The scene reflected on the large <> was the highlight of the first half.

This time, instead of going around the island of Io, we will go around the island of Trieu, which is one more island away from Io.

In this case, the route is set to go right between Io and Tru Island, then left around Tru Island, then left again between Tru and Io Island, and back again, in other words, the route is set to draw a << figure of 8>>.

The eight boats were now speeding toward the island of Io.

"Ganbareta!"

Marcia, don't lose!　I'm right behind you!

"Reece, this is your year to win!"

The crowd on Io was also full of spectators, cheering for their favorite boats and sailors.

The current standings are 3,1,6,7,4,8,2,5. 7, Mauble, wearing a purple bathing suit, is moving up in the standings.

The waterwheel of her boat is wider and smaller in diameter than the others. The golem that is driving the boat is also designed to be fearless.

"That doesn't look like a Marcia Workshop ship, does it?

When Jin, as a special guest, made a comment, the moderator immediately responded.

"As Mr. Jin said, the basic design of the ship of number 7, Miss Mauvre, was made by the workshop of the Kingdom of Celuloa, although it was designed by the Marcia Workshop.

"I see, that's why the shape has been slightly modified."

The eight boats passed through the <> without a hitch, and took a course around Io Island.

* * * * * *

"You're doing a great job, Marcia!"

"Yes, I am. ...... everyone, you're all doing great."

Hannah and Licia were transfixed by their first glimpse of a boat race.

"The ship made in the Kingdom of Selroa ...... is still very high quality."

Erza, on the other hand, was carefully observing the ship with the number 7.

(Certainly, there are some signs that the ship was made in the Kingdom of Celuloa. (Indeed, there are some signs that the ship was made in the Kingdom of Selroa, but the most important point is the material.)

Jin is also silently observing and analyzing the ship with the number 7.

(The surface is metal. (The surface is metal, probably light silver.)

Wooden framework and light silver exterior. Jin thinks this is a good way to reduce the viscous resistance of water.

And when it comes to strength and weight, light silver is better than wood. This is because the percentage of strength increase by engineering magic < or is higher for metals than for wood.

This is probably due to the difference in molecular structure.

The degree of strengthening by of free magic element (ether) is more effective for light silver with simple metallic bonding than for wood, which is a complex organic material.

This is an ingenious idea that only the Kingdom of Cerroa, with its advanced magical technology, could have devised.

(And the shape of that waterwheel: ......)

Except for the one made by Marcia, it is a very sophisticated shape. The shape of the waterwheel is very sophisticated, except for the one made by Marcia. It is likely that the shape of the waterwheel was repeatedly tested to find the optimum shape.

The small diameter and the wide width of the golem means that it is a high-rotation type.

(I see, the golem is also small. (I see. Golem is also small. But the smaller size means less power. (But the smaller size means less power, so the rpm is increased to compensate for it.)

Jin thinks that the result will be shown at the end of the competition, since it is hard to say which is better.

And.

(I wonder if it is the screw rather than Marcia's ship ......?　It seems to be slightly shaky ...... and maybe out of balance).

The screw that Marcia uses is a 4-blade screw. If the 4 blades, their size, weight, twist angle, surface condition, etc. are not balanced, the screw will shake when rotating at high speeds, vibrate, or put stress on the shaft (I was adjusting it yesterday, and it seemed to be a little off.

(He was adjusting it yesterday, too. ...... must have been a spur-of-the-moment setup.)

) This was a little worrisome for Jin.

* * * * * *

"We've been overtaken!

Now, the boat of number 6, Marcia, had been overtaken by the boat of number 7, MOBLE.

"You're doing great!　But we're not going to lose. Arrow!"

Yes, Miss Marcia.

Marcia decided to increase her speed by one notch, knowing that Arrow, the golem that Jin had built for her, would not be defeated.

Marcia decided to increase her speed by one step.

"Now they are all circling Io Island!　...... is passing number 7 and number 6. They're going fast, fast!"

They're cheering.

"They've passed!　Number 7, Miss Mowbray, in third place!　But number 6, Miss Marcia is not to be outdone!　She's going faster!　They're in line!　They're in line!

The magic screen was showing the dead heat, and the crowd was excited to see this mid-competition showcase.

Numbers 6 and 7 rounded the island of Io and turned toward the island of Trieu, running side by side.

At that moment. The boat of number 6, Marcia, seems to vibrate slightly and then suddenly slows down.

"Ah!　What's wrong, Zec 6?　She suddenly stalled!

（The screw shaft is broken, isn't it?)

Jin guessed from the behavior.

A rotating object vibrates when it is unbalanced. This depends on the rotational speed, and there is a rotational speed at which vibration increases the most.

When dehydrating an electric washing machine, if the tank is not filled properly, the tank will shake, which is the same phenomenon.

This vibration caused the fatigue failure of the screw shaft of the Marcia.

The shaft of the screw of the Marcia caused the fatigue failure.

"Oh, shoot!"

Marcia checked the screw shaft and bit her navel.

Yesterday, she had carefully adjusted the screw and found a slight distortion of the screw shaft.

He was angry at his own carelessness in not taking any countermeasures when he had noticed it.

"I have to fix it as soon as possible."

But the tired screw shaft was on the verge of breaking.

And I don't have the materials to fix it.

"I'm in trouble. ...... I'd like to make the shaft one size bigger if possible. ......"

Marcia blurted out as she stared at the screw shaft that was about to break under the torque (rotational force).

"Marcia-sama, temporarily, let's use my left arm."

Then Arrow made a crazy suggestion.

"What?

Marcia is astonished, but Arrow tells her in no uncertain terms.

"My skeleton is made of light silver. My skeleton is made of light silver. Fortunately, it is the legs that turn the screws, so the absence of one arm will not be a problem.

"Arrow......"

"And since Mr. Jin is here, I'm sure he will be able to fix it right away after the competition."

As we were having this conversation, other boats were passing us one after another.

"Marcia, please make a decision."

"...... got it. Arrow, I'm sorry.

"No, please don't be sorry."

The Arrow is capable of elementary engineering magic.

And a beginner's level was enough to fix the problem.

In less than five minutes, the screw shaft was restored, or rather strengthened.

"It's not too late. Let's hurry."

Arrow sat in the drive seat, and Marcia nodded in the cockpit.

"No more detailed plans," said Arrow. We're in last place anyway, so we have to go all out. Arrow, I'm counting on you!

"Yes, I'll take care of it!"

Arrow stepped on the drive pedal and the screw started to turn. The number 6 is ejected from the boat as if it had been shot.

The emergency repairs have been completed.

"The emergency repairs have been completed, and Number 6 is sailing again!　But he is already in last place, more than a kilometer behind 7th place!

"Let's see how they will recover from this."

The MC and the commentator were saying these words, but Jin saw that Arrow and Marcia had resorted to what could be called a "kenkonshiki-gurayaku" (a kind of "kenkonshiki-gurayaku").

（Go for it, Marcia. Arrow, I'm counting on you.)

Jin, who could not cheer aloud because of his position as a guest, cheered in his heart.