Once the aircraft introductions were over, the competition finally began.
"Thank you for waiting! We will now begin the competition!"
Since this was effectively an "inner circle" event, the proceedings started without too much grandiosity.
"First up is the speed trial! Two poles have been placed 250 meters apart. From the start, aircraft must complete two laps around them—roughly one kilometer in total—to see who can clock the fastest time! Points will be awarded as follows: one hundred points for first place, eighty for second, sixty for third, forty for fourth, and twenty for fifth. Sixth place and below will receive zero points!"
"It’s a very straightforward rule set. However, unlike flying in a straight line, there are four 180-degree turns involved. I expect the time lost there will be the deciding factor."
The MC and the commentator wrapped up their concise explanation just as the competition finally commenced. Local volunteers and golems managed the logistics of the event.
"Now, Bib #1, Natalia's Halcyon! Let's see what kind of performance she shows us! She’s starting... now!"
After a brief takeoff run, the Halcyon surged forward at a speed one would never expect from a triplane.
"Fast! Very fast! Bib #1’s estimated speed is over 180 kilometers per hour! She’s heading into the turn!"
"That's a skillful turn. She’s making excellent use of the triplane's maneuverability."
"If I may add a supplementary explanation: for this competition, a barrier has been set at a height of ten meters. Hitting it results in immediate disqualification."
"So, the pilots can't afford to fly too high just to be safe."
The poles were also ten meters tall. Flying at full speed while staying under that ten-meter ceiling required a considerable degree of piloting skill.
"Bib #1 is turning again! Estimated speed: 200 kilometers per hour!"
"For someone whose specialty is ships, Natalia is doing quite well. The finish on her aircraft is superb."
One more turn, and then another. Her precision as she banked right next to the poles was nothing short of brilliant.
"Natalia is really giving it her all," Jin muttered, impressed.
Then came the finish.
"Goal! Her time is 17.3 seconds! That’s an average speed of approximately 208 kilometers per hour!"
Applause erupted. Natalia stood up in her cockpit and waved to the crowd. The tournament staff golems promptly retrieved the triplane after its safe landing.
"Next is Bib #2, Shu Nidou's Denkou!"
This craft also lifted off gently after a minimal takeoff run—clear evidence of its high engine output.
"Oh, this one is fast too!"
Fully demonstrating the advantages of a swept-wing aircraft, its top speed reached an estimated 210 kilometers per hour. However...
"Ah, did he take that turn a bit too wide!?"
Failing to bleed off enough speed before the turn forced him into a wide arc, resulting in a slight time loss.
"Goal! His time is 17.1 seconds! Approximately 211 kilometers per hour!"
"Bib #3, Eugene Foul! His tapered-wing aircraft has just started!"
This one also required only a short distance to lift off.
"It's flying very stably! But the speed seems a bit low...?"
Likely a characteristic of the airframe, the speed hovered in the 170s. However, the pilot’s technique was excellent.
"What an elegant turn!"
Executing a sharp turn from a deep bank angle, Bib #3 maintained an altitude of about five meters, showing a remarkably stable flight path. His speed picked up on the straightaway.
"Goal! The time is 18.2 seconds! That’s a speed of approximately 198 kilometers per hour!"
Despite the tapered-wing design, it had put up a respectable performance.
"Bib #4, the elliptical-wing aircraft Tempest! Start!"
"This one is also exceptionally stable."
Even though the barrier ensured a windless environment, the Tempest looked particularly steady in the air.
"And a graceful turn!"
The Tempest rounded the pole closer than anyone yet as it raced through the course. It finished with a time of 17.9 seconds, averaging roughly 201 kilometers per hour.
"Bib #5, Sireen Eschenbach in her biplane! She’s off!"
After a somewhat long takeoff run, the biplane showed remarkable acceleration once it was airborne. After a decent series of turns, she crossed the line.
"The time is 18.4 seconds! A speed of approximately 196 kilometers per hour!"
"Hmm, everyone’s doing a great job," Jin noted.
The radio-controlled planes Jin remembered from his previous life usually clocked in between 100 and 150 kilometers per hour. Given that these weren't machines built exclusively for speed trials, these velocities were extraordinary.
"Bib #6, Sidney Marek! It’s a rectangular-wing aircraft, but the wings are folding! He’s starting with the wings retracted!"
Because of the reduced wing area, the takeoff run was long, but once it was in the air, the speed was impressive. However, the turns ended up being a bit wide.
"So close! The time is 17.2 seconds! Approximately 209 kilometers per hour! He’s currently in second place!"
"Bib #7, Werner Randol! A tapered-wing aircraft, but these wings can extend and contract! Starting in the extended state... now!"
With the extra wing area, it lifted off almost immediately.
"Oh! He retracted the wings the moment he cleared the ground!"
The craft dipped slightly as the lift decreased, but it didn't touch the ground. It continued smoothly into its first turn.
"That's quite fast. We can expect a lot from this one."
Just as the commentator predicted, the time was 16.9 seconds—the first to break the 17-second mark. That was approximately 213 kilometers per hour, putting him in first place.
"Bib #8, Florence Fahlheit! The swept-wing Blue Sky is starting now!"
After lifting off with a moderate run, it accelerated rapidly.
"Wow, look at it go!"
"It’s clearly equipped with a powerful engine."
However, because of that raw speed, its turns ended up bulging out significantly. The final result was exactly 17.0 seconds, approximately 212 kilometers per hour.
"Bib #9, Elvis Alcott! The biplane Double Wing has started!"
As a biplane, it lifted off in a very short distance, then used its immense engine power to surge forward.
"Oh, that's fast! That is not the kind of speed you expect from a biplane!"
"Another one with a high-output engine."
The time was 17.5 seconds, approximately 206 kilometers per hour.
"Bib #10, Rubina Garrett! The delta-wing Nile, start!"
The golden delta-wing aircraft angled upward and floated into the air.
"Whoa! That is fast! The apparent speed is on another level!"
The Nile displayed incredible velocity, but it paid the price with wide turns. The final time was 16.7 seconds—a new record at approximately 216 kilometers per hour.
"And now, the one you’ve all been waiting for—Jin-sama! His aircraft is the Zero, a variable-sweep wing aircraft! Start... now!"
Jin began his run with the wings fully extended, lifting off in a very short distance.
"It seems Jin-sama's aircraft uses what is called a ducted fan. It may be standard for him, but it’s a novel concept to us."
Once in the air, the Zero folded its wings and screamed forward at an incredible pace. Just before reaching the turn, Jin deployed the main wings again.
"Oh, brilliant!"
"Aerodynamically, a larger wing area is much more advantageous during high-G turns."
Despite its speed, the Zero pulled a tight, compact turn. Jin retracted the wings once more and accelerated toward the opposite pole. The audience watched with bated breath, eager to see what kind of time the creator himself would clock.