The following days settled into a predictable rhythm for Fatih. Nights were dedicated to the Simulation, relentlessly practicing with his virtual Bambino kart on La Conca. During the day, he'd spend at least an hour driving his real Bambino kart in the park before returning it home. Then, he'd head out again, this time to play football and other games with Emir and his friends. He consistently had to deny their requests to drive his kart, explaining that they didn't have the necessary safety equipment. He didn't want his own karting privileges revoked because someone else got hurt.
By the third week of this routine, Rümeysa had grown confident in Fatih's carefulness. He had yet to hit anyone or have any dangerous accidents on his own. This led to her permitting him to take the kart to the park by himself, with either her or his grandmother still responsible for mixing the fuel, refueling, and starting the engine.
Once Rümeysa returned to Germany after her vacation days were exhausted, Fatih diligently continued his schedule: his daily physical exercises, at least an hour of real-world karting, and then playtime with his friends.
Surprisingly, no neighbors had come to complain to his grandmother about his karting. Or, if they had, it happened while he was at the park, and Güldane handled it discreetly without burdening him with the details.
In the Simulation, his progress was tangible.
[Lap Time: 01:44:050]
The timing screen flashed as he passed the start/finish line on La Conca. He didn't ease off, pushing straight into the next lap.
[Lap Time: 01:44:047]
Then another.
[Lap Time: 01:44:058]
And another.
[Lap Time: 01:44:049]
Lap after lap, he was consistently hitting times within a few thousandths of a second of Apollo's benchmark (01:44:047).
He continued this relentless pursuit of consistency until Apollo materialized at the start/finish line, waving the checkered flag. Fatih completed a cool-down lap before returning to the pit lane.
"Congratulations," Apollo said, a note of approval in his voice. "It took you a month, but you can now hit the target lap time with remarkable consistency. We can now move to the next lesson."
As if on cue, just as Apollo finished speaking, a brilliant flash of lightning split the virtual sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. The previously sunny sky above La Conca was rapidly consumed by dark, ominous clouds, and moments later, a torrential downpour began.
Within five minutes, the track was thoroughly soaked. The System then adjusted the rain intensity to perfectly match the track's water clearing rate, ensuring a consistent level of wetness across the entire circuit.
"Good luck," Apollo said with a hint of a smirk, now holding a virtual umbrella as he stepped aside.
A new mission prompt appeared before Fatih:
[New Mission!!!!!!!!!]
All true racing greats excel in the rain. You must master it as well.
Mission Objective: Complete one thousand (1,000) laps under these rainy conditions with a lap time of 01:55:000 or below.
Time Limit: 1 Year
Reward: Aquaman (Good)
Punishment: None
(ACCEPT] \[DENY]\)
Although he would have accepted the mission regardless of the reward, Fatih's curiosity was piqued. He clicked on the Aquaman (Good) ability to read its description:
[Aquaman]
Category: Upgradable
Level: Good
Description: Enhances the user's innate feel and control in wet or low-grip conditions. Improves the ability to read changing track surface moisture, predict hydroplaning risks, and optimize driving lines for maximum grip when water is present. Reduces the negative impact of spray from other vehicles on visibility.
It was exactly what he thought it would be – perfect for this challenge. He immediately closed the ability screen and accepted the mission. He instinctively floored the gas pedal, intending to head out, but the rear tires of the Bambino kart just spun uselessly on the slick virtual tarmac, sending up plumes of spray. He quickly released the accelerator, then gently reapplied it, feeling for grip as he carefully navigated out onto the track for an initial reconnaissance lap before attempting any timed runs.
...
Time passed quickly, his days falling into a structured rhythm. While asleep, his four hours in the Simulation were meticulously planned. Apollo would spend the first two hours teaching him new racing concepts: advanced overtaking maneuvers, defensive driving techniques, tire management strategies, precise braking control (like mastering late braking without losing control or speed), throttle management (balancing acceleration to optimize traction and minimize tire wear), and more.
Sometimes, Apollo would even act as an opponent, and they would battle lap after lap, Fatih either trying to pass or defend. The remaining two hours of simulation time were dedicated to driving under the relentless virtual rain, chipping away at the thousand-lap mission.
It wasn't long before September 15, 2008, arrived. The previous day, Sebastian Vettel had won his first-ever Formula 1 Grand Prix at Monza, becoming the sport's youngest race winner at the time, sending shock waves across Formula 1. Now, a different kind of tremor was about to hit the world.
"After exhaustive efforts to stabilize our financial position, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. We deeply regret the impact this will have on our employees, clients, and the global financial system. We are working..."
Just as in his past life, the news of Lehman Brothers filing for bankruptcy blared from the television, marking the definitive start of the global financial collapse.
Fatih, watching the news with his grandmother, knew that while he wouldn't feel the crisis directly in the same way many others would, he might even benefit from some of its side effects, like the expected plummeting of oil prices, which had been very high. However, a knot of anxiety tightened in his stomach.
This was going to be a very risky period, depending on how the sector, and specifically the company his mother worked for in Germany, would fare. Things could either continue as they were, or, in the worst-case scenario, his mother could be laid off. The thought worried him immensely.
As if fate delighted in toying with him, just a month later, in mid-October, with the world rapidly sliding towards what would officially be termed the Great Recession, his mother returned. She hadn't mentioned an early visit. And she arrived with a large amount of personal belongings, far more than usual for a short trip. It was a clear indication that she likely wasn't returning to Germany anytime soon. What he had worried about had most likely happened.
His face filled with concern for his mother as he wondered how she was feeling. He didn't even care that his real-world go-kart driving might have to stop if she had indeed lost her job and they needed to reduce spending; he had the Simulation for practice, after all. His mother's well-being was paramount.
"What is the problem, dear?" Rümeysa asked, her voice gentle, noticing his worried expression the moment she stepped into the house. She had intended her return to be a happy surprise.
"Mom," Fatih began, rushing to hug her tightly around her legs, "were you fired?" He raised his head to meet her gaze, his young eyes searching hers for an answer.