Chapter 5: Go, go, go!

[4:00 pm, Physical exam hall]

Oliver had successfully made it to the final stretch of the physical exam, with 30 minutes to spare at that. From what he could tell, 98% of the recruits had already failed the exam, leaving only 15 recruits left. With those kinds of odds, he couldn't help but feel a little arrogant. After all, this proved that he was better than over a hundred people. Was it so bad he felt a bit proud? And he couldn't lie, the feeling of trampling over other people's hopes and dreams actually felt really good.

"What the hell am I thinking? Ugh... I think all this running is messing with my brain..." Oliver thought, feeling a bit disappointed in himself . However before he could question his morals, he had reached the final obstacle. A sadistic dash to the finish line with sprinklings of every single obstacle, trap and trick that came before it. A final test of stamina. This was the part Oliver dreaded the most. Sure the rock climbing wall was hard, but at least he had a plan for it. However, something of this nature, is something you can't use your brain for. Only your raw skill and physical prowess.

In the distance, Oliver could see Olivia who had already crossed the finish line. She was making some kind of gesture to him, and at first he believed she was trying to encourage him, but after re-evaluation, it was clear she was flipping him off.

"Heheh suck it loser... Actually I probably shouldn't antagonize him. If he makes it over to this side I'm screwed..." Olivia thought to herself. Still, bothering Oliver was very much worth it to her.

Oliver looked at Olivia in disbelief. How could someone so childish be so much better than him? This fact annoyed him.

“Stupid Olivia… I'm going to prove you wrong. Cause I'm just better!” Oliver thought to himself.

He did a few extra stretches, before getting into a sprinting position. He had used most of his conserved stamina during the rock climbing test, but he only had to run about 150 meters. Besides, he had one extra card up his sleeve. Due to the nature of this obstacle course, all the recruits are forced to sabotage each other to get an edge, more so than the others. That fact gave Oliver some hope. Because Oliver could read the desires and intentions of a person just by how they looked at him, so all he had to do was react accordingly.

"It's kinda like a real life quick time event..." Oliver thought to himself, chuckling a bit. Oliver waited for the recruit beside him to start running slightly ahead of him before he started his sprint. He did this to avoid any unwanted collision that might cause him to slip. However he also had a slightly more sly reason for his approach. Since the person in front of him was about two steps ahead of him, the delay between each mechanism is large. Once the person in front of him triggered a trap or obstacle, Oliver had a split second of grace. And since he was in the middle ground between each trap, the recruit behind him will surely be hit. It was a nasty tactic, but it was the only option he had, and he was going to use it until it had run its course. Dodge, run, dodge, run, dodge run. Over and over again. The repetitiveness of his actions was exhausting. He could feel his stamina running thin, but he couldn't just stop now, he was so close to the finish line. Just a few more steps. That's all he needed.

"Go.... Go.... Just... Just go..." His body reached its limits. Oliver collapsed on the ground, his body unable to move. Despite being inches away from victory, he wasn't able to make it.

"Just like back at the rock climbing wall... I failed right at the last moment... But this time I don't have Katherine to pull me up... Huh. Even now, I still rely on others to achieve my victory..." Oliver thought to himself. He wondered if this is what everyone else felt when they failed the test. He felt stupid for being so arrogant just now. He was no different from anyone else. He looked at those who had crossed the finish line with pure envy. No, it wasn't envy. It was embarrassment. These people were either born talented, or worked hard to get where they are.

"I think I get what Katherine was trying to say just now... She wasn't asking if people would blame each other when bad stuff happens… She was asking if I had lost all rationality since I was delusional enough to believe I could compete with everyone else. Maybe she should've just let me fall. That'd at least save me some embarrassment..." Oliver thought as he lay on the ground. The timer counted down slowly from 10. Each second that passed felt like an eternity for Oliver. Why couldn't it just go faster? Was it trying to mock him? He had already given up, so why did it still taunt him? He knew he was stupid for trying to become something greater, so just reach zero, you stupid clock!

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[4:30]

The timer hit zero, signaling the test was over. Oliver got up from the floor, feeling slightly relieved. Now he could go home, eat a warm meal, and sleep in his comfy bed. I mean, that's what he wanted in the first place! Who cares about being an investigator anyways? He'd probably have to work day in and day out with no rest in between. He'd probably also get a lot of injuries. He didn't want that life. Of course he didn't want it. He didn't want it. Yet the wetness on his cheeks said otherwise. Oliver touched his face, then stared blankly at the slight wetness on his fingertips. He wondered why he was crying. He didn't want to be a cadet. His enthusiasm, his love for the cadets, his desire to become one himself, It was all just lies he told himself so he could feel better about being such a loser compared to his sister. So why? Why did he feel so bad? Why did he feel so sick in his stomach?

"Just stop! Just stop! Just stop! Just stop!" Those words repeated in his head over and over again. He hated feeling so worthless, he just wanted to stop feeling entirely. Maybe then. Maybe then. Maybe then he wouldn't feel so bad about being inferior to Olivia. As Oliver stood frozen in his depression and frustration, he felt a flick hit his forehead.

"Yo... Why the hell are you crying? Did that fall really hurt that much?" Olivia asked, trying to sound tough, but it's obvious that she's concerned. Oliver lifted his head up, staring into her concerned eyes. Even though he felt so much hatred and jealousy towards Olivia, she didn't harbor any of those same feelings. All she felt was concern for her younger brother. As Oliver continued to stare into her eyes, he realised why he felt so bad. He wasn't disappointed that he couldn't become a cadet, nor was he angry at Olivia for being so much better than him. The true reason he felt such despair was because what he truly wanted was to be recognised by his sister. This was his chance to prove to her he was worthy of being her twin brother. But he failed.

"Olivia... I'm sorry... I'm sorry for being such a horrible person..." Oliver said, his voice was shaky. Olivia was confused by his sudden apology. All she could do was laugh awkwardly.

"The heck you mean sorry? And what's this about being a horrible person? Yeah sure you're an ass sometimes... But you're like one of the best people I know! Which is impressive since I know myself" Olivia said, trying to cheer him up. Oliver chuckled a bit, but his sadness quickly took hold of him again.

"You... Think I'm a burden don't you?" Oliver asked. Olivia slapped Oliver across his face.

"Don't you ever say that dipshit..." Olivia said, sounding extremely frustrated with Oliver. Oliver held his cheek, but he didn't really care that she slapped him. In fact, he felt like he deserved it.

"... Back in grade school, I always clung by your side. I knew that if I was with you, nobody would make fun of me, or try to pick on me... So in a way, I've always used you for my own benefit... I always called you a parasite, but it turns out I was the real one" Oliver said, staring at the ground.

"Just... Just what are you trying to say huh? That you're a pitiful little boy that doesn't deserve me or something? God I hate this about you... You always see yourself as lesser than dirt, when clearly you're more capable than most people!" Olivia said, pointing at his chest. Her words struck a chord in Oliver's heart.

"W- what no that's not wha-" but before he could finish his sentence, Olivia cut him off.

"I don't need your excuses... They're way too easy to come by anyway..." Olivia said, walking off.

Oliver didn't know why, but he felt like he needed to tell her off. Even though he was in the wrong, he felt like he had to fight back. He didn't want to just accept everything as is anymore. For once in his life, he wanted to do something about his situation.

"Just what do you know huh? I was this close to becoming a cadet, yet I failed at the very last second! If that's not pathetic, I don't know what is!" Oliver yelled back at her. Olivia turned around and glared at him. Oliver felt a bit scared, but he stood his ground.

"What the hell do you mean about failing? Look where the finish line is, idiot..." Olivia said.

Oliver turned around, realising that he had already crossed the finish line.

"W- wait... What?" Oliver said, sounding confused. Olivia shook her head as she held her face in her hand.

"Why the hell are you so stupid sometimes? Geez I wonder if you're really my brother..." Olivia said, sighing audibly.

"How the hell was I supposed to know that !" Oliver shouted, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"When you fell, you fell forward. You were already inches away from the finish line, so the fall actually helped you cross it. Call it dumb luck or divine intervention, but you passed..." Olivia said, chuckling to herself as she began walking away. Oliver couldn't believe it. He actually crossed the finish line. At that moment, there was only one thing Oliver felt. A rush of pure satisfaction.