The training grounds felt different.
Zarek noticed it immediately.
Nothing had changed on the surface—disciples still trained, voices still echoed, and the rhythm of the sect continued as usual.
But beneath it…
Something had shifted.
More eyes followed him.
Not just curiosity anymore.
Something sharper.
More cautious.
Zarek walked across the courtyard in silence, his expression calm, his movements steady.
But he could feel it.
Every glance.
Every whisper.
"He's the one…"
"I heard the elders are watching him."
"Stay away from him…"
Zarek ignored them.
But the words stayed.
At the far end of the training grounds, Kael stood with a few others.
This time, he didn't approach.
He simply watched.
"…You're not going to fight him again?" one of them asked.
Kael shook his head slightly.
"…Not yet."
His gaze remained fixed on Zarek.
"…He's not the same."
Elsewhere, a group of disciples spoke in hushed tones.
"I felt it during training…"
"What?"
"…Like something was being taken from me."
A brief silence followed.
"That's not normal."
"No… it's not."
Above them, on the same elevated platform, the elders stood once more.
But this time—
There were more of them.
"…The reports are consistent," one elder said.
Another nodded.
"…Energy fluctuation during contact. Minor, but present."
Rovan stood slightly apart from them, his arms folded.
"He's controlling it better," he said.
"That's what concerns me," another elder replied.
Silence followed.
Below, Zarek stopped moving.
He closed his eyes briefly.
The energy within him shifted.
Smoother now.
But still…
Hungry.
The system activated.
[Energy Flow Stabilizing]
[Devour Efficiency Increased]
Zarek's eyes opened slowly.
"…So it's evolving," he thought.
At that moment, a voice called out.
"Zarek."
He turned.
Rovan stood a short distance away.
"…Come with me."
Zarek didn't hesitate.
They walked in silence once more, away from the training grounds and into a quieter section of the sect.
After a moment, Rovan spoke.
"You've noticed it, haven't you?"
Zarek didn't pretend otherwise.
"…They're watching me."
"Yes."
A brief pause.
"…Why?" Zarek asked.
Rovan stopped walking.
"…Because they don't understand you."
Zarek's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And what people don't understand…"
Rovan continued,
"…they either fear… or try to control."
Silence lingered.
Zarek's voice was calm.
"…Which one am I?"
Rovan looked at him directly.
"…That depends on what you become."
The words carried weight.
Zarek didn't respond.
But inside—
He understood.
This place…
Was no longer just a place to grow.
It was a place where he was being judged.
Measured.
And perhaps—
Prepared.
The system spoke again.
[Warning]
[Host Growth Exceeding Expected Parameters]
Zarek's gaze darkened slightly.
"…Good."
If they were watching—
Then he would give them something to watch.