Coincidentally, the Disciples left with Bucky Barnes were also subjected to the grueling marathon... however, they had no choice but to go at it without using their superpowers.
For some, it was incredibly easy, but for those who were only strong in the superpower sense, this was one of the most challenging tests they could go through. There was also a time limit of two hours, which was already a lenient amount of time considering that they were all peak human Disciples.
A handful of Disciples like Arghus (peerless disciple) and Bruce (main member of Satoshi's party during the three-day survival test) resolved to break through their limits and complete the marathon in under thirty minutes. As for the majority, they went with an even pace of 21 kilometers per hour, barely making it in time to finish the race in under 2 hours.
"Hey, you think Satoshi's doing fine?" Jonathan worriedly asked as he turned his head toward Yun Zhe. "I mean, tests like these are barely a challenge for us, but it is an altogether different topic with Magnus Carter's Disciples. They're the best of the best, right?"
"You should save your energy for the entire run, you know... but yeah, it's worrying that one of us is not here." Yun Zhe pursed his lips, concerned for Satoshi's well-being since he wasn't present. "In any case, we know how it is for Satoshi. No matter where he goes, he's bound to amaze everyone with his pure skill and overpowered self."
"We're switching with you guys I'll take the lead this time," Himuro suggested. Their group decided to rotate their lead runner so they could conserve as much energy as possible.
Compared to the test mindset that Magnus Carter's Disciples underwent, this group had a different outlook— they were keen on doing the bare minimum so they could survive the next test.
Magus Carter's Disciples just wanted to let it be done and over with so they could take it easy on the next tests. Then again, it was almost always a surprise what the midday and evening tests would be for everyone so no one could actually fully prepare for what was about to come.
"Come on ladies, don't go dropping like flies now," Jonathan turned around, seeing the ladies in their group struggle to keep up with their pace.
...
Magnus Carter's Dimension,
When Satoshi was handed eight gold mints, everyone's pupils dilated in shock upon seeing that much money in one go. They had no idea that multiplying the amount of weight essentially multiplied their earnings.
"Whoa, Satoshi..." Alicia Quill trailed off as she stared at Satoshi with a suspecting glare. "You were lying when you said a ton, right?"
"Eh?" Satoshi darted his eyes around, finally noticing the stares that everyone gave him. He hung his head down low as he whispered at Alicia Quill. "It was actually two tonnes." He responded sheepishly.
"Two tonnes? And you earned eight gold mints because of that?" Alicia exclaimed.
"Then again, two tonnes is pretty heavy considering that you weren't using any of your superpowers... but eight gold mints is still a crazy amount... hmm." Alicia trailed off as she tapped her index finger on her chin.
Usually, it would take at least three or four days tops before a Disciple could earn that much money. And yet, Satoshi just earned it in one test as if it was nothing. With that amount of money, he could already treat himself to a feast, or rent out the most expensive 'housing' in the dimension.
The greatest housing available in the dimension costs one gold mint per day, and Satoshi could get that and then some.
"No... it was two tonnes each," Satoshi said, grabbing one of the pouches and handing it to Alicia.
The moment it touched her hands she immediately let go since she would definitely get squished if she were to keep holding onto it.
BAM!
Dropping the pouch created a crater on the ground, and everyone gasped in shock as Satoshi calmly reached out and picked it up. He then placed it on the table where the pouches were originally set.
"Ehrmm!" Magnus Carter cleared his throat, garnering everyone's attention so he could announce what would happen next. He too didn't expect Satoshi to exceed his expectations, but right now was not the time to ask him about it.
The next test was bound to happen in a couple of hours. Usually, there would be another test after breakfast but Magnus Carter wanted Satoshi and Lucy to get a full experience in his dimension.
Because of that, he once again reminded Finana and Horatius to look after Lucy and Satoshi while the next couple of hours passed. Since there was nothing left to do and they didn't need to prepare for the next test, Finana and Horatius opted to point Lucy and Satoshi to their abode, and then they could either grab a quick brunch or continue touring the entire dimension.
(As mentioned, no one knows what the next test would be so there was no point preparing for it).
"Here we are." Horatius extended his hand, presenting a house that looked like a traditional Japanese house with a nice deck and stone-paved pathways through a clear yard.
A koi pond was located on the side, and the entire area was fenced with bamboo that swayed with the slightest breeze.
The stead click-clack of the bamboo fountain was rhythmed with the creaks of the bamboo and the steady flow of the fountain to the pond. It was the most relaxing combination of natural sounds that Satoshi had ever encountered.
To top it all off, the entire ambiance of the place resonated with their souls. Before Lucy and Satoshi knew it, they were drawn to the house.
"I call dibs on the wooden deck," Satoshi spoke first, but Lucy didn't even acknowledge what he said.
She just went straight to the deck and lay down on top of it, an action unbefitting a royalty like her.
"Oi!" Satoshi said, finding an open space as he too assumed a lying position. Together, the two of them enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, the feeling of rejuvenation overcoming them while they relaxed.
"It feels nice, right? Especially after that exhausting marathon... in any case, do you want to eat something?" Horatius asked, sitting down on an open spot in the yard while Finana dipped her feet in the koi pond.
"I want hamburg steak!" Finana raised her hand in the air.
"Whoa~ me too!" Satoshi bolted upright and raised his hand as well.
"M-m-me too!" Lucy also jumped on the bandwagon since she felt like she was being left behind.
Seeing that the three of them fancied hamburg steaks, Horatius smiled and rubbed his nose as he brought up a great idea. "I have a grill at my place. I'll bring it out and we can have a barbecue party here."
"Ooh, great idea," Satoshi clapped his hand as Horatius sprinted out of there. Even though they were the ones who suggested hamburg steaks for their meal, Horatius appeared to be the most excited out of all of them.
"He's always like that. He likes hamburg steaks as well." Finana commented as she began feeding the koi in the pond. She had leftover bread in her pocket, for some odd reason (well, she actually enjoyed feeding the fish so she always kept bread with her).
It didn't take long before Horatius arrived with an entire grill balanced on his shoulders. Gently, he put it down right by the clear space in the yard.
"I have an extension cord with me, don't worry," Horatius said, grabbing an extension cord from his spatial storage. It left everyone wondering why he carried the grill when he could've just stuffed it inside his storage.
With an excitement akin to a five-year-old, Horatius set up the grill, and it didn't take long before the grill was flaming hot. Even though some of them had fire as their superpower, Horatius insisted that they do it the 'normal' way.
"Now, all that's left is to order our hamburg steak... or do you prefer making it ourselves... no, we don't have time for that," Horatius said, pulling out some sort of device from his pockets.
"Wait, you have a smartphone over here? Wow," Satoshi commented as Horatius ordered a couple of things online. Apparently, they have something called 'overeats' here and it delivers the food and groceries they need.
"This overeats app is pretty convenient. We can order anything we want and it would be delivered in a couple of minutes. This is how we get our food around here." Finana explained.
A couple of minutes later, a delivery guy in a scooter arrived on their doorstep. His appearance was an extreme contrast to his surroundings. Without saying a word, he set down his deliveries and drove off.
"Oh, it's already paid," Horatius said, smiling at all of them, indirectly saying that this meal was his treat.
"Sweet!" Finana clasped her hands together in glee.
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