It's simple.
A team of three people, damn it.
If I had known, then I wouldn't have joined. But it's too late now.
It consists of three people, with two people acting as legs. The third person will be held up by the two people in any manner. The goal is to reach the end.
Simple enough...
Julian felt the weight of a girl atop his left shoulder.
I managed to get unlucky.
He turned to the right.
Staring right at him was the cocky student council member, Arum Hikho. His hair was dark brown with light brown highlights here and there. His sharp, discontent expression did not match his soft blue eyes.
This is the guy who sent that blonde weirdo at me... The one I bumped into on my way to the freezer.
"Why'd I have to work with you?" Julian sighed.
"I'm not exactly pleased either," Arum spat, averting his gaze forward. Sitting on top of their shoulders was the student council leader, Valerie Rultrib.
This must be the girl beside her.
Long, silky black hair. Julian still could not see her face.
"Listen. You look pretty scrawny. It would've worked much better if we just-"
"Arum?"
A voice called out to the student council member, causing him to turn his head.
"Cesamuth. Pleasant seeing you here."
Standing ahead of them was a girl around their age. A ginger girl with green eyes and fair skin. She appeared to be a girl from a different school.
"It's good to see you, too. Our school's gonna crush yours," Cesamuth teased playfully. Arum gestured a smile before she walked off.
"You're easily distracted," Julian mocked.
"He's right."
Arum looked up at Valerie, who agreed with Julian. He let out a sigh of annoyance before his lips parted.
"As I said previously, you're a hindrance. If it's needed, I'll boost your physicality with mana."
"It won't be needed. Save it for yourself."
"... What?"
"I'm saying I'll be moving faster than you."
Arum paused for a moment, staring at Julian, confused. He then laughed out loud, boisterously.
"You're-you're being serious?
"Okay, I doubt that. I really do. But if you've convinced yourself that you can do that, then go ahead. Try and keep up."
His voice is strangely irritating. Julian rubbed his eyes.
The chatter had settled, and everyone walked toward the line with their three-man group. The width of the field was about fifteen meters, with tall wooden fences on each side. People stood at the fences.
An announcer counted.
"Three...
"Two....
"One...
"Go!"
Julian planted a foot harder.
Fwsh!
A wide-eyed Arum stared at Julian, quickly matching his step. With their footing in step, they dashed forward, clearing several meters in seconds.
"Team Arum takes the lead!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
Why is it called that? Julian grumbled.
"Y-Your application of mana is proficient enough to keep up with me? That's good."
It's strange...
I feel faster than usual. Is it the dragon coming over me?
[Cast: Earth Pillar]
An enemy team was planning an attack. Julian's footing changed, along with Arum. They were surprisingly in sync.
Fwsh!
They leaped into the air.
"Team Arum narrowly dodges an enemy attack, remaining in the lead! What a move!" The narrator called out.
At this rate, it didn't seem like anyone was going to surpass them. They were well ahead.
"At this rate, we'll definitely win!" Arum exclaimed.
[Cast: Stone Pillar]
Suddenly, a large stone pillar was erected, obstructing their path. Arum and Julian could not stop, their expressions growing worried and shocked. But Valerie, she remained calm. Her eyes grew clear.
[Cast: ???]
The wide stone pillar in front of them shattered, allowing them to pass through and creating space.
What?
Julian continued moving. He looked at Arum to study his expression.
I didn't even... see what she had just used.
Someone like this works for the headmaster?
"Looks like someone's catching up to us. Considering we did slow down a bit," Arum noted.
"Who is it?"
"Two groups keep the lead, basically neck and neck!" the announcer roared.
[Cast: Fireball]
A thick ball of flames shot toward the trio. Now, they could see the direction.
Nonetheless, it was heading towards them, and it was moving incredibly fast!
[Cast: Wind Ball]
Arum quickly stuck his hand out, a gust of rotating winds bursting out of his palm, shooting toward the ball of fire. The ball of fire dissipated, smoke rising into the air.
There, they could see the opposing team, which was now somewhat ahead of them.
"Team Alexander now takes the lead!" the announcer yells out.
From this distance, Julian could now hear them.
"Awesome!" the right leg cheered. He was a bit of a larger male, muscle-wise. Tall with firm shoulders and long red hair.
"We're really representing our school," the left leg grinned. He was thinner, yet managed to hold up. Disheveled black hair, from the sweat of pushing through the challenge.
However, the head stayed silent. A young woman, around Julian's age, with silky, beautiful white hair that swayed in the wind, oh so gently. This was the one that sent the fireball and the stone pillar toward them.
"Get out of your head, Julian! Pick up the pace! The finish line is just ahead!" Arum yelled.
Julian shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He shifted into another gear, reaching noticeably faster speeds. Arum was even caught off guard by this, applying mana into his body to enhance his strength.
Valerie suddenly spoke.
"I need you guys to get as close as possible to them."
Arum and Julian nodded.
Julian began to feel a soreness in his legs. He brushed it off, pacing himself. Arum followed this speed.
Ten meters. Nine meters.
Six meters.
They were now two meters away from the opposing team. Julian now had the proper image of what they looked like and their determined expressions. The end was just a few meters away.
"Alright."
Valerie slapped her hands together.
[Cast: Growth]
From the ground, roots began to sprout. Thick and green. They wrapped around the two legs of the team.
"Argh!"
"Damn it!"
Yes! Julian rejoiced inwardly.
Huh... strange. I guess I wanted to win more than I expected.
[Cast: Wind Burst]
"!?"
"!?"
"W-wha!?"
The head of the team slipped out of the roots, shooting into the air, forward.
Julian's eyes caught wind of who it was.
Those bright, yellow eyes. Pale white eyelashes. Remarkable beauty.
"U-Umilythe?!"
Just like that, she passed the line.