Ruby couldn't help but shake her head in disbelief. 'Why didn't the original owner take care of her body?'she thought. Didn't she know how much damage alcohol could cause?
It wasn't just about the rough mornings or the occasional headache. Alcohol could dehydrate the skin, cause weight gain, and weaken the immune system over time. Not to mention, it could lead to liver problems, mess with sleep, and make someone feel sluggish and drained all the time.
'How could she live like this?' Ruby wondered, realizing that the original owner might have simply let herself go, caught in bad habits without thinking about the long-term consequences
"Ruby, you look lost. You okay? It's just hair fall, not a big deal. You just need to take care of yourself, alright?" Angeline said, noticing Ruby's distant expression. She took the scarf from Ruby's hands and helped tie it properly around her face.
"I will not call you Ruby there, okay? You're Ru!" Angeline added with a smile.
"That sounds nice, thanks, Angel," Ruby laughed, feeling a little lighter as they continued toward the venue.
"Let's register your name," Angeline pointed ahead to an area where a cubic structure sat on the ground with a board that read Register Area. Ruby noticed how simple the graphic design was—just plain and functional, with the same sans-serif font used everywhere in this world.
Ruby registered her name as Ru, and the bored witch at the registration desk hardly glanced up as she noted it down. "You should prepare. The cars are already set. Take a left; they're placed there. Choose any car you like," the witch said with a yawn, clearly uninterested in the event.
Nodding, Ruby and Angeline followed the directions, heading to the left where they saw the cars lined up for the participants. Most of the audience was watching from their luxurious spots, either in flying Victorian cars or lounging on the floating cubes. There was also a normal seating area with projectors displaying the race, and many were already comfortably settled there.
"Ruby! You choose a car, and I'll see you after the race," Angeline said, glancing around. "I'll head to the seating area now before all the spots are taken."
"Don't worry about me. Go ahead," Ruby assured her, giving a small wave before heading toward the area where the other witches were preparing for the race. They were dressed in elegant, fine silk robes, clearly showing off their wealth and status, though Ruby thought their outfits were simple compared to the things she'd seen back on Earth.
For the audience's sitting arrangement, there was a massive cube placed with a projector inside, allowing everyone to view the race from multiple angles. The cube was powered by a rare natural fuel energy found deep within the mountains. This energy wasn't easy to come by—many witches worked tirelessly to pump it from the moutains using specialized machines, refining it into pure energy to power structures like these cubes.
Inside the cube, the temperature was cool and shaded, offering a comfortable escape from the sun's harsh rays. Though the walls were transparent, allowing anyone to clearly see the race happening outside, the audience inside the cube remained hidden in the comfort of the cool interior. It was a perfect blend of technology and magic, creating an optimal viewing experience.
Meanwhile, Angeline found a seat in the front row and looked up at the large screens showing the participants. The cameras were zooming in on the witches selecting their cars, and she noticed Ruby standing among them. Even though Ruby had her face covered, Angeline could still see that some of the witches were throwing Ruby looks of disdain.
What's their problem? Angeline thought, her brow furrowing. She could tell they were judging Ruby based on her simple appearance.
Angeline could clearly sense Ruby's confidence and the changes in her. Still, she thought, let's see what happens. She leaned back in her seat.
🪄
Ruby scanned the line of colorful cars, ignoring the other witches around her. The cars were all fairly simple in design, each adorned with a gem and basic features. Each had a sleek, rounded body made of a smooth, metallic material that shimmered faintly under the sunlight. The front of each car had a single glowing orb in place of headlights, pulsating softly, indicating it was powered and ready to go.
The interiors were plain, with basic leather seats and a small control panel in front. No extra features or luxury decorations were present; they were built purely for speed and efficiency. A simple steering crystal sat in the middle of the dashboard, glowing faintly with energy, ready to be directed by the driver's spiritual power.
Ruby took a deep breath, ignoring the weird glances and whispers from the other witches. She walked toward one of the simpler cars, its dull silver color looking worse than the other shiny, colorful ones. It wasn't flashy, but it would get the job done. Besides, she wasn't here to show off—she was here to win
The other witches, eager to flaunt their status, picked the flashiest cars available. Their vehicles were adorned with sparkling gems, vibrant colors, and ornate designs meant to catch the eye. Ruby had already noticed, though, that the fancier exteriors didn't make up for the poor functionality. While they looked impressive, the inner mechanics of the cars weren't as refined as the one she had chosen, despite its plain appearance.
In her previous world, car racing had been one of her favorite hobbies. She loved the adrenaline rush and the precision needed to win. Though she hadn't driven in this world, she felt confident in her abilities. After all, a car was still a car, right? The only difference here was that these vehicles were controlled by spiritual energy, which felt more like directing the car with your mind. Ruby wasn't entirely sure how it worked yet, but the mechanics were somewhat similar to how machines back in her old world needed a driver's control—just with a bit of magic involved.
"All witches take your seats and line up toward the racing area!" boomed a witch voice over the speakers.
—To be continued...🪄