The change didn't happen publicly.
That was the first warning.
There was no new directive. No protocol update. No polished notification explaining a revised structure.
Instead—
Small inconveniences began appearing.
At 07:14, Dreyden's training room reservation was "temporarily unavailable due to maintenance."
At 08:02, his resource request for combat simulation access returned a delay flag.
At 08:37, two of his merit transfers were put into "manual verification review."
Individually?
Nothing.
Collectively?
Pattern.
He didn't react outwardly.
Didn't complain. Didn't escalate to student admin.
He simply rerouted.
Low-output hall instead of simulation chamber.
Manual drills instead of holographic modules.
Physical conditioning without digital tracking.
If pressure wanted friction, he would reduce surface area.
—
By noon, the inconvenience spread.
A Class B student who had eaten at his table two days ago received an "evaluation irregularity audit."
