"Start jogging!"
Maeyurai and Naguta immediately started jogging side by side after Wuyo's call.
30 laps shouldn't be too difficult now.
It's the same amount as when I trained under Huizen.
The only difference is the field I'm running on. It's bigger and wider.
The two brown-haired guys continued to jog around the track while the others chatted with each other on the side.
As the two were jogging, Wuyo told them that they could head out of the barracks to do whatever they wanted, but they needed to come back within an hour. Though, Wuyo stayed back to watch Naguta and Maeyurai.
"Hey," Maeyurai called out to his left, trying to keep a proper breathing technique. "Naguta, right?"
Naguta turned his head to the right, glancing Maeyurai's way. "Yeah, what is it?"
"I just wanted to greet you," said Maeyurai. "Is this how it is for every new archer?"
"It is," Naguta answered. "But there is a great difference between your assessment and the others."
Without letting Maeyurai speak again, Naguta continued. "You're being assessed alone and not with 15 others."
"15 others? Why specifically 15?" asked Maeyurai. He was curious about why there was a specific number and not a general amount.
"Because you survived The Hunt alone. The event usually lasts for the whole day, where you have to go camping to survive in the forest. But this year's Hunt ended immediately on the 5th hour, with you standing on top of a hundred corpses."
Maeyurai's face distorted in a mock frown. Imagining himself standing over corpses didn't look good in his mind.
"You make it sound as if I killed all of them."
"It looks like it to me," said Naguta with a smirk. "You being the only one left by whatever was there can't be a coincidence, can it? It sounds planned."
It made sense to Maeyurai.
He fell into thought.
What was that Shrieker even doing there in the first place?
Was it just wandering around and coincidentally arriving at the venue?
It's possible someone brought the Shrieker, like Mhiya or Wency. But it still doesn't make sense.
He would reply, "Right, it does sound planned in a different perspective."
13 laps in, Maeyurai doesn't feel that his stamina has been reduced. Or it's just that he's built up so much energy that it takes a long time to deplete. Either way, he wasn't anywhere near worn out.
"By the way," Maeyurai said, trying to strike up another conversation. "How old are you, Naguta?"
"Hm?" Naguta hummed in question. "You ask how old I am? It's 24."
"Oh, damn," uttered Maeyurai. He didn't expect that Naguta would already be an adult with how he looks. Well, it made sense that he's 24; it's a young age for his looks, and he's been in the army previously.
Or Naguta could be good enough that he made it in the army when he was a teenager.
"I thought you were 17 or 18... I didn't expect that."
It was silent for a moment, only interrupted by the sounds of their footsteps as they jogged.
"I don't recall you ever telling your age when you introduced yourself," said Naguta.
"Oh, right, I didn't do that earlier. I'm only 16."
Naguta's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't make a noise or a single gasp.
"Really?" he said in skepticism. "You're young and incredibly courageous. Participating in The Hunt at that age sounds very difficult, but you made history."
"I made history?" asked Maeyurai. Him creating a memorable history in Gangumen wasn't in his book, so Naguta's words had him reconsidering his experience.
"Yes," Naguta immediately answered. "You being one of the youngest to participate and being the first to be the only victor of The Hunt—that's going to be memorable for the archers of Gangumen."
Maeyurai fell silent. He couldn't think of a reply.
"Does that surprise you?" Naguta asked.
"Yeah, kind of," replied Maeyurai, his voice flat.
"That's understandable."
Soon, they would reach the 27th lap. There were only 3 laps left, and afterwards, the first assessment would be over.
As they passed Wuyo, the two suddenly heard a voice shouting.
"For the next 3 laps, sprint as fast as you can! Race the other one, and the winner gets free dinner!" Wuyo yelled out.
Upon hearing Wuyo's words, Maeyurai felt a rush and started sprinting right away. Of course, Naguta did the same as well.
The two were sprinting at an equal pace, not giving out to one another. It looked like they were synchronized due to how similarly they ran and how fast they were.
"Huff-huff-huff!"
Sharp breathing could be heard even from across the field as the two kept running around the field, finishing their 27th lap.
Maeyurai gritted his teeth and forced himself to go faster. It was working; he gained the lead.
However, Naguta couldn't let Maeyurai get the win; he really wanted that free dinner from Wuyo.
On the other hand, Maeyurai was fueled by the will to win. The satisfaction of beating your senior at anything was something he looked forward to.
"Hurgh!" Naguta grunted, pushing himself further. Taking a closer look, he was baffled by Maeyurai's physical capabilities. He didn't expect that Maeyurai could keep up with him.
The two of them kept running, passing through the 28th lap.
Neither one of them budged, continuing to push forward.
Maeyurai was starting to get a side stitch due to the prolonged running. His stamina still wasn't enough for long-distance running.
Naguta, on the other hand, looked like he could go on for 10 more laps.
The 29th lap. Maeyurai was feeling the burn, but he kept on going.
He was breathing heavily, but he forced himself to breathe properly to conserve stamina.
It's so close!
I'm right there; I see it...
Maeyurai ignored the side stitch and pushed himself further.
Maybe I'll regret this later... But who cares? He thought to himself, feeling the presence of Naguta on his left.
Maeyurai was 20 meters away from the lap line; he was leading.
And then, Naguta started to increase his pace further, taking the first place.
Seeing Naguta take the lead, Maeyurai immediately sped up, trying to retake his previous position.
Fwick—Crask!
The pain was almost too much, and he couldn't breathe. Due to the distraction, he stumbled and fell to his knee, tumbling forward with strong momentum.
A second after, Naguta reached the 30th lap, winning the race that Wuyo initiated at the 27th lap.
Naguta silently celebrated, pumping his fist near his chest without making a sound.
On the ground, Maeyurai was breathing heavily, disappointed with himself.
Damn, I almost had it!
So close... I could've won!
"Hah... Hagh..."
Maeyurai rose to his feet, placing his hands on his knees to recover energy.
"Damnit..." he muttered under his breath.
He then walked towards Wuyo when he regained some of his energy. Standing beside him was Naguta.
"Great job, you two," said Wuyo as he clapped his hands.
"And you," he continued, looking at Maeyurai. "I can see even more improvements from you. Keep it up."
More improvements...?
Alright, whatever. I didn't get the win, but this is fine.
"As for you, Naguta," said Wuyo as he turned his gaze towards Naguta. "I'll treat you to dinner later. Just pick where and what you want to eat. No food costing more than 50 silver though."
"Thank you, captain!" Naguta replied.
Maeyurai was silent. He was waiting for Wuyo to say something.
I wonder what the next assessment is...
"Maeyurai," Wuyo called.
Upon hearing his name, Maeyurai would straighten his posture. "Yes, captain?"
"Take a rest. The next assessment will be 30 minutes from now. As for what you have to do after resting, you can explore the barracks and talk to the other archers."
"Okay," Maeyurai replied, bowing his head.
Wuyo would then dismiss both Naguta and Maeyurai, gesturing for them to go to the barracks.
After the gesture, Naguta would immediately head towards the barracks, looking at Maeyurai over his shoulder to see if he would follow.
Seeing Naguta's gaze, Maeyurai followed right away.
"So," he said. "We'll be sharing a dorm, right?"
"We are," Naguta replied.
"Hm, I could've won if it weren't for my stamina."
"Is that so? How confident of you. Maybe you should train harder," Naguta teased with a grin.
"I definitely will."
*
30 minutes have passed. It was time for the second assessment.
Before the second assessment started, Maeyurai had a talk with Wuyo.
He asked what the next assessments were about so he could have an idea of what they could possibly focus on.
The first assessment was about physical endurance; the second would be applied physical strength. The activity is to cut down a log into different pieces with an axe.
The third was archery efficiency and aim; the activity is all about shooting static or moving targets from a hundred meters away.
The fourth was hand-to-hand combat, where Maeyurai would spar against his partner, Naguta. Wuyo stated that this was essential when an archer loses his bow or when there are no other weapons to fight with.
The fifth and last one would be mana assessment. Maeyurai's magic and mana would be tested, partnered by Naguta, who will guide the way. Mana combat without a medium will also be practiced here.
Maeyurai stood on the field with Naguta, listening to whatever Wuyo was going to tell them.
"Okay," Wuyo said. "The two of you, get one log from the side of the barracks and bring it here. Make sure to bring an axe along the way."
The two guys, Maeyurai and Naguta, nodded their heads before walking to get the logs and axes.
As they were walking together, Naguta would say, "Maeyurai, go get the axes; they're in the storage room. I'll get the logs."
"Okay," Maeyurai replied, separating from Naguta to get the axes.
A few minutes later, the logs and axes were prepared. The two were ready to start.