Varik leaned against the metal pillar. Crossed one ankle over the other.
"He's fast."
"We noticed."
"Faster than his build suggests. Stronger too."
"And the system?"
"No glitches."
A second voice joined the call, male, older.
"Are you sure?"
Varik didn't move. Just kept watching Lucen pull through the slope.
The kid hit the last segment. Ankles wobbling. Jaw tight. No theatrics. Just fight.
"He doesn't even know what he is yet," Varik said.
"That's what concerns us," the second voice replied. "Unknowns are dangerous."
"You're still watching, right?"
"Obviously."
"Then keep watching."
Another short pause.
Then the woman spoke again.
"He's making noise. After the dungeon clear, after Rikta… The guilds are starting to whisper."
"Let them."
"They're not whispering about you."
That made Varik glance sideways.
Then he said flatly, "Good."
The call ended.
No goodbye.
Varik slipped the pad back into his coat pocket and looked back toward the track.
