The two days of rest, as quick as a whisper of wind, vanished away, barely audible and indiscernible. The facility was awfully quiet during this time, with only the frustrated grunts of remaining participants in the simulators whenever they failed to emerge first. Apart from that, everyone had stayed in their respective hailing rooms, but Luca and Harry surprisingly found interest in playing cards. Even on the morning of the twelfth day, after all routines were completed, they engaged in conversation about their fears while playing. Delving deeper, they spoke a little about their families, and this led Luca to spill out his encounter from the night before.
Harry was completely shellshocked, swearing by his finishing position that Luca was more than lucky to spend even five seconds with the Chief Manager's daughter.
Laughing it off, the two managed to finish one last game before it was time for the final chapter and the concluding activity of the course. The training hub's locker room felt tense and charged, filled with an anxious energy that Luca believed was palpable, creeping over his body. No one uttered a word to each other; not even the boys who had previously been allies—they were all opponents now, after all. Each had been medically rechecked and deemed eligible to race.
Walking out, clad in their racing suits of different colors, the managerial team of Grey-Husson stood at the edge of the track. The post-rain atmosphere provided a slightly clouded view, and the sun wasn't out; Luca guessed it might not appear until around late morning. He wondered if the atmosphere would affect the race.
Taking his gaze to the stands, Luca noticed they were filled with more spectators than on the very first elimination day. Though it wasn't a massive crowd, it was still a significant number, enough to create a buzz if they all screamed and drummed in unison. The crowd ranged from small-sized people to adults, filled with more unfamiliar faces. This will be interesting. A surge to push our determination, very encouraging.
A whisper of movement brushed Luca's neck, as if one of his competitors was invading his personal space from behind. "Don't be a tryhard; your puny skills won't cut it in 34 laps—this is all about endurance," Miles hissed before vanishing into the group just as quickly as he had appeared.
Luca spotted him and fought the urge to raise his middle finger, fearing he might breach some rules if that gesture were seen, ceasing his stay here before he could even get to his single-seater. What Miles didn't know was that Luca had increased his Endurance by 2 and Strength by 1 over the past two days.
Speaking of single-seaters, Luca located his R.S.11 among the twenty-four cars aligned for the remaining participants.
After crossing the first track, they approached the third, where the Chief Manager and his team stood, ready to begin at a moment's notice. All units were on standby, especially the telemetry team, responsible for monitoring the condition of all cars and warning the rookie racers if they became too engrossed in the track to notice any issues themselves.
"This will be a simple and traditional race with slight changes. You will each have one pit, but only one person can use it at a time. All existing rules still apply, and breaking them will result in severe penalties, regardless of who you are," Sir Grimwald stated, clapping his hands and gesturing for Mr. Schafer to speak. However, the aged man had no words and sat down awkwardly, signaling for the race to begin.
The participants all donned their helmets, adjusting them as they turned to face the tow truck arranging their single-seaters in a specific formation for the race start. Their cars were positioned in pairs, with no leading pole position car in sight.
Luca's System analyzed his R.S.11, confirming it was ready to go. It also scanned a few other vehicles, heightening Luca's worry about the disparities among them. Some cars were well-equipped, while others fell short.
Directed to enter their cockpits, the participants dubiously complied, hopping into their cars and effortlessly closing their roofs, marking the end of their seamless motion. Everything was in place, and it was time to begin the 34-lap race that would determine the face of Grey-Husson's this year and the selectable seven.
Luca felt comfortable as he settled into the embrace of his R.S.11, relishing and appreciating the interior, noting the slight amendments the mechanics had made to it. The luxurious scent of rich leather enveloped him, the wheel feeling lighter, agile and more suiting in his grip as he caressed the switches, flicks and buttons, mentally rehearsing their positions to avoid confusion. The dashboard gleamed with reflecting lines, while the ambient, soft lighting created a soothing atmosphere for what would be a tensed driving.
[SYNCHRONIZING HOST....]
[SYNCHRONIZATION COMPLETE]
[Host is now synced with Renault (R.S.11)]
However, with the synchronization, confusion was simply not an option. He was now one with the R.S.11, and the car would respond to his every command, as if it were an extension of himself, only faltering when faced with physical damage or unexpected track challenges.
Instantly, the meticulous details of his car appeared in the digital interface within his helmet, the surrounding darkness projecting it like a cinematic display. His single-seater looked good and ready to go, and it even felt right in his grasp, instilling in Luca the belief that he had a strong chance of winning, or at least finishing in the top three.
Remembering the bet he had made with the Chief Manager's daughter, Luca shifted his mindset, swearing that second position was not an option. I need to win something in my life for once.
knock knock
A knock resonated against the frame of the R.S.11. Luca glanced to the side, where Mallow was bent over his car with a radio to his lips, urging Luca to switch on his own radio.
Luca switched it on immediately. "Uhmmm...Is...there a problem?"
"No, not at all," Mallow replied with a synthetic voice, taking a moment to glance at the track before looking down at Luca. "Just came to talk to you after speaking to Harry. All agents have been allowed to do so. But bear in mind, this doesn't happen during real races."
"Yes, sir. I know that."
"How comfy are you in there, son? Pretty nervous?" Mallow asked, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He stared intently at Luca's helmet, wishing he could see through it to discern the boy's true expression. He had learned that Luca was very good at hiding his feelings and expressions.
"It's my first real race, so I'm bound to be nervous, but I'm all good. Don't bother," Luca replied with a shrug, his hands still gripping the wheel.
"Of course I trust you. Although the second activity was a letdown, you were far the best in the first. Show that same spirit right here, before this little crowd," Mallow said, gesturing around them. "Then you'll find yourself racing against Marco Rossi by the end of this year."
Luca chuckled softly, taking one hand off the wheel for a quick salute. "Aye, sire." He had no idea who Marco Rossi was. This new generation of F1 racers were oblivious to Luca.
Mallow nodded and switched off his radio before walking across the asphalt toward the stands to sit and watch. Luca switched off his as well, hitting the ENGAGE button as soon as it was time to do so.
[As finishing at least top 7 in this race will grant you a chance of completing your Mission, I have no choice but to place a Daily Quest concerning this race.]
Luca's shoulders dropped. "Please, don't. You'll just add pressure on me, c'mon."
[Ding!]
[Daily Quest has been Issued!]
The familiar words texted out in Roboto font on the System's digital interface.
[-·-EMERGE FIRST OUT OF THIS 34-LAP RACE-·-]
[DURATION: NIL]
[This will help improve your overall Attributes and Skills, making you use and implement them.]
[Reward for Completing Saturday's Daily Quest: (EXP)
-Strength +2
-Stamina +2
-Endurance +2
-Agility +2
-Intelligence +2
-Reflexes +3
-Overtaking Skill +3
-Track Awareness +3 ]
[As the race is a self-driven endeavor, consequences such as experience point reduction for quests as a stern punishment for deliberate abandonment or simple incompetence will not be issued.]
[Consequence for Failing Saturday Daily Quest: Punishment
-Severe purging caused by forced nausea and temporal dysentery will occur.]
"Are you trying to kill me...? Dysentery? Really? I had sworn I would not have that in my life again," Luca complained, shaking his head as he drummed his index fingers on the crafted frame of the wheel. I'll have to win then; the rewards are sumptuous.
The revving of the vehicles tore through the morning air, a symphony of machinery and engines, brimming with power as they all awaited the loud horn.
Luca peered down the race track. They had been racing on this particular circuit for six days, and he had become quite familiar with it. He relaxed in his seat, arms stretched out to the wheel as he took a deep breath, feeling the vibration of the engine beneath him.
He adjusted his grip, tapping his fingers lightly against the steering wheel, syncing his heartbeat with the rhythm of the engines around him. With each passing moment waiting for the horn, he began to visualize the course in his mind—turns, straightaways, and where to push harder.
The horn blared.
Luca closed his eyes for a brief second after the sound, then surged forward, joining the early cluster of black and multicolored machinery. It was challenging to navigate without bumping into each other, and even the first bend proved to be more stressful than anticipated.
[Host is attempting a Race]
[ANALYZING AND COLLECTING TRACKING DATA...]
[DATA COLLECTED]
[DATA DISPLAYED IN REAL-TIME:
-Car Speed: 75 km/h
-Heart Rate: 135 bpm
-Operational Status: 85% (Good)
-Breathing: Slightly Elevated
-Distance covered: 150m
-Time: 30 sec ]
Luca guided his wheel out of the bend, mimicking the movements of the cars ahead of him. Soon enough, all the participants had made it through the bend and were speeding down a straightaway.
[7th Position]
Luca wondered where Harry was. He scanned the track, aware that this was still the first lap with thirty-three more to go. He spotted Harry in 9th position, doing fairly well just behind him. They were still clustered together, and Luca knew he had to implement some of his Skills to level up and gain an advantage.
For the first lap, the racers danced through the circuit at a steady speed, none attempting radical overtakes or reckless maneuvers. However, at the start of the second lap, things began to change. Securing advantageous positions became crucial to maximizing their chances of finishing well.
[6th Position]
[Stamina +1]
Luca gripped the wheel tighter as he hurtled down a straightaway that felt like a sloping hill. The roar of engines from other participants trying to overtake surrounded him. As he completed the straightaway, he saw 5th position taking a turn, and he followed suit, aware of 7th position right on his tail.
His tires gripped the asphalt as he leaned on the wheel, shifting his weight slightly in rhythm to how he tilted the wheel. The smooth action made him cut in through a tight corner, the same move the reckless driver was attempting when he struck Luca in Stadhaven.
[Overtaking Skill +1]
[SYNC BAR: [][][][]12.5%]
[5th Position]
Once the bend was over, Luca hit the accelerator, surging forward with lightning speed as his body jerked back from the massive G-force hitting his chest. Fuck! That was lethal!
[Strength +1]
[Endurance +1]
[You are gathering speed]
Luca had to push himself. Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 had already reached this straightaway, building up their speed as well. Letting them gain a lap on him was not something Luca was willing to accept.
Checking his Operational Status details, he reassured himself that his tires were fine after that exertion. No need for a stop, he thought, glancing at his cautious side mirror.
He seemed alone on this section of the course, which made him understand the true meaning of the phrase "the calm before the storm." With the other racers momentarily behind, he seized the opportunity to focus on his technique while maintaining his speed to catch up with the leaders. He took a deep breath, relishing the silence that surrounded him, the only sounds being the hum of his engine and the rush of wind.