Gold Ship quickly returned with trial products and documents. She wasn't worried at all about Symboli Rudolf running away with the goods without paying. Afterward, Gold Ship and Mejiro McQueen returned together.
"Did something happen between you and that guy?"
Back in the System Space, Gold Ship asked Mejiro McQueen.
When she went over just now, she found the atmosphere between the two was a bit off.
Mejiro McQueen shook her head: "Nothing major."
"By the way, what do you think of Tokai Teio's strength? I want to hear the honest kind."
Implying: Don't tell her that evaluation with your subjective bias.
Hearing this question from Mejiro McQueen, Gold Ship could roughly guess what happened between them just now.
It should be that Tokai Teio asked some questions inviting humiliation.
"Honest words..."
As Gold Ship spoke, her expression became serious.
"Very strong. Although I really don't want to admit it, that guy is indeed an all-round genius."
Mejiro McQueen was somewhat curious: "How so?"
"You aren't still holding onto the boring idea that we are all 'one person,' are you? Otherwise, you should have discovered it long ago."
Gold Ship pointed out Mejiro McQueen's biggest problem directly.
"Listen, we are different. Maybe the root comes from the same place, but after birth, we are now completely different independent individuals!"
That's right, she had long felt Mejiro McQueen's idea was too laughable.
All 'one person,' all 'self'...
Are you kidding!
At least, she didn't feel she was Mejiro McQueen or Tokai Teio.
She is herself!
Demon King Gold Ship!
Mejiro McQueen fell into contemplation upon hearing this.
She understood what Gold Ship wanted to express, but this matter was still very strange.
"And even if we are really the same person, that is him (the Player/Protagonist), not you, Mejiro McQueen. Do you understand if I put it this way?"
Gold Ship sneered.
"If that's really the case, then that guy is probably mentally ill; this is already disastrous split personality."
She pointed to her own temple.
Their origin wasn't Mejiro McQueen from the start, but that traverser player.
Mejiro McQueen just felt she was that player, but Gold Ship thought Mejiro McQueen and herself were actually no different.
They might all be that player, but they definitely aren't completely that player.
"So we three not only have independent personalities but also different talents."
"Are you saying Tokai Teio's talent is above the two of us?"
Mejiro McQueen hadn't expected such words to come from Gold Ship's mouth. When did this guy become capable of saying such things?
But she didn't know that only in front of her would Gold Ship be this honest.
"Yes. After completing the sharing, you saw it too, right? What that guy did in the simulation training (URA finals mode)."
Tokai Teio's performance in simulation training was terrifying.
Completely different from Mejiro McQueen back then.
Mejiro McQueen might have worked very hard to touch the limit of simulation training, but what about Tokai Teio?
That guy didn't just touch the limit of that mode.
In the Training Mode, Tokai Teio displayed unparalleled learning ability.
That was pure talent, definitely not something obtained through effort acquired later.
Exercising her body by practicing skills, letting her body upgrade into a perfect physique through this method.
This kind of thing sounds simple, but in reality, it's a difficulty of defying fate.
Otherwise, why didn't Mejiro McQueen and Gold Ship train this physique? One must know Mejiro McQueen trained three times in simulation training without breaking through the limit.
"..."
Mejiro McQueen suddenly suspected if Gold Ship was mocking her.
Is she trying to say I, Mejiro McQueen, am not a genius?
Gold Ship continued: "Also, although she has always held back, that guy has probably completely mastered our racing experience."
Tokai Teio indeed hadn't used her full strength.
But being able to perform so wonderfully in "noob-stomping" matches, the control of the race rhythm involved is also very difficult.
Because Tokai Teio's races were never complete crushing matches, or rather, she didn't show them as such.
At least in races against Tokai Teio, most other competitors could run their own style, and often were stimulated to evolve into higher realms.
This is something Gold Ship herself, and even Mejiro McQueen, couldn't do.
They might be able to display invincible flair, but they couldn't do what Tokai Teio did. Being able to do this proves Tokai Teio's racing experience is very rich.
"Unlike our situation, Tokai Teio has no shortcomings in talent."
Gold Ship knew very well that although her learning ability was strong, she couldn't compare to Tokai Teio; otherwise, she wouldn't have needed to accumulate experience through many races to challenge Mejiro McQueen before.
Ultimately, it was because her talent in this aspect wasn't strong enough, so she needed to actively learn these things.
But that guy Tokai Teio was completely different.
She truly absorbed those memories and experiences completely as her own after inheriting them from the two of them.
"That means, are you admitting you are inferior to her?"
Mejiro McQueen said words lightly that made Gold Ship's forehead twitch.
"Hmph! Shallow! How can talent and strength be conflated!"
"But didn't you just mean to say she has surpassed us?"
"No! Are you bastard doing this on purpose? I just said that guy's talent is high, but speaking of strength, she is currently just second-rate!"
Gold Ship smiled coldly, that expression quite brutal and evil.
"That guy lacks the obsession to reach the top precisely because she is too perfect!"
She was all too familiar with this feeling.
How could a guy born standing at the top want to risk everything to go to the top?
So Tokai Teio is just [Perfect].
"Why doesn't that guy enter the Zone? Clearly she can enter anytime if she wants."
"She wants a stronger Zone, right?"
Mejiro McQueen didn't think there was anything wrong with Tokai Teio's thinking.
Upon discovering Mejiro McQueen's thought, the smile on Gold Ship's face became even more wantonly arrogant.
"Hahahahaha!"
"What are you laughing at?"
"No, nothing."
Gold Ship's eyes were meaningful; she discovered Mejiro McQueen's flaw.
That is—
Although Mejiro McQueen is a genius.
Her thinking is closer to an ordinary person.
Or rather, currently being the strongest, she lacks the self-awareness of being the strongest.
This isn't actually a bad thing.
This thinking contributed greatly to Mejiro McQueen growing to this point.
But, the current you has fallen into a stagnant state!
Why do mortals want to improve?
That is to challenge and conquer higher places. But Mejiro McQueen, who already stands at the highest point, can no longer find a target to challenge!
Mejiro McQueen, having lost this motivation, already has a so-called limit!
And now, I, this Demon King, am the challenger. That means—
Mejiro McQueen, I will surpass you!
Gold Ship thought confidently.
Back to the topic of Tokai Teio.
"That guy doesn't enter the Zone not just because she wants a stronger Zone, but because she feels she doesn't need the Zone's power right now."
"What's the problem with that?"
"The problem is huge. Would you pass up any opportunity to become stronger?"
Gold Ship looked at the stunned Mejiro McQueen and sneered again.
"Understand now? That guy already thinks she is the strongest now!"
And even knowing she might lose to Mejiro McQueen, she still hasn't made any changes.
That guy is too conceited.
Thinking that surpassing Mejiro McQueen is destined for her, so she isn't in a hurry to pursue stronger power at all.
But this thinking represents that Tokai Teio is still second-rate!
And the funniest thing is, the only one who can challenge Mejiro McQueen is me. Mere second-rate trash, get lost!
Mejiro McQueen understood somewhat, but still couldn't fully comprehend.
"I'll ask one last question. If you race Tokai Teio now, can you win?"
"You've fallen too, asking Ore-sama such a stupid question."
Gold Ship was somewhat unhappy, but she still answered the question.
"Isn't that obvious? I will win! You don't think that guy can really awaken a Zone capable of dealing with me during the race, do you?"
The ability of the Zone is closely related to the holder's mindset. With Tokai Teio's mindset, how could she awaken an ability similar to Mejiro McQueen's?
Moreover, Tokai Teio doesn't have Mejiro McQueen's talent.
Although Mejiro McQueen's mindset is closer to an ordinary person, this is definitely not a derogatory evaluation.
One must know that since ancient times, those who can challenge the strong are always the weak.
For Mejiro McQueen, who is currently the strongest, this mindset is indeed her weakness.
But once Mejiro McQueen becomes a 'weakling' again, the situation will be vastly different.
At that time, Mejiro McQueen will turn into the most terrifying monster again for victory, to monopolize the scenery ahead.
This is Mejiro McQueen's talent, and that Zone was awakened based on this.
With Tokai Teio's personality, Gold Ship dared to bet her life she couldn't awaken this kind of ability.
Mejiro McQueen didn't know Gold Ship thought of her this way; one must know she always thought she was a genius too.
However, Mejiro McQueen in the past indeed regarded races as challenges, the kind of person who truly risked everything for victory.
Only after awakening the Zone did Mejiro McQueen truly possess absolute confidence, thinking she absolutely wouldn't lose.
And Gold Ship thinks that wanting to win is exactly the thought of a 'weakling'.
Because for the strong, victory is a matter of course.
But this is ultimately just thought.
Gold Ship knew very well that the three of them couldn't really be any weaklings.
It's just that they are all first-class in talent, plus they all have the system as a cheat, so the only remaining thing that can affect the outcome of a race is mindset.
And currently, only she discovered this essence.
Mejiro McQueen is too dull in some places.
Tokai Teio is too arrogant.
Only she, after defeat, began true evolution!
Hmph hmph hmph, hahahaha!
Just wait, Mejiro McQueen.
When Ore-sama completes the evolution surpassing the strongest, it will be time for you to welcome defeat!
Mejiro McQueen looked at Gold Ship starting to go crazy again over there and was already used to it.
Although not an alien strange horse, how can a Gold Ship not be crazy?
Being able to maintain rationality for a certain period is already a great improvement.
She didn't know these thoughts of Gold Ship, because there were no new characters yet, so there was no need to share temporarily.
And even if she knew, she would probably just feel speechless.
Because the Demon King's thoughts were all very subjective assumptions, completely without basis.
Seeming logical, but actually all speculation.
Gold Ship believing fully in her own speculation—isn't that also a sheer arrogance?
However, because of Gold Ship's explanation, she knew she indeed underestimated Tokai Teio before.
If Tokai Teio's talent is really as Gold Ship said, then perhaps Tokai Teio's strength is indeed not weak; her previous evaluation was indeed a bit too low.
As for Gold Ship's final summary that Tokai Teio is just second-rate, Mejiro McQueen pretended not to hear it.
Gold Ship's opinion can be referenced, but absolutely cannot be fully accepted.
Leaving aside that one must have their own judgment for everything, with Gold Ship's crazy personality, she dared not fully trust Gold Ship.
But in this way, she was more confident in challenging the system's Grand Prix.
Now the only problem is.
Which Grand Prix to challenge?
The Grand Prix has Single Mode, 3-Person Mode, and the final 5-Person Mode.
Although there seem to be other events behind, they are currently unlocked black shadows.
The minimum entry standard for the Grand Prix is three character cards.
Even to participate in the Single Mode Grand Prix, one must have three characters to complete registration.
The winning condition for Single Mode is simple: the competitor who gets first place wins, no different from normal races.
The 3-Person Mode is a team mode, requiring team cooperation. The team that takes first place wins, just like the monthly Champions Meeting in the Uma Musume game.
The final 5-Person Mode is a relay marathon, but currently, they can't gather enough people, so no need to consider it.
Judging by their current situation, Single Mode is the most suitable.
But she was a little curious about what the team mode in reality was actually like.
She felt it shouldn't really be as simple as the description said.
In the game, under team mode, teammates are not affected by teammates' skills, but reality is different.
She thought of Horse Girls with skills that buff teammates' abilities in some novels from the past.
And the description of the "Zone's Second Door" in Kuroko no Basket.
If such abilities really exist, then if they challenge the team mode, they might very likely lose.
But it shouldn't be, right?
Horse Girl official races aren't team sports; the Zone's Second Door shouldn't have team cooperation abilities behind it.
"What are you hesitating for?"
Gold Ship leaned in and said to Mejiro McQueen, who had been staring at the computer for a long time.
"Does this kind of thing need consideration?"
Under Mejiro McQueen's earth-shaking gaze, Gold Ship directly chose to register for the 3-Person Team Challenge.
"What did you do?!"
"Hmph, what's there to hesitate about? Since you're curious, just go in and see. You don't think we'll lose, do you?"
Gold Ship said arrogantly.
Mejiro McQueen took a few deep breaths before finally suppressing the impulse to hit Gold Ship.
"Why not proceed with Single Mode? Didn't you want revenge very much?"
"Uh..."
Gold Ship's eyes dodged a bit.
"Can't I be curious about team mode too?"
"You guy!"
Mejiro McQueen understood.
This guy chose the team race because she wasn't confident in challenging McQueen now and didn't want to lose again!
This should be the truth!
But registration was already completed; the system even popped up the Grand Prix countdown. canceling registration was impossible.
"Since we've registered, we absolutely must win. You should know that, right?!"
Mejiro McQueen's eyes were now cold enough to freeze people.
"...Kn-know it!"
Gold Ship answered with a trembling voice.
At the same time.
A pop-up window suddenly appeared before Tokai Teio's eyes, who was staying at the President's villa. Seeing the content on it, she sighed helplessly.
"Really impatient. But Team Mode? This shouldn't be McQueen's decision."
Based on her understanding of Mejiro McQueen, if McQueen decided, the probability of choosing Single Mode was definitely higher.
Because Mejiro McQueen has no concept of cooperating with others; her personality is actually the lonest wolf among the three.
So this move could only be Gold Ship, that Demon King, secretly snatching the system's operation authority.
As for why the Demon King would choose the team race, it's easy to understand.
"Afraid of losing to McQueen again, huh."
Really cute, Lord Demon King.
...
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