[Hyper-Core Synchronization: Achieves driver-machine unity, enhancing neural reflexes and allowing shared muscle memory and techniques. Both parties bear the mental and physical strain. When the Hyper-Core state is actively activated, it triggers a mental storm, placing both the Mecha Girl and the driver into "bullet time." However, Boost Charge consumption increases with each use.]
Derek Su stared at Blazing Wind's special ability, at a loss for words.
He was certain Blazing Wind wasn't supposed to have a special skill.
Back when she was under Chloe Qin, he had no way of confirming whether she had one. But if she did, why would Chloe Qin not use it?
Unlike Stella's ability, Blazing Wind's skill didn't seem to have any attribute restrictions.
Hyper-Core Synchronization was a hybrid passive-active skill.
The active effect was easy to understand—bullet time.
In a game, that would be considered extremely beginner-friendly. When a corner exceeds the limits of neural reflexes, bullet time can carry you through. Even the most outrageous, high-difficulty maneuvers become manageable when slowed down like that.
The passive aspect, meanwhile, looked like a constant enhancement.
It fused the Mecha Girl and the driver into a single whole.
That naturally improved the driver's control over the machine body—each becoming an extension of the other.
But the real question was…
Where did Blazing Wind's special skill come from?
Could an ordinary Mecha Girl awaken into a top-tier one?
He had never heard of such a thing.
Derek Su looked at Blazing Wind with a complicated expression, like a scientist staring at a white lab mouse that had suddenly grown three heads and could still move freely.
"Blazing Wind," he said bluntly, "tell me honestly—where did you get that special skill?"
No probing. No subtlety. Straight to the point.
Blazing Wind looked up in shock, eyes wide.
Stella's mouth fell open in an O shape.
Blazing Wind was secretly a top-tier Mecha Girl?
Imperial Scale frowned slightly, hugging her pig-head plushie as she edged closer to Blazing Wind.
Tunbao, who had been about to launch a sneak attack on Imperial Scale's legs, suddenly pounced at empty air and slammed headfirst into the hard sofa armrest. She clutched her forehead and rolled around in pain.
...
"I—I… um…"
How did Derek Su know?
Blazing Wind bit her lower lip, panic rising in her chest. A thin layer of cold sweat formed on her back. How was she supposed to explain this?
She had always known she would have to tell Derek Su eventually. She just hadn't figured out what explanation to give for her special skill before he charged straight at the question without warning. At that moment, the gaze of the Stella Club's owner felt even more terrifying than that old man's.
Standing under his stare, she felt completely exposed. Not just her secrets—she felt stripped bare, with nowhere to hide.
"I don't know."
She lowered her head, fingers twisting together in front of her stomach as she answered honestly.
"It was after the tornado. Chloe Qin beat me so badly, and my Endurance was completely drained. I couldn't hold on and passed out. When I woke up, I'd already been taken away by the Colossus Group medical team. That's when I realized I had gained a special skill."
A special skill that appeared out of nowhere?
Derek Su could tell she wasn't lying. Blazing Wind was the kind of Mecha Girl who wore everything on her face. Just explaining this much had nearly brought her to tears.
Perhaps, when pushed to the brink, Mecha Girls could erupt like humans sometimes did, triggering unimaginable changes. It was just that such cases were extremely rare—or perhaps deliberately covered up. In any case, no one knew how to awaken an ordinary Mecha Girl into a top-tier one.
And now he had encountered one himself.
That alone made it worth studying.
Since Blazing Wind truly didn't know, he didn't press further.
"Alright. I was just asking casually. No need to be so nervous." Derek Su's expression softened, returning to that of a kind and approachable boss.
Blazing Wind glanced at him cautiously, finally relaxing a little.
What she had feared most was that he wouldn't believe her.
After all, not being able to explain anything made her look extremely suspicious.
Now it seemed that this genius driver known as The Magician was actually easy to get along with. If it had been Chloe Qin…
Blazing Wind shuddered.
Given Chloe Qin's personality, she probably would have peeled her skin off to get to the truth.
"Come over. Don't just stand there. Sign the agreement. From now on, you'll be a Mecha Girl of the Stella Club." Derek Su took out a contract and slid it toward her.
Contracts varied slightly from club to club.
The differences mainly lay in the benefits and degree of freedom granted to the Mecha Girls.
The Stella Club's benefits were average, but the level of freedom was exceptionally high.
So high that Blazing Wind felt a little dazed.
After joining the Stella Club, she was free to come and go as long as she didn't learn Derek Su's techniques.
If she wanted to learn his techniques, she had to pay tuition.
The courses would get progressively more expensive, but as long as she participated in enough training races, she could afford it. There were no penalty fees.
It almost felt like Derek Su was running a charity.
But from his perspective, that wasn't the case. Techniques would eventually spread. Even if he kept them to himself, someone talented would analyze race footage and figure them out—people like Leon Li or Lucy Luo, both extremely sensitive to technical details.
Instead of hoarding them, it was better to monetize them openly.
A master leads you to the door; cultivation depends on yourself.
Even if he taught everything without reservation, racing still relied heavily on talent. How far someone could go depended entirely on the individual.
Besides, he was confident that once Mecha Girls like Blazing Wind and Absolute Shadow experienced the benefits of learning his techniques, they wouldn't want to leave the Stella Club.
As for those who left—so be it.
Those who abandon me are merely yesterday's past.
Only those who remain become the backbone.
There might be Mecha Girls and drivers who left in the future.
But once they walked out, no matter how much they regretted it or how much money they threw at the door, the Stella Club would never take them back.
That was his confidence—and his principle—as the Track Emperor.
...
With Blazing Wind and Absolute Shadow officially accepted, Stella volunteered to take them to the fourth floor to pick their rooms.
She walked ahead, glancing back at the cool and elegant Absolute Shadow and the somewhat dazed Blazing Wind, excitement bubbling inside her.
"Ahem. As Master's starting Mecha Girl, I should clarify something," Stella said, coughing twice and planting her hands on her hips. "Don't let my height fool you—I carry plenty of authority. That fierce pink-haired girl in the living room earlier? She's actually my personal palace guard."
First impressions were very important.
"So amazing!" Blazing Wind stared at her with sparkling eyes full of admiration.
Even though she had no idea what a "palace guard" really meant.
Still—so impressive!
Absolute Shadow glanced around at the empty rooms, stroking her chin with mild dissatisfaction.
"Oh! Pretty impressive, right?" Stella felt Blazing Wind's admiring gaze inject a surge of confidence straight into her heart.
Next came the room assignments.
This was an art.
If she assigned them well, she would reign supreme.
If she did it poorly, chaos would erupt in the harem.
Blazing Wind looked a little simple and easy to sway.
So…
Stella led her to a room decorated in a cute, fresh style and smiled sweetly.
"Blazing Wind, this will be your room from now on! Work hard and aim to become a world-class Mecha Girl!"
The room wasn't large, but the decor was delicate and charming.
Blazing Wind fell in love with it at first sight. She bowed deeply to Stella, words tumbling out in gratitude.
"Thank you! Thank you! I—I'll work hard and bring glory to the Stella Club!"
To her, this room must have been specially prepared by Stella.
Chloe Qin had never treated her this kindly.
Especially considering she used to be Stella's rival.
Everyone at the Stella Club was so kind…
Blazing Wind felt as if, ever since leaving Chloe Qin, the entire world had begun showing her warmth.
It felt wonderful.
"Mm." Stella lifted her chin proudly.
She resisted the urge to crown Blazing Wind with a pineapple helmet.
It wasn't that she had given up on the idea.
It was just that, after dealing with Imperial Scale and Tunbao, she had realized she didn't possess the kind of heroine aura described in novels. She couldn't simply stand there and radiate the majesty of an empress.
So she had to proceed step by step.
After settling Blazing Wind, Stella brought Absolute Shadow to a larger room.
The decor wasn't as intricate, leaning instead toward an elegant, minimalist style with a refined feel.
It suited Absolute Shadow perfectly.
"Absolute Shadow, this room is yours. Do you like it?"
"It's alright." Absolute Shadow smiled politely. "The style is what I like, but it's still a bit small."
"Oh?" Stella froze for a second. Outwardly calm, inwardly panicking.
Was this the start of a harem crisis?
"I won't be staying at the club," Absolute Shadow continued. "I bought a large duplex near here. Over three hundred square meters, two levels. I have three cats. It's only a five-minute walk from the club. You're welcome to visit anytime. I've got five gaming consoles and plenty of snacks."
"Oh… oh." Stella nodded blankly.
She hadn't expected that.
Who would've thought Absolute Shadow was actually a wealthy Mecha Girl?
But strangely, that made her feel relieved.
Not a harem crisis after all—just a permanent return to her own estate.
...
The day's interviews came to an end.
Still, no driver or coach caught Derek Su's eye.
Fortunately, there were many appointments scheduled for the next two days. As the impact of the Maratela Training Race continued to spread, more applicants would arrive.
With the provincial-level Panlong Mountain Circuit still far off, he wasn't in a hurry.
The immediate priority was preparing for the upcoming Brana Ruins Advanced Race.
Brana Ruins was tailored for combat-type Mecha Girls.
Other types could participate, but the organizers didn't recommend it.
Most speed-type and skill-type Mecha Girls didn't have strong Impact Resistance. Not everyone was a monster like Snowpeak.
So this event had little to do with Absolute Shadow and Blazing Wind. They would mainly observe.
"Stella, during this period, you and Tunbao will train Impact Resistance with Imperial Scale."
Derek Su had already drawn up a training plan for Stella, Imperial Scale, and Tunbao.
This time, Imperial Scale—the king of Impact Resistance—would act as head coach, with Derek Su assisting.
"Wait, boss, why do I have to train too?!" Tunbao squeezed her slender arm, looking aggrieved. "Look how skinny I am! If you make me spar with Stella and Imperial Scale, that's basically asking for my life!"
Derek Su let out a cold laugh and pointed at the hole in the wall and the shattered sofa armrest.
"If you're unhappy about being sent to purchase supplies, you can say so. But there's no need to punch the wall. Repairs cost money! With your energy level rivaling a husky's, you're perfect for Impact Resistance training. That's an order."
Tunbao glanced at the hole and muttered softly, "The wall's just not sturdy…"
"What was that?" Derek Su raised an eyebrow.
Imperial Scale also shot her a look.
Tunbao instantly stood at attention.
"Yes, sir! Boss!!"
After arranging the next few days of training, Derek Su finally felt the fatigue from the long day and decided to return to his room to rest. Stella, who had no "bedchamber" of her own, naturally followed behind him.
Just then, Blazing Wind's voice called out.
"Boss, I—I have something I want to tell you."
Derek Su turned around.
Blazing Wind stood shyly beside the coffee table, face flushed, clearly struggling to speak.
Stella: !
That bashful expression…
Could it be?!
"Go ahead," Derek Su said with a nod.
"I—I want you to drive me…"
Blazing Wind clutched the hem of her skirt, biting her lip.
Stella: !!!
"I mean—I want to test what my special skill actually does!" Blazing Wind quickly waved her hands in clarification.
She had to fully understand her ability to be sure she could protect Vanessa.
Stella: "Ohhh."
So that was it. She'd overthought it.
Today, the harem of the Pineapple Emperor remained as solid as ever.
...
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