| Overview | Abilities | Relationship | Battles |
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Kartein (카르테인 Ka-leu-tein) is a supporting character in the manhwa Eleceed. He is an independent awakener of the world's top 50 who was requested by Kayden to heal Jiwoo in exchange for learning Kayden's Transformation ability.
Appearance[]
Human Form[]
Kartein has straight, platinum white hair that flows down to his shoulders, pale skin, and piercing blue eyes with blonde eyelashes. When using his ability, his eyes turn lime green. He is always seen wearing a white and cream colored suit with golden accessories consisting of a shirt, gilet, pants and a navy coat with golden rose shaped buttons. He's considered the most handsome top ranker.
Cat Form[]
In his cat form, Kartein takes the appearence of an emaciated white cat with his left ear clipped, signifying that he is neutered. Despite his unhealthy looking cat form, it doesn't seem to hinder his abilities as an awakened one. This whole transformation happened between ch 139 to ch 141
Personality[]
Kartein is an extremely prideful, talented and determined individual. He is extremely confident in his healing abilities and takes pride in them. Similarly to Kayden, Kartein sometimes references to himself in third person as a way to boast about his greatness.
His pride makes it so that those close to him can easily convince him sometimes. Whenever Kayden wants Kartein to heal someone, he pretends that Kartein doesn’t possess the capability to do so. As despite Kartein’s unwillingness to heal people (due to his temperament, value and risk of using his ability) he trusts Kayden and Jiwoo and can’t allow people underestimate him, or doubt his abilities.
If he's set on something, he'll hardly change his mind. He will not treat a person if he does not want to; no matter how generous the offer is[1] or if the person in front of him is on the brink of death[2]. On the same note, when something interests him, such as gaining a new ability, he can get very insistent and persistent until he gets what he wants, by any means necessary.
Regardless of his cynical attitude especially towards his enemies , he is more talkative around people he likes, as seen when he is with Jiwoo and Kayden.
Kartein has shown to be fair and capable of gaining fondness for people e.g. Jiwoo. Although he doesn’t like showing it and doesn’t care for others. He was also surprised with how much he heals Jiwoo despite not being paid. He is also not altruistic or willing to do work without payment, as he refused to catch Duke despite being capable of doing so, as it wasn’t his objective or desire.
Abilities and Fighting Prowess[]
Human Form[]
Healing Abilities: Kartein is widely renowned as the best healers in the world. Kayden stated that not even the top 10 holds a candle to him in terms of healing. He is the only one to be able to restore an awakened one's broken core, which is considered to be an impossible feat. His healing abilities are not only limited to humans[1], considering that he was able to heal Duri's eye. He's able to use his healing abilities even in cat form[2]. However, his healing abilities leave him temporarily vulnerable. Since Kartein has many enemies, he refuses most requests to heal people for fear of being attacked,
Condition Perception: As a healer of great magnitude, he possesses the ability to identify the physiological condition of those he wishes to treat by infusing his power in one's body. He is also able to determine the condition of an awakened one's core.
Unnamed Dark Force Control: Kartein uses this method when he fights enemies. So far, he has used this technique only a handful of times in order to kill Professor Andrea, a member of the Frame; Earthquake, a member of the Frame and a world's top 50 ranker, and Tanji; Astra's subordinate and a member of the world's top 100. It manifests as dark, ominous energy with purple highlights and can create an abyss to swallow enemies alive. The full extent of Kartein's power is unknown since he rarely engages in combat,
Spatial Isolation: Kartein's spatial isolation is famed as one of the most elegant defensive techniques in the world. It manifests as ethereal angel's wings and can effortlessly break through another advanced spatial isolation barrier.
Cat Form[]
Cat Punch: This is a special move developed by Kayden to effectively hit opponents while in cat form. He learns the basics from him, but eventually gives it his own spin and makes it his own. He's seen using it for the first time against Cain, as a flurry of fists powerful enough to knock him unconscious.
Relationships[]
Kayden[]
Although they were known to be not on the best of terms to ask each other for special favors, they seem to be well acquainted and get along fairly well, even going as far as to have genuine trust/faith in one another, which surprises other awakeners who are aware of just how prickly both Kartein and Kayden are in general. After restoring Jiwoo's core, Kartein becomes fond of Jiwoo's cats and ends up becoming fellow housemates with Kayden and Jiwoo. Kayden often tricks Kartein into doing favors like healing Jiwoo or anyone close to him. On the other hand, Kartein is obsessed with researching the possibilities of the Transformation technique he learned from Kayden. They only seem to genuinely get along when it comes to anything regarding Jiwoo, or when they both have a mutual enemy/interest.
Jiwoo Seo[]
Jiwoo has been a patient of Kartein since he fixed his broken core. After a sparring match, he often tends to Jiwoo's wounds and accelerates his healing process. Although Jiwoo's core had completely healed, Kartein decided to stay since he still wants to do cat transformation research with Kayden and because he grew quite fond of Jiwoo's cats. He's currently staying at Jiwoo's house along with Kayden and Pluton. Kartein often scolds Jiwoo for emulating Kayden's tendency to challenge strong opponents, resulting in reckless behavior very similar to his mentor. Even though he denies it and vehemently refuses to admit it, there is no doubt that he truly cares about Jiwoo's well-being. As the story progresses, Kartein is seen visibly angered right alongside Kayden when someone looks down on or insults Jiwoo and uses his power to help him without hesitation. Pluton noted that while Kartein refuses to heal people even when they offered him the world, he heals Jiwoo regularly and taught him part of his force control.
Quotes[]
- (To Kayden) "Kayden. Are you sure you didn't hurt your head?"[1]
- (To himself) "Good. He's persuading him well."[3]
- (To everyone) "Is that even a question? Of course I healed him."[3]
- (To Kayden) "I'm a cat in every way. Even this unattractive appearance resembles a cat perfectly!"[4]
- (To Kayden) "Right. There's nothing I, Kartein can't do!"[4]
Trivia[]
- Apparently, Kartein is ranked number 1 in rankings in terms of attractiveness among the top rankers[5].
- He is hinted to be extremely wealthy.
- Using his healing abilities makes him completely vulnerable and an easy target, which is another reason why he rarely ever agrees to treat anyone.[6]
- Kartein came 2nd in the 2nd Popularity Poll