NOVEL WEB Chapter 23: Chapter 21
Ryo Akira opened the **data panel**, his heart pounding with anticipation. The numbers displayed in front of him were leagues above what they had been at level one.
- **Strength:** 65 → 72
- **Stamina:** 74 → 79
- **Constitution:** 70 → 76
- **Spirit:** 66 → 73
- **Overall Evaluation:** **C+**
Ryo's lips curled into a small smile. "Not bad," he muttered. The hard work and relentless training he'd undergone were finally paying off. His body felt stronger, his movements sharper, and his resolve firmer. Yet, one question nagged at him as he studied the overall evaluation.
*C+? With these stats?*
Despite the significant increase in his attributes, his evaluation remained relatively low. Confusion mingled with his pride. "What does it take to reach B or even A-level?" he wondered, determined to push himself even further.
Before he could linger on his thoughts, a familiar voice called out, breaking his focus.
"Are you okay?"
Ryo turned to see Mikasa approaching, her usual calm expression marred by concern.
He dusted off his uniform with exaggerated nonchalance and offered a confident grin. "I'm fine. Just a titan. No big deal."
Mikasa raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on his bravado. "If you're fine, then I'll check on the others." She left without waiting for a response, her focus shifting to the wounded recruits nearby.
As the adrenaline of the fight began to wear off, Ryo couldn't help but exhale deeply. His outward confidence masked the truth—he had been incredibly lucky. The titan he had faced was far from ordinary, and without his quick thinking, things could have ended very differently.
---
**An Unforgettable Encounter**
"Hey, kid. What's your name?"
The sudden voice made Ryo spin around, and his breath caught in his throat. Standing a few feet away was none other than **Captain Levi**, his piercing gaze fixed on him.
For a moment, Ryo couldn't speak. *Captain Levi? THE Captain Levi?!*
"Uh… Ryo Akira, sir!" he stammered, finally finding his voice.
Levi's sharp eyes studied him, sizing him up in a way that made Ryo feel both proud and nervous. "When fighting a titan, don't use the reckless tactics you used today. If you keep that up, you'll be dead before long."
The bluntness of Levi's words hit Ryo like a punch, but he quickly realized their intent. This wasn't just criticism—it was advice. Levi had seen potential in him, enough to offer guidance rather than dismiss him outright.
"Yes, sir!" Ryo said, his voice firm. "I'll be more careful next time!"
Levi nodded slightly. "Good. Don't waste your potential." Without another word, the captain turned and walked away, his focus already shifting to the next threat.
Ryo stood rooted in place for a moment, his heart pounding with a mix of exhilaration and pride. *Captain Levi acknowledged me!*
---
**Suspicion and Recognition**
As Ryo stepped away from the decomposing titan, the air filled with the acrid scent of its evaporating blood. Steam rose from the corpse, the familiar sight both fascinating and unsettling. The mysterious nature of the titans never failed to perplex him.
"New recruit! Did you… kill that titan?"
The booming voice of **Instructor Keith** snapped Ryo out of his thoughts. The instructor's expression was a mix of disbelief and awe as he hurried over.
Ryo's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Yes, sir. Is there a problem?"
Keith's eyes darted between the steaming remains of the titan and the young recruit standing confidently before him. "You're telling me… you took it down by yourself? Without proper ODM training?"
"That's what I said," Ryo replied, crossing his arms. "If you don't believe me, you can ask the others. They were all here. They saw everything."
Keith rubbed his chin, his disbelief gradually giving way to cautious admiration. "Hmm… If what you're saying is true, this will be reported to the higher-ups. The training corps might even receive commendation for this."
Ryo shrugged, already losing interest in the conversation. "Do whatever you need to, sir. If there's nothing else, I've got things to do."
Keith waved him off, still muttering to himself as he tried to process what had just happened.
Ryo's thoughts, however, were already elsewhere. Someone important to him had been injured during the chaos, and he needed to check on them. Without hesitation, he turned and sprinted toward the medical tents, his mind focused on a single goal.
---
**Unanswered Questions**
As Ryo left the scene, the lingering image of the titan's steaming corpse filled Keith's mind. A recruit taking down a titan at this stage of training was unheard of.
"This kid…" Keith muttered. "He might be something special after all."
Meanwhile, Ryo clenched his fists as he ran. The battle had shown him just how fragile life was within these walls, and he wasn't about to take his newfound strength for granted. He would keep pushing forward, stronger than ever, until he uncovered the truth behind the titans—and himself.