It was race day in the Awakened Academy, and Lec was way more nervous than he thought he'd be. 'Why the hell are there so many people here?! How did the academy even approve of this?!'
Apparently, Lec had gotten the wrong impression that the race was going to be a private thing. A few laps around the courtyard, maybe a handful of bored spectators that the green-haired fool would have invited. And the whole thing would be done in maybe ten minutes.
Instead, what greeted him was essentially half the academy packed outside, waiting on the outdoor track like they'd been promised a concert. 'There's actually no fucking way, how did he invite almost everyone in the school without me knowing??? And why is the track so big?'
The academy's track was gigantic, granted, Lec wasn't quite sure what a normal school track looked like.
Hesitantly walking forward, he'd take his time to scan the crowd. He instantly spotted the green Jet, who was idly chatting with two other people, a girl with purple hair, wearing a bandanna, and a rather big boned boy with gray hair.
Lec clicked his tongue. 'Surprised that ass even has friends.' He said, completely unaware of his own hypocrisy.
Along with spotting the emerald-haired bastard, Lec spotted a few more faces that he recognized. He caught a glimpse of Sunless, who had no doubt come out of pure curiosity. Lec really had no clue what was going through that dude's mind, especially with the whole doom and gloom thing he's doing. 'He tries so hard to be nonchalant.'
Teacher Julius was there too, along with a few other staff members that he couldn't quite recognize. Lec was pretty sure he was going to be sick.
Even that weirdo from earlier, Caster, was here.
Shaking his head, he'd put on his game face. Which was basically putting on a condescending smirk.
'You defeated a corrupted devil in space. You harnessed the unlimited power of the chaos emeralds to turn golden. You even teleported an entire space colony back to orbit. You can handle a race against a shitty-haired legacy brat. Yeah, I can do this. Green is a horrible color anyway...ENOUGH ABOUT HIS HAIR!'
The crowd began muttering as he walked through, making his way to his opponent.
"That's him-"
"The Black Wind-"
"For someone who has a true name, he's really short-"
Lec's eye twitched at that last one. He wasn't quite sure what his height had to do with anything. He was a perfectly sized pre-teen boy. 'I'm sure there are plenty of people from the outskirts who are shorter than me, right???'
Jet spotted him at roughly the same time he was debating his height, breaking off from his conversation with his two companions. The smirk that spread across his stupid face was immediate and deeply irritating. "So you didn't bail after all. Color me surprised. I was sure the confidence you put on yesterday was just an act."
Glaring at the slightly older boy, Lec was already pissed. He didn't notice yesterday, but the dudes voice was annoying as hell. To make it worse, they both kinda sounded similar. 'He kinda sounds like what I'd imagine myself sounding like if I did hard drugs...Why was that the first thing that came to mind?'
"Bold of you to assume I'd run away from a bird, Hawk." He said the last part in a mocking tone to try to drive the point that he didn't care for the idiot's shit nickname. The purple-haired girl beside him snorted at the retort, while the big guy just looked like he got angry at the blatant disrespect.
"Don't speak about Boss like that, you brat!"
Jet raised his hand to silence the bigger boy, glaring as he did so, causing the gray-haired boy to quiet down. "Not now, Storm!" Turning back to face Lec, the racer's smirk came back full force.
"Nice dig at the nickname, Black Wind." Gesturing towards the starting line, he'd continue. "I hope you're ready for this, because there's no one on this planet that can match my skill or speed!"
"Even for a legacy, you're awfully cocky. How about I make you eat those words, feather duster?" Jet's smirk dropped at his nickname, being dropped down to the level of a common house cleaning tool.
Shrugging, he'd try to regain his composure as he walked up to the starting line. "Well, then, Lec. Prepare to race against the Legendary Wind master." He'd say that as he waved his two companions off, the gray-haired boy, Storm, nodded into the crowd obediently, while the purple-haired girl groaned as she followed.
"You really do pride yourself on your nicknames, huh?" Walking side by side with the older boy as they approached the starting line, Lec couldn't help but poke fun at him. Well, not like he hasn't been doing that the whole time. "Well, it's the name of my Aspect. You should be proud, you're the only one I've revealed it to." The emerald-haired boy replied smugly.
'I very much doubt that...'
Eventually reaching the starting line, Jet practically ordered someone near it to give them a sound-enhancing memory, to which he was handed a conch-looking thing. Promising to hand it back after he was done, he'd speak into it, giving his full attention to the crowd.
"Well then, thank you all for coming to this race hosted by yours truly, Jet of the Babylon clan."
Jet's voice carried across the entire track as he spoke into the conch, the sound enhancement making him incredibly loud, causing Lec to grimace. "Today, you'll be witnessing something rather historic. Because today, I, Jet of the Babylon clan, will be proving to everyone here that a True Name means absolutely nothing when the person behind it is a complete and utter fraud!"
'He's such a cliche.' Snorting, Lec tried his best not to laugh. He couldn't wait for the next few minutes.
The birdy continued after a few cheers from some of the more confident people in the crowd. Although most of the Sleepers didn't say much, they were probably just here for the actual race itself. Surprisingly, Lec saw that Caster was carefully watching. Well, it wasn't surprising; the guy did seem very composed before. Although he was sure that the prideful legacy was bashing the outskirts rat in his head.
"This race only has two simple rules. First, no speed-altering memories are to be used during the race." Jet's amplified voice carried across the track as he raised one finger. "Second-" He paused for dramatic effect, which Lec found deeply annoying. "First one to complete five laps wins. Simple enough. The race will begin in a few minutes, and then you can all have a good night's rest!"
As Jet handed the conch back to the person he got it from, Lec couldn't help but question himself. 'How did I even get into this situation in the first place? Wasn't I supposed to be lying low?'
Glancing at the emerald-haired teen, who was currently stretching, Lec continued his train of thought. 'I've got no clue how fast this narcissist really is...for all I know, he could have a divine-ranked Aspect made specifically for speed. GAHHH, enough with the self-doubt!!!'
Trying his best to stretch as well, he hoped that the crowd didn't mind his shitty form too much. 'No big deal, this is just a simple race that'll decide how everyone in the academy will look at you. No pressure whatsoever.' Closing his eyes, Lec finally decided that he HAD to find someone to talk to.
Trying to find where he spotted Teacher Julius, Lec practically ran towards him with as much urgency as he could hide. "H-hey, teach, what are you doing here?" Lec asked through a strained voice. Julius's eyes lit up at Lec's arrival. "Why would I not come, Lec, my boy. To witness one of my two students participate in an event such as this would fill me with great joy."
"I'd rather you have not, though."
"What was that?
"Nothing!"
Shaking his head, Lec decided to stop dancing around it and ask his question. "What can you tell me about Jet?" Julius scratched his chin at that, a contemplative expression on his face. "Well, not much. The Babylon clan tends to keep its secrets, well, secret. But if I can tell you something, it is that all the people in that clan are a bunch of speed demons. I'm not exactly sure why, but almost everybody in that clan is given speed-based Attributes or a speed-based Aspect."
Lec groaned at that. "Well, that was expected."
Julius looked a bit concerned as he continued. "Honestly, I'm not too sure why you challenged a clan member, especially the heir of the entire clan. He himself was stated to be a prodigy in almost everything he picked up, whether that be swordsmanship or anything related to combat. Unsurprisingly, like most members of his clan, the Spell gave him something related to speed."
Julius became tense as he spoke, Lec preparing for the worst. "He received a Sacred rank Aspect after his first nightmare a few weeks ago."
'I see...It's so over. A sacred rank Aspect? Is that even possible?' Lec thought, completely ignoring the fact that he possesses a divine rank Aspect.
A depressive aura began to envelop Lec as he thought that, causing a few people to stare at him with strange expressions. Teacher Julius simply smiled at him, though, putting a sturdy hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry too much, if you lose all hope before the challenge has begun, then that's when you truly lose!"
The depressive aura evaporated so quickly that the people who had been staring at him with concern actually looked confused. Julius blinked. Lec's expression had gone from the depths of despair to the most insufferably smug face the old teacher had ever seen on a student in his entire career.
"Actually, Teach, I think I'll be just fine," Lec said, patting Julius's hand off his shoulder with the energy of a man who had won the lottery ten times over.
Julius stared at him curiously. "...Did something change in the last five seconds?"
"Nope." Lec was already walking back to the starting line. "Just remembered something very important. Thanks for reminding me teach!"
Julius watched him go with a deeply confused expression. 'What a strange child.'
***
Returning to the starting line, Lec rolled his shoulders and glanced sideways at Jet, who had finished stretching and was watching him with his sharp blue eyes. "Done running to your teacher for comfort?"
Lec shrugged at that. "Needed to ask him something," Lec replied simply, mirroring the smirk right back at him. "So that Legendary Wind master Aspect you've got is of the Sacred rank, huh?"
"Can't say I've ever heard of one above Supreme before, you might really be something special..." Jet grinned at that, happy at his ego being stroked. Unfortunately for him, Lec wasn't done. "Too bad that even with that, and all the soul essence you've got accumulated in that body of yours, you're still incapable of beating me."
'I'm still allowed to use my Aspect, so I should be fine, although I'm not sure if they'll let teleporting slide. Well, it's his fault for not specifying what is and isn't allowed. Either way, I'll need to time my Chaos Snaps well since they still drain my energy, even if it's a bit.'
During his first nightmare, he hadn't run too much without the Air Shoes, so he honestly wasn't too sure how fast he was without them. 'I can still enhance myself with chaos energy, but it only offers me about a two times boost in speed. It's whatever, it's like what Teacher Julius said, I've gotta believe in myself!'
Jet stared intently at his short opponent before chuckling. "Those are some pretty bold words from a foul-mouthed, butt-hurt, ratchety, short-stack outskirts rat."
'Was all of that necessary???'
Before Lec could retort, however, Jet signaled for the start of the race. A random person stepped out from the crowd with the starting signal — a small device that would emit a sharp tone — and positioned themselves beside the track.
'So this is it, huh?' Walking forward, Lec got into the best running position he could beside Jet and waited for the race to start. 'You can do this....You can do this...You can do this...YOU CAN DO THIS! Kick that feather duster to the curb!'
Glancing at Jet's confident expression one more time, he decided that he had to win this no matter what. It wasn't even a matter of pride anymore. All he wanted to do was put this stupid bird in his place. Enhancing his body with Chaos energy, Lec focused his ears to listen for the starting signal.
It wasn't long before the signal tone cut through the air, and they were off.
Jet exploded from the starting line like he'd been launched from a cannon, his body practically floating off the ground, carried by the wind. It was at that moment that Lec immediately understood why the Babylon clan had a reputation.
The bastard was fast as hell! In just the first few moments of the race, the green-haired bastard had managed to pull almost ten meters ahead of him, and if it weren't for him fully enhancing his body with chaos energy, Lec was sure he would have been left in the dust.
'Even with my speed being enhanced two times over, it isn't making a dent!'
The two finally reached the first corner after a few seconds of running. From somewhere in the crowd, Lec heard Storm's voice yelling something obnoxious and motivational for his boss, although he was too busy running to register what he said. 'Like hell I'd let this bastard win, not after all the smack he was talking.'
'Chaos Snap!' And in that instant, Lec had managed to clear half of the distance in a blue flash. The crowd was already reacting, and surprised murmurs and cheers rippled through the spectators as they watched the spectacle.
Eventually, they had both reached the starting line once more, completing their first lap.
Lec knew that something had to change; he could always use another chaos snap, but he felt like he needed to save them up. The Aspect ability drains a decent chunk of his energy at each usage, so if he were to use it now to take the lead and end up tired, Jet could still manage to pull through and take the win.
Steeling himself, Lec would pump his legs harder than he ever had before, trying to squeeze out as much speed as he could from his little body. Staring up ahead at Jet, Lec desperately tried to engrave the bastard's running form deep within his mind, and after the third corner of the second lap, Lec managed to do just that.
'Imitation is another form of flattery, my ass! I'll beat that feather duster with his own technique!'
Even if it was nowhere near the graceful running performed by his opponent, it was still enough to close off even more of the gap. What once was a ten-meter became just two meters. If Lec truly wanted to win, he'd need to keep up the pace.
The crowd was louder now, a lot louder. Whatever they'd expected from this race, it wasn't this. Lec heard his name somewhere in the noise, and then Jet's, and then both. It seemed that instead of rooting for one person or another, everyone was genuinely just entertained. It was a bit surprising to Lec, but it wasn't unwelcome. 'If this is going to boost my fame, then so be it!'
Third lap.
Jet must have noticed the gap closing because he suddenly exploded forward. His pace increased in a way that insinuated that he was holding back, although Lec knew the look of concern when he saw it. 'He must be wondering how I'm keeping up, huh?'
Instead of wavering, Lec just tried keeping pace, waiting for the perfect opportunity.
First corner, behind.
Second corner, behind.
Third corner, behind.
Fourth corner, 'Right there!'
Lec used Chaos Snap to cut right through the corner, appearing right next to the unsuspecting Jet in a flash of blue light. The energy cost hit him immediately, but it didn't matter. He got him right where he wants him.
'And that's behind me!'
Lec surged ahead with multiple consecutive Chaos Snaps, making him a whole body length away from the prodigy of the Babylon clan. It would have been more if the bastard hadn't been so persistent, though. With a crazed expression, the Legendary Wind Master moved forward as well, finally putting his all into the race. The distance shortened and shortened until both of them were level with each other.
They hit the final ten meters together, the last 5, and finally...
'COME ON!!!'
The finish line came up so fast that Lec barely registered crossing it before his momentum carried him multiple steps past, stumbling, catching himself, and spinning around to find Jet doing the exact same thing. A classic photo finish.
The crowd was silent for a few moments before erupting in a cacophony of cheers. Nobody was quite sure who had won, and frankly, it didn't seem like anybody cared, aside from the two boys on the track.
Jet put his hands on his knees and laughed. Still smug, but there was something else in there as well. It seemed to surprise even himself.
"W-well then, rat," he managed in between breaths, "you weren't as terrible as I thought you'd be. You actually managed to make me lock in for a bit there."
Lec smirked for a second before it was instantly wiped off his face by Jet's next words. "Too bad for you that I won."
"Like hell you did!" Lec retorted almost instantly. 'Who the hell does this guy think he is? I clearly won that!'
The self-proclaimed winner smirked as he shrugged his shoulders. "Well, if you don't want to be known as a loser forever, then how about a rematch. Let's say after the winter solstice, when we both come back? This time with our raw speed alone, none of that /tp bullshit."
The silence between them stretched for exactly as long as it took Lec to decide whether he should or shouldn't. 'When we both come back? Ahh, I see. He's that confident that I'll make it, huh?'
Lec's grin widened, although he wasn't quite sure why.
"Why the hell not?"