EVA: Daybreak

Who knew how much torture that devilish War God System had subjected him to?

If people knew that Ryota Kitazawa wasn't just unaffected by the gravity chamber, but actually enjoying it—

Their jaws would probably hit the floor in disbelief.

Time passed. No one was quite sure how long it had been, but eventually, the gravity field of the testing chamber slowly began to fade.

As the pressure lifted from his body, Ryota stirred from his strange state of calm immersion.

Looking around, he noticed everyone staring at him in stunned silence.

He rubbed his temple and let out a small, awkward laugh.

> Whoops. Might've overdone it…

He hadn't meant to cause such a spectacle.

If this led to his secret being exposed, things could get… complicated.

Still, he casually stepped off the machine. Looking at the dumbfounded staff, he cleared his throat and asked:

> "Ahem… So, did I pass?"

> "Y-Yes! Of course you passed! Absolutely! Please proceed to NERV headquarters for the second-stage assessment."

The staff member, still recovering from shock, gave a nervous laugh and bowed his head.

> "Understood." Ryota nodded, then walked calmly away.

A person who could endure Level 10 pressure…

The staffer had never seen such a thing before.

No—he hadn't even heard of it being possible.

How could this not be called extraordinary?

---

In the observation room above, silence reigned.

After a long pause, a slow, pleased smile crept across Misato Katsuragi's face—glowing with something between satisfaction and wonder.

> I knew it. I knew he'd do it.

Ryota Kitazawa had not let her down. He had succeeded, and more.

Of course, what Misato didn't realize was that compared to the hell Ryota had endured in War God Space,

10G pressure was practically child's play.

> "I still can't believe it," murmured Ritsuko Akagi, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"That someone could endure Level 10 pressure… and not even break a sweat."

> "Misato, you were right. That student… is truly incredible."

But more than that, Ritsuko found herself thinking of the implications—

The possibilities this raised.

> If the data is real… this might be a turning point for the entire field of biomechanical science.

Perhaps… even human evolution.

---

> "Ryota Kitazawa!!"

A harsh voice echoed behind him just as he stepped outside.

Turning around, Ryota saw Toji Suzuhara, storming toward him, face twisted with barely contained rage.

> "Oh? Need something?"

Ryota gave him a soft, mocking smile.

> "Don't think just because you did well in the test that it makes you a real warrior!" Toji growled.

"Let me make it clear—the one who's going to win in the end is me, Toji Suzuhara!"

> "Perfect," Ryota said with a shrug, turning away.

"Then I'll look forward to seeing it."

He didn't bother arguing. He was done wasting words.

---

With the first stage of testing complete, the second phase was already underway.

Out of over a hundred initial applicants, only five or six remained.

Among them were Ryota Kitazawa and Toji Suzuhara.

Kensuke Aida and the rest of Class 2-A had all been eliminated in the earlier rounds.

Now, the finalists were being transported by bus to NERV Headquarters for the second phase.

What awaited them there? No one knew.

Two hours later, the vehicle arrived at the gates of NERV.

Their journey took them into the heart of GEO-FRONT, the massive subterranean fortress beneath Tokyo-3.

Even the infinite elevator shaft leading into the depths left everyone stunned.

Toji and the others gaped in awe at the sheer scale of the facility.

It was unlike anything they had ever seen.

But Ryota Kitazawa?

He simply smiled, eyes sharp and unshaken.

He recognized this place from the anime.

This was the origin point of First Impact—

The place where the Black Moon lay dormant.

But he wasn't here for sightseeing.

His only concern was the second stage of testing—

Because everything he had done so far had been for this moment.

> To pilot Unit-01.

> To rewrite the Human Instrumentality Project… with my own hands.

---

> "Commander Ikari."

A quiet voice broke the silence of a dimly lit office.

A man sat behind a desk, wearing round glasses and a short, neatly trimmed beard.

His face was unreadable—utterly void of emotion, as though nothing in the world could stir him.

This was Gendo Ikari, Supreme Commander of NERV—and father of the late Shinji Ikari.

> "What is it?" he asked flatly, voice low and calm.

Before him stood Ritsuko Akagi, calmly delivering her report on the events that had taken place earlier at Tokyo-3 First Middle School.

As Head of NERV's Technical Division, it was her responsibility to inform Gendo of anything concerning Ryota Kitazawa.

Even if this particular recruitment had technically been Misato's jurisdiction.

> "Hmm… From what you're saying, this student—Ryota Kitazawa—seems to be quite a talent."

Gendo nodded slowly, a faint smile curling his lips.

> "Yes. That's correct," Ritsuko replied.

"Even if he doesn't pass the second-stage evaluation, I strongly recommend we retain him.

If not for Unit-01… then to keep him from falling into the military's hands."

She wasn't exaggerating.

Given Ryota's capabilities, losing him to the JSDF or another agency would be a serious blow to NERV.

Everyone knew that relations between the military and NERV were tenuous at best—borderline hostile.

In the world of politics, where power and interest clashed constantly, such talent could be a dangerous bargaining chip.

Ritsuko had seen this play out too many times over the years.

She had to speak up—had to make sure NERV made the right move.

> But of course, being an Eva pilot…

Isn't about physical strength.

> It's about the heart.

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