Bang's words steadied Sol's breathing.
This was a world where sheer will could twist reality, where ordinary people became monsters through obsession alone. If that was true, then pushing past his limits might strengthen his Psychokinesis.
He lifted his gaze to the sky.
High above, Saitama had already positioned himself beneath the descending meteor.
"Don't…" Saitama drew back his right fist slowly.
"Fall on my city."
When his punch connected, time itself seemed to pause.
Then the sky exploded.
A thunderous shockwave ripped outward, clearing the clouds in a perfect ring. The meteor's surface fractured, spiderweb cracks racing across it before it shattered into countless blazing fragments.
Bang's eyes widened. "He destroyed it…"
His voice lowered. "But the fragments will still devastate the city."
"They're coming!" Sol shouted.
Green light erupted from his body. Veins stood out along his temples as he forced his incomplete Psychokinesis into motion.
Burning debris rained down like fire.
Sol extended both hands, gripping the air itself.
"Stop," he growled through clenched teeth.
The pressure in his skull intensified instantly. Pain lanced through his brain. Blood seeped from his nose and the corner of his mouth.
Bang watched closely as pale green energy enveloped Sol's body. The falling fragments began to slow.
"Psychokinesis," Bang murmured.
Sol felt as though thousands of needles were stabbing into his mind, but he refused to release control. Larger fragments gradually shifted course, converging under his influence.
Their speed decreased, but they were still falling.
"Not enough… just a little more."
His eyes were bloodshot, his expression fierce. Inside his mind, the evolution interface surged forward.
20 percent.
25 percent.
38 percent.
51 percent.
At that critical moment, a silver blur flashed past.
"Water Smashing Fist."
Bang moved beneath the descending mass. His fists became streaks of afterimages, each strike landing with surgical precision. Massive fragments shattered midair into smaller rocks.
Sol immediately adjusted his control, guiding the smaller debris away from densely populated zones and toward the abandoned outskirts.
Explosions echoed across the city as other fragments struck.
When the smoke cleared, Z City stood scarred but not erased.
Saitama dropped back to the street, hands in his pockets. "That worked."
Bang allowed himself a tired smile. "Most of the city survived."
Saitama glanced around. "Where's Sol?"
Bang pointed.
Sol lay collapsed on the pavement, motionless.
Saitama hurried over. Blood streaked Sol's face, but he was breathing steadily.
Bang knelt beside him. "He exhausted his mental energy. He will recover with rest."
A notification chimed faintly in Sol's consciousness.
Psychokinesis evolution complete.
…
When Sol opened his eyes, he found himself staring at a hospital ceiling.
Outside the window, reconstruction had already begun. Cranes moved where buildings once stood.
"You're awake," Saitama said from beside the bed, calmly peeling an apple.
"The doctor said you overused your mental energy. A few days of rest."
Sol examined the changes within himself. His Psychokinesis felt different, fuller, deeper, like a reservoir that had expanded.
He attempted to activate it, but weakness swept through his limbs and sharp pain pulsed in his temples.
Saitama handed him the apple. "Eat."
Sol took a bite. "How long was I out?"
"Seven days."
Saitama set the knife aside. "They said your brain activity was abnormal. Increasing every day, but you wouldn't wake up."
Sol shifted upright slowly. His muscles ached, especially around his head.
Through the window, Z City had lost several major structures, but most districts remained intact.
Saitama suddenly remembered something. "Genos said he was coming."
Right on cue, the door opened.
A blond cyborg stepped inside, mechanical eyes glowing faintly.
"Are you Sol Mirek? I am Genos, disciple of Saitama."
Sol studied him, suppressing a sigh. Events were aligning as expected.
"How did you meet?" Sol asked.
Genos stood straight. "While pursuing a Demon level monster, I was critically damaged. Master saved me. He eliminated it with a single strike."
Sol glanced at Saitama. Nothing had changed. Good.
Based on the timing, that monster had likely been Mosquito Girl. That meant future threats still remained where they should be.
The door opened again and a doctor entered.
"Mr. Mirek, your test results are unusual," the doctor said, adjusting his glasses. "Your brain activity is exceptionally high. It appears to have undergone structural change. We recommend further observation."
Sol nodded. "Understood."
Saitama spoke casually. "That old martial arts guy wants you as a student."
Sol blinked. "You mean Silver Fang?"
Saitama nodded.
Genos added, "Silver Fang is highly respected in the martial arts world. Being acknowledged by him is rare."
Sol considered it.
Bang's Water Smashing Fist was formidable. While Sol's priority was physical conditioning, refining combat technique would only improve his efficiency.
"I'll visit him after discharge," Sol said.
Three days later, Sol left the hospital.
His Psychokinesis had stabilized completely.
If he faced those meteor fragments again now, he could likely crush them to dust with far less strain.
That realization sparked a thought.
Perhaps the key to growth was not gradual improvement, but pushing beyond the breaking point, surviving the strain, and forcing evolution through will.
Sol smiled faintly.
Pain was just tuition.
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