By the end of the week—
People started noticing.
Not officially.
Not directly.
But patterns didn't stay hidden forever.
Jared noticed it first.
Of course he did.
Increased observation frequency.
Whispers during class.
Eye contact duration: longer than average.
"…you're being watched," Iris said casually, dropping into the seat beside him.
"…confirmed."
"…you're not even surprised?"
"…expected outcome."
She leaned forward slightly, glancing at the students around them.
"…you beat three guys, answered like a professor, and read three books in ten minutes."
"…approximate."
"…people talk."
"…inefficient behavior."
"…it's called being human."
"…unconfirmed."
Across the room, two students were clearly staring.
They didn't even try to hide it.
One whispered something.
The other nodded.
Information spread rate increasing.
"…your reputation is growing," Iris said.
"…irrelevant."
"…no, it's not."
She turned to him, more serious now.
"…attention brings problems."
Jared paused.
That—
Was correct.
Increased visibility = increased risk.
"…adjustment required," he said.
"…wow, you actually agree with me."
"…rare occurrence."
"…I'm framing this moment."
The professor walked in, and the class settled.
But the atmosphere didn't.
It shifted.
Subtle.
Tense.
Halfway through the lecture—
The professor stopped.
"…Jared."
Jared looked up.
"Yes?"
"…stay after class."
Silence spread instantly.
Iris leaned slightly toward him.
"…that's not suspicious at all."
"…probability of inquiry: high."
"…you think?"
Class ended slower than usual.
Or maybe it just felt that way.
Students left, but not without glancing back.
Whispers followed them out.
Jared stayed seated.
The professor approached.
Calm.
Measured.
"…you've improved," he said.
"…yes."
"…dramatically."
"…also yes."
The professor studied him.
"…explain."
Jared paused.
Then answered—
"…optimization."
"…of what?"
"…myself."
Silence.
The professor frowned slightly.
"…that's not how improvement works."
"…unconfirmed."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
"…are you cheating?" the professor asked.
"…no."
"…are you receiving outside help?"
"…no."
"…then how?"
Jared looked at him.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"…pattern recognition."
The professor narrowed his eyes.
"…that doesn't explain everything."
"…correct."
"…then explain the rest."
Jared stood up.
"…insufficient data to disclose."
Silence.
That answer—
Didn't help.
"…this isn't over," the professor said.
"…expected."
Jared walked out.
Iris was waiting outside.
"…so?" she asked.
"…suspicion confirmed."
"…great."
"…adjustments required."
"…you say that like you're not in trouble."
"…not yet."
Jared looked down the hallway.
Students looked away quickly.
Too quickly.
Observation increasing.
Attention rising.
And somewhere—
Hidden within all of it—
Was something else.
Something different.
Watching more carefully than the rest.
Jared's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…new variable detected," he muttered.
"…what now?" Iris asked.
"…unknown."
And for the first time—
Since this started—
Something felt…
Off.