“The Strength to Endure”

The First Days: Physical Training

Early at dawn, as Rioji leads Kyro to a training ground near the main base. The ground is littered with training equipment that looks like instruments of torture. The other members of the division stand on the sidelines, watching with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

Rioji (coldly): "Before you can even think about using resonance, you need to strengthen your body. Resonance isn't just energy. It's destruction. And it destroys the weak first."

He gestures toward a massive metal plate lying on the ground.

Rioji: "Lift it. Show me that you're not completely useless."

Kyro kneels down, grabs the edges of the plate, and begins to push. His muscles tremble under the strain, sweat beads on his forehead. But the plate doesn't move.

Rioji (laughing): "I thought so. Done already?"

The members behind him laugh too, some whispering:

One of them: "He can't even last a minute."

Another: "Why is Rioji even wasting time on him?"

Kyro hears the laughter, but it only gives him more strength. Taking a deep breath, he pushes again against the plate, and this time, it moves – just a millimeter, but it's enough. The audience falls silent as Echo and Shade exchange a brief glance.

Echo (softly): "He doesn't give up. That's rare."

Shade (with a hint of recognition): "Maybe he has more potential than Rioji thinks."

However, Rioji remains unimpressed.

Rioji (seriously): "That was nothing. If that's all you've got, you won't even survive the first path."

Kyro looks at him, his breath heavy, but his eyes burn with determination.

Kyro: "I will get stronger. No matter the cost."

For a moment, a flicker of respect appears on Rioji's face, but he shakes his head.