"Final minute of preparation."


    As the announcer''s voice echoed, a faint smirk yed on Juniper''s lips. Shezily retracted her gaze and settled into Kurt''s car.


    "Ready."


    A hush fell over the crowd.


    "BANG!"


    The sharp crack of the starter pistol shattered the silence, and nine cars shot forward with incredible speed. The car in the tenthne followed at a more leisurely pace.


    The race was twentyps around the circuit, with rankings determined by who finished first. The faster the time, the higher the rank and the more points awarded. The points from this race would be added to the totals from previouspetitions. Only the top ten countries would qualify for the next F1 season.


    Both Ynia Country and Orient Country had made critical errors in earlier races, leaving them at the bottom of the leaderboard. To break into the top ten, they had to finish in the top five in this race. Consequently, all eyes were on them.


    Ynia Country had three drivers, three chances. Orient Country had only J. Despite J''s legendary skill, the crowd quickly noticed something was wrong.


    "What''s going on? We''re onep in, and J is inst ce!"


    "Melvin is in first, the Ynia drivers are in fourth, fifth, and sixth, and J is deadst in tenth!” a man eximed, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. He was one of J''s most devoted fans and had been to nearly every one of J''s races. J had never started a race without immediately iming the lead, let alone falling to the very back of the pack.


    "Maybe J''s rusty after not racing for three years?"


    "Really?" Other fans grew uneasy, their faces etched with concern. Was J actually going to lose?


    Orient Country had drawn a poor starting position. The tenthne was on the far outside, making it treacherous on the turns; a slight miscalction could send the car flying off the track.


    Since it was her first time on this circuit, Juniper took the first twops slowly, familiarizing herself with theyout.


    Seeing J so far behind him, the blond driver from Ynia Country smirked. So this was the legendary J? Not so impressive after all.


    Melvin, while maintaining his lead, kept a close eye on the car at the back. What was happening? This wasn''t J''s true level of skill.


    The entire stadium held its breath,


    eyes fixed on J''s car. Threeps down, and J was still inst ce. If this continued would never be able to catch up, no matter how fast. Was the legend of J about to end?


    Just as doubt began to creep in, the car at the rear of the pack began to elerate. With a deafening roar, the red car shot forward like a


    gale force wind, weaving past car after car with a wild yet steady grace.


    The blond driver''s smirk hadn''t even faded when the very person he was mocking shot past him in a blur. His smile froze on his face.


    In moments, Juniper had overtaken the cars ahead and pulled up alongside Melvin. The two cars were now parallel. The duel of masters had officially begun.


    "YES! J is back! This is the J I know!"


    "That''s J''s signature style! Go, J, go!"


    The once-somber atmosphere in the stadium ignited with Juniper''s sudden surge. Cheers and shouts echoed through the air, shaking the entire venue.


    With only fourps to go, Juniper heard a strange sounding from her car, seemingly from the fuel tank. She nced at her rearview mirror and saw sparks flying from beneath her tires.


    I. n.


    On an F1 track, at these speeds, a problem with the fuel tank could lead to a catastrophic explosion Thats why every car underwent rigorous pre-race inspections. There was no doubt in her mind: Kurt''s car had been deliberately sabotaged.


    A cold smile touched Juniper''s lips as her hands tightened on the steering wheel.


    Anyone else in this situation would immediately stop to save their own life. A fuel leak was a serious issue, and repairs would be slow. Stopping now meant forfeiting the race.