Rafe noticed it during training.
Not immediately.Not dramatically.
It was subtle.
He stood alone in the small, supervised practice field reserved for Unassigned candidates, a single instructor observing from a distance. Rafe lifted his hand and formed a Light construct—simple, controlled, precise.
It didn't flicker.
It didn't waver.
It locked into place.
Rafe frowned.
He dismissed it, then formed another. Same result. Perfect stability. No variance. No decay.
"…That's new," he murmured.
Before the Anchor, his Light had always carried slight fluctuations—tiny imperfections born from layered potential. Now, those imperfections were gone.
Not reduced.
Removed.
He tried Shadow next.
The construct formed instantly, dense and sharp, holding its shape far longer than it ever had before.
The Anchor hadn't just taken something.
It had compressed what remained into something denser.
Elyra watched from the sidelines, eyes narrowing.
"You feel it," she said.
Rafe nodded slowly.
"My output is… cleaner."
"Yes," Elyra replied. "Absolute Anchoring reduces variance. You lost flexibility—but gained consistency."
Rafe exhaled.
"So this is the trade."
Elyra met his gaze.
"Consistency wins wars," she said quietly. "Flexibility wins revolutions."
Rafe absorbed that in silence.
Across the Academy, Eiden Valcrest felt it too.
Not through mana.
Through comparison.
He sparred against two Combat students at once—and won easily. Applause followed.
But when he dismissed his aura, frustration tightened his jaw.
Clean.Strong.
And still—
Not enough.
The Unassigned had changed.
Eiden had felt it during the last observation—something sharper, more contained.
Not weaker.
Refined.
He clenched his fists.
"He lost potential," Eiden muttered. "So why does he feel closer?"
An idea formed.
A bad one.
Selene stood before the disciplinary council once more.
This time, there were consequences.
"Protective custody is revoked," Elyra said evenly. "You retain advisory status only."
Selene didn't flinch.
"I expected that."
"You're barred from unilateral intervention," another instructor added. "Any further breaches will result in removal from Academy grounds."
Selene inclined her head.
"Understood."
The Commission liaison observed silently.
Satisfied.
That evening, Rafe received a notice.
A simple one.
UNASSIGNED STATUS REVIEW — DEADLINE: 30 DAYS
He stared at it for a long moment.
Reassignment.Containment.Or removal.
Selene found him later that night.
"They've put you on a clock," she said.
"I know," Rafe replied.
She hesitated.
"I can't protect you the way I did before."
Rafe looked up at her.
"I don't need protection," he said calmly. "I need time."
Selene studied him.
"…You've changed."
Rafe nodded.
"Yes."
Not broken.
Not saved.
Refined.
Far from the Academy, Eiden stood alone at the edge of a restricted training zone.
He activated a private channel.
"I want access," he said quietly.
A voice answered.
"That area is sealed."
"I know," Eiden replied. "That's why I'm asking you."
Silence.
Then—
"…You have twenty minutes."
Eiden smiled.
"If I can't surpass him naturally," he whispered,"I'll force the comparison."
Rafe stood by his window again, watching the Academy lights.
The future felt narrower.
But clearer.
He clenched his fist.
"Then I'll make what's left count."