The moment the step was taken, chains erupted from the ground.
The chains coiled toward Twilight Cloud, but she evaded them with agile twists and turns, moving with ethereal grace like she was walking on water, gliding through the forest as if it were an empty realm.
Darting left and right, her movements were unpredictable. A playful grin danced on her face as she leaped and pirouetted, like a cunning fox weaving through the forest.
"Is that all you've got, Senpai? Just this level?"
Faced with Twilight Cloud's taunt, Kousei smiled silently, leaving Twilight Cloud slightly puzzled.
Then Kousei suddenly withdrew, as the Turn approached.
"Damn it!" Twilight Cloud had become so engrossed in their chase that she completely forgot about the Turn.
As she tried to advance, she realized her path was blocked; she had no choice but to navigate the Turn from her current position.
But the horse herd is in chaos, Twilight Cloud thought. Even for someone like Senpai, handling this Turn won't be easy. She won't be able to break free of the herd here, so I'll only fall slightly behind.
However, Twilight Cloud had underestimated Kousei's Turn technique. Even amidst the crowded, chaotic herd, Kousei moved like an elusive mist, seeping through the narrowest gaps to advance forward.
The ethereal Mist, visible but intangible, stood in stark contrast to dazzling technology. You wouldn't gasp at first sight, but rather marvel at it afterward.
"How is this even possible? Can she really get through like that?"
Rock-solid fundamentals—that was the foundation of every step Kousei had taken on her path to brilliance.
"Whether it's training or failure, I'll keep my feet firmly planted, advancing steadily toward the peak."
Her body and technique, forged through relentless refinement, left no room for error.
Every performance was executed with flawless precision.
"Damn! Am I falling behind?" Twilight Cloud was taken aback. Though her impulsive nature often landed her in tight spots, she had never faced such a situation before.
Who could have imagined Kousei would simply ignore her?
"That clueless Senpai is so infuriating!"
This was the first time Twilight Cloud had ever been completely ignored.
"Fine! I'll move ahead. The advantage is mine now."
Positioned at the front, Kousei could finally unleash her full potential. However, fate had other plans. Before she could even steady herself, the earth shuddered violently.
Tenmile Cloud whipped around, her back arching like a bow drawn taut. The humiliated Hero had transformed into a raging warrior.
Saw foot, kick foot.
An unstoppable charge, crushing all in its path, aimed straight for Kousei.
"How dare you humiliate me like this!"
Closing in relentlessly, leaving no survivors. The Red phantom shifted, inexplicably veering toward Tenmile Cloud's lane.
"What's going on? We're already past the interception range! Has she lost her mind?"
This was a clear violation of the rules, and a collision seemed inevitable.
Desperate, Tenmile Cloud forced herself to halt. As a consequence, the pent-up power surged violently within her, crackling and popping.
A flicker of pain flashed across Tenmile Cloud's face, and she glanced sideways in shock.
Kousei hadn't moved an inch from her lane. The mocking smile playing on her lips revealed the truth: the entire confrontation had been a feint.
The Genius's signature move, tested and proven time and again.
"That wretch! She's treating me like a clown!"
Images raced through Kousei's mind as she watched Tenmile Cloud's rage boil over. Just like that, let your anger burn brighter. The angrier you are, the more you'll lose your composure. Even the smallest cracks, worn down over time, can shatter a dam.
"Tenmile, that idiot," Twilight Cloud muttered under her breath, clicking her tongue as she witnessed the scene.
However, thanks to Tenmile Cloud's distraction, Twilight Cloud managed to seize the opportunity to exploit the gap in Kousei's defense.
As a genius, Twilight Cloud's speed was also top-tier.
The Cunning Beasts of the Dense Forest unleashed their full speed, streaking past at breakneck speed. Kousei, caught off guard, couldn't react in time, allowing Twilight Cloud to break through unimpeded.
"Getting careless, Senpai~"
But that oppressive pressure coiled around Twilight Cloud's legs like iron chains, binding her feet.
Kousei materialized behind Twilight Cloud, stalking closer like a relentless Evil Ghost.
"Heh~ Senpai, you're so annoying!"
The crimson-clad Evil Ghost intercepted the Cunning Beasts of the Dense Forest, using her Power to force Twilight Cloud into the inner lane.
"Looks like I underestimated Senpai's speed after all!"
Twilight Cloud had always been confident in her explosive power, but she couldn't fathom how Kousei had closed the gap so swiftly.
"And you think you can challenge Teio with that level of performance?!"
A black-and-crimson blur swirled across the racetrack. The playful atmosphere vanished entirely—this was now a life-or-death struggle.
"Don't underestimate me!"
Just as Kousei and Twilight Cloud were locked in their fierce struggle, a piercing howl shattered the deadlock. A jet-black figure surged forward from behind, accelerating with blinding speed.
"I am the strongest! How dare a mere Mediocre Talent look down on me!"
Kousei was startled. She had clearly widened the gap considerably, and Tenmile Cloud's running form showed no signs of faltering despite her earlier deceleration. If Tenmile Cloud was appearing here now, it meant she had already begun her sprint from her trailing position.
Kousei decisively abandoned Twilight Cloud and accelerated forward.
As the Crimson Chains ensnared the Jet-Black Runner, Kousei used her body to pin Tenmile Cloud down.
"Got you tangled up! Annoying pest!"
"That's exactly what I should be saying! You arrogant fool!"
Tenmile Cloud's strength far surpassed Twilight Cloud's, making it impossible for Kousei to subdue her with brute force alone.
"Another feint, huh?" Tenmile Cloud taunted.
"Those tricks are for dealing with Geniuses!"
Kousei clung tightly to Tenmile Cloud, restricting her movements and draining her stamina through intense physical exertion.
Realizing Kousei's strategy, Tenmile Cloud roared, "You'll pay for your arrogance! I am a true Genius!"
Twilight Cloud stepped forward, her voice sharp and challenging. "Even if you're my senpai, I'll get angry if you say things like that."
The Cunning Beast of the Dense Forest rose again, baring its fangs at the Evil Ghost.
These two truly live up to their reputations as geniuses!
Twilight Cloud broke through Kousei's dazzling defensive line with lightning speed, but Kousei wasn't about to let them succeed so easily.
Flames erupted in Kousei's dual pupils, locking onto Twilight Cloud. The chilling sensation of being marked by a predator washed over Twilight Cloud, freezing her body in place.
Tch!
Twilight Cloud clicked her tongue inwardly as Kousei closed in. Seeing this, Tenmile Cloud immediately accelerated, attempting to overtake them both. However, Kousei abruptly cut off Tenmile Cloud's path instead of continuing to pressure Twilight Cloud.
Both Umamusume gasped simultaneously: "This girl!"
Rather than forcefully suppress them, Kousei maintained a strategically advantageous position, simultaneously limiting both Umamusume. While unable to completely restrain either, she could react instantly to their moves.
Kousei's strategy had shifted from suppression to containment, focusing on attrition.
This girl is truly despicable!
What arrogance! To attempt to obstruct two geniuses simultaneously!
An unprecedented all-out melee erupted, instantly captivating everyone's attention as the racetrack transformed into a stage for three racers.
Amidst the flashing lightning and volcanic eruptions, Twilight Cloud spotted a critical opening.
"It's over! Kousei!"
A nearly imperceptible defensive flaw—a weakness only Twilight Cloud could detect.
Yes, only Twilight Cloud could have noticed it.
As Twilight Cloud surged forward, she was surprised to see a look of disappointment on Kousei's face.
"I actually liked you quite a bit, but you're nothing special after all. Your arrogance is truly unbearable. You claim to have watched my races, but you haven't seen a single one.
Your pride doesn't stem from your own Talent, but from a condescending sense of superiority. If you had actually watched my races, you'd know what it means to stand in this position."
Trapped.
Kousei's figure wavered, and as Twilight Cloud watched her pull away, she instinctively tried to move out of the way. This sudden shift caused a collision with another Umamusume, sending both stumbling and struggling to regain their balance. The ripple effect then spread to Tenmile Cloud.
One collision became two, two became four, four became eight—the cascading chaos left the entire pack in indescribable disarray.
"Impossible! She couldn't have escaped this chaos!" Tenmile Cloud seethed, her frustration palpable.
Even with her own strength, she couldn't break free. How could Kousei, who was also caught in the maelstrom, possibly escape?
Unless...
Tenmile Cloud recalled the terrifying possibility she had initially dismissed: Kousei possessed eyes that could see the future.
Did she foresee this outcome as well?
Had she already glimpsed this chaotic scenario long ago?
Amidst the pandemonium, Kousei crouched low, moving like a current beneath the surging mass of horses.
The Mist vanished.
Her toes grazed the ground, light as a feather. The pure white sprite danced among the stars, her momentum shifting in an instant as she carved a crescent moon across the track. Danger always lagged one step behind her.
See the future?
If she truly possessed such eyes, she wouldn't need to struggle so hard.
Over countless years, she had replayed recordings in her mind endlessly, simulating every possible scenario. No matter what unfolded today, Kousei would remain unfazed.
Her ability to evade danger didn't stem from some future-seeing eyes. Listening closely to the Umamusume's footsteps would guide you forward.
"Thank you, Granny."
The future you all fought to secure for me—I will win it!
"Everything I possess is my 'Innate Talent'!"
Come on!
Let the world marvel once more!
Twilight Cloud's heart lurched as she narrowly avoided danger through precise footwork. Feeling as if thorns were pricking her back, she whirled around in shock. Her eyes reflected fangs and a blood-red maw yawning wide.
Her breath hitched, her bewildered eyes failing to mask her shock.
The crimson python clamped its jaws around the fox's neck. What thoughts flashed through its mind in its final moments?
...
"Three down, one to go..."