Chapter 92
The deep blue sports car hummed beneath Elijah as he guided it through the winding streets of the 7th District, its engine responding to the slightest movement of his foot with a surge of power that sent a pleasant thrill through his chest.
Mai sat in the passenger seat, her purple hair streaming across her face through the partially opened window while her dark purple eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.
The cool night air carried the distant sounds of the city, but inside the vehicle, the steady growl of the engine dominated everything else.
Elijah could not stop smiling.
The car felt remarkably responsive, almost as though it were anticipating his movements. Every turn, acceleration, and shift in speed came naturally, and after only an hour behind the wheel, he was beginning to understand why people became obsessed with driving.
"I contacted Trevor about an hour ago," Elijah said as they passed beneath a row of streetlights. "He said the races are being held somewhere in the 6th District tonight. He should be waiting for us there."
"The fight club should be running smoothly by now," he continued, glancing briefly at Mai. "Henry is handling the matches, the gambling den is fully staffed, and Rena is keeping track of the finances. Aurora also said she would make sure nothing goes wrong while we're away."
Mai nodded. "Aurora texted me about an hour ago. She said everything is under control."
Elijah smiled before pressing the accelerator.
The sports car surged forward, its engine roaring as the speedometer climbed. Mai's body pressed firmly against the seat, and a startled laugh escaped her before she could suppress it.
"You're insane," she said, gripping the edge of her seat. "I cannot believe I agreed to get into a car with you."
Elijah laughed. "You are enjoying yourself."
"I'm terrified."
"Your heart rate says otherwise."
Mai turned toward him with an irritated expression, although the smile threatening to appear on her lips ruined the effect. "Do not start acting like you can read me that easily."
"You are the one who keeps staring at the road like you are afraid it might suddenly attack us."
"Because you drive like the road insulted your family."
Elijah laughed again as he downshifted before a sharp corner. The engine dropped to a deeper growl, and the tires briefly protested against the pavement before gripping the road. He guided the car through the bend with controlled precision before accelerating again.
"I would not expect anything less from you," he said. "Complaining seems to be your favorite way of showing concern."
Mai shook her head, but she was smiling now. "Just promise me that you will not turn our first trip in this car into our last."
"I will try."
"That answer does not inspire confidence."
Their conversation eventually faded into comfortable silence as the districts passed around them. The streets of the 7th District gave way to the 8th, and the 8th eventually gave way to the 6th. With every mile, the buildings became older, the roads rougher, and the streets quieter.
The racing venue finally appeared beyond a collection of abandoned industrial buildings.
A vast stretch of cracked asphalt had been transformed into an unofficial racing circuit. Dozens of cars occupied the surrounding area, ranging from heavily modified street vehicles to expensive sports cars whose engines roared beneath open hoods.
Headlights cut through the darkness while crowds gathered around the drivers, talking, drinking, placing bets, and shouting over the music blasting from enormous speakers near the starting line.
Mai stared through the windshield.
"There are so many people."
Elijah parked near the edge of the gathering and switched off the engine. "I expected a crowd, but not this many."
"It looks like a festival."
"It is a festival."
Mai looked around at the screaming engines and gambling tables. "A very strange festival."
Elijah extended his Ki through the surrounding area, allowing his senses to sweep across the crowd.
Most of the people possessed little or no Ki, but several powerful signatures immediately caught his attention. Fighters were scattered throughout the gathering, ranging from minor cultivators to individuals whose Ki was strong enough to make his instincts remain alert.
"I need to find Trevor."
Before Elijah could take out his phone, a familiar Ki signature brushed against his senses.
He looked toward the crowd and spotted Trevor approaching between two parked cars. The young man wore dark clothing suited for movement, while his brown hair fell loosely across his forehead. His brown eyes brightened when he saw Elijah.
"You found me faster than I expected," Elijah said after climbing from the car.
Trevor clasped his hand and laughed. "I felt your Ki the moment you arrived. You have become much stronger since the last time we met."
"A lot has happened."
Trevor's attention shifted toward the sports car, and his expression immediately changed to one of fascination.
"Is this yours?"
"Technically, it belongs to me now."
Trevor walked around the vehicle, examining its bodywork and tires before crouching slightly to inspect the suspension.
"Whoever prepared this knew what they were doing," he said. "The balance is excellent, and the engine has clearly been tuned for performance rather than appearance. This thing should be incredibly responsive."
Before Elijah could answer, Trevor noticed Mai standing beside the car.
His eyebrows rose.
"Elijah, you did not tell me you were bringing your girlfriend."
Mai's cheeks immediately warmed.
Elijah opened his mouth to correct him, but Mai spoke first.
"Trevor, right?" she asked with a smile. "Elijah told me about you."
Trevor offered his hand. "Trevor. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Mai. It is nice to meet you too."
Trevor glanced between them, clearly noticing the awkward silence that followed, but he wisely decided not to question it.
"So, Elijah," he said, returning his attention to him, "are you actually entering tonight's race?"
Elijah pulled a thick stack of bills from his jacket and counted out five thousand dollars.
"I am."
Trevor accepted the money and nodded. "That gets you into the main event. Ten laps around the full circuit. The winner takes fifty thousand, and there will be betting throughout the race."
"Who am I racing against?"
"Some of the best drivers in the city. A few have been doing this for years."
"Good."
Trevor studied Elijah's calm expression. "You understand that knowing how to drive fast is not enough, right? These drivers know every corner, every braking point, and every trick they can use to pressure another racer into making a mistake."
"I am not entering because I expect an easy victory," Elijah replied. "I want to see what I can do when someone is actively trying to beat me."
Trevor smiled. "I like that answer."
After registering Elijah for the race, Trevor led them toward the sports car and gestured toward the hood.
"Before you start, let me look at the engine."
Elijah released the latch.
Trevor lifted the hood and immediately became absorbed in the machinery beneath it. He examined the engine, cooling system, fuel lines, and various modifications with the concentration of someone inspecting a prized weapon.
"This is excellent," he said finally. "The cooling system can handle sustained high temperatures, and the engine has enough power to compete with almost anything here."
Trevor lowered the hood and looked at Elijah.
"Have you ever raced before?"
"No."
"Have you ever driven competitively?"
"No."
Trevor stared at him.
"Then you have chosen a strange night to begin."
Elijah shrugged. "There is always a first time."
Trevor laughed. "Yeah."
He became serious a moment later.
"Your Advanced Knight Stage will give you an advantage, though. You should be able to infuse your Ki into the car."
Elijah's expression sharpened.
"Into the car?"
"Into the engine, tires, frame, and suspension. You can reinforce the components with Ki and make them respond more efficiently to your movements. At the Advanced Knight Stage, your control should be precise enough to do it without damaging the vehicle."
Elijah considered the idea.
He had spent time learning how to channel Ki through his body and weapons, so transferring that energy into a machine was not as strange as it initially sounded.
"Most of the serious drivers here use Ki in some form," Trevor continued. "Without it, you will be giving away a considerable advantage."
Elijah placed his hand on the roof of the car.
"I understand."
A roar erupted from the crowd.
Trevor looked toward the starting line, where the racers were beginning to position their vehicles.
"The race is about to begin."
Elijah opened the driver's door.
Trevor smiled.
"And Elijah, do not hold back. I want to see what that car can really do."
Elijah climbed inside and adjusted his hands around the steering wheel. The moment his fingers settled into position, his body instinctively relaxed. His feet found the pedals, and his senses expanded through the vehicle as though he were learning to feel its mechanical heartbeat.
Mai entered the passenger seat and closed the door.
She stared at him for several seconds.
"You're really going to do this."
Elijah turned the key.
The engine exploded into a deep roar that drowned out the music and swallowed the surrounding conversations. Several nearby spectators turned toward the sound, while Mai's eyes widened.
"You have only driven this car for an hour," she said.
Elijah smiled as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"I know."
"And you have never raced before."
"I know."
"You are about to compete against experienced drivers on a track you have never seen."
Elijah's red eyes settled on the circuit ahead. He could feel the engine vibrating beneath him, waiting for his command, while the Ki within his body stirred in response.
"I know."
Mai stared at him before slowly smiling.
"You are gonna lose."
Elijah pressed his foot against the accelerator, and the engine responded with a violent roar.
"I am going to win, Mai."