Though the draw was random, the order in which racers drew lots followed their clubs' strength rankings—wildcard drivers like Derek Su were placed at the very end.
"Up next is SSC—Soul Spoke Club! As one of the world's top 500 clubs, SSC has produced countless top-tier racers and Mecha Girls. Today, they've brought three competitors—strong contenders for the championship!"
As Kool Kenny's passionate voice boomed across the venue, three men in black racing suits walked onto the draw stage with their Mecha Girls.
Both their suits and their Mecha Girls' carried SSC's signature golden wheel emblem.
The crowd erupted into even louder cheers—clearly, many were here specifically for SSC.
"Whoa, Master, SSC's fan support is insane!" Stella's eyes sparkled. "When will we have that many people cheering for us?"
"Won't be long. Maybe after this race, you'll build up quite a fanbase~"
Derek Su looked calm on the outside, but inwardly he couldn't help feeling impressed.
Compared to second-rate clubs like Ascend Racing Club, SSC's racers and Mecha Girls had a whole different aura—more commanding, more professional.
Each time a club's racer and Mecha Girl stepped onto the platform, Kool Kenny delivered an introduction.
Even small Jiangcheng clubs like Triumph and Ascend Racing Club received a mention.
But unlike the big clubs, these minor clubs only got a quick rundown of racer names and Mecha Girls—there really wasn't much else to say about them.
...
Kyle Zhang and Jade-786 drew the 22nd starting position.
Among more than a hundred competitors, that starting spot was clearly very far forward.
Kyle Zhang didn't look pleased. His ideal starting position was somewhere after fiftieth place.
Meanwhile, Triumph Club's top racer Jay Huang and his Mecha Girl Pegasus drew No. 23. They took their positions according to their numbers.
"You're Jay Huang from Triumph Club? I've heard so much about you!" When Kyle Zhang saw Jay Huang and Pegasus lining up behind them, he immediately hurried over with a fawning grin.
Jay Huang and Pegasus were Triumph Club's ace pair, and their club was far stronger than Ascend Racing Club. Kyle didn't think he and Jade-786 could outrun them—he was just trying to build rapport. Maybe they'd cross paths in the future. He'd seen the recordings; Jay Huang and Pegasus had the potential to become a real golden ticket.
"Mhm." Jay Huang and Pegasus gave Kyle Zhang and Jade-786 a brief glance before turning away, clearly uninterested.
Kyle Zhang, rebuffed but not discouraged, chuckled and lowered his voice. "Jay Huang, Pegasus—looking forward to your guidance on the track. If you need help later, just let me know."
There was never true fairness in racing—especially when club racers faced wildcard drivers. Club teammates often interfered with others just to secure their ace's spotlight.
Kyle's offer basically meant he could block racers starting behind them—an undeniably shameful tactic, but one that had long become an unspoken rule.
"Worry about yourself," Jay Huang said coldly. "Instead of spending your time scheming and flattering people, train properly and upgrade your Mecha Girl. What you can truly control—that's real skill."
"Uh… right, right, you're absolutely right." Kyle hadn't expected such a sharp response.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he realized the offer he thought they'd gladly accept only made him look pathetic.
Pegasus also lifted her chin and shot a sideways glance at Jade-786.
That look of disdain practically questioned how a Mecha Girl could end up contracted to such a useless pilot.
Jade-786 could only bow her head, biting her lip as if she hadn't noticed.
She also found Kyle Zhang's behavior embarrassing—but she was already contracted to him. At least until the Knox Rally ended, she had to cooperate perfectly with him. Only then would they have a chance at a top-10 finish.
But suddenly, Derek Su's figure appeared in her mind. He had once told her racers also needed pride—"A person lives by their face, a tree lives by its bark."
Even when Derek Su was kicked out of his club, he never bent. If he were the one standing here now, he definitely wouldn't act like Kyle Zhang… would he?
"No, what am I thinking?" Jade-786 shook her head. "Someone like Derek Su, with no experience on the track, could never win with me."
[Attention staff! Driver #74 has requested a starting position change!]
The broadcast announcement sounded. Kyle Zhang and Jay Huang didn't pay attention—until staff members brought Derek Su and Stella over.
"Hey, we meet again." Derek Su walked up to Jay Huang and Pegasus, holding the No. 74 placard. "So, how about swapping spots with me? No. 74 is practically a golden starting position. By the time we go, the front of the track will be mostly cleared."
"You—" Jay Huang stared at Derek, shocked enough to swallow a rotten egg. "Didn't you say you weren't entering Knox?"
"Yeah!" Pegasus planted his fists on his hips in outrage. "You two are totally unreliable!"
"Well…" Derek scratched his head awkwardly. "My Mecha Girl broke a thousand-year cicada wood table yesterday. Now I'm deep in debt. I have to race for the prize money to pay it off quickly—otherwise they'll harvest my kidneys."
Stella stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. It was her head that smashed the table.
Jay Huang & Pegasus: "…"
Mr. Liang: "Achoo—!"
"Fine." Jay Huang sighed and took the card from Derek. "You're already here—what else can I say? Hard to imagine a racer and Mecha Girl pair living this rough, but thanks for giving us the forward starting position."
[Racers No. 74 and No. 23 have exchanged starting positions. Please proceed with your Mecha Girls to your respective starting points!]
Jay Huang and Pegasus happily headed off with Derek's No. 74 spot. Very few people willingly traded forward positions for back ones. Some racers and Mecha Girls thought Derek was crazy, while many near the front looked at Jay Huang and Pegasus with envy and resentment—no one wanted to act as a "track sweeper" paving the way for others.
"Is that Derek Su and XC-99? The ones the captain told me to keep a close eye on?"
At position 24, an attractive racer with a hint of mixed-heritage features was observing Derek Su and Stella.
A club badge hung on his chest—VVC Club's shield emblem was clearly displayed.
"Doesn't look like anything special~" The blonde Mecha Girl beside him crossed her arms, bored. "I think Comet is just overreacting. Neither that pilot nor his Mecha Girl feels threatening. How could they possibly be our opponents?"
"Cloud Leopard, don't underestimate the enemy. If Caio Yang told us to be cautious, there must be a reason."
Justin Kim narrowed his eyes. A rookie racer from Han Nation, he had barely secured a training spot at VVC Club.
His solid skills had earned him the recognition of Mecha Girl TYB-65—now Cloud Leopard—standing beside him.
With Cloud Leopard's exceptional abilities, he had a real shot at placing top three in the Knox Rally.
The VVC Club owner had set his goal as nothing less than the championship. If he won the Knox Rally as a rookie, he would not only receive a substantial modification budget but also qualify for VVC's S-Class Support Program.
"Today's race has to be in the bag," Justin Kim told himself silently.