Chapter 6
Reid felt the eyes boring into the back of his head as he stood amongst his fellow classmates. He had come first in the race giving him a head start on the score board.
He then turned to the boy who seemed to bear a large amount of dislike for him. Hatred was a more accurate way to describe it. From the scoreboard, he found his name to be Haze. Going through his memory, he couldn't think of anything he had done to cause such negative feeling to be aimed at him.
Putting that thought aside just in time to hear the next test. It was basically an endurance test; Push ups...
Basically the ranking is determined by how long you last with the last man standing getting the highest score and the first man to drop getting the lowest.
'This is going to be a piece of cake.' He thought with a small smile before it turned to a frown.
'This is only the beginning. I've wasted too much time...' he thought solemnly. Upon waking up on this world, he was overwhelmed by the fact of rebirth and more importantly, of having a family. So much that he pushed aside everything else just to enjoy that feeling.
His planned to start his training early but then he had no knowledge on the risk that would put his body in. The infant body is not made for stress and could cause damage if not careful. Using that as his excuse he pushed forward his preparations. His alternate plan was to start during his sixth year going to seventh but being here made him realize something.
He had been making excuses. He could've started the moment he turned six but he didn't. It took his mother essentially bribing him to make him train.
"Alright everyone spread out. We're about to begin!" Came the voice of the instructor but he didn't pay him any attention.
'I've been a fool, lavishly wallowing in the euphoria of mediocrity.'
"...No more..." Reid mumbled out, confusing some of his classmates who were close enough to hear.
The students, Reid included, all got into the position to perform push ups as they were instructed. Seeing that they were all ready, the instructor gave the signal.
"Begin!"
'No more!!!' Reid yelled internally. His eyes, which he was unaware when they closed, snapped open revealing coal black eyes that radiated resolve.
Getting down to the ground, he lowered his body close to the ground before pushing himself back back up in a controlled manner. One, two, three four... He simply kept going, not caring about the other participants.
Within the first minute, many people had fallen and given up due to the now shaky and weak state of their hands but only about seven remained, continuing their push-ups.
[*Di- he couldn't be bothered to check the notification. His mind was fully focused on the exercise.
*Thud!*
That was the sound of someone's hands giving away, causing them to fall face flat on the ground.
"I-i give..." a nearby voice behind Reid managed to speak out.
Beside Reid, Haze who was one of the remaining six, looked on in confused rage. He had noticed when the second test started, Reid's mask of indifference disappeared completely and was replaced by something else.
'Why...'
He looked at his arms which felt like they would give up on him at any moment. He then looked towards Reid who just kept going with no pause or change in rhythm. He looked like he could go in forever.
'Why...'
He looked at the look of determination and resolve that had been on Reid's face since the beginning of this test and couldn't help but resent him even more.
'Why is it always like this... What does he have that I don't!? How can he so easily surpass me!?' He lamented mentally. Judging by the fact that the instructor and a few students looked a bit concerned, it seems his internal turmoil was visible on his face and body language.
"There's no need to push yourself too much. If you feel that you can't take anymore, it's okay." Came the voice of the instructor to the now remaining four students as two more had fallen.
This went on for another two minutes before it was now remaining only two; Reid and Haze. Haze looked like he was balancing a truck on his back as his entire body visibly trembled. Reid on the other hand, still looked as fresh as he began, with his tempo neither increasing nor decreasing which astonished everyone.
An intense look of hatred manifested on Haze's face as he watched Reid seemingly breeze through this.
'I hate you...' those were his last thoughts as his body gave out, unceremoniously falling to the floor.
Reid didn't spare him a glance, just barely acknowledging his fall and the fact that he was the last man standing...pulling up...whatever. He continued his rhythm although he had clearly passed.
"Reid! The exercise is over. You can stop now."
Even after the instructor called his attention, he still didn't stop. It wasn't until he was pulled up to his feet by the man that he finally stopped.
"Look, I get that you want to show off but there's a time for everything. Everybody we'll be taking a thirty minute break before we continue so rest up. You'll need it." He said, directing the beginning towards Reid and announcing the ending to everyone.
"Hmph."
Reid shook his hands off his shoulder off his shoulder before moving to a secluded corner, ignoring the eyes on him, especially the irritated look from the instructor.
'Arrogant brats, always thinking they're the greatest.' He thought before walking away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[You have gained +1 Str!]
[You have gained +1 Str!]
[You have gained +1 Vit]
[You have gained +1 Str!]
Going through the notifications, he evaluated his earnings. He hadn't reached the point of stagnation yet but he was still slow.
He looked around to make sure no was observing him before letting out a sigh he was holding. Unlike what everyone thought, he was indeed tired. He simply masked it. It was partially due to the adrenaline at that moment dulling the pain in his muscles allowing him to fool everyone.
He had quickly shaken off the teacher's hand from his shoulder to prevent him from catching on to the act. He looked at his hands as the trembled and shook. He shook his head, clearing his mind as he thought.
'This is only the beginning.'