I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains

Chapter 129

There are two types of leagues in the illegal racing tournaments of Tka territory.

One is the official league, directly run by Tka territory.

The other is a private league, hosted by wealthy individuals who pay enormous sums to Tka territory.

The official league has a set season, but the private league can be challenged at any time, as long as the owner keeps it open.

Since betting is the main source of revenue, the tournament organizers don't bother stopping the private leagues.

In fact, they actually encourage them. Operating a league requires a considerable amount of effort, so there's no reason to block private leagues that create their own courses and even offer prize money.

However, private leagues were becoming increasingly extreme.

Since it's a place where people addicted to dopamine gather, the courses were made ever more difficult, and as a result, many racers were injured or killed.

Because of this, the organizers imposed one condition when opening a league.

Any course used in a private league must be proven to be completable by at least one racer, without any accidents.

In other words, whether it's a racer belonging to an individual or one hired externally, the course to be used in that league must be cleared, flawlessly and without contact, even if just once, before it can actually be used in the real league.

"They say this person called Minota is a legendary racer. Thirty-five wins in the official league, seventy-eight career wins in private leagues."

"Wow."

"The league Minota created is this Minota League, and it's said to be the most difficult and dangerous course in Tka territory."

As Luca said that, he handed the course diagram to Ottbo.

"Countless racers have participated in this league, but not a single one has completed the course and won. The only time it was completed was the very first, when Minota ran it himself just to qualify to host the league."

Luca clicked his tongue.

'No wonder. So that's why the engine's still left over.'

It had been a mystery. The engine was supposed to be the grand prize, so why was it still available?

At first, Luca thought it was because winners could choose from various prizes. But that wasn't it.

It was still there because no one had ever won.

That was exactly why Luca had told Ottbo they should just pull back.

He spoke dispassionately.

"In reality, the odds are better if I just steal the engine and escape in your car."

"R-really?"

"Kidding. If you did something like that here, you'd just end up as Bixoro's meat."

There were too many nobles here, all tied up in financial interests.

Unlike before, when they just had to deal with Albino, causing trouble here would make things complicated even for a member of the Traverse family.

"Unfortunately, I think we'd better just give up this time."

"Th-then what about White Noise...?"

At his words, Ravinia looked flustered.

Luca clicked his tongue.

"We'll have to find another way."

"... I see."

Ravinia bit her lip.

It was uncertain whether White Noise could last on its remaining life force until they found a new solution. The very fact that time had been wasted like this gnawed at her inside.

At that moment, Ottbo tilted his head, turning the course diagram this way and that.

"I think I can do it."

"?"

Everyone's eyes turned to Ottbo.

"Don't push yourself. According to the records, it doesn't look like this course is actually meant to be cleared."

"It's definitely difficult, but it's not impossible."

As Ottbo spoke, he pulled out his auto-carriage and scanned it with Gress family's drive magic.

"Yup. In terms of output, this auto-carriage easily exceeds the minimum specs needed to run Minota's course. Compared to when this was first completed, the technology has advanced."

"What are you saying?"

"I mean with the specs of this auto-carriage, there's no problem finishing the Minota course."

Ottbo looked over the course diagram once more and said,

"There are a lot of tricky sections. If you don't adjust the engine output very delicately, you'll either hit a wall or get flung off the road. And the last jump—hesitate even a little out of fear and you'll fall right into the ravine."

As he said this, Ottbo's eyes sparkled.

"But I think I can do it."

"... Really."

Seeing his eyes, Luca smiled faintly and crossed his arms.

"Fine. Do it."

"Master?"

At Luca's words, Bella looked at him, slightly surprised.

Luca simply shrugged.

"He said he can do it, so he should be able to."

"But... if the Gress family's young master gets killed here, that would cause quite a political problem, wouldn't it?"

"Well... hmm..."

If, even by a one-in-a-million chance, Ottbo died, it would be a disaster.

Luca glanced at Ravinia.

"Ravinia. Do we have any White Noise left?"

"... Are you serious?!"

Ravinia jumped in shock.

Luca replied nonchalantly.

"Kidding. Just wanted to ease Ottbo's nerves."

"... You're joking, right...?"

"Of course."

Luca said this, then looked at Ottbo, who was examining the course diagram and not even listening to their conversation.

"He won't need that sort of thing anyway. Even if it's dangerous, the sky will watch over him."

Beeeeep!

As if answering his words, a tiny, Whistle-like sound came from the sky.

Luca felt a touch of relief, and then suddenly thought,

'Come to think of it, this is a gambling den...'

Luca licked his lips slightly and looked at Bella.

"By the way, Bella. How much money do we have now?"

"... Yes? The money?"

"Yeah. This might be a good chance to add to our reserves."

An event for multiplying their money had opened—of course he couldn't pass it up.

* * *

Legendary racer Minota.

He was, essentially, forced into retirement.

His racing skills were so outstanding that he almost always won.

'I know you're an amazing talent... but winning isn't everything here.'

Naturally, since he always won, the odds were always low, and the audience lost interest because his victories were a foregone conclusion.

And so, he was forced to retire.

But Minota himself had already been thinking about retirement.

'There's no one left worth competing against.'

He could have built a mountain with the racers who'd died trying to match him.

Skilled racers had all tried to scale the wall that was him, and all of them had fallen.

So he grew bored.

'In that case... should I create the hardest course I can and see if I can find someone better than me?'

He also happened to be quite wealthy.

So, he took the prizes he'd won and used them to establish a league.

An exceptionally hard course that even he had to risk his life to complete.

'Go ahead, challenge it. Take all my legacy if you succeed!'

With that vow, Minota launched the league...

But not a single challenger ever managed to succeed.

In the end, just like his racing career, the league became an insurmountable wall and faded from people's minds.

No one had entered for nearly a year, so it hadn't been held.

'Maybe... it's time to give up...?'

Minota wore a bitter expression.

The thought of leaving behind completely the stage he'd once raced across in the burning energy of youth left him feeling empty.

"Sir Minota, someone wishes to participate in your league!"

At that moment, someone declared their intention to participate in his league.

For the first time in ages, Minota felt a stir of anticipation—only to be instantly let down when he checked the participant's information and found out it was a teenage boy.

'Either trying to get some attention, or he must be pretty desperate.'

Some people tried to gain popularity by challenging his league.

Even if they didn't finish, just displaying a certain degree of driving skill was enough to become a proprietary racer for other, more popular private leagues.

Otherwise, he was just another fool after a fortune.

'Well... it's a league about to be shut down anyway. Who cares?'

With that in mind, Minota allowed the league to proceed.

Even if it was called a league, there was only one racer.

If he finished, he won.

"What? The Minota League is still around?"

"Ha ha! I want to see which daredevil is trying their luck this time!"

"He won't finish anyway. Guess I'll go fleece the underdog money."

Even so, the reopening of Minota's league drew quite a lot of attention.

'At least I got people interested one last time. That kid probably achieved his goal, too.'

Minota gave a wry smile as he watched the boy board his auto-carriage.

The boy had light red hair, and his freckles were quite charming.

"Huh. Why would such a good-looking kid come here...?"

"Well, everyone's got a story."

"Still, I'm looking forward to it. Seeing a kid like that all wrecked up will be a sight!"

The crowd was excited. It was a foregone conclusion that the boy's auto-carriage would be demolished.

No one had managed to finish this league in years.

The idea that this suddenly appearing boy could finish was unthinkable.

"He'll just give up after a little while."

With an unconcerned expression, Minota watched Ottbo and his beloved Carivik.

But the moment the race started—

His face twisted in shock.

VROOOOOM!

"!"

Carivik shot off cleanly.

Ottbo was tearing through the course at a speed most racers wouldn't even attempt.

"At that speed, he can't possibly take the corner—"

SCREEEEEECH!

As if mocking Minota's worries, Ottbo turned the wheel, drifting and reducing inertia, and then took the corner cleanly without slowing down.

"!"

Everyone watching was stunned by the incredible display.

Minota, especially, was left in shock.

'That move just now... could I do that myself...?'

He could, if he tried.

But could he pull it off out of the blue, on a stage like this?

He couldn't say for sure.

Screech! Screeeech! Screeeeech!

Ottbo, as if possessed, controlled his inertia with a combination of drifting and turns, powering through winding roads, U-turns, and back-to-back corners without slowing down.

Before anyone knew it, all that remained was the course's final challenge—leaping the ravine at top speed.

It was a longer jump than expected, and the moment fear kicked in and a racer hesitated even a little, they would drop straight down.

But as they watched, no one thought Ottbo would fall.

After all, he hadn't once slowed down so far.

WHOOOSH!

"!"

With everyone watching, Ottbo and Carivik soared through the air.

They landed neatly on the other side and continued racing.

CRASH!

"WOOOOOOAAAHHH!"

A roar erupted.

It was the flawless race everyone had hoped for.

"What is this? Is this for real?"

"No way. He's really going to finish it?"

"M-my money! The odds weren't right?!"

As the crowd shouted, Minota smiled.

'Found you.'

He had finally found his successor.

* * *

"Congratulations, sir Carivik! Any words on your victory?"

"My thoughts? It was fun!"

"The auto-carriage you rode, Carivik, performed amazingly! Can you tell us which workshop made it?"

"This? Draw Workshop."

"Draw Workshop! Incredible! With your mention, I bet Draw Workshop will be flooded with requests!"

"But I'm not actually named Carivik."

"Sorry? But the entry form says—"

"Oh, wasn't I supposed to write the carriage's name there?"

"... Pardon?"

After the race, Ottbo was interviewed.

Understandable, as he was the very first champion of the Minota League.

"Then... what is your real name...?"

"Just call me Carivik. It's easier that way."

"Ah, understood! So, Carivik, people are eager to follow your next move—do you have any private leagues you're interested in?"

At the reporter's question, Ottbo tilted his head.

"Interested in private leagues?"

"With your skill, you could become a fixed racer for any league! Surely there's a league you're looking at?"

"No. I don't plan to join any league."

"Ah~ Then are you going freelance?"

"I just don't plan to race anymore."

"... What?"

As the reporter gaped, Ottbo scratched his cheek.

"Can I go now? My friend's waiting for me."

"A-a friend..."

"That's it for the interview. Thanks! It was fun."

After dropping his bombshell, Ottbo turned to leave.

At that moment, the waiting Minota rushed over.

"Wait! Just a second!"

"?"

Ottbo looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Panting, Minota stepped in front of him and pulled out a business card.

"I'm Minota, creator of the Minota League. Would you consider becoming my successor? I'd pass down all my fortune and racing knowledge to you!"

"Ah... I don't need it. Just give me the prize."

"D-do you know how much wealth I have? If I wished, I could secure you a noble's position!"

Ottbo scratched his cheek again at this.

"But I'm already a noble. And I already have plenty of money."

"...?"

"And racing was fun, but that's all. I don't want to learn more. I only participated because I wanted the prize you offered."

Minota's face was overcome with shock.

It was fun, but only that?

He didn't want to learn more?

He just wanted the prize?

For someone who had spent his entire life racing, it was devastating.

"Ugh..."

"Oh, but it was definitely fun. Next time, try making an even harder course."

"Even harder...?"

As Ottbo said this and left, Minota stood there stunned, then clenched his fist as if making a decision.

'The people of this racing arena just lost to a greenhorn like him.'

A fire of determination kindled in his eyes.

'We need more talented drivers. And a system to nurture them! Racing shouldn't just be a pastime for nobles—it must become a discipline worthy of challenge!'

Minota turned to watch Ottbo's departing figure.

With a look of resolve, he thought to himself,

'I'll make sure you regret this!'

Ottbo had no idea.

Because of a single comment of his, a Racing Academy would one day be founded, laying the groundwork for the future auto-carriage corps.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

It's not a death race, but more like a hot wheel course...

Too bad it wasn't described in detail...

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】