The First Step Toward Strength

The first lights of dawn illuminated the forest, but in his mind, Rioshi was plunged into an endless night. The scenes of the previous day still played in his head: Taro trying to prove his strength, Miyu using her powers to heal others, and Kaito pushing the limits of speed. Each of them had a goal, a mission, a reason to be here. And him?

He had long believed that he was just an observer in this story, that he had no place being someone who sought to dominate or fight. But after seeing the determination in his classmates’ eyes, after witnessing their hunger for strength and their desire to surpass themselves, something within him had awakened.

For once in this world, he felt important.

He slowly stood from his makeshift shelter, his muscles still tense from accumulated fatigue. He had spent days running, avoiding direct confrontation with the dangers of this world. But deep down, he knew he couldn’t go on like this. If this world expected him to be strong, he had to accept that truth. He needed to become more powerful—and that quest could no longer wait.

Rioshi knelt on the ground, closing his eyes to concentrate. The Évolis—his power—offered him unlimited potential, an infinite capacity for absorption. With every encounter, every creature, every challenge, he had the chance to acquire new abilities. But he had not yet taken the time to truly exploit it.

He remembered the first creatures he had encountered: instead of using them to grow stronger, he had fled from them, ignored them. That escape was no longer an option. Today, he wanted to take control of his destiny.

He could feel the energy within him—the potential to absorb, to adapt to anything that came before him. This energy simmered beneath his skin, ready to be unleashed. But he had to learn how to control it.

Without hesitation, Rioshi walked through the forest, his senses sharper than ever thanks to the Évolis. The creatures around him felt more real, more present. Every movement, every sound, every whisper of wind was an opportunity for him to learn something new, to grow.

He no longer had time to hesitate. He had to act.

After a few hours, he spotted a group of creatures—giant wolves with razor-sharp claws—prowling in search of food. Their impressive size and ferocious appearance didn’t frighten him. It was the perfect opportunity to test his abilities, and perhaps discover something that would help him progress.

He hid behind a tree, watching their behavior closely. His eyes picked up every detail: how they moved in sync, their rapid reflexes, their raw strength. This was what he needed.

He waited until the first wolf strayed slightly from the others, then dashed from his hiding spot. The wind howled around him, but he didn’t let it distract him. Within seconds, he closed the distance and dove into the fight.

The wolf tried to bite him, but Rioshi, fully focused, dodged nimbly, using a technique he’d never used before—a mix of speed and power. He used his absorption ability to steal a bit of strength with every move, every impact. The wolf’s claws didn’t land. On the contrary, Rioshi felt his own speed and endurance increasing with every second.

The fight lasted only a few minutes, but in the end, it was he who prevailed. He had absorbed part of the wolf’s power, increasing his physical capabilities and deepening his understanding of his own gifts.

He stayed there for a moment, breathing deeply, his body vibrating with the new energy he had just acquired. That emptiness he always felt inside seemed to shrink with every victory, with every power he assimilated. He was no longer just a boy without a purpose in this world. He had chosen to become strong, to stop being a bystander.

As he stood there in the ruins of his opponent, a thought came to him. He wasn’t alone in his pursuit of power. His classmates were also trying to grow stronger, to fill the emptiness they felt. But he… he had made the decision to never retreat again.

There was no more doubt: this world—with all its creatures, its challenges, and its mysteries—was here to help him grow. But to do that, he had to take a stand, to stop being consumed by fear or uncertainty.

From now on, every creature, every battle, every trial would be a chance for him to grow stronger. He would use his power to its fullest, even if it meant making difficult choices. Because he knew that in the end, the strength he sought was not just that of a powerful body—but of a mind capable of making decisions without regret.