I Chose This Path, Now the Universe Will Know My Name

The mana stream's glow pulsed unevenly as we approached the fractured valley. Jagged crystals of energy floated like shards of broken glass, slicing through the cold air with static hums.

I kept my eyes on the shifting ground, trying to steady my breathing.

The silence was too loud.

Lyssira's voice was barely a whisper."Stay close. The energy here… it corrupts."

We hadn't gone far before it happened.

From the shadows, something moved — fast, unnatural.

A figure emerged — tall, twisted, dripping with dark energy that crackled and spat.

Its eyes were white-hot coals, burning with primal hunger.

A Krylor, one of the apex predators from the Crimson Apex Academy's hunting grounds — but something was wrong.

It wasn't just the usual beast.

Its body shimmered, muscles shifting, veins pulsing with a new glow.

It had evolved, suddenly and violently.

Before I could react, it lunged.

Its claws slashed through the air, tearing frost and snow like paper.

I barely dodged, the wind whipping past my face.

Heart hammering, I staggered back — breath caught in my throat.

Lyssira raised her hands, drawing glowing sigils in the air, launching a barrage of arcane spikes.

The creature snarled, deflecting the magic with dark shields.

It growled — a sound that shook the ground beneath us.

"Zavier! Now!" Lyssira yelled.

My body moved on instinct.

I focused on the buff — Endless Evolution.

I needed to survive.

A surge of heat coursed through me.

My vision blurred, then sharpened.

My muscles ached but responded faster.

The world slowed.

I reached inside myself and pulled.

A violent explosion of energy erupted around me.

Bones cracked, skin stretched.

My senses expanded — I saw the mana threads weaving through the air, the fractures in the valley, even the tiniest movements of the Krylor's muscles.

I charged, fists glowing with raw power.

The Krylor snarled, but was caught off guard.

I struck — hard.

The impact shattered ice beneath us.

For a moment, I thought I had it.

But then it changed.

Its form twisted, skin rippling like liquid shadow.

The creature's strength multiplied.

It wasn't just stronger — it had evolved too.

Pain exploded as its claws tore into my side.

I hit the ground, breath escaping in a sharp gasp.

Blood stained the snow.

Fear clawed at me.

This can't be how it ends.

Desperation surged.

I focused harder — more power.

The Endless Evolution buff flared violently.

My body began to change — muscles grew denser, reflexes sharper, wounds closing faster.

But the Krylor was relentless.

Each attack it launched was faster, more brutal.

I was still weak.

Still too far from true strength.

Just as the creature prepared to strike the killing blow—

A streak of motion flashed past me.

A blur of fur and claws.

A low growl filled the air.

It pounced.

The creature snarled and spun, but the new attacker was already behind it.

In an instant, she shifted — fur melting into feathers, feathers into scales.

A fox, a hawk, a serpent — and then something else, something fluid and wild.

Her eyes met mine, fierce and sharp.

The Krylor hissed, startled and wounded.

It struck again, fast and precise.

The creature faltered, then broke, retreating into the shadows with a furious snarl.

I lay on the ground, chest heaving, eyes wide with shock.

Lyssira helped me sit up.

"Who… who was that?" I asked, voice barely a whisper.

"A human," she said. "Like you. But different."

I clutched my side, pain still burning, but something else stirred — hope.

If she could survive here… maybe so could I.

The journey was just beginning.