The private elevator doors slid shut behind us as Chang-Min tapped the button for the highest floor. A soft chime echoed as the lift began its smooth ascent.
He glanced at me, his usual professional demeanor in place, but there was a hint of amusement in his tone as he said, "Some of the executives brought their children today."
I raised a brow. "For what?"
He smirked slightly. "They want their kids to associate with you, befriend you—maybe even get close enough to secure a lifelong bond."
I scoffed. "Because I'm the future chairman?"
"That," he nodded, "and because they know exactly how strong you're going to be. The entire community does. You awakened at five years old, Rheon. Do you have any idea how rare that is? In all of Asia, I don't know of anyone younger who's awakened. And that makes people… nervous."
I leaned against the elevator wall, arms crossed, mulling over his words.
Awakening young wasn't just about talent—it was a sign of immense power. The earlier someone awakened, the stronger their affinity tended to be. The Union, the Lee family, they had all been ecstatic when I awakened my cryokinesis, celebrating as if I had already become a top-tier Awakener.
But on the flip side?
Other Awakener families and organizations weren't celebrating. They were wary. Even our allies kept a close watch on me, which was exactly why my father never allowed me to leave our territory—not even to visit supposed allies. I was too valuable, and too many people had something to gain from eliminating a potential threat before it fully bloomed.
Chang-Min's voice cut through my thoughts. "Some of them are also playing the long game."
I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean?"
He grinned knowingly. "Marriage. They're hoping their daughters will get close to you now, so one day, you might fall in love with someone's daughter."
I stared at him incredulously. "You're joking."
"Not at all."
I sighed and rubbed my temple, a gesture that looked far too out of place on an eight-year-old. "Unbelievable," I muttered under my breath.
"People are that desperate?" I asked him.
"You can't really blame them," Chang-Min shrugged. "In this world, power is everything and securing ties with a future powerhouse is a long-term investment."
I sighed, shaking my head as the elevator dinged and the doors slid open.
"The top floor," Chang-Min announced as we stepped out. "This is where your father's office is, and where he holds executive meetings."
I walked toward the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, my gaze sweeping across Seoul's endless skyline. From this height, the city looked limitless, buildings stretching in every direction like an ocean of steel and glass.
I took a moment to admire it. Even though this world's 2006 was different from the one I had once known, the city's beauty remained undeniable.
"Like the view?" Chang-Min asked, stepping beside me. "The rooftop has an even better one. Maybe later"
I turned away from the mesmerizing sight as he motioned toward my father's office. "Come. The chairman's waiting."
The moment I stepped into the expansive office, I immediately noted the atmosphere—serious, formal, expectant. A conference hall was attached to the office, its large oval table occupied by seated executives in sharp suits.
Their children stood behind them, observing—just like their parents taught them to.
At the head of the table, in the power seat, sat my father—Hyun-Seok Lee, chairman of the Awakened Union. His presence alone commanded the room, and the moment I entered, all eyes turned to me.
"Rheon, welcome." My father stood, his voice steady, authoritative.
I met his gaze and nodded, keeping my tone appropriately formal. "It's good to see you, Father."
His eyes softened just a fraction. "How was your lesson with your tutor?"
"Good," I answered honestly. "Ralph is knowledgeable. I learned a lot about the history of Awakeners."
"Good," my father said with approval before stepping forward. His hand landed on my head, ruffling my hair. I let it happen.
Then, his expression shifted back to business.
"Come," he said, motioning for me to follow him to the front of the room.
I straightened my posture, walking beside him, every step echoing through the silent hall.
I followed as he strode toward the front of the room, where all eyes turned toward us. The atmosphere shifted—tension, curiosity, and silent anticipation thickened the air.
Hyun-Seok Lee, the current Chairman of the Korean Awakener Association, stood tall as he addressed the Union's highest-ranking officials.
The executives watched closely, and their children stood even straighter—probably realizing that they were witnessing something important.
August 24, 2006. A date that would be remembered within the Union.
Once we stood before the executives, my father spoke.
"Today is a momentous occasion," he began, his deep voice commanding absolute attention. "As you all know, the strength of our Union lies not just in power, but also in legacy. A legacy that must be passed down to the right successor."
His gaze swept across the room, lingering on each executive before finally resting on me.
"I officially proclaim my son, Rheon Lee, as my heir—the next chairman of the Korean Awakener Association."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
I met the gazes of the executives. Some of them had already known this was inevitable. Others may have hoped for a different successor.
Then, my father's eyes hardened, and the temperature in the room dropped instantly.
A faint frost crept along the table's surface. His ice.
His next words were sharp. "Does anyone have any objections?"
No one answered immediately, but the room's temperature suddenly dropped—a barely perceptible shift, yet enough to send an undeniable chill through the air. My father's icy aura seeped into the atmosphere, a quiet yet firm reminder of who exactly they were dealing with.
The executives, in perfect unison, immediately straightened and responded loud and clear—
"We welcome the heir of our prestigious Korean Awakeners Association!"
The response was unanimous—loud, strong, and in sync.
I didn't smile, but internally, I noted how swift their reaction was. Fear? Respect? A bit of both?
Regardless, the moment was sealed. I was now, officially, the future Chairman of the Awakened Union.