"Now then, the qualifying round is finally beginning! For the next thirty minutes, participants will freely fly laps around the course to compete for the fastest time!"
Once again, the beat of a taiko drum resonated.
(...Maybe a buzzer would've been better? A dora sounds too Chinese.)
No matter how he looked at it, Jin couldn't help but find the drum's sound distinctly Japanese-style.
Regardless of Jin's inner musings, the qualifying round had already started.
"Ooooh!"
"Awesome!"
"Go for it!"
The ten Blow Floaters took to the air, each choosing their own timing to circle the course.
"Well now, what a spectacular sight, Maquina-san, our commentator."
"Indeed. With top speeds exceeding one hundred kilometers per hour, it's quite a thrilling spectacle."
In truth, qualifying ranks were thought to have very little bearing on an advantage or disadvantage in the finals.
However, the qualifiers held meaning in another way.
"Apart from the final rankings, there will also be a popularity vote, after all."
"That is correct. Appealing to the spectators here could also be considered a viable strategy."
In other words, it doubled as a demonstration and a free performance.
Because of this, the participants flew in whatever manner they pleased.
"They're truly flying freely..."
Yuzo Mayaka spoke in an envious tone.
Zigzagging up, down, left, and right, or accelerating fast only to slow right down, their flight paths were genuinely free.
"Perhaps because the Nord Federation is located in the north, the airflow there is surprisingly poor. Weather conditions like this, where a steady breeze blows, are quite rare," Deus Ex Machina explained.
"Ah, I see. So that's why..."
Indeed. Having practiced in winds that constantly shifted in direction and strength, the pilots were simply overjoyed by the favorable conditions here in Toka Village.
"Jin-dono and I cooperated to cast a barrier two meters above the ground, so even in the unlikely event of a crash, it shouldn't lead to a major accident."
"R-Right, of course."
Safety measures against accidents were properly in place.
It was just that the nature of those measures was a bit outside common sense...
"Whoa, incredible!"
One of the aircraft even showed off a midair loop.
"That is Bib #9. They are certainly making full use of their propulsion system's immense power."
"Splendid..."
Due to their structure and principles of flight, Blow Floaters were incapable of inverted flight.
Therefore, performing a loop—even if it meant being inverted for only an instant—was an exceptionally difficult feat.
Executing that maneuver was a magnificent display by Bib #9, even if a golem was at the controls.
"Oh! Look over there, that's amazing too!"
Bib #1, Lordtoss, was performing a horizontal roll—corkscrewing through the air while maintaining level flight.
"I see. He brought the gondola containing the cockpit closer to the wing, intentionally reducing stability."
Just as Maquina explained, Lordtoss had incorporated Jin's advice and made the gondola's position adjustable.
Because of that, its maneuverability had drastically improved.
Once he shifted back into level flight, the gondola lowered again, increasing stability.
"A skillful application. Truly impressive."
Maquina praised Lordtoss.
Bib #7 and Bib #8 also showcased similar loops, both being craft equipped with powerful propulsion systems.
However, no craft other than Lordtoss's performed a horizontal roll.
The lap times of each aircraft were being measured by the Smiths.
Since each of the ten units was assigned to a single craft, there was no fear of miscalculations or mix-ups.
Then, the thirty-minute qualifying round concluded, and the rankings were announced.
The records were converted into average speeds:
1st Place: Bib #9 — 182 km/h — Kondak of the All-Creation Clan 2nd Place: Bib #8 — 179 km/h — Nikeris of the Puppet Clan 3rd Place: Bib #7 — 170 km/h — Byusack of the All-Creation Clan 4th Place: Bib #2 — 162 km/h — Harnata of the Puppet Clan 5th Place: Bib #1 — 155 km/h — Lordtoss of the Puppet Clan 6th Place: Bib #4 — 146 km/h — Sergela of the Gospel Clan 7th Place: Bib #6 — 144 km/h — Imimir of the All-Creation Clan 8th Place: Bib #3 — 141 km/h — Archista of the Gospel Clan 9th Place: Bib #10 — 138 km/h — Puppet of the Puppet Clan 10th Place: Bib #5 — 137 km/h — Zedice of the All-Creation Clan
Such were the results.
In the main race, they would line up in a single column in this order before starting.
"Now then, the main race is finally upon us."
"I am looking forward to it."
"The main race is a simple and clear competition: complete ten laps between here and the pylon atop the hill ten kilometers away."
"Since one lap is twenty kilometers, at one hundred and eighty kilometers per hour, it won't even take seven minutes per lap."
Jin had originally estimated the speed of a Blow Floater to be roughly fifty to one hundred kilometers per hour, but contrary to his expectations, everyone had pushed themselves so hard that they were going twice as fast as anticipated.
Even so, the main race would take a little over an hour, which Jin, as one of the organizers, figured would be satisfying enough for the spectators.
"All aircraft are in their starting positions."
The venue fell dead silent; not a single voice could be heard.
"Ten... nine... eight... seven... six... five..."
The countdown proceeded.
"...Three... two... one... Start!"
The propulsion systems awoke, and all craft lifted off simultaneously.
Because the engines utilized wind-attribute magic, their operation was remarkably quiet. Only the soft rush of intake and exhaust could be heard.
"The first to shoot forward is Bib #9! Closely followed by Bib #8, and then Bib #2! Bib #7 has fallen slightly behind!!"
The spectator stands, which had been deathly quiet before the start, erupted into wild cheers.
"Following behind them are Bibs #1, #4, #6, #3, #10, and #5!"
The ten Blow Floaters disappeared from the spectators' field of view in the blink of an eye.
Because the spectator stands faced south, the aircraft heading west flew off toward the spectators' right-hand side.
Once the silhouettes of the ten aircraft vanished, the spectators turned their gaze toward the three massive monitors in front of them—the magi-screens.
On the leftmost screen, the leader, Bib #9, and its pursuers—Bibs #8, #2, and #7—were displayed. Soon, however, they left that screen and appeared on the central display.
In their place, the trailing pack was shown on the left monitor.
"Go, Bib #9! We're rooting for you!!"
Though the pilots could never hear them, spectators cheered at the top of their lungs, driving the excitement of the race to a fever pitch.