Ryo couldn't shake the nagging sensation in his chest. Something was not right. The missing lake, his fatigue—he needed some answers. Convinced he wanted to test his suspicions, he headed back to the training grounds.
Upon arrival, one of the instructors noticed him. "Takashi, do you need to report to the infirmary?" the instructor asked, observing his tired state.
Ryo shook his head. He wasn't hurt, just fatigued.
The teacher let out a sigh. "You may have great regenerations, but healing takes up stamina. Without proper energy maintenance, your body will deteriorate. Remember that."
Ryo nodded but wasn't left clearer than confused. 'I've got Paradox Physique. so why do I feel I'm exhausting?' he thought to himself. He decided to test something and so asked, "Is there a lake around?"
The teacher seemed to think for a moment before responding, "There is one, but it's at the south wing of the academy. Why do you ask?"
Ryo merely nodded and walked away. South wing? That was nowhere close to where he had originally died. Something was different.
Returning to his dorm, he opened his Status Window. His eyes scrolled through his skills until he saw something that caused him to stop.
Paradox Physique – Inactive
'Inactive? Why?' he thought. Was it because he was tired after utilizing regeneration? He had to experiment something.
He grabbed a knife and sliced his arm a little. Blood dripped for an instant before the cut healed in a snap. It worked, but as the instructor said, it used up his energy.
'If I'm tired, my regeneration slows down,' he understood.
Before going to dinner, he attempted to touch his Status Window. That's when he saw something astonishing—his level had grown.
Level: 23
'Wait. What's the deal here?' he thought. He had never leveled up on purpose before.
Interested, he touched Paradox Physique. Instantly, a full description of the ability manifested.
Paradox Physique:
Inhuman Strength
Infinite Stamina
Complete Poison Resistance
Adaptive Evolution
Ryo's eyes went wide. 'This ability is totally broken.' He suddenly remembered something—80 km running in minutes when he first regressed. 'Maybe that was due to this?'
But why was it turned off?
Before he could continue thinking, there was a voice in his head.
"Because the user wasn't comfortable with it, the ability was activated to inactive."
Ryo caught his breath. He knew this voice.
The same voice he'd heard when he first developed his powers.
"Would you like to enable Paradox Physique?"
Ryo inhaled sharply. He had been cautious before, but not now.
"Yes," he replied.