Support didn't arrive as applause.
It arrived as access.
The First Signal
At 09:42, three restricted datasets unlocked.
No announcement.
No explanation.
Just permissions.
Dr. Hart stared at the screen.
"They're not supposed to do that."
Lin Chen nodded.
"They're not supposed to stop me either."
Unofficial Becomes Operational
Two emergency centers rerouted requests directly.
Not through the council.
Not through committees.
Straight to the system.
Results followed.
Fast.
A Message Without a Sender
An encrypted note appeared in Lin Chen's inbox.
"Keep doing what works.
Don't force us to choose publicly—yet."
He didn't reply.
He didn't need to.
System Insight
[Legitimacy Source Shift Detected.]
[Authority Increasing Outside Formal Channels.]
The system wasn't just processing medicine anymore.
It was learning power.
The Cost of Support
Dr. Hart lowered her voice.
"They'll deny this if asked."
"Of course," Lin Chen said.
"That's the price of early alignment."
The Editor's Reality
Outside the building, articles began circulating.
Not praise.
Analysis.
Neutral tone.
Heavy emphasis on outcomes.
Exactly how influence grew.
Lin Chen's Reflection
Control didn't change hands in public votes.
It shifted quietly—
When people stopped asking permission.
Closing Line
By the end of the day, Lin Chen understood something clearly:
He no longer needed approval.
He needed consistency.
And consistency scared institutions more than rebellion ever could.
End of Chapter 83