Obligatory Duty (Undergoing Revisions)

Chapter 10: Eisen

A marathon, starting from the courtyard, cutting through the forest, up a hill slope, all the way to the base situated at the top of the Karminrot hill. A grueling fifty km race in where no rules are enforced. A deadly situation. Where it is free for all... ... or not. There was no rule against teaming up.

I am weak. Absurdly weak. Someone like me has close to zero chance of passing this on my own. Finding accomplices is very vital to pass this. However, if I already depend on others in the very first test, how will I even last until the end? Should I try accomplishing this myself? It might be impossible though...

I don't really have much time to decide. And if I do decide to team up... Who do I team with? Who would be willing? Maybe Rin? No, I can't depend on her. Plus, her ability is not suited for this. Hmm, wait, is she even participating? I can't imagine someone as weak and sickly as her run this race. I turned around and asked her this since she was behind me yet again.

"Nope! I don't have to. My ability is needed badly in the army after all. I don't have to take the test. I am already automatically accepted." She answered cheerfully, while sarcastically wishing me, "Good luck and have fun, Orpheus."

Arghh, she knows, since I was young, I hated any physically strenuous tasks. She's totally making fun of me. Is this her revenge? This is her revenge, right?

While contemplating what to do and complaining how the world is unfair and how terrible my luck is, I found myself at the starting line of the race, at the very back of the 500 recruits in front of me. Come to think of it, Itsuo and Kaen were nowhere to be seen. They must be at the front, huh? They, being simpletons, must be thinking that at the front will give them better chances.

"Drei! Zwei! Eins!" the race starter shouted. After shouting one, he fired a flare into the ominous overcast sky. Crap, looks like it's going to rain? If it does, the muddy slopes of the hill will be no joke.

As soon as the race started, a metal wall materialized from nowhere. It just rose up straight to the sky from the ground. Sparkling, it reflected the sunlight that filtered through the tree canopy. Just as I was dumbfoundedly staring at it, a familiar voice roared out loud.

"Arghh! That Eisen girl and her petty tricks. I'll burn it all down!"

Eisen? Oh, I see. If it is that family, it makes sense.

Fireballs appeared, one by one continuously barraging the wall relentlessly. The metal wall started to glow red, the heat emanated started to make my skin tingle.

The starting line of the race was the only gate out into the forest. On both sides of the gate, electric fences encompassed the compound. No way to climb those, the other exits are way too far, leaving us with no choice but to get out through here, huh. The Eisen girl who raised this wall sure thought this through. But with Kaen here, it would not take too long.

But still, so annoying feel like I lost. I have to find a quicker way. Furthermore, Kaen looks as if he is getting tired. Metals generally have high melting points. Kaen has low stamina, just as he had proven last night. I don't think he can get through this in one go.

Climbing over it then I guess? I have my wire. Just need a hook? But how to stop people pulling me down when climbing it?