The instructors noticed on the third day.
Not because Li Chen excelled.
Because nothing about him escalated.
Excellence drew attention.
Failure drew correction.
Consistency at the edge of average drew suspicion.
"Again," the lead instructor said.
The log carry reset.
Shoulders screamed.
Spines bent.
Li Chen adjusted his grip half an inch to compensate for the weakest man.
The log steadied.
No one thanked him.
That was fine.
The pace increased.
Then increased again.
No explanation.
No warning.
This was not training.
This was probing.
The System registered intent.
[SYSTEM PHASE II — SOCIAL STRESS VECTOR DETECTED]
[Source: Authority Figures]
[Recommendation: Non-reactive compliance]
Li Chen complied.
Sleep deprivation followed.
Lights on.
Cold air pumped.
Names shouted at random hours.
Li Chen answered every time.
Voice steady.
Eyes alert but not sharp.
Perfect balance.
One instructor circled him slowly.
"You ever tired?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"When?"
"Now."
The instructor waited for more.
Nothing came.
He walked away uneasy.
A timed drill collapsed when a candidate misjudged a landing.
Bone cracked.
A scream cut through the field.
Medics moved.
Chaos bloomed.
Li Chen did not move.
Not until ordered.
Grant watched from the perimeter.
His fists clenched.
That night, a file crossed Command desks.
Subject shows abnormal emotional regulation.
Stress response muted.
Recommend escalation.
No signatures.
Just momentum.
The System pulsed again.
[SYSTEM PHASE II — RISK MODEL UPDATE]
[Exposure probability rising]
[Mitigation options narrowing]
Li Chen sat on his bunk.
He understood.
Pressure was not meant to break him.
It was meant to force revelation.
Morning came heavier.
The instructors wore different expressions.
Less anger.
More intent.
They had been briefed.
"Partner drills," the lead instructor announced.
Names paired.
Li Chen was matched with the most aggressive candidate.
Not by chance.
By design.
The mat was cold.
Hands locked.
Muscle met muscle.
The other man pushed too hard.
Too fast.
Li Chen yielded precisely enough to avoid dominance.
The mat creaked.
The instructor leaned forward.
Watching.
The System whispered.
[SYSTEM ADVISORY]
[Physical escalation likely]
[Decision required]
Li Chen met his opponent's eyes.
Saw intent.
Saw fear masked as aggression.
He chose.
He let himself lose.
Cleanly.
Convincingly.
The other candidate froze, confused.
Victory felt wrong.
The instructors exchanged looks.
Some relaxed.
Others did not.
Grant exhaled slowly.
The day ended without incident.
But the line had narrowed again.
Pressure points had been found.
And tomorrow—
—they would be pressed harder.