"I am Unnamed. My title is dead."
In the World, the Planet, and the Base, it's either be number one or die.
The alternative to dying, however, is to become an Unnamed. Turning eighteen means that you will compete for your name. Come out on top, you...
"I had six of mine make it into the top five in six of the many categories. That's what bumped me to the top.
"They brought in the little five year olds that had just turned and lined them up in a row. I was really good at picking out the successful ones.
"You all had no training whatsoever, because you had just been assigned to your Category. You all wore your new shirts proudly, but you, Runner, you were beaming. You looked like you loved where you were placed.
"So that was that. I chose you and four other children. I really wanted to choose another Runner, of course, because it's one of my favorite Categories to train. You are all so dedicated...
"But, as you know, I couldn't do that. Only the Elite Runner can choose more than one Runner, like I can choose two children from my Category: Solvers.
"You worked the hardest of any of the Servants I've ever had, and that's a good quality to have, considering it's a winning quality, and you need to win to become one of the Named.
"Now onto the subject of the Competitions," The Master says, giving the Runner a slight smile and beginning to pace at the end of the table. "There are many Categories, but you will only compete in one of those. The first of your races will include everyone in both your age group and your Category. It's not going to be an easy race, and you're going to have to train hard for it, if you don't want to become an Unnamed.
"Once you find out your placement, which I'm sure you'll finish in the top five, at least, you will receive a name and be shuffled off into the room with the other nine competitors where you will learn all of their secrets, not by asking, but by watching. They will stretch, warm up, and practice in that room that you all will be shut into for three days' time.
"I advise you not to show your strengths in front of them and to get to know them, because once the three days are up, you will be sent to a room where you will evaluate each competitor that you had spent the last three days with. The questions will ask you what they are good at and what they are bad at. Once finished with that, you will be taken to a hallway to wait. You can do whatever you want in that hallway as long as you don't leave or break any rules.
"Once it's your turn, you will go into the room. It will be simulated to rid of your strengths and your weaknesses, creating an even playing field, since none of your opponents will be equally matched as you, due to other Masters training them.
"When you finish, you will not know what place you are in. The results will be announced live, and you will be brought onto stage one at a time, receiving your Title. The ones who do not make the top five will be sent back out into the World, and will live as Servants to their Masters for the rest of their lives.
"Now this is where it gets tricky, Runner," The old man says as he stops to lean on the table, looking directly at the boy in the jacket. "Make the top five, and you will go head-to-head against the Elite Runner.
"I know you know all of this. You watch the Competitions every year, and I'm sure you stare at it wide-eyed, just waiting for your turn to earn a Name and a Title."
The Master pauses for a moment, thinking to himself.
"Runner," He says. "Do you plan on making it to Number One?"
The Runner looks at him. That's all he's ever wanted to do. That's all anyone should ever want to do. It's the purpose of the Competitions, isn't it? To be Number One and be the Elite for your Category. To win and represent your Category well by bringing in your beliefs and your ideas.
Right?
"Yes, Master. I've always dreamed of it."
The old Elite Solver looks perplexed, his brow furrowing as he nods.
"All right. Well, once the race starts, there's no going back. The Elite Runner will do everything in his power to stay an Elite, especially this one...
"If you do beat the Elite Runner in some way, you will be awarded and you will receive his mansion. He will retire, and you will take his place.
"Now, Runner," The old man walks around the length of the table and stands beside the boy, his old face grave. "I need you to know something. The Elite of the Runner Category... He's the second to replace an Elite by winning. He's been up there for only two years, and he won't give up without a fight. So if you decide you really want to go for the Number One spot and force him to retire... that is your decision."
His decision?
Something inside of the Runner aches. Giving a flawed human being—any flawed human being the right to their own decision and free will is what created wars and rebellions back then. How can he make his own decision if he's never really made on his whole life? He makes the decision to get up in the morning and to warm up, and he makes the decision to do his job, but those things are necessary if he doesn't want to become one of the Unnamed.
His Master must see the thoughts in the Runners' eyes, and he places his hands on the boys' shoulders to assure him.
"It's okay to decide for yourself," he whispers encouragingly. "Sometimes it's the only option you have."
+ + +
The Master released the Runner from work for the day to think about everything.
Of course I'm going to do it, the Runner thinks to himself as he jogs along the wall of the World. I haven't trained my entire life to throw it all away at the last second.
The Elite Runner is whom the Runner always dreamed about going up against. He loves running. It's his life.
The Runner wants to be the best. He wants to talk when he's not supposed to and express what he thinks, though the thought scares him half to death.
He would have to give his all.
He will go against the Elite Runner. He just has to get past all of the other Runners first.
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