P: A late Tanabata Special Feature “It’s finally here, July 7th, 2011. On this glorious day, the very first Grand Prix of our Divine Realm, the 'Crystal Palace Lord' Race, officially begins! Whoever takes first place in this race will ascend to the throne of the Crystal Palace Lord. Countless eyes have been waiting, countless gazes fixed in anticipation. This heart-pounding moment will commence in ten minutes… I am your reporter from the Young Girl’s News Bureau, Toshokan, and for now, I’m guest-starring as judge and commentator. Please show your support!” Standing upon a high platform, the young woman named Toshokan held a microphone, addressing the crowd like a sovereign, her voice soaring with boundless energy.

Below, the grandstands roared with noise—some waved glowing light sticks, others blasted sound from megaphones, and still others clutched babies to watch… Good heavens, you aren't going to breastfeed here, are you, you Hideyoshi!

Well, the audience members above can be ignored; they are mere extras. The true protagonists are the group of stunningly beautiful young women on the track.

“Now, I shall introduce the participants for this competition!” Toshokan, our commentator, continued, pointing to the young women lined up below. “From left to right, the first is our Railgun, Misaka Mikoto. As an ESPER Level 5, we have every reason to believe she is the favorite to clinch this title. But more importantly, look at her racing machine—it’s a Level 6 vehicle sponsored by the science side’s Aleister—the Shirai Kuroko Pervert-mobile!” “It is not the Shirai Kuroko Pervert-mobile, do you even have eyes! This is a genuine Mobile Racer!” From below, Mikoto roared in anger, slamming her hand against the luxurious race car beneath her, which was adorned with nude images of Shirai Kuroko. “Onee-sama, go for it! You absolutely must not win!” In the special guest seating beside her, the twin-tailed girl who writes as Kuroko but reads as Pervert was screaming at the top of her lungs. Zzzzzzt! A bolt of lightning shot out from the track, striking the dark-and-white pervert, who promptly collapsed, a blissful smile gracing her features. “Onee-sama, the sting of love… Ohhhh…” “Shut up, you degenerate!”

“Next up is our second contestant, the immensely popular, Dull King, Artoria! Her machine is the King Series No. 777 (Eat-Eat-Eat)! It certainly suits today’s date, and as an ABER class servant with superior Riding skill, she is the most likely champion, the uncrowned king!” “I am not the Dull King, you absolute zero!” Artoria drew the Sword of Promised Victory to protest the judge, but the brave Toshokan wisely chose to ignore her.

“Then we have the third entrant, also from the ABER series: the White ABER, Lily. With stats even higher than the original, I believe today’s champion is destined to be her. Even more crucially, she has the powerful backing of the Knights of the Round Table!” “Our King will triumph! Our King will triumph! Our King will triumph…” A deafening cheer erupted from the special guest seats. “So, Lily, what is your opening declaration…” Toshokan’s microphone miraculously extended, reaching Lily’s lips. Lily let out a disdainful cold snort, sitting high atop her magnificent motorcycle, raising the Sword in the Stone. “All who stand before me are but ants!” “Excellent! Lily is certainly full of confidence. Now then…” “Hmph, don't get so conceited!” Before Toshokan could finish, the red-clad young woman beside Lily suddenly sneered, “I am also an ABER, and I won’t lose to you failures!” “Indeed! The one speaking is our Roman Emperor, the King of the World, Her Majesty Nero! Did you hear the confidence in her voice? I’m sure this race will be spectacular!” “Hmph, mongrel!” In the special guest seats, a dazzlingly golden, petite loli let out a discontented sound. “Hahaha, King of Heroes, you couldn't participate, so you’re throwing a fit?” Beside her, a burly man laughed heartily while taking a swig of his drink. “Mongrel, are you looking for death?” The golden loli’s face flushed red as she retorted angrily, “What Crystal Palace Lord? I don’t care about it! Hmph! I care absolutely nothing for it!”

Toshokan glanced towards the special guest seats and whispered to the audience, “The two speaking just now are our specially invited guests, Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, and Iskandar, the King of Conquerors. Rumor has it the former has a slightly ambiguous relationship with the Crystal Palace… If anyone is interested in hearing that gossip, my bank account…”

After hearing this, Toshokan’s bank account mysteriously swelled by a billion yen overnight, making her an instant billionaire. However, the next day, it was completely devoured by the ravenous, gluttonous ones, leaving her not even her emergency stash… Of course, that’s an aside; let’s return to the main event.

“Our fifth contestant is the Black ABER. Also a member of the ABER series, I’m sure she won't disappoint us. Let’s have a big round of applause.” And so, the sound of clapping echoed through the audience seats... pat-pat-pat...

“Damn it, why is it a race car? I’m not familiar with modern machinery!” On the Crystal Seat platform, Tohsaka Rin gritted her teeth, her face a mask of annoyance. “Sister, don’t be sad. Next time they hold a contest for backstabbing and sharp tongues, you’ll have your chance,” Sakura consoled her gently from beside her. “Hmph, even if you compete in backstabbing, you have no hope. I am the Pope of Underhandedness,” declared a green-clad young woman, her heterochromatic eyes blinking with pride. “Shizurui, the Kukku Detective show is starting,” said a red-clad young woman, seated like a queen, without turning her head. “Ah, coming right up, desu,” the green girl immediately darted away. “Insolent little thing, I’ll teach you a proper lesson sooner or later!” Tohsaka Rin ground her teeth as she watched Shizurui's retreating back. “Ara, Rin, you’re truly losing your composure,” the silver-haired young woman beside her mocked. “You too, Illya…”

Let’s return the camera to the track. Toshokan introduced the sixth contestant: “The sixth is our Dark Gospel, Evangeline. Her machine is provided by Mahora Academy, a piece of future technology crafted by Super Suzune, which is sure to shine brilliantly!” “Hmph, mere race cars…” Evangeline scoffed, showing her disdain. “Eva! You must do your best!” On the Crystal Seat platform, a black-haired young woman waved with a smile towards Evangeline. “Mokona-oneesan, please calm down,” said a spirited young woman holding a sword beside her, her face flushed red. “Huh? Why, Little Kiri?” Mokona looked confused.

“Next up is our seventh contestant—Kurogane Tetsu. Her machine is the Phantom Bike.” Toshokan pointed excitedly at a twin-tailed girl sitting on a dazzling motorcycle on the track. Kurogane remained utterly calm, silent.

“The eighth contestant is Suigintou, our esteemed Chairman. Although it feels slightly contradictory for someone of her status to participate in this race, please show your support for her beloved machine,” Toshokan gestured toward a silver-haired young woman. “Father, I swear I will become the perfect Alice,” Suigintou said, clenching her fists over her chest in anticipation.

“Alright, that concludes the contestants who have appeared in the main story.” “Damn it, we appeared in the main story, so why can’t we participate?” Misaki Shokuhou complained from the Crystal Seat platform. “Isn’t it because your stamina is poor? Just like Leii, you’re not good at sports,” Mugino Shizuri stated flatly. “What about you? You have good physical capabilities, so why aren't you participating?” “That’s because someone is discriminating against me, claiming I had inappropriate interactions with someone else, thus disqualifying me. That bastard—I hope I find out who it was!” Mugino gritted her teeth fiercely as she spoke. Shokuhou suddenly understood. “Ah, could it be…” “You two were fooling around,” Leii commented calmly while licking her ice cream, hitting the nail on the head.

On the high platform, Toshokan took a sip of water and continued, “Now, I shall solemnly introduce several heavy-hitter options who have not appeared in the main story. Look!” Magically, a dark curtain appeared on the track, and as it drew open, a line of ten young women appeared, seated on luxurious motorcycles, their faces radiating confidence.

Toshokan wiped the corner of her mouth, exclaiming with excitement, “From right to left, the first is the boundless Isayama Yomi.” “Sister Yomi, fight!” Miyako Kagura waved towards the girl on the field, shouting loudly. Isayama Yomi remained composed, showing great self-assurance.

“Next is the Crimson Lord, the Flame Haze, Shana!” “Shana-chan! Idiot Na! Melon Bread! Tsundere Na! Never growing up! Forever twelve years old!” The audience erupted in thunderous cheers. Shana’s mouth twitched, and she angrily drew the knife from her clothes, pointing it at the audience. “Urusai! Urusai! Urusai!!!”

“Next, our mighty Martial Empress, Sakagami Tomoyo!” “Martial Empress Combo Kick! Long live Martial Empress Bear!” The audience once again burst into supportive shouts. Sakagami Tomoyo tossed her pale silver hair and returned a confident smile to her supporters.

“Fourth is our Wind Phantom Committee Chair—the Fairy Queen, Eloise Schukarlet!” “Oh! Oh! Oh! Queen-sama!” Facing the crowd’s support, the Fairy Queen slowly extended her hand, then commanded, “Racing suit change—Bunny Girl!” ...The preceding scene requires censorship.

“Fifth, the completely dashing Servant from Gensokyo—Izayoi Sakuya!” “Killer Princess is the best! Maid Commander, hooray!” “Don’t worry everyone, I only need to control time a little, and victory will surely be mine,” Izayoi Sakuya declared with a cheerful, utterly roguish smile.

“Sixth—no, sixth and seventh—welcome our twin angels, Tachibana Kanade and Ikaros!” “Angel-sama is the greatest!” The expressionless angel remained blank, while the docile angel looked lost.

“Finally, the last three contestants in this competition—a grand welcome to those from the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha world: Takamachi Nanoha, Fate Testarossa, and Yagami Hayate!” “White Devil! Tyrant! Consort! Kansai Dialect! Tyrant-uke! Consort-seme! Night Sky-uke!” The audience erupted in unparalleled cheers. “Hey! Is it really okay to expose our dark history like this?” Nanoha murmured worriedly. “Don’t worry, as long as the three of us win first place together, it’s fine,” Fate comforted gently. “That’s right, there’s nothing to fear, we are the three giants of Mobile Device Division 6,” Hayate said confidently, clenching her fist.

“I’m sure everyone is extremely excited about these ten contestants. Yes, I am also very excited. I wish I could see them in the main story as soon as possible! But for now, I am even more eager to witness their performance in this race,” Toshokan panted, drenched in sweat, commentating with fervor.

“Alright, all the contestants have been introduced. Although there are more people who could participate, others found that their monthly cycle happened to coincide with this day, so they couldn’t make it. Before the race officially starts, please welcome our divas to perform a song for everyone—the Leek Song!”

A massive stage magically appeared, and upon it stood... “Welcome our Leek Girl Hatsune Miku! Welcome our greatest superstar, Lynn Minmay! Welcome our cutest star, Akiyama Mio! Welcome our most beautiful songstress, Lacus! Welcome our most free-spirited singer-songwriter, Iwazawa Masami!” “Song cannot exist without dance. Next, we highly recommend our Goddess, Belldandy, and our Queen, C.C., to present the most moving dance!” Smoke cleared on the stage, and two beautiful young women slowly walked out.

Then, the most moving music and the most exquisite dance began...

Three minutes later, the song concluded. “Next up, the official Crystal Palace Lord Grand Prix begins!” At Toshokan’s starting gunshot, eighteen luxurious motorcycles shot forward...

P: To know what happens next, wait for the next installment. Xian Ni A