Chapter 6: The Final Selection

The air was thick with anticipation as Henry stepped out of the car and into the pit lane. The atmosphere at the academy was different today, more tense, more focused. There was an unmistakable sense of urgency hanging in the air.

The instructors were walking around, discussing quietly among themselves, their eyes scanning the drivers and their cars. It wasn't just any race today; this was the selection race. The race that would determine the final two drivers to make it to the next stage. The academy wasn't going to waste time with anyone who wasn't ready.

Henry was more than aware of the stakes. Today would either be his breakthrough or his failure. He couldn't afford to lose.

But the most unsettling part of it all wasn't the race itself; it was the feeling of the unknown. How would he handle the pressure of being selected? And what if he wasn't good enough, despite all his efforts?

He couldn't afford to let doubt creep in. The system's voice had been unusually quiet this morning, but it always had a way of showing up when it mattered most.

"Today is different, Henry. Today you will need to synchronize with the car. Your growth has brought you this far, but there is another step to take. Are you ready for it?"

Henry's brow furrowed as he took in the words. Synchronize with the car? What did that even mean?

"Synchronization is an advanced skill that you will need to unlock if you want to truly become one with the car. The better you synchronize, the faster and more efficient you will drive. But be warned: this requires more than just speed. You need to be in harmony with the machine. You must achieve certain tasks during the race to unlock Synchronization."

His heart skipped a beat. That sounded… challenging. And given that this was the most important race of his life, now wasn't the time to be fumbling with new skills.

"Synchronize fully and you will have an edge, Henry. Fail, and you risk being eliminated from the selection process."

Henry took a deep breath, his hands curling into fists.

"Synchronization, huh?" he muttered under his breath. "I'll make it work."

The race was about to begin. Henry took his position on the starting line, the other drivers lined up beside him. There were sixteen of them in total, but only two would remain. Every single one of them had their eyes on the prize.

He glanced around at the others. Some looked calm, others like they were on the edge of exploding with nervous energy. One of them, a tall, lean guy with dark hair, shot Henry a glare. Nathan. He had been one of the toughest competitors so far. He was fast, calculated, and always seemed to be one step ahead.

Henry locked eyes with him for a moment. Nathan didn't even flinch, but the message was clear: this was war.

The engine roared to life as the green flag waved, and Henry felt his pulse spike. The race had begun.

The first few laps were a blur. Henry focused on maintaining his speed, keeping up with the pack, but the sensation of not being completely in control nagged at him. He felt the car's limitations in a way he hadn't before. Every time he pushed harder, it felt like there was more he could do, but the car wasn't quite responding the way it should.

It was then that the system spoke again.

"Synchronization is ready to be unlocked. Complete the following tasks:

1. Maintain a perfect racing line for 3 consecutive laps.

2. Execute a high-speed drift around the first corner without losing momentum.

3. Take every corner with optimal throttle control. No mistakes."

Synchronization. He could feel it now, the car had potential. It wanted to perform, but only if he could tap into that hidden reserve. He gripped the wheel tighter, adjusting his posture, ready to push his limits.

Lap 5 came and went. He was keeping pace, but the other drivers were starting to pull ahead. He was barely staying in the top 10. Nathan was in the lead now, a gap forming between him and the others. Henry knew that if he didn't find his rhythm soon, he'd be left behind.

The first task was to find that perfect racing line. He had memorized the track, practiced every corner, every straightaway. Now it was time to execute.

He focused all his attention on the road ahead, pushing aside every distracting thought. He could feel the car's response, the shifts in its weight as it moved through the corners. For the next three laps, he focused on nothing but maintaining that perfect line.

Every turn, every apex, he hit them with precision. The car moved like an extension of his own body. By the end of the third lap, he had completed the task. His heart was racing, but the sense of accomplishment was undeniable.

"Task 1 complete: Perfect Racing Line. Synchronization progress: 33%"

He was getting closer. But there was no time to celebrate.

The second task loomed ahead: the high-speed drift around the first corner. The first corner was sharp, treacherous. If he didn't get it right, he'd lose control. The key was to hit the throttle at exactly the right moment, just before the car started to understeer.

As he approached the corner, Henry's heartbeat quickened. Nathan had already made it through, but Henry could see the slight twitch in his rearview mirror. He was closing the gap.

This was it.

He downshifted and steered into the corner, his hands working instinctively. The tires screamed as they slid, but Henry kept the car just on the edge of control, accelerating through the drift as smoothly as he could.

When the car snapped back into line, the force of the turn almost threw him off balance. He fought to keep his grip, pushing the car down the straight.

"Task 2 complete: High-Speed Drift Successful. Synchronization progress: 66%"

His heart pounded in his chest. He was doing it.

The final task was the toughest. He had to maintain perfect throttle control throughout the entire race, never making a single mistake. One slip-up, and he risked losing his progress. Henry could feel the pressure mounting. The other drivers were pushing harder now, and with each lap, the intensity increased.

He was already beginning to feel fatigue setting in, but he refused to let it affect him. Every corner, every shift, every adjustment to his grip, he had to be flawless.

The system's voice was there, urging him forward.

"This is it, Henry. Show the world what you can do."

The final laps flew by in a blur of focus. Every fiber of his being was tuned to the car, every moment a delicate dance between throttle and brakes. The tires squealed on the sharp corners, but Henry kept his composure, steering the car as though it were an extension of his body.

Lap 15 arrived. He was in the top 5 now, his pace relentless. Nathan was still in the lead, but Henry was closing in. With one final, decisive corner, he threw the car into a tight drift and punched the throttle, crossing the finish line just behind Nathan.

"Task 3 complete: Optimal Throttle Control. Synchronization Complete."

The car felt like it had become a part of him. Every movement was fluid, every turn, every acceleration, as if he were born to drive. The car's engine hummed in harmony with his heartbeat. He had synchronized.

"Synchronization 100% achieved. All attributes boosted by 10%. Special reward unlocked: Precision Driving Skill."

Henry crossed the finish line in 2nd place. His heart was racing, his hands were slick with sweat, but the rush of adrenaline was unlike anything he'd ever felt. He had done it. He had truly done it.

The academy's head instructor, a stern man named Coach Lawson, appeared at the finish line. He walked toward Henry, his eyes scanning him as if seeing him for the first time.

"Nice driving," Coach Lawson said, his tone giving nothing away. "You made it into the top 2. But remember, this is only the beginning. The real tests are just ahead. Keep up the pace."

Henry's chest swelled with pride. He had done it. The next stage was within reach. And this time, he wouldn't let anything stop him.

"Task Complete: Selection Race Passed. You've earned your place. The road to the F1 Academy has just begun."

But as the race ended, Henry couldn't help but feel that this was only the first battle in a much longer war. And the real test of his abilities had only just started.