By midday, the mood in Valmere had shifted.

  Whispers moved through markets.

  "Storm boy."

  "Lightning user."

  "Bounty reversed."

  Grey noticed the shift immediately.

  Emotional Insight detected something new.

  Fear.

  Mixed with admiration.

  He returned to the inn.

  Lyra looked up immediately.

  "You did something."

  "Yes."

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  She closed her eyes briefly.

  "Explain."

  He set the silver shard on the table.

  "Argent Veil associate. Alive. Disarmed."

  Her expression didn't change.

  But her emotional state softened slightly.

  Approval.

  "You're forcing them to adjust publicly."

  "Yes."

  She stepped closer.

  "That accelerates exposure."

  "So does running."

  She didn't argue.

  Instead, she looked out the window.

  Storm clouds gathered faintly over the city.

  Not violent.

  Just present.

  "You're becoming visible," she said quietly.

  "Good."

  "That makes you a symbol."

  He looked at her.

  "Of what?"

  "Storm."

  Silence settled.

  Then—

  A chime.

  Grey's status window opened automatically.

  [Regional Recognition Achieved]Title Earned: StormmarkedEffect: Minor increase to intimidation and notoriety.

  He blinked.

  "That's new."

  Lyra exhaled slowly.

  "Phase Two has started."

  As if summoned by the statement—

  A horn blew somewhere in the distance.

  City guard signal.

  Grey stepped to the window.

  At the far end of the main avenue—

  Argent Veil banners were being raised.

  Openly.

  Publicly.

  No more shadows.

  A figure stood at the center of the plaza beneath them.

  Level 32.

  Not Kael.

  Someone new.

  Grey's pulse steadied instead of racing.

  Good.

  Let them come properly.

  The storm above Valmere thickened.

  And this time—

  It wasn't forming around Lyra.

  It was forming around him.