The question hung between us. How did a C-Rank nobody outrun a professional athlete? How did someone who manifested their Aspect six months ago compete with prodigies who'd been training since they were children?
"Spite," I said. "And a really good protein bar."
Natalia stopped walking. Turned to face me. Her purple eyes searched my face for something I couldn't identify.
"You're lying."
"I'm always lying."
"This time it matters."
"Why?"
"Because I need to understand what I've given myself to."
The words hit harder than any punch. She wasn't asking about my training regimen. She wasn't asking about my diet or my conditioning program. She was asking about the System. The Audience. The cosmic machinery that turned my life into entertainment for gods and monsters.
