Out of the four hundred and one trainees, only four persevered: Alex, Nicholas, Klaus, and Sarah Margot. Much like Nicholas, Sarah also boasted fiery red hair, intricately braided into tresses. Standing at a modest 1m57(5'1), her young age belied a well-developed body. The sweat adhered to her training uniform, contouring her form like a second skin, accentuating her slender physique. Complementing her symmetric face, her brown eyes added to her undeniable beauty. Everyone, much like Klaus, unanimously agreed on her gorgeous appearance.
Nicholas, with short red hair and red eyes, stood tall at 1m65(5'4), exuding an aura of refinement with a strikingly handsome face.
As they continued, Alex, Nicholas, and Sarah found themselves laboring heavily, on the brink of exhaustion. Their pace had dramatically diminished, particularly Alex's. In stark contrast, Klaus maintained a façade of freshness, with only the glistening sweat on his face and clothes betraying the prolonged run.
After an additional five minutes, Sarah couldn't endure it any longer and gave up. Thirty minutes later, Nicholas also succumbed, leaving only Klaus and Alex on the demanding running track.
Alex's pace dwindled significantly, allowing Klaus, who maintained an unwavering speed since the start, to effortlessly overtake him. Staring at Klaus's composed expression, Alex swore internally, baffled by how Klaus looked as calm and composed as if he had just started to run. Everyone present in the Lionhart Youth training ground couldn't believe their eyes. Even the two guards, supposed to be vigilant at the training ground gate, were bewildered by the scene.
They entered the training ground because the unusual silence was foreign to the Lionhart youth training ground. It had only been less than an hour since they started to spectate, yet even to them, Klaus's calm expression after running for almost five hours was a mystery.
As soon as Klaus surpassed him, Alex felt his ego crumbling.
'Monster!' he thought before his legs gave up on him. He collapsed to the ground, gasping for air as he watched Klaus's back. The only thing that prevented him from crying was the sudden message notification.
Ding!
[An extreme stamina-surpassing action was performed.]
[Stamina Stat increased by 2.]
Although he wanted to resume running, his shaking legs wouldn't allow it. In frustration, he pounded the ground with his fist.
***
Klaus continued running for another forty minutes until Erina's raspy voice signaled him to stop.
"You can stop now!"
Klaus halted, walking with labored breaths before quickly normalizing his breathing, defying the fatigue that should have settled in after such an arduous run.
'What a monster,' both instructors marveled simultaneously, watching Klaus walk with awe-struck trainees staring at him as though he hailed from another realm.
Wiping cold sweat from his forehead, Klaus reflected on the demanding test, finding it relatively easy compared to the rigorous training in Ludovic's mansion.
'It's a shame I didn't gain any stats,' Klaus pondered, casting a glance at where most of the trainees had assembled.
"Good job, everyone," Erina cheered, her applause met by Rick joining in. Meanwhile, disgruntled children who had given up expressed their frustration with muttered curses.
To Erina's cheerful smile, those who lasted more than three hours smiled in satisfaction, while others shared their struggles and triumphs.
"Don't worry. I won't fail you out yet," Erina announced with an eerie smile.
"What?"
"Hmm..."
"Damn it!"
To her unexpected statement, the children who gave up frowned and lowered their heads, bewildered by the uncertainty.
On the other hand, those who endured for more than three hours smiled in satisfaction, despite their tired expressions.
"Don't worry. I won't fail you out yet," Erina said with a creepy smile.
"What?"
"Pardon?"
"What does she mean?"
Confusion filled the air as children strained to understand Erina's cryptic words.
"I said you were going to be tested, but I didn't say that the decision would be made today."
"Ah!"
"Is... Is that true?"
"Yes. However, if you keep training like today, then most of you will fail out."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Wh-what does that mean...?"
The children stared at Erina in disbelief. Despite barely fifty trainees running for more than three hours and Klaus, Alex, Nicholas, and Sarah among them, it was challenging to believe that most would fail.
"I clearly mentioned that you should run at full speed, but you saved your strength while running. Among the four hundred and one of you, nobody ran at full speed the entire time, not even the little monster over there." Erina briefly glanced at Klaus.
"Except that he is the only one who kept the same pace until the very end; that is quite an impressive feat for a young lad.
Everyone preserved their strength as they ran. It's pathetic that some of you ended up giving up despite that."
"Ah."
"Sh*t."
Exposed, the children couldn't hide their embarrassment, their faces turning red.
Rick grinned, a mysterious smile blending seriousness and cunning.
"Your status will be 'Temporary Trainee' from now on. We will remove the 'temporary' from it if you manage to pass the test that will take place in four months."
"What will the test be about?" Sarah Margot inquired, raising her hand.
"It wouldn't be fun if I told you about it. There will be a ranking, so do your best."
"How hard do we have to train?" Sarah asked again, and this time Erina responded.
"I will give you a simple but straightforward hint."
Erina surveyed the children, their eyes shimmering with expectations.
"For four months, complete all the training that I give you. If you just follow my instructions, without involving your personal opinions, then you will pass your test for sure."
"Oh!"
"Is... Is that true?"
"Doesn't that sound too simple?"
The children's expressions brightened as if they were facing the sun upon hearing that following instructions was enough.
"I never lie. If you follow my instructions, you will pass. However..." Erina's lips curved.
"That won't be easy. I'm just going to give you the instructions and let you train however you want. If you follow them the way you did today, then everyone will fail without exception."