My Scumbag System

I moved ahead. Caught up to Emi. She was maintaining a steady pace but looked worried. Her brow was furrowed in concentration.

"You're a healer," I told her. "You understand stamina better than anyone here. Your job is to keep others going. That starts with knowing how to manage your own resources. Pace yourself. This is a marathon, not a sprint."

She nodded. A small smile formed on her lips. "Right. Thanks, Satori."

The smile she gave me was bright enough to power a small district. I could see a subtle change in her running form as she adjusted her approach. Good. She was learning.

I finished my own run. Watched as the racers crossed the finish line one by one.

Jaime burst across first. His arms raised in triumph. His entire massive frame glistened with sweat. "YEAH! FIRST PLACE! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" He pounded his chest like a gorilla. Pure joy radiated from him. "SAKURA WOULD BE PROUD!"

Hikari crossed second. Pumped her fist with a wide grin that never faltered despite her exhaustion. "Good race! You're fast!" She said it to Jaime. Not a trace of resentment in her voice despite losing. "Next time I'll beat you, though!"

Raphael finished third. His face contorted with frustration at not being first. He spat on the ground. Grudgingly nodded at Jaime's extended hand though. "Don't get used to it," he growled.

The middle group finished in a clump. Isabelle led them. Her breathing was barely affected. Not a hair out of place. Noah followed. Her military discipline was evident even at the finish. Her form was still perfect. Then came Jacob. He looked surprised at his own performance. Kept checking his wrist device with wide eyes.

Marco, Malachi, Emi, and Skylar came next. All in various states of exhaustion.

Akari sauntered across the line. Somehow still looked fresh despite the run. "Thank god that's over," she said. Immediately pulled out a compact to check her makeup. "I think I might have perspired. Disgusting."

Soomin stumbled across. Her face was bright red. But her eyes were triumphant. She had beaten Juan. He jogged across a few moments later. Looked like he might collapse at any second. Cards spilled from his pockets with each labored step.

"I'm never doing that again," he gasped. Immediately dropped to the ground. Spread out like a starfish. "Just bury me here. It's fine. The worms can have me."

Natalia was last.

She crossed the finish line and immediately bent over. Hands on her knees. Gulping air like she'd been drowning. Her usually perfect hair was a tangled mess. Her face was flushed with exertion and humiliation. She didn't look at me or anyone else. Just stared at the ground like it had personally offended her.

We gathered in the center of the field. Everyone was panting and sweating. The first session had been a complete mess. But it had worked.

They were no longer just a collection of individuals. They were a group that had just gone through a shared ordeal. Some were congratulating each other. Others were comparing times. Even the most reluctant participants had a sense of accomplishment about them.

Some were elated. Some were dejected. But all had participated.

Even Carmen looked mildly impressed from her spot by the goalpost. She raised her flask in a gesture that seemed slightly less mocking than before. High praise from her.

I stood before them. Covered in sweat. My authority was bruised. But not broken.

I'd learned my first lesson as a leader. You don't command a pack of wolves. You give them something to hunt. You make them fear something worse than your authority. You turn their competitive instincts against each other. Then you redirect that energy toward a common goal.

Simple really.

I looked at Natalia. She was glaring at the ground. Humiliated by her loss. Good. Pride is a weakness. Now I can start rebuilding her into something stronger. In public, she was just another student I was whipping into shape. In private? She was mine. This lesson would make her even more devoted.

"Congratulations to our winners," I announced. "Jaime, Hikari, Raphael. You get first pick of equipment for the next week. Use it wisely."

They exchanged triumphant looks. Already mentally claiming their prizes.

"And our losers." I glanced at Juan, Akari, and Natalia. "Report to Carmen after we're done here for your cleaning supplies."

Natalia's head snapped up. Her eyes blazed with a mixture of humiliation and anger. I met her gaze steadily. Didn't flinch. Didn't look away.

This wasn't personal. Well, it was. But not in the way she thought. She needed to learn this lesson. She'd gone in too hot. Tried to show off. Burned herself out. A classic mistake that could get her killed in a real fight.

In the Gates, there are no do-overs. No second chances. You miscalculate once and you're dead. Or worse, you get someone else killed.

Better she learn it here where the stakes were just her pride and a week of cleaning duty.

"Now," I continued. "We've gotten our blood pumping. Time for the real work to begin. Partner up. We're going to see what each of you can really do."

I surveyed the sweaty, exhausted faces before me. Some looked eager. Some looked like they wanted to die. Juan looked like he was already halfway to the afterlife.

"And trust me," I said. Let a smirk cross my face. "This is just the beginning."

Raphael groaned. "You've got to be kidding me. We just ran twenty laps."

"That was the warm-up," I said. Kept my voice casual. Like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "The Sentinels have been training for hours today. You think one little race is going to close that gap?"

Isabelle nodded. She got it. "He's right. We've barely started."

"Partner drills," I said. "Find someone close to your size and skill level. We're going to work on coordination. Teamwork. All that fun stuff."