Chapter 7 New Rivalry

"What's wrong with the two guys in front? They're running so fast, and they can still speed up. Are they even human?"

Jean couldn't hide his frustration. Just moments ago, he was certain the first place was his. Now, Ryo Carter and Mikasa were pulling further and further away, leaving him no chance to keep up.

Behind him, Annie observed quietly, her sharp gaze narrowing as she analyzed the situation. She had always dismissed those with raw brute strength, seeing it as nothing more than reckless, undisciplined power. But now, watching Ryo and Mikasa maintain such explosive speed, even at the end of the grueling run, she couldn't help but take notice.

*Mikasa, I knew about... but this guy, Ryo Carter?*

Her mind lingered on Ryo. He was a complete anomaly—someone who appeared out of nowhere, his true intentions and capabilities shrouded in mystery.

*This guy's strength is terrifying,* she thought to herself. Annie could tell he wasn't showing everything he had. There was something calculated about the way he held back, as if testing the waters.

For the first time, a sense of unease crept into her thoughts. *If I don't understand his upper limits, he could become a huge problem for me in the future.*

Switch back to Ryo and Mikasa Pov

"Mikasa, the key point is up ahead. If this is the best you can do, then I'm claiming first place!"

Ryo Carter turned to look at Mikasa, a teasing smirk on his face. She was still trailing behind, panting heavily. Even someone as strong as Mikasa was beginning to feel the effects of exhaustion. Her energy reserves were almost drained, and she struggled to maintain her current speed.

However, Mikasa's unwavering willpower refused to let her stop. Hearing Ryo's provocation lit a fire inside her. She clenched her fists, bit her lip, and forced herself to surge forward, determined to surpass him.

Ryo smiled faintly at her resolve. She was still as stubborn as ever, but this time, he wouldn't let her win.

Just as Mikasa pushed herself to accelerate, Ryo kicked his speed into overdrive, unleashing his full potential. In an instant, he shot ahead and crossed the finish line first.

(Ding! System prompt: Novice training mission completed. Reward: 10 experience points. Please choose one item from the reward list!)

The notification echoed in Ryo's mind. Excitement surged through him as he entered the system to check his progress. The experience bar now showed 10 points, but the real prize was the five items displayed for him to choose from.

"I'll take the novice gloves!"

The moment he made his selection, a warm glow enveloped his hands. A pair of dark gray gloves materialized, snug and comfortable. As soon as he flexed his fingers, Ryo noticed the difference—his grip strength had improved significantly.

Moments later, Mikasa stumbled across the finish line, her chest heaving as she gasped for air. She shot Ryo a glare, frustrated by her defeat but unwilling to voice her complaints. Despite her exhaustion, she couldn't deny the truth—this guy was *strong*.

For Mikasa, who had always seen herself as unmatched among the recruits, Ryo Carter had suddenly become a benchmark, a rival she was determined to surpass.

---

The rest of the recruits trickled in, one by one. Instructor Keith watched silently as they finished, nodding in approval before heading into camp.

Eren and Reiner helped Armin across the line. Despite his exhaustion, Armin managed a weak smile.

"Armin, you did it! You beat your limits!" Eren said enthusiastically, his pride in his friend evident.

"Eren… thank you," Armin panted, his face flushed with equal parts exhaustion and triumph. He couldn't believe he'd made it, but the sense of achievement filled his chest with warmth.

Reiner remained silent as he returned to his seat, Bertolt following close behind, his usual worried expression etched onto his face.

Ryo, however, paid little attention to the small celebrations around him. He already knew Armin's value—he wasn't meant for the front lines. Armin's strength lay in his intelligence, his ability to strategize and analyze. Sending someone like him into the fray as an ordinary soldier would be a waste.

With that thought lingering in his mind, Ryo carried his meal tray to a table and sat down next to Krista.

"Little angel, is this seat taken? If not, I'll sit here."

Before Krista could answer, Ryo had already settled in, flashing her a casual smile.

Krista blinked in surprise. She barely knew Ryo. While his exceptional skills had already earned him attention from their instructors, she was just another recruit. What did someone like him want with her?

"Ah… no, it's not taken," Krista replied softly, still taken aback.

Ryo glanced at the piece of black bread on her tray and wrinkled his nose. "Is that even edible?"

Krista followed his gaze and smiled faintly. "It's… okay, I guess. Um, do you want it? You've been running all day. You must be hungry."

She picked up her bread and offered it to him, her sincerity glowing like the warmth of a soft light.

Ryo froze for a moment, surprised by her generosity. For an instant, Krista seemed to radiate a golden aura—just like the little angel he had jokingly called her.

"No, no, keep it. I was just worried you wouldn't have enough energy after training. Here—this is for you."

He reached into his pack and pulled out fresh, golden bread, still warm, and a small jar of butter and sauce. He prepared the bread carefully, spreading the butter before handing it over.

Krista's eyes widened. "What's this?"

"This is something I prepared. Training was brutal, and you're probably starving. Eat up, take a hot shower, and get some rest. Tomorrow will be even tougher."

Krista stared at the bread in awe, her stomach rumbling as the aroma teased her senses. For a moment, she was speechless. Then, her cheeks turned pink, and a small, shy smile tugged at her lips.

"Thank you…" she said softly, taking the bread from his hands.

As she tasted the soft, buttery goodness, Krista glanced up at Ryo. In that moment, he seemed surrounded by pure white light. Was this… her prince charming?