Chapter 82: Fighting for Jeanne Alter
Five minutes before the speed race began.
The Servants of the two classes were already prepared — either warming up before the competition or staring at the Holy Grail Shard on stage with eyes like predators watching prey.
Class honor, class rankings, personal wishes, or selling the Holy Grail Shard for a large sum.
As for Eikou's newly formed small team, they had already set their ultimate goal.
Take the championship, obtain the Holy Grail Shard, and help Black Jeanne resolve her academic crisis!
Before the rayshift, Eikou quietly walked over to Black Jeanne.
On his face was a relaxed smile, for the most troublesome issue of mental self-consumption had already been solved.
Black Jeanne, wearing Lancelot's heavy armor, simply sat quietly in the corner, as if the fervor of the inter-class competition had nothing to do with her.
Just as Eikou had expected, not many wanted to seek help from "Berserker Lancelot" in a speed race requiring team cooperation — it would be like placing an unstable factor in the team — so no one had approached her to form a group.
"Alter-san,"
Eikou stepped to her side, wearing a confident smile.
He had even changed into a yellow basketball jersey with the number "24" printed on it.
The moment she saw him, Black Jeanne couldn't help but want to make a sarcastic remark.
Everyone else had changed into racing sportswear, yet you changed into a basketball jersey — you look like you're taking this seriously, but do you even understand what kind of competition this is?
But Black Jeanne no longer had the mood to make sarcastic remarks — the matter of expulsion was far more concerning to her.
Eikou sat down beside her.
"I've already filled out the form for you. You'll be part of our team, joining as the substitute member."
"Huh? Why do I have to join your team?"
A muffled voice came from inside her helmet.
"Because this way, you won't have to be awkwardly stuck between two sides anymore. Just leave the victory to me and the two Round Table Knights. After that… well…"
He continued:
"Our group has unanimously agreed — if we win the speed race, we'll wish to resolve your academic crisis. Of course, we can't guarantee we'll get first place, so keep an optimistic but cautious attitude."
Black Jeanne froze slightly, her golden eyes widening, staring at him through the slit in her helmet.
"What?!"
"It's nothing. I just told them about your situation, and they readily agreed."
Eikou said:
"If we really succeed, after your crisis is resolved, you must take your studies seriously and never make the same mistake again. Otherwise, we'll never help you again."
He glanced at the time — only two minutes left until the rayshift.
"That's it. Pray for us to win."
"Wait,"
Just as he stood up, Black Jeanne suddenly called him back.
"Although I don't really understand, why would you want to help a spy like me? Helping me won't bring you any benefits. I have no money, nor anything else to repay you with."
"Uh, well, aren't all Round Table Knights like that? Helping women is just natural. If you really feel guilty, then later, just introduce some girls to them.
"Look forward to our performance, Jeanne Aletr."
[The speed race is about to begin.]
[You, Gawain, and Tristan — the three of you, along with other teams — are rayshifted to a paved road area, from which the 100 km road cycling race will take place.]
[Berserker Lancelot, or in other words Jeanne Alter, will be the substitute member waiting in the rest area. If a situation arises, she can instantly teleport to your side, replacing a team member and joining the race.]
[Your mood is both excited and nervous, carrying on your shoulders the grand mission of the "ride behind a motorcycle" plan and the difficult task of saving Jeanne. You must take first place!]
Looking out ahead, a wide, straight asphalt road stretched all the way to the horizon.
This was the first track of this year's competition — a 30 km asphalt section.
"So this is the venue…"
When Eikou was rayshifted in, the first thing he saw was contestants crowded around him.
Servants from France or Britain, shoulder to shoulder, all eager to rush ahead and claim the trophy.
Moreover, this track had no referees or rules. Aside from your own teammates, everyone else was an opponent from the very start — there was no concept of nationality here.
"The race is about to begin."
Finn's voice rang from loudspeakers on both sides of the boulevard.
"Do your best, Sir Eikou! For Our King, for the ladies!"
The two Round Table Knights beside him shouted in unison.
Eikou nodded seriously.
Their vehicle, like those of the other contestants, was a three-seater bicycle. The only rule in this year's race was that you had to use this three-seater bike from start to finish. Quitting or being eliminated meant failing the exam.
"Gawain has Riding B+, so he should still have quite a bit of advantage in this race…"
Eikou quickly glanced around. Among the contestants, he also saw many familiar faces — Baobhan Sith, Barghest, and Mordred had formed a team, with Gareth likely as their substitute.
"I didn't expect Baobhan Sith to join the race. I thought she was the substitute type — just sitting in the waiting room with the AC on, not wanting to waste energy."
But perhaps deep down, she had also resolved to win, to prove her excellence to Mother.
Moreover, if Eikou remembered correctly…
Baobhan Sith was not only a Quick-type Servant with extremely high movement speed, but her Riding was A — one rank higher than Gawain's.
This was not an opponent to be underestimated.
And the race had entered the countdown stage…
"Three… two… one…"
Homeroom teacher Finn's voice came through the loudspeaker.
"Burst!"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
In that instant, a fierce wind-tearing sound rang out across the racetrack.
Rows of bicycles shot forward like arrows loosed from a bowstring.
Eikou only felt a powerful gust slamming into his face, to the point where he could barely keep his eyes open. He couldn't tell if it was because the two Round Table Knights beside him were pedaling too fast, or because of the strong airflow created by the surrounding Servants.
A full 100-kilometer course—yet everyone was already going full throttle from the very start!
Didn't anyone think about conserving stamina?
"Sir Eikou!"
Gawain called out in a stern voice:
"I know you have many skills—if you can use them, then use them immediately! Since there are no rules in this race, the other contestants will very likely use skills to slow us down. The only way is to widen the gap right away!"
"So that's how it is!"
Eikou finally understood—judging Servants by human standards was indeed unreasonable.
If that's the case, then unleash everything from the start—use overwhelming power to crush the competition!
Skills—activate them all!