NEVER TOO POWERFUL

Igris entered the house and threw his bag to the ground as if everything was over, as if his life no longer had any meaning. He opened the door, still looking at the floor. His little brother, who was 16 years old, looked at him while sitting on a chair and asked:

— Hey, big brother, are you okay?

Igris, not wanting to worry his brother, responded as he always did, with a big smile:

— Yeah, I'm fine, Chris. Don't worry.

His brother, eyeing him suspiciously, said:

— I was in my room, but Mom told me not to go out. From what I saw and heard, there was a demon outside... and it killed a student.

Then, he looked at the door, curious:

— But where is Sempai? You always come home together, and he usually leaves around 8 PM... but I don't see him.

Igris' smile faded, and he replied:

— Ah... Sempai... He was killed by the demon.

— What? Killed? How? Chris asked, terrified.

Igris, climbing the stairs, added:

— Yeah... And I'm going to avenge his death, even if it kills me.

His mother also entered the house, looking saddened. She watched as Igris climbed the stairs. He stopped and asked:

— By the way, Mom, is Dad's training equipment still in the basement?

His mother replied:

— Yes, but...

He added:

— The landlords want to evict us in three months because we're behind on rent.

His mother, worried, responded:

— Yes, but why are you asking?

Igris, with a determined tone:

— I'm going to become a demon hunter. From what I've heard, it pays well.

His brother stood up and said anxiously:

— But you don't have a mark! That's insane!

— Yeah, it's madness! his mother exclaimed as well.

Igris calmly replied:

— If I become a demon hunter, it will help us in many ways. First, I'll be paid. Second, I can avenge Sempai's death. And third, I can finally show those damn Demon Hunters that they're nothing special.

His brother said seriously:

— No offense, Igris, but... you don't really have the physique for this kind of thing. Just let the Hunters handle it...

Igris smiled and said:

— Don't worry, I got this. Mom, you too, don't worry—I'll take care of everything.

He started going upstairs, then suddenly stopped and said:

— Chris, bring me all your books on demonology, please. Thanks in advance.

Then, he continued his way to his room.

Igris entered his room. It was dark, so he turned on the light and walked toward his desk. He sat down, then turned his head to the right and saw a photo he had taken with Sempai back when they were in high school. As he looked at it, tears welled up in his eyes, and he whispered in a trembling voice:

— Ever since I was little, I've always had this frail body… Everyone called me the skeleton because I had no strength. There was nothing I could do about it… But you, you were always there to protect me, from kindergarten until your last day...

Suddenly, he stood up, his gaze filled with determination, and declared:

— But I promise you, I will become stronger! I will fulfill your dream and avenge you. I will become the greatest Demon Slayer that has ever existed! I will prove to them that I will never be weak again... But as for me, I will never be too powerful.

---

The next day, 4 AM

The sun had not yet risen. His mother heard noises outside. Curious, she looked through the window and saw Igris. He was wearing gray jogging pants and black sneakers. He stretched a little, then started his morning run. He ran for over an hour before arriving in front of a massive building with the words:

C.N.T.D - National Center for Demon Slayers.

Clenching his fists, he murmured:

— I'm coming…

Then, he continued running.

When he got home, he immediately went down to the basement. As he turned on the light, he discovered a training room filled with equipment, worthy of the best warriors. He started lifting dumbbells but quickly realized how weak he was. Despite the pain, he forced himself to keep going, starting with a set of ten repetitions. Then, he trained with all the machines available. By 9 AM, exhausted, he went up to his room, still holding a dumbbell.

He grabbed a book on demonology and immersed himself in studying demons. During mealtime, he surprised his mother and brother by eating without complaint, even the foods he used to hate. After dinner, he went to bed at 10 PM.

For the next two days, he repeated the same routine: running, intense training, and eating.

---

The day of the fight

That morning, he only did a light jog. Out of breath, he muttered:

— Today, I shouldn't tire myself too much…

Then, with a confident smile, he added:

— And for today… I already have a plan.

---

The evening of the third day

6:19 PM

A demon stood on a pole, looking annoyed. He grumbled:

— Where is that twig-bodied brat? Alright, I'll wait a little longer, then I'm leaving…

7:10 PM

The demon sighed in boredom, growing impatient:

— Did he run away or what?!

He added, exasperated:

— Well, if that's the case, I'm out of here…

But just as he was about to leave, a voice echoed behind him:

— Leaving already?