Chapter-17:After the Hunt
The gates closed behind them.—THUD.
The academy felt quieter than before.
But not safer.Not anymore.Raj walked in with the others.No one spoke.Not immediately.
The mission—Was still fresh.The fight, The Elite.
And The energy.All of it lingered."…Report."
A voice echoed.Cold, Direct.The Academy Administration was already waiting.The same room.
The same table.The same eyes watching.
Raj stood with the team.The tall boy stepped forward."…Cluster neutralized."
"…One Elite confirmed."A pause."…No casualties."
The woman nodded slightly."…Better than expected."Her eyes shifted—To Raj.
"…You."Silence."…Step forward."Raj did.
Calm, Unbothered."…You made contact with the Elite."Not a question.A fact.Raj nodded once.
"…Yes."The man beside her frowned."…Reckless."
The girl spoke calmly."…Effective."The smiling boy added—"Very effective."The tall boy stayed silent.
Watching.The woman tapped the table once.
"…Explain your method."Raj answered simply.
"…Partial extraction."A pause."…Controlled."
The room went quiet.Processing.Analyzing.
"…You can take from an Elite… without collapsing?" the man asked.Raj tilted his head slightly."…Not fully."Honest."…But enough."Silence again.
Heavier this time.
The principal leaned forward slightly."…Show me."
A direct command.Raj didn't hesitate.He raised his hand.Focused.No target.Just demonstration.
The system responded.
[Training Mode]
A faint thread appeared.Stable.Controlled.
Then—It vanished.Clean and Precise.The room didn't react loudly.But the shift—Was obvious.
"…Rapid growth," the woman murmured.
"…Too rapid," the man added.The principal smiled faintly."…Expected."Raj's eyes flickered slightly.
Expected…?Before he could think further—
The device in his hand vibrated.Soft.But sharp.
[Signal Detected]
Raj froze for a fraction of a second.Then—Controlled himself."…Something wrong?" the woman asked.
Raj shook his head slightly."…No."A lie But clean.
The principal watched him.Carefully.But said nothing."…You'll receive advanced training," he said instead."…Separately."Raj raised an eyebrow slightly.
"…Alone?""…Yes."A pause."…Your ability requires specialization."Translation—Too dangerous for others.Raj smirked faintly."…Fine."The man spoke again."…And your movements will be restricted."
Of course.Raj expected that."…Within the academy."
A pause."…Unless assigned."Raj nodded once.
"…Understood."The meeting ended quickly.
Too quickly.But that meant one thing—They had already decided.Raj turned.Walking out.Calm.
Controlled.But inside—His mind moved fast.
Signal… again.Not random.Not coincidence.
He stepped into an empty corridor.No one around.
No eyes watching.For once.The device flickered again, Stronger.
[Signal Source: Active]
Raj stopped.His eyes darkened slightly."…Show me."
The screen shifted.Coordinates.Inside the academy.
Not outside.Not far.Close, Too close.Raj's expression changed slightly."…Inside?"
That shouldn't be possible.Unless—
His mind flashed.The Null-Type.Without hesitation—
He moved.Fast.Silent.Through the corridors.
Following the signal.Deeper.Lower.To a part of the academy—He hadn't seen before.Dim lights.
Old walls.Unused Or Hidden.The signal grew stronger.Closer.Then—He stopped.A door.
Half-open.Dark inside.
The signal pulsed.Right there.Raj stepped forward.
Slow.Careful.The air felt different.Cold,Heavy.
Wrong.
"…I know you're here."His voice echoed softly.
No response.But—He felt it.A presence.
Familiar.
The system flickered violently.
[External Entity Proximity: HIGH]
Raj's eyes sharpened."…So it's really you."
A figure moved in the darkness.Not fully visible.
But there.Watching.Waiting for something
The same voice echoed.Low, Distorted.
"—You're growing faster than expected."
Raj stepped in.No hesitation."…You're inside the academy."A pause."…How?"A faint chuckle.
"—Barriers only stop what they can detect."
Raj's mind raced.Like the Null-Type…"…So you're connected."Silence.
Then—"Smart."Not denial.Confirmation.
Raj's eyes darkened."…What do you want?"
The figure shifted slightly.Still hidden.Still unclear.
"—To see what you become."A pause.
"—Before I take it."The air tightened.
Dangerous.Raj smiled.Slow and Cold.
"…Then come take it."Silence.
Then—The presence faded slightly.Not gone.
But distant.Watching.Always watching."Soon."
The signal cut.Instantly, Gone.The room returned to normal.Empty, Silent.
Raj stood still.Thinking and Processing. Then—
He exhaled slowly."…So it's already inside."
Not outside.Not far away.Here.Among them.
His eyes sharpened.Focused.Dangerous.
"…Good."A faint smile appeared."…That makes it easier."Because now—The hunt wasn't just outside.
It was inside.
And Raj—
Was ready for both.
[Chapter-17 Ended]