She lost her balance and jumped backward, hugging the wooden pillar of the bridge. Kate's eyes trembled as she glanced below into the dark canyon, open like a maw of a dragon. She took deep breaths to calm herself down first, and then she glared at Victor.
'You just wait; I won't leave you.' She made a resolve.
Victor was moving onward, every step careful and slow.
Kate stood up with trembling legs. She took a long, shaky breath and stepped forward. She didn't peek downward and moved from one plank to another with her hands clamped on either side of the bridge.
As Victor's feet touched the solid ground, he glanced backward. He saw Kate glaring at him. He smiled at her and sprinted forward. After running for a few minutes, he stopped and put on his dry clothes.
Meanwhile, Kate took her first step onto solid ground. Without wasting even a moment, she sped on the road leading into the dense forest. Her chest heaved, her arms in rhythm with her legs. Her sore muscles screamed in agony, but she didn't slow down.
She clenched her teeth and ran. She drew huge gasps; her chest burned for the air, but she didn't stop. She ran like her life depended on it. Her dark, long hair was swinging backward. She overtook Victor.
Victor felt like the wind passed beside him. He glanced at the silhouette of Kate and shook his head. And he increased his speed. He gasped for air as he forced his body; his heart thumped under his cold chest. Before meeting Kate, Victor thought he was faster than most people, but now he can feel it. He was fast for a short sprint, but for a longer one, he was slow. He doesn't have the stamina for it.
Whoosh!
Another person passed beside him. Victor exclaimed, "What!" A girl in a golden-brown uniform was running ahead of him. His legs were numb, and several shallow wounds on his feet burned. Tired and breathless, Victor stopped to rest a little.
Ding!
[Blood thirst 74%]
"Why?" Victor shouted at the crimson panel before him.
…
But no reply came.
He shook his head. The air of the forest felt refreshing against his skin. He glanced at the sky, it has turned white, most of it. He heard the rhythmic sound of footsteps approaching him. He turned his head and looked; his shoulder dropped in defeat.
Lyla was running with shallow, ragged breaths, her wet clothes sticking to her body, her beautiful curves swaying back and forth. Her eyes fell on Victor, who was looking at her with a deadpan face.
She rolled her eyes 'You used to follow me around, now you're acting like you're not interested. Hmm'.
She huffed and passed by Victor. "Trash! Can't even win against girls." Lyla left the harsh words behind.
Victor furrowed his brows as he straightened up. His eyes were blazing as they fell on Lyla's back. Lyla smirked and swayed her hips more deliberately.
Victor's eyes landed on her hips. He muttered, "What is she trying to do?" His leg muscles coiled as he pushed the ground backward. 'I know you were a bitch. Always giving me the mixed signals.' Victor sneered in his mind. He easily overtook Lyla.
Lyla's eyes widened but in a moment, her neutral face hid away all her emotions. Victor gave her a smug look.
Lyla's emotionless face broke like a glass; she glared at him and sped up. But Victor was faster; he kept maintaining the distance. He took a left turn as the path curved. A few meters away, in his vision, was the place where he started the race.
He ran faster and reached into the opening and collapsed back-first on the ground.
Ding!
[Daily task:20Km run complete]
[Reward: 100XP]
Ding!
[Stamina stat unlocked]
[Stamina: 3 (innate stamina of Vampires)]
Victor sighed, closing his eyes.
Derek looked at his watch and announced, "45 minutes, not bad for a first timer, but not good enough."
Victor, who was struggling to breathe with his eyes closed, turned his head and glared at Derek.
But Derek ignored him as he turned toward Lyla as she approached. She collapsed on the ground, knees first, and gasped for breath.
"46:30seconds," Derek announced
Lyla didn't glance at him but scowled at the slumped Victor on the ground. Kate, who was sitting in the corner, also furrowed her brow, looking at him.
"Now, clear the ground, go for breakfast. And remember to report in the weapon hall at 9 o'clock." Derek shouted.
As Victor's breathing relaxed, he stood up. He threw a glance toward the path he had come from and went into the castle.
A few minutes later, he entered his Dorm room and changed into a black uniform.
It was a T-shirt with a black jacket and jeans. On the left chest, a badge with dull brown color '[Bronze]' was fixed on the uniform.