The foot rails withdrew into the floor.
Two narrow seams remained where Jiang had braced during proof one. Water filled them until the lane bottom became a smooth copper curve with nothing for his emperor feet to catch.
The next gate opened sideways.
Beyond it, the lane ran three body lengths forward, bent around a black post, and returned beside itself. The two arms were separated by a wall lower than Jiang's back. He could see the return ledge from the start, but reaching it required a turn too tight for a straight rush.
[SELECTIVE DIVE CIRCULATION:PROOF2]
[Functional return stroke required]
[Outbound function required]
[Turn function required]
[Return function required]
[Foot contact rails0 | Human Form compatibility0]
[Borrowed force0 | transferred living cost0]
Aylin read the lane measurements from her observer plate.
