The wooden door creaked open slowly.
Aarav's mother stood in the doorway, wiping her hands on the edge of her sari. She looked slightly surprised to see a stranger standing outside the house.
The young man in front of her smiled politely.
"I'm sorry to disturb you."
His voice was calm.
Friendly.
But his eyes were sharp.
Observant.
Inside the room, Aarav froze.
Inside his mind—
Arivaan watched carefully.
"…That's him."
The boy whispered nervously.
"The Rakshak?"
"Yes."
Aarav's heart started racing.
Outside the Door
Kiran bowed slightly to appear respectful.
"I'm asking a few questions around the district," he said.
"Someone suspicious was reported nearby earlier today."
Aarav's mother frowned slightly.
"Suspicious?"
"Yes."
Kiran gestured casually toward the street.
"A traveler acting strangely."
The explanation sounded harmless.
But it was a lie.
He was watching the house carefully.
Listening for reactions.
Looking for hesitation.
Aarav's mother shook her head.
"I haven't seen anything unusual."
Kiran nodded politely.
"I understand."
Then his eyes shifted slightly toward the interior of the house.
"May I ask who lives here?"
The question was casual.
But the scout's gaze sharpened.
Inside the room, Aarav sat perfectly still.
Arivaan whispered calmly.
"Breathe normally."
"I can't!"
"Yes you can."
The boy forced himself to stay quiet.
Outside the door, his mother answered.
"My husband and my son."
Kiran nodded slowly.
"Your son?"
"Yes."
"He's inside?"
Aarav's heart nearly stopped.
Arivaan sighed mentally.
"…Well."
"That's inconvenient."
Inside the Room
Aarav clenched the edge of the book in his hands.
"He's going to see me!"
Arivaan leaned against the system interface.
"Relax."
"How?!"
The faint system panel flickered.
System Recovery: 31%
Ability Ready: Minor Cognitive Influence
Arivaan considered the situation carefully.
Using the ability directly on the Rakshak scout would be risky.
Rakshaks had stronger mental discipline.
Even a weak influence might alert him.
But another distraction…
That could still work.
Arivaan smiled faintly.
"…Let's try something subtle."
At the Door
Kiran stepped slightly closer to the entrance.
"Would it be alright if I spoke to him for a moment?"
Aarav's mother hesitated.
"He's just a child."
"I understand."
Kiran's voice remained gentle.
"But we're asking everyone."
The woman looked uncertain.
Inside the room—
Aarav felt panic rising again.
"He's coming!"
Arivaan focused carefully.
The system panel flickered.
Minor Cognitive Influence – Activated
Instead of targeting Kiran—
Arivaan directed the influence elsewhere.
Across the street—
A cart driver guiding a donkey suddenly lost his grip on the rope.
The animal panicked.
The cart tipped sideways.
Wooden crates crashed onto the road.
CRASH!
The loud noise echoed across the street.
Several people shouted in surprise.
Kiran immediately turned his head toward the commotion.
"…What happened?"
The cart driver yelled angrily.
"My goods!"
The donkey brayed loudly while people rushed to help.
The sudden chaos drew attention across the entire street.
Kiran frowned.
"…One moment."
He stepped away from the doorway to observe the disturbance.
Aarav's mother looked relieved.
"Yes, of course."
Inside the room—
Arivaan released the ability.
The system panel flickered again.
Minor Cognitive Influence – Completed
Energy Cost: Low
Aarav exhaled heavily.
"That was terrifying!"
Arivaan chuckled quietly.
"Effective though."
Outside, Kiran watched the overturned cart for several seconds.
People gathered quickly.
Arguments started.
Merchants shouted.
The street turned chaotic.
The scout sighed.
"Market accidents…"
He glanced once more toward the house.
But the moment had passed.
The suspicious feeling from earlier had weakened.
Finally he stepped away from the doorway.
"Thank you for your time," he said politely.
Aarav's mother nodded.
"I hope you find the person you're looking for."
Kiran gave a small bow before walking back toward the street.
Inside the room—
Aarav nearly collapsed in relief.
"He left!"
Arivaan leaned mentally back against the system panel.
"Yes."
But his attention remained focused on the retreating Rakshak.
Because Kiran paused briefly in the middle of the street.
Just for a moment.
The scout glanced back toward the house one last time.
His expression thoughtful.
Suspicious.
Then he continued walking.
Inside Aarav's mind—
Arivaan sighed quietly.
"…That was closer than I like."
The boy frowned.
"Does he still suspect us?"
Arivaan looked at the system panel again.
Recovery Progress: 32%
"…Maybe."
Aarav swallowed nervously.
"What happens if he comes back?"
Arivaan smiled faintly.
"Then we'll be ready."
Because every close call was also a lesson.
And the Brainwashing Villain was very good at learning.