Valen began climbing the mountain silently, his steps devouring the rocks one by one. The wind whipped his clothes as if nature itself were testing his resolve. When he reached the summit, he didn't hesitate to shout loudly:
Valen:
"Where is the CEO?!"
The other competitors turned their eyes toward him as if his entrance was an unexpected insult.
Mocking Competitor:
"What a fool… he knows nothing."
A man appeared standing at the helicopter's edge, wearing a long black coat, his voice a mix of confidence and disdain.
CEO – Bakuto:
"Look… we have a brave competitor here.
Sign this paper first."
Valen took the paper, looked at the terms, and paused at a clause that caught his curiosity.
Clause 13:
"No retreat… and if you win, you must use the stone."
He raised his head steadily.
Valen:
"Understood."
He boarded the helicopter with only five people. He noticed the number and then turned to Bakuto.
Valen:
"Why are there only five participants?"
Bakuto smiled cunningly.
Bakuto:
"Because you're the last participant… and most likely the weakest."
A faint laugh escaped Valen, a laugh no one else could hear.
Valen – internally:
"He doesn't know I can use the Pico."
---
The helicopter landed on an uninhabited island, a wide expanse with no buildings, as if it were created specifically for killing and testing. Competitors gathered near the shore, and a man holding a megaphone appeared with a wide smile.
Announcer – Rakto:
"Welcome everyone to the greatest Nerve Competition held once every decade!
I'm your announcer, Rakto… or you may call me Rakto-senpai.
Today, we have three stones, ninety competitors… and everyone wants the stones!"
An employee stepped forward holding a digital tablet.
Employee – Raben:
"Your name is Valen, right?"
Valen:
"Yes."
Raben:
"Choose the stone you want to compete for."
Valen lifted his gaze steadily and said without hesitation:
Valen:
"All the stones."
The employee froze for a second, sensing something… as a faint aura emitted from Valen's body and then vanished.
Raben:
"Alright… sign the terms for each stone."
---
The announcer raised his hands excitedly.
Rakto:
"Time for the first competition!
Get ready to watch the strongest competitors!
The first stone we'll compete for is the Lightning Stone!
And the first challenge… a 100-kilometer race!"
Whispers appeared among the crowd.
Strange Competitor:
"Hmm… it seems this challenge stimulates the muscles to endure the Lightning Stone's energy."
Valen – internally:
"Good… this is easy. I think I'm the only one here who can use Pico."
Rakto raised his hand:
Rakto:
"Count with us—
Three… one… two… go!"
Everyone started running.
Valen:
"Time to activate my aura."
A faint aura rose around his feet, propelling him forward like a bullet.
Rakto (excited):
"The front-runner… who is this? His name is strange… Valen!
But right behind him is a competitor named Raizen!"
---
Valen approached Raizen, looking at him confidently.
Valen:
"Let's see who's faster!"
Raizen (cold tone):
"You call this a race? Do you want me to finish it?"
Valen:
"I challenge you."
Valen observed his opponent carefully.
Valen – internally:
"He concentrates most of his aura in his legs… clever."
---
The finishing whistle blew before the announcer could continue.
Rakto:
"What?! Someone finished the race in just three minutes!
It's the beast… Kuarsi Raizen! A new record!"
Raizen stood panting, his hands trembling.
Raizen:
"You asked me to finish the race… ah… my hands hurt!"
Rakto:
"You've broken both your hands!"
Narrator:
When the aura is concentrated in one part of the body, the other parts suffer from even the smallest movement.
Raizen's weakest spot… his hands.
---
Valen stood before him with sincere admiration.
Valen:
"Congratulations on winning the first challenge.
If you don't mind… can you teach me how to control aura like that?"
Raizen opened a haughty smile… yet it was not hostile.
Raizen:
"It's an honor… I didn't know I had fans this much.
I'll teach you after I get the stone."
Valen smiled confidently.
Valen:
"Good luck…
But remember, the stone will be mine in the end."