The best-of-three match between Kaito and Megiddo had reached its climax. The final event, an obstacle race, began with Megiddo seizing an early lead.
At the moment, Megiddo was limiting himself to the same physical baseline as Kaito. Theoretically, Kaito held the advantage in speed and power since he was permitted the use of Physical Enhancement Magic.
Despite this, Megiddo maintained a significant lead. The primary factor was likely the sheer difference in their stamina.
While it was true that Megiddo was running with the same physical stats as Kaito, he was capable of maintaining his top speed all the way to the finish line. Kaito, by contrast, had to pace himself to avoid burning out. Consequently, a gap the size of two obstacles had already opened between them.
To be blunt, things were playing out exactly as Megiddo had anticipated. In fact, it was inevitable.
Even in identical cars, an F1 racer will always outperform an amateur. Megiddo’s lead was simply the natural result of his vast experience.
And that was precisely why Megiddo had asked Alice to design the obstacle course.
"And Megiddo-san is fast! He’s already showing signs of clearing the entire first half of the course! Kaito-san is falling quite a bit behind!"
After casting a quick glance at Alice, who was providing the live commentary, Megiddo turned his gaze back to the course with a smirk.
I know... the real challenge is still ahead, isn't it? Megiddo thought. Shaltier, you’ve always had a soft spot for Kaito. That’s exactly why I asked you for this! You’re the type who would build a course where Kaito actually has a fighting chance to win, even with these handicaps. It wouldn't be any fun otherwise! Now, let’s see what you’ve got waiting for us.
Grinning with genuine enjoyment, he pushed toward the next checkpoint. Soon enough, it appeared before him.
A small cube sat atop a desk. Megiddo slowed his pace, tilting his head in confusion.
What the hell is this?
"Megiddo-san has reached the highlight of the first half! This checkpoint features the 'Rubik's Cube'! It’s a toy from the otherworld. You’ll find the instructions posted on the desk!"
Seeing a Rubik's Cube for the first time, Megiddo quickly scanned the explanation.
I see... so it’s a puzzle. Hmph. I thought I knew a fair bit about otherworld toys, but this is a new one for me. Well, I just have to match all six sides. I'll have this cleared in a heartbeat.
Megiddo began manipulating the cube, testing the combinations. Despite it being his first time handling one, the mechanics were simple enough, and he began steadily aligning the colors.
About a minute after Megiddo reached the desk, Kaito finally caught up.
"And here comes Kaito-san! This item is a toy from his home world, giving him a distinct advantage. Can he manage a turnaround here?"
Don't underestimate me, Megiddo thought. Sure, Kaito might be more used to this than I am, but I’ve already got three sides done. I'll be finished in another minute—wait, what?
Thinking he wouldn't be overtaken just yet, Megiddo stole a glance at his opponent. Kaito picked up the cube and spent about ten seconds observing it from various angles.
And then...
"Wh-What?!"
In the next instant, Kaito’s hands blurred with mechanical precision. Without a single moment of hesitation, he solved the puzzle, aligning all six sides in the blink of an eye.
"Kaito-san is incredible! He completed it in an instant and cleared the checkpoint! We have a lead change!!"
Impossible! What was that? Twenty seconds... no, he finished it in less than fifteen!
The Rubik's Cube was one of Kaito’s few genuine talents, but Megiddo, unaware of this, was so stunned that his hands actually stopped moving.
It’s... it’s as if he knew the solution from the very beginning. Did Shaltier teach him? No, impossible. She wouldn't resort to such blatant favoritism. She definitely designed the course to favor Kaito, but her help is usually far more subtle than that...
He momentarily considered the possibility that the solution had been leaked, but Megiddo immediately dismissed the thought and returned to his own cube.
However, his composure had been shaken, and he found himself fumbling more than before.
The first set of stepping stones had large footholds and narrow gaps. The second slope was made of a non-slip material... Everything was adjusted so that Kaito could clear them even without being an athlete. Right, Shaltier’s assistance shouldn't go beyond that. Kaito himself wouldn't accept anything more. Which means... that was Kaito’s own skill? But how could he do it so fast? No, wait...
Trying to steady his racing thoughts, Megiddo analyzed what he had just seen. He finally finished his own cube and broke into a sprint to catch up to Kaito, his mind still working.
Kaito spent about ten seconds just staring at the cube before he started... Don't tell me he mapped out the entire solution in his head in that time?! That's... that's incredible.
Realizing the depth of Kaito’s proficiency, Megiddo felt a shiver of excitement run through his shoulders. A ferocious grin spread across his face.
"Ha... Hahaha! Yes! That’s it! That’s how it’s gotta be!"
"Oh! Megiddo-san lets out a roar! He’s tearing through the course at a staggering speed!"
To Megiddo, competition was the ultimate joy. He was a pure battle maniac who grew more motivated the stronger his opponent proved to be.
His fighting spirit was now fully ablaze.
While still strictly adhering to the agreed-upon physical limits, all waste vanished from his movements. His agility and precision reached a new peak.
His momentum was so great that he immediately closed the gap, overtaking Kaito in a matter of moments.
"And he’s taken the lead once again! This is a heated battle!"
"Say, No-chan? There's something I’ve been wondering..."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"It feels like Kai-chan... hasn't been giving this his full concentration for a while now, has he?"
"Ah, you noticed? His movements are definitely a bit inefficient."
"He’s doing something, isn't he?"
"Who knows? I have my theories, but I think we should wait and see the results for ourselves."
Though Megiddo was gradually pulling away, his competitive fire burning bright, Kaito’s expression remained unchanged.
His lips were moving, whispering something in a voice so low it was barely audible.
"...There... magic formula for the final stretch is set... Just... a little... more..."
Kaito quietly but steadily pressed on with his preparations. Even as the distance between them grew, there wasn't a hint of resignation in his eyes. The gap had widened to three checkpoints—but even so, Megiddo was still within striking distance.