Everyone was getting ready for the endurance race, the first competition between the two classes. Everyone had put on their sports attire for this long marathon. Only a few minutes remained before the start of the race.
Louis approached Élio and said:
"Here we are again, big guy. I hope you've worked on your cardio in the meantime."
"A little, but that didn't stop me from fixing your face again," replied Élio.
"Your long arms won't help you in this event, big guy. Try not to finish last," said Louis as he walked away.
Phénix, the second-best in Class 1 (A-) in terms of power, positioned himself next to Darian, who barely glanced at him. He didn't say a word, but his objective was clear: he wanted to beat Darian to prove he was the best. To him, Darian was his only obstacle to securing first place.
Arthur, on the other hand, aimed to win this race. This competition was his chance to get the principal's help and make up for lost time.
Frank arrived.
"I hope you're all ready," he said, holding a whistle in his hand.
Everyone took their positions.
"3, 2, 1, Go!"
They all took off.
Very quickly, a leading pack formed, with Arthur neck and neck with Darian. Just behind them was Azel, and a little further back, Phénix, who was visibly unsettled by the pace at which the others were running. It was an endurance race, but teenagers hungry for competition couldn't resist trying to outdo each other while staying ahead. A crushing victory... that was the Asturian mentality.
A little further back were Jason and Louis. Élio remained in the massive group just behind them, representing most of the students. Not everyone could shine in this event; ultimately, what mattered was ranking well in the end. Most students didn't expect to win but aimed to place well enough to qualify for the tournament event.
About ten minutes after the start, the two leading packs slowed down. After all, they couldn't afford to burn out too quickly.
Some students began to tire, usually those with high-level powers. They could afford not to have peak physical condition because their talent was enough. But in such a competitive world, that only landed them at the bottom of the rankings. Another ten minutes later, the first dropouts appeared, including Clara. The race had been going on for 20 minutes, and now students were stopping almost every minute. Frank kept a close eye to ensure everyone maintained a steady pace. It was a race; merely jogging would lead to elimination.
There was no longer a clear leading pack; everyone was in a large group. Strategy had taken precedence over ego. Still, Darian made the effort to take the lead.
Why? Out of ego, as always, but also because he was a child upon whom great expectations were placed. He was blessed by the heavens and destined to lead his kingdom to victory. His short life thus far had given him an oversized ego but also a deep sense of responsibility. His talent was phenomenal, but he was by no means lazy. He had to prove he was the best in every field, and through relentless effort, he had always succeeded. Whether it was teachers, fellow students, or anyone who had ever interacted with him, one thought always crossed their minds—whether they loved him or hated him: "Chosen one for a reason."
At 40 minutes, only 25 runners remained. Everyone left was in agony, but they all had great physical endurance. Élio was exhausted but held on, now among the last ten in the remaining group. Phénix was visibly frustrated, having fallen behind since the start and looking just as drained.
Louis was probably the most fatigued of the group, but he clung on. What angered him most was seeing Élio overtake him—Élio, who seemed out of shape just weeks ago. He was furious, especially at himself. Once again, 25th out of 50. Average. A word he hated yet defined him so well. Through an exceptional mental effort, he made it to 50 minutes, dropping out in 20th place along with Léana and Jean.
By the one-hour mark, only 15 students remained. Élio was still in the race, second to last, but he seemed capable of holding on. Unlike him, Phénix, slightly ahead, appeared to be struggling but persevered.
Darian and Arthur were covered in sweat but weren't visibly exhausted. If you ignored the sweat, they looked almost as fresh as they had 20 minutes ago.
Azel was struggling but seemed to still be able to continue.
"This is where things get really tough, but this is where we grow," thought Frank as he watched the struggling students.
All the remaining students felt their minds shifting under the effects of fatigue. They began recalling forgotten memories and entered a state of contemplation.
"The beginning is over, the journey starts here," thought Phénix to motivate himself.