The room was prepared differently this time.
Reinforced walls.
Layered barriers.
Multiple energy anchors placed around the space.
Everything—
Controlled.
Everything—
Measured.
"…this is overkill."
Nyra muttered quietly.
The instructor didn't respond.
Because it wasn't.
"…we begin now."
No delay.
No buildup.
Kaizen stood at the center.
Still.
Focused.
Not nervous.
But aware.
"…same method."
The instructor's voice was steady.
"…but this time—"
A pause.
"…don't stop."
Silence.
Nyra's eyes shifted instantly.
"…that's dangerous."
"…that's the point."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Only—
Decision.
Kaizen raised his hand.
The line formed instantly.
Clean.
Stable.
Sharp.
"…continue."
The pressure began.
Slow at first.
Then—
Increasing.
The air tightened.
The room reacted.
The barriers pulsed faintly.
Kaizen adjusted.
The line extended.
Longer.
Sharper.
More defined.
"…hold it."
The pressure intensified.
Faster now.
Heavier.
The line trembled—
Then stabilized.
"…good."
The instructor stepped closer.
Watching every detail.
"…now push further."
Kaizen didn't force it.
He aligned.
Followed.
Extended.
The line stretched again.
The air distorted more clearly.
The room reacted.
The barriers flickered.
Nyra felt it immediately.
"…it's responding."
"…yes."
The instructor didn't look away.
"…keep going."
Kaizen's breathing slowed.
His focus deepened.
The line—
Was no longer just a line.
It felt like—
A connection.
Thin.
Fragile.
But real.
Then—
It happened.
The pull returned.
Stronger than before.
Clearer.
Direct.
The room dimmed slightly.
The distortion deepened.
The barriers pulsed harder.
"…it's coming."
Nyra stepped forward.
Energy forming instantly.
"…stop it now."
"…no."
The instructor's voice cut through.
"…not yet."
Kaizen didn't hear them clearly anymore.
Because now—
He felt it.
Fully.
That presence.
Closer.
Watching.
Responding.
"…so this is you."
The words came out quietly.
Unconsciously.
The line shifted.
Not outward.
But—
Toward it.
The distortion cracked.
A thin fracture appeared in the air.
Sharper than before.
More defined.
The room shook slightly.
"…this is too far."
Nyra moved forward again.
But the instructor blocked her.
"…wait."
"…he's losing control."
"…no."
A pause.
"…he's reaching it."
That difference—
Changed everything.
The crack widened.
Not large.
But focused.
Precise.
And this time—
Something came through.
Not fully.
Not physically.
But enough.
A shape.
Undefined.
Distorted.
Watching.
Kaizen's eyes locked forward.
"…I can see you."
Silence.
Then—
The pressure spiked.
Violently.
The room shook.
The barriers flared.
One cracked.
"…enough."
The instructor moved instantly.
His energy surged.
Sharp.
Overwhelming.
He struck.
Direct.
The connection snapped.
The crack collapsed.
The distortion vanished.
The room returned—
But not completely.
Because something remained.
Kaizen staggered slightly.
Breathing uneven.
But his eyes—
Focused.
Clear.
"…I almost had it."
Nyra grabbed his arm.
"…you almost lost yourself."
Kaizen shook his head slowly.
"…no."
A pause.
"…it saw me."
Silence.
The instructor didn't deny it.
Because he felt it too.
"…we stop here."
His voice was lower now.
More serious.
"…this is beyond controlled range."
Nyra looked at him.
"…then what now?"
The instructor turned.
Decision already made.
"…we report this."
A pause.
"…immediately."
Because this wasn't just a phenomenon anymore.
It wasn't just a connection.
It was—
Contact.
And now—
Whatever was on the other side—
Knew exactly where to look.