4

The air was a bit stuffy and there was a certain rigidness to it. It was the type that made one go 'So this is the outdoors?'

Reed stood before the red grounds of the track field, the moonlight shining down upon the faint white outlines, he now realized that winter would soon come around the corner. He took a long drawn breath of the fresh morning air. Calming his thoughts down. On one hand, he was glad for a change of pace from the mundane, on the other, he didn't quite like disturbances in his planned paths.

"Why do you want to race against me?" He turned to his left, asking the girl who was already in the midst of her stretching.

"You will know soon enough," She replied, mildly, in return. Her speech was blunt and to the point, but it carried its own charm. Reed thought she was a doer, not a talker.

She had stood up, bringing her legs up in rotation for one last stretch.

Finally, she nodded, "Are you ready?"

Reed shrugged, "Probably."

He had no confidence in winning against her. It was like telling a fish to fight against a shark, the gap between them was huge enough that no amount of struggle would make a difference. For a moment, he thought of his brother, unlike himself, he was what people labeled a 'genius'.

However, for once, he decided to partake in a fruitless struggle. Maybe it was due to his new found system, or maybe he wanted to prove himself. Reed thought both a plausibility.

"A full circle, we start at go."

Lizlian nodded, beginning to count down as both took their stances. She had hunkered down and arched her back as if it were an official race; Reed decided to do what he was used to—standing up with his legs ready.

"3…"

"2…"

He closed his eyes, clenching his fist and releasing them as if to send all his built up tension away. Yet, that itself wasn't enough, his body still felt heavy even though he was filled with energy.

"1…"

"Go!"

He gave up any desire to think.

His legs kicked off from the ground, and he was off.

The wind hurled past his face, brushing gently against his skin and tickling him in a low chill. His brown hair flew wildly and whipped about. He felt like he had entered into a tunnel as the scene flew past his eyes in blurs.

A curve was up ahead, he steadily turned.

Time flew and he forgot when the race began or how long it had been. He felt as if his thoughts had entered a void and his body ran through the very concept of time.

That was when he saw the visage of a lean, tall, girl shooting past him on his left. She was almost a blur, and he was certain that she would out take him by leaps and bounds if he stood there and did nothing.

Reed gritted his teeth, a desire burning to win within him as he pushed this body of his that had long lost the feeling of exercise.

The world whirled and churned, he could feel every step he took upon the red ground. His heart beat increased at a rate he had once forgotten.

Finally, he looked up ahead to see the girl crossing through the finish line they had set and slowing back down to turn and stare at him.

He felt her piercing gray eyes and his heart leap.

Five seconds later and he too forced himself through the line.

[Ding! Mission complete! Congratulations, user has received the '+1 Major Rank Physical Skill'.]

[Would you like to use it now?]

Although Reed heard that voice, he wasn't in the minds to think about anything. Through pants, he replied with a "No" and began to heavily slow down.

Every step he took felt heavy and he was glad to have crossed the finish line.

[Stored.]

By the time he heard that confirmation, he had already crouched down in an effort to support his heavy body.

"How did it feel?" She asked, standing above his panting figure.

Reed drew a deep breath, trying to force his heart down, it felt like he might just puke at any moment. Still, he raised a brow.

"How did what feel?" He asked.

She rephrased her question, "How did the run feel? Getting up and running with your full mind and body focused on one goal? How did it feel to lose yourself in the midst of the race?"

It was as if her eyes were piercing through him, revealing a deeper layer that he himself hadn't realized.

Reed took a breath as he calmed down.

He realized all of his pent up worries and thoughts had disappeared. It was as if they hadn't been able to keep up with him through the race, it was as if they had been washed away with the sweat that rolled off his skin. His body felt the same as before, slowly refilling with energy, but his mind had already shed its old skin and traded it for a new luster.

"It felt good," He beamed a smile.

She nodded matter of factly. It was as if she had already knew the answer to her question long before she asked.

"Relax, the morning is young, catch your breath and be proud. Running or jogging with mind and body in one, both working towards the same single goal of carrying you through the finish line, there's no better feeling in the world. The thrill itself is worthwhile, let alone the benefits." She smiled, talking through huffs and puffs. Although she too breathed heavily, her state was far better than his.

She was used to it and she wouldn't toss that feeling aside. This was a person who truly enjoyed how she lived her life. It was never about who won or lost the race.

"You should join the track team."

Reed watched the girl smiling brightly as she talked about her passion. He now realized why she had chosen to race with him, it was only he and her up at this time, out and about. It was as if she had finally found someone similar to herself. Someone who could enjoy the ability to move his body as much as she enjoyed the feeling of moving hers.

He thought the girl a strange one as a small smile hid on his lips.

"I'll think about it." He replied.

And continued, "Thank you."

He realized that there was a difference between being filled with energy and being free from worries. He knew, from that day on, he was bound to jog frequently.

He didn't mind this routine.