"Lucy Luo, wake up. There's a race today."
Eternity-01 glanced at the calendar on the wall. The date had been circled in red marker.
Today marked the opening of the Maratela Desert Training Race. Maratela was also known as Little Grivin—Breath of Death. Although they hadn't yet entered provincial-level races, getting a taste of the Maratela Desert, which carried the Little Grivin nickname, would count as valuable experience gained in advance.
"Mmgh…"
A strange, indistinct whimper drifted out from the lump of blankets on the bed.
"Lucy Luo, the other club members are already waiting for you."
"Chomp chomp… hotpot is so good…"
Eternity-01 sighed helplessly. She fastened the last button of her suit jacket, walked quietly to the bedside, planted both hands on the edge of the bed, and suddenly exerted force, snapping her arms upward.
Whoosh—!
The blanket, along with the unidentified humanoid creature wrapped inside it, was flung high into the air like something being tossed in a wok.
Then it all came crashing back down onto the bed.
That did it. Lucy Luo was wide awake. She shot upright, eyes bleary but face full of terror, staring at Eternity-01 as she babbled, "Holy crap! An earthquake! Eternity, get under a table! I'll put my clothes on and be right there!"
As she spoke, she threw off the blanket, revealing her lovely figure—yes, this one liked to sleep naked.
Eternity-01 pinched the bridge of her nose, silently chanting "don't get angry" three times as she watched the blonde, domineering woman step on her own foot and tumble back onto the bed.
After all, even if she was stupid, lazy, and sloppy… at least she knew she needed to get dressed.
"Waaah, Eternity, I'm stuck in my racing suit. Hurry and help me…"
Eternity: "…"
After a round of frantic fumbling, the clothes were finally on. Eternity, like a professional butler crossed with a full-time nanny, took care of Lucy Luo's morning routine with meticulous efficiency. Before eight o'clock, she was already supporting Lucy Luo—who hung off her bonelessly—as they walked outside, where the members of GPC Club (Glory Peak) had been waiting for quite some time.
They glanced at Lucy Luo, who was clinging on like a koala, but no one dared say a word.
As a large club ranked 172nd overall, GPC had gathered many talented drivers and Mecha Girls with solid performance.
When they first met Lucy Luo, most of them felt sorry for Eternity-01, lamenting how she had ended up partnered with such a useless person.
But once Lucy Luo got on the track, they fell completely silent.
Because Lucy Luo on the racetrack and Lucy Luo in everyday life were like two entirely different people—the difference was so stark it was practically a split personality.
"Good morning, everyone~" Lucy Luo chirped, hugging Eternity's arm and flashing a goofy smile.
"Good morning, Boss."
"Boss, are we heading out now?"
"Let's go, let's go!" Lucy Luo waved her hand, then her gaze shifted to a stern-looking middle-aged man. "Mr. Li, you're getting up there in years. You don't need to go. You're a Techmaster—what's the point of bringing a top-tier Mecha Girl? Just let us regular drivers handle it."
"But, Boss, I want to bring glory to the club too!" The man's expression changed as he said sorrowfully, "Not being able to witness your brilliance on the track would be the greatest regret of my life."
"Oh, Mr. Li, just wait." Lucy Luo walked over and patted his shoulder affectionately, even though he was old enough to be her uncle. "Once I pass the provincial-level track this year, we'll be fighting side by side in the national advancement race!"
Everyone felt there was nothing strange about it.
Among drivers, strength mattered more than age. Seniority took a back seat.
Lucy Luo wasn't a Techmaster yet, but she would be in the future.
Even if GPC had to burn through all its resources, it would still push Lucy Luo onto the Techmaster throne.
...
Stella Club—
"Today is our club's first battle. Everyone, perform well!"
Derek Su stood at the entrance of the club, hands clasped behind his back, his expression solemn.
The only thing undermining his authority were the dark circles under his eyes.
It wasn't because Stella had caused trouble last night.
It was mainly because the weather was getting hotter. He dressed lightly, and even when he behaved and went to sleep properly, lying under the same blanket still made it hard to rest.
"The Maratela Desert Training Race is 1,700 kilometers long and requires at least three Mecha Girls," Derek Su said. "This time, Stella, Imperial Scale, Dolphin Leopard, and Lingwind will all participate. Zane, you'll drive Lingwind. As for me…" He scratched his head and glanced awkwardly at Imperial Scale and Dolphin Leopard. "How about you two…"
Imperial Scale lifted her cold gaze, her red lips parting slightly. "No."
Dolphin Leopard glared at Derek Su and snorted, cheeks puffed out. "What's this supposed to mean? What's this supposed to mean? You just brought the boss back yesterday and contracted her, and now you want to leave her without a driver? Scumbag!"
"That makes sense…" Stella stroked her chin, narrowed her eyes, and nodded in agreement. "Master, you can't just ignore Imperial Scale and Dolphin Leopard."
Although Imperial Scale was a rebel king and Dolphin Leopard a rebellious guard, and neither had formally contracted with Derek Su yet, leaving them without a driver in their very first race would be far too irresponsible.
If word got out, wouldn't people say the Queen of Stella Club was jealous and deliberately suppressing newcomers?
Unacceptable. Completely unacceptable!
She had to rule the world with maternal grace!
...
"It's not that I don't want to," Derek Su said helplessly. "But does the competition even allow one driver to pilot multiple Mecha Girls? Wouldn't that break the rules?"
"It's not against the rules," Zane said with a sly grin. "But you'd better think it through. A 1,700-kilometer course—you'll be driving three-quarters of it yourself. Can your body handle that? This training race simulates the Grivin Desert track. We start at dusk, and night falls fast. Once that happens, the desert temperature drops sharply. Gale-force winds kick up sandstorms, and your visibility will be almost zero. Tsk tsk."
Imperial Scale said nothing. She simply reached out and took Derek Su's hand.
Derek Su immediately felt her palm burning hot, like a branding iron.
"The boss's cockpit is nice and warm," Dolphin Leopard said with a roll of her eyes and a cold laugh. "Nothing like us speed-type Mecha Girls. If the boss can't handle it, then just admit you're a frail little minnow. We'll understand—and buy you some extra Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pills."
"My cockpit is warm too," Stella said, taking Derek Su's left hand.
Her small hand was icy cold, which didn't exactly help her case.
"Alright, then." Derek Su ignored Dolphin Leopard's minnow mockery, thought it over briefly, and made his decision. "Driving for three or four hours won't be a problem for me. Plus, there'll be some rest time during relays and tire changes. The day–night temperature difference is the real issue. So, Zane, you and Lingwind will start first. Stella and I go second, then Dolphin Leopard, and finally Imperial Scale. I'll personally drive Dolphin Leopard and Imperial Scale."
"Huh? Who said you get to drive me?!" Dolphin Leopard planted her hands on her hips and glared at him with wide eyes.
She was basically working for free, with no breach penalty clause, so her tone was especially bold.
However—
Imperial Scale: "Ahem."
Dolphin Leopard shuddered. Her pretty face flushed red as she grit her teeth.
In the end, she clasped her hands together and bowed toward Derek Su. "Boss, please, you must drive me! It would be my honor!"
...
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