The Aries Dragon Riding Festival places emphasis on starting lines.
There is no fair starting point. Students are placed favorably based on their performance during practical mock battles.
In the past, students who performed well are situated near the front end, giving them a better chance to win. The poor performers are placed at the back.
This year, that rule changed.
Rebecca suggested this change.
She said this would make the race more interesting.
Silvia who had the best scores was placed at the very back with Lancelot.
Plus, Wu Yan is also there with her.
These two geniuses were placed there because they had incredible skills. Wu Yan had no real credits to speak of, but he did beat the best student so the school placed her on the same pedestal as Silvia.
Rebecca made sure they started last.
Also, there is another reason.
“No freaking way…”
The students looked at a giant figure at the back of the race. The towering dragon drew the attention of the participants here.
Its blood-red scales and thick armor gave it away. It also had giant wings that threatened to cover the sky. It is like the king of dragons when standing with all the other Pals here.
The strongest Maestro, Cú Chulainn.
Nobody in Ansullivan Dragonar Academy is ignorant enough to say they don’t know this dragon.
Its fame prevented any attempts at hiding this dragon’s identity.
This dragon is the reason why Rebecca Randall is so famous.
The strongest Maestro in school, on top is the student who became a hot topic two days after entering the school.
Rowan Randall.
The president’s Pal is currently letting another rider ride it.
Ash who was placed at the back also couldn’t believe his eyes.
Ash was riding Bridgit whom he borrowed from Raymond.
Ash is a genius tamer too.
However, Ash has no confidence he can tame Cú Chulainn.
Even Lancelot isn’t a Maestro Ash had confidence taming.
He has only ever ridden on Asia, Stradas, and Hydras.
Wu Yan’s image became bigger in Ash’s mind.
Silvia calmed her heart. She focused on the race ahead of her.
Victory isn’t guaranteed.
To prove herself and win her bet with Wu Yan, she will do her best!
“Ready yourselves!”
Rebecca said.
She held the starting pistol.
The crowd held their breaths.
The air turned still.
A suffocating silence permeated the place.
Then…
“Get set…”
Rebecca closed her eyes.
Bang
The pistol went off.
“Go!!!”
The runners started the race at once.
Gawooo
The Asias roared as they created a stampede.
Mwaooo
The Stradas took to the sky.
Splash splash
The Hydras started swimming and diving into the water.
Close to 100 dragons rushed forward.
“OOhhh!!!”
The dragons went into the city after rushing out of Ansullivan Dragonar Academy’s boundaries.
Due to the different types of dragons involved in this race. There were multiple tracks for these dragons.
Otherwise, Stradas with their flight ability would have an unfair advantage over the rest of the runners.
For the sake of balance, tracks were made for different types of dragons. Only certain parts of the tracks overlapped but it was fair for the dragons.
The runners’ skills still played a role.
The only two Maestros in the race were put in the tracks for Stradas.
Maestros can all fly.
Compared to the other Stradas, however, Cú Chulainn and Lancelot completely blew the competition away. These Maestros had higher speed, strong magics, and immense stamina.
If there was ever anything unfair about this race then it would be the participation of these Maestros.
In any case, it didn’t help the competition that Wu Yan is the one riding the Cú Chulainn, a dragon far more powerful than Lancelot.
His steering skills also outclassed anyone.
In a short while, the red lightning bolt zipped past the Stradas who had a lead.
Lancelot is the only dragon barely keeping up.
Rroar
Cú Chulainn is probably excited to race for once. It increased its speed while making Lancelot eat dust.
Wu Yan bitterly laughed.
“Look at you, so excited over a race. Is Rebecca keeping you chained up in the stable or something?”
GAwooo
Cú Chulainn responded. It sped up after that.
Anyway, the dragon is hyped to win the race.
“Good, let ’em rip.”
Wu Yan patted its horn.
He looked back.
Some 20 meters away, Lancelot is doing its best to accelerate and keep up with Cú Chulainn. Wu Yan can see Silvia is also sweating hard.
Silvia saw Wu Yan’s mischievous grin before she huffed.
“Lancelot!”
Silvia yelled.
“We cannot lose to that guy! Anyone but him!”
GWargh
Lancelot can feel the anger in Silvia. It also psyched itself up by channeling more magic.
“Oh, dear, you’re still not giving up?”
Wu Yan teased her. He threw out a low ball.
“Lancelot! If you lose this race I will make sure to cook a great feast for you!”
Lancelot curbed its own enthusiasm.
For a dragon that tasted Wu Yan’s personal dishes. Those words were very tempting, subconsciously the Maestro slowed down.
“What the…”
Silvia’s eyes widened with outrage.
“You sly coward!”
“Hahaha!”
The two dragonars and Maestro streaked across the sky like two meteors. Wu Yan’s hearty laughter was followed by Silvia’s angry shriek. The two competitors became the focus of the match.
