Kali was released at dawn.
His body was still unstable, wrapped in layered regeneration bands that hummed softly with medical energy. Each step felt like he was walking on cracked glass, but he forced himself forward.
Chen Rui waited outside the ward.
"They reassigned your schedule," Chen Rui said. "High-level training. Private evaluations."
Kali nodded.
That was expected.
They walked through the upper sectors of Vanguard Institute for the first time — corridors reserved for elite programs and Federation-sponsored assets. The architecture changed here. Walls were layered with energy conduits. The air carried the faint hum of deep-space power systems.
Kali felt like an intruder.
They entered a sealed chamber.
Inside waited three figures.
One instructor.
One Federation officer.
One woman in a silver uniform whose presence alone made the room feel sharp.
"Kali Lin," the officer said. "Your performance has forced adjustments."
A holographic display ignited.
Designation: Priority Asset
Evaluation Rank: Provisional Top 3
Training Status: Elevated Track
The woman's eyes narrowed. "Your growth is unstable."
Kali met her gaze. "So is the world."
She smiled faintly.
The instructor stepped forward. "You will receive conditional resource access. Not sponsorship. Not a contract. Just enough to survive."
Kali said nothing.
"You will train in isolation," the officer continued. "Your matches will be restricted. Your development will be monitored."
Chen Rui stiffened. "That's a cage."
The woman's gaze flicked toward him. "It's protection."
Kali understood both meanings.
He nodded once.
"I accept."
The officer nodded. "Good."
The meeting ended.
As they left, Chen Rui whispered, "They're afraid of you."
Kali didn't answer.
He felt something else.
They were not afraid of him.
They were afraid of what he might become.