The warehouse was larger than expected.
Crates stacked in neat rows, marked and categorized.
Workers moved efficiently, checking items against lists.
At first glance—
Everything seemed normal.
Andres stood at the entrance, observing.
Not rushing.
Because rushing meant missing details.
His Mind's Eye activated subtly.
Patterns formed.
Movement routes. Repetition cycles. Timing gaps.
"…There," he thought.
One section showed slight inconsistency.
Not obvious.
But present.
He walked over, inspecting the markings.
Numbers aligned.
Labels correct.
But the positioning…
Shifted.
Slightly off.
He placed his hand on one crate, activating Energy Perception faintly.
A difference.
Not in the object—
But around it.
"…Tampering," he concluded.
Not theft.
Preparation.
When he reported it, the merchant's reaction was immediate.
"…You're sure?"
Andres nodded.
The crates were opened.
And inside—
Discrepancies were found.
Small, but intentional.
The merchant looked at him differently after that.
Not as a worker.
But as an asset.
Andres said nothing.
Because this—
This was how value grew.