My Formula 1 System

Chapter 20 Ultimatum 3 Picking Up The Pace

[27th Lap]

[Stamina +1]

[Endurance +2]

The early morning sun began piercing through the veil of clouds, casting a golden hue over the Grey-Husson facility and its booming circuit. The atmosphere was alive with the sound of roaring machinery and engines welcoming the approaching afternoon as the racing participants rounded their 26th lap.

When Luca had thought the atmosphere wouldn't be favorable, it turned out to be even more pleasurable.

Luca was still in 5th position, a spot he had failed to advance from, and now he was barely holding on as the pressure mounted. The gap between him and the relentless pursuit of the 6th and 7th positions was razor-thin, and he could practically sense their presence looming in his rearview mirror.

Tension filled the air, with everyone aware that the impending 34th lap was drawing nearer; everyone wanted to claim or maintain a spot in the top seven.

The R.S.11's engine growled softly beneath Luca as his gaze fixed ahead on the empty track. Numbers 4, 3, 2, and 1 seemed far out of reach and out of sight. Breathing hard, with his physical energy running low, Luca gripped the wheel tightly again as a gesture of concentration and determination, sitting up straighter.

He braked slightly as he entered the sweeping bend, feeling the familiar G-force slam his body against the seat. His hands trembled from the force, almost letting go of the wheel, but he gritted his teeth and held on.

[Endurance +1]

Luca could see the 6th position car dancing in his mirrors, looking for any crack in his defense to overtake, but he was determined not to let that happen. His brows twitched with surprise as he recognized the single-seater instantly. "Harry, the magic man indeed," he said with a chuckle, shaking his head in amusement as he completed the sweeping bend.

His car leveled out once again, and Luca was free to hit the throttle before Harry could complete the bend behind him. His eyes widened in his helmet as he spotted the number 4 vehicle just ahead, its sleek rear tires running over the asphalt.

Luca's fingers danced on the wheel with a mix of tired excitement and tension, his thumbs grazing the buttons as his muscles tensed. Zooming through the 27th lap, he promised himself he'd be in 4th by the 29th.

He had been here before, chasing down a position just minutes ago, but this time it felt different—his body was worn, muscles screaming from the relentless strain, yet his focus remained unbroken. The next corner, the signature early bend of the Grey-Husson circuit, approached, and Luca quickly strategized.

Luca downshifted as they approached the bend, his car screaming in protest, but he held firm. The 4th Position just as he expected, braked slightly earlier, positioning for the perfect bend. Luca, however, had other plans. He kept his foot hovering above the throttle, waiting, waiting—now.

The moment the 4th position braked, Luca slammed his foot down on the throttle, feeling the car surge forward. His body jolted with the G-force, but he held steady, cutting in just as the number 4 car began to exit the corner. Tires screeched so loud as Luca's car swung wide, dancing dangerously close to the edge of the track and his opponent's vehicle, a Renault similar to his.

[Took a risk, host.]

[Intelligence +1]

Luca's car gently crept ahead of his opponent, who panicked wildly at the sight of his impending loss. They both unleashed a surge of power, and Luca guessed he flicked the overtake button just as he had. Now, with a straightaway ahead, it all depended on who was the better racer between the two of them.

Enduring G-forces was something Luca was getting accustomed to, not to mention his Overtaking Skill, now sitting at 11. With another burst of power from his R.S.11, Luca surged ahead, leaving the fellow Renault behind, its sleek form filling his mirrors.

[4th Position]

[Overtaking Skill +1]

[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 100%]

[SYNC BAR COMPLETE]

[Host, Sync Buff can now be used.]

"Finally, about time," Luca muttered, ramping up his speed as he completed the 28th lap and entered the 29th in 4th position, just as he had promised himself. "So, how does it work?"

[At completion, you are granted the temporal capability of five minutes to buff all Attributes to max of Rookie Bundle, alongside three Skills]

"Wow."

[ACTIVATE SYNC BUFF?]

[Y / N]

Without hesitation, Luca selected yes, eager to see how this could enhance his performance in the race.

[INFUSING....]

[Strength: 6 »»»» 30

Stamina: 7 »»»» 30

Endurance: 14 »»»» 30

Agility: 4 »»»» 30

Intelligence: 7 »»»» 30 ]

[You have only 3 Skills available, so they are all up for selection.]

[Reflexes: 12 »»»» 50

Overtaking Skill: 12 »»»» 50

Track Awareness: 9 »»»» 50 ]

[INFUSION SUCCESSFUL!]

[You have 4 min. 58 sec left for Sync Buff]

"What the—" Luca muttered. His grip on the wheel tightened, his eyes wide with astonishment as the numbers on his floating digital screen lit up, signaling the massive surge in his stats. The System interface took on a new look, with a sleek, glowing design in electric blue and vibrant green. Each attribute flashed boldly, shimmering as they indicated his amplified capabilities.

Every attribute had skyrocketed, a complete shift in his physical and mental capabilities. His body felt different—lighter, stronger, sharper.

"Whoa… this is—this is insane!" he exclaimed, his voice barely audible beneath the roar of R.S.11's engine. His muscles that had been screaming in protest of exhaustion for the past laps were now completely silent. The burns and aches all gone, his heart steady, the strain on his lungs evaporating as if he hadn't rounded 28th laps.

Luca felt as if he could go on for hours, maybe even days, without breaking a sweat!

"System, this is wonderful!"

[I am glad you like it, host. However, you have a limited time to make use of Sync Buff. With a new Bundle, that time will increase, so will the amount to fill up the bar accordingly.]

[You have 4 min. 25 sec left for Sync Buff.]

Luca nodded quickly, his lips folded as he took in a deep breath. Alright, alright, alright. There are five laps left, and I think I can make use of this to win. I can win.

He flexed his fingers on the wheel, still astonished at the ease of movement. Every muscle responded instantly, with precision and control that felt almost superhuman. His reflexes were razor-sharp; the world around him seemed to slow down, and every flicker of movement was now crystal clear.

And the speeding aerodynamic vehicle, brandished with the holographic number 3 hovering above it, didn't take long to catch his attention. A Renault as well.

With the 29th lap coming to an end, Luca instinctively pressed harder on the throttle, and the car responded, maxing out at its speed. It was as if his machine had become an extension of his own body, his mind and the vehicle perfectly in sync.

[You are moving at 300 km/h]

The Track Awareness buff kicked in, and suddenly, Luca could visualize the race like never before. He knew exactly how to handle the next sharp turn, when to brake, and where to position his car for the impending overtaking to claim third position. The Overtaking Skill flooded his veins like an impulsive whisper, pushing him to execute it at any chance.

The Renault before him sensed the approaching vehicle and did little to secure his spot. Luca's approach caught him off guard, and causing an accident was something the driver wanted to avoid.

It was a fair, respectful overtake; Luca's R.S.11 swiftly navigated from the side, cutting into the view of what his System had analyzed for him as an R.S.12.

[Overtaking Skill +1]

[3rd Position]

Luca could taste victory already as he zoomed past the line, completing the 29th lap, with the 30 mark displaying on his screen. He wondered which two cars were ahead; he suspected one of them belonged to Miles. He was certain.

"While using the Sync Buff, can a new bar load?" Luca asked, his voice steady but curious as he expertly handled the early sharp bend, feeling the incredible surge of power coursing through him.

[No, host. A new Sync Buff can only be initiated after the current one is fully exhausted. It will begin to recharge immediately once the last has run its course.]

Luca shrugged, his eyes set on the rear of number 2. I'm fine with that, then. As long as I get this buff regularly, that's all that matters.

He expertly shifted gears, timing each one to perfection as he accelerated through the straight, the tires gripping the asphalt beneath him. His feet danced between the throttle and brake, easing off just enough to maintain control while conserving speed.

The roar of his engine filled his ears, and the G-forces gently pulled at him as he leaned into another bend, closing the gap between him and the 2nd Position.

Luca could envision himself in an official, booming race circuit—Mandalora, Peakburn, or even the Serpeggiare. He could hear a fake commentary in his head, exclaiming and awing at his fluid movements.

Though he had his Sync Buff, navigating past Position 2 proved to be quite difficult. It took Luca another lap to actually make progress, frightening him that he might not make it to number 1 before time ran out.

[Stamina +1]

[30 laps Completed]

[DATA DISPLAYED IN REAL TIME:

-Car Speed: 310 km/h

-Heart Rate: 107 bpm

-Operational Status: 50% (Concerned)

-Breathing: Stable

-Distance covered: 99700m

-Time: 37 min. 5 sec ]

With time, Luca's R.S.11's nose had reached the bumper of the car in 2nd Position. He took a deep breath and swerved, tilting his wheel in an aerodynamic position opposite to the track, cutting outward. The 2nd Position's car was a Mercedes, a solid model, and the driver knew how to handle bends.

With his Sync Buff in full effect, Luca's senses sharpened, his body reacting faster than ever. His grip on the wheel tightened as he focused on the silver Mercedes ahead. Approaching another bend, Luca knew this was his moment to capitalize; if he hesitated, things might not turn out in his favor.

He adjusted his stance in the cockpit, leaning instinctively as the car's tires kissed the edge of the track, the stands blurring in his peripheral vision. With a quick flick of the wheel, he sent his car zigzagging outward, carving an aggressive line that surprised the driver in 2nd Position.

The driver in 2nd Position held firm with determination as Luca raced almost neck and neck, just slightly behind. His eyes narrowed, sighting a curve as they raced with blinding speed. On that curve was the leading number 1, cruising effortlessly.

Luca feathered the throttle before slamming down hard, propelling himself forward just as the Mercedes began to ease into the curve. With the Sync Buff, Luca could easily maneuver through bends without reducing his speed much. In one fluid motion, he swung the car wide, brushing the outer edge of the track.

The R.S.11 soared past the Mercedes, its engine screaming as Luca expertly drifted through the corner, the rear tires leaving a faint smoke trail behind. "Booyah!" he jubilated, leveling his car once again.

The now 3rd Position couldn't do anything, but watch as Luca's Renault sliced ahead, taking the inside line through the bend with unbelievable precision. The extra driver was now the exceptional.

The wind roared around Luca as he fully overtook the Mercedes behind him, completing the 31st lap without breaking a sweat. He momentarily shifted his focus to the System screen before him, the position indicator flashing.

[2nd Position]

[Overtaking Skill +1]

[Reflexes +1]

[Agility +1]

Luca took a deep breath. It was mind-blowing to know that he was one of the leaders in the race. He wished his mother were here to witness this, sitting in the stands and cheering for him.

But Luca was not going to settle for 2nd Position, no, he would not. Not when there were many things attached to emerging first, and beating Miles was one of them. Biting his lips, he savored the sight of Miles's Mercedes, sizing it like a prey.

[You have 1 min. 59 sec left for Sync Buff]

"Ahhh, fuck me. Please stay with me, stay with me," Luca muttered, making a careful turn to the edge before diverting to the inside line again. He steadied his fingers, feeling his hands damp in his gloves.

The 31st lap was approaching its end, and the tension was building. All the cars behind him danced in harmony on the track, searching for opportunities to overtake and claim a spot in the top 7, top 3, or simply maintain their positions.

On the start of the 32nd lap, Luca's System analyzed Miles's Mercedes to be 1.4 sec away, and Luca was determined to use the early approaching bend to his advantage.

[Intelligence +1]

[Track Awareness +1]

He hit throttle hard once again, pleading with his tires to withstand the strain he had exerted on them. Determined to overtake Miles without him knowing what hit him, Luca swerved early, his tires grazing the caution zone as he yielded to the bend early enough just as Miles, in his preferred turning zone, began to navigate the curve.

Still accelerating while turning, Luca closed the gap rapidly, surprising even himself.

[You are moving at 350 km/h]

[Operational Status is dropping.]

"I know, let's finish this quickly," Luca replied, the roar of the R.S.11's engine startling Miles.

Miles was now fully alert, realizing Luca's Renault was somehow closing in behind him. He sat up in his cockpit, leaning on the wheel to speed and navigate. This was enough to keep Luca at bay for another lap, but just as they reached the midway point of the 33rd lap, it seemed inevitable to Miles: Luca would catch up soon.

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A/N: Updates would come everyday now. (+_+) Support with your Powerstones And Golden Tickets, I managed to contract this work. Let's have a marathon reading, shall we?