COACH WINSTON'S WIDE GRIN HAD NEVER LEFT HIS FACE while looking at the team he created. The crew of Gearfall was finally completed with the presence of their new member, Kairo Rosales. He knew Kairo would fit into this team.
"Apex Racing League Series. A one of a kind motorsport competition of our generation. Different from the racing we once knew, " he said. "ARLS is the combination of F-1, NASCAR, and all of that— blended with the advanced technology. A sport that brings more than a thrill, more than technology, more than speed! It's some sort of a new adventure. I know because I once competed in that competition with my team." He was referring to his former crew where he once belonged, along with Kairo's father. It was clear in his memory, their story of continuous victory that led to an unpredictable end. Coach Winston could only remember their days from the past.
Now, with the five aspiring racers in front of him— the burning desire birthed out of his soul. "The five of you will undergo training," he continued. He looked at them in their eyes, wanting to engrave his words into their hearts. "Not just any training, but heavy training!" His words echoed. "Training that will make you adapt with the conditions of the high-tech circuits. You must know not just how to maneuver your car, but to be with it! Feel it like it's an extension of your body. So, therefore you must be ready for it."
I am ready, Kairo thought to himself. He had been preparing for this moment. A chance to get his legacy. He would leave a tire mark on that asphalt road to remind everyone of his story— how he defied the speed.
"The thing is..." Coach Winston smacked his lips. "You are not the only team in the academy eyeing to compete in that sport. So, if you want this team to get in ARLS, do what you must. Understood?"
"Yes," everyone replied with full determination. Each eye had a burning passion built by their dreams.
"Good. Now, our official training will start by checking your current physical capability." The announcement made everyone groan. The coach shook his head as he chuckled— he was expecting the reaction. "That's not a good trait as future racers, e? Work out your asses, people! Move!"
The Gearfall crew had their physical test that afternoon. As Coach Winston explained, it was a must that a racer knew his current capacity to understand where he could improve on. The first part of the test was about their reflex and reaction. On a wall, each trainee must be quick to tap the green light in a blink of an eye.
"Damn it!" Kairo cursed when he failed to quickly the green light of the nth time. He had a patience thinner than a thread. Another light appeared but he was late to tap it. There's no such thing as this in a real race! He uttered in his mind.
"Don't hurry! Allow your instinct to move! The circuits in ARLS have unexpected twists on them! You must learn to react and respond quickly," The coach lectured.
The other races also failed the first test. Their reactions were lame and their movements were lousy. The coach could only tap his palm on his forehead.
He did another test for the crew. He brought them to a wide room filled with obstacle courses. Coach Winston faced his crew. "Earlier's test is a bit boring, e? Let's try something harder!"
The obstacle course test brought everyone to excitement. Now, we are talking! Kairo uttered to himself. He cracked his neck and knuckles, warming up his limbs.
"Now, this obstacle course will challenge your strength, agility, and such! The twist is—" Before Coach Winston could finish his words, Kairo came in front.
"I'll go first," he announced. The four trainees on his back gasp; Samantha rolled her eyes.
"Are you sure about this?" Paul asked. "I-I mean, it's your first time—"
"This is like a child's play," Kairo brushed him off. He couldn't even see the challenge in the obstacle. Paul worriedly looked at the members, they shook their heads off. "Okay, alright. Good luck, I guess?"
"I know a brave trainee when I see one!" Coach Winston cheered. "Now, stand on the podium." Kairo stood on a circular platform. I'm ready.
"Remember, the courses are powered by AR digital elements." Kairo's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean—"
"You have five minutes... go!"
Kairo was unprepared when the counter moved. Immediately, he sprinted toward the obstacle course. The first part was a tire obstacle, he had to run through the tires as fast as he could. Piece of cake, he thought. He stepped in each tire without any hassle. He could feel the slight burning feeling on his feet. The heaviness of his suit added weight, but it didn't bother him.
Done!
Next obstacle, Kairo had to weave himself through the traffic cones. "Obstacle courses, huh," he sneered. This has no challenge to it! He sprinted toward the obstacles. The traffic cones were aligned in a curved manner and he had to squeeze himself swiftly between them. He weaved through the cones without any effort, although he had to be mindful of the timer.
As he passed between the cones, he realized the spaces between them became tighter and tighter! Suddenly, some cones appeared before him blocking his way! "What the hell is this?"
"The obstacle course was integrated with high-tech holographic visuals, son," Coach Winston shouted. In his tablet, he was tracking Kairo's progress.
"Damn, technology!" He hissed as he struggled squeezing himself between cones. He almost lost his balance because of the appearing cones. He carried on, and proceeded into the next obstacle.
It was an empty floor. He had to dash into the end of it, an easy task to do until a harsh wind blew against Kairo's exposed skin. It was blowing harshly that he found it hard to run.
"Do you think he can do that?" Porsche asked. The other three trainees shook their heads.
"I don't care, honestly," Samantha said, crossing her arms. A lopsided grin appeared on her lips, "but I'd like to see him suffer."
Kairo began to move his feet despite the wind going against him. He firmed his legs and took huge steps at a time. Where's this wind coming from? He took another step. Wrong step and the wind could send him back to the podium. He dared to take another. The air slapping his face was drowning his lungs. He used his left arm to cover his face as he struggled to dash through.
The air became harsher. He used his left arm to cover his face. He took a leap against the strong wind. The contrasting force was pushing him back. What kind of obstacle course is this!
From the floor, rolling wheels appeared, much to Kairo's surprise. The wheels rolled toward his direction, adding to his current struggle. "Stop this now!" He demanded, dodging each tire passing in front of him. He was trying to defy the wind against him, but it was pulling him back. The rolling tires were hitting his body. What the hell!
The air and the tires were forcing him to pull back, he couldn't hold it anymore! A blasting tire popped out of the floor. Before Kairo could dodge it, the tire hit him right in the face.
He was thrown back to the podium where his back hit the hard surface floor. Everyone in the room hurriedly came to him.
"Oh, man! Are you alright?" Porsche asked. "Should we bring it to the clinic?"
"He's got a wound on his nose! That's nasty," Olivia commented. That was where Kairo realized there was a bleeding wound on his nose. This is crazy...
"Out of the way! Out of the way!" It was Coach Winston. The crew gave Kairo a space. His dark stare went on his coach. "It almost killed me," he hissed.
The coach shook his head, "You have no idea how harsh the condition is inside the racing field. You only had a glimpse of it." Kairo didn't like to be lectured, especially by this old man grinning at him.
"Samantha, as the team leader, bring him to the clinic. That'll be all for our training today."
Samantha rolled her eyes. "Get up, new guy," she said. "I call for a wheel chair for you." Kairo had no choice but to oblige. His head was a bit hazy due to the impact of the tire on his face. He followed Samantha to the clinic to get him checked by the nurse. They cleaned his wound and let him rest for a bit before sending him back to his dorm.
Samantha couldn't stop chuckling while glancing at her new member. "What a way to welcome you here in Raceworth Academy, right? You should have seen your face struggling!"
Kairo clicked his tongue. "You're the team leader of the crew, huh? I see, you seem good at it." Samantha's eyebrow raised. "Saying something, new guy?"
Tension rose in the space between the two of them. Imaginary electric bolts were clashing. Clearly, the two of them disliked one another.