After a day's training, Dream Weaver furrowed her brow.
Her previous training props were nearly depleted, and naturally, her training efficiency had slowed down.
The support staff who devised her training plan weren't particularly surprised.
After all, the stronger an Uma Musume's physical abilities became, the harder it was to make a breakthrough. For someone of Dream Weaver's current capability, hitting such a plateau was perfectly normal.
Yet Dream Weaver herself remained unsatisfied.
Ever since her victory in the Satsuki Sho, she knew the European racing world would muster even greater forces to stop her.
To seize the Triple Crown, she had to grow stronger.
But the time between the Satsuki Sho and the Japanese Derby was simply too short.
Without the efficiency boost from training props, Dream Weaver couldn't possibly achieve the kind of rapid improvement Orfevre had managed in such a brief span back in the day.
Dream Weaver shook her head, as if to clear away the tangled thoughts. She stretched her limbs slightly, deciding to put in a little extra training.
Today was a rare occasion where everyone else had their own matters to attend to. Training alone meant no one would come urging her to slow down.
Dream Weaver planned to return today to the intensity of her training from the scripted worlds of before.
But before she could start again, an unfamiliar voice suddenly came from behind her.
"I'd advise against continuing."
"Your previous regimen was sufficient. Pushing further will inevitably lead to hidden physical strain. Trading a shortened career for such marginal gains isn't worth it."
Surprised, Dream Weaver turned to see an Uma Musume with gentle features and deep brown long hair. Dressed in a crisp shirt and trousers, she looked more like a trainer than a racer.
"Are you... a trainer?"
Dream Weaver asked hesitantly. She wasn't entirely sure. Given the other's insight and demeanor, she should be a fairly seasoned trainer, yet something felt subtly off.
"A trainer? Close enough. You can call me... Niiyama."
She paused slightly when introducing herself, but quickly brushed past it, addressing Dream Weaver again.
"Dream Weaver, care to have a chat?"
"You know my name?"
Dream Weaver frowned in reply, trying to figure out the origins of this Uma Musume before her.
"Of course. After winning the Satsuki Sho, your name echoes far and wide."
The Uma Musume calling herself Niiyama replied with a smile. Her amber eyes fixed intently on Dream Weaver as she spoke earnestly.
"That naturally includes the European racing world. And, as it happens, I've learned a bit about their plans through some... special channels."
"So, how about that talk?"
This time, Niiyama's tone was certain. Just as she expected, Dream Weaver agreed immediately upon hearing the words "European racing world."
After letting out a few ambiguous chuckles, Niiyama led Dream Weaver to the top floor of the academic building. Pulling a keychain from her trouser pocket, she unlocked the door to the rooftop.
Seeing how familiar she was with Central Tracen and that she even had the rooftop key, Dream Weaver grew even more convinced she must be a trainer or teacher here.
Stepping out onto the rooftop first, Dream Weaver turned back to Niiyama.
"We've come all the way up here. You can speak now."
Dream Weaver assumed she'd brought her here to avoid being overheard—after all, discussions involving the European racing world's future schemes were confidential matters anyone would handle with utmost caution.
But Niiyama just shook her head, her expression unconcerned.
"I didn't bring you here to avoid prying eyes. I simply wanted to bring you to the place closest to the sky."
Seeing Dream Weaver's puzzled look, Niiyama gave a light laugh and walked to her side.
"When I was still at Central Tracen, my favorite thing was coming up here to gaze at the sky."
"Back then, I had already achieved remarkable results, almost reaching the peak of my life. Yet my heart was often restless and discontent. That's why I liked to slip away from everyone and come up here to clear my mind."
She pointed toward the sky, posing a question to Dream Weaver.
"Do you think this sky is high?"
Dream Weaver grew even more confused.
Frowning, she retorted, "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"It's just that one day, I suddenly realized—this sky is nothing but a cage with shackles."
"It binds people's vision to this small patch of the world, making them see it as the so-called highest peak. But in truth, this summit, this sky... was predetermined long ago."
Niiyama gazed at the clear azure expanse before her, speaking softly to Dream Weaver. Her tone carried an emotion Dream Weaver couldn't yet comprehend.
She turned her head, smiled at the increasingly bewildered Dream Weaver, and then continued.
"And then I tried to surpass this sky, and saw a much broader world."
"You're far luckier than I was. You've seen more from the very beginning, never blinded by this false sky."
Here, Niiyama suddenly paused, speaking with grave sincerity.
"But you're still too impulsive."
"Before you're fully prepared, your resistance will only provoke a more intense backlash."
"The higher-ups of the European Racing Association have already decided. For the next Japanese Derby, they'll send even stronger Uma Musume to intercept you. They absolutely will not allow any disruptions to the Triple Crown order they've constructed."
Hearing Niiyama's words, Dream Weaver's brow tightened.
She faintly sensed there was deeper meaning hidden in Niiyama's earlier words. But rather than probing the other's true identity, Dream Weaver felt the upcoming Japanese Derby was more pressing.
So she asked, "Do you have any more detailed information?"
Niiyama shook her head slightly.
"The time is too short. They haven't actually finalized what combination to send. But given your abilities—"
She glanced at Dream Weaver before continuing.
"—it will be at least Uma Musume who have reached the realm of 'Zone.' There's even a high probability they'll send European Uma Musume who previously won Triple Crowns here to stop you."
"The Satsuki Sho has already made them aware of your threat. If they're going to act, they'll aim to strike you down in one blow."
Dream Weaver's expression darkened.
She had long anticipated a reaction from the European racing world after the Satsuki Sho. Facing multiple Uma Musume of Triple Crown-winner caliber was the worst-case scenario she had imagined.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.