Just then, they hear the announcement, "The race will begin in 30 minutes!"

"It's nearly time!" Marja says. Then turns to the Night Raven Students, "Listen up, kids! You better mush like you mean it! If you lose, you're all on apple-peelin' duty!" And says it so seriously.

The boys react, "Erk!"

The girls flinch upon hearing it.

"Scary Granny's back again!" Grim cries out.

Idia yelps, "Eep! She's even more hyped up than yesterday..."

"Well, it IS the big day," Jade says.

"She's really into it," Jasper says.

Then Marja says to Epel, "Harveston's honor is ridin' on your shoulders! You got that, Epel?!"

"Yup! I'm in it to win it!" Epel says.

The group then make their way to the races and set up their sleds.

Soon, Grim spots a few familiar faces, "Hey, those Royal Sword Academy guys are over there."

"Hm..." Sebek says.

The group turns to see the group Seven Royal Sword Dwarves are doing something.

"Wonder what they're up to?" Briar

"Maybe they're deciding which one to race?" Sereia asks.

"I think so. Only four members can be in one team," Jasper says.

They all chant, "One, two, three, GO!" and each of them present their hand out.

Hop cheers, "Wooo! I won!"

"Yes! I'm in!" Grum says with a smile.

Timmy shyly says, "Guess I'm racing now... Oh boy, this is gonna be embarrassing!"

"That's our four racers!" Dominic says.

"I guess that's the team they have," Jasper says.

"Yes. Dominic, Gum, Hop, and Timmy," Tanzanite says.

"They used rock-paper-scissors to determine their team...?" Sebek questions.

"They appear to be quite laid-back about all this," Jade says.

"Meanwhile, we were training and planning all day and night..." Epel says.

Then Dominic says, "We're the Seven Swords! Four of us may be competing, but we're always a team of seven!"

All seven cheer, "YEAH!"

Briar and Sereia giggle.

India groans in annoyance, "UGHHH, again with the cringey friendship junk!"

"They never fail to irritate!" Sebek says, irritated.

"Come on guys, don't be like that," Briar says.

Soon, Dominic notices them, "Oh, there's the Night Raven College group. And Jasper and Tanzantie's team. Hello there! We'll see you on the racetrack."

"You bet we will, Dominic," Jasper says with a grin.

"Yes. We don't plan on losing," Tanzanite says.

Grum smirks, "We'll see about that, Jasper."

Sebek scoffs, "Hmph. You mean you'll see us far ahead in the distance as you eat our dust."

Grum also scoffs, "Pfft, whatever! You guys are toast!"

"C'mon, Grum, don't be a poor sport," Dominic says.

Then he says, "And good luck to you too, Briar. Sereia."

"Thank you, Dominic," Briar says.

"Thank you," Sereia says.

Just then, everyone hears the announcement, "All sledathon participants, please line up at the starting line."

"Okay guys, let's get to our places," Dominic says.

Soon, the Dwarves pull their sled to the starting line, same with Epel's team and Briar's team. All the contestants are set to race.

Marja then calls out, "You kids better tear up the snow, y'hear?! We'll be taking a bus to the first pit stop, so we'll see you there."

Grim calls out, "You better win!"

Trinket tinks.

Briar translates, "Trinket said that we can do it!"

"Thanks! We'll do you proud!" Epel says.

Then the announcer says, "The race will start in five! Four! Three! Two! One! GO!"

Hearing the signal, "Idia, Jade, Sebek, and Epel, "LET'S GOOO!"

Briar, Sereia, Tanzanite, and Jasper shout, "ONWARD HOOOOOO!"

Dominic, Grum, Hop, and Timmy shout, "WOOHOO!"

And with that, the Harveston Sledathon has begun, and the racers leave the starting line and onto the racetrack.