"..."
Rotsard was standing to the side while the teacher was explaining how the physical evaluation would be graded.
The boy's chest felt like it was splitting, even without him as much as attempting to use mana, but he already had healing crystals used on him... It simply meant that without fae magic, there wasn't anything that could be done on top of that.
In the first place, there was supposedly nothing wrong with him, and he only needed time to recover…
"...only a filthy peasant would drop to his knees, cry and complain, cursing the heavens, blaming everyone but himself… A noble endures."
As a particularly agonizing spasm pierced his body, Rotsard bit his lips and let out a low growl, encouraging himself to brave through.
The first half of the evaluation didn't matter much as it merely regarded the perception of senses and some basic measurements. It was all a blur for Rotsard anyway, as he absentmindedly followed the instructions without paying attention to his surroundings.
Soon enough, though, came the time for the fitness evaluation with a series of exercises, of which the first one was a short-distance sprint.
To save time, five students would perform the exercise at once. The groups were selected beforehand.
It also just so happened that both Rotsard and Justin ended up not just in the same group, but right next to each other.
"..."
While Justin kept sending Rotsard angry glares, as if wanting to get his attention to challenge him to a competition, the bleached-blond-haired boy had only once thought in his head.
No matter what, stay right at Justin's heels.
Nothing else mattered.
He definitely flunked all the other subjects anyway, but this one evaluation was where it actually mattered.
At least for the growth of the future hero.
In the deofol's story, Rotsard's rotten character was the only one the future hero could never allow himself to fall behind at the start.
Justin pushing himself to always defeat Rotsard would jump-start the chain of events leading to him becoming a hero.
...mostly because of getting himself in trouble because of showing off too much… but always managing to grow in the process.
That's why.
No matter what.
Even if he couldn't run, he would walk.
If not walk, then limp.
If not limp, then crawl on all fours.
Anything, just to show Justin he could never be satisfied with just his current level.
Just so Justin would have someone breathing down his neck and force him to go further, try harder, and constantly improve.
His current condition might be bad, but he must force himself to strike fear in Justin's heart. The fear of a villainous, rotten bastard besting him! The fear that Justin would use as fuel to become the hero who will save their world in the future…!
"Pffft…! Look at him…!"
"What is he doing?"
"..."
That's why, as Rotsard crouched down at the starting line next to Justin and three other first-year students, he could barely register the ridicule coming from the others.
While only looking forward, Justin's silhouette was still within Rotsard's vision as the bleached-blond-haired boy placed his palms flat on the ground right before the starting line, curling his fingers that appeared to effortlessly sink into the beaten soil.
"...ghh…"
Rotsard gritted his teeth, unable to hold back a low grunt as his insides felt as if they were being ripped apart.
He had to give it his all.
No matter what.
As fast as possible…!
If he won't give it his all, it will all be for naught!
Looking shameful?
Being ridiculed?
Only a filthy peasant would bother about himself while the whole world was at stake!
"Ready!? GO!"
"!"
Then the teacher gave the signal, and all five students rushed forward!
"...!"
Rotsard as well, but just after two steps, he ended up tripping because his legs couldn't keep up with the speed, and he stumbled…!
"FGHHH!"
Almost biting through his own lips, Rotsard growled and slammed his hands against the ground, propelling himself forward…!
Where was Justin!?
How far did he went!?
Rotsard couldn't see him either in his peripheral vision, nor immediately in front of himself…!
"...!"
And just then, the bleached-blond-haired boy felt his heart drop down to his stomach as he noticed silhouettes moving in the distance…
Not just one, but many!
There was one close by, but that couldn't be Justin…
No, a future hero would be the fastest one…!
So much ahead…!
SO MUCH AHEAD!
No, no, no, no, no, nononononono…!
"FHUUUUUUUUUUUCK!"
But instead of forcing him into despair, the sight ignited the blaze of ice-cold fury, causing Rotsard to let out a bloodthirsty roar!
At any cost necessary!
Catch up…!
Catch up!
CATCH UP!
Already blurry surroundings turned into mere smudges of color as Rotsard Vallhall launched himself forward using both arms and legs more akin to a beast than man…!
*WHAAAAAAAAM*
And then, to the sound of tremendous impact, everything went dark.