The room felt smaller than it should have.
Not physically.
But because of what was being said inside it.
"…You want to control the narrative," Riser said, arms loosely crossed.
"…Before it controls me."
Ravel nodded once.
"…Correct."
Lyra leaned against the wall, watching both of them.
"…And how exactly do we do that?"
Ravel didn't hesitate.
"…We make it public."
Silence.
Riser blinked.
"…That's your plan?"
"…Part of it."
"…That sounds like the opposite of subtle."
"…Subtlety is no longer an option."
That—
Was hard to argue with.
Riser exhaled slowly.
"…Alright. Walk me through it."
Ravel stepped forward slightly.
Her tone didn't change.
But her focus sharpened.
"…Right now, information about you is spreading."
"…Unverified. Incomplete."
"…Speculative."
"…Sounds about right."
"…That's dangerous."
Lyra nodded.
"…Because people fill gaps with assumptions."
"…Exactly."
Ravel continued.
"…And assumptions—especially here—turn into actions."
Riser tilted his head slightly.
"…So we replace the assumptions."
"…With something controlled."
"…A version of the truth."
Ravel met his eyes.
"…A version that benefits you."
That was the key.
Riser smirked faintly.
"…You're good at this."
"…I told you."
Lyra pushed off the wall.
"…So what's the story?"
Ravel didn't answer immediately.
She studied Riser.
Carefully.
"…That depends."
"…On what?" he asked.
"…On what you can consistently maintain."
That—
Slowed him down.
Because this wasn't just about one event.
It was about identity.
"…I'm not pretending to be something I'm not," he said.
"…Good."
Ravel nodded slightly.
"…Because that would fail."
A brief pause.
Then—
"…You're improving rapidly."
"…You're training seriously."
"…You've gained attention through performance."
Lyra raised an eyebrow.
"…That's… technically true."
"…It is true."
Ravel didn't blink.
"…We just don't mention everything else."
Riser let out a quiet breath.
"…So we anchor everything in observable reality."
"…Exactly."
No lies.
Just—
Selective truth.
"…And the system?" Lyra asked.
"…The layer?"
Ravel's expression didn't change.
"…Doesn't exist."
Silence.
Riser nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
Because trying to explain that—
Would only make things worse.
"…Anyone who sensed something unusual," Ravel continued,"…will attribute it to your growth."
"…Or your bloodline."
"…Or coincidence."
Lyra crossed her arms.
"…And the ones who don't?"
A brief pause.
Ravel's eyes sharpened.
"…Those are the ones we watch."
That—
Was the real strategy.
Not hiding everything.
But identifying who couldn't be fooled.
Riser smirked slightly.
"…Now that sounds useful."
Ravel nodded.
"…It is."
Silence settled for a moment.
Then—
"…So how do we make it public?" Riser asked.
Ravel didn't hesitate.
"…You fight."
Lyra blinked.
"…Of course he does."
"…Not randomly," Ravel clarified.
"…Deliberately."
She looked directly at Riser.
"…You need a visible benchmark."
"…Someone strong enough that the result matters."
Riser raised an eyebrow.
"…And who do you have in mind?"
Ravel didn't answer.
Instead—
She looked at Lyra.
A pause.
Then—
Lyra scoffed lightly.
"…No."
Riser glanced between them.
"…Wait—really?"
"…Absolutely not," Lyra said flatly.
"…You're the most recent point of reference," Ravel replied calmly.
"…And your interaction is already known."
"…That doesn't mean we turn it into a show."
"…It already is one."
Silence.
Lyra frowned.
Because she knew that was true.
"…It doesn't have to be hostile," Ravel added.
"…Just visible."
Riser scratched the back of his head slightly.
"…So we spar."
"…Publicly."
"…And I don't get destroyed."
Lyra snorted.
"…That's a high bar."
"…I'll manage."
Ravel continued.
"…You don't need to win."
"…You need to prove consistency."
That mattered more.
Because one lucky hit—
Didn't change reputation.
Consistency did.
Riser nodded slowly.
"…Alright."
Then—
"…And after that?"
Ravel's expression didn't shift.
"…After that, they start watching you seriously."
"…And?"
"…And we decide who gets closer."
Lyra tilted her head slightly.
"…You're filtering people."
"…Yes."
Riser exhaled quietly.
"…This is turning into something bigger than I planned."
Ravel met his gaze.
"…You passed that point already."
No argument there.
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"…When?" Riser asked.
Ravel didn't hesitate.
"…Soon."
"…How soon?"
"…Before rumors settle."
"…So immediately."
"…Yes."
Lyra shook her head slightly.
"…Of course it is."
Riser smirked.
"…You in?"
She rolled her eyes.
"…I'm already involved."
"…Good."
Because he trusted her.
Even if she complained about it.
Ravel turned slightly.
"…Prepare."
"…For what?" Riser asked.
She paused.
Then—
"…For attention."
That—
Was different.
Because attention now—
Wasn't casual.
It was—
Focused.
Intentional.
And coming from people who mattered.
Riser exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
A small grin formed.
"…Let's give them something worth watching."
Because if he was going to be seen—
He wasn't going to be underestimated again.
Not by anyone.
Not anymore.