Shadows of the Evening

The evening shadows stretched slowly, enveloping the forest in a cloak of silence. Rioshi had survived the creature, but he knew the true trial lay elsewhere, in the unanswered questions that tormented his mind.

After the confrontation, he hadn't hesitated for a second to flee. The creature, wounded, had been weakly assimilated, but Rioshi hadn't sought to pursue it. The battle had been a brutal reminder—not just of the violence of this world, but also of what he had become. The question that haunted him remained the same: how far would he go to fill himself, to fill this inner void?

He walked aimlessly, guided by instinct and fatigue. The mist thickened with each step, visibility becoming increasingly reduced. His eyes, sharpened by the Évolis, desperately searched for shelter, a solution for the night.

Finally, after a long walk, he spotted a shadow through the trees. An opening. A shelter.

The Cave

A small cave stood before him, hidden behind a curtain of vines and moss. The dark, cold rock seemed to offer protection from the elements, but also from the dangers of the forest.

Rioshi entered cautiously, scanning every corner. The cave was narrow but large enough to rest in. The air was cool and damp, but that wasn't a problem. He felt safer here than he had since stepping into this strange world.

He let himself fall to the ground, against the wall, removing his backpack and taking a deep breath. Fatigue began to set in, but it wasn't physical fatigue. It was a mental weight, a weight he had carried since realizing he wasn't just an adventurer in this world. He was the Chosen One. And this label, though strange, carried with it a series of responsibilities and decisions he didn't yet fully understand.

He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself. But the voices, the ones that whispered in his mind, were still there.

"You have power now, Rioshi. More power than you've ever had. But at what cost?"

This void he had felt all his life seemed to be filled with each new power he assimilated. But deep down, it didn't seem enough. He had more strength than he'd ever had, more powers, more options, but... he felt himself drifting further from who he truly was.

Who had he become?

The Dilemma of Power

Rioshi had never wanted to be a hero. He had been chosen, perhaps, but that didn't mean he had to blindly follow this path. This power... the Évolis... it could change everything. He could become stronger, faster, more resilient, and even smarter with each encounter. But deep inside, there was a growing fear.

What if this power consumed him?

It wasn't just a dilemma of strength. It wasn't simply about whether he would use this power to fight or to survive. The real question was: how to maintain his humanity in a world that demanded so many sacrifices?

Outside, the forest seemed to breathe with him. The mist was thicker, and the sounds of creatures left a sense of tension in the air. But inside the cave, a strange calm had settled, as if the outside world no longer existed.

A Moment of Respite

Rioshi closed his eyes, feeling strangely exhausted despite the absence of serious injuries. Perhaps it was the mental exhaustion making itself felt. He had made a choice today, by sparing the creature's life. He could have annihilated it, assimilated it, added more power to his arsenal. But he had decided not to. He had chosen to leave a part of the world untouched, not to engulf everything in his own path of strength.

It seemed like a small step, but at that precise moment, it meant something more. It was a choice.

He took a deep breath and lay down on the cave floor. The cold of the stone was uncomfortable, but he preferred it to the idea of sleeping under the stars, in the mist and shadows.

A Troubling Thought

As he closed his eyes, another thought crossed his mind. He had heard rumors, stories spoken in the halls of the academy before his transfer. Rumors about the real challenges of this world. It wasn't just about creatures and power. No. The real challenge, he had already sensed it. It was much deeper.

Adventurers and heroes who came to this world often found themselves lost, consumed by the quest for power. The world seemed to play tricks on those who thought they could control everything.

And perhaps, Rioshi, he too would end up becoming just a puppet in this grand game.

The void inside him was gradually filling, but deep down, he wondered if the real question wasn't: how not to lose oneself along the way?

The wind still blew, but the mist had begun to dissipate. At dawn, Rioshi awoke in the cave, his muscles still sore from the previous day's confrontation. He took a moment to watch the first rays of sunlight pierce the morning mist. The forest, though still dense, seemed less oppressive in the daylight.

Rioshi stood slowly, taking time to reflect on everything that had happened since his arrival in this world. He wasn't the only one who had been summoned here, but he was the one still questioning, the one seeking answers. Had the other students, who had arrived with him, found their place?

He knew he wasn't the only one in search of power. But at what cost?

The First Progress of Others

In the thick mist of the forest, a group of students was not far from the place where Rioshi had fought the creature. They were the others, the chosen ones who had been summoned here like him. They numbered no more than a few dozen, but each had a role to play, a different quest. And, like Rioshi, they had to adapt to this new world.

Taro Yamada – The Strategist Hungry for Power

Taro, a 19-year-old young man, was one of the most determined of all. His power seemed linked to energy manipulation. Upon entering this world, he quickly assimilated that his strength lay in his ability to adjust and manipulate the natural forces around him. He could concentrate energy into powerful projectiles or enhance his own physical abilities at will.

At first, his progress had been impressive. He wasn't as solitary as Rioshi. Taro constantly sought stronger opponents to test his abilities. He wasn't afraid to throw himself into battles to demonstrate his strength. But Rioshi knew that Taro primarily sought recognition; he wanted to be seen as the strongest, the leader. And this quest for power, though effective, risked leading him down a dangerous path.

He often saw him, from a distance, training his powers with iron determination, never questioning what he might lose in this pursuit.

Miyu Akari – The Introverted Healer

Miyu, a shy 17-year-old girl, possessed a very different power. Her power was focused on healing and regeneration. Although this power didn't seem as spectacular as Taro's or Rioshi's, it offered great utility in a world where danger was omnipresent.

Rioshi had observed her upon their arrival. While others rushed into action, she focused on the other students, healing them, providing care with particular attention. She wasn't just a healer; she had