dignified air of a leader—someone who had been forged through years of experience in both the battlefield and the boardroom. He stood in deep conversation with another man, a presence just as commanding.

The man speaking with him was none other than Yoo Jin-Tae, the head of the Shinwa Group. Unlike my father's intimidating aura, Yoo Jin-Tae had a more refined presence—tall, well-groomed, and dressed in an elegant suit that spoke volumes of his wealth and influence. His dark brown hair was streaked with hints of gray, and his sharp eyes carried the weight of years in both the corporate world and the awakened community. Beside him stood his wife, Choi Min-Ah, a graceful woman with delicate features and a poised demeanor. With her sleek black hair cascading down her back and a sharp, intelligent gaze, she was the epitome of elegance and power in her own right.

Between them stood a small girl clutching her mother's hand—a five-year-old Jiyoung Yoo. She had soft features and large, round eyes that darted nervously around the room. Dressed in a neat, pastel-colored hanbok, she looked like a porcelain doll, her shyness evident in the way she hesitated before speaking. Then, gathering her courage, she introduced herself to my father with as much formality as her young age would allow. It was… oddly amusing, given the personality she'd grow into in the future and how powerful she'd be.

Before I could dwell on that thought, my mother's voice rang out.

"Rheon has arrived."

My father turned to me and gestured for me to approach. I walked toward him with measured steps, maintaining the formality expected of me in the presence of guests. Running was out of the question—Grandfather would have my head for that.

I reached my father and greeted him respectfully. He ruffled my hair, a rare display of affection in front of others, then asked, "How was school?"

"Classes were the same as always, Abeonim, but I had fun with my friends," I answered formally, keeping my tone neutral.

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "That's my son."

He turned to Yoo Jin-Tae and his wife, formally introducing me. I bowed deeply.

Yoo Jin-Tae observed me for a moment before nodding approvingly. "Your son is quite mature for his age."

My father chuckled. "He has always been a fast learner."

Beside them, Choi Min-Ah nudged Jiyoung gently. "Go on, introduce yourself."

Jiyoung hesitated, then shyly walked toward me. She fidgeted before bowing slightly. "H-Hello… I am Yoo Jiyoung."

I found the contrast between this timid child and the confident, strong-willed woman she'd eventually become rather amusing. Still, I kept my thoughts to myself and returned the gesture with a polite nod. "Nice to meet you, Jiyoung."

Looking to ease the tension, I asked, "Do you play Janggi?"

She blinked up at me, then glanced at her mother as if asking for permission before turning back to me and shaking her head.

Before I could suggest something else, my father spoke. "You can play later. For now, let's eat. Dinner is ready."

We moved to the dining area, where we were seated in a formal setting. The adults engaged in discussions, my father and Yoo Jin-Tae delving into the affairs of the awakened community.

"A 21-year-old awakener has been making waves recently," Yoo Jin-Tae mentioned, swirling his wine glass. "He's been fighting ranked awakeners and possesses electrokinesis."

That piqued my interest. Wait… 21-year-old? Electrokinesis? Kayden Break? I thought to myself. A simple calculation clicked in my mind. According to speculation, Kayden should be in his late 30s or early 40s in the canon, and since Eleceed's present timeline is set in 2025… doing the math, the current year right now is 2006, and he is 21, so he should be 40 years old in the canon.

Damn. He's old.

I stifled a chuckle at the thought. Still, this meant Kayden was already out there picking fights with ranked awakeners. I wonder who he fought.

Meanwhile, my mother and Choi Min-Ah discussed the latest gossip in the awakened community. My mother, an awakened herself, hailed from an influential family—though their standing had waned over the years.

Jiyoung suddenly turned to me with wide, curious eyes. "How old are you?"

"I'm seven," I replied.

Her face scrunched up in thought before she beamed. "Then that means you're older than me! I have to call you Hyeong!"

I smirked. "Of course."

She pouted but didn't protest. Instead, she asked excitedly, "Have you awakened yet?"

Her eyes practically sparkled. So she's already interested in awakening? I mused.

"Yes, I awakened when I was five."

She gasped and turned to her mother. "Eomma! When will I awaken?!"

Choi Min-Ah smiled patiently. "Most children awaken between the ages of 10 and 12.. Some awaken earlier, while others awaken much later."

"But Hyeong awakened at my age!" she protested childishly.

Her mother chuckled. "Well, your Hyeong is different, you know. Don't worry. You'll awaken too. Just be patient."

Dinner continued, and once we finished, my father and Yoo Jin-Tae moved toward the training chamber, calling for me to follow. Our mothers and Jiyoung tagged along.

Inside the chamber, my father turned to me. "Show them your ability."

I nodded and stepped forward. Raising my right hand I guided the cold energy from my core then I used it to conjure an ice ball, the cold aura exuding from me immediately dropping the temperature in the room. Frost began to spread at my feet.

Jiyoung's father and mother reacted with surprise, eyes widening in amazement. Jiyoung shivered, prompting her mother to cast a barrier around them to shield her from the cold. My parents, on the other hand, looked nothing but proud.

Unbeknownst to me, my grandfather, Lee Sang-Hoon, had entered the chamber. A formidable man in his early seventies, his silver hair was always neatly combed, and his sharp, hawk-like eyes bore a gaze that could pierce through anyone's soul.

I threw the ice ball, watching as it left a cold trail in the air before striking the dummy. Instantly, it encased the target in solid, near-black ice.

Yoo Jin-Tae inspected it closely, noting the unusual color and density. "This… is much colder, it has a darker hue than the lighter crystalline blue and it is more potent than the cryokinesis I'm familiar with."

Then, my grandfather's voice cut through the chamber. "Rheon's cryokinesis is different. More powerful. More potent. And he's the first one in the family lineage to awaken cryokinesis this powerful" He said with a proud look on his face. Then he walked towards then, he shook hands with Yoo Jin-Tae and exchanged pleasantries.

The demonstration ended with Yoo Jin-Tae nodding in approval. "South Korea has a future world-ranker in its midst," he remarked.

With that, we escorted them outside as they waited for their car. Jiyoung waved at me enthusiastically. "Goodbye, Hyeong!"

I smirked and waved back. "See you next time."

As their car drove away, I couldn't help but think—this was just the beginning.