The sun had climbed high, spilling harsh light across Valenfort's cobblestones. Aiden moved cautiously through a quieter side street, keeping to the shadows where the tall buildings created sharp angles. The city was bustling, but here, among the narrow alleys and courtyards, the patterns were easier to track.
A small group of children ran past, laughing, kicking a stray dog as they went. One of them bumped into a young boy who glared back, scowling. Aiden paused, observing. The scowling boy's eyes flicked to the laughing children, then down the alley, calculating an escape route. He was cautious, aware, just perceptive enough to notice patterns—but not enough to see the invisible observer in the shadows.
[Observation: minor threat. Child-level awareness. Energy expenditure required: minimal. Fine.]
Minimal threat. Tiny humans. Tiny effort. Still, why is this tiring me already?
Aiden stepped forward slightly, letting his shadow stretch across the alley. The boy froze, glancing toward the dark corner instinctively. A faint smirk tugged at Aiden's lips.
This was a test. How would humans react when their patterns were subtly disrupted? Could he manipulate the smallest fears?
[Ah, yes, psychological experimentation. Effort: optional. Fun: mild. Laziness maintained… barely.]
Barely maintained. Still, amusing to watch them panic over nothing.
The boy took a careful step backward, eyes wide. Aiden's soft voice carried from the shadowed corner.
"Looking for trouble?"
The boy's grip on the small dagger in his hand tightened. He flinched at the voice, expecting a larger figure.
Aiden stepped forward slowly, body relaxed, eyes steady. Not threatening, yet impossible to ignore.
[Young master impresses with subtle intimidation. Humans panicking. Minimal energy required. Excellent. I'll just… observe from here. Yep.]
Observe. Best use of energy. Watching tiny humans stumble through their lives is far more entertaining than moving.
The boy backed into a wall, muttering curses under his breath, trying to appear brave. Aiden let him stew for a moment, cataloging reactions, the subtle signs of fear, hesitation, and social awareness.
A faint clatter from a nearby street drew Aiden's attention. A patrol of minor hero cadets—barely trained but eager—marched down the street, laughing and boasting to one another. Their armor glinted in the sun, their swords carried more for show than defense.
[Hero patrol detected. Threat: low. Energy required to intervene: high. Optional fun: significant. Lazy approval: marginal.]
Marginal approval is acceptable. I'll watch and analyze, not engage. Ugh.
The patrol approached the scowling boy. One cadet bumped into him, brushing his shoulder carelessly. The boy yelped, and the patrol laughed. Aiden observed every motion, every hesitation, every microexpression. He noted the guard's predictable responses, the boy's fear, and the casual incompetence of the patrol.
[Observation: humans are clumsy and dramatic. I approve of the chaos. Effort to correct: zero.]
Zero effort. Exactly how I like it. Watching humans trip over each other is high entertainment with no movement. Perfect.
The scowling boy shrank under the attention, trying to step aside without drawing notice. Aiden tested subtle influence, shifting slightly, letting his shadow fall across the patrol's path. One of the cadets paused unconsciously, stepping lightly around the darkened corner. None saw him.
[Influence achieved. Humans remain oblivious. Energy expended: negligible. Laziness: maintained. Brilliant.]
Brilliant, indeed. I barely moved. That's progress.
Aiden allowed himself a small smile. This was the beginning. Observation, manipulation, small tests of control—these were the first steps in understanding the patterns of Valenfort.
As the patrol moved on, the scowling boy slipped away quietly, relieved. Aiden watched him go, noting his routes, tendencies, and reactions. Every minor human was a puzzle, every interaction a lesson.
[End-of-session observation: humans predictable. Young master effective. Laziness: partially maintained. Adequate for morning.]
Partially maintained is good enough for now. I'll complain later, probably.
Aiden moved on, slipping through alleyways, avoiding the larger streets where traffic and attention could expose him. His small body was fragile, but the mind within cataloged patterns with precision. He was the observer. He was the student of chaos. And, most importantly, he was invisible.
[Assessment: city remains unaware. Threats minimal. Humans oblivious. Laziness: preserved at moderate level. Success.]
Moderate level is acceptable. I may still gripe about energy expenditure. But fine.
The afternoon sun burned hotter, and Aiden paused at a balcony overlooking the central square. Guards, cadets, and merchants moved predictably, as always. Even in this small corner of the city, he began to see the threads connecting them, the weaknesses, the opportunities.
He pressed a finger to the stone railing, savoring the warmth. The human body was limited, but he was patient. Observation, patience, and subtle testing were his allies.
The city had not noticed him yet.
And it would not be ready when it did.
[End-of-chapter thought: humans, predictable chaos, minor opposition. Young master competent. Laziness preserved… barely. Excellent.]
Preserved… barely, but I survived the humans for now. That's enough effort for one day.