The Bing Clan compound was a fascinating maze of old-world elegance and cutting-edge hidden tech. After the bewildering-yet-thrilling attribute test, Master Lee Jinwoo led Kaelan through polished corridors and serene courtyards, the silence broken only by the soft rustle of silk as clan members passed by. Everyone seemed to glance at Kaelan, their expressions a mix of curiosity and hushed respect. News traveled fast in these circles, he realized.
Finally, they arrived at a set of heavy, lacquered doors guarded by two stern-faced Awakened. Jinwoo simply nodded, and the doors swung open into a vast, sun-drenched room. At its center, seated on a low cushion, was an old man with eyes that held the wisdom of centuries. This was Grand Elder Kwon, the patriarch of the Bing Clan. His presence commanded respect without a single word.
"Grand Elder," Jinwoo murmured, bowing deeply. "I present Kaelan."
Kaelan executed his most respectful bow, the one he'd practiced endlessly in his previous life for moments just like this. "It is an honor to meet you, Grand Elder."
Grand Elder Kwon's gaze, sharp and piercing, swept over Kaelan, a faint, almost imperceptible hum resonating in the air. Kaelan felt a subtle pressure, a probe against his inner energy, but he held firm, letting only a tiny sliver of his lightning attribute hum back in response. A slow smile spread across the elder's face.
"So, the whispers are true," the Grand Elder said, his voice a surprising warm rumble. "A descendant of the Geom Clan. And with such a potent attribute, even for them." He gestured to a cushion opposite him. "Sit, Kaelan. We have much to discuss."
As Kaelan settled, the Grand Elder's eyes twinkled. "Your mother, Jisoo, has quite a talent for causing a stir. To pull on the 'snow melts' phrase… it hasn't been used in generations. But it certainly got our attention." He chuckled softly. "And we were genuinely relieved to hear from her. She's a good woman, and a gifted one, though she hid her light under a bushel."
"My mother?" Kaelan asked, genuinely surprised. He'd always thought of her as strong and protective, but not necessarily powerful in the Awakened sense, given the book's mention of her barely having an attribute.
"Indeed," Jinwoo interjected, a fond smile on his face. "Your mother, Han Jisoo, is recognized as one of the finest Healer Awakened in the nation. Her attribute, though subtle, allows her to accelerate natural regeneration and even mend severe internal injuries. Many of our most powerful operatives, including myself, owe her a debt of gratitude for injuries she's treated over the years." He glanced at Jisoo, who stood humbly near the door. "We've been quietly looking for her, you know."
Kaelan looked at his mother, a wave of fresh appreciation washing over him. Healers were rare, and truly exceptional ones were priceless. No wonder she'd been able to keep him patched up through all his early, uncontrolled bursts of power. This changed things.
"Kaelan," the Grand Elder's voice brought him back, "your attribute is extraordinary. It is clear that the heavens themselves wish the Geom Clan's legacy to continue. It is time for you to understand and master it. We will provide you with the best instructors, the most comprehensive training. But first, you must seek knowledge from the source."
The Grand Elder rose with surprising agility for his age. "Jinwoo, take Kaelan to the Vault of Whispers. He must read his own history."
The Vault of Whispers was nothing like the sleek, modern elegance of the attribute room. It was an ancient, circular chamber deep within the compound, its walls lined floor-to-ceiling with scrolls and bound volumes that seemed to hum with silent stories. The air was cool and dry, carrying the scent of old paper and dust. In the very center stood a solitary pedestal, upon which rested a single, unmarked book.
"This is our secret library," Jinwoo explained, his voice hushed. "It holds the collected knowledge and secret techniques of every major Awakened clan, recorded and guarded by the Bing for centuries. Only those of true lineage can access the knowledge belonging to their own blood." He gestured to a small, circular indentation on the pedestal. "Place your palm here. Let your attribute flow, just as you did with the Nexus Stone. If the book recognizes your Geom blood, it will open for you."
Kaelan felt a thrill of anticipation. This was it. The direct path to understanding, to power, to avoiding the mistakes of his past. He placed his hand on the indentation. A familiar hum began beneath his skin, and he consciously let the raw, crackling Electric attribute flow. A surge of power, contained yet immense, streamed from his palm into the pedestal.
The unmarked book on the pedestal shimmered. Golden script, like miniature lightning bolts, began to appear on its cover, coalescing into the symbol of the Geom Clan. With a soft click, it opened itself, pages fluttering as if in a sudden, unseen wind. The air in the Vault of Whispers crackled, heavy with unleashed information.
"Remarkable," Jinwoo breathed, his eyes wide. "It works."
Kaelan reached for the book, a sense of destiny settling over him. He was ready to learn.
Unknown to Kaelan and the Bing Clan, that surge of raw power, that unique electric signature, hadn't gone unnoticed. Across the sprawling, interconnected network of the Awakened world, faint, almost imperceptible tremors were registered. Isolated sensors, deep within the clandestine operations of powerful clans and secretive organizations, flickered to life. A forgotten frequency hummed into existence.
Electric attribute detected. High energy signature. Geom Clan trace.
In a shadowed, heavily guarded compound miles away, a red light blinked urgently on a dormant console. A technician, sipping his coffee, nearly choked. "Sir! The Geom tracker... it's active! A strong pulse!"
From luxurious penthouses to hidden underground bunkers, whispers began to spread. The impossible had happened. The Geom Clan, thought utterly eradicated, had a survivor. And not just any survivor. A powerful one.
The world Kaelan had desperately tried to run from, and now desperately sought to master, was officially aware of his existence.