The late afternoon sun cast long shadows on the track as Ryu pushed himself through another lap. The 13-year-old's lean frame moved with determination, his feet pounding against the ground in a steady rhythm. Nearby, his 11-year-old brother Tony leaned against a fence, looking both impressed and impatient.
"Ryu!" Tony called out, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Mom's calling for lunch! Come on already!"
"Just one more lap, Tony!" Ryu shouted back, his focus unwavering as he rounded the curve.
Tony groaned, shaking his head. "This track is a kilometer long! One more lap means I'll starve before you're done!"
"Go ahead without me!" Ryu said, his voice carrying across the field.
Tony threw his hands in the air dramatically and muttered, "Fine, but don't blame me if all the good food's gone." With that, he headed home, his steps quickening at the thought of lunch.
When Ryu reached home, Tony was already at the table, happily munching on rice and vegetables. Their mother, a kind but weary woman, was serving soup when Ryu sat down, his face still flushed from running.
"You're late," Tony said with a smirk, stuffing another spoonful of rice into his mouth.
Ignoring him, Ryu turned to their mother. "Mom, I've been thinking. If I win the marathon next week, can Tony and I join the EX Agency?"
Her hand paused mid-air as she placed the soup on the table. "The EX Agency? Ryu, you know the fees are high. Even with prize money, it'll be a struggle to manage everything else."
Tony perked up, curiosity shining in his eyes. "How much is the prize for first place?"
"A hundred thousand dollars," Ryu replied confidently.
Tony's jaw dropped. "What?! That much?"
Their mother sighed, sitting down with them. "If you win, Ryu, we'll see what's possible. But the competition will be tough. You'll need to give it your all."
Tony grinned, pointing his spoon at Ryu. "No pressure, big brother. Just don't lose, or I'll never let you forget it."
Ryu smirked back. "Trust me, I'm not losing."
The day of the marathon dawned bright and clear, with a crisp breeze cutting through the air. Ryu stood at the starting line, stretching his legs. Among the runners, a boy around his age caught his eye—Kai, a 13-year-old with a carefree expression and a relaxed posture. Kai's easygoing nature was well-known, and it was clear he wasn't feeling the pressure that the others seemed to be.
"Hey, Ryu!" Kai waved as he jogged over to him. "You ready for this? Don't go too easy on me!"
Ryu grinned, sizing up his competitor. "I'll do my best. But don't expect me to let up."
The starting gun fired, and the runners surged forward. The crowd's cheers filled the air as Kai and Ryu quickly broke away from the pack.
The race was a test of stamina, and both boys pushed themselves to the limit. Kai, with his laid-back personality, seemed to take everything in stride, his pace steady but relaxed. Ryu, however, had the fire of competition driving him forward, his every stride a blend of precision and speed. Despite their different approaches, they were neck and neck the entire race.
At the final stretch, the two boys picked up the pace. Ryu's focus sharpened, and with a burst of speed, he crossed the finish line just a second before Kai.
The crowd erupted in applause, and Kai, panting but grinning, slapped Ryu on the back. "That was awesome! You really pushed me to the limit there!"
"You weren't too bad yourself," Ryu said, catching his breath.
Kai chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I guess I'll have to train harder for next time. Congrats on the win, though. You earned it."
Later, on the stage, the announcer handed Ryu the microphone. "Congratulations! What are you going to do with the prize money?"
Ryu smiled, his voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through him. "I'm using it to pay for scholarships to the EX Agency for my brother and me. The rest is for my mom, to thank her for everything she's done."
The audience erupted in applause, and Kai nodded approvingly from the sidelines. "Nice move, Ryu," he called out, giving him a thumbs-up.
Two weeks later, a sleek bus pulled up in front of the Kaisen household. Ryu and Tony boarded, their bags slung over their shoulders. To their surprise, Kai was already seated near the front, looking as relaxed as ever.
"Hey, you two finally made it!" Kai grinned his usual carefree smile in place. "Ready for the EX Agency?"
"Definitely!" Tony said excitedly, his eyes wide with anticipation.
"Got your weapons picked out yet?" Kai asked as he stretched out in his seat, clearly unfazed by the upcoming adventure.
"Not yet, but we'll see what's available once we get there," Ryu replied.
"You'll have fun with it, no matter what," Kai said with a chuckle. "Trust me, there's so much to learn, and the people here are all pretty chill."
The EX Agency campus was massive, with towering buildings surrounded by lush forests. As the trio stepped off the bus, they were joined by Jin, a 12-year-old with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.
"Jin!" Tony exclaimed, running up to him. "What are you doing here?"
"Same as you," Jin replied with a grin. "Didn't think you'd make it this far."
Ryu crossed his arms, pretending to be offended. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Jin laughed. "Congratulations on the marathon, by the way."
After checking in at the reception desk, they received their room keys and a printed sheet of rules. Tony skimmed through the paper. "Free food for scholarship students? Sweet!"
"Anything about breaking the rules?" Ryu asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, yeah, something about getting expelled if we go into restricted areas. No big deal."
Ryu shot him a look. "It's a big deal, Tony. Don't even think about it."
Their first class the next morning was weapon training. The instructor, a tall man with a booming voice, handed out forms for each student to select their primary and secondary weapons.
Ryu chose a sword and bow, appreciating their versatility. Tony, always dramatic, selected a chained blade and scythe. Kai opted for a katana and knife, while Jin went for a katana and bo staff.
The instructor observed their choices with a nod. "Good. You'll begin practicing with these tomorrow. For today, focus on warm-up exercises. Remember, mastery comes from discipline and effort."
The rest of the class passed in a blur of stretches, drills, and introductions.
Later, on their way to the canteen, the group ran into Wei, a 17-year-old with a mysterious aura. He was passing by, a book tucked under his arm, when he overheard their conversation.
"Talking about the restricted zone, huh?" Wei said, pausing briefly.
Tony's eyes lit up. "Yeah! What's in there?"
Wei smirked. "Rumor has it there's a secret weapon hidden in the forest. But no one who's gone looking has ever returned."
Tony gasped. "We should check it out!"
"No way," Ryu said firmly. "Breaking the rules means getting expelled. We're not risking that."
Jin nodded. "Ryu's right. Let's focus on training for now."
Wei chuckled, adjusting the strap of his bag. "Smart choice. But if you're curious... well, just be careful." With that, he continued toward the library, leaving the group to ponder his words.
As the day wound down, the group finally returned to their dorms.
Tony flopped onto his bed, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Do you think the rumors are true?"
"Does it matter?" Ryu replied, placing his sword against the wall. "We're here to train, not chase ghost stories."
Kai stretched, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I wouldn't mind checking it out—someday."
Jin chuckled. "You'd better hope that 'someday' doesn't get you expelled."
The room quieted as the boys settled in, the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the window.