Chapitre 9: Chapter 9: Racing Against Fate
The sun was barely up, casting a golden light over the sprawling academy circuit. Henry stood in the garage, the hum of engines filling the air as he pulled on his racing gloves, the cool leather tightening around his fingers. Today was the day. His first official race as an F1 academy driver. The nerves, the excitement, the pressure it was all building up inside him like a pot about to boil over. The pit crew moved around him in a blur, checking the car, adjusting the tires, ensuring everything was perfect.
Henry's eyes fell to the car in front of him, the sleek, beautiful machine that he was going to race in. It was nothing like the car he'd driven back home. This was a proper F1 car, built for speed, precision, and power. And he was going to make it work.
"Hey, Wells," Nathan's voice broke through his thoughts. Henry turned to find Nathan standing in front of him, the usual cocky grin plastered on his face. "You ready to embarrass yourself out there?"
Henry raised an eyebrow. "Embarrass myself? We'll see who gets embarrassed, won't we?" His tone was calm, unbothered. Nathan had been constantly trying to get under his skin since they'd arrived at the academy, but Henry had learned a long time ago not to waste energy on people like him.
Nathan just smirked. "Don't say I didn't warn you. It's gonna be a slaughter."
Henry didn't respond. He didn't have time for Nathan's antics. There was a race to win, and that's all that mattered.
The moment the lights dimmed and the starting siren blared, the field of twenty drivers surged forward, engines roaring like wild beasts. Henry's heart raced in sync with the engine as he pushed the accelerator to the floor, feeling the power of the car beneath him. The first lap was all about finding his rhythm, settling into the track, and figuring out who the competition was.
He quickly assessed the drivers around him. Nathan was already up ahead, as expected, weaving through the pack with ease. Henry wasn't far behind. He kept his focus steady, knowing he couldn't let the others dictate the pace.
But then, on the second lap, an opportunity presented itself. A driver from another academy, a young Italian named Marco, was aggressively defending his position on the outside. Henry knew Marco wasn't particularly strong in the corners, and this was his chance to make up some ground. He pushed hard, weaving through the traffic, inching closer to Marco's rear wing.
It was risky, one wrong move, and he could end up in the gravel, his race ruined. But this was the moment Henry had been waiting for. He had to make the move now.
As they entered the first chicane, Henry saw Marco brake too early, the rear of his car twitching slightly as he adjusted. Without hesitation, Henry dove to the inside, using the gap to make a daring overtake.
The tires screamed against the tarmac as he executed the move flawlessly, his heart racing as the car slingshot past Marco. For a split second, he felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins, his entire body syncing with the car. Synchronization. The skill the system had unlocked for him kicked in at that very moment, amplifying his connection to the car. Every turn felt smoother, every shift more precise.
Henry grinned to himself, the feeling of perfect control a rush like no other. He was pushing the car beyond its limits, and it was responding. He had to keep this up.
Race Status Update
• Current Position: 13th
• Laps Completed: 6/15
• Current Task: Maintain a steady pace, avoid unnecessary risks.
• Synchronization Activated: +10% control on car, +5% speed boost.
Henry was still fighting to make it into the top 10, but the track was a battlefield, and the competition wasn't letting up. He was surrounded by talented drivers, some of whom had years of experience under their belts. But Henry wasn't backing down. Not this time.
As the race progressed, the intensity ramped up. He battled it out with several drivers, overtaking a few and defending his position from others. It was one of those moments when he realized how much more he had to learn, how far he still had to go. But in those battles, he saw the promise. He saw how he was improving, how his instincts were beginning to align with the car.
On lap 9, another challenge emerged. Liam Parker, the kid who had once betrayed him back in the States, was right on his tail. He'd somehow made it into the academy, and now he was looking to prove that his mediocre performance in the selection race didn't define him. Liam's car was closing in on Henry's, and for a moment, their eyes locked in the rearview mirror.
Henry didn't need to be reminded of Liam's past betrayal. He could feel the tension in the air. The need to beat him wasn't about the race anymore; it was personal. And that made Henry dangerous.
As Liam lunged to the inside on a sharp left-hander, Henry could feel his heart rate pick up. This was going to be a tight one. But he didn't panic. He didn't need to.
He kept his line, his hands steady on the wheel. Liam's car shot forward, trying to force an overtake. But Henry had anticipated it, and in a split-second decision, he swerved to the outside, blocking Liam's path. The move was risky, but it worked. Liam was forced to back off, dropping a few positions as he fought to regain control.
It was a dirty move, some might say, but Henry wasn't in the mood to play nice. Not with someone like Liam. He had a point to prove.
As the race neared its final laps, Henry was in 12th position, with just a few more spots between him and a spot in the top 10. The pressure was mounting. The first 10 cuts were coming, and he wasn't about to be one of them. But there was still a lot of racing left to do.
On lap 12, disaster struck. As they entered a high-speed section, one of the drivers ahead of him clipped the curb too hard, sending his car sliding into the barriers. The crash was massive, the sound of metal tearing and tires screeching filling the air. The yellow flags waved, and the safety car was deployed, slowing the entire field down.
Henry's heart thudded in his chest. This was a pivotal moment. The next few laps would determine everything. As the field bunched up behind the safety car, he felt a surge of determination.
He wasn't just going to survive this race, he was going to fight until the end.
Race Status Update
• Current Position: 12th
• Laps Completed: 12/15
• Synchronization: Activated. 15% boost to handling, +10% to focus.
• Goal: Finish in the top 10.
With the safety car in the pits and the green flag waving once again, the final laps began. Henry pushed the car harder than ever, his hands gripping the wheel as he focused on each corner, each straight, each overtaking opportunity. He needed to make up two spots to secure his place in the top 10. Every moment mattered.
On lap 14, Henry saw his chance. A driver ahead of him made a mistake, braking too late into a corner. It was a slight error, but one that Henry immediately capitalized on. He dived to the inside, taking the apex with precision and just barely clipping the rear of the other car as he passed. It was tight, too tight for comfort but it worked.
Now, with just one more spot to go, the pressure was unbearable. The last lap, the final chance to prove himself.
The final corner came up, and Henry's mind was razor-sharp. He could see the driver ahead of him, just a fraction of a second away from a mistake. He waited. And then there it was.
The driver understeered, just slightly, enough for Henry to slide alongside him. The final stretch was a drag race to the finish line.
It was neck and neck. The two cars were fighting for position, the sound of their engines deafening as they rocketed toward the checkered flag.
In the final moments, Henry's car surged forward, the synchronization kicking in one last time, giving him that extra burst of speed he needed.
And then, the finish line.
Position: 10th.
Henry slammed his fists against the steering wheel, letting out a victorious yell. It had been a hard-fought race, but he had done it. He had secured his spot in the academy.
He was in. For now.
Race Results:
• Final Position: 10th
• Stats Update:
• Endurance: +10
• Reflexes: +8
• Focus: +10
• Synchronization Skill: +2% Handling Bonus
• Punishment: None.
The first challenge had been overcome, but Henry knew this was just the beginning. The academy would keep pushing him, and the competition was only going to get tougher. But for the first time since he'd arrived, Henry felt like he belonged. He had earned his place, and he was going to fight to keep it.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone