"NAU?" Kousei asked, her face filled with confusion.
"Umamusume races are divided into two types," Reiko explained. "One is the URA Super Grand Prix, organized by the Central Tracen Academy. The other is the Regional League, run by the NAU."
"So, a lower-tier competition."
Reiko nodded. "Don't underestimate the Regional League. 'Crouching tigers, hidden dragons' is the perfect way to describe it. Two of the Eternal Three, Oguri Cap and Inari One, both came from the Regional League."
Oguri Cap, the original Gray Monster, was one of the creators of the Gray Legend. An Umamusume who rose from the regional circuit, she possessed a double guarantee of both skill and charisma. A national idol, she was also the first Umamusume to have her own plush doll.
The ultimate secret weapon, the 'Manly' Inari One, a hot-blooded fighter who stormed from the Regional League to challenge the Central elite. Despite her small stature, she was fiercely powerful, a legendary Umamusume who became renowned for defeating Oguri Cap head-on and claiming the annual Best of the Year title.
Like the Emperor, Inari One remains a legendary figure in the Veteran Horse Front.
Kousei unconsciously clenched her fist. Though both she and Inari One were called "monsters," their fates had diverged sharply.
"Caesar and her group also came from Northern Academy, a small 'region' in its own right," Reiko said, suddenly noticing that Kousei's expression seemed off.
"You don't want to participate in the Regional League?" Reiko asked.
Kousei shook her head. "No matter the race, I will always run with all my might. All I can do is take each step firmly and steadily."
If leaving was necessary, Kousei would gladly accept it.
"Am I qualified to participate in the Regional League? Or rather, can Northern Academy even host a Regional League race?" Kousei quickly composed herself.
"Unfortunately, Northern Academy is even smaller than you imagine. But as I said before, the NAU is completely separate from the Central Tracen Academy. While its influence is far less than the URA's and it offers fewer choices...
"The world is vast. You can climb up from an obscure corner and reach a stage even grander than the URA."
"A grander stage..."
"That's right!" Reiko's eyes gleamed with excitement. "The ultimate stage that decides the world's strongest middle-distance Umamusume. The sole glory that Central Tracen Academy has coveted for a century."
Stronger than the Emperor. Stronger than every Umamusume in Central. Wealth, fame, dreams... Everything is there. An Eldorado where any wish can be granted."
The Arc de Triomphe—
"The World's Strongest..."
Not just the strongest in Central, but the strongest in the world. The victor would undoubtedly dominate the middle-distance division, earning the title of the era's absolute strongest.
If she could claim the title of "Strongest," could she finally stand on equal footing with the "Strongest in History"?
"I've watched your races. Your running style is the most orthodox Chaser strategy. Your race history, aside from two G3 races, consists entirely of G1 events. You've placed in the money in most of them. Throughout your career, you've faced opponents like Mejiro McQueen, Eishin Flash, Mejiro Ryan, and Agnes Tachyon. Any one of them is a formidable contender in their own right. And you have no record of injuries in your entire career.
"You must understand that staying healthy is a crucial challenge for any Umamusume. In fact, it's true for any sport."
"And you've genuinely defeated Caesar and her group. I don't know what Central is thinking, but in my eyes, you are an Umamusume well worth training.
"Your versatile running style, your sharp mind, your keen ability to analyze the race situation, your consistent gate technique...
"And finally, your unyielding spirit that never gives up.
"You've failed many times, yet you've gotten back up again and again. You find inspiration in the smallest things and evolve with each race.
"Only you..."
Her gaze was incredibly sincere, filled with immense anticipation.
"Enter the race. Evolve through fierce battles, just as you always have. We will support you until the stars tear through the darkness of the night sky.
"Aoi will build your momentum. Takuya will protect your body. I will train you, hone your skills, and solve the problems you cannot overcome.
"In return, I ask for only a small reward: I want you to become the strongest and prove that the Chiin Family's training theory is correct. Not to clear our name, but to prove that the name 'Chiin' is synonymous with 'the strongest.'"
Kousei was slightly taken aback. Chiin Reiko was fiercely ambitious, openly revealing her desires and taking pride in them.
Beneath her beautiful exterior lurked a monster. Her gaze on Kousei was one of raw, naked desire.
Kousei's whole body trembled. It was this kind of person who, after so long, made her feel—
A KINDRED SPIRIT!!!
The monster within her shrieked with laughter, resonating for the first time since Mejiro McQueen and Narita Brian!
Beyond the Forbidden Gate, two towering mountains weighed heavily on Kousei's heart: one named Mejiro McQueen, the other Symboli Rudolf.
Symboli Rudolf was unreachable, and so was Mejiro McQueen.
Caesar narrowed her eyes from the side, a hint of gravity seeping into Just a Way's half-smiling gaze. Outside the window, the eavesdropping Twilight Cloud grinned with even greater malice.
The Symboli I once admired... the self that once looked up to the Emperor...
Kousei gripped the collar of her shirt with one hand, slowly tearing it away. With a grand sweep of her arm, she flung her silver-white Personal Racing Outfit into the air. Now clad in a dark, flowing robe, her expression grew even more imposing.
No longer admiring. The true self named Kousei was awakening.
She looked up at the summit and took her first step.
"Here... who is the strongest?"