"Well, Sunny? What did you think of my 'Phantom Lead'?"
"I… I didn't even realize what was happening…" Sunny Brian gasped, doubled over and clutching her knees. "It felt like my stamina was just being siphoned away without me knowing…"
"That's the core of it," Rampage explained. "By shifting your pace at a level the opponent can't consciously perceive, you drain their energy. Once they finally realize they're falling behind, they panic. They feel like they've lost more ground than they actually have, causing them to tense up and waste even more power trying to recover. You just experienced that cycle firsthand."
Rampage had taken Sunny out for a private session to demonstrate the technique. While people usually associated Rampage with her "Great Escape" style, the Phantom Lead had been her primary weapon during her Junior and Classic years. Her skill hadn't just remained sharp—it had evolved into something surgical.
"This technique is perfect for you, Sunny. You have the stamina and the sense of pace to pull it off. Plus, it covers your weakness at the start."
"It does?"
"Think about it. If a front-runner who struggles with the start suddenly surges forward, the pack thinks they're overextending. They maintain their pace, thinking they'll catch you later. The Phantom Lead exploits that mindset. It's a psychological game as much as a physical one—you force the burden of the race onto them while you dictate the terms."
"Whoa…"
"The goal is my Phantom Lead. If I'm being honest, I want you to eventually surpass it. Scratch that—you will surpass it."
"You're asking for the impossible!" Sunny cried out.
Rampage just laughed. She knew exactly how high that bar was, but she saw the spark in the girl's eyes.
"I'm not telling you to become a clone of me. I'm telling you to take the technique and make it yours. My Great Escape doesn't use any deceptive elements, so surpassing my Phantom Lead is actually the 'easier' path for someone as meticulous as you. Your first milestone: win a mock race against Team Nemesis using this style."
"Win against Nemesis with the Phantom Lead… I'll do it!"
"That's the spirit."
As Rampage prepared for the next set, a roar of "I'M GONNA DO ITTTTT!" echoed from behind them—Sunny was clearly fired up. Next up was Suzuka.
"Suzuka, for the camp, we're sticking to the basics—or so I'd like to say, but I'm adding a specific drill."
"Yes! What is it?"
"Companion sprints. You and me, side-by-side."
Suzuka's tail shot up instantly, wagging with such force it was a wonder she didn't take flight. The prospect of running alongside her idol clearly sent her motivation into the stratosphere. However, the rest of the team wasn't about to let that slide.
"BOOOO! Suzuka, that's cheating!" Taiki yelled. "I want to run with Rampage-san too!"
"Me too!" Dober added, unusually vocal.
"Sister, I want in as well!" Air Groove chimed in.
"Just because I talk trash doesn't mean I don't want a piece of the champ," Stay Gold muttered, looking away.
"Relax. Everyone gets a turn," Rampage said, waving a hand. "I'm not playing favorites just because Suzuka and Sunny share my running style. And you, Stay—if that's how you feel, I'll happily beat some sense into you every single day of the camp."
"Bring it on. Once I beat you, I'm the best in the world," Stay Gold smirked.
"You really are a brat, aren't you?"
Rampage intended to use herself as the ultimate whetstone. She would run herself ragged during the camp, acting as the "wall" her students needed to climb. She knew these girls had the potential to go global; she was finally ready to accept the responsibility of forging those world-class talents with her own hands.
"Listen up! I got the green light from the Chairwoman. The training camp is a go, exactly as planned."
"YES! Rampage-san, the American Beef is ready!" Taiki cheered. "I called my family, and they're sending the absolute best cuts!"
"I'm looking forward to it. I've secured some top-tier seafood myself, so the food will be legendary."
"The food is fine, but I assume the training menu will be equally 'high quality'?" Stay Gold asked with a predatory grin.
"Glad you asked," Rampage smirked back. "Katsuragi Ace will be joining us from day one."
"What?!" The team gasped in unison.
"And I've invited some international guests—rivals who are coming to Japan early to prep for the Japan Cup. Stay, if you think this is going to be a vacation, you're in for a hell of a surprise. Since you've got such a big mouth, I've prepared a 'First-Class Inferno' just for you."
"Hah! Sounds perfect!" Stay Gold shouted, her competitive fire blazing. "I'll tear through that hell and conquer the world years ahead of schedule!"
"Good talk. Now back to work!"
"YES, MA'AM!"
This was one of the most terrifying things about Rampage: her peerless network. Her legendary career had earned her the respect of every great runner of the era. If she called, the Legends answered. This was exactly why teams like Rigil and Spica were already viewing the upstart Pleiades with extreme caution.
(I've got Maruzensky coming by, and Monsun said she'd drop in if she has a free moment…) Rampage thought. (They all want to help. I used to be their rival, but now I'm the bridge to the next dream.)
"Sister? You didn't go to the Takarazuka Kinen?"
Rampage turned to see Rice Shower standing nearby. Rice had been eligible for the race but had opted out, her next target being the All Comers. The Takarazuka Kinen was the talk of the town—a four-way clash between the "Yasuda 3-Peater" Ikuno, the "Spring Triple Crown" Teio, the "Lead Actor" McQueen, and the "Triple Tiara" Twin Turbo.
"Nah, I stayed behind," Rampage said. "What about you, Rice?"
"My trainer told me I worked a bit too hard… he found out I was overdoing it after the Spring Tenno Sho and made me take a break."
"Ouch. Busted, huh?"
Rice had been so focused on continuing her G1 winning streak that she had pushed herself into a state of overwork. Thankfully, she wasn't injured, but Minamisaka had been firm: no racing, no spectating—just rest.
"Since I've got my own team now, I can't just head off to every race anymore. But don't worry, I'll be there for your next one," Rampage promised.
"You don't have to push yourself, but… I'd be happy if you came," Rice said shyly.
Rampage pulled out her phone to check the live stream of the Takarazuka Kinen.
"Twin Turbo is in the lead! She's trying to steal it—but wait! Here comes Mejiro McQueen from the back! Ikuno Dictus is surging, but the 'Lead Actor' is faster! She's tearing up the turf! But look at Tokai Teio! Teio and McQueen have caught Turbo—no! McQueen blows past! Mejiro McQueen is in a class of her own! MCQUEEN CROSSES THE LINE! THE STAR OF THE TAKARAZUKA IS MEJIRO MCQUEEN!"
McQueen had dominated. Rice watched in awe, wondering how she had ever managed to beat such a powerhouse. Rampage, however, was looking at McQueen's physical form. The girl's musculature was denser, her frame taller… even her "presence" seemed larger than before.
"McQueen is still getting stronger…" Rampage muttered, a cold sweat breaking out. "I'm just glad I didn't have to face that version of her during my active years."
She let out a long, relieved sigh, grateful that for now, she was the one standing on the sidelines with a stopwatch.
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