Chapter-13:Controlled Extraction
The hall was quieter today.Not empty, Just… careful.
Everyone had seen what happened.The breaches.
The creatures.The tests.
And now—
No one moved carelessly.Raj stood alone in a corner.
Eyes closed.Breathing slow.Steady."…Again."
A whisper.His hand lifted slightly.No target.
No red mark.Just intent
The system responded.[Training Mode Active]
A faint thread appeared—Thin.Unstable.
Then—It snapped.Raj exhaled."…Too rough."
He adjusted.Less force.More focus.Again—
The thread formed.Held.For two seconds.
Then—Gone."…Better."Not enough.But improving.
"Still playing with strings?"The smiling boy's voice.
Lazy.Amused.Raj didn't open his eyes.
"…Still talking too much?"A grin."Fair."He leaned against the wall.Watching."For someone who steals power…"A pause.
"…you're surprisingly bad at control."Raj opened his eyes.Calm."…That's why I'm training."The boy chuckled."…Good answer."Silence.Then—"…Try this."
Raj frowned slightly."…What?"The boy pointed toward another student."…Don't take."A pause.
"…Just touch."Raj's eyes narrowed.Not take…?
Interesting.He stepped forward.The target noticed.
Tensed.But didn't move.No one interfered.
They were used to this now.
Raj stopped in front of him.Raised his hand.
Then—Lightly, Touched his shoulder.
The system reacted instantly.
[Condition Met: Contact]
[Extraction… Paused]
Raj focused.Not pulling.Not forcing.
Just—Feeling.Energy.Warm.Stable.Flowing.
For the first time—He didn't take.He observed.
"…So this is…"Different.Cleaner.Easier.
The system flickered.
[New Function Detected]
→ Energy Reading
Raj's eyes widened slightly."…I can see it now."
Not visually—But internally.He understood.
How much.How strong, How stable.
He pulled his hand back.The connection broke gently.No damage.No drain.
The other student exhaled in relief."…That felt… weird."Raj ignored him.His mind was active.
Fast.So I don't need to steal immediately…
I can analyze first.The smiling boy nodded.
"…Now you're thinking."Raj smirked faintly.
"…Control.""Exactly."A pause."…Power without control…"He tapped his head."…is just suicide."
Raj didn't reply.But he understood.More than before.
Across the hall—The tall boy watched silently.
Arms crossed.Observing."…He's changing," the girl said beside him.The tall boy nodded slightly.
"…Faster than expected."Back with Raj—
He turned his hand slowly."…Reading… partial extraction…"
A pause."…Full extraction."Three levels.Three choices.The system wasn't simple.
It was layered."…Good."He looked around.
Targets everywhere.Red marks flickering faintly.
But now—They weren't just targets.They were data.
Information.Options.Before he could move—
A familiar presence returned.Cold.Empty.
Behind him."…Learning fast."
Raj didn't turn."…You again."The Null-Type.Silent as ever.Raj spoke calmly."…You said you're a 'hole'."
A pause."…Everything has a weakness."
The Null-Type chuckled softly."…And you think you found mine?"Raj turned slowly.Eyes sharp.
Focused."…Not yet."A step closer.
"…But I will."The Null-Type tilted their head.
Interested."…Then try."A challenge.Clear.Direct.
Raj raised his hand.But this time—He didn't grab.
Didn't force.Just—Light contact.Again.
The system activated.
[Condition Met: Contact]
[Energy Reading…]
—Nothing.Blank.Empty, Like before.But—Raj didn't stop.He focused deeper.Beyond surface.Beyond system.
Just—Feeling.For a split second—Something flickered.Small.Hidden.Almost nonexistent.
But real.Raj's eyes widened slightly.
There.Tiny.Faint.But not zero.
The Null-Type's smile faded slightly."…Interesting."
Raj pulled back slowly.A faint grin appeared.
"…You're not empty."Silence.
Then—"…You're just hiding better."The air tightened.
Just a little.For the first time—The balance shifted.
Not fully.But enough.The Null-Type stepped back.
"…Careful."A quiet warning."…Curiosity kills faster than power."
Raj smirked."…Good thing I have both."The Null-Type turned.Walking away again.But this time—
Slower.Thinking.Raj stood still.His mind racing.
Reading works… even on him.Just harder.
The system flickered softly.
[Skill Progress Updated]
→ Control Increased
→ Detection Sensitivity Enhanced
Raj exhaled slowly."…So that's the next step."
Not just stealing, Not just fighting.Understanding.
Breaking and Adapting.
He looked up.Eyes sharp.
Focused, Hungry.
"…Nothing is untouchable."
[Chapter-13 Ended]