Henry climbed out of his cockpit, his chest heaving with the adrenaline of the race. The roar of the engines had faded, replaced by the excited buzz of the small crowd and the hurried whispers of agents, scouts, and academy staff. Sweat dripped down his face, but a grin tugged at his lips. He had done it he'd proven himself in one of the most challenging races of his life.
Before he could fully process what had just happened, a small mob descended on him.
"Henry Calder, that move in the final corner was spectacular!" exclaimed a man in a tailored suit, shoving a business card into Henry's hand. "You've got talent. Pure, raw talent. My agency can take you to the top!"
Another woman pushed through, waving a sleek folder. "I'm with Apex Management. You need representation, and we specialize in drivers like you. Let's talk!"
It wasn't just agents. Team scouts from smaller racing outfits approached with firm handshakes and fast-talking pitches.
"We saw potential from your qualifying lap, but after today? We're ready to invest. Let's discuss the future."
Henry blinked, overwhelmed by the sudden attention. All he wanted was a moment to catch his breath, but they weren't letting up. He tried to respond, thanking them as politely as he could while dodging their relentless offers.
On the far end of the paddock, Liam Parker ripped off his helmet and threw it onto the ground, his face contorted with rage.
"Are you kidding me?!" he snarled. "How did he end up ahead of us?!"
Nathan, equally furious, crossed his arms, his scowl deepening. "That divebomb was reckless. Someone like him shouldn't even be here."
Liam's fists clenched as he glared at Henry surrounded by scouts and agents. "He's making a fool of us. First, he beats us in Oklahoma, and now this? It's a fluke. That's all it is."
Without another word, the two stormed off together, their anger palpable.
The trio who had placed ahead of Henry stood nearby, observing the commotion with quiet resentment.
Victor Lang, the arrogant French driver who had placed first, leaned against his car, smirking. "Look at him, basking in the spotlight like he's accomplished something. One flashy move, and suddenly he's a star?"
Sophia Chen, the fierce and precise racer from China who had taken second place, frowned. "It's not just about the move. His climb from last place was impressive. But that doesn't mean we let him do it again."
Santiago Rojas, a fiery Spaniard in third, nodded in agreement. "Next time, I'll make sure he stays behind me where he belongs."
The three exchanged determined glances, an unspoken agreement forming between them. Henry had made his mark, but they would make sure it didn't happen again.
"Alright, alright, give the kid some space!" A loud voice boomed over the chatter.
Henry turned to see one of the academy officials stepping in, waving off the agents and scouts. "This isn't the time or place for negotiations. Let him breathe."
The crowd reluctantly dispersed, though not without handing Henry more business cards and offers.
Finally, with a bit of room to move, Henry made his way to the academy's main building to cool down. On his way, he could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on him some admiring, some envious, and some filled with resentment.
"System Update: Daily Tasks Completed."
Henry sighed in relief as the familiar voice of his system chimed in.
System: "Congratulations, Henry! Not only did you climb from the bottom of the grid to 4th place, but you executed one of the riskiest moves in racing with that divebomb! I have to admit, even I didn't expect you to pull it off."
"Thanks," Henry muttered, keeping his voice low.
System: "Don't let it go to your head, though. The race was only one battle. The war is far from over, and from the glares you're getting, I'd say you've made a few enemies today."
Henry glanced around and saw the lingering stares from Victor, Sophia, and Santiago. "Yeah, no kidding."
System: "And speaking of enemies… Liam and Nathan looked ready to burst a blood vessel back there. You might want to keep an eye on them."
Henry shrugged. "Let them stew. I'm not here to worry about them."
The system hummed in approval.
System: "Good attitude. Now, remember, you've got daily tasks to complete. I'd suggest hitting the gym later tonight to make up for the physical toll of the race."
"Got it," Henry said, already planning to find the facility after dinner.
The Weight of Expectations
As Henry reached the locker room, he finally sat down, running a hand through his sweat-soaked hair. His body ached from the grueling race, but his mind was alive with determination.
The words of the agents and scouts echoed in his mind. Their interest was flattering, but he couldn't let it distract him. He hadn't come this far just to be a one-hit wonder.
System: "Remember, Henry. The next race is your chance to solidify your position. This week is brutal, There are only going to be 10 drivers left afterwards. You want to be one of them."
Henry clenched his fists, nodding. "I'm not going anywhere. This is just the beginning."
Unbeknownst to him, while he prepared for what was ahead, his competitors were already plotting ways to ensure his rise was short-lived. For Henry, the fight wasn't just on the track, it was everywhere.