NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Chapter 8
"Mikasa, the front is the key. If your speed stays at this level, I'm going to take first place!" Ryo Akira glanced back at Mikasa, who was still far behind him. After running for so long, even someone as strong as Mikasa was exhausted. She no longer had the energy to speed up or even maintain her current pace.
If it weren't for her strong will, she would have given up by now. But hearing Ryo's words, Mikasa gathered every ounce of energy she had and instantly increased her speed. She seemed determined to surpass him.
Ryo smiled slightly, watching Mikasa's persistence. She was still unwilling to admit defeat. But today, he was determined to win first place.
As soon as Mikasa sped up, Ryo pushed himself even harder, reaching his maximum speed and crossing the finish line first.
**Ding!** The system notification rang in his mind.
"The host has completed the novice training task and earned 10 experience points. Please choose one reward item from the list!"
Ryo couldn't contain his excitement and immediately opened the system interface. He checked the experience bar—he now had 10 experience points. But more importantly, there were five items available for him to choose from.
"I choose the novice gloves!" Ryo decided.
A flash of light enveloped his hands, and a pair of dark gray gloves materialized. They felt soft, warm, and incredibly comfortable. Most importantly, they gave Ryo a noticeable boost in strength!
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The gloves felt incredibly natural as Ryo flexed his fingers. The strength they provided was noticeable, and he could already feel his hand strength improving. It was as if the gloves had fused with him, enhancing his abilities even further. Ryo clenched his fists, testing the newfound power in his hands, before turning his attention back to the rest of the trainees.
Mikasa finally crossed the finish line, panting heavily. Her gaze lingered on Ryo, her face twisted in frustration. She couldn't accept losing to him, but there was no denying his strength. Despite the loss, Mikasa's respect for him grew, and quietly, she set Ryo as her new goal. She was determined to surpass him.
The rest of the trainees trickled in one after another, some looking worn out but satisfied with their effort. The instructor, who had been watching from the sidelines, nodded approvingly before heading off to the camp to rest.
Ryo didn't pay too much attention to the other students. He had already made his observations. He knew Armin had a lot of potential for strategic thinking, but physically, he wasn't suited for direct combat. He could be more valuable working behind the scenes, coordinating and making battle plans instead of charging headfirst into a fight like the others.
As the last of the trainees finished, Ryo grabbed his plate and approached Krista. "Little angel, is there anyone sitting here? If not, mind if I join you?" He didn't wait for her reply, sitting down casually next to her.
Krista was a bit surprised. She and Ryo hadn't spoken much before. While Ryo had been gaining attention for his remarkable performance, Krista was just an ordinary trainee, quietly doing her best. She wasn't sure why he'd chosen to sit with her of all people.
"A-actually, no. No one else is here," she said, her voice a little shaky.
Ryo nodded and glanced at the bread on her plate. "Is it any good?" He pointed at the dark, dry-looking bread in front of her. This camp hadn't seen a proper supply drop in weeks, and the food was quickly becoming inedible. Ryo had already decided that he couldn't stomach it much longer, no matter how hungry he got.
Krista hesitated for a moment before responding, "It's… it's okay. But if you want it, you can have it. I don't really need it."
Krista picked up her bread and handed it to him, her gaze awkward as she did so. Ryo was taken aback. Her kindness felt so pure and sincere, like a beam of light cutting through the darkness of their harsh environment. In that moment, he almost felt like he saw a halo around her, making her appear even more angelic.
But Ryo wasn't one to take advantage of someone's kindness. He smiled and gently declined. "No, you should eat. I'm sure you're tired after everything."
He quickly pulled out some fresh bread, butter, and sauce he'd managed to prepare and handed it to Krista. "Here, eat this. You've earned it after that run. You should rest and get ready for tomorrow's training. It'll probably be even tougher."
Krista's eyes widened as she stared at the fresh, warm bread in her hands. It smelled amazing, much better than the standard camp food, and her stomach growled in response. She couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief, her body already craving the warmth of the meal.
"What is this?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
"It's bread I made just for you," Ryo replied with a smile. "You've been working hard, and I figured you could use something better than the usual stuff."
Krista blushed at the gesture. As she took a bite, the taste was better than anything she had eaten in a long while. She savored the flavor, and for the first time in a while, she felt truly content. The warmth and kindness radiating from Ryo were more comforting than any meal.
"Thank you…" Krista whispered, her eyes softening as she glanced up at him.
Ryo smiled and leaned back, content that he'd managed to make the day a little better for her. His gaze drifted around the camp, taking in the sights of the other trainees, but his mind was elsewhere. He knew that, just like Mikasa had set her sights on him, Krista was starting to see him in a different light as well.
As the night wore on, Ryo's thoughts turned inward. He wasn't just here to train and get stronger. He had bigger plans in mind—plans that involved taking control of his destiny and forging his own path. This camp, these people, they were just the beginning.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and Ryo Akira was ready to face them head-on, with a determined heart and a stronger resolve than ever before.