Both his mother and father were in shock at what Ken told them.

  They had a conversation with Ken for a while until he left for college.

  “I didn’t think Roger would teach him this,” Ken’s father thought.

  The day went normally for Ken as he had some normal conversations with Andrew and Harkey during the breaks.

  During his evening training, Roger taught him various ways to utilize Core Ignis in both attack and defense.

  He was exhausted by the end of his training as he went home to rest.

  Andrew, on the other hand, is following his effective Preparation Marathon schedule.

  A few weeks have passed, and Ken is slowly gaining composure and control in Core Ignis. Roger was surprised by Ken’s growth.

  Meanwhile, Andrew is increasing his pace in his intense training sessions, as he does every day.

  Ken’s schedule is completely packed.

  From morning training to college, evening training, and sometimes talking to Lucera, and sleeping early at night was his routine.

  He takes some days off from his training as a measure to manage his workload. When he comes home in the evening, he would already be tired.

  “I am actually doing this,” Ken thought.

  “I never thought someone would train me. I am grateful to you, Roger,” he felt so happy.

  Even though he was pretty focused on his training, he sometimes realizes the present and takes time to enjoy his days.

  He understands the value of time, so he balances out the college, training, and other routines very well.

  Andrew was insanely focused on his training as he closed on his goal. He doesn’t balance it out well like Ken, but his priority is definitely running.

  “This is getting harder and harder, but—" Andrew, while running.

  “Harder the process, sweeter the result,” he muttered.

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  “Ahh, my calf hurts a lot, but it feels great to feel the pain for some reason,” Andrew was laughing, even though his legs hurt a lot.

  “What humans are we if we don’t enjoy the pain?” he said while running in the evening.

  One month has gone by, and it was November 14.

  During the break,

  “How’s your training going?” Andrew asked Ken.

  “It is going well, I am slowly managing to learn the nuances of using Core Ignis,” Ken replied.

  “How is your training?” he asked.

  “It is almost the end, I have enjoyed a lot,” Andrew answered.

  “Are you coming with me, Ken?” he asked.

  “I haven’t asked my parents yet, but I will definitely come,” Ken replied.

  “Have you said anything about this to Haili?” Ken asked with a smirk.

  “I have, she said she would try to come,” Andrew said, with a smile.

  “It will encourage you, huh?” Ken was enjoying the conversation.

  Calydria was a couple of hours away from Lyricos, where Ken lived.

  The event day has arrived, and Ken left home to catch the train for Calydria at 5:00 am. Andrew stayed at his aunt's house the previous day. The marathon was about to start at 7:00 am.

  “I would be there on time to see Andrew completing the marathon,” Ken thought.

  It was 6:00 am.

  “Should I text Haili? I have never texted any girl other than Lucera,” Ken was confused.

  A few minutes later,

  “Let’s do this, I am doing it for Andrew’s sake,” he started typing.

  “Are you coming to watch Andrew?” he sent the text.

  “Will she reply? I guess not,” he thought.

  “I wish Lucera had come along with me,” he wondered.

  3 minutes later,

  “I am coming, where shall I wait?” Haili replied.

  “Oh, I didn’t expect to get a reply, but I am honestly proud of myself,” he thought after seeing the text.

  “Past Ken would be proud of me,” he muttered, happy.

  “Wait at the start, I will be there within an hour,” he sent another text.

  “Ok,” she replied.

  “That was quick.” Ken didn’t expect it to be this quick.

  Meanwhile,

  “I couldn’t get a minute of good sleep,” Andrew was, sleepy.

  “All my training comes down to this, I will definitely win,” he was motivated even though he was tired.

  He arrived at the venue at 6:30 am and did some warm-ups. He felt excited seeing the number of people who came there.

  It was almost 7:00 am as Andrew took position, ready to start.

  “This is getting a lot more interesting. I never thought that this many people would come here,” he muttered after seeing the crowd.

  There are over 1,000 participants and over 1,000 visitors. So, the venue was full-packed. His number was 300927.

  “This is exciting,” he muttered, ready.

  Near him was a slightly smaller person who looked scared. He was shaking due to the atmosphere.

  Andrew noticed him.

  “Is this your first time?” he asked.

  “No, I have participated in many marathons, but for some reason, I was always intimidated by the atmosphere at the start,” he replied.

  “What’s your name?” Andrew asked.

  “I am Evans, you?” he introduced.

  “I am Andrew, nice to meet you,” Andrew also said.

  “Just enjoy the atmosphere,” Andrew said.

  “Enjoy?” Evans couldn’t understand what he meant.

  “Only when you get to enjoy the small things, you get to live life the fullest,” Andrew said with a smile.

  The marathon began as all athletes started running.

  “Enjoy the small things,” Evans still couldn’t understand, but felt surreal by the atmosphere.

  His fear has gone, as he started running at a faster pace at the start.

  Andrew had a similar strategy, as he also picked up his pace at the start. He ran it as if it were a 200-meter race for some time.

  “I am sure he will win,” Ken muttered after landing in Calydria station.

  He then walked to the venue as it was nearby. “Have you reached?” Haili sent.

  “I am near the venue,” Ken replied.

  “I am sure she is more excited than I,” Ken thought.

  After 7 minutes, Ken reached the venue. After some minutes of searching, he found Haili.