My Formula 1 System

Chapter 193 Sync Buff Dilemma 2

Ceasing the use of Sync Buff would be a massive setback for Luca, considering that 70% of his race wins and podium finishes were thanks to this incredible feature.

He wasn't sure if stopping it altogether was a good idea.

Then again, continuing to use it as it was would also be a problem, because people were already growing suspicious of its eerie, almost predictable four to five-minute duration.

Come to think of it, maybe the timing was exactly what had caught Mr. Marchetti and his counterparts' attention. After two, three, four, even five instances of Sync Buff activation, Luca could now see how they had started keeping track, waiting for the exact moment he would suddenly go wild on track and then time it.

If that was the case, then instead of completely abandoning Sync Buff, maybe he just needed to adjust the timing.

With a clearer understanding of the situation, Luca sat up, thinking through possible ways to deal with Sync Buff's predictability.

Luca wondered if he could find a way to pause Sync Buff midway and then resume it later when needed.

Or if he could simply cut it off anytime he wanted, instead of always running the full five-minute duration.

Or maybe, just maybe, he could have control over the exact duration himself, setting it to however long he needed at any given moment.

That would be ideal. It would eliminate any consistent timing that could make people suspicious.

But all of this depended entirely on how his system was built, its functions, and whether it even allowed such flexibility.

Luca sighed, leaning back against the couch. The system was the one generating Sync Buff in the first place. If there was a solution, it would have to come from there.

With that in mind, he made his decision.

"System, display," he commanded, staring straight ahead.

[SYSTEM ONLINE...]

[Welcome, host.]

"Thanks," Luca muttered. "System, I need to report an issue."

[Proceed, host!]

"Are you aware of what doping is?"

[Doping: The use of banned performance-enhancing substances or methods to gain an unfair advantage in motorsports. Formula 1 regulations strictly prohibit doping to ensure fair competition and driver safety.]

"Great. Exactly."

"Remember when we briefly discussed the possibility of Sync Buff drawing unwanted attention? Well, now the worst has happened—I've been accused of doping."

[That is unfortunate to hear, host.]

[Do not fret, host. System detects zero external substances in your body that could implicate you!]

[System assures host that he will test negative and be cleared for competition as soon as possible!]

Luca exhaled sharply. "I know that. But we need to do something about Sync Buff to prevent future accusations and investigations. The five-minute window is becoming predictable, and that's exactly what's raising suspicion."

A brief pause.

[Certainly, host.]

[System confirms that the duration of Sync Buff is now consistent, structured, and identifiable.]

"Yeah, and that's the problem. Can we do anything about it to prevent further issues?"

[Certainly, host.]

[Analyzing and assessing...]

[...Successfully assessed.]

[Troubleshooting result: Sync Buff is currently operating on a fixed-duration activation cycle, making its usage pattern identifiable.]

[Proposed Solutions:

—Segmented Buff Mode: Allows host to activate Sync Buff in smaller bursts rather than a continuous five-minute span.

—Manual Override: Host gains the ability to manually adjust or interrupt Sync Buff's activation time as needed.

—Randomized Duration Window: Sync Buff duration will fluctuate unpredictably within a set range, making it harder to track.] Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

"I see," Luca whispered, studying the screen. "Which do you think is the best solution?"

[System would assess their merits and demerits]

[Analyzing and assessing...]

[...Successfully assessed.]

[SEGMENTED BUFF MODE: (Merits)

—Allows host to use Sync Buff in shorter bursts, making it less predictable.

—Reduces the risk of being tracked and timed by competitors or officials.

—Provides flexibility in critical race moments rather than a fixed five-minute span.]

[SEGMENTED BUFF MODE: (Demerits)

—Requires strategic planning to avoid wasting activation time.

—Might result in ineffective bursts if activated at the wrong moment.

—Could still raise suspicion if bursts occur too frequently or conveniently.]

"Alright," Luca said, nodding to the information. "The next?"

[MANUAL OVERRIDE: (Merits)

—Grants host full control over Sync Buff duration and timing.

—Allows emergency deactivation if an investigation or suspicion arises.

—Offers strategic adaptability, making usage more dynamic.]

[MANUAL OVERRIDE: (Demerits)

—Requires careful timing, adding another layer of focus during races.

—Could lead to mismanagement if deactivated too soon or too late.

—May still raise questions if the system detects inconsistencies in usage.]

"Hmm," Luca mused. This solution seemed promising, yet its drawbacks felt more demanding than the first.

Not only would he have to manually select the duration within a 1-second to 5-minute range, but he'd also need to plan and calculate precisely when to activate it—an added mental load during an already intense race.

Worse still, if the Sync Buff didn't unfold as intended—either running out too soon or lasting longer than needed—he could end up sabotaging his own performance, leaving him frustrated, resenting and second-guessing himself.

[RANDOMIZED DURATION WINDOW: (Merits)

—Ensures Sync Buff does not last the same duration every time, making it harder to detect.

—Makes performance shifts feel more natural and unpredictable.

—Totally reduces suspicion since there's no consistent five-minute span to track.]

[RANDOMIZED DURATION WINDOW: (Demerits)

—Could require adaptation to the unexpected time shuffled for host.]

Luca wasn't sure about this one, but the fact it had one demerit simply said it was a green flag for him.

He wondered how it'd be like; the system randomly selecting the duration whenever he made Sync Buff, just to create variation and prevent the suspicion.

"What's your take, system?" he asked.

[All solutions carry their own weight. Segmented Buff mode is the safest, allowing the host to split his bursts and reduce the chance of suspicion. However, Sync Buff is meant for quick use, designed to maintain a smooth and efficient connection between host and system.]

[Cutting the duration as needed could lead to mistakes—like miscalculating or forgetting about unused segments—putting unnecessary blame on both host and system for any resulting failure.]

"That's a really smart point. I guess you're right. What about the last one? I'm not keen on the second option."

[The Randomized Duration Window is the most unpredictable, effectively eliminating suspicion by keeping opponents and investigators guessing. System would randomly shuffle the duration between 1 minute and 5 minutes for variety.]

[However, this also adds an element of uncertainty, potentially disrupting the host's strategy. But if host approaches the duration as if it were the normal Sync Buff time, he could excel without regretting the outcome, since system would determine the duration, not host.]

"So, I guess it's between the first and the third?"

[Yes, host. Should system delve further in explaining]

"Don't worry, you've explained enough," Luca said, rubbing his chin.

He really liked the fact about Segmented Buff Mode that he could divide the Sync Buff's duration into bits and use them one by one.

But his system was right about it leading to mistakes and disappointment if it didn't play out as planned. Additionally, if he still had a segment unused, and he kept on gaining points from skills, they'd all go to waste since logically, the Sync Bar was yet to be emptied.

With this, Luca decided he'd go for Randomized Duration Window. It felt ideal, though the system could choose 2 mins or less for the duration after shuffling, he believed he could still manage.

Making sure investigations like this won't happen again was top priority.

"I choose the third."

[Randomized Duration Window selected!]

[Ding!]

[System would embed it as the Reward for today's Daily Quest]

"Oh, thanks. So, when I complete today's Daily Quest, I'll get it?"

[Yes, host.]

Satisfied that he had found a solution to Sync Buff's issue, Luca rose to his feet. He neatly arranged the gym equipment he had used before leaving for his room to take a bath and move on with his day.

After showering, he applied his cream and took his usual supplements before slipping into comfortable homewear and draping a light homecoat over himself.

Without wasting time, he hurried downstairs, stepped out into the backyard, and made his way to the tool shed. There, he grabbed a pair of gloves, a large bin, and a sturdy rake before heading to the front lawn.

Just as he had hoped, the morning still held its gentle coolness. The sun had yet to climb too high, and birds continued their cheerful chirping in the trees.

Luca took a moment to scan the yard, estimating how long the task might take. Then, with a small nod to himself, he dropped the bin, slipped on his gloves, gripped the rake's handle, and got to work.