"In the qualifying round, the boats will leave the harbor, round a rock and return to the harbor, five at a time, with the top two boats advancing to tomorrow's finals.

The live commentator explains the competition.

"We have 35 teams this year, so the teams with numbers 1, 8, 15, 2, 29 The teams with numbers 1,8,15,2,29 will be the first group.

Nyoda<> is number 35 and in the last group.

"Now, the first round of qualifying!

This is the group that includes the number 1 team, Valentino's <.

All members of this group were wearing red swimsuits. It seems that the color of the swimsuits was changed for each qualifying block.

Jin saw that the hulls of all five teams were as thin as canoes, which is natural since all five boats are paddled with oars, but the golem that moves them, the one of <>, was noticeably stronger.

"They must have hired a good magician (magecraftsman) because of his status or money or something."

His imagination was right on the mark. However, all teams do this to a greater or lesser extent, and there is nothing wrong with it.

"Well, here we go!　Five, four, three, two, one, start!

As soon as the starting flag is waved, there is a splash of water. The Golems begin to paddle in unison.

Soon, number 1 was in the lead. Then came numbers 15, 29, 22, and 8.

"Well, I guess strength is the key to success," Jin muttered.

Jin was right, the golem of was two times larger than the others with its bladed oar. The gap between the two is widening.

"Number 1, <>, has turned in the lead!

A boat with a magic eye on board was also floating on the sea, from which images were sent to the magic screen, so that the spectators could see what was going on.

< was nearly 500 meters ahead of the second-place finisher.

"That's about 1.3 times faster. Well, I guess I'm not at my best yet.

Jin analyzes the strength of his rivals.

The second round of qualifying was naturally numbered 2,9,16,23,3 There was nothing to see in the second round of the qualifying round. By the way, the color of the swimsuit was orange.

Then came the third round.

"Now, in the third round of the preliminary round, the number 3, team <> is the one to watch!　As you can see, this is the first time in the history of the tournament that a mermaid-shaped golem has been used!　Let's see what they can do!

The contestants in this block are in yellow swimsuits.

"Five, four, three, two, one, start!"

Lorelei pushes her wide, shallow-bottomed hull from behind. Her kick was powerful, and she was quickly outpacing the other four boats.

"This is as fast as the just now!"

The live feed is getting more and more intense.

"Well, it matches the shape of the boat. But, if it were a catamaran, it could be propelled between the two."

The disadvantage is that Lorelei, the golem, is quite defenseless, Jin analyzed.

In the meantime, number 3, who turned around early, finished first. He won by a margin of nearly 500 meters over the second-place finisher.

The 4th and 5th rounds of qualifying proceeded, but no team caught Jin's attention.

In the 6th round, the group with the < was in. Their swimsuits were light blue.

"Three, two, one, start!"

"Oh, number 27, he's spread his wings!　He's flapping his wings!

"That's a lot of power. It's lifting the ship slightly.

The winged golem was using its flapping wings to generate thrust and lift the ship slightly, reducing drag.

"But it's too inefficient."

As Jin muttered, number 27 was in second place right after the start, but whether it was because of the strain on the golem or lack of magical power, it gradually began to lag behind, and by the time they reached the end of the race, it was at the bottom of the pack.

"The idea was interesting," he said.

He ended up finishing in last place.

Then came the final round of the qualifying round. A block of navigators in navy blue swimsuits.

"Now, the last race of the day, the seventh round of qualifying, is about to begin!

The live commentator's voice is heard and a cheer goes up. Jin also took notice. Marcia and the four-armed golem, number 28, are going to compete.

"I was thinking earlier that number 28 is an unusual golem, commentator Bernardo.

"Yes, it is. But it was made by the master craftsman, Mr. Giordano.

"What?　As I recall, he made the golem of the team that won the last two championships, didn't he?

Yes, that's right. Yes, that's right. And what I am more interested in is the number 35.

Here the subject of Cygnus (Swan) came up.

"Oh, you mentioned that at the parade.

"Yes. Yes. And it is interesting that it is a golem that looks just like its operator. Let's pay attention to it.

And so begins the final round of qualifying.

Five, four, three, two, one, start!

Surprisingly, it was number 28 who started first. The golem was lying on the hull, moving its four arms and oars efficiently.

"Well, that's an interesting way of rowing.

Jin was a little impressed. Meanwhile, Marcia was in second place. Jin was watching her closely,

"Marcia seems to have an idea. Arrow is far from his best. Perhaps he didn't want to show all his cards before tomorrow's final."

"But without saying anything to your father."

Reiko's tone is a little discontented.

"Yeah, maybe he got the idea from watching the races so far."

While we were talking, the boat was heading for the turnaround point, the detached rock. So far the leader is number 28, with Marcia in second place.

"Mr. Bernardo, what do you think?

"Yes, number 28 is using his oars very well. Yes, number 28 has a good use of the oars and I expect number 35 to catch up.

At the magic screen, Marcia's Cygnus has just turned in.

"Well, it's turning around nicely. I think Marcia's about to get serious, don't you?

Just after Jin said that.

"Oh, number 35, he's spurring!"

The spray from the waterwheel behind Cygnus (Shiratori) became louder and louder. Then Cygnus (Swan) increased its speed.

Number 35, fast, fast!　He is catching up to the leader, number 28!

The sound of the live commentator's voice became louder and the crowd cheered as well.

Number 28 is also picking up the pace!　But number 35 is even faster!　And ...... now!　He's overtaking!　Number 35 is in the lead!

Cygnus (Swan) continues to lead..,

"Goal!　Number 35 in first place and number 28 in second place!

"Well, Mr. Bernardo, the commentator, it was a heated battle, wasn't it?

Yes, it was a great match for the final round of the qualifying round.

"But why didn't number 35 go that fast from the beginning?

It is a natural question.

"Well, I guess, if I had to guess, I would say that the waterwheel would have been under a lot of stress at full speed due to its structure, so I think they were saving it for tomorrow's final.

This is a plausible answer, but to Jin, it is misguided. After all, the moving parts are reinforced with adamantite, so there is no danger of breakage even after hours of Arrow's full power.

But in the audience..,

"I see, so you were worried about the durability.

They were convinced.

"Well, the 10th Golem boat competition qualifying round is over. Ladies and gentlemen, please make sure you have not forgotten anything. Tomorrow's final will start at 9:00 a.m."

An announcement was made,

"Well, let's go and congratulate Marcia.

Jin stood up,

"Jin!　I knew I was right!　Your ship's propulsion system is excellent!"

The sound of a hot voice made him turn around to see Reinhardt. He was accompanied by Erza, who was dressed in a bathing suit.

"Since you and I have been in separate training waters, this is the first time I've seen your boat, but, hmmm, turning a waterwheel is a novel idea!　I'd love to hear all about it!　Oh, I'd love to hear all about it!

Erza stood next to Reinhardt, who was talking to himself,

I'm sorry for being so loud. I'm sorry to be so loud. ...... Rai says so too. Well?"

she asked him quietly. Hitoshi said,

"If Marcia says it's okay, I don't mind.

I answered,

"Oh, I see!　Then we should hurry up and go check with Marcia!

Reinhardt was about to run to the port,

"What?　What did I say?"

Just then, Marcia, who had left the ship in the care of the ship's manager, arrived. Jin tells Marcia about Reinhardt's offer.

"Yes, I don't mind."

Marcia immediately replies, "Yes, I don't mind. Reinhardt is overjoyed to hear that.

"Okay!　Okay, let's go!

She started to walk away, but Erza pulled her hand and held her back.

"Brother Rai, Marcia and I are going to change into our swimsuits. I'm going to go change.