Chapter – Day 2: Tests and Domination
The second day of the tournament opened under a bright sun. The air was fresh, slightly brisk—perfect for the physical challenges ahead. The atmosphere vibrated with excitement, mixed with the nervous energy of the hundreds of young athletes full of hope. In the large central hall, the groups gathered one by one, dressed in simple but functional uniforms. The day's program was straightforward: endurance, agility, and strength tests. No complex strategies, no mental confrontations. Just the body put to the test.
Group 17, Ehito's group, stood aligned on the field, focused. The intensity in the air seemed to raise the stakes for each participant, but not for Ehito. As always, he was the embodiment of calm and control.
— "According to the schedule," Reiko said, checking the tablet provided to each team leader, "we start with a relay race, then an obstacle course, followed by a weight carrying challenge. There's also a new test: a timed vertical climb."
— "Climbing?" Yuji asked, warming up his arms. "Good. This will help sort out the best."
Ehito stretched silently. His eyes scanned the entire field, calculating distances, anticipating possible tactics—though today was not about strategy. It was about raw performance.
Event 1: Relay Race
The first test began shortly after. A massive circuit had been set up on the large field. Five runners per team, one lap each. Speed and coordination were key. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, the spectators waiting for the first whistle.
Yuji opened the race for their team. He took off like a bullet as soon as the signal was given, his powerful legs covering the ground with startling ease. The wind whistled in his ears as he accelerated. He wasted no time. He went all out, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He built up a lead of several meters on his competitors.
Zoe took over the baton. Fast, light, almost airborne. Despite her size, she moved with perfect fluidity, almost like a dancer. Her body seemed to float above the ground as she passed the baton with ease.
Elian was next. Not as fast as Yuji or Zoe, but methodical and precise. His movements were steady, and while he didn't have the explosiveness of his teammates, he completed his lap efficiently, conserving his energy for what came next. When he handed the baton to Reiko, they were still in second place, just behind the lead group.
Reiko took off with a determined look. She ran as if victory was her only option. Her long legs stretched her stride, and she devoured the meters with raw power. The baton passed to Ehito when they were in second place.
At that moment, the tension in the air was palpable. But Ehito didn't let himself be swept away. He took the baton with calm. One breath. Then he was off.
His run was smooth. Every movement seemed measured, perfectly calculated. His body was a finely tuned instrument, each step precise, each breath controlled. In a few seconds, he surpassed the leader and crossed the finish line first.
A silence fell over the crowd before the roar of cheers exploded. The official announced:
— "Group 17, first place!"
A murmur of admiration rose from the stands. Observers noted every detail on their tablets, clearly impressed by Ehito's performance.
Event 2: Obstacle Course
The second test was an obstacle course, designed to test agility, balance, and endurance. The massive field was dotted with horizontal bars, slanted ramps, narrow tunnels, and suspended beams. Each participant had to complete the course alone, with the total time for each team being taken into account.
Zoe and Reiko took the lead. Zoe mastered each obstacle with effortless grace, chaining her movements with lightness, her feet barely seeming to touch the ground. Reiko followed with her own power, jumping, running, crossing each obstacle with sprinter-like force. They completed the course with impressive speed.
Elian, though smaller and less imposing, advanced with unwavering focus. The 60 kg weight slowed him down a little, but he never faltered. He persevered, always concentrating, and completed the course with determination that inspired his teammates.
Yuji was the last to go. His brute strength and powerful legs allowed him to clear the most difficult obstacles, but he lost a little time on a suspension bar, hesitating before getting a proper grip. In the end, he completed his lap with a few minor mistakes. Their team finished in second place, just a few seconds behind the lead group.
When it was Ehito's turn, he approached the obstacles with unsettling calm. He chose the 80 kg weight without hesitation. Each step was measured, each obstacle cleared without wasting a single second.
He completed the course in record time, leaving his teammates in awe. As the official results were announced, group 17 was once again in the lead, though the margin was small.
Event 3: Weight Transport
The next test involved transporting metal blocks, each progressively heavier, across a 50-meter track. Each member of the team had to make three round trips with increasingly heavy loads—40 kg at first, then 60 kg, and finally 80 kg.
Reiko and Yuji dominated the first part. Their raw power was evident, and they made the distance look easy. Yuji's strength seemed limitless, and Reiko, exploiting her explosiveness, made the challenge look simple.
Elian, though less powerful, displayed an unyielding tenacity. The 60 kg weight slowed him, but he never gave up. He pressed on, always focused, and finished his portion with steady efficiency.
When it was Ehito's turn, he approached the 80 kg block without a hint of hesitation. He moved effortlessly, as if the weight were insignificant. His steps were calm, controlled, and methodical. He completed the challenge with such precision that his teammates could only watch in awe.
The team finished first in this challenge, securing their position at the top.
New Event: Timed Vertical Climb
The final test, added at the last minute, was a vertical climb on a 25-meter-high wall, littered with unstable grips. Three members of each team had to participate. It wasn't about speed, but control, strategy, and strength.
— "I'll start," Elian said, a confident look on his face. "I've done climbing before."
— "I'm in," Zoe added, ready to climb.
But when it came time to choose a third member, Yuji and Reiko naturally turned to Ehito.
— "You're the one who adapts to everything," Reiko said. "You should take this one."
All eyes turned to Ehito. He, who seemed detached, felt the pressure build but showed no sign of it. He simply nodded.
— "I'll finish this event."
Elian and Zoe started the climb with caution, but the last to go was Ehito. What he did could only be described as a show: a perfect series of movements, hands and feet landing on the grips as though he knew them all by heart.
He reached the top in just 47 seconds, an achievement no one had expected. The crowd immediately reacted, stunned by his performance. When the results were announced, group 17 was once again in first place, with a comfortable lead.
End of the Day
As the sun began to set behind the arena buildings, the results of the day were displayed on the giant screens. Group 17 had finished first three times and second once, solidifying their position as one of the best competitors.
— "We're staying on top," Yuji said with a satisfied smile. "We've got what it takes to go all the way."
Ehito stood apart, watching the evening light fall over the arena. He didn't say a word. But his eyes were fixed on the goal.
This was only the beginning.