THE REAL PROTEGE

At the heart of fan engagement lies the giant LED wall, bringing instant replays, telemetry, and live feeds from in-car cameras straight to the audience. The atmosphere never falters. What they couldn't see now are the fireworks displays at race starts and finishes, pumping music, and an electrifying voice-over that turns each lap into pure drama during races.

Let us look at The Pit and Garage. The pit lane is lightning-fast, designed for ultra-efficient stops, where teams orchestrate tire changes and refueling with flawless precision. The garage area behind pit road is a fortress of engineering, a space where mechanics, strategists, and racers perfect their machines to squeeze every ounce of speed from the engines.

This mountain-side race track isn't just a track — it's a sanctuary of speed, adrenaline, and pure motorsport excellence. From the wild mountain circuit to the precision-crafted NASCAR oval, this is the ultimate battleground for racers.

The scent of motor oil and burning rubber clung thick in the air, intertwining with the rhythmic hum of machinery that pulsed through the vast garage. Dim fluorescent lights flickered sporadically, casting erratic shadows on the polished concrete floor. Pharsa led the group through the massive space, her confident stride cutting through the rows of gleaming steel and tire stacks.

Chatty followed in silence, his gaze scanning the familiar sight until his eyes landed on his NASCAR. A sharp inhale — an immediate, undeniable shift in his expression. The composed curiosity he'd worn before cracked wide open, replaced by raw, unfiltered excitement.

"Hey!!! _ " Murphy's voice hit the air, sharp with exhilaration. "Isn't this my Chum Chum?"

His words, brimming with unrestrained emotion, hung in the air for a moment before the inevitable.

Fatty and Four Eyes exchanged quick, knowing glances, their reactions a stark contrast to Murphy's sudden enthusiasm. Fatty let out an exaggerated groan, rolling his eyes as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

"You named your racing car Chum Chum?" Fatty scoffed, his tone dripping with disbelief. His brows rose, unimpressed. "You are so lame and chummy."

Chatty whipped his head toward him, his brows furrowing in an indignant flash — but he didn't dignify the remark with a defense. To him, the name carried meaning, a history woven into the very fabric of its steel body. But Fatty, ever the instigator, saw only another opportunity to tease him.

Pharsa, leaning effortlessly against one of the tool benches, surveyed the exchange with quiet amusement. A small, knowing smirk ghosted her lips, barely visible beneath the wavering glow of the fluorescent lights.

"It's better to master using your own car," she remarked, her voice steady, almost casual — but Chatty caught the undertone, the weight in her words. She tilted her head slightly toward him, the gesture measured but firm. "That's why Madam brought it back for you some time ago."

Chatty barely heard her. His hand grazed the hood of his car, fingertips tracing the cool, familiar ridges, every polished curve reigniting memories buried beneath the chaos of the past. This wasn't just a machine. It was his.

A tether to something greater.

Then Pharsa's voice shifted.

"But," she continued, her tone growing heavier, "we couldn't save your F1 after it was blown up."

Silence thickened in the room.

Chatty's jaw tensed, his breath catching slightly as the memory sparked behind his eyes. The explosion — the deafening roar, the heat, the way the air had fractured in an instant. If not for Pharsa's timely intervention, his name would've been painted among the wreckage.

The silence was fleeting, though. Pharsa, ever pragmatic, didn't linger on the loss. There was no mourning in her voice, only resolution. Her head jerked toward the far end of the garage.

"You'll have a new one to practice with once it's done with customization," she added.

Chatty exhaled, slow and controlled, though his fingers tightened imperceptibly against the edge of his NASCAR.

This wasn't the end.

This was only the beginning.

Unlike the secluded, treacherous terrain of the Blaze Mountain Race Track, this NASCAR circuit pulsed with life. Open to the public, it thrived as a hub for local racers and adrenaline-chasing enthusiasts. But today — it was theirs.

Pharsa had cleared the space, reserving the entire stretch solely for them. The only figures dotting the track were their subordinates — those entrusted with maintenance, security, and precision. Their presence formed a silent perimeter, ensuring nothing interrupted what was to come.

And Murphy knew — this wasn't just about a race.

It was about proving something.

To himself. To Madam and the world.

"Go out and drive several laps." Phasa said.

Pharsa watched Chatty as he slipped effortlessly into his NASCAR, confidence woven into every movement. The roar of the engine erupted in a powerful growl, reverberating through the garage before he sped off toward the oval track without hesitation. Tires screeched against the concrete as he gained momentum, the sound blending with the rhythmic hum of machinery in the distance.

Pharsa turned back to Fatty and Four Eyes, her sharp gaze flickering between the two. Neither looked eager. Fatty had his arms crossed, skepticism pinching his brows, while Four Eyes adjusted his glasses, shifting uncomfortably at the prospect of handling something as formidable as a NASCAR.

"Would you two like to try?" Pharsa asked, her voice carrying both challenge and invitation.

Fatty scoffed, lifting a brow. "We don't have any basic knowledge in racing."

Four Eyes gave a small nod, echoing the sentiment without words.

Pharsa smirked. "That's alright. I can teach you."

She stepped closer to the gleaming car parked in front of them, running her hand along its smooth, polished exterior. The fluorescent lights overhead caught against its sleek curves, emphasizing the raw power it possessed.

"First things first — safety," she said, knocking twice on the steel frame. "This machine is fast, powerful, and unforgiving. If you don't respect it, it will work against you."

Fatty exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "That sounds more threatening than encouraging."

Pharsa shot him a sidelong glance, her smirk growing. "That's because it's both."

"Let's do simulated movements." Pharsa gestured toward an empty space. "Before you touch the pedals, I want both of you to do something first. Pretend you're gripping a wheel and move it — right, left, smoothly, not jerky."