After a few minutes of walking through the corridors of the complex, Group 17 arrived in front of a quiet room. The doors were open, and the atmosphere was more relaxed than before. Inside, chairs were arranged in a circle around a small table. Around the room, windows allowed natural light to flood in, brightening the space. Other groups had already arrived, but the members of Group 17 didn't seem concerned with the competition. They were there for a different kind of preparation.
Ehito entered first, closely followed by the others. They made their way to the free chairs and settled around the table. It was now time for planning, exchanging ideas, and most importantly, strategic discussions. The tournament was starting in the afternoon, but before that, they needed to decide who would do what and how they would approach each challenge.
Ehito calmly sat down, arms crossed, and gave a calm look to his group. Elian, the strategist of the group, immediately took the floor.
— "Alright, everyone. This tournament isn't just about physical challenges. There will be tests of strategy, coordination, and moments where we'll need to react quickly. We're going to split the roles. Each of you needs to know what you're best at. I'll handle the tactical side, but I need you to be clear about your strengths."
He paused and glanced at Ehito, who seemed slightly detached but still attentive. It was his turn to speak.
Ehito took a deep breath, his eyes scanning each group member one by one, before speaking in a calm but firm voice:
— "We'll divide the roles based on what you do best. I can handle the overall strategy, but for the physical tests, I'd like you to take the lead. However, if any of you need support in any area, I'll step in."
He gave a quick glance to Elian, who nodded in agreement before turning back to the group.
— "Kira, you'll handle the speed challenges. Yuji, endurance is on you. Reiko, coordination is your area, you have a good instinct for that. As for Luca, I'll have you handle problem-solving under pressure. If we need to come up with a quick solution, you're our go-to."
A silence fell over the room. Each member of the group felt reassured by Ehito's clarity and confidence. He wasn't the type to impose his ideas, but his words had such quiet authority that everyone instinctively knew they could trust him.
— "Alright," replied Elian after a moment. "But before we finalize all of this, we should do a few mini-trials to see where everyone stands. That'll give us a clearer idea of everyone's strengths."
— "Fair enough," Ehito agreed. "Let's start with a series of tests, just to clarify the distribution."
The group members stood up and moved to a corner of the room where several areas were marked by cones. A series of tests were laid out: strength, endurance, agility, and strategy. Everyone would take their turn, but the tests were open to all.
Strength and Endurance Test:
The first to go was Yuji. He stepped up to a bar to test his strength. The boy gripped it and began to perform pull-ups with military precision. Reiko, Kira, and Luca watched in silence, noting Yuji's endurance and power. When Yuji finished his test, he wiped his brow with a quick motion and turned to Ehito.
— "Your turn now," he said with a smirk. "Let's see if you can do better."
Ehito calmly approached the bar. The others watched him with curiosity. At first glance, nothing about him suggested he would be particularly good at this. However, as soon as he gripped the bar, he hoisted himself up effortlessly, completing the pull-ups with a surprising fluidity. He showed no signs of fatigue, his movements perfectly controlled, as though he had done this all his life.
Reiko, somewhat stunned, couldn't help but comment:
— "Okay… that's impressive."
— "It's just a warm-up," Ehito replied in a calm voice, without even a smile.
By the end of his test, he gently let himself drop to the floor and, without a word, walked to the next challenge. The other group members exchanged surprised looks, but none of them commented. They had understood: Ehito wasn't just a strategist; he was a versatile asset.
Agility and Coordination Test:
The following challenges were more physical, with an obstacle course to complete in a limited amount of time. Kira and Reiko took on the coordination tests. Kira was fast, but it was Reiko who dominated the course, executing the movements with impressive fluidity. Ehito watched in silence before stepping up to the challenge himself.
When it was his turn to tackle the obstacle course, he moved with an unexpected lightness. Every move was calculated and precise, and he navigated the course with a speed that even surprised Reiko, the coordination expert.
— "You… you do this just as well as you do everything else," she murmured, still in awe.
Ehito shrugged slightly, but deep down, he knew that his physical talents weren't a coincidence. He was more than just a strategist.
Strategy Test:
Finally, it was time for the strategy test. This one involved solving a complex problem under pressure. Ehito and Elian took the lead in the group to think of the best solution. Everyone expected Ehito to take charge of the operation, and he did not disappoint. His ideas flowed rapidly, and he guided the others toward an optimal solution.
— "It's decided. We'll go with this option," Ehito concluded, observing the focused expressions of his teammates.
The others nodded, admiring their leader's ability to handle complex situations with such ease.
The group then gathered, exhausted but satisfied with their collective performance. They knew the tournament would be tough, but now they had a clearer idea of each other's capabilities. Ehito, with his calm and expertise in all areas, had impressed them all.
As the session ended, they made their way to the exit, ready for the afternoon to begin. Group 17, more united than ever, headed toward the upcoming trials with renewed confidence.