The classroom didn't recover.
Even after everything settled, the air still felt heavy.
No one spoke loudly anymore.
Whispers replaced noise.
Fear replaced curiosity.
Ishaan sat quietly.
His gaze lowered, but his thoughts were loud.
That moment…
He was about to move.
To step in.
To use it again.
Kabir leaned toward him.
"That guy would've hurt someone if the officer didn't show up."
Aisha nodded slightly.
"That's what happens when someone awakens without control."
Anaya's voice was soft.
"He looked terrified…"
Ishaan clenched his fist under the desk.
"…That could've been me."
Before anyone could respond, the classroom door opened.
Again.
Two officers stepped inside.
Not the same as before.
These ones felt different.
More focused.
More alert.
"Everyone remain seated."
The room fell silent instantly.
One of them walked slowly between the rows.
Observing.
Watching carefully.
Like he was searching for something.
Or someone.
Ishaan felt it.
That pressure again.
Not like power.
Like attention.
The officer stopped near his desk.
For a brief moment, everything went quiet.
Then—
He moved on.
Kabir whispered,
"Why does this feel like we're suspects?"
Aisha replied quietly,
"Because they're looking for unstable awakenings."
At the front, the second officer spoke.
"After yesterday's incident, all students will undergo preliminary screening."
Murmurs spread across the room.
"Anyone showing signs of awakening will be evaluated."
A pause.
"Cooperation is mandatory."
Ishaan's fingers tightened slightly.
Testing.
That meant exposure.
The bell rang soon after.
Classes were dismissed early.
But no one felt relieved.
The corridor was crowded.
Students talking.
Speculating.
But Ishaan walked ahead of his group.
Lost in thought.
Then—
He felt it.
A gaze.
Sharp.
Focused.
Different.
He stopped.
Turned slightly.
At the far end of the corridor—
Someone stood there.
A student.
Leaning against the wall.
Watching him.
Tall.
Relaxed posture.
Hands in his pockets.
But his eyes—
Sharp.
Like a blade hidden in cloth.
Their gazes met.
And in that moment—
Something clicked.
The boy smirked.
Then started walking toward him.
Slow.
Confident.
Kabir noticed.
"…Do you know him?"
Ishaan shook his head.
"…No."
The boy stopped in front of them.
Close enough to feel his presence.
"So," he said casually,
"You're the one."
Kabir frowned.
"The one what?"
The boy ignored him.
His eyes stayed on Ishaan.
"I felt it."
A slight tilt of his head.
"That energy."
Aisha's expression sharpened.
Anaya looked confused.
Kabir narrowed his eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
The boy smiled faintly.
Not friendly.
Not hostile.
Just certain.
"You tried to move back there."
A pause.
"Didn't you?"
Silence.
Heavy.
Ishaan didn't answer.
But he didn't look away either.
The boy stepped closer.
Lowering his voice slightly.
"Relax. I'm not here to report you."
A faint smirk.
"I just wanted to confirm something."
A brief moment passed.
Then,
"You're like me."
Kabir blinked.
"…Like you?"
For a split second—
The air around the boy shifted.
Subtle.
But real.
A pressure.
Controlled.
Sharper than Ishaan's.
Then it disappeared.
Aisha's eyes narrowed.
"…You're awakened."
The boy shrugged.
"Something like that."
He looked back at Ishaan.
Interest clear now.
"You're new."
A pause.
"Unstable."
A faint smile.
"But interesting."
Ishaan finally spoke.
"…Who are you?"
The boy turned.
As if the conversation was already over.
"You'll find out soon."
A few steps forward.
Then—
"Try not to get caught before that."
He walked away.
Blending into the crowd.
Kabir exhaled.
"…I don't like that guy."
Aisha crossed her arms.
"He noticed you."
Anaya spoke softly.
"And he's not the only one."
Ishaan stayed still.
Thinking.
That presence.
That confidence.
That control.
"…He's strong."
Kabir looked at him.
"Stronger than you?"
A small pause.
"…Yeah."
Silence.
Because now,
This wasn't just about awakening.
There were others.
People like him.
And not all of them felt safe.
At the far end of the corridor—
The boy stood again.
Watching.
From a distance.
His smirk faded.
His eyes sharpened.
"Let's see…"
His voice was low.
"How far you go."