Day 69, Year 3000.
"200-meter dash. The first physical test."
Arthur was responsible for conducting physical examinations to keep track of their improvement over time. Each house would receive a report that would notify them of the progress of newcomers, which would allow for further classification of resources that would be invested in their recruits.
"Didn't we do this the other day?"
Still not feeling up to the mark, Gawain was standing at the side of the two noble haters, Gosse and Hann.
"It is a bi-weekly thing."
Gosse, the softer one of the two friends, answered.
"Really?"
In the guide, it was supposed to be once every month.
"Sir Arthur believes in constant competition. He believes that as knights, we are always supposed to be sharp."
"Sir Arthur?"
'Respect for a noble?'
"He is a strong person."
'So they respect strength.'
"But he is a-"
"We are aware of this. But he respects and treats everyone equally. He refused a seat given by the council and won his seat by appearing for the examination, just like the rest of us commoners."
'Sir Arthur is already attracting fans.'
He felt like this wasn't enough of a reason. There was something else to this that Gosse and Hann weren't sharing.
"Hmm."
"Next group, proceed!"
'Speak of the devil.'
The three of them walked forward, right behind the white line on the ground.
"Take your positions."
Gosse was in lane 2, Hann was right beside him, and Gawain was in lane 6.
"On your mark."
His shoulders were slightly hunched, and his eyes were staring at the ground.
"Set."
He raised his head and straightened his spine.
'Huff.'
A single exhale.
"Move!"
His legs sprang into motion.
'Slow.'
In the next moment, he found himself dead last. It was a very poor start.
'Pick up the pace.'
Ignoring his horrendous beginning, he put some more effort into moving his legs in an elegant rhythm.
Gosse was first, and Hann was right behind him. The distance between numbers two and three were increasing by the second.
'Not good.'
He increased his pace even more. Two seconds later, he had overtaken one of his competitors.
His calves were feeling the wear and tear of his actions. Soon enough, he had overtaken two more people,
50-meter mark. He was right at the tail of the kid in third place.
"Should I call the next group?"
Arthur's assistant looked at him and asked. He was a second-year student named Klein.
Arthur didn't respond. He was too focused to hear his voice.
'He isn't in good condition.'
100-meter mark. The third-place had been snatched by force.
'Two more to go.'
1 second, 1 second, 1 second.
"Regulated Breathing!"
Arthur exclaimed in surprise.
"Sir?"
Klein was confused.
Arthur ignored his call.
At perfect intervals of one second, Gawain was taking equivalent breaths in suggestion, wasting none of his energy and increasing his effort values.
'What kind of torture is she putting you through?'
He could only sympathize with the young boy. Did he offend her with his pervasive nature?
30 meters to go. Hann was preparing for the final stretch.
'Inhale.'
He stopped his controlled breathing for a second. It was time for some well-intentioned banter.
"Boo."
Hann heard that voice and felt his limbs go numb. He was still running, but his psyche was slightly shaken.
'Don't look back.'
He would regain his composure in about a second. That was all Gawain needed.
Regulated breathing began once again.
10 meters left. Gawain whizzed past Hann.
Next up, Gosse.
One final stretch. He extended his legs and took a longer step, putting all of his strength into his front leg, propelling himself further ahead.
'Han-'
Gosse looked at his side. As the figure passed by, he couldn't help but gasp in shock.
"Wha-"
His shock was understandable.
The red line was crossed.
First, Gawain.
After running for a few steps, he slowed himself down to a halt.
"I feel good."
He looked towards the sky. His blue T-shirt and shorts were wet with fresh sweat.
"Gawain-21 seconds."
Klein noted his time.
"A record third amongst all the new students."
The record was 20.
"Newbie."
He recognized the voice and immediately turned around.
"Sir Arthur."
His body was automatically about to make a bow, but he remembered Gwen's words and held himself back.
The 2nd-tier Red Knight stared straight into his eyes.
"Are you all right? You look ill."
'Excellent observational skills.'
"I had a fever yesterday."
"Was it serious?"
He genuinely cared. His voice was less authoritative.
"It wasn't. Thank you for asking."
Arthur came closer and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"If you ever need to complain about Joan, you can visit my house. I have been a victim of her methods in the past, so I can sympathize with your problems?"
'Huh?'
A victim of her methods? What was he talking about?
"I don't under-"
"For her sake, you don't need to hide it. She is the devil when she acts like this. forcing you to learn regulated breathing in two weeks. She hasn't changed."
'Oh, that.'
This was a misunderstanding. She hadn't taught him to regulate his breathing.
"I was wrong about you."
He patted his shoulder.
"Work hard. I will be waiting for your display in the upcoming Poseidon's Trials."
Arthur took his hand back, turned around, and left the bewildered Gawain alone.
'What the hell was that?'
From the side, there were two sets of glaring eyes that were radiating an intent to kill.
'Oh yes. The admirers.'
He looked in their direction.
Hann and Gosse were gritting their teeth in jealousy.
"Do you want something?"
"Nothing."
Gosse answered. His eyes were spewing silent curses left and right.
"I'll take my leave then. We still have to take the flexibility test."
Waving his hand to say his goodbye, Gawain left them to cry their silent tears.