The night was heavy with silence.

  Kai sat on the edge of his bed, staring at Doctrinae et Memoriae resting on his desk — the book’s dark cover gleaming faintly under the pale light. The words he’d read earlier still echoed through his mind:

  “You don’t need to learn — only imagine yourself, or another, performing the skill. And when the moment comes, it will feel like a memory — as if you learned it long ago.”

  That… changed everything.

  Kai leaned back, deep in thought. His mind spun through plans, possibilities — strategies that only hours ago had seemed impossible.

  “I just have to imagine it — them, doing it. And the memory will exist.”

  The thought sent a chill down his spine.

  Limitless potential — if he dared to reach for it.

  But words alone wouldn’t prove it.

  It was time to test it.

  Kai stood, moving across the room with purpose. He opened his closet — his ritual space — and knelt inside.

  Two black candles waited. He lit them slowly, one after the other. The tiny flames flickered, illuminating the cramped space with a dull golden glow.

  The air shifted — dense, charged.

  Kai closed his eyes, his breathing deepening until the familiar pull stirred inside him — the slow, deliberate rise of his consciousness separating from his body.

  And then — he slipped into the smoke.

  Inside the Smoky Place

  The mist welcomed him, swirling like a living thing.

  Here — intention was law.

  Kai exhaled slowly. Now… imagine.

  About an hour passed,

  The rush was sudden — air snapping back into his lungs.

  Kai’s eyes opened slowly. The candles still flickered, steady — their job complete.

  He sat there, silent, as the weight of it settled deep into his chest.

  The morning sun bled lazily through the curtains, but Kai had been awake for hours — pacing, thinking, feeling the weight of what was about to unfold.

  The sky was still dark when Felix’s phone buzzed — a simple message.

  Kai: “Wake up. Get everyone. Meet at the villa. Now.”

  Felix sat up instantly, throat dry. No time for questions. He sent the messages out — within the hour, they were all gathered.

  The villa felt heavier that morning, like the walls themselves knew something was coming.

  Kai stood waiting — calm, unreadable — as they filed in one by one.

  Evan yawned, hands in his pockets. “What’s the emergency?”

  Kai didn’t waste time.

  “Today, we skip school.”

  That pulled everyone’s attention — even Felix straightened, frowning. “Skip… school?”

  Kai nodded once. “The Watchers gave us a task. All of us. Today.”

  Jonah hesitated. “Serious?”

  Kai’s gaze moved over them slowly. “If you want out… this is your chance.”

  Silence.

  No one moved.

  Kai smirked faintly. “Good.”

  He walked slowly to the center table, where a folder sat.

  “I need full trust. No questions — just action.”

  They nodded, the weight of the moment sinking in.

  Kai exhaled. “Today, we test something… important. And you’ll prove if you’re ready for what’s coming.”

  Kai stood still for a moment, scanning their faces — making sure none of them would crack under pressure.

  Then, he spoke — voice calm, every word measured.

  “Evan, you’re first.”

  Evan straightened, trying to mask his nerves.

  Kai handed him a black jacket — heavier than it looked. “There’s a hidden camera stitched inside. You’ll drive to the racing circuit outside the city. Once there, you’ll challenge a professional driver.”

  Evan blinked. “Wait… challenge him? To a race?”

  Kai’s stare was cold. “Yes. Win or lose doesn’t matter. What matters is you do it. You face him.”

  Evan hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Alright… if that’s what the Watchers want.”

  Kai gave no reaction, turning his gaze to Iris next.

  “You have the hardest task.”

  Iris tensed. “Of course I do.”

  Kai gave a faint smirk. “You’ll go to the city police station.”

  That pulled shocked looks from everyone — even Felix’s hands twitched on the table.

  Kai kept speaking. “You’ll walk in… carrying this.” He pushed a small, elegant purse toward her. “Camera inside. Audio too.”

  Iris frowned. “And what… I’m supposed to flirt our way into a cell?”

  “No.” Kai’s voice darkened. “You’ll convince them to release a prisoner. A petty criminal. His file is here — minor theft. No violence.”

  Felix pulled up the record on his laptop and turned the screen. “Name’s Devon Hayes. Bond too high for what he did.”

  Iris stared at Kai. “I don’t have money.”

  “You won’t need it,” Kai said quietly. “You’ll use words. Just words. That’s what the Watchers want to see.”

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  She froze. “That’s… impossible.”

  Kai’s eyes narrowed. “Do you trust me?”

  The room was silent.

  Finally, Iris swallowed hard and nodded. “I’ll do it.”

  Kai’s gaze shifted last to Felix. “You stay with me. You’ll monitor everything. Pull up the live feeds — both Evan and Iris.”

  Felix exhaled slowly, fingers already flying across the keyboard. “Understood.”

  Kai stepped back, his voice calm — almost too calm.

  “Today is simple.”

  “We act. No thinking. No questions. Just obedience.”

  Kai stayed seated beside Felix, eyes fixed on the screens as the two feeds streamed in — one showing Evan driving toward the racetrack, the other showing Iris approaching the police station.

  The rest of the group stayed silent, tense — watching Kai more than the screens.

  Jonah finally whispered, “Are you sure… Iris can pull this off?”

  Kai didn’t look away from the monitors. His voice was steady, cold. “She will.“

  Felix shot him a glance but didn’t speak.

  “Felix,” Kai murmured, “keep your eyes on Iris. The moment she walks in, tell me.”

  Felix nodded, fingers flying over the keyboard. “She’s almost there.”

  Kai leaned back, crossing his arms — calm, collected — his gaze sharp on the screen.

  Iris — Outside the Police Station

  Iris took a shaky breath before walking toward the large glass doors.

  Felix’s voice crackled through Kai’s earpiece. “She’s in.”

  Kai gave a slow nod. “Let it begin.”

  Kai sat silently beside Felix, his eyes locked on the screens. The villa was quiet — Jonah, Evan, and Iris had all gone silent once the assignments were given. Only the sound of Felix’s keyboard filled the air.

  Felix glanced at Kai. “Iris is entering the police station now.”

  Kai gave a single nod, his voice calm. “Keep watching. She knows what to do.”

  Jonah shifted nervously. “You really think she can talk her way into freeing that guy? She’s not… trained for that.”

  Kai’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “She doesn’t need to be.”

  On the screen, Iris approached the reception desk — calm, collected. She spoke with the officer, showing the file Felix had prepared. After a brief exchange, the officer gestured toward the bonds department.

  Felix muttered, “She’s being directed to the back.”

  Kai leaned back, watching — his expression unreadable.

  Police Station — Bonds Office

  Iris sat stiffly in the metal chair, her palms damp against her thighs. Across the desk, the officer didn’t bother looking at her — eyes glued to his paperwork.

  “You got bond money?” His tone was bored, tired.

  Iris hesitated, forcing herself not to fidget. “No.”

  The officer scoffed, finally glancing up. “Then why the hell are you wasting my time?”

  Her throat tightened — but then her eyes flicked, quick and sharp, over the man.

  On his desk — a photo frame turned slightly away, but visible. A young girl — smiling in a graduation gown.

  Wedding ring — worn but clean. Proud dad. Protective.

  Behind him, a plaque half-covered in dust: Officer of the Month — Three Years Ago.

  Iris inhaled slowly… then leaned forward, softening her tone.

  “I know you don’t want to hear it — but I think you’re the only person here who might understand.”

  The officer scowled. “Understand what?”

  “That everyone screws up. Especially kids.” She nodded toward the photo on his desk. “I bet you’ve got someone yourself, right? Daughter? Maybe around my age?”

  The officer’s eyes flicked to the photo — almost involuntarily — then back to her.

  Iris pressed gently. “What if it was her? Made a stupid mistake. Wrong place, wrong time. Would you want her sitting back there for weeks… months… just because no one gave her a second chance?”

  His jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

  Iris kept going — voice quiet, steady. “The guy I’m here for… he’s not a bad person. Just scared. Made a mistake. Hell, maybe this’ll be the scare he needed. But leaving him back there? That’s not justice. That’s just… giving up.”

  The officer’s eyes narrowed. “And you think you can just walk in here and sweet talk your way past the system?”

  Iris shrugged lightly. “Not sweet-talking. Just being honest.” She smiled faintly. “And let’s be real — it’s not like you enjoy this part of the job. Filling out forms, babysitting scared kids who don’t belong here.”

  She let that sit.

  “You’re good at your job — you don’t need to waste your time cleaning up someone else’s mess. Let me take him off your hands. Clean. Quiet. You won’t see either of us again.”

  A long pause.

  The officer stared — and for a second, Iris felt the weight of his gaze.

  Then, slowly… he exhaled. “You a law student or something?”

  Iris blinked. “Something like that.”

  The officer grunted. “Lucky for you, I’m in a good mood.” He grabbed the file, flipping through it. “He’s not worth the paperwork anyway.”

  Another pause. “Go wait by the benches. I’ll process the release.”

  Felix gaped at the screen. “No… freaking… way.”

  Jonah’s mouth hung open. “How did she—”

  Kai stayed silent, eyes sharp, leaning back — but this time, his smirk faded into something quieter. Thoughtful.

  It worked… but not like I expected.

  He had only imagined the outcome — the prisoner walking free. A simple scene. But what Iris just did… the way she read the officer, appealed to his pride, his family — that wasn’t just luck.

  It was skill.

  Kai’s jaw tightened slightly as the thought settled.

  I imagined the success… and the world filled in the path. Gave her exactly what she needed.

  A slow exhale. This… this is useful. More than I thought.

  She didn’t just follow orders. She became someone else in that moment — someone convincing, dangerous even.

  A new piece had just moved on the board — and Kai saw it clear as day.

  For the others, it was the Watchers.

  For Iris… maybe even herself… it was instinct.

  But for Kai… it was proof. The world was bending — just as he imagined.

  And now… he saw just how powerful that could become.

  Iris’s phone call came in just as the group was still staring at the screen in disbelief.

  Kai answered calmly. “It’s done?”

  Iris’s voice was steady — almost… colder now. “Yeah. He’s out.”

  There was a pause, then Iris added, “What do you want me to do with him?”

  Kai leaned back, thinking — but not for long. “Give him some money. Enough to get himself together. Then tell him… this was his one chance.”

  Iris smirked faintly on her end, her voice dropping to a low, persuasive tone. “I’ll make sure he remembers.”

  Kai smiled at that — hearing the shift in her. Good, he thought. She’s changing. Picking it up already.

  “Tell him next time… there won’t be anyone watching over him,” Kai added.

  “Understood,” Iris replied — no hesitation, no fear. Just calm, controlled words.

  As the call ended, Kai rested his phone down slowly.

  “She’s good,” he muttered — almost to himself.

  Felix glanced over. “I didn’t know she had it in her.”

  Kai’s gaze was distant, calculating. “She didn’t… until now.”

  From that moment forward, Kai knew — Iris wasn’t just another pawn.

  She was becoming his voice in the field — calm, calculating… and dangerous.

  About an hour passed in tense silence.

  Felix glanced at his monitor, then leaned toward Kai. “He’s there. Evan just arrived at the racing circuit.”

  Kai’s gaze sharpened. “Put it up.”

  The screen enlarged — showing Evan stepping through the tall glass doors of the racing facility. He looked small against the grand backdrop of luxury cars, banners, and a sea of metal and noise.

  Evan approached the front desk, offering a practiced, friendly smile. “Hey… I’m a huge fan of racing. Been watching since I was a kid. I was wondering if there’s any way I could… you know, try racing against a real driver.”

  The receptionist — a young woman barely paying attention — blinked once, then laughed.

  “Are you… a driver?”

  Evan scratched the back of his head, keeping the smile. “No. Just a fan.”

  The girl laughed harder. “Right. Sorry, kid. Doesn’t work that way. These guys are pros. You don’t just walk in off the street.”

  Kai exhaled slowly, leaning back in his seat.

  Evan called seconds later, his voice low. “It’s harder than I thought… They’re laughing me off.”

  “I saw,” Kai replied calmly, eyes fixed on the screen.

  He went quiet — calculating.

  How do I break through that wall?

  And then it hit him.

  “Iris.”

  He dialed her immediately.

  She picked up fast. “Yeah?”

  “I need you,” Kai said. “Call the racing circuit — now. Convince them Evan’s meeting their manager. Understood?”

  There was a pause — then Iris’s voice turned colder, professional. “Give me the number.”

  Felix shot it over.

  In the villa, they watched — tense, silent — as Iris made the call.

  Reception, Racing Circuit — Moments Later

  The receptionist answered, still smirking from Evan’s earlier attempt.

  “Hello, Circuit Office.”

  Iris’s voice came through like silk — calm, but carrying a razor edge. “Good afternoon. My name is Ms. Caldwell. I work under Mr. Langston. Evan Reese is there, yes?”

  The receptionist blinked, thrown. “Uh… yes, someone named Evan is here.”

  Iris’s tone sharpened, just enough to press. “Perfect. Listen carefully. Mr. Langston sent him — he’s… observing. If I were you, I’d get your manager. Now.”

  “W-What?” The receptionist stammered. “Why?”

  “I’d hate to be you when your superior finds out you turned away one of our people. Mr. Langston… doesn’t appreciate obstacles.”

  The girl paled. “Wait…”

  “Yes,” Iris snapped, adding just the right hint of irritation. “Your manager. Now.”

  There was a pause — frantic whispers.

  Then the receptionist put the phone down and practically ran to get her boss.

  Minutes Later

  The manager arrived, confused, fixing his blazer. “What’s going on?”

  Evan smiled, nerves hidden. “I have someone who wants a word.”

  He handed the phone over.

  The manager blinked, taking it slowly. “Hello?”

  Iris’s voice came cold, smooth. “Mr. Carter, good. Listen — Evan’s here to observe your track… and race. If there’s any incident, any accident — Mr. Langston covers double the cost. Upfront. But if you refuse? Mr. Langston will make sure you remember this day.”

  The manager stiffened. “Wait, you’re serious? You’ll wire—”

  “Double. The cost of two tracks — before the day ends. In return… let the boy race.”

  The line went quiet.

  Then — a weak laugh.

  “Well… I guess it would be rude to say no.”

  Iris hung up — no goodbyes.

  Felix gaped. “She… did it.”

  Jonah whistled low. “Damn… that was…”

  Kai stayed silent, eyes locked on the screen. This is it, he thought. This is how she grows.

  His lips curled slightly.

  “Tell Evan… the track is his.”

  Evan was led through a long hallway until the heavy doors opened to the private track.

  Two sports cars — sleek, low to the ground, roaring like caged beasts — waited under the gray sky. Their metallic paint gleamed under the industrial lights.

  A driver in a black racing suit stepped out, tossing his keys lazily toward Evan. “You’re with me.”

  Evan caught the keys, staring down at the machine — a jet-black McLaren, polished to perfection. Shit… He’d never even sat in something like this.

  The other driver, older, confident, approached with a grin. “Name’s Tyler. Pro racer. You… must be the rich kid’s ‘friend.’”

  Evan forced a smirk. “Something like that.”

  Tyler chuckled, slapping Evan’s shoulder. “Try not to die.”

  They both slid into their cars. Evan gripped the wheel — hands sweating — heart pounding.

  “Alright,” the official shouted. “One lap. Best time wins. Ready?”

  Tyler revved his engine, grinning like a wolf.

  Evan swallowed hard, nodding stiffly.

  “Go!”

  Tyler exploded off the line — tires screaming against the asphalt, smoke trailing behind.

  Evan… stalled.

  The car jerked — coughed — then finally roared to life.

  Shit… shit… shit…

  Evan pressed down — feeling the engine’s growl shake his chest — but Tyler was already half the track ahead.

  For the first few seconds, all Evan could do was chase his shadow — awkward turns, late braking. The car felt too much — too fast, too wild.

  I’m gonna crash this thing…

  Then — something changed.

  Evan’s eyes dropped to the dash — digital numbers flashing, gear shifts lighting up — and suddenly… it clicked.

  The sound of the engine, the feel of the tires — the flow of the track.

  A memory not his own, or maybe his — buried — unfolded.

  His fingers moved on instinct. Downshift. Tap brake. Cut left. Gas — now.

  The McLaren surged forward like it wanted him to win.

  The next turn came — he took it clean, tires kissing the edge of the red line.

  Tyler glanced in his rearview — eyes wide.

  Where the hell—

  Evan was there — right behind him — then beside.

  He grinned, breathless. I can do this.

  Another turn — this time, Evan owned it.

  Gear shift — up. Speed climbing — 120… 140… 160.

  The wind screamed around him, but Evan was calm — eyes sharp, hands steady.

  The world blurred — just him, the car, and the finish line.

  Final stretch.

  Tyler gunned it — desperate — but Evan stayed low, tucked, perfect.

  They crossed — a heartbeat apart.

  The track official stood blinking — then pointed.

  “Winner… Evan!”

  Evan slammed the brakes — laughing — wild, breathless, alive.

  Tyler pulled up next to him, helmet off, grinning. “You ever sure you’re not a pro?”

  Evan shrugged, still shaking. “Just lucky, I guess.”

  Felix and Jonah stared in disbelief.

  “He won.”

  Kai didn’t move — just smiled faintly.

  As the footage ended, the screen still glowing faintly, the room fell into a stunned silence.

  Felix leaned back, exhaling. “That… was insane. He actually won.”

  Kai didn’t answer. His eyes were still fixed on the screen, lips pressed into a thin line — thoughtful, calculating.

  Inside, his mind raced.

  I only imagined him winning… Kai thought, but this…

  The way Evan had shifted gears, the perfect racing line, the calculated risks — it wasn’t just luck. It wasn’t the wild fluke of someone stumbling into victory.

  It was skill. Real, raw skill.

  “So… it works,” Kai mused silently. “Not only does the world bend to the scene I imagine — it gifts them the tools to make it real. To perform it beyond my own expectations.”

  He remembered last night — sitting in the dark, candle flickering in the smoky air of his closet. Eyes closed, he had pictured this moment:

  Evan behind the wheel, winning — not by chance, but by mastery.

  And now… it happened.

  Kai’s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile.

  I didn’t just imagine a win… I created a driver.

  His gaze softened as it landed on Evan — still grinning on screen, soaking in the victory.

  That’s why I chose this task, Kai thought. Because every organization needs a driver. Someone who can handle the road — the getaways, the chases, the transport.

  And now… I have mine.

  Kai leaned back, folding his arms.

  From this moment, Evan wasn’t just a pawn anymore.

  He was their driver.

  And like the wheels he’d just mastered — the Illuminatii was ready to start moving faster.

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