Run For Your Life

Before the race started, I used prediction to see which one of us would be the fastest. I couldn't believe what I saw, a guy with dull brown hair and a mischievous, almost perverted smile stood not far from me. Without warning, he vanished for a brief three seconds, leaving me puzzled. Then, just as suddenly, he reappeared at the finishing line with the stamp on his hand. This guy must be having a skill that lets him teleport, if I cling to him, maybe I would also be teleported, this prediction thing did proved to be useful. 

I jumped where he was standing and held him tightly before the bell to start the race rang.

"What, did some girl got attracted by my looks-hey you what are you doing, I am not into dudes, okay get off me now" he first got excited and then got really annoyed 

"Hero-sama, please let me teleport with you" I said in a gay tone

"No way"

Then the bell rang and he teleported without me

[Shit, so it doesn't work like that huh]

I started making a cycle so that I could ride on it as there is no other way left for me, but some black chains suddenly bound me and I couldn't feel my power anymore, the construction of cycle stopped halfway. When I looked behind, it was that krudo guy

"Hahaha, what happened, having problem to use your skills" he said while laughing

[Damn, this is bad, I am already out of time here and yet this, this is why I wanted to keep Natalia and mine relationship a secret, I have unprecedented hostility now]

But krudo didn't stop me only, he could release countless number of chains, he grabbed all the other students around him and the ones who were in the lead. He couldn't stop that teleportation guy though because he already did his thing before he could react and won the race.

"Hey, let me go bastard"

"let me go or I will kill you" other guys started yelling as they were in a sudden panic 

I have to do something, then I noticed that the cycle I made halfway is completed now actually, does that mean he stopped my movements but didn't nullify my skill, but other guys are unable to use their skill. Then I tried to use prediction and I could also use that, dunno what's going on but it works for me. I absorbed the chains binding only me, of course why would I help the other players.

"What, how did you-" he said

"Even your skills have some limitations, bye then" then I rode on my bicycle and rushed

He tried to stop me again but I just absorbed all the chains he threw at me. I was trying my best paddling but crossing 23 km on a bicycle, I won't win like this.

[It would've been so easy and cool if I could also fly somehow, if only I could also use some flying animal technique or I had wings] was all I could think as it was becoming clear to me that I would lose.

Like the time has become somewhat slower.

I looked around at the other guys, trying so desperately while tears coming out of their eyes, they fall and yet they stand up again so that they could pass. Why does this exam include something like a race, someone can be strong enough to destroy whole armies but maybe not faster than a normal human. These guys are running like their life depends on it, they are running for their life. Is that the very concept of this first round, when you are in a battle you know you will lose and your enemy is chasing you with the intent to kill, you can't do anything but run for your life. That's it, I am gonna give it everything I have got.

"Peiji-kun, you can do it"

"Keep going, Peiji"

Natalia and my parents were cheering for me. If I don't have wings, I will just create them.

What wings do, is just push down the air, and in return the air push them back upwards, even when we jump we apply force to the ground in return of which we are pushed by the ground, it's all about applying force in the opposite direction. The best way to do that is to use fire.

I always saw my mom cook with the fire produced from gas, I use that same information and make 2 cylindrical like structure which will emit a huge fire that will let me fly. Then I attach strings to it in such a way that I can hang it on my back like a backpack.

*Peiji has made a jetpack here*

 I leave the bicycle and jump while igniting it, the moment it started I got too high in the air by the sudden pressure, I slowly learned how to control my body language. It's too hard to maintain the posture in hair, I made 2 very light wings of steel and attached them on both of my hands. I looked like some glider with a boosted speed. I was left far behind already, so I used these new creations of mine to blast through the race course. 

When I was near the finishing line, I saw krudo swinging using his chains. There was a screen above the line which was showing a number 488, that means only 12 more students would pass, krudo finished at 489th, there were 11 students before me who were about to pass. I was afraid that I will be 501st and will be declared failed. The one who was at the 11th in those 11 people was simply running, I don't know how he got here just by running but if I have to pass, he has to fall. I used the chains that I absorbed from the krudo at the start and threw them at his legs which caused him to disbalance.

In a race this intense, if you stop even for a moment, you will be left behind, that guy falling gave me a huge leisure and I was ahead of him in no time. As I was about to cross the finishing line and become the 500th player to pass, he grabbed me leg as I was in the air.

[What, how did he came here so fast after falling and even jumped this high. Even if he grabbed me I should still be able to fly but I am stuck like I am frozen or something, just what is this guy's skill]

Other players were approaching, I didn't have any other choice, so I immediately made a katana and cut his hand from which he was grabbing.

"Aaah, no ,wait you rascal" he shouted while falling

As soon as I was free to go, I crossed the line and won. The coordinators stopped the other players from crossing so that they won't mix with us winners.

"You, I lost because of you. I will remember your face and will surely take revenge on you someday, just you wait you damn cheater" that guy yelled at me with crying eyes but coordinators took him away ensuring no conflicts to happen

*sigh*

I took a deep breathe with a smile on my face as I was relieved and happy. I am glad I didn't give up and thought of a solution in between or I might would have ended up like that guy who was yelling at me. He said he would take revenge on me, well losers always end up screaming anyways. I should just forget about it and enjoy this moment.

"Ha, Natalia-chan and Peiji will be classmates in the Ult, now. Both my son and daughter in-law, I am so happy" mom was in her own world and dad was looking after her

"Huh, you just passed by luck loser." Krudo taunted me but I ignored

Commentator made the announcement

"The winner for the third race is Tenka Shido with his skill teleportation"

I returned to my seat in the audience.

"Congratulations master-sama. You were so cool when you were flying like a bird" Natalia greeted me

"Ah thank you"

"Natalia-san, did you see me swing." He said while simping over her

"Yes krudo-san, I almost mistook you for a monkey"

"Wha-" he got all embarrassed and taken aback

" Hahaha, that's right, you should title yourself as the monkey man" I teased him

"Shut up, you lost to me, you have no right to speak" he said with an annoyed expression 

Suddenly a familiar voice called out to me

"Peiji-samaa"

I slowly turned my head in fear as I recall this voice to be of-

"We meet again, Peiji-samaa" it was the princess sariana

[Shit shit not now when everyone is watching, I am already targeted because of whole Natalia thing, I don't want to further increase it with this now]

"What, another hot girl is with that bastard"

"Just what kind of skill does he have to manipulate girls like that."

Guys around me started saying stuff like that, but wait they didn't greet or regard her as princess, seems like they don't know how princess looks. She is also not in her princess uniform today, she is wearing a simple pink tight top which is showing her cleavage and a brown pant with a belt, it's completely different from how she dresses before, her hairs are also not down today. I can use this to my aid.

" Look, Peiji-sama I am going to be in the next race" she said while showing her wrist band with no.4 written on it.

" You passed right, can you please give me some advice too" she got really close while saying that.

I whispered into Natalia's ear 

"Quickly take her away from here, pretend like she is your sister or something"

"Understood"

Then Natalia quickly stood up and approaches her

"Ara, you don't have to disturb your brother in-law, your sister here will help you" then she took her away forcefully.

[Dammit Natalia, I never said to pretend me as your husband, why did you just say brother in-law] I was feeling these intense glares again with the intent to kill.

"Now, let's start the fourth race without any further delay" commentator announced

All the candidates with fourth number headed to the racing course. Sariana was waving at me from the starting line but I completely ignored her.

But then I saw another familiar face, it was rito, he seemed quite frustrated.

I expected that as his skill won't help him to be fast. In fact, hardening would only increase weight and that would just slow him down.

What are you gonna do, rito?