The spectator stands buzzed with noise. Symboli Rudolf hugged her shoulders, her gaze fixed seriously on the track below.
While Rudolf had some thoughts about the things concerning Narita Brian that were being discussed among her classmates, and was equally surprised by the relationship between Green Grass and Manhattan Cafe—moved that she had asked Rudolf to look after Cafe, never realizing there was such a meaning behind it—she wasn't here at the training field just to catch up on student gossip and rumors.
Strength. To be specific, it was Narita Brian's strength after the Autumn [Tenno Sho] race.
To confirm this, Symboli Rudolf had unusually set aside her work and hurried over.
With her came Vice President Air Groove and that inspector who had been investigating the academy both openly and behind the scenes.
A Uma Musume with the strength to challenge the Triple Crown held great significance for the central association as well, which was why, upon hearing about her, the inspector had also come to observe.
This race was likely Narita Brian's last relatively formal competition before participating in the [Kikuka Sho].
Rudolf wasn't sure if Narita Brian's legs had fully recovered.
Brian herself had been evasive about it, unwilling to tell Rudolf the details of her injury.
If Narita Brian wasn't in perfect condition before the race, it would have a significant impact on the final leg of the Triple Crown.
That's right, what hinders a Uma Musume from achieving the Triple Crown isn't just her opponents.
Injury is an unavoidable part of it.
Throughout history, how many Uma Musume have missed the Triple Crown because of injuries?
For them, the race isn't just a struggle against opponents, but also a battle against themselves, against fate.
Show me, Brian.
Rudolf's eyes were locked on the track, on that wild, black-haired girl.
Are you still that insatiable, blazing beast you once were?
--+--
"…"
So fast.
Squinting her eyes, Narita Brian watched the Uma Musume running ahead of her: Silence Suzuka.
A front-runner isn't just about running at the front of the pack.
There are many styles of front-running.
There are pace-setters who sprint to the front at the start and maintain a relatively steady lead without further acceleration.
There are strategic front-runners who lead for a stretch before picking up speed in the mid-race.
And then there are Great Escapees who charge ahead recklessly from the very start, pouring out all their stamina in a frantic dash.
Every front-runner has her own style, and the pressure they exert on the field varies accordingly.
Those running behind must analyze the leader's intent, devise countermeasures, find ways to break their rhythm, and wait for the right moment to accelerate.
With plenty of experience racing against front-runners, Narita Brian understood this well.
But Silence Suzuka was different.
Her running style was hard to categorize into any of the above groups. This was what set Silence Suzuka apart from all other front-runners, what made her so unique.
The Great Escapee—a title belonging solely to Silence Suzuka.
From the moment the race begins, she reveals her full speed and maintains that maximum velocity until the very end.
A two-thousand-meter distance might be slightly long for Silence Suzuka, who excels at mile races, but no one could say that, after such prolonged training, her endurance wouldn't hold.
If Silence Suzuka truly had the stamina to complete a course equal to the Autumn Tenno Sho, then she would pose a tremendous threat to Narita Brian.
After all, Agnes Tachyon, who had once studied Suzuka's running form as part of her research, had said that Silence Suzuka was the ultimate form of an Uma Musume.
Devoting her body to her legs, and her legs to speed.
Her running form was the highest interpretation of what it means for a Uma Musume to run.
It was no exaggeration to say that if the Three Goddesses still walked the earth, or if Eclipse were alive today, their running style would be exactly like Silence Suzuka's.
Because what she employed was a running style that left everyone in awe, utterly impossible to replicate—the style closest to that of a 'god.'
Eternal maximum speed.
Narita Brian narrowed her eyes. The rhythmic sound of hoofbeats echoed incessantly in her ears.
She could hear Green Grass right behind her, the intense pressure prickling at her nerves.
She wanted to glance back to see her rival's position, but Narita Brian had to focus completely, keeping her eyes fixed on Silence Suzuka.
A single moment of carelessness, and Silence Suzuka would vanish from sight.
And once that happened, catching up would become exceedingly difficult!
In a race with so few participants, distance was the key to victory.
Only by sinking her teeth in and clinging tightly…
"Whoa! She's sticking close! Brian is right on Silence Suzuka's tail, not letting her pull away, while Green Grass is hot on Narita Brian's heels."
"That's a terrifying glare—I can feel the intimidating aura from Green Grass all the way up here!"
"Has she really marked Narita Brian as her enemy? Golshi-chan here with a friendly reminder: everyone, please don't race with your emotions running high~"
The very culprit who had provoked Green Grass's hostility toward Narita Brian was now standing on a chair at the commentary booth, feeding the audience inspirational platitudes.
As if sensing the emotional charge from off the track, the students roared with cheers.
But the reality was different.
Having experienced dozens of races big and small, how could Green Grass make such a rookie mistake?
She wouldn't let emotions affect her.
From the moment the starting gate opened, there were no more comrades, no love rivals, no distinctions between senior and junior.
Here, there were only opponents she had to defeat!
It was like a switch—flip it on or off, completely separating the race from everyday life.
That was how Green Grass operated.
Keeping her eyes locked on Narita Brian was simply to help her focus better.
When teaching running techniques to her juniors, Green Grass had emphasized that the mind was an essential part of racing.
Strong concentration could help them more easily tap into their 'Zone,' and it could also shield them from external distractions.
Sound, flashes, aura, pressure—all the factors that could disrupt her performance would be stripped away layer by layer as her vision zeroed in on her opponent.
In the end, only the opponent, locked in place by her own imposing aura, would remain.
Now, Green Grass's blade had chosen its target, waiting for the decisive strike.
"It looks like our top three runners are all in great form! Let's turn our attention to the last runner, Admire Vega!"
"By the way, I'm actually Admire Vega's biggest supporter. That girl's passionate confession moved me to tears! Come on, everyone, shout with me! Go, Admire Vega—!"
"Go, Admire Vega!!"
"We're rooting for you—!"
"Devote yourself to love!!"
Incited by Gold Ship, waves of roaring cheers swept across the training field, passed through Tracen Academy, and reached outside the school gates, startling the passersby on the street.
Gold Ship… you damn troublemaker!
Bringing up the rear, Admire Vega couldn't help but curse Gold Ship inwardly for delighting in stirring up chaos.
--+--
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.