NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Chapter 7
Ryo Akira grinned as he left Mikasa in his dust. The wind whipped past him as his legs powered him forward, a rhythmic beat of strength and endurance. He didn't need to look back to know Mikasa was on his heels, determined not to let him get too far ahead. Her drive was impressive, but this was his moment.
"What's with these two? They're running so fast, it's like they're not even human!" Rang muttered to himself, his frustration clear as he watched Ryo and Mikasa outpace everyone. The competition was stiff, but now, it was a race for second place as both Mikasa and Ryo had surged ahead with astonishing speed.
Ryo didn't care about Rang's complaint. His focus was on the finish line and the goal that lay beyond it. The instructor had been watching them, his interest piqued by their unnatural speed.
Behind him, Ani's eyes narrowed as she observed Ryo and Mikasa with a mix of surprise and skepticism. She had known Mikasa was strong, but seeing her move with such explosive power at the end of the race was unexpected. And Ryo… He was something else. His movements were calculated, too precise to be a mere display of brute strength.
Ani's instincts told her that Ryo was holding something back. She had spent her life mastering her own combat skills, but she could tell there was something more beneath the surface with Ryo. His strength wasn't just physical—there was a hidden edge to him, a power that wasn't immediately visible. He might be someone to watch, even for someone like her who rarely considered anyone a threat.
As Ryo continued to close the gap between himself and Mikasa, he couldn't help but notice the instructor's frantic attempts to catch up. "What's wrong with these two? Even the horses can't keep up!" the instructor exclaimed, his voice filled with awe. Ryo didn't stop to listen, but the comment made him smile.
Instructor Keith was obviously impressed. He was no stranger to training exceptional students, but Ryo and Mikasa had taken things to a whole new level. Keith could feel the excitement bubbling up inside him. He knew he had found something special in this batch of recruits. As they reached the final stretch, Keith couldn't help but think that when these students made their mark on the world, he would be the one to boast about training them.
Mikasa, always competitive, pushed herself harder as Ryo glanced back, slowing just enough to tease her. "Come on, Mikasa, I thought you were faster than this," he teased, his grin wide. He wasn't worried. He was more than confident in his ability to outpace her.
But Mikasa wasn't one to back down easily. "You're not the only one with something to prove, Akira!" she shot back, her voice a mix of determination and challenge. It was clear she wasn't going to let him have all the fun.
As the race progressed, the distance between them barely increased. Ryo and Mikasa were neck-and-neck, each pushing their limits. It was a battle of wills now, not just speed.
Ryo could feel his muscles burn with the effort, but he wasn't about to let up. He needed to prove something—not just to Mikasa, but to himself as well. This was more than just a race. It was a statement. And he was determined to finish strong.
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Meanwhile, back in the training grounds, Ani continued her silent observation, her mind working over the implications of Ryo's performance. He had clearly surpassed her expectations, and that was a rare thing. She wasn't used to seeing anyone pull ahead so easily. She had spent years honing her own skills, yet this new recruit was already a formidable opponent. And if Ryo kept pushing like this, he might become a serious obstacle to whatever goals she had in the future.
But for now, she would bide her time. It wasn't the right moment to confront him directly. She would wait, watch, and learn. Because the last thing she wanted was to underestimate someone as unpredictable as Ryo Akira.
The instructor, too, was forming his thoughts on Ryo's potential. He had seen many students in his time, but there was something undeniably extraordinary about this one. Ryo's endurance, his drive—it was all a little beyond what most humans could handle. Keith couldn't wait to see what he would do next.