"Huff... haa..."
After crossing the finish line, Mayano Top Gun, thinking it was finally over, immediately collapsed onto the ground.
"Maya is dead tired."
"I couldn't catch up at all..."
This feeling was quite unpleasant. Maya had known the result of the race from the start, so why did she feel so frustrated?
Right, even though she knew she couldn't win, she thought that with her improvements, she could at least follow behind their backs.
But unexpectedly, the result was that she couldn't even see their backs clearly.
Tokai Teio walked over and said, "Maya, actually, you ran pretty well this time."
"Maya doesn't need comforting! Teio, don't underestimate Maya's willpower!"
Mayano Top Gun didn't feel depressed at all.
She just somewhat hated her own weakness.
Thinking about how she also held the title of genius, this sense of defeat deepened.
"But, Teio, you really are strong. You actually outran Senior Maruzensky."
Even if Senior Maruzensky hadn't been completely serious, this was still an extraordinary achievement.
Hearing this, Tokai Teio simply replied with a calm smile.
"That's not it, Maya."
"Victory is a matter of course for me. From the moment I agreed to this race, I never once thought I would lose."
Once on the track, the only thing that matters is focusing on winning.
The reason she dared to distract herself during the race to check on Mayano Top Gun's condition was only because she could guarantee victory even while doing so.
Winning was only natural.
Just as the President once said, destined victory had stood by her side from the very beginning.
"..."
So cool!
Mayano Top Gun was deeply moved by Tokai Teio's eyes.
Oh no, oh no.
Mayano Top Gun felt the blood in her face heating up rapidly.
"Is no one going to comfort Big Sister?"
Maruzensky suddenly appeared near the two.
She hadn't expected these two little ones to leave her aside and ignore her right after the race.
Tokai Teio turned to look at Maruzensky: "Thank you for the guidance, Senior."
"Oh my~ I wouldn't dare. Big Sister feels she made quite a wrong decision and lost face big time."
Maruzensky looked at Tokai Teio with smiling eyes.
"Teio, when were you able to enter that state?"
"You mean... God Speed?"
Tokai Teio said somewhat uncertainly.
Mayano Top Gun looked on with a face full of curiosity.
She felt like Senior Maruzensky and Teio were discussing something very profound. could Maya really listen in?
"God Speed... so that's what you call that state. Luna and the others refer to it as Flow, but as long as you understand, that's fine."
"Mn, Flow? Sounds pretty cool. As expected of the President."
Tokai Teio's eyes lit up.
Okay, from now on, God Speed is officially renamed to Flow!
"You still haven't answered Big Sister's question."
"Oh, doesn't that state occur automatically once your speed reaches a certain level?"
Tokai Teio didn't understand what Maruzensky was hung up on. In her view, Flow wasn't difficult at all.
"...You make it sound so easy, but you're wrong about one thing."
Maruzensky was almost speechless.
Because Tokai Teio acted like it was only natural, making Maruzensky doubt if she was the one with the problem.
"To enter the Flow state, it's not just about speed surpassing a certain limit; it also requires mental focus."
"Eh, is there a difference?"
Mayano Top Gun expressed her lack of understanding, her innocent eyes revealing a pure foolishness.
Maruzensky didn't know how to answer.
Tokai Teio, however, looked contemplative.
"I see."
"Huh?"
Hearing Teio's answer, Mayano Top Gun couldn't hold back.
"Teio, what did you understand?!"
"Don't rush, Maya. I think Senior will explain it to us."
Maruzensky actually wanted to hear Tokai Teio's understanding, but Teio's expression clearly showed she was waiting for her to continue.
"Flow isn't just about running fast. The key is that in that state, we can exert our strength to its theoretical limit."
Tokai Teio thought to herself, As I expected.
Mn, this makes sense now.
It's focus.
Why could Saint McQueen enter this state so easily?
Because that's her strength.
And the Demon King, although she burst out with speed surpassing Flow in her race against Saint McQueen, didn't enter this state.
That's right.
In that race, although the Demon King burst out with terrifying speed at the end, she indeed didn't enter the fervent state of Flow.
If it's about focus, then it can be explained.
Because the Demon King's spirit is indeed more scattered; it's hard for her to enter that state of total concentration.
But the President and the Seniors are really amazing. After the world upgraded, they researched new things so quickly.
"Although I don't quite understand, it seems very impressive."
Mayano Top Gun, who couldn't yet reach this height, couldn't understand these things at all. These matters were still too far away for her right now.
In fact, only a few of the world's top individuals knew about this technique, and even they couldn't guarantee entering this state 100% of the time.
Yes, unlike the Zone and skills, Flow is a very unstable state.
However, there are those who can control this state very well—Maruzensky is one such type, though you wouldn't tell from her usual behavior.
But even so, no one dares to guarantee they can enter this state 100% every time.
Flow isn't so much an ability as it is simply a state.
And Flow itself doesn't have any special effects; it's just the most ideal state for exerting one's own strength to perfection.
"Just think of it as a move that makes you more perfect. Actually, entering this state is quite simple. Want me to tell you the trick?"
"Can you?"
Mayano Top Gun looked at Tokai Teio with pleasant surprise.
Although she didn't understand what Flow was, judging by the Senior's reaction, it must be a very powerful move!
And Teio also said it was a move that could make oneself more perfect!
"It's very simple. You just need to think of nothing during the race, and focus only on the single act of running toward the finish line."
"How could it be that simple? Teio, you're tricking a kid!"
Mayano Top Gun wasn't impressed by this trick, thinking Teio was joking with her.
"No, what Teio said is correct. However, even knowing this, how many people can truly achieve this during a race?"
Maruzensky agreed with Tokai Teio's statement, which immediately silenced Mayano Top Gun.
"But, in a race, doesn't everyone do that?"
Mayano Top Gun still couldn't understand.
Maruzensky's smile suddenly became serious.
"Can you really? What Teio said is—think of nothing, focus only on the finish line, okay?"
She emphasized her tone slightly.
"Think about it. During a race, can you really achieve thinking about nothing?"
"Not thinking about how to control your stamina consumption, not thinking about the opponents' condition, not considering the track conditions..."
"Without thinking about any of these things, focusing completely and solely on winning."
"So, do you still think it's simple?"
Mayano Top Gun was speechless because she couldn't imagine how to run a race under those conditions.
"Maya, the results of your hard work won't betray you. As for the moment itself, just leave it to your instincts."
"Teio, don't talk about it like it's as simple as sleeping."
"No, Maya, you already possess that aptitude. Think back to the race just now—how did you complete that start?"
"!?"
Mayano Top Gun's ears perked up.
Come to think of it, she had forgotten. She seemed to have really achieved that perfect start just now!
But her mood quickly dropped again.
"...Teio, Maya can't seem to remember how I did it just now."
Yes, Mayano Top Gun realized she had no memory of that moment at all.
It seemed she had simply followed Teio's movements and done it naturally.
"Don't remember? That's why I said you have that aptitude, Maya."
Hearing Mayano Top Gun's words, Tokai Teio smiled happily for her instead.
And there is one point that needs correction.
That isn't my move.
Maya, that is a move you imitated based on your own abilities.
That isn't my move, but a move exclusive to you, Maya; the effect just looks similar.
So even if you don't remember now, it doesn't matter. The key to that place is already in the palm of your hand.
Unaware of Tokai Teio's thoughts, Mayano Top Gun just said huffily, "Teio, you're just laughing at Maya for not being smart!"
Maruzensky looked at Mayano Top Gun with uncertainty.
Wait, is Teio comforting her, or does this child really already possess the qualifications?
Why couldn't she see anything?
But what Teio said does make sense. How did Mayano Top Gun complete that start?
One must know, without using skills, Maruzensky had been momentarily suppressed by this child's start.
Thinking of this, Maruzensky really didn't know what to say.
Are the juniors nowadays all this monstrous?
Or is it...
She looked at the interaction between Tokai Teio and Mayano Top Gun.
Or is this all actually because of the influence you brought?
Luna, I don't understand.
Is your vision really that far ahead of mine?
In the office, Symboli Rudolf couldn't resist standing up to find a coat. Why has she felt a cold wind blowing on her back all morning?
...
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