The change wasn't dramatic.
That was the unsettling part.
Trade routes stabilized. Academy injury reports declined. Monster behavior normalized—slower, predictable, manageable.
For the first time since Kael's arrival in this world, things felt… ordinary.
Students laughed more. Instructors relaxed. Patrols returned on schedule.
Elian noticed it immediately.
"They think it's over," he said quietly.
"It isn't."
"No," Elian agreed. "It's just quieter."
They stood at the edge of the academy grounds as dusk settled in.
"You know this doesn't end well," Elian said.
"Yes."
"And you're still staying."
"Yes."
Elian exhaled slowly. "Then I'll stay too. As long as I can."
Kael didn't thank him.
He didn't need to.
That night, the system updated without fanfare.
Global instability reduced.Accumulated load redistributed.Containment active.
Kael closed the interface.
The world wasn't pushing back anymore.
That was how he knew—
It was all coming to him.