The review of the 3D anatomical model using the magi-memory reader operated by Elsa concluded without issue.
"Well, that was a waste..."
Jin gazed at the materials he had started gathering to build an anatomical model.
The primary material was magi-resin. It could be freely reshaped with Forming and colored as well.
"Ah, wait."
An idea seemed to strike him.
"...Jin-nii, what are you making?"
Watching Jin begin crafting something out of the magi-resin, Elsa asked.
"This."
Jin showed the finished piece to Elsa.
"Is this..."
A bowl piled high with rice... An imitation of it—in other words, a fake food sample.
"I figured something like this might work better than drawings or photographs."
Jin firmly believed that in this case, three dimensions beat two.
"Is this for Avalon too?"
Jin shook his head.
"No, for Arcadia."
While this visit was informal, there were plans to officially invite national leaders from various countries next time.
He thought that having these unique fake food samples in the dining hall would make an even bigger impression.
"Besides, it's easy to understand at a glance."
"Mm, that's true."
Elsa agreed with his reasoning.
"I can't make everything all at once, but I figured I'd craft them bit by bit."
"That sounds just like you, Jin-nii."
"My Lord, please retire for the night."
Laojun offered a gentle reminder.
The night was growing late.
"You're right. Let's take one more dip in the bath and head to sleep."
"Mm."
They had already bathed in their guest room at Avalon, but a hot spring where they could stretch out their limbs was truly exceptional.
And so, Jin and Elsa relaxed in the hot spring on Hourai Island.
Knowing there was nothing to worry about since their Doppels were in Avalon, the two decided to turn in for the night here at the Mansion.
The morning of the 13th dawned.
Over on Arcadia...
"Oho, this is quite delightful!"
There was Wattes Schretzer, thoroughly enjoying himself behind the wheel of a Golem kart.
The Golem kart was configured with settings for "beginner adults." Its top speed was around thirty kilometers per hour, but the low driving position gave a vivid sensation of speed.
Wide run-off safety zones lined both sides of the track, along with highly resilient fences designed to minimize injury in the unlikely event of a crash.
"Mmm, this is truly enjoyable!"
Tomax Bartman was also having a blast driving under the pretext of blowing off some steam.
They were fifty-four and fifty-three years old this year. Deus Ex Machina mused that this kind of recreation had a way of captivating men no matter their age.
"Jin mentioned that he is currently constructing an automobile circuit in the Kingdom of Franz."
"Yes, I have heard."
Deus Ex Machina, watching over the two male guests enjoying the Golem karts, conversed with Elena, who was spectating beside him.
"Watching Lord Tomax Bartman and our Wattes Schretzer having such fun makes me realize the necessity of recreational activities that allow one to relieve stress."
"You have a point."
Both agreed that active recreation should be encouraged, rather than relying solely on passive pastimes like reading, listening to music, or watching theatrical plays.
For now, active hobbies were largely limited to horseback riding and going for walks.
"Furthermore, I believe merely watching cars speeding around like that is entertaining in its own right."
"Indeed it is."
In the memories of Jin, who had created Machina (Mentor), there was a record that a fair number of people enjoyed horse racing without ever buying betting tickets.
Races where Formula 1 cars and motorcycles competed on circuits were immensely popular, too.
Jin had also thought it would be wonderful to popularize sports like baseball and boxing, though he had not yet found the opportunity to do so.
"It looks so fun. I kind of want to try it myself."
Illumina Ratkin, who had been spectating alongside them, spoke up.
"In that case, would you like to take a spin with beginner settings?"
"Yes, absolutely!"
And so, another Golem kart pulled onto the track.
"Wah, this looks like so much fun!"
Leaving behind those parting words, Illumina Ratkin slammed the accelerator to the floor. Naturally, the Golem kart launched with a violent lurch of acceleration.
"Kyaaaaaah!!"
"W-Whoa, look out—... Whew, she pulled through..."
Though the machine had rocketed forward, she somehow managed to avoid a crash.
In truth, all Golem karts were equipped with auxiliary control cores, programmed to discreetly intervene and prevent hazards such as speeding out of control or colliding with other vehicles.
While Tomax Bartman and Wattes Schretzer were driving smoothly enough that the safety mechanisms never engaged, Illumina Ratkin's kart had been corrected by the system the instant she launched, narrowly sparing her from a crash.
"Th-That was close..."
Understandably, Illumina Ratkin grew far more cautious after that.
By the time she completed about ten laps, she had gotten the hang of driving the Golem kart, continuing her circuits with an expression of pure delight.
In fact, she eventually pulled into the pit and, when Machina approached to check if something was wrong, made a request:
"Um, could you change my settings to match Tomax-san and the others?"
Machina hesitated for a moment, but seeing how comfortably she was handling the vehicle, and taking the auxiliary control core into account, he decided to grant her request.
"Thank you so much....Here I go!!"
The Golem kart shot forward with a sudden burst of speed. But this time, it was under Illumina's complete control.
Launching without losing traction, the Golem kart swept through the first corner with ease. It then tore through the subsequent spoon curve at high speed.
Next, it negotiated the gentle, high-speed third corner, followed cleanly by the hairpin and the S-curves.
"Oh, she's gotten quite good."
"She possesses a genuine talent."
Watching from the sidelines, both Machina and Elena were impressed by her masterful driving.
After clearing the four right-angled corners—left, right, right, right—she hit the back straight.
Navigating the final gentle ninety-degree corner brought her onto the front home straight. That completed one full lap.
"Oh, she's closing in on Tomax and Wattes's cars."
After about four more laps at that blistering pace, Illumina Ratkin's Golem kart had steadily closed the distance to the cars of Tomax Bartman and Wattes Schretzer ahead.
By the sixth lap, she was hounding the two cars nose-to-tail.
At that point, both Tomax Bartman and Wattes Schretzer seemed to notice Illumina Ratkin bearing down on them, prompting them to pick up their pace even further.
"All three of them look just like children."
"Still, I can't help but feel a little envious."
Fione Fias gave a wry chuckle at the trio, while Edda Eema watched them with longing eyes.