Chapter-14:Taking Without Being Seen
The training hall felt normal.Too normal.That was the problem.After the breach…
After the investigation…After the tests…
Everything should feel chaotic.But it didn't.
It felt controlled.Watched.Measured.
Raj stood among the others.Quiet.Blending in.
But his mind—
Active.Reading… partial extraction…New tools.
New possibilities."…Let's test it."A whisper.
Low.Careful.He moved through the hall.
Not directly.Not suspicious.Just enough.
Close to people.Within reach.His eyes scanned.
Targets everywhere.But now—He didn't rush.
He chose.Carefully.A mid-level student.
Stable.Unaware.
Raj stepped beside him.Casual.Natural.Then—
A light brush.Shoulder to shoulder.Contact.
The system activated silently.
[Condition Met: Contact]
[Energy Reading…]
Stable.Moderate.Nothing special.Good.
Raj focused.Not full extraction.Not force.
Just—A small pull.Controlled.Precise.
[Partial Extraction Initiated]
A thin thread formed—Invisible, Silent.
This time—No violent surge, No reaction.
Just a slow…Steady…Flow.
The student blinked once."…Hm?"That's it.No collapse.No panic.
Raj pulled back instantly.Cutting the connection.
Clean.Perfect.
The system responded.
[Partial Extraction Successful]
→ Minor Energy Acquired
Raj exhaled slowly.So it works.No attention.
No chaos.No risk—If done right.A faint smile appeared."…Good."Across the hall—The smiling boy watched.Quiet.
For once."…You're doing it already, huh…"Not loud.
But not silent either.Raj didn't look at him.But he heard.Of course he did.The boy grinned."…Careful."
A pause."…Someone's always watching."
Too late.Raj already knew that.
But—He continued.Another target.Another light contact.Another small extraction.Then another.
Each time—Cleaner.Faster.More precise.
His control improved rapidly.The system adapted.
[Control Efficiency: Increasing]
Raj's movements became smoother.Natural.
Invisible.Predatory.But hidden.That's when—
"…Enough."A voice.Sharp, Cold.Right behind him.
Raj froze.Slowly—He turned.
The girl.Arms crossed.Eyes locked on him.
"…You think no one would notice?"Silence.
The nearby students stepped back slightly.
Sensing tension.Raj met her gaze.Calm.
"…Notice what?"A weak lie.She didn't react.
"…Energy fluctuations."A step closer.
"…Small. Controlled. Repeated."
Another step."…That's not normal."
Raj stayed silent.For a moment—They just stared.
Then—"…Why?" she asked.Not accusing.
Not angry.Just—Direct.Raj answered simply.
"…To improve."Truth.Partial.But real.She studied him.Carefully."…At this rate…"
A pause.
"…You'll drain everyone without them realizing."
Raj didn't deny it.Because—That was the point.
Silence stretched.Then—"…Stop."A command.
Clear, Firm.Raj tilted his head slightly.
"…Why?"Her eyes narrowed."…Because if they find out—"A brief glance toward the upper observation windows."…you won't get another warning."
The meaning was clear.Not monitored.Not tested.
Eliminated.
Raj's lips curved slightly."…Then I won't get caught."
A dangerous answer.The girl's expression hardened.
"…You're crossing a line."Raj stepped closer.
Just enough."…There was never a line."Silence.
Heavy, Tense.Before it could escalate—
—BZZZT.
A sharp sound echoed.Not an alarm.Something else.A signal.Everyone froze.The lights dimmed slightly.A voice filled the hall.Cold.Authoritative.
"…Raj."The entire room went still.
The Academy Administration was watching.
Of course they were."…Report to the control room."
A pause."…Immediately."No explanation.No choice.
Just—Command.The girl stepped back slightly.
"…I told you."
Raj didn't reply.His eyes lifted—Toward the unseen observers.Calm.Unbothered.But inside—
His thoughts moved fast.Did they see everything?
Or just enough?
The system flickered faintly.
[Risk Level: Increased]
Raj exhaled once.Slow.Controlled.Then—
He smiled."…Good."Not fear.Not regret.
Only—Interest."…Let's see how much they know."
He turned.Walking toward the exit.Alone.
Behind him—The hall stayed silent.Watching.
Waiting.Because everyone understood now—
Raj wasn't just dangerous anymore.
He was becoming something worse.
Something hidden.
Something they couldn't predict.
And that—
Was far more terrifying.
[Chapter-14 Ended]