Race getting more and more intense

Observing the small translucent screen, the number [0.002%] was highlighted in black. Lucas fixed his eyes on it, not comprehending its meaning.

— System... What is... this number? — he muttered, seeking answers and trying to calm down after the recent events.

[Invalid information]

Upon receiving this response, the number disappeared from the screen, leaving Lucas in doubt about its true significance.

While the young man rested, the race continued. Initially, the competitors focused on advancing in the competition, but soon rivalries intensified, and battles broke out.

And the family that initiated the conflicts was the Autômato family. She skillfully covered their boat's hull with reflective panels, strategically directing sunlight. The intense reflections made it nearly impossible for the competitors to see clearly, causing confusion and hindering their progress in the race.

(Wow, I'm glad I brought my sunglasses because it's hard to see even from here!)

— Damn it! I'm going to destroy these things! — exclaimed the girl from the Incêndio family, jumping from her boat and advancing towards the light. With one hand covering her eyes and the other in the shape of a flaming fist.

However, before she could get close, the girl was hit by a steel ball and thrown a considerable distance. If it weren't for her brother, who was controlling the boat and managed to catch her in time, she would have fallen into the sand.

Taking advantage of the opportunity created by the Incêndio family, the next to act was the lone dragon girl. She leaped from her boat, moving quickly with the beats of her wings, and launched herself towards the ice boat. However, the elder from the Cubo de Gelo family noticed her movements and intervened, creating an ice spear that flew in her direction.

Seeing the spear approaching, the girl smiled lightly before spinning in the air, propelled by her wings, and kicked the spear towards the brightly glowing boat.

However, she didn't expect the young girl from the ice boat to also attempt to attack her. Upon realizing this, one of her wings was frozen by a small needle.

— Tch, this is going to be troublesome — she muttered as she fell from the sky but took the opportunity to make her next move.

Even though she was a bit far from the boat, she materialized a claw of flames and struck a small part of the vessel, which melted instantly. If it weren't for the elder from the Cubo de Gelo family, the boat could have been completely melted.

Using the flames to thaw her wings, the girl returned to her boat and began propelling herself towards the ice boat.

It was at that moment that they noticed why the steel boat was glowing intensely. One of the projectors had broken, and ahead, a massive sandstorm was approaching.

(Wow, another sandstorm? How am I supposed to comment if I can't see anyone!?)

The only person who didn't seem surprised was the girl from the Autômato family, who completely closed her boat, turning it into a kind of submarine, and continued forward.

Meanwhile, Domingos, who wasn't involved in the battles, noticed the situation and prepared himself.

— Lucas, I know you still want to rest, but you'll have to take control of the boat again — he said, looking at the young man who was sitting on the ground, breathing calmly. — Come on, we're losing time.

Domingos lifted Lucas from the ground. The young man was already considerably calmer and took control of the boat once again.

— What's going to happen this time? — Lucas asked. — And what is all this light? I can't see anything!

— A sandstorm is about to hit us — the old man replied. — Don't worry about visibility, just keep the helm steady and keep moving forward.

— And what are you going to do?

— I'll try to protect this boat from the chaos that's about to happen.

After saying that, Domingos headed to the front of the boat. Due to the intense brightness, Lucas couldn't see the old man, but he made an effort to keep the helm steady.

A few minutes later, the light disappeared, but the sand was everywhere. The sandstorm had been so intense that the young man couldn't see the helm right in front of him.

If it weren't for the rune given by Domingos, Lucas could have been quickly suffocated by the sand.

— I hope nothing happens to me... — the young man muttered.

— Like what? — asked a female voice.

— Like... Uh!?

Surprised, Lucas turned to find a silver-haired girl smiling at him. However, instead of feeling comforted, he felt a shiver run down his spine, accompanied by an intense cold emanating from the girl.

— ...C-Can we be civilized?

[To be continued...]

??? — ... Domingos barely left Lucas, and he's already in danger.

??? — I wish I could have seen that, but there's a storm blocking everything!

??? — But can't you see through the storm?

??? — I can, but I need to—

[Spoiler Alert]

??? — It's difficult.

??? — Ahh... Well, getting back to the story, isn't it becoming more dangerous for Lucas than expected?

??? — Sometimes, I think he's going to die.

??? — If he dies, you'll never appear in the story.

??? — Nooo!! I'll give him moral support!