The Rona Bay Training Race had no commentary.
Only the large track-monitoring screens and the speed detection system were running.
With the Brana Ruins Advanced Race scheduled for tomorrow, there were very few participants today.
The drivers and Mecha Girls who had entered were all speed-type or technique-type units with low collision resistance—Mecha Girls who had simply given up on the Brana Ruins Advanced Race.
Notably, Derek Su spotted a familiar pair among the competitors.
Cloud Leopard and Justin Kim from the VVC Club.
Their starting position was directly ahead of Derek Su and Purple Lightning, ranked second.
"Cloud Leopard, I feel like taking first place today will be easy!"
Justin Kim's voice drifted back from the front. Derek Su couldn't tell if it was just his imagination, but Justin Kim sounded a little weak.
"Huh? You're that confident?" Cloud Leopard jabbed Justin Kim in the waist with her elbow and said with a grin, "If we don't get first place this time, it won't just be hanging your little thing on scissors for a whole day… I'll go straight snip-snip!!"
She raised two fingers like scissors and put on a fierce expression.
Justin Kim felt a chill run down his back—and his crotch. The memory of that dark day flashed through his mind, and he shuddered involuntarily.
But then he remembered this was just a training race. What big shots could possibly show up?
His confidence quickly returned.
"Don't worry. There's no one worth paying attention to today. The two of us will just wipe the floor with everyone!"
He turned around and scanned the area smugly.
His gaze swept quickly over Derek Su and Purple Lightning before turning back again.
Suddenly, his entire body froze.
His head slowly turned back again, stiff and mechanical, his face wearing an expression like someone had just died.
"It—it's you! The Magician!!"
Justin Kim's voice came out shrill and desperate, like a duck being strangled.
"Hello. What a coincidence." Derek Su smiled kindly.
But to Justin Kim, that smile looked more terrifying than a demon's grin.
He hurried over in two quick steps, grabbed Derek Su's hand, and dragged him aside while whispering urgently:
"Man, do me a favor, okay? Let me take the championship just this once today. If you hold back a little, I'll give you 500,000 afterward!"
Derek Su narrowed his eyes and chuckled.
"The race hasn't even started yet. Why are you already so sure you can't win? You need some confidence, buddy."
Justin Kim thought bitterly to himself: Confidence my ass.
He knew exactly what he was capable of.
Sure, Cloud Leopard had excellent modules now, but even with those installed, they hadn't achieved good results in the Greenfield Advancement Race.
But Derek Su?
He was the champion of the Greenfield Advancement Race.
Today's training race had countless corners, and Justin Kim still hadn't fully mastered drifting.
Compared to Derek Su, he was practically a rookie among rookies. What could he possibly use to win?
"Is 500,000 not enough? Then how about 1 million!"
Justin Kim clutched Derek Su's hand and pleaded miserably.
"Su, please help me. My happiness for the rest of my life is in your hands!"
Derek Su was speechless.
Did losing a race mean he wouldn't be able to find a girlfriend?
"Rest of his life's happiness"—it didn't sound believable at all.
If it weren't for the 15MP points provided by the system, Derek Su honestly thought losing on purpose for a million wouldn't be bad. It was only a training race, after all. He could even earn Justin Kim a favor.
But compared to that, 15MP points were priceless.
Since he had come today, he was going to take first place.
Even if it wasn't for the 15MP points, he still had to help Purple Lightning regain her confidence.
"No."
He shook his head and refused, his expression righteous.
"Justin Kim, do you think the honor of the racetrack can be measured with money?!"
His voice rang out like thunder.
"Why did you become a driver in the first place? What happened to your pure passion for victory?! I'm truly disappointed in you!"
Justin Kim was stunned.
Man… it's just a training race. Do we really need to make it sound this serious?
"Is the money not enough?" he said through clenched teeth, lowering his voice.
"Two million is fine too. That's all the private savings I can use! Please, man. It's not like I don't respect the glory of the track, but if I lose this race, Cloud Leopard will…"
Justin Kim made a scissor gesture at his crotch.
Then he mimed a sharp snipping motion.
"Holy shit, that's brutal!"
Derek Su's pupils shook as he glanced at Cloud Leopard, who actually looked quite gentle. He found it hard to believe.
But Justin Kim's miserable expression didn't seem fake.
Had Mecha Girls really become this fierce just to win races?
They were actually going after that?
Compared to that, his own Mecha Girls were much better.
But… what did that have to do with him?
"Still no."
He continued shaking his head.
"No means no. No amount of money will change it."
Justin Kim was nearly in despair. He hadn't expected Derek Su to be someone who treated the racetrack as sacred honor and looked down on money.
Even though Derek Su had founded a club and become a boss, it was still just a training race.
Wasn't trading it for two million worth it?
Since Derek Su still refused, it could only mean one thing—he was extremely principled and rigid. And people like that were stubborn. Continuing to push would be meaningless and might even make him seem rude.
Justin Kim let out a bitter laugh and slowly turned away.
His once-straight back finally bent.
"Hey!"
Derek Su's voice came from behind.
Justin Kim paused.
Then he heard Derek Su say:
"While I can't give you the championship, I can let you lose in a slightly better-looking way. That's the most I can do. After all, you already lost the Greenfield Advancement Race, right? If I held back too much, it would look fake."
Hearing that, Justin Kim felt deeply moved.
Losing with dignity was still acceptable.
At least there would be some room to maneuver.
He turned around and gave Derek Su a deep bow.
Tears and snot streaming down his face, he said:
"Sir, I'll never forget your great kindness!"
Then he dragged his heavy steps back to Cloud Leopard's side, where Cloud Leopard immediately began interrogating him. Justin Kim could only respond with a bitter smile and silently endure it.
"Tsk, tsk. Says he'll never forget my kindness but doesn't even offer some money. How inconsiderate."
Derek Su shook his head.
...
[Drivers 1 to 5, please prepare for launch!]
The announcement echoed through the speakers.
Because the Rona Bay track was narrow and lined with coastal cliffs, the race organizers launched one car every minute to reduce the chance of collisions.
As the third starting position, Derek Su and Purple Lightning could now begin preparing.
"Purple Lightning."
Derek Su gave her a look.
Purple Lightning pressed her lips together and nodded, unfolding her purple luxury body.
Her sharp, flowing design, along with the dazzling rear wing and exhaust ports, made Derek Su click his tongue in admiration.
This was the first time he had seen Purple Lightning's car body up close.
There was only one word for it—
Handsome.
But sitting inside Purple Lightning's cockpit gave him a completely different sensation.
Stella's cockpit felt soft and snug, like sinking into a young girl's embrace.
Imperial Scale felt like a warm, mature girl next door—a graceful and intelligent beauty.
Purple Lightning, however, while still soft and comfortable, also gave him the sensation of wind flowing around him.
The interior seemed ventilated. Cool air brushed gently across his cheeks.
Even under the blazing sun of today's clear sky, he still felt dry and refreshed.
This wasn't something an air-conditioning system could create. The cool breeze also carried Purple Lightning's faint fragrance.
"Ma… Boss… how does it feel? Is the seat comfortable?"
Purple Lightning's cautious voice came from the front.
Derek Su scratched his head.
It seemed that every time he drove a Mecha Girl, he was asked the same question.
Except for Tunbao.
When he drove Tunbao, she had started howling the moment he sat down.
"Very comfortable."
Derek Su met Purple Lightning's eyes through the rearview mirror and smiled.
"Also, we've already signed a Mind-Imprint Contract. Even if it's not a Core Contract…"
"You should call me…"
"Master."
...
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