CHAPTER 3 — The Quiet Stirring
Night clung to the village like a second skin, heavy and strangely expectant. The moon hung low—too low—casting long, silver lines across the dirt paths. Eyron didn't sleep.
He lay still on his straw bed, staring at the faint, glowing notification that hovered just above his eyes.
[ANALYSE LV.1 Activated]
Perception sharpened. Intent decoding unlocked.
The letters slowly faded into the darkness, but the awareness remained—sharp, cold, intimate.
He could feel things now.
Not magical currents, not divine whispers… but human signals.
Patterns.
Emotions masked under expressions.
Shifts in tone.
Hesitations.
It wasn't loud; nothing dramatic. More like someone had cleaned a fogged window, allowing him to see the truth behind people's faces.
And Eyron… liked it.
When dawn finally arrived, the twins burst into his room like two hyperactive spirits.
"Brother! Brother! Wake up!"
"Ms. Karma said the three bullies were made to clean the whole shop!"
"With rags! And cold water!"
Eyron smiled faintly.
Analyse flickered.
[Twin Liam: Emotion — Pure adoration / Excitement / Dependence]
[Twin Lisha: Emotion — Admiration / Relief / Attachment]
These two were predictable, easy to read even without skills. But now it was… clearer. Like seeing colors he never knew were missing.
His older siblings, Arian and Sera, walked in more composedly.
Arian leaned against the doorframe, smirking.
"You're dangerous, little brother. Mildly terrifying. I like it."
[Arian: Emotion — Amusement / Pride / Curiosity]
Potential: Moderate. Sharp mind, soft heart.]
Sera crossed her arms, sighing.
"You should have called us. But… I suppose you handled it well."
[Sera: Emotion — Protective affection / Concern / Subtle fear]
[Potential: High. Strong emotional intelligence.]
Eyron filed it all away.
People… were data.
And now he could read them like a silent book.
When he stepped out into the village, something was different.
People looked at him.
Not with pity as before. Not with casual friendliness.
With respect.
Sympathy.
Admiration.
Mothers tugged their children closer, whispering things he wasn't meant to hear:
"That poor boy… always being targeted…"
"He's so polite despite everything…"
"His family raised him well…"
Eyron didn't respond.
But inside, Analyse whispered:
[General Intent of the Crowd: Favorable]
[Reputation Shift Detected: +Village Sympathy]
Useful. Very useful.
Every favor, every pitying glance, every supportive whisper—these were social currencies. And Eyron had just increased his balance.
Near midday, three men approached their house. Two held farming tools. One carried firewood. All adults.
Eyron's mother blinked in surprise. "Can I help you?"
The oldest man cleared his throat.
"We heard what happened… and we wanted to offer help around your farm. As a… gesture of apology."
He glanced at Eyron with guilt, shame heavy in his eyes.
"My son was one of the boys. He'll be grounded for weeks."
The second man nodded quickly. "We also brought flour. Fresh."
Eyron watched. Analyse flickered:
[Man #1: Emotion — Shame / Responsibility / Fear of social consequences]
[Man #2: Emotion — Embarrassment / Desire to clear reputation]
[Intent: Compensation. Avoiding conflict. Seeking forgiveness.]
He stepped forward before his parents could speak.
"That's very kind," Eyron said calmly. "But my father says a man's strength is shown not by apologies but by what he builds afterward."
The men stiffened—admiration blooming instantly.
His father blinked at him.
A small, confused smile tugged at his lips.
Eyron turned slightly, tone softening.
"If you wish to help, then help us build something new. Something for the village."
The men looked at each other.
Then nodded vigorously.
Eyron had just turned their guilt into future leverage.
Later, as the men worked outside, Eyron's parents watched through the window.
His father whispered, confused, "He's… too calm for a child."
His mother nodded slowly. "Not just calm. Insightful."
Analyse flickered again.
[Mother: Emotion — Worried affection / Hidden fear]
[Father: Emotion — Pride / Confusion]
So they sensed the shift.
But they didn't understand it yet.
That evening, Eyron sat under the oak tree, testing his new ability.
He watched villagers pass by.
A woman with a basket:
[Emotion — Anxiety. Intention: Hide something.]
A hunter with scratches:
[Emotion — Frustration. Intention: Lie about today's catch.]
A child crying quietly:
[Emotion — Guilt. Intention: Run away from responsibility.]
Every truth behind their actions…
every secret…
every motive…
He could see it all.
The world wasn't big.
It was small.
Predictable.
Programmable.
He exhaled, slow and steady.
This skill…
wasn't a gift.
It was a weapon.
Late at night, while the village slept, Eyron opened the window for fresh air.
That's when he felt it.
A pulse.
Soft.
Barely noticeable.
Not emotional, not human.
Something other.
Far away.
Above the clouds.
Watching.
Analyse flickered violently.
[Unknown Presence Detected]
[Source: Beyond human perception]
[Intent: Observation]
Eyron's eyes narrowed.
"Who… are you?" he whispered into the night.
There was no answer.
Only silence.
But the pulse lingered, faint and cold—
like wings beating somewhere in the distance.
---
Eyron stared into the darkness, expression unreadable.
There were bigger forces at play.
He just didn't know yet that they were searching for his family.
And soon… they would come close.
Closer than anyone expected.