Morning sunlight poured into the classroom, but no one was paying attention to the teacher.
Every phone screen glowed under desks.
Every whisper carried the same topic.
The lightning boy. The energy storm. The government cover-up.
Mohit leaned back in his chair, eyes half-closed, listening without reacting. His reverse cultivation defect kept his energy stable on the surface, but inside, his senses were sharper than ever.
The world was changing faster than expected.
Arjun slid into the seat beside him. "Bro… my cousin in another city said they had military trucks blocking roads last night. Same kind of incident."
Meera adjusted her glasses. "Multiple awakenings in different regions. It's not coincidence anymore."
Siya lowered her voice nervously. "What if our school gets searched?"
Mohit spoke calmly. "If they come, act normal. No energy usage. No reactions."
But deep inside, he knew it wouldn't stay that simple.
At lunch, the pressure thickened.
Two unfamiliar men stood near the school gate — pretending to check their phones, but their eyes scanned faces too carefully.
Hunters.
Observers.
Recruiters.
Mohit felt a faint probing wave brush past his senses — subtle energy scanning.
He immediately suppressed his aura deeper.
They're testing the area.
Meera stiffened slightly. She felt it too.
Arjun swallowed nervously. Siya avoided looking toward the gate.
"Don't panic," Mohit whispered. "They're fishing."
After school, Mohit took a longer route home, jumping across back alleys and rooftops to ensure no one followed him.
Halfway across a deserted warehouse roof, he sensed movement behind him.
Not hostile.
Not friendly either.
A tall girl stepped into the fading sunlight.
Short silver hair. Athletic posture. Calm eyes filled with alertness.
"You move well," she said. "Not many students jump rooftops casually."
Mohit turned slowly, hands relaxed but ready. "You shouldn't follow people without permission."
She smirked slightly. "Fair. Name's Ira. Independent operative."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning I don't work for Ravi… or the government… or any syndicate."
Mohit studied her energy signature — controlled, balanced, refined.
Strong.
"Why follow me?" Mohit asked.
"Because you watched the awakening yesterday from a perfect blind spot," Ira replied. "Only trained people choose positions like that."
Silence lingered.
Then Mohit said calmly, "Observing doesn't mean involvement."
"True," Ira agreed. "But survival favors preparation. Groups are forming fast. Lone cultivators get hunted first."
Mohit narrowed his eyes slightly. "You offering alliance?"
Ira shrugged. "Information exchange. Nothing binding."
Mohit considered carefully.
Temporary knowledge could be valuable.
"Fine," he said. "Talk."
Ira stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Multiple factions are moving. Ravi's network expanding recruitment. Government units escalating containment zones. And a third unknown group hunting rare bloodlines."
That caught Mohit's attention.
"Bloodlines?"
"Yes. People with abnormal growth potential. If captured early, they can be molded… or broken."
Mohit's fists tightened slightly.
"That's dangerous," he said quietly.
Ira nodded. "Exactly why you should be careful. Your control is too clean for a beginner."
Before Mohit could respond, his phone vibrated.
Meera: Someone asking about you near main road. Two men.
Mohit's eyes sharpened.
"They're getting closer," he said.
Ira stepped back. "Then our conversation ends here. Think about what I said."
She vanished smoothly across the rooftop edge.
Mohit moved fast, redirecting his path home, avoiding predictable routes.
That night, he sat quietly in meditation, feeling the slow erosion of his power from the reverse cultivation defect.
I can't stay stagnant forever.
But rushing power could destroy him.
Balance was the key.
Far away, inside a dimly lit room, multiple holographic screens displayed faces — Mohit's among them.
A distorted voice spoke:
"Subject shows restraint, awareness, leadership potential."
Another voice replied coldly:
"Mark him for observation. Phase One only."
The game had begun.
And the pressure lines were tightening.