First Stage of Thunder

The first signs of improvement appeared in his legs. The relentless running had pushed them to their limits, forcing the hidden Thunder Power within him to awaken. That was why his veins glowed with lightning—they were drawing upon his inner energy.

That's right. He finally understood how to attain the first stage of Thunder Power. He had to push his body to its absolute limit—close to the brink of breakdown. Only then would his body instinctively tap into the power hidden inside him.

Running had allowed his legs to unlock the ability. But when he tried covering the 10 kilometers in less time, he noticed something new. His lungs, his breathing, even the air flowing through his nose—it all felt... smoother. More efficient. As if his entire respiratory system was adapting, enhancing itself with the power of thunder.

Now, it was time to train the rest of his body. His next goal: enhancing his arms. He wanted his punches to be as powerful as Ash's.

He started with the punching bag in the training hall. At first, he punched it 100 times a day. Then 500 times. By the third day, he was throwing 10,000 punches daily, striking relentlessly with everything he had.

The results were undeniable. On the third day, as his fist connected with the bag, a loud snap echoed through the hall. He stepped back, breathing heavily—only to realize he had punched a hole straight through the thick, reinforced bag.

His strength was growing. And this was just the beginning.

The moment Avasyu punched a hole through the reinforced punching bag, the entire training hall fell silent. Shocked gazes turned toward him.

Only three students in the academy had ever managed such a feat.

Why was this such a big deal?

The punching bags were designed to withstand all forms of strikes—whether powered by superhuman abilities or not. Yet, Avasyu's relentless dedication had allowed him to do the impossible.

Ash, who had been watching him all along, wasn't surprised. He smirked, thinking to himself, Once Avasyu sets his mind on something, he won't stop until he masters it. That's just who he is.

Meanwhile, Avasyu was taken aback by the reactions of his peers. The academy's second-ranked student was once again at the center of attention.

However, his training hit a sudden roadblock. With no punching bags left, he needed a new way to train.

Turning to Ash, he said, "Ash! I need your help."

Ash smirked. "Hmm? What kind of help?"

Avasyu frowned. "Why are you always smirking? You look brainless."

Ash scoffed. "Hey! Don't I look mysterious when I smirk like that?"

Avasyu burst into laughter. "Hell nah!"

Ash's expression darkened. "Tch. I'm not helping you anymore. Shoo."

Realizing his mistake, Avasyu quickly backtracked. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please help me, my friend."

Ash crossed his arms. "I'll help you... if you call me 'Sir' during training."

Avasyu hesitated before muttering, "Yes, Sir..." internally swearing it would be the first and last time he ever said that.

With that, their training began.

Ash already knew what kind of help Avasyu wanted. "You want to master your power, right?" he asked.

"I'll fight you every day until your body fully awakens its strength."

Ash stepped forward, eyes sharp. "Are you ready?"

Avasyu took a deep breath, determination burning in his grey eyes. "I am."

And so, for the next two weeks, they fought relentlessly.

Every day, after class, they clashed on the open field outside the training hall. Their battles quickly became a spectacle, drawing the attention of other students.

At first, Ash fought without using his Fire Power. Avasyu, on the other hand, utilized his awakened abilities—his legs, lungs, and breathing already enhanced by Thunder Power. But now, he needed to awaken the power in his arms and the rest of his body.

Slowly, Ash intensified his attacks. He began using his Fire Power, striking Avasyu's stomach, chest, and face. However, this time, Avasyu refused to fall. No matter how hard Ash hit him, he kept standing, kept fighting.

Unbeknownst to Avasyu, Ash had a plan. He was deliberately pushing Avasyu's body to its absolute limit—forcing it to the brink of collapse so it would awaken its full power.

But Avasyu didn't know that.

Day after day, he endured brutal beatings. His bones broke, his face swelled, and his body burned with exhaustion. Yet, he never stopped.

Every night, Ash dragged him to the academy's nurse, who healed him with magic. But the constant cycle of breaking and healing sent Avasyu's body into panic. His body felt like it could shatter at any moment.

Then, after two weeks of grueling combat, it finally happened.

During one of their fights, something inside Avasyu snapped. His body, pushed to its very limits, instinctively awakened.

At that moment, their battles had already become famous across the entire academy—even among the teachers. Every day, more and more students gathered to witness their duels.

Because this wasn't just any fight.

It was a battle between mastery and mystery.

Between a hidden potential waiting to be unleashed... and a power hidden from the world itself.

That day, Avasyu's first stage of Thunder Power awakened.But he didn't realize it.

He was too deep in the fight, too focused on battling Ash. In his mind, he still believed he had to keep fighting to push himself further.

And so, the real duel between them began.

Avasyu's entire body glowed, a fierce aura radiating from him. Thin wisps of smoke curled off his skin, evaporating into the air.

Why?

Because the atmosphere itself was reacting to his power.

A massive surge of energy rippled across the field, sending a shiver through everyone watching.

Ash, however, wasn't intimidated.He was thrilled.

"Avasyu! You did it!" he shouted, his eyes shining with excitement.

"Finally, you did it!"

"This is the first stage of your power!"

"But You have to name it."

"Once you name your power, you'll be able to summon it at will."

"Are you listening to me? Give it a name!"

Avasyu stood completely still.

Smoke—no, vapors—rose from his skin, swirling around him like a storm waiting to be unleashed. His body, from his legs to his arms, to his neck, pulsed with a fierce glow.

Then, the glow dimmed slightly.

And that's when they saw it.

His veins.

Every vein across his body became visible, surging with electric energy, glowing like lightning trapped beneath his skin. From his legs to his arms, from his chest to his neck—his entire being coursed with untamed power.

Ash couldn't help but admire the sight.

"It's... beautiful," he whispered.

Then, suddenly—his own body reacted.Without warning, his Fire Power flared to life.

It wasn't a conscious activation. It was instinct.

His flames erupted as if answering Avasyu's awakening. Ash's expression turned serious.

And then—Avasyu's eyes snapped open.

His grey eyes burned with raw power, glowing fiercely like storm clouds charged with lightning.

And in a voice filled with strength and certainty, he spoke:

"First Stage..."

"Of Thunder..."

"Darkness of Storm."