Valmere did not celebrate.

  It recalibrated.

  Grey felt it everywhere.

  When he walked the market streets the next morning, people didn't stare openly.

  They watched.

  Emotional Insight flickered constantly.

  Curiosity.

  Fear.

  Speculation.

  Stormmarked.

  The title had weight now.

  Lyra walked beside him, hood up.

  "You're becoming myth too quickly," she said quietly.

  "Is that bad?"

  "Yes."

  "Why?"

  "Because myths invite hunters stronger than Selric."

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  Grey didn't respond immediately.

  Instead, he opened his status.

  Level 13.

  Storm Pulse (Minor).

  Storm Resonance: 17%.

  He needed control before power.

  They returned to the plaza.

  The broken pylons had been removed.

  But the stone still bore scorch marks.

  Grey crouched and placed his hand against the cracked fountain basin where he had redirected lightning.

  Storm Sense activated.

  Residual mana lingered.

  And beneath it—

  Something deeper.

  The whisper from last night returned faintly.

  "…form…"

  Lyra stiffened.

  "You hear it again."

  "Yes."

  "It's getting clearer."

  "That's not good."

  Before Grey could respond—

  A ripple of controlled mana swept the plaza.

  Not violent.

  Precise.

  He looked up.

  Kael stood at the far end of the street.

  Level 28.

  Arms folded.

  Watching.

  No banners.

  No public declaration.

  Just him.

  "You escalated," Kael called calmly.

  Grey stood.

  "You left."

  "I was reassigned."

  "To babysit?"

  Kael's expression didn't change.

  "To observe deviation."

  Lyra's emotional state tightened sharply.

  Kael noticed.

  His gaze lingered on her a moment longer than comfortable.

  Then—

  "I underestimated you," Kael said to Grey.

  "That won't happen again."

  Grey smiled faintly.

  "Good."

  Kael turned.

  "Level 15 will change you."

  Grey blinked.

  "You know?"

  Kael paused mid-step.

  "You're not the first anomaly."

  Then he walked away.

  That statement hit harder than any threat.

  Not the first.

  Grey watched him disappear into the crowd.

  Lyra's voice was quiet.

  "They've seen sovereign anchors before."

  "Did they survive?"

  Silence.

  That was answer enough.