Kael barely slept after his encounter with Cassandra Cain.
Not because he was afraid of her.
But because he understood what her presence meant.
Someone capable of reading the human body like a book had noticed him.
Noticed the way he fought.
Noticed the way his skills didn't match his physique.
Noticed the oddness in his movements.
She had said he wasn't a threat.
But she also said she would continue watching him.
And Cassandra Cain was not someone who simply forgot her curiosities.
Kael needed to be more careful.
More invisible.
More ordinary.
That was the plan.
Unfortunately, plans rarely survived morning obligations.
He walked to school with his shoulders relaxed, steps steady, with the calm he had practiced since childhood. Trade Instinct was quiet, but aware. Energy Regulation kept him centered. Situational Awareness mapped every angle of the street.
But his thoughts drifted toward yesterday's events.
Toward the boy he saved.
Toward Cassandra.
Toward the feeling of being observed by something bigger than himself.
He needed to grow.
But he needed to do it without creating ripples.
Not easy in a world like this.
The first half of the school day passed relatively uneventfully. Teachers lectured. Students whispered. Peter Parker tripped twice in the hallway—typical. A few kids passed notes. The small dramas of a normal life.
Kael moved through it all like smoke.
Then lunch came.
And everything changed.
Kael never ate near the center of the cafeteria. It was too chaotic, too many eyes, too much attention. He preferred the quieter spots along the side walls. He picked up his tray and headed toward his usual space—until something tugged at his awareness.
Trade Instinct chimed.
A soft pulse.
Not danger.
But emotional weight.
Kael followed the sense with a casual flick of his eyes.
Near the far corner of the cafeteria, sitting alone with a closed notebook pressed against her forehead, was a girl with long dark hair and red-rimmed eyes. Her shoulders shook faintly, though she was trying not to let anyone see her cry.
Kael didn't recognize her immediately. She wasn't in any of his classes.
Trade Instinct chimed a second time.
Kael approached slowly, giving her plenty of time to notice him.
She didn't.
She was too lost in her thoughts.
He spoke quietly, keeping his tone gentle. "Do you want some space?"
She lifted her head quickly, startled. Tears clung to her eyelashes.
"No," she muttered. "Sorry. I didn't mean to… make a scene."
"You didn't," Kael said. "But you look like you could use someone to talk to."
She tried a shaky smile. "You don't even know me."
Kael shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Pain shouldn't be carried alone."
She blinked, surprised by the phrasing.
Then she exhaled. "I'm Emily."
"Kael."
Emily looked down at her closed notebook. She hugged it close to her chest like a shield. Her voice trembled.
"My older brother… he left last night. Just walked out. Didn't say where. Didn't say anything."
Kael stayed silent, letting her continue.
"He's been acting off for weeks. Skipping meals. Not sleeping. Getting into trouble. I thought he was just stressed but…" Her voice cracked. "I found a note this morning. It said 'I can't take this place anymore. I can't take myself anymore.'"
Kael's stomach tightened.
Emily swallowed hard. "I don't know where he went. And my parents are pretending it'll be okay, but they don't know anything."
Kael understood this kind of pain.
Deep, emotional, suffocating.
Trade Instinct pulsed sharply.
A system window faded into view.
Trade Opportunity Detected
Value: Emotional support, stabilization, guidance
Target Potential Reward: High-tier sensory or mental skill (emotional weight significant)
Kael sat across from her quietly.
"Emily," he said softly. "Your brother didn't leave because of you."
She squeezed her notebook tighter. "How do you know?"
"Because people running from pain aren't running from others," Kael replied. "They're running from the storm inside themselves."
Her breath hitched.
Kael continued, choosing each word with care. "What he needs is space to breathe. And what you need is someone to keep you steady while he figures himself out."
Emily wiped her tears with the sleeve of her sweater.
"I don't even know where he could have gone," she whispered. "He didn't have friends. He didn't hang out anywhere. He just… left."
Kael thought for a moment.
"Does he like quiet places?" he asked.
Emily nodded. "He hates noise."
"Somewhere isolated, then."
She nodded again, slower this time. "He used to go to the old pier sometimes. Said the water made things less loud."
Kael exhaled. "That's probably where he is."
Emily stared at him, hope trembling in her eyes.
"You… you think so?"
"I do," Kael said. "And you should tell your parents. Don't carry this alone."
Emily nodded, clutching her notebook like it was a lifeline.
Kael felt the emotional weight settle around them like a warm, heavy blanket. The system brightened.
Trade Ready
Kael accepted.
The window opened.
Offering: Emotional stabilization, guidance, clarity
Receiving Options:
– Empathic Perception (Weak)
– Insight Boost (Basic)
– Memory Recall (Minor)
– Harmonic Presence (Weak emotional calming aura)
Kael examined the options carefully.
Empathic Perception would let him sense emotional states more clearly—dangerous if detected by psychics.
Memory Recall would give him minor retrieval advantages—useful, but small.
Insight Boost would improve analytical reasoning—a safe option.
Harmonic Presence would make people calmer around him—very subtle and extremely valuable for negotiations.
He chose Harmonic Presence.
Trade Complete
Skill Gained: Harmonic Presence (Weak)
EXP +20
A gentle warmth settled into Kael's body, almost like a soft hum. It wasn't visible. It wasn't loud. But it changed the air around him.
People nearby would feel more at ease.
Less defensive.
More open.
More honest.
Perfect for someone who trades in everything.
Emily inhaled slowly. "I… feel better. I don't know how but… thank you."
Kael smiled faintly. "Just remember you're not alone."
Emily nodded.
She left soon after—eyes red, but breathing steadier, walking with purpose.
Kael watched her go, feeling the system settle.
He stood and moved toward the cafeteria exit when Trade Instinct pulsed again—sharp this time.
Not emotional.
Not calm.
Danger.
Kael slowed.
Situational Awareness mapped the hallway before he even stepped into it.
Two students around the corner.
Heavy footsteps.
Tension in the air.
Whispered voices.
Kael turned the corner.
A boy—maybe seventeen, built like a linebacker—had another student pinned against the wall by his shirt collar. The pinned boy struggled, eyes wide with fear.
"Say it again," the larger boy growled. "You think you're better than me?"
The smaller boy choked. "I—I didn't—"
Kael analyzed the scene instantly.
The aggressor was agitated.
But not unstable.
Not truly violent.
More insecure than malicious.
Trade Instinct flickered—small but present.
An opportunity.
Kael stepped forward, voice calm and steady.
"Let him go."
The larger boy turned, surprised. His grip loosened slightly. "What?"
"You heard me," Kael said. "Whatever you're angry about, hurting him won't fix it."
The boy's jaw tightened. "Stay out of it."
Kael stepped closer—not threatening, but unafraid.
"You're not mad at him," Kael said. "You're mad at something else, and he's the easiest place to aim it."
The boy blinked.
"How would you know anything about me?"
Kael met his eyes without flinching. "Because people don't grab strangers when they're really angry at them. They grab them when they're hurting inside."
Silence stretched.
The larger boy's breath shook—just once—before he slowly released the pinned student, who ran off without looking back.
The bigger student clenched his fists, trembling. "I didn't mean to… I just—my dad—" His voice cracked. "Forget it."
He turned away, wiping his eyes quickly with the back of his hand before storming down the hall.
Kael didn't follow.
He didn't need to.
Trade Instinct dimmed again.
Nothing to gain there—just a moment where harm could be prevented.
He walked out of the building into the afternoon air.
He had barely reached the street when someone landed silently next to him.
Cassandra Cain.
She stood with her hands loosely at her sides, posture neutral, mask shading her eyes.
"You calmed him," she said.
Kael didn't look surprised. "Yes."
"You do that a lot."
"Do what?"
"Help." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "But not like a hero. Something else."
Kael kept his voice steady. "I'm just trying to keep things from getting worse."
Cassandra stepped closer, studying him with that unnerving gaze of hers.
"Your body changed again."
Kael stayed still.
Cassandra tilted her head. "Your movements. Your presence. They're softer. Calmer. People feel safe near you now."
Kael inhaled quietly. "Is that a problem?"
Cassandra considered the question seriously.
"No," she said. "Not a problem. But a reason."
"A reason?"
She nodded. "To watch you more."
And then she stepped back and vanished into the shadows of the alleyway.
One leap.
Gone.
Silent.
Kael didn't move for a few seconds.
He simply breathed.
His system pulsed softly.
EXP:100 / 200
Halfway to Level 3.
The world was noticing him.
One person at a time.
One trade at a time.
It wouldn't stop here.
Kael exhaled as he walked toward home.
Whatever was coming next—
he would be ready.
---
KAEL STATUS – END OF CHAPTER 8
Level: 2
EXP: 100 / 200
Physical Stats
Strength: 7
Speed: 8
Endurance: 7
Agility: 7
Durability: 6
Stamina: 10
Regeneration: 2
Mental Stats
Intelligence: 25
Memory: 30
Perception: 17
Willpower: 20
Instinct: 14
Multiversal Awareness: 5
Energy Stats
Energy Capacity: 20
Energy Recovery: 5
Energy Type: None
Energy Compatibility: High
Energy Control: Basic
New Skill
Harmonic Presence (Weak)
– Subtle calming aura
– Improves emotional openness
– Reduces hostility nearby
– Slightly enhances trade potential