After McQueen and the other two left, Rice Shower returned control of the body to its original owner.
"Thank you, and I'm truly sorry. I'll need to borrow your body again tomorrow."
"It's fine. But are you really going to accept their challenge?"
[Rice Shower] could still feel the fear emanating from her other self.
Though she didn't know how her other self had come to know those three, if they were acquainted, then she must understand just how powerful they were.
That's why [Rice Shower] could understand her other self's current fear—those were opponents she could never hope to defeat.
"Yes, I'm going to fight. If I give up here, I feel like I'll lose something very important."
"I understand."
"...Is it really okay? Letting me use your body to race?"
"Do your best, other me."
[Rice Shower] assured her that this was completely fine.
Meanwhile, Mejiro McQueen sought out this world's Rudolf to obtain permission to use the training grounds.
If that avenue didn't work out, she might have to try contacting this world's Mejiro family instead.
Of course, there was always the system's custom race function as a last resort, but ever since that race against Gold Ship, she'd become more cautious about using the system's abilities. While they were certainly useful, there seemed to be hidden parameters lurking in places she didn't fully understand.
When Symboli Rudolf heard about the situation, she approved the track usage without hesitation.
After all, races at this level were practically nonexistent in this world. The fact that McQueen and her companions were willing to showcase such a high-level competition here was something she should be grateful for instead.
At first, Rudolf had even considered having some students participate as pacers, until McQueen explained the effects of Rice Shower's ZONE.
Shocked that such a broken ZONE could exist, Symboli Rudolf abandoned that idea entirely.
After all, the ability to permanently steal power was nothing short of a death sentence for the still-developing uma musume of this world.
...
Soon, the next day arrived.
[Rice Shower] had been intercepted by numerous students since early morning, leaving her feeling quite unsettled. She used every trick she knew to evade the curious classmates.
Though she understood they were simply curious about the other self within her.
But [Rice Shower] still couldn't accept being surrounded by so many people. Running away was pure instinct.
Only when the race time arrived was [Rice Shower] finally freed from this game of hide-and-seek.
Arriving at the training grounds, she could see that nearly the entire school's faculty and students had gathered there.
[Rice Shower]'s voice trembled as she spoke: "I'll leave it to you then."
"Mm. Leave it to me."
Rice Shower took over control of the body.
After a day of contemplation, she had decided to take today's race seriously.
"This great one thought you'd already run away."
Gold Ship said coldly.
They had tried to find Rice Shower earlier but couldn't locate her anywhere.
Tokai Teio nodded at Rice Shower.
"Let's have a good race."
Mejiro McQueen said nothing, simply focusing on her stretches.
"Gold Ship-neesan, Teio-neesan, what's going on?"
Rice Shower had originally thought today would be a one-on-one with McQueen-neesan, but now both Gold Ship and Tokai Teio were wearing their racing outfits and shoes.
"Hahaha! Can't you tell, you fool? This great one is obviously participating in this race too!"
Gold Ship laughed several times before fixing Rice Shower with a serious gaze.
"Hmph! Don't you dare hold back against this great one, you trash. That power of yours—don't be shy. Unleash it directly against me."
"Let this great one see whether you have the caliber to steal my power!"
Tokai Teio spoke up: "What she means is, Rice Shower, if you want to challenge McQueen, your only option is to use us as stepping stones first."
"Shut up, you second-rate clown!"
Gold Ship was extremely displeased with this idiot's random interpretation of her words.
While she did have such thoughts, she had never once believed that this third-rate trash called Rice Shower could actually accomplish it.
Even if said trash did hold the key piece of the puzzle.
"Are you all trying to convince me to use that power too?"
Rice Shower didn't understand. Why did all her seniors share this view?
They all knew perfectly well how dangerous [Fusion] was.
Hearing Rice Shower's question, Gold Ship couldn't be bothered to continue. She simply let out a cold snort and turned away.
Tokai Teio answered seriously: "Rice Shower, the key isn't the power—it's you. I hope you can understand that through this race."
The key isn't the power—it's me?
Rice Shower understood what Teio-neesan was trying to tell her.
She was saying that how the power was used depended on the wielder.
But even understanding this, Rice Shower lacked the confidence to actually do it.
Could the power stolen through [Fusion] really be returned?
She didn't know, because she'd never tried. What if she used it only to discover she couldn't control it at all? Wouldn't that mean doing something that should never be done?
Hearing Teio's words and seeing Rice Shower deep in thought, Gold Ship sneered: "Hmph! Don't get too full of yourself, Rice Shower. What you should be thinking about is how to survive this race!"
"..."
Rice Shower snapped back to attention.
Though Gold Ship-neesan's words were harsh, the truth was exactly that.
With her current abilities racing against her seniors, forget winning—simply surviving wouldn't be easy.
She would very likely end up completely left behind by all three of them.
"That second-rate clown's thinking is still too soft. Let this great one tell you the truth: anyone who can't make it to the finish line is worse than trash."
"...So you're saying that's what I am, Gold Ship-neesan?"
"Correct. Right now, you are trash. If you want to argue with this great one, then prove yourself with the results of this race."
Tokai Teio stood to the side, wanting to speak but holding back.
She felt Gold Ship's encouragement was too aggressive, yet somehow Gold Ship always managed to see to the heart of things.
"Gold Ship-neesan, if I use that power, you'll regret it."
Being looked down upon to this extent, even Rice Shower felt a spark of anger.
What right did they have to say this about her? She just wanted to race happily. Was that so wrong?
She couldn't understand why her seniors were denying her way of thinking.
"...Hahaha! Hahahaha!"
Seeing Rice Shower finally showing a hint of fighting spirit, Gold Ship couldn't help but burst into laughter again.
The Demon King's aura was released in an instant. Even as Rice Shower's pitch-black aura automatically activated to shield against it, the difference in strength between the two was clear.
The Demon King's presence was powerful enough to cover the entire training ground, while Rice Shower's dark aura could only protect herself.
"This great one will regret it? If you can make that happen, then try it! This great one will show you the meaning of despair—and the absolute gap in power between us!!!"
Tokai Teio shook her head helplessly from the side.
At this point, the Demon King was getting serious.
Originally, the Demon King's main goal had been to test McQueen's limits, but now she probably wouldn't mind letting Rice Shower experience even more despairing agony in this race.
Teio couldn't help but glance back at McQueen.
Is it really okay to let this Demon King run wild like this?
McQueen's expression remained calm.
Apparently, she thought letting the Demon King run wild was perfectly fine.
Tokai Teio suddenly recalled that despite McQueen's current righteous appearance, she too had once been quite the wild card.
Thinking about it that way...
Was she the only normal person in this family?
Tokai Teio suddenly felt out of place in this household, because it seemed like she was the only one who wasn't mentally unstable.
As for little sister Rice Shower?
That was even more ridiculous. Having a split personality and claiming to be normal?
"Is everyone ready?"
The teacher serving as referee stepped forward to ask.
Mejiro McQueen asked Rice Shower: "Are you ready?"
"Ah? Yes!"
Rice Shower answered quickly.
She had thought McQueen-neesan was disappointed in her and didn't plan on talking to her at all.
But it seemed McQueen-neesan was just being her usual self.
Without bothering to ask Gold Ship or Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen addressed the referee directly: "Everyone's ready. Let's begin."
Gold Ship and Tokai Teio's expressions showed shock.
Damn it, even if that's true, couldn't you at least treat your family members equally?
As expected, McQueen is a cold-blooded creature.
The referee noticed their expressions and looked at the cold-faced Mejiro McQueen, immediately breaking into a cold sweat.
Bypassing McQueen, she carefully asked the other two: "Um, are you two also ready?"
"No problem."
Tokai Teio answered with a smile.
"Hmph." Gold Ship raised her head proudly. "This great one can start anytime."
Only after receiving confirmation from everyone did the referee quickly retreat outside the track.
Though the appearances of McQueen and the others were familiar, the feeling of interacting with them was completely different.
She felt as if she were having an audience with the heads of noble houses—an immense pressure weighing on her.
But her feeling wasn't entirely wrong.
Because in their original world, these three all held considerable status.
The shadow boss behind the Demon King Corporation—Gold Ship.
The mistress of Mejiro Castle—Mejiro McQueen.
The next Student Council President of Tracen Academy—Tokai Teio.
Only Rice Shower's status was still that of an ordinary student.
"Would all runners please take your positions—"
The referee produced a starting pistol.
The moment the shot rang out, all four began running.
The leader was undoubtedly Mejiro McQueen. Though Tokai Teio tried to compete with her for position, there was no contest—she was immediately suppressed.
As expected. Even with the same abilities, I can't compete with McQueen for the starting position.
Completely unsurprised by this outcome, Tokai Teio fell into second place.
But at that moment, the Demon King unleashed her blocking skill.
Damn it!
A look of deep disgust crossed Tokai Teio's face. Blocking skills were truly nauseating.
Rice Shower, who had briefly claimed third place due to the Demon King's slow start, couldn't maintain that position for long. Under the Demon King's blocking skill, she instantly dropped to last place.
The Demon King flashed her a mocking smile.
This great one already told you—what you should be thinking about is how to survive!
Without that half of [The Overlord]'s power, Rice Shower had absolutely no chance against the three of them.
Moreover, even with only half her power remaining, Rice Shower still wanted to seal away her own ZONE to race against them. Such thinking was simply laughable.
The Demon King even felt Rice Shower was overestimating herself.
Mejiro McQueen noticed the situation behind her. Though she didn't slow her current pace, she temporarily chose only basic-level skills to maintain her speed rather than continuing to accelerate.
Tokai Teio, seeing this from behind, was somewhat startled.
McQueen was actually planning to help Rice Shower get back on her feet—and was even holding back during a race. This was so unlike McQueen.
After all, when facing her and the Demon King, McQueen showed no mercy whatsoever.
But since McQueen was doing this, Tokai Teio naturally went along with it. After all, she wanted to help Rice Shower too.
Seeing the way those two in front were running, the Demon King clicked her tongue in disgust.
Damn it, so this really is going to be a coaching session after all.
McQueen, when did you become so soft!
Though displeased with McQueen's decision, the Demon King couldn't force McQueen to get serious.
She felt that even if she surged forward now and took first place from McQueen, it wouldn't draw that woman's attention.
All three, whether willingly or not, had chosen to hold back.
But even so, keeping up with the three of them was still far too difficult for Rice Shower.
First, this body belonged to [Rice Shower], not her own body that had been enhanced to full SS-rank attributes through [The Overlord]'s plundering.
Second, Rice Shower's own abilities had an upper limit, leaving a massive gap between her and the other three.
So even with the three ahead of her holding back, Rice Shower still felt the insurmountable chasm between herself and her seniors—like a divide between heaven and earth.
As for the spectators...
They couldn't even tell that the three in front were holding back.
Even [Mejiro McQueen] and [Tokai Teio] from this world could only sense that those three seemed impossibly strong, with no visible limit to their power.
As for Rice Shower...
Everyone could clearly see the massive gap between her and the three ahead.
It felt as if the three in front were racing on one track, while Rice Shower was alone on another.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"