Chapter 19 - Run Run Run

The field was a flurry of activity, students surging forward, energy driving them ahead. Zero's strategy allowed him to stay within the pack, his steps matching Oliver's deliberate pace. He observed as the numbers dwindled, some students overtaking others, while a few fell behind. There were approximately 40 students in each class, amounting to around 160 participants on the field. The open area gave them ample space, but the distance between Oliver at the front and the student at the back was a challenging 30 meters.

Zero calculated the pace of Oliver's brisk walk, estimating it at around 3-5 meters per second. It was an effective way for Oliver to maintain a consistent speed without exerting himself. Zero chose to mirror Oliver's pace, knowing that this strategy would keep him in the running without expending unnecessary energy.

The minutes ticked away, the sun rising higher in the sky. The run had commenced at 9:30, and as the clock struck 9:43, 13 minutes had passed since the start. The number of students in the field had dropped from 160 to 72, a testament to the grueling nature of the exam. Camila and Kayla had already been among those who dropped, their ranks slipping to 92 and 78, respectively.

Amid the shuffle of determined footsteps, Camila's labored breathing carried a note of defeat. "I can't do this anymore," she admitted with a breathless sigh, her voice tinged with exhaustion as she reluctantly yielded her position at rank 92. The physical demands of the exam had taken their toll, leaving her struggling to maintain her pace.

At the same time, Kayla's voice carried a mixture of admiration and amazement as she glanced at her fellow participants. "These people are amazing," she muttered to herself, acknowledging the exceptional physical prowess of her peers. while handing a water bottle to Camila, "we should cheer for Zero and Mike should we?"

Camila after chugging the whole water bottle from Kayla while smiling said, "They are working hard after all"

Another 20 minutes passed, and the field had transformed into a predominantly male assembly, with the exception of Seraphina Aelius from Class 2 and Isabella Crane from Class 3. These two girls stood out in Zero's eyes, individuals he had taken particular note of from his previous life. Even without consulting his unique system, Zero recognized their exceptional skills and abilities.

Approximately 24 participants remained, a testament to their endurance and determination. Among them, Carl Reiven led the pack, with Mike following closely behind. Behind Mike was Orion Hale, and trailing him was Liam Fortis. Zero, who had maintained a steady pace, found himself starting from the very last position, with Oliver at his heels.

'Now that the numbers have dwindled, it's time to pick up the pace,' Zero thought. With a sudden burst of speed, Zero surged forward, navigating the field with calculated precision. In a matter of moments, he had closed the gap between him and the frontrunners, overtaking the competition.

Mike's surprise was evident as Zero seamlessly caught up, the distance between them evaporating in seconds. Zero didn't waste any time and turned to Mike, his voice lighthearted. "Hey, Mike, let's kick it up a notch, shall we?"

"Huh?" Mike's response was a mix of confusion and curiosity, his focus never waning as he maintained his swift pace.

In this frenzy of movement, Zero soon found himself side by side with Carl Reiven, who greeted him with a sneer. "Finally arrived, Elsher? You sure are late. Get ready to be humiliated."

Zero's eyes flashed, his voice carrying an icy edge. "I'd be more concerned about your own fate if I were you."

Carl's smirk faltered, his confidence challenged by Zero's cool demeanor. "Oh, really? Let's see if you can back up that talk."

Without warning, Zero sprang into action, his speed accelerating exponentially. In a matter of seconds, he covered a remarkable distance of 80 meters, leaving a trail of astonishment in his wake. Oliver, who had been trailing Zero, could hardly believe his eyes. His ego, was pricked by the realization that a first-year student was outpacing him. 'what?? am I going to slow??' Oliver thought in his mind.

The field's pace quickened as Oliver made his move, his fast walking transitioning into a fast jog. The physical exam had evolved into a mental battle of determination and resilience, where every step was a testament to each student's strength.

The field reverberated with the sound of pounding feet and labored breaths, each step a testament to the relentless determination of the remaining participants. Zero maintained his lead, his movements fluid and calculated.

Behind him, Mike matched Zero's pace with unwavering focus. Orion Hale's presence loomed close, his dedication evident in every stride. The trio pushed their limits, a synchronized dance of speed and endurance.

As the minutes stretched on, the field continued to narrow its ranks. Isabella Crane, despite her exceptional agility, finally succumbed to Oliver's pursuit, her rank at 17. Seraphina Aelius, a graceful force on the field, valiantly fought her battle but eventually stopped at rank 6. The intensity of the exam was taking its toll, and only five remained.

The sun was now high in the sky, casting a bright glow over the field. It had been over 60 minutes since the run began, the clock displaying 10:33 AM. With each minute that ticked by, the sense of achievement grew alongside the physical strain.

Amidst the unforgiving pace, Liam Fortis was the first to yield. He caught Oliver's hand on his shoulder, a smile lighting up his features. "You guys are monsters," he remarked, acknowledging the incredible display of stamina around him.

But as the relentless run continued, Carl's endurance began to waver. Blood trickled from his nose, and his steps grew unsteady. His determination was palpable, his desire to prove himself evident, but even his indomitable spirit had its limits. With a final push, Carl succumbed to exhaustion, his body falling to the ground.

In that moment, Zero seized the opportunity. With an unprecedented burst of speed, he overtook Oliver and reached Carl's fallen form. Leaning down, he spoke softly, his words a whispered taunt meant for Carl's ears alone. "Is this all you can do? Try not to mess with me if you're only capable of this."

Carl's eyes widened in shock, tears welling up as Zero's words hit their mark. He was down, defeated, and humiliated in more ways than one. Though no one else heard Zero's taunt, Carl's heart echoed with the sting of those cutting words.

Twenty more minutes of relentless running passed, with the remaining competitors pushing their limits to the brink. The field had become a battleground of endurance and willpower, each step a testament to the participants' unyielding determination. There are students cheering for Zero, Mike, and Orion.

One of the teacher assistants stepped forward, gently carrying Carl's exhausted form towards the office. Meanwhile, Kayla and Camila, witnessing the scene from a distance, exchanged curious glances. Camila couldn't help but voice her intrigue, "I wonder what Zero said to him." Kayla nodded in agreement, her expression pensive. "I don't know, but for all his arrogance, Carl really is something of a monster when it comes to endurance."

As they continued to observe the unfolding events, a new voice suddenly broke through the air. "May I sit here?" Kayla and Camila turned their heads in surprise, facing the speaker. The voice continued, slightly apologetic, "Ah, I apologize. My name is Aurelia Storm, from Class 4. I'm also looking for a spot to cheer on my classmate, you see."

Kayla's eyes softened, and she smiled warmly. "Of course, you're welcome to sit with us," she replied, gesturing to the empty space beside them.

Aurelia settled into the spot beside Kayla and Camila, her gaze fixed on the field. "Thank you," she said appreciatively. "It's impressive to see so many students giving their all."

Kayla nodded in agreement. "Definitely. These exams may be challenging, but they also provide a unique opportunity for us to showcase our abilities and push our limits."

Camila's curiosity got the best of her, and she turned to Aurelia. "So, who are you here to support? Someone from Class 4?"

Aurelia's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Yes, actually. I'm here to cheer on Orion Hale. He's my childhood friend and I've known him for a while." Aurelia continued, "he's been training martial arts for a while, I doubt the 2 guys running against Orion stand a chance."

Camila's eyes widened, her interest piqued. "Orion Hale? I don't know anything about him but the other 2 are our friends and our classmates." Camila pouted.

Kayla nodded "I'm not sure how strong is Orion but Mike and Zero aren't the type of people to give up. they are going to give your friend a hard time" Kayla said confidently

Aurelia nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "hmmmmmm... who's the handsome guy with dark hair that is currently leading?"

Camila flushed "Th..that would be zero.."

Aurelia looked at Camila confirming something in her mind. "I see, so the blond muscle is mike?"

"yes and they will beat Orion," Kayla answered.

Aurelia's gaze shifted to the duo as well, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Indeed. It's already incredible to find someone that can outpace Orion, looks like Class 1 is full of monsters, isn't Carl Reiven also from your class?"

Camila and Kayla just nodded.

The field had transformed into a stage of competition between the 3 most athletic students, the hours of running etched onto the faces of the remaining competitors. The clock read 11:30, marking two hours of non-stop effort for Zero, Mike, and Orion. Their pace remained consistent, a testament to their physical prowess and mental fortitude.

'THESE FIRST YEARS ARE MONSTERS!! THEY NEED TO STOP OR I'LL RUN OUT OF STAMINA FIRST' Oliver pleaded in his mind.

Suddenly, Orion Hale slowed his pace, his steps becoming deliberate and measured. He turned to the others, his voice steady despite his evident exhaustion. "There will be another part to this physical exam. It's not wise for me to expend all my energy in the first part." With those words, he gracefully stepped aside and ranked third.

A couple of seconds later, Mike also chose to end his run. His admission that he couldn't surpass Zero's performance echoed through the field, the sentiment underscoring the depth of Zero's capability. As Mike left the race, it became clear that Zero had secured victory.

"There is no way in hell that I can beat Zero" Mike smile while wiping his sweat.

"at least you know," zero said jokingly.

Amid the collective exhaustion, Oliver's voice broke through the tension. "That's right, Orion. Holding back for the next part is a wise move." There was underlying happiness and relief in Oliver's words, acknowledging Orion's decision saved his pride.

Kayla and Camila's cheers grew louder as they saw their friend ranked first and second, triumphant. Their elation was palpable as they celebrated Mike and Zero's achievements. Aurelia, her demeanor composed and respectful, offered her congratulations to Kayla and Camila. With a nod to Orion, she left the area, her steps accompanied by the sound of her footsteps and the clinking of a towel and water bottle in her hand, offered to Orion.

Kayla and Camila couldn't contain their cheers, their voices ringing with pride and excitement. As they witnessed their friends securing the top ranks, their elation was tangible. Kayla whooped, "Go, Zero and Mike!"

Camila chimed in, clapping her hands. "You guys were amazing!"

Kayla's eyes were bright as she spoke, "You guys killed it! We were cheering for you the whole time!"

Camila added with a grin, "Seriously, you've left everyone else in the dust!"

With a shared laugh, Zero nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, guys."

As the first part of the physical exam came to an end, the remaining participants caught their breath, their chests heaving with exertion. The field was marked by sweat-soaked attire, flushed cheeks, and a shared sense of accomplishment. The sun shone high in the sky, casting a warm glow on the scene of determination and unity.

The results were clear: Zero stood as the victor of the first part of the exam, a testament to his strategy, endurance, and unwavering focus. The experience had not only showcased the students' physical abilities but also their camaraderie and mutual support, as evidenced by the cheers and encouragement from the sidelines.

'status' zero thought.

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Name: Zero Elsher

Age: 12 years old

Power: 17

Intelligence: 25

Stamina: 19.5 (+0.5)

Balance: 1600 Zen

Skills: Future Sight -

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'+0.5? even though it is only a light training? does the fact that I am doing this in the academy area increases my stats potential?' zero thought.

"let's get something cool to drink we have until 4 pm for the second part of the exam right?" Mike interrupts Zero mind.

Camilla answered "yes, let's go to the cafeteria"

as they walked to the cafeteria, a ring on everyone's phone suddenly come out,

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First-Year first part physical exam

Standings: Runtime:

1st Zero Elsher 2 hours 20 second

2nd Mike Rodriguez 2 hours 19 second

3rd Orion Hale 2 hours

4th Carl Reiven 1 hour 3 minutes 21 seconds

5th Liam Fortis 1 hour 2 minutes

6th Seraphina Aelius 36 minutes 2 seconds

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17th Isabella Crane 34 minutes 5 seconds

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78th Kayla Aaron 12 minutes 21 seconds

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92nd Camila Ava 10 minutes 49 seconds

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160th ---------- ---------

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