Chapter 9: The Ultimate Teio Step
The leading group enters the final turn!
Tokai Teio, running on the inside lane, and Stardust Mirage, running on the wide outside lane, both charged into the turn without reducing their speed in the slightest.
After activating "Festive Miracle," Stardust Mirage felt her body automatically adjust to an optimal running state. Her feet pounded the ground in rapid succession, each step seeming to inject power back into her body.
Speed, Stamina, Acceleration—all her attributes felt elevated by this running style. The Innate Skill known as a god-tier ultimate lived up to its reputation.
Once activated, Stardust Mirage even felt she could set her sights on a more distant goal—
She wouldn't wait for the final straight. She would decide the outcome right here, in this final turn, against Teio!
Running along the innermost rail, Tokai Teio continued to increase her sprinting speed. Although they were still on a curve, she wasn't the type who struggled with bends. Instead, her flexible legs allowed her to treat the curve almost as if it were flat ground!
Behind her, Nice Nature was buried within the main pack, searching for that slim chance to break through.
However, when she looked up ahead, she saw the two horse girls still relentlessly pushing each other, increasing their speed in their fierce rivalry. She felt her mind growing chaotic again.
What are those two doing?
There's still over 500 meters left, and they're even still on the final curve! Why are they starting their final sprint now?!
To be honest, due to several mistakes earlier, Nice Nature was already feeling a bit drained. She had just been thinking to herself that she might need to shorten her final sprint distance to avoid completely running out of steam.
But what is this? These two in front are starting their sprint now? What about her?
Nice Nature was certain: unless these two suddenly lost speed, she absolutely couldn't catch up. But giving up here was unacceptable.
Really... these two are such a mess!
Thump!
At that moment, something in her mind seemed to ignite completely.
Why should she give up at a time like this in her debut race?
"I... Nice Nature, am not just a stepping stone!"
The young girl sharply increased her speed, breaking away from the leading pack!
——————————————————————————————
"She's going to fade." Symboli Rudolf, watching Nice Nature's sudden acceleration, made her assessment.
Even if she's break out with power beyond her limits right now, it's still too early in the race.
Nice Nature was never a horse girl known for her endurance at the academy. Having her rhythm disrupted by the two leaders, forcing her to break out early, the result awaiting her is clear...
"That running style... as we thought, it's Oguri Cap's finishing kick." Air Groove's gaze fell on Stardust Mirage, who was running almost neck-and-neck with Teio, her expression grave.
From the moment Stardust Mirage began her sprint, she recognized it immediately. This was definitely Oguri Cap's running style – that unique secondary acceleration used by the grey horse in the final sprint, and it seemed like an even more perfect version.
But how is that possible?
This horse girl's physical attributes aren't even on par with most GII-level runners in the Central academy. So how could she master such a perfect running style? Is she perhaps Oguri Cap's disciple or something?
If that's the case, then Teio's situation... is bad!
The stadium was in an uproar. The audience's attention was completely captured by the three competing horse girls: Nice Nature, Stardust Mirage, and the genius, Tokai Teio!
Nice Nature, who had surged forward from behind, even managed to close in on the two who were running side-by-side in their fierce duel. On this final curve, the intensity of the three-way battle exceeded everyone's expectations.
Even the commentator almost forgot that this was merely a debut race for horse girls, not even a graded stakes race.
[Here comes Nice Nature! Nice Nature is here! Her competitive spirit is unleashing extraordinary power! She's still accelerating! Who will win this battle on the final curve?!]
[One length, half a length! Nice Nature is catching up... What?!]
The commentator's ardent shout cut off abruptly. The two horse girls tied for the lead, seeing Nice Nature approaching, finally bared their true fangs.
Simultaneously... they accelerated!
Stardust never expected that Tokai Teio would make the exact same choice at that very moment.
Both of them, seemingly already competing at full throttle, had unconsciously reserved a final portion of their stamina. The moment they entered the final straight, they ran forth, attempting to shake off the other.
But the one shaken off by this second acceleration was only Nice Nature.
"Dammit! I'm spent...!"
Nice Nature's lament faded behind them. But now, the two accelerating runners had eyes only for each other. With every step, Stardust Mirage was squeezing out the last of her strength. The slightly uphill path was the final obstacle standing before her.
Only 400 meters left in the final straight. Even after obtaining the "Golden Finger," even after acquiring Oguri Cap's Christmas innate skill... can I still not win?
Don't joke around! I want... to shake her off!
Boom!
The turf exploded with a circle of air as Stardust Mirage's powerful, stomping step landed. Her body, which had been leaning back slightly, swayed violently forward. She seemed to teleport, forcibly pulling ahead by over half a length.
The two, who had been locked in a fierce battle for hundreds of meters, finally saw a gap open between them at this moment.
[It's Stardust Mirage! Stardust Mirage pulls ahead! On this final 200-meter sprint straight, Stardust Mirage is in the lead!!!]
The track commentator immediately grabbed the microphone and shouted with all his might.
This is bad, I can't catch her...!
Tokai Teio felt like blood was about to seep from between her tightly clenched teeth. Starting her final sprint early had greatly depleted her stamina.
Her body, which usually handled 1800-meter races with ease, was now screaming in protest – a signal that she was pushing against her limits.
No matter how hard Teio pushed herself, she couldn't close that short gap of less than a length, not even by 0.1 meters. This was her limit.
What to do, what to do!
Maybe I can maintain this pace and see if Stardust Mirage runs out of steam and fades...
...Wait and see if she fades? How could I think that!?
Should I wait? No, I want to win!
This debut race is the result of everyone's efforts for me. How can I give up now and leave everything to luck?
My goal is the undefeated triple crown! How can I lose here!
Her chest cavity sucked in air like a bellows. Tokai Teio lowered her body, her footwork changing from powerful strides to rapid, short steps. Charging up this slope, her eyes were completely locked on the finish line ahead—
I can still... I can still... I can go faster!!!
Her legs screamed in protest, her blood felt like it was burning. An overwhelming wave of heat suddenly erupted from Tokai Teio's body.
At the moment the distance between her and the leading Stardust Mirage shortened, the genius known as "The Second Coming of the Emperor" shot forward!
What?!
Stardust Mirage only had time to glance with her peripheral vision towards the inner track before she saw Teio's figure closing in beside her once again!
[...Stardust Mirage maintains the lead! Stardust Mirage! Stardust Mirage— Tokai Teio suddenly accelerates for the third time!]
The commentator's voice was reaching a hoarse crescendo. Even he was completely immersed in the race. Gripping the microphone tightly with both hands, he yelled:
[Tokai Teio is closing the gap! Tokai Teio! Tokai Teio! The two horse girls are almost neck and neck!]
[Stardust Mirage! Stardust Mirage! Stardust Mirage! Tokai Teio...!]
The two horse girls refused to yield, chasing each other down on the final stretch of the track. The commentator couldn't even keep up with detailing who was leading, breathlessly calling out the name of the one in front again and again.
[Stardust Mirage! Stardust Mirage! Tokai Teio! Stardust Mirage! Tokai Teio! Tokai Teio! To·kai·Tei·o, da—!!!]
Helplessly, Stardust Mirage watched as the petite figure beside her gradually began to overtake. Her feet moved with that peculiar, short-stepped running style, her sweat enveloping Stardust in a wave of heat.
Stardust Mirage could even see Tokai Teio's whole body trembling, pushed to its absolute limit. But Teio showed no sign of letting up, step by step, step by step, surpassing her.
The wave of heat rising from her transpiration sweat, in Stardust Mirage's eyes, gradually coalesced, transforming into a crimson phoenix soaring towards the finish line!
[— Runner Number 2, Tokai Teio, First Place!!!]
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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