The report didn't take long.
It didn't need to.
Because what happened—
Couldn't be ignored.
—
The room felt colder.
Not physically.
But—
Official.
Three figures stood across from the instructor.
Not teachers.
Not academy staff.
Something higher.
Something—
Detached.
"…you're certain?"
The one in the center spoke.
Calm.
Measured.
Dangerous.
"…yes."
The instructor didn't hesitate.
"…it made contact."
Silence followed.
Not disbelief.
Not shock.
But—
Processing.
"…and the subject?"
A brief glance.
"…stable."
A pause.
"…for now."
That answer didn't help.
"…explain 'for now.'"
"…the connection is increasing."
"…and adapting."
The three figures exchanged a brief look.
Subtle.
But meaningful.
"…that's not possible."
"…it is."
The instructor's voice didn't change.
"…we observed synchronization."
Silence again.
Heavier this time.
"…how far did it reach?"
"…partial manifestation."
That word—
Shifted the atmosphere.
Slightly.
But noticeably.
"…you're saying it crossed?"
"…not fully."
"…but enough."
A long pause followed.
Because that—
Changed everything.
"…this should have been sealed."
The one on the left spoke this time.
Lower.
More controlled.
"…it was."
The instructor answered immediately.
"…then something reopened it."
Silence.
Because no one wanted to say what that meant.
"…no."
The center figure spoke again.
"…not something."
A pause.
"…someone."
—
Kaizen sat in the same room.
Waiting.
Nyra stood nearby.
Arms crossed.
Silent.
"…this is bad."
She said it quietly.
Not to him.
Not fully.
But enough.
"…yeah."
Kaizen didn't deny it.
Because he felt it too.
Not the presence.
Not the pull.
But—
Something else.
Pressure.
Different.
Heavier.
Not from the connection.
But from—
People.
"…they're coming."
Nyra looked at him.
"…you can feel that too?"
Kaizen nodded slightly.
"…it's different."
Before she could respond—
The door opened.
Slow.
Controlled.
The three figures entered.
The air shifted instantly.
Not violently.
But enough.
Nyra's posture straightened slightly.
Instinct.
Respect.
Or—
Caution.
Kaizen didn't move.
He watched.
Because something about them—
Felt similar.
Not the same.
But related.
"…so this is the subject."
The center figure spoke.
Not unkind.
Not harsh.
But—
Evaluating.
Kaizen met his gaze.
"…I have a name."
A brief pause.
Then—
"…noted."
No offense.
No reaction.
Just—
Acknowledgment.
"…Kaizen."
That felt different.
Slightly.
"…you made contact."
Not a question.
A statement.
"…yes."
"…do you understand what that means?"
Kaizen thought about it.
Then—
"…it knows me."
Silence.
The three figures exchanged another look.
"…accurate."
That wasn't reassurance.
That was confirmation.
"…then I'll ask directly."
The center figure stepped closer.
"…what did you feel?"
Kaizen didn't hesitate.
"…it wasn't hostile."
Nyra's eyes widened slightly.
"…what?"
The instructor didn't interrupt.
He listened.
"…it was watching."
A pause.
"…and responding."
Silence followed.
Because that answer—
Was worse than hostility.
"…interest."
The figure said quietly.
"…it showed interest."
That word changed everything.
Because interest meant—
Intent.
"…this changes the classification."
The figure stepped back.
"…he's no longer just a risk."
A pause.
"…he's a point of contact."
The room went silent.
Completely.
"…meaning?"
Nyra asked quietly.
The answer came immediately.
"…meaning if that thing wants to cross—"
A pause.
"…it will use him."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Kaizen didn't look surprised.
Because deep down—
He already knew.
"…then I'll control it."
The words came out calmly.
Simply.
Like it was obvious.
The three figures didn't react immediately.
Then—
"…no."
The center figure said.
Firm.
Absolute.
"…you won't."
A pause.
"…because if you fail—"
The room felt colder.
"…we erase the connection."
Silence.
"…including you."