A clear day at the Aichi Prefecture Maiden Race Debut Arena.
Contestants from all over the country gathered here to participate in their debut race.
Unlike official races, the debut race does not distinguish between Central and local contestants.
However, it was a given that contestants from Central Tracen would receive special attention.
And today's contestant from Central was especially noteworthy.
Because this opponent was the strongest newcomer ever, who entered Central Tracen with a record-breaking score and, on her first day, defeated the Upper Grade Senpai Taiki Shuttle in a training race with absolute strength, and who has since maintained an undefeated record in simulation training—Tokai Teio!
Many participating contestants looked as if they had seen a divine being descend from heaven the moment Tokai Teio stepped off the bus.
Tokai Teio noticed many contestants looking at her with eyes full of reverence and jealousy.
If it were Saint McQueen or Demon King Ship, they would have ignored the feelings of these contestants.
But Tokai Teio paid attention to the whispers of these contestants.
"How could I run into a Super Genius from Central? I'm definitely going to lose!"
"What bad luck! Today's opponent is that record-breaking newcomer, Tokai Teio!"
"Running against an opponent like that, my Horse Girl career, which hasn't even started yet, is already over..."
Even before the race began, the other contestants' morale had already collapsed into a state of Terrible Condition.
The Central brand itself was an absolute source of pressure for local Horse Girls.
Not to mention, this was no ordinary Central contestant.
This was an ultimate existence who had defeated an Upper Grade Senpai on her first day of admission.
Even though Tokai Teio was still just a freshman, having joined Central Tracen Academy for only a little over a month, her name had already become a celebrity!
Students who are admitted to Central Tracen Academy receive an independent section in some newspapers, which is continuously updated afterward—this is a privilege enjoyed by Central contestants. Tokai Teio's performance over the past month had been exaggeratedly promoted by the reporting newspapers.
Is there anyone in Japan who doesn't know the name of the Emperor's successor, the Little Sun of Central Tracen Academy, the strongest genius in history—Tokai Teio?
She was reported as a Super Genius who "possesses world-class talent and will soon overturn the world's competitive landscape!"
Faced with such a top-tier, even unprecedented opponent, all the contestants panicked.
Local contestants already lacked confidence against Central contestants, let alone running against someone this significant.
It was evident when the contestants appeared on stage that they were all very dejected, giving the impression that the race was over before it even began.
A reporter holding a camera couldn't help but sigh.
"After learning that Tokai Teio was participating in this debut race, the other contestants have already lost their fighting spirit."
Although he held a camera, he didn't want to take such lifeless photos.
It wasn't until it was Tokai Teio's turn to appear.
Tokai Teio, wearing her training uniform and the red cape for the presentation ceremony, calmly stepped onto the stage.
All the reporters raised their cameras and entered burst flash mode. Their frantic attitude was completely different from how they treated the other contestants.
Unlike the self-pitying demeanor of the others, Tokai Teio's eyes held light.
"As expected of the Central supernova! Her gaze is completely different from the local Horse Girls!"
There was no hint of confusion in her eyes; they were as clean as the blue sky, yet held an ambition that encompassed everything.
For photographers, she was the absolute best subject for optimal photos; her posture could even inspire artists!
"Wonderful! The moment that contestant appeared, I felt like I saw the ideal Horse Girl!"
Even though Tokai Teio merely walked onto the stage, everyone instantly felt a special aura the moment they saw her figure.
If this were a movie or animation, Tokai Teio would surely be illuminated by ten thousand rays of light, making her appearance alongside stirring background music.
"Next to appear is contestant Tokai Teio!"
"Let's invite contestant Tokai Teio to make a speech before her first race."
Tokai Teio heard the host's words, looked at the audience and reporters, and briefly glanced at the other participating contestants.
Her original plan was to declare her intent to stand at the world's apex during this presentation.
But looking at the stage now, it wasn't quite suitable.
She took a deep breath.
"Look at me!"
She then shouted with composure.
Everyone was drawn in by her sudden shout. Tokai Teio, on the platform, suddenly raised her hand.
"What is she going to do?"
Although they didn't know what Tokai Teio planned, everyone felt an unusual aura radiating from her as she made that gesture.
Tokai Teio's finger pointed to the sky.
The sun was perfectly positioned at that spot at that very moment. This incredible scene made everyone involuntarily widen their eyes.
But this time, the situation was different from before.
Previously, the light only shone on Tokai Teio alone, but this time, the dazzling sun equally cast its light on everyone.
"What is this?"
"It feels so warm..."
Tokai Teio's figure seemed to overlap with the sun in that moment.
Her naturally sweet, youthful voice now sounded profoundly sacred.
"The sun's light shines equally upon everyone."
Tokai Teio's eyes seemed to look equally upon everyone present.
And the contestants felt as if Tokai Teio was speaking directly to them at that moment.
"The glory of victory shines equally upon all contestants before the race begins."
"Everyone possesses the qualification to earn this honor."
"If you wish to embrace this glory, then look at me!"
"The only ones who can possess this light are the Horse Girls who truly want to win!"
"Right now, this light is held in my hand. If you want it, try to take it from me through the race!"
"Of course, I, Tokai Teio, have already grasped victory from the start."
Her voice seemed to directly reach the hearts of all the contestants. Her sapphire-blue eyes, vast like the sky, seemed capable of encompassing everything.
Tokai Teio was like a sun, distributing warm light equally to everyone.
The contestants' feelings were mixed.
Some were touched, others were enraged.
But one thing was the same:
They had indeed been re-energized by Tokai Teio!
If this maneuver were a skill, it would be a super-recovery technique that boosts the morale of all contestants.
Only the Ultimate Teio-sama could achieve such a feat.
"Can I also shine as brightly as her?"
"The only ones who can possess this light are the true Horse Girls..."
Some contestants gazed adoringly at the light radiating from Tokai Teio.
But others were flushed with embarrassment, unwilling to admit their fear, and were completely enraged.
"Damn it, that's too arrogant! Do you really think I'm afraid of you, genius!"
"I had given up, but now I want to win!"
The audience and reporters looked at those contestants in surprise.
It was incredible! The contestants who had lost their fighting spirit were now showing an incredibly strong desire to win.
Tokai Teio was an astonishing contestant.
Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove, both wearing sunglasses in the crowd, also watched Tokai Teio's performance in surprise. They hadn't expected the child to do something like this.
"To actually motivate her opponents, I don't know what to say about her."
Air Groove felt that doing so was inviting trouble.
But she also had to admit that this action was genuinely good—it was something neither she nor Luna could do.
"I still don't understand how that child manages to do that."
Symboli Rudolf looked at the direction of the sun in confusion.
How does Tokai Teio manage to summon the sun whenever she wants?
She had privately tried the finger-pointing-to-the-sky pose, just like Tokai Teio, but felt nothing but embarrassment.
However, when Tokai Teio performed the pose, a dazzling and warm light did genuinely bloom.
That was absolutely not an illusion.
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing, I didn't say anything."
Symboli Rudolf naturally couldn't let such a thing slip.
Memories of imitating Tokai Teio's signature move were best kept sealed deep within her mind.
But even without Symboli Rudolf saying anything, Air Groove guessed what Symboli Rudolf had just been talking about when she saw Tokai Teio's action after lowering her hand.
Haven't they been friends for ages, Luna?
"True, I'm also curious. Do you think Teio carries a flashlight with her?"
"Just a flashlight shouldn't be able to do something like that, should it?"
Symboli Rudolf was so caught up in her curiosity that she didn't realize Air Groove had tricked her into giving a straight answer.
"You actually care about that sort of thing!"
"...I didn't. I don't."
Air Groove, who was unaware that Symboli Rudolf had imitated Tokai Teio, was confused as to why Symboli Rudolf was so quick to deny it.
After all, wasn't it human nature to be curious about such incredible phenomena?
She was also very curious about Tokai Teio's miraculous performance.
"It's time to enter the venue. Let's go."
Symboli Rudolf didn't give Air Groove any more opportunities to ask questions and quickly pulled Air Groove towards the audience seats.
Tokai Teio and the other contestants entered the race track through a different entrance.
After passing through the dimly lit contestant tunnel, the dazzling sunlight in the venue shone upon every contestant.
At the same time, they heard the enthusiastic cheers from the audience seats.
Although it was only a debut race, the sheer number of spectators, due to Tokai Teio's participation, made many of the rookie Horse Girls feel scared.
"S-so many people..."
"Tch, it's going to be terrible if we run a miserable race, isn't it?"
Regardless of what they had thought before, at this moment, they knew they had no retreat.
Unless they planned to give up on being a Horse Girl, they absolutely could not run a shameful race!
And although they were nervous and uneasy, the instinctive passion of a Horse Girl was completely ignited the moment they entered the venue.
They had thought there wouldn't be many spectators since it was just a debut race, but this was thanks to that genius.
"Genius-sama, you know what you've done, right?"
"Because of what you just said, you have completely become the prey of all of us now!"
A red-haired contestant made a fierce face, staring at Tokai Teio. However, the emotions overflowing in her eyes were still envy and admiration.
You're too dazzling, Tokai Teio.
How can I become as brilliant as you?
"That suits me perfectly. Let me see your strength."
Tokai Teio responded with a smile.
The red-haired contestant, Guren Shinsei (Crimson Nova), felt intense confidence radiating from her.
How enviable, Tokai Teio.
"As expected of Genius-sama! Then brace yourself! We will steal the glory of victory from you!"
"Then come at me. I'm right here."
Tokai Teio seriously accepted the challenge.
Regardless of skill level, she would not deny a contestant's pursuit of victory.
Many spectators were incredibly curious upon seeing the close-up shots of the contestants on the big screen.
"That's strange. Was this contestant always like this?"
"I feel so strange. Even though it's just a debut race, the feeling I get from these contestants is as if they're running a major race that only happens once in a lifetime!"
"I really didn't expect to see so many promising talents in a debut race."
Even the trainers were surprised, looking at their own girls. This was the first time they had seen their children in such a state.
...
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