The library slowly returned to a tense silence.
Broken glass covered the floor.
Cold wind drifted through the shattered window.
Students whispered nervously while teachers tried to restore order.
But Detective Marcus Hale was only watching one person.
Adrian Vale.
Marcus studied him carefully.
The boy looked calm.
Too calm.
Most teenagers who had just smashed a library window in front of dozens of people would be panicking.
But Adrian's face was almost… analytical.
Like he was observing the situation rather than being part of it.
Marcus spoke quietly.
"Everyone step outside the library."
Teachers began guiding students out.
Within minutes, the room was nearly empty.
Only three people remained.
Marcus.
The librarian.
Adrian.
Marcus crouched near the broken air vent.
His eyes moved carefully across the metal opening.
Then to the jacket stuffed inside it.
Then to the shattered window.
Everything formed a clear pattern.
Marcus stood up slowly.
"You knew the poison would reach this room."
It wasn't a question.
It was a statement.
Adrian's mind instantly ran through possibilities.
Lie.
Half-truth.
Silence.
Each option produced different outcomes.
His brain simulated them rapidly.
Simulation 1:
Adrian denies everything.
Marcus becomes suspicious.
Investigation begins.
Bad outcome.
Rejected.
Simulation 2:
Adrian tells the full truth.
Marcus believes him.
But the story sounds impossible.
Marcus becomes even more curious.
Also dangerous.
Rejected.
Simulation 3:
Give a partial explanation.
Enough to satisfy curiosity.
But not enough to reveal everything.
Best outcome.
Accepted.
Adrian spoke calmly.
"I noticed the ventilation system connects the science lab to the library."
Marcus tilted his head.
"And?"
"I assumed the poison could spread."
Marcus crossed his arms.
"That explains breaking the vent."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"But it doesn't explain how you knew it would happen before anyone else did."
Adrian remained silent.
Inside his mind, new calculations were forming.
Marcus Hale was intelligent.
Very intelligent.
His observation skills were sharp.
Too sharp.
Marcus walked toward the shattered window.
"You know something interesting, Adrian?"
He looked back at him.
"Poison gas incidents are rare."
"Predicting them before the authorities even confirm the cause…"
"…is even rarer."
Adrian's thoughts raced.
Marcus was already connecting the pieces.
If he kept asking questions, he might discover too much.
But then something unexpected happened.
Marcus smiled.
A small, amused smile.
"Relax."
He raised his hands slightly.
"I'm not accusing you of anything."
Adrian's brain paused.
That response was unexpected.
Marcus continued.
"In fact… you probably saved twenty students today."
The librarian nodded quickly.
"Yes! If he hadn't opened that window—"
Marcus raised a hand gently.
"I know."
He looked back at Adrian.
"You did the right thing."
For the first time, Adrian felt slightly confused.
Marcus wasn't acting like a suspicious detective.
He was acting like someone… impressed.
Marcus leaned slightly closer.
"Tell me something honestly."
Adrian stayed silent.
Marcus asked:
"How fast do you think?"
The question hit Adrian like a shock.
For a moment, his mind froze.
Marcus watched his reaction carefully.
And that was all the confirmation he needed.
Marcus straightened up.
"Interesting."
He walked toward the library door.
Before leaving, he turned back.
"You know, Adrian…"
"Some people are good at sports."
"Some people are good at music."
"But very rarely…"
"…someone is born with a brain that works differently."
Marcus opened the door.
"But having a mind like that can be dangerous."
He paused.
Then added quietly:
"Especially when the wrong people notice."
Marcus left the library.
Adrian stood still.
His brain replayed the entire conversation instantly.
Every word.
Every facial expression.
Every tone of voice.
Marcus wasn't just curious.
He was warning him.
At that exact moment, Adrian's mind predicted something again.
Not seconds ahead.
But hours.
His brain connected new pieces.
The poison attack.
The mysterious memory from the lab.
The man watching from the shadows.
Marcus's warning.
All of it pointed to one terrifying possibility.
Someone powerful was observing him.
Waiting.
Studying his mind.
Across the city…
Inside the dark monitoring room…
The mysterious man leaned back in his chair.
He watched Adrian through the surveillance screen.
The man smiled slowly.
"Excellent."
He tapped the table.
"His cognitive growth rate is accelerating."
Another voice came through the speakers.
"Should we initiate Phase Two?"
The man paused.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
His smile widened slightly.
"Let's see how far his mind can go…"
"…when the real game begins."
Back at the school…
Adrian suddenly felt a strange chill.
His brain predicted something again.
Something dangerous.
Within 24 hours…
Someone would try to kill him.
And this time…
Adrian had no idea who it would be.