Gray Castle, or rather, HB.
Among all Mecha Girls, those bearing the HB designation are legends.
They represent the pinnacle of Impact Resistance, Stability, and raw combat capability.
Naturally, their price is just as outrageous.
There are only three HB-model Mecha Girls in existence: HB-1, HB-5, and HB-9. The one under Richard Cheng's command is HB-9, known as Gray Castle.
In the past, the HB series stood as the undisputed benchmark for Impact Resistance and Stability, a class of Mecha Girls that other combat-types could only look up to. They had long claimed the title of "King of Combat."
However, after the Maratela Training Race, that title was challenged by another model.
The DL series.
And at present, there is only one DL-model Mecha Girl: Imperial Scale.
She faced a powerful tornado head-on, passed straight through it, and came out completely unscathed, steady as a mountain.
The Maratela Training Race was broadcast globally, reaching a massive audience. Before long, doubts began to spread within the Mecha Girl community.
Could the HB series still truly be called the "King of Combat"?
Could an HB-model Mecha Girl do what Imperial Scale did?
If track glory is what every Mecha Girl strives for,
then a title like "King of Combat" is something every Mecha Girl of that model must defend.
It is their pride.
And now that pride had been challenged.
They had been publicly embarrassed.
More than anything, they wanted to take it back.
Gray Castle felt Imperial Scale's gaze.
She raised her head and met those crimson eyes.
A faint killing intent flickered in her own.
She didn't like Imperial Scale.
Her hostility was clear.
Not out of jealousy, but for honor.
And today would be the moment she reclaimed that honor for the HB series.
She would show everyone.
The HB series is still the King of Combat.
That fact will not be shaken.
By now, Derek Su had finished drawing lots.
The Brana Ruins Advancement Tournament used a simultaneous start system. The draw only determined starting positions and registered the configuration for each stage. The big screen already displayed the assignments:
First stage: Derek Su and Stella.
Second and third stages: Derek Su and Imperial Scale.
Gray Castle watched this, a cold smile forming on her lips.
A pity.
Looks like she'd have to deal with Imperial Scale in stages two and three.
In that case...
She'd warm up by crushing that overconfident speed-type Mecha Girl in the first stage.
Her icy gaze locked onto Stella.
She knew Stella was fast.
But the first stage of Brana Ruins mimicked desert terrain, similar to Maratela.
Though it was artificial and lacked real hazards like sandstorms, it still simulated dunes and sand pits.
For speed-type Mecha Girls, even with specialized tires, it would be difficult to fully utilize their speed.
...
Before the race began, Derek Su took Stella and Imperial Scale to greet the other Mecha Girls in the stands.
At both relay points, Stella Club had already set up their own logistics and medical teams.
Everything was ready.
Derek Su and Stella entered the starting zone. Imperial Scale stood nearby. Once they launched, she would take a helicopter to the second-stage relay point.
Since all participants started at the same time, everyone lined up on a single grid. The entire starting area felt cramped.
Each Mecha Girl had her own slot. Once deployed, they stayed within it, and there was barely any space between them.
Stella looked around.
Everywhere she looked, towering Mecha Girls with powerful builds.
The pressure was overwhelming.
She was the only speed-type Mecha Girl there.
"Which club is she from? A speed-type entering a combat race?"
"Seriously, isn't she afraid of getting hurt?"
"Look at those thin arms and legs. She won't last a hit..."
The surrounding combat-type Mecha Girls murmured among themselves.
Stella puffed out her cheeks and shot them several fierce glares.
The Brana Ruins never required participants to be combat-type.
It was just that most speed and technical types couldn't reach 80 in Impact Resistance, which is why the event had gradually become dominated by combat-types.
But her current stats were different.
Her Impact Resistance and Stability weren't low at all.
Master had equipped her with the latest module.
She wasn't scared in the slightest.
Since she hadn't deployed her form yet, few people recognized her. Most just judged her as a speed-type based on her build.
Derek Su, on the other hand, was easy to recognize.
Many racers and Mecha Girls had seen him on TV or in newspapers.
"Hey, isn't that The Magician?"
"No way, it really is! And that must be Stella next to him?"
"If it's The Magician, then bringing a speed-type here isn't strange. He's never followed the usual playbook anyway."
As soon as Derek Su was recognized, the tone of the crowd shifted.
But not everyone was impressed.
For example, the pair standing right next to them.
"Just a cheap trick..." the man said with a sneer. "Does he really think a speed-type can win against a bunch of combat-types just by relying on speed? What a joke."
His voice wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet either.
And since he was right beside them, Derek Su and Stella heard every word.
Derek Su turned to look.
A tall, burly man stood there, arms crossed. His Mecha Girl was just as large, nearly the same size as him.
Model LS-77.
Impact Resistance: 88. Acceleration: 72. Stability: 85.
Solid stats.
Above average among combat-types.
But not enough to threaten Stella.
"What are you looking at?" the man said dismissively when he noticed Derek Su's gaze. "Got a problem with what I said? If you don't like it, then come slam into me during the race."
If it had been Tunbao, she might've already charged at him.
But Stella was more restrained.
She bared her teeth at the man and let out a low growl, silently deciding that if she got the chance, she'd make him taste her pineapple headbutt.
"Alright, Stella, ignore him." Derek Su patted her head with a smile. "Switch to deployment mode. Just take the first stage steady. No need to push too hard. It'll be fine."
"Got it!"
Even so, Stella shot the man a few more fierce glares before deploying.
Just as Derek Su was about to enter the cockpit,
his hand was suddenly pulled back.
He turned around.
Imperial Scale was holding him, her crimson eyes filled with concern.
"Imperial Scale? What's wrong?"
"Be careful of Gray Castle," she said calmly.
But her grip tightened slightly.
Derek Su could feel the warmth and softness of her hand.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." He nodded seriously.
Gray Castle was clearly not here with good intentions.
Richard Cheng might just be trying to save face.
But Gray Castle's hostility was real.
Imperial Scale slowly released his hand, then adjusted his collar.
She stepped back, looked him over carefully, and finally gave a small, satisfied smile.
"Go."
...
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