To rewind the clock a little.
Back on August 10th, the topic of holding an air race in Toka Village had come up among Jin and the others.
Through Sion of the All-Creation, word of this reached interested parties in the Nord Federation.
Sion's great-grandson, Lordtoss of the Puppet clan, had also caught wind of the idea.
"An air race, huh... I feel like we talked about something like that when I visited Toka Village in the Klein Kingdom with Jin-san before... Or was it somewhere else? Well, no matter."
Where the conversation had happened was of little importance. Deciding that he simply had to enter, Lordtoss was fired up.
"A Blow Floater race? That sounds wonderful! Let's enter, let's enter!!"
Marikka's disciples were equally enthusiastic.
After all, the Blow Floater had been developed by Marikka herself some 250 years ago.
Because of that, the response within the Nord Federation was tremendous, and a total of ten teams declared their intention to participate.
Meanwhile, on Hourai Island, home of the race's secret organizer:
"About the air race—I was thinking of calling it the '1st Marikka Cup.'"
Jin shared his thoughts before all the members of the Jin Family.
"Fueh?!"
"Ooh, sounds great."
"Agreed."
"Kuhu, I think it's a fine idea."
With the sole exception of Marikka herself, everyone was in overwhelming favor.
"T-The Marikka Cup, you shay?!"
"That's right. I mean, you're the one who developed the Blow Floater, right, Marikka? So naming it the Marikka Cup after its inventor makes total sense. There's nothing strange about it at all."
"Fuehh..."
"The winner should be presented with a trophy bearing Marikka's name, too, don't you think?"
Sion, who had arrived to share news regarding the situation in the Nord Federation, launched a follow-up strike against the embarrassed girl.
"Fuehhh..."
Marikka shrank back, blushing furiously.
"...Don't worry. The only one who would recognize the 'current' Marikka as Marikka is probably me."
Thinking she might have teased her a bit too much, Sion offered some reassurance.
"Ah, y-yes, that's true. Besides, as long as I don't go there in person..."
However, Jin chimed in as well:
"Though come to think of it... since it's a special occasion, I was hoping all of us could go watch."
"Fuehhhh..."
Marikka was left completely flustered.
And then, fast-forwarding to September 14th.
"Ooh, she's flying smoothly."
Testing out a new model of the Blow Floater, Lordtoss nodded with satisfaction from aboard the craft.
Changing the circular wings into horizontally elongated elliptical wings had increased stability compared to before, though it had sacrificed some maneuverability as a result.
"From here, I'll work on tight turns and increasing speed."
Securing stability and safety first, then conducting research to meet the next set of requirements.
That was Lordtoss's way of doing things.
"Ro, it looks like it's performing well."
"Yes, Great-grandmother. My brother has been doing nothing but tweaking that craft lately."
Down below on the ground, Sion and Lordtoss's younger sister, Vita, looked up at the sky.
And there was one more person present.
"Lordtoss-sama, your time was one second faster!"
Lordtoss's fiancée, Ludmila of the Puppet clan, called out while assisting with timing and course guidance.
"Has the event date been decided yet?" Vita asked Sion.
"Jin contacted me just a little while ago. Apparently, it's set for October 10th."
"That's less than a month away, isn't it?"
"With that much time, all the participants should be fully prepared."
"I'm really looking forward to this 'Marikka Cup.'"
On that same day, Jin was preparing to depart from the Klein Kingdom.
"Jin-dono, you have been of immense help to us in so many ways."
King Melikalans I had personally come out to see them off.
"Jin-dono! I truly hope we shall meet again!"
Magic Technology Minister Cowen Lacca Kido also gripped Jin's hand, looking reluctant to part.
"Maquina-dono, here is the interim report on the 'bus.'"
"My, my, thank you very much for going to the trouble."
"Erna-dono, safe travels on your journey."
"Thank you very much."
Erna, Elsa's Doppel, was likewise exchanging a farewell handshake with Mariel Lacca Pactora, who appeared genuinely sorry to see them go.
"Sion-sama, take care."
"Yes, thank you."
Sion D was also receiving parting handshakes from members of the Klein Kingdom entourage.
Incidentally, at this time, Sion herself was in the Nord Federation watching Lordtoss's Blow Floater, so Laojun was piloting the Doppel in her stead.
Before long, the Aristotle slowly ascended into the sky.
"Ah, what a relief."
"Thank you for your hard work, My Lord."
Since only those in the know were present, Laojun offered words of appreciation through Sion D's mouth.
"...Come to think of it, Magic Technology Minister Cowen Lacca Kido wasn't nearly as bad as Sion made him out to be."
"Most likely, Sion-sama gave him a stern warning in advance," Laojun replied through Sion D.
However, to that, Jin remarked:
"...Laojun, hearing that polite tone of voice with Sion's face and voice feels a little bizarre."
"Understood. Switching to the manacam, then."
"Yeah, please do..."
Then, Reiko asked, "Father, what are your plans from here?"
To which Jin answered, "For today, we'll head back to Hourai Island, and starting tomorrow, I suppose we'll begin the redevelopment of the Kutsudo Mine."
"The date for the race has also been set for October 10th, after all."
Jin and Sion D had coordinated on this earlier that morning.
"Alright, all that's left is to handle the preparations until race day."
"Mm, I'll help."
"Father, please leave it to me."
Carrying their voices, the Aristotle cruised through the vast sky.
"Oh, right. Instead of heading straight back to Hourai Island, let's make a detour to the Nord Federation."
"Mm, sounds good."
With Erna's agreement, the Aristotle set its course to the north.