Chapter 249.1. Let’s Have A Race!

A clear blue sky stretched overhead, devoid of a single cloud, as the warm and radiant sunlight bathed everything. 
Mii-chan stood by the shores of Lake Biwa, wearing the customized magic armor Wartan, optimized for mobility. She held a heavily modified, Demon King-style float board. A bright smile adorned her face as she stood there.
“Today’s a perfect day for a race, Elizabeth-chan!”
“Ohoho, quite the confident mood you’re in, Takano Miu. However, I’m looking forward to the moment that confidence fades.” 
Elizabeth retorted with a haughty chuckle, curling her lips into a smirk and twirling her long hair.
Amused, she laughed and then performed a showy hair twirl with a hint of arrogance. 
Mii-chan snorted back, equally self-assured. We faced each other
Our gazes locked in a clash that radiated sparks like a sizzling sparkler.
The intensity of their locked gazes created an atmosphere heavy with tension, causing those around them to feel fear and trepidation, prompting them to keep their distance. Observing this with a cold stare, Elizabeth inquired in a rough voice,
“Why have you draped the strap of your water bottle over your shoulder and strapped a backpack on your back? It would be better to remove your straw hat, and why on earth do you have a bug-catching net?”
Perhaps awed by Mii-chan’s warrior-like appearance, Elizabeth interjected teasingly. 
Under the warm sunlight, Mii-chan wore her straw hat securely, with a thermos of sugar-infused barley tea inside. Her backpack held rice balls, and she was ready to catch any interesting insects with her bug-catching net. 
Amid the tense atmosphere, the people around us nodded in approval, possibly with a mix of amusement and warmth.
It could have been just my imagination. 
After all, Mii-chan’s reasoning was sound.
In response, Mii-chan scoffed lightly and answered Elizabeth’s queries.
“Thought I’d catch some rare bugs! My lunch is mama’s homemade rice balls!”
“You made it looks like a field trip! This race is an endurance event that lasts up to 8 hours. Winning against me under such circumstances is impossible.”
“Don’t worry about that! I’ll be back before dinner. Today, Mama made homemade hamburgers, yay!”
With sparkling eyes, I raised my hands and bounced around in excitement. 
The evil spirit phase has gone, leaving behind the sincere Mii-chan, who was genuinely excited. 
Mama’s homemade hamburgers were more precious than elixirs, and Mama had even promised to top them with cheese and a sunny-side-up egg. 
Today was undoubtedly a happy day.
“Hmph, what’s so special about hamburgers? You could eat them endlessly.”
“Mama’s homemade hamburgers are the best. Homemade food is just delicious, you know?”
I brandished the hornbear jerky I took from a bag, shaking it as if to emphasize my point. In sync with my movement, the wolf girl wagged her tail.
“Hmph! I will never lose… Woof!”
Elizabeth finally gave in and took a bite of jerky, unable to resist any longer.
“I couldn’t resist the jerky… I’ll buy that small bag…”
“I’ll give it to you!”
Mii-chan was generous and handed over the High Hornbear Jerky. It was a rare jerky made with Cooking IV, so please read the dosage instructions before you eat it.
Elizabeth munched away, her eyes filled with delight as her eyes sparkled. She finished it quickly, her dog ears drooping, eyes shimmering, looking at Mii-chan.
While considering whether she could give them more, Mii-chan hesitated. She knew she’d get scolded by mama for feeding Geri and Freki too much. With a pained expression, she thought that maybe just one more bag would be okay.
Lately, Mii-chan had been completely charmed by the puppy mode of the god dogs that had become like pets. She fed them heaps of food, much to their delight.
As Mii-chan was about to take out another jerky from her backpack, a voice interrupted her. 
“Everyone, they’re waiting for you to start the match. Get to the starting line already!”
“Yes.”
“Well, I suppose we don’t have a choice.”
The homeroom teacher, Loli-sensei, who was also acting as the referee, urged us to pay attention. Currently, Mii-chan and the others were by Lake Biwa in Nagahama, once part of Hideyoshi Hashiba’s territory.
We were here to participate in a floating board race, an event also held in martial arts tournaments. It was a one-on-one race between Mii-chan and Elizabeth.
Most of the school’s students were present to watch the race, sitting in official spectator seats. There was a large monitor set up for viewing the race as well. The school had given them a day off for this occasion. It’s just like a novel’s world, thought Mii-chan, quite impressed.
When I wanted a day off, I could just challenge someone to a duel. Anyway, since it’s a long event, they’ll also hold selection matches for other sports too.
Incidentally, many other people had gathered upon hearing about the commotion.
“Alright then. The race follows the same rules as the martial arts tournament. Pass through the checkpoints around Lake Biwa in the designated order, proceed through the Mist Dungeon in the center, and circumnavigate the lake. The shortest recorded time in the martial arts tournament is 6 hours and 24 minutes.”
After listening to Loli-sensei’s explanation, we nodded at each other with serious expressions.
“I, Menou Elizabeth, declare that I will fight fairly and honorably!”
“Mii-chan also solemnly swears to race properly!”
Having made our vows, we stood at the starting line.
“Very well. Rest breaks are at your discretion. You’re free to maintain your float boards during those times. No attacking or debuffing opponents with magic. Got it? No restrictions on defeating monsters!”
“Understood. I’ll do my best with a ‘Vroooom’!”
“I shall show you the races of Menou Marquisate.”
With the explanation of the rules concluded, the students watched eagerly with expressions full of anticipation.