Jalur Takdir : Path of destiny [English edition]

The rain fell slowly in the night, creating small puddles on the narrow streets of Neonvista. The neon lights bounced off the wet asphalt, creating blue and red sparkles that brightened up the darkness. Lana had just finished inspecting the Falcon-X in her father's small workshop. The engine still sounded rough, but it had improved slightly after another night of hard work.

"That's enough for tonight," Lana muttered as she wiped her oil-covered hands on her work pants. She closed the workshop door, ready to go home. But then she stopped.

Across the street, stood an unfamiliar figure. The figure was wearing a long black jacket with a hood covering most of its face. The figure stood still, watching her, like a statue unaffected by the cold rain.

"Who is that?" Lana muttered, a sense of trepidation creeping up on her.

She quickened her pace, trying to ignore the figure. But as she turned down the hallway to her house, footsteps echoed behind her.

"Lana Veil," the voice said. Within seconds, Lana turned around.

The figure was now a few feet away from her. The hood was still covering his face, but from the tone of his voice, Lana could tell it was a man.

"Who are you? And how do you know my name?" Lana asked, trying to sound firm even as her heart pounded.

"I can help you," the man replied, not moving closer. "The Falcon-X, that old car, has more potential than you think. And I know how to maximize it."

Lana narrowed her eyes, incredulous. "Why do you care? Who are you anyway?"

The man was silent for a moment, before answering, "Let's just say I'm someone who once had the same dream as you. But I failed. I don't want to see that failure happen to anyone else."

The words took Lana by surprise. There was something in his voice—a deep regret, like someone carrying the burden of the past.

Lana shook her head, trying to remain skeptical. "How do I know you're not lying? You probably just want something from me."

The man chuckled, his tone flat. "Trust me, I don't need anything from you. But I know what it's like to struggle without a chance. And I know what Falcon-X needs to compete with those plasma cars."

Lana thought for a moment. The offer seemed strange, even suspicious, but her impulses—and her desperation—made her ask, "What are you planning?"

"I'll show you," he said, walking slowly toward the workshop. Lana almost stopped him, but something stopped her.

In front of Falcon-X, the man pulled back his hood. His face was covered in small scars, and his eyes showed the weariness of a man who had been through a lot. "My name is Rai Ardent," he said. "I used to be a racer too. But that was before..." He paused, as if he didn't want to continue the story.

Rai then pulled a small device from his pocket—a chip with a small flashing light. "This is the key to turning Falcon-X into something more than just an old vehicle."

Lana looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "That? A chip? Is that illegal technology?"

"Not exactly," Rai replied. "This technology is from my past. Something I never had the chance to use. But with this device, the Falcon-X will react like a modern plasma car—only more agile. But it's not just about the technology. It's about how you drive."

Lana hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. "Okay. But I'm not going to let you play around with the Falcon-X without me knowing what you're doing."

Rai smiled thinly. "Of course, Lana. But if we're going to work together, you have to be willing to take risks."

That night, they got to work. Lana still felt skeptical of this mysterious man, but there was something in the way he spoke—like he truly understood her dreams and the frustrations she felt.

Behind the neon lights, Lana and the Falcon-X's journey to true professional racing had just begun.

...

Hm12