CHAPTER 5

"Power doesnt come cheap in Eiyas Ladder . Either you go all out to have it, risk your neck for it, or you dont. For the people who are chasing after it, there is no such thing as an in-between: you either live... or you die trying to covet it. Such is the cruel reality."--- Anonymous

Going through the list, the Weaver potentials this year were down from six thousand to just a little over two thousand. Over three thousand participants forfeited. Most of them were cippled or injured. And also, about a couple of hundred out of the four thousand died under the hands of the Eskorgas. Not a bad turn out, considering how relentless the Eskorgas were during the Misty Forest leg. To be frank, the Eskorgas could have mowed down a whole lot more if not for the two people hunting them down from two separate sectors.

"This Sithrain kid... Sithrain Thunderstorm..." started General Keshrach "Did he really gutted all thirty-eight Eskorgas on his own? Because that's just ridiculous and you know it, Lieutenant General Marsh." Keshrach sounded puzzled but amazed at the same time.

Four decades ago, when he took the same exact test, Keshrach only managed to put down seventeen Eskorgas on his own. He finished first during the race though. And during his time, killing fifteen Eskorgas was already a feat. But this kid, Sithrain, this kid was something else. This kid even doubled the kill count that he managed to set, putting his record to shame.

"And we're not even done yet. There was another kid... a girl... by the name of Allegra Brightstar. This impressive girl managed to down twenty-two Eskorgas by herself. Again, let me just emphasize that: twenty fucking two." Lieutenant General Marsh added. "I killed four during my time and I thought I was impressive already. Haha." and he sounded pathetic.

"These kids...These kids are monsters." Keshrach said jokingly; shaking his head from side to side. The old man was in pure disbelief. He couldnt wholeheartedly accept that this generation has already produced two potential champions. And they've just started the preliminary leg. "What have they been eating these days? Raw lucis? Because that would be illegal."

"I heard it was just good old fashioned corn rice from the west." Marsh bantered lightly. The officer in his early forties chuckled along for the joke. "What was even funnier was the fact that Sithrain only finished second while Allegra came in third."

"Huh? Really?! So, who came in first?"

"Well... It was just some random kid named Uobe Striegwyrd." answered Marsh. "He arrived exactly an hour and ten minutes after the cannons went off. Would you believe that? An hour and ten. Damn. Did he discover a short cut somewhere because I am dying to know what he did?"

An hour and ten minutes doesnt sound impressive on its own. But if you traverse all 56 kilometers under that time record, then that would be something beyond impressive. Even Adarnas full marathon racer, Evan Ryder, only managed to complete last years charity race with the record of 2 hours 1 minute and 39 seconds. But of course, Evan Ryder was a regular mortal. Uobe though was something else. "...and he's a Yaegan." continued Lieutenant Marsh.

"Oh!" Old man Keshrach was doing his best impression of the surprised Inkachu face. "That is indeed very interesting! Are there more?"

"Now that you have asked, actually, there was this one more interesting story that I've picked up yesterday from the Ladder Guides."

"What was it?" Keshrach was all ears. For an old man nearing his sixties, he seem to enjoy some good old fashioned rumor here and there.

"Do you remember that story about the exiled hero? Mishi'ah of The Thousand Blades?"

"Of course. The disgraced Champion of the Invincible 8. What about her?"

"Well... apparently... this guy... He..." As if tongue-tied, Lieutenant Marsh couldnt even properly finish his sentence."well... he.. he piggybacked too."

"...." suddenly, the light mood was gone. General Keshrach face was stupified.

"He arrived last." finished Lieutenant Marsh finally.

Keshrach's face turned seriously sour all of a sudden. Like there was this dark cloud hanging over his head. "Marsh, I need for you to keep tabs of the activities of this kid for me. Report to me for any update. I need to know when he eats, sleep, piss and where he shit. I need to know everything. Got it? And alert Major Garber. We might need his help soon."

"Right." nodded Marsh.

" Regardless of this new development, we will carry-on as planned. Usher the 'Seedlings' to the Greenhouse tommorow, please."