“Listen here children, I need you all to separate in groups of twenty and go with one of the assistants to the corresponding testing area”.

As the instructor divided us into groups for each fitness test, the energy in the gymnasium surged with anticipation. I exchanged glances with my fellow classmates, a mix of nervousness and excitement evident on their faces. While some looked anxious, I think about the errands my mom had my run through the village and how tired I felt every day, at the very least I should have decent result in these tests.

Flavio, Melody and I joined the same group, the graduate leading us didn’t even introduce himself and just said “follow me”. We got the field, as our first test was running from one side of the field to the other, while we had to keep the pace of Riolu. The small pokemon started slowly and we followed along, as the minutes passed he increased the speed, the pace got faster with each round, until one of our classmates could no longer keep up. I barely noticed the assistant using his pokedex and recording the results.

I lost track of time and how many rounds we had done, there were only six of us left capable of keeping up with Riolu’s pace. Flavio had already dropped out of the test, while Melody looked perfectly fine. Next round, two others left the test and I was already approaching my limit, and we took off, my feet pounding against the floor as I propelled myself forward for the last time.

Sitting next to Flavio, we watched as Melody and some other dude I hadn’t noticed before were the last ones keeping up with Riolu.

“Are you seeing how fast they are going? Damn”, my companion said while staring at Melody, “I mean, I noticed she was fit, but this is next level”, and I had to agree, that Riolu was pushing them hard. Finally, the other kid barely reached the end and dropped out, he looked very unwilling as he stared at Melody, clenching his fists and disbelief on his face, was he bothered for not being the last one?

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

I asked Flavio about it, “that’s Max Anderson, I heard him boasting about his family dojo, they are specialist in fighting types which usually means being able to keep up with your pokemon as much as possible”, how was I supposed to know that? It isn’t like we have time to hang out and get to meet our peers, at least I though we didn’t until Flavio told me yesterday people started talking during dinner.

“I’m sure he is feeling unsatisfied with being outdone by Melody, it was supposed to be his chance to stand out”, Flavio said while standing up and walking towards our fellow legacy, who finished her last round and was coming towards us with a grin on her face. I don’t know when these two got so close, but one high five and some celebration later, Melody noticed me by the side and turned red, walking away embarrassed.

With the first test done, we left towards the next area, the weightlifting corner. The next test was all about muscular strength, challenging our ability to exert force against resistance. We approached the weightlifting area with Machoke and instructor Smith waiting there, our eyes fixed on the barbells and dumbbells that lay before us.

Instructor Smith carefully explained the correct form and technique, ensuring we maintained proper alignment and engaged the targeted muscles, while Machoke demonstrated for us. As the pokemon lifted the weights, I thought the exercises didn’t look that hard, at least until it was my turn.

The sound of clanking weights and grunts of effort filled the air as I pushed myself to new limits. Beads of sweat dripped down my face as my muscles strained against the resistance, come on Gabriel, you can do it, don’t drop it, no, no, was I always this weak? I tried my best until my last set and was finished with the second test.

One by one, we completed our sets, honestly, I lost track of how the others were doing, but Melody yet again proved herself the best in our group.

The subsequent tests were much the same, each challenging us in unique ways. We pushed through grueling sets of push-ups, sit-ups, and planks to test our endurance. We stretched our bodies to their limits, reaching for greater flexibility. And lastly, we were taken to an examination room and got our measurements taken, height, weight and some other information I don’t understand. We were told everything will be explained later.

By the end of the class, we were physically and mentally exhausted, as all hundred of us left the gymnasium and headed towards the cafeteria for a well-deserved lunch.