Chapter 68 - Lightning Drift

I watched the other Frame Units struggle to maintain their balance on rollerblades, their metallic frames wobbling with every uncertain glide. Some managed to push forward in short bursts, their skates screeching against the floor as they fought to stay upright. Others flailed, arms spinning wildly, barely avoiding a crash. But two stood out—Myrrh and her new partner.

Myrrh’s Frame Unit moved with effortless grace, her wheels humming as she drifted through turns like a seasoned skater. Every motion was fluid, every pivot precise. At one point, she even attempted a twirl mid-glide, mimicking the elegance of a ballerina. For her, this wasn’t just a test—it was second nature, just another fundamental skill she had already mastered.

As I observed closely, something clicked. Myrrh’s technique wasn’t just instinct—it followed a pattern, one I could recognize among the few others who had managed to control their balance. There was a method to their movement, a key to stability that the struggling Frame Units had yet to grasp.

A soft whimper pulled me from my thoughts.

“Huhu, I’m sorry, Zaft,” my new WAIFU partner, Fei Xian, whimpered, her voice carrying a mix of guilt and frustration. “We might fail this practical exam because of me…”

I glanced at her, noting how her metallic frame trembled as she sat slumped on the ground. Despite her usual poise, she seemed completely lost on wheels. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Fei, stand up and try again,” I said, my tone light with encouragement. “I want to test something.”

Fei’s sleek, metallic head tilted toward me before she gave a hesitant nod. With some struggle, she managed to push herself back onto her feet, her balance still precarious.

“Now, bend your knees and lower your center of gravity as much as you can. Rev the rollerblades, but keep yourself steady.”

Fei crouched, her mechanical joints adjusting as she followed my instructions. The wheels of her rollerblades whirred softly, slowly pulling her forward. She was moving—not smoothly, but at least without toppling over. However, her posture remained awkward, her metallic arms stretched out in a desperate attempt to keep from falling.

“W-Wow! It’s working! I can use rollerblades now!” Fei cried out, her voice filled with excitement. “You’re amazing, Zaft!”

I smirked, feeling a swell of pride at my own clever idea. Watching the other Frame Units, I had noticed a common pattern—they kept their knees bent and let the rollerblades do most of the work, minimizing unnecessary leg movement. Since Fei was crouched, her lowered center of gravity made it easier to maintain balance, allowing her to roll forward smoothly.

Now, Fei was gliding like a miniature vehicle, her wheels whirring beneath her. Though her posture was still a little awkward, she was moving without toppling over—progress.

“Fei, try lowering your arms, but keep your elbows slightly bent,” I instructed. “And once you feel stable, start straightening your knees little by little.”

“Wilco!” Fei saluted with enthusiasm before eagerly experimenting with her movements, rolling forward in cautious yet playful bursts.

For the next thirty minutes, I guided her step by step, adjusting her form and helping her fine-tune her balance. It was a new experience for me—teaching a partner instead of simply working alongside one. Back in the midterms, Myrrh had never needed my guidance. She was already ahead of the curve, moving at her own pace.

This, however, was different. At first, I could feel the stress creeping in, my patience tested with every wobble and near-fall. But then, as Fei improved little by little, a different feeling settled in—satisfaction. Seeing her progress, no matter how gradual, felt oddly rewarding.

After half an hour, a sharp voice cut through the air.

“Practice time is over. Time for the practical test,” Professor Bao announced through her mic. “All Frame Units, return to the red line.”

At once, the training room buzzed with motion as every Frame Unit rolled back into position, forming a neat line behind the bold red marker on the floor. I straightened up, shifting my focus. Now that practice was over, it was time for the real challenge.

“For this test, we will have a time trial, just like during our Jetpack practicum,” Professor Bao announced, her voice crisp over the intercom. “I have marked each of the towers on your minimaps. You must reach and touch them in numerical order. Once you hit the fourth tower, the test will end. Are you ready?”

“Ready!” we all shouted in unison.

Professor Bao tapped her tablet, and the simulation room shifted in an instant. The once-empty space transformed into a sprawling urban landscape, complete with towering skyscrapers and a maze-like network of highways wide enough for Frame Units to race through. The lights of the city flickered to life, casting an artificial glow over the steel roads.

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“Begin!” Professor Bao blew her whistle.

The room erupted into motion. Engines roared as Frame Units surged forward, their rollerblades whirring as they boosted off the starting line. The first tower stood directly ahead, glowing bright red, making it an easy target. The support units, myself included, didn’t need to give any directions—our partners could reach it without guidance.

A series of sharp beeps echoed as Frame Units made contact with the first tower. Fei, now fully engaged in the race, stretched out her metallic arm and tapped it as she passed.

“Fei, second tower at your nine o’clock!” I called out. “Sharp left turn coming up, followed by a zigzag section. Be ready!”

“Got it!” Fei’s voice crackled through the comms, brimming with determination.

She pushed her rollerblades to full throttle, the wheels screeching against the asphalt as she leaned into the sharp left. Sparks flew as she executed a perfect drift, then immediately transitioned into the zigzag, her body swaying fluidly from side to side. The maneuver was rough but effective, and before I knew it, Fei had tapped the second tower.

We were making good progress—hovering around the middle of the rankings. But at the front of the pack, effortlessly pulling ahead, was the undeniable leader of the race.

Of course, it was Myrrh.

She wasn’t just skating—she was dancing across the course. Every movement was precise, every turn effortless. While others fought for control, she glided as if she had been born with rollerblades on her feet. It was mesmerizing to watch.

Fei had improved, but if we wanted to stand a chance, we’d have to step it up.

“Man, Myrrh is really a different beast!” Fei exclaimed, awe evident in her voice as she caught a glimpse of Myrrh effortlessly gliding ahead.

“No time to admire her! Third tower—on your left!” I snapped, bringing her focus back to the race.

“R-Right!” Fei responded quickly, snapping out of her daze. She leaned hard into another sharp left turn, her rollerblades screeching against the asphalt as she maintained her momentum. With a swift tap, the third tower beeped in recognition.

Something incredible was happening—Fei had begun overtaking several other Frame Units. Her natural instincts, combined with the crouched stance I had taught her, were giving her an edge. That rapid, near-effortless drift she had just pulled off? It wasn’t just luck. It was something new. A technique.

I smirked. Lightning Drift. That’s what I’d call it from now on. A technique born out of an accident, refined through pure instinct.

“Fourth tower ahead—another zigzag! All sharp curves! Be cautious!” I warned.

“Will do!” Fei responded, but instead of slowing down like any sane pilot would, she accelerated.

My stomach twisted. What the hell is she thinking?! Any pilot with common sense knew that a winding road full of sharp turns required a slower, more controlled approach. But Fei? She was going in at full throttle, showing no signs of hesitation.

Is she really planning to drift through all of it? At this speed?!

Meanwhile, at the front of the race, Myrrh remained untouchable. She wasn’t just moving—she was flowing through the course, each turn executed with pinpoint accuracy. Her partner, Kian, was feeding her precise instructions, and she followed them without missing a beat. Myrrh’s Frame Unit barely lost any speed as she swayed and drifted through the bends, her movements impossibly fluid.

She wasn’t just leading the race—she was dominating it.

If Fei really wanted to challenge her, she’d have to pull off something incredible.

With the sharp zigzags ahead, most of the other Frame Units played it safe, tapping their brakes to maintain control. Their careful maneuvering slowed them down just enough for Fei to surge ahead. One by one, she overtook them—first passing the third-place contender, then swiftly closing the gap on second. Now, the only one standing between her and the fourth tower was Myrrh.

Sensing the approaching challenge, Myrrh glanced back. Her sharp blue eyes locked onto Fei, assessing her rapid advance. Then, with a scoff, she smirked.

“Hmph! I’m sorry, Fei! But first place is mine!”

With that, Myrrh kicked her thrusters into overdrive. Her rollerblades blazed across the track, leaving behind a faint trail of heat as she rocketed forward. In one final, graceful motion, she tapped the fourth tower—BEEP!—securing her victory.

Two seconds later, Fei slammed her hand against the tower—BEEP!—just shy of first place.

A triumphant voice rang through the intercom.

“We have our ace for this Finals!” Professor Bao declared. “And it is none other than Myrrh Alicent!”

A roar of cheers erupted.

“Yeah!” Kian fist-pumped the air, his voice brimming with excitement. “You’re the best, Miss Alicent!”

Myrrh returned to her humanoid form, with a practiced flick of her long lime-blonde hair, exuding effortless confidence. She tilted her chin up, radiating her usual air of superiority.

“Hmph, it’s just a basic skill,” she said with an exaggerated flair, as if her victory had never been in doubt.

Fei reverted to her human form, her petite frame and soft features making her look even more endearing. With teary, shimmering eyes, she approached me, clutching her hands together like a guilty child.

“Zaft… I’m sorry I’m not as good as Myrrh,” she whimpered, her voice barely above a whisper.

I let out a chuckle, resting my hands on my hips.

“I’m not a competitive person, so forget that bitch,” I said with a smirk. “You did great. If anything, I should be the one apologizing—I was giving you some of those directions way too late.”

Fei’s metallic irises widened as she shook her head frantically.

“N-No! You were amazing! You even taught me how to balance myself on those rollerblades!” she declared, her voice regaining its usual enthusiasm.

Clenching her fists, she straightened her back, puffing her chest out with conviction.

“If anything, we passed because of your genius!”

I let out a small laugh. “Well, you’re a fast learner too, so let’s just split the blame and the praise fifty-fifty.”

Fei’s lips curled into a bright smile. “Okay then! Thank you for all the tips!” She extended her hand toward me, palm up, eagerly waiting for a handshake.

I grinned and clasped her hand firmly. “You’re welcome.”

As our hands met, I couldn’t help but feel it—we really were a team. Fei was exactly the kind of partner I had hoped for back on day one. She was quick to learn, eager to improve, and genuinely fun to be around.

If only we weren’t tangled in some chaotic love triangle, maybe I could actually enjoy her company without distractions.

Especially now, when I could feel a searing glare drilling into my back—one much deadlier than before.