My Scumbag System

Then Isabelle stepped forward.

Her movement was so smooth it looked rehearsed. She didn't even acknowledge me. Just turned to address the group instead.

"This is illogical," she said. Each word carried weight. "The Sentinels are already training. I've observed their regimen. While we stand here arguing, they are completing their third hour of coordinated drills. Every moment we waste is a moment they widen the gap between us. Do you wish to be humiliated in two weeks? To confirm every dismissive judgment they've made about us?"

She'd just handed me an opening on a silver platter. Appealed to their pride and their fear. Now I needed to add my own flavor to it. The carrot and the stick. Oldest trick in the book.

"She's right," I said. Let my voice drip with disappointment. "And honestly? I didn't expect much from you anyway. You can all go back to doing whatever you were doing before. Painting your nails. Taking naps. Being completely forgettable. I'll tell Miller you weren't interested in actually improving."

That hit a nerve.

I could see it. Backs straightened. Jaws clenched. Even Juan cracked an eye open. Something that looked like actual irritation flashed across his usually bored face.

"So here's the new plan." I pointed to the track that circled the perimeter. "This isn't a warm-up. It's a race. The first three to finish the full circuit get their pick of specialized training equipment for the next week. Access to the good weights, the targets that aren't broken, first dibs on everything."

I paused. Let that sink in.

"The last three get to clean the entire house for the week. Top to bottom. Including the toilets. And if you've seen what Jaime does to a bathroom after protein shake day, you know that's not something to take lightly."

Jaime rubbed the back of his neck. Actually looked embarrassed. "Hey, high-protein diet, man. Can't help biology."

The dynamic shifted instantly.

Raphael's eyes gleamed with competitive fire. A shark that just smelled blood in the water. Jaime and Hikari were practically vibrating. They exchanged glances that seemed to spark with electricity. Even Akari and Skylar looked interested now. Their earlier disinterest evaporated like morning dew.

"What about Juan?" Skylar asked. She nodded toward the sleeping form on the ground. "He's not even standing up. How is this a fair competition if some people aren't trying?"

I smiled. It wasn't a nice smile. "Then I guess he's automatically in last place. Better hope you're not joining him on toilet duty."

That got Juan to crack one eye open. "Troublesome," he muttered. But he slowly pushed himself to his feet. Brushed dirt off his clothes like each movement cost him his entire energy reserves for the day.

"Rules?" Isabelle asked. Already stretching her legs. Her movements were graceful and methodical.

"No Aspects," I said. Made sure my voice was firm on that one. "This is about baseline physical condition. And no sabotage." I looked pointedly at Raphael. He had the decency to look slightly abashed. "One clean race. Twenty laps. Start when I say go, finish when you cross this line for the last time."

I moved to the edge of the track. Raised my hand. "On your marks."

They tensed.

"Get set."

The air changed. You could feel it.

I brought my hand down. "Go!"

Pure chaos erupted.

Raphael, Jaime, and Hikari shot off the line like they'd been launched from a cannon. Their rivalry was on full display immediately. Jaime's muscles bulged as he sprinted ahead. Hikari matched him stride for stride. Her face was set in fierce concentration. Raphael poured on the speed. No way was he getting outdone. His expression could've melted steel.

Isabelle and Noah ran with perfect form. Like they'd been trained by professionals. They conserved energy and maintained a steady pace. Every movement was economical. Not a single ounce of effort wasted.

Juan actually got up and started jogging. His pace was technically faster than walking. Barely. His expression was one of profound suffering. "This is why I hate hands-on leadership," he muttered. "If I die out here, someone make sure my cards get buried with me."

Jacob was surprisingly quick. His nervous energy translated well to running. He kept glancing at his wrist device. Probably calculating his pace and heart rate with every step.

Nerd.

Akari and Skylar were clearly trying to win using the least amount of effort possible. Looking for shortcuts. Pacing themselves just fast enough to avoid last place. Skylar had this bored expression that didn't match how carefully she monitored everyone else's positions. Akari somehow managed to look like she was posing for a sportswear catalog while running. I didn't even know that was possible.

Marco ran with the steady confidence of someone used to physical work. He kept looking back to check on Malachi. The quiet boy seemed to barely touch the ground. Moved with this eerie grace. His feet made almost no sound on the track.

Soomin struggled from the start. Her face turned red with exertion. Maybe shame too. Her generous curves bounced with each step. Caused her visible discomfort as she tried to keep pace. Emi paced herself carefully. Her expression was thoughtful as she settled into a rhythm.

Natalia surprised me.

She sprinted full-out from the beginning. Pushed herself harder than necessary. Clearly trying to prove something. To me. To herself. To everyone watching. I could see it was a mistake. She was burning energy too quickly. Her form was already deteriorating by the third lap.

By the ninth lap, the group had spread out considerably.

Jaime, Hikari, and Raphael maintained their lead. Their pace had slowed somewhat though. The initial burst of competitive fury was wearing off. Isabelle and Noah were steadily gaining ground with their approach. Slow and steady wins the race and all that crap.

The middle pack had settled into their positions. Nobody was pushing too hard. Nobody was falling too far behind. Just trying to stay out of the bottom three.

The stragglers at the back were falling further behind with every lap.

I watched Natalia start to falter. Her sprint had caught up to her. She was breathing hard. Too hard. Her legs were shaking. Pride was the only thing keeping her upright at this point.

Soomin was flagging badly. Her steps became uneven. Her breathing sounded labored and painful. Sweat plastered that pink hair to her forehead. Tears of frustration glistened in her eyes.

I picked up my pace. Caught up to her.

"Remember the exam?" I said as I ran beside her. It wasn't kind. It was a command. "You're stronger than you think. Don't let your head beat you before your body does. Find that place inside where it's just you and the goal. Nothing else exists."

She looked at me. Those eyes were full of doubt.

"I can't," she gasped out. "I'm not like them. I'm not built for this."

"Bullshit." I kept pace with her. Matched her slowing speed. "You think any of them were built for this? You think Hikari popped out of the womb ready to run marathons? You think Jaime's muscles just appeared one day?"

I gestured at the track ahead. "They worked for it. Every single one of them. You think you're special because it's hard? Welcome to the club. It's hard for everyone. The difference is they decided to do it anyway."

Her breathing was ragged. She was close to giving up. I could see it in her eyes. That moment where the body wants to quit and the mind is ready to agree.

"You want to be in the bottom three?" I asked. "You want to clean toilets for a week because you decided you weren't good enough? Because that's what you're doing right now. You're deciding you're not good enough. Nobody else is making that call. Just you."

Something shifted in her expression.

She gritted her teeth. Pushed harder. Her pace didn't increase by much. Maybe just a fraction. But it increased.

"That's it," I said. "Just keep moving. One foot in front of the other. That's all it is. One step. Then another. You don't have to be fast. You just have to be faster than three other people."

Carmen called out from her goalpost. "Pick up the pace or pick up a mop!"

She was enjoying this way too much.