Chapter 56: A Slight Problem
"Speaking of which, it seems both horse girls in Team Draco are front-running types."
In the courtyard of Tracen Academy's internal hospital, a staff member happened to run into Agnes Digital, who was resting on a bench.
The two had chatted during yesterday's race and were somewhat acquainted, so the staff member struck up a conversation about the recent events.
"But both are newcomers. Even with a trainer, it must be tough, right? I heard that without experienced seniors in the team, training becomes difficult because there's no one to learn from during joint runs. Is that true?"
The staff member asked Agnes Digital.
"That's exactly right," the horse girl otaku Agnes Digital nodded. "Joint runs are a crucial part of daily training. If there aren't enough experienced seniors to guide newcomers, it's hard for them to grasp the necessary techniques on their own."
"And trying to arrange joint runs with horse girls from other teams is tough too. Without seniors to offer something in return, few are willing to let other teams' horse girls take advantage like that."
Hearing Agnes Digital's explanation, the staff member suddenly understood and asked:
"Is that why Trainer Toyama has been trying so hard to organize practice races for her horse girls? Because her team lacks experienced seniors?"
Agnes Digital fell silent for a moment before replying, "No, Trainer Toyama's team isn't without experienced front-runners."
"Eh?" The staff member looked puzzled. "But from the team roster and their usual training, it seems like there are only those two newcomers?"
"That's because the true front-running senior is currently recuperating in a specialized hospital."
Agnes Digital's tone grew heavy. "And due to injury issues, her return date is unpredictable."
"The all-out escape artist, the Icarus chasing the sun..."
"Last year's Japanese Derby winner, ranked third in popularity—Ines Fujin!"
"Even now, I firmly believe that Fujin-senpai will make a comeback!"
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"Huff... huff... huff..."
Stardust Mirage had never experienced such an uncomfortable front-running experience before.
It wasn't that the intensity of this race was too much for her to handle. On the contrary, Stardust Mirage felt like she was only exerting at most fifty percent of her effort.
But Stardust Mirage wasn't intentionally holding back—someone was forcibly suppressing the remaining fifty percent within her!
From the start of this race, El Condor Pasa had positioned herself just behind Stardust Mirage, showing no intention of overtaking.
In theory, without the threat of being passed, Stardust Mirage should have been able to lead more comfortably.
But the reality was the opposite. Stardust Mirage felt as though every swing of her arms, every step she took, was unimaginably difficult.
This isn't because her body had reached its limit, but rather as if something had bound her hands and feet. Even taking a single step felt like being tugged backward from behind... a tug from El Condor Pasa!
If she had opened her system panel from the moment she started running, the cause of this result would have been clear at a glance:
From the very beginning, red skill activation warnings kept popping up in the panel:
[Skill: Hesitant Front Runners Triggered], [Skill: Frenzied Front Runners Triggered], [Skill: Subdued Front Runners Triggered], [Skill: Murmur Triggered], [Skill: Sharp Gaze Triggered], [Skill: Trick (Rear) Triggered]...
Each of these hindrance skills was like a chain, layering over one another to completely devour the rhythm of Stardust Mirage's run.
Before she could even react to what was causing all of this, the finish line was already right before her eyes—
"I'll be going on ahead, little Eagle!" declared El Condor Pasa from behind.
Immediately after, the strange bird soaring through the sky swept past her side with a piercing shriek that cut through the wind.
For the first time, Stardust Mirage felt the thought that she completely couldn't catch up.
These heavy chains bound her utterly; no matter how hard she pushed her body, she simply couldn't catch up to this powerful runner.
She could only watch helplessly as the other overtook her and charged across the finish line!
Stardust Mirage, who crossed the line second, stared blankly at her own hands and feet.
That bizarre feeling of restraint vanished completely after the race ended, but the sensation from just moments ago lingered in her mind, impossible to forget.
"What was that...?"
She couldn't help but voice the question.
Before the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, El Condor Pasa, who had almost dominated Japan, hadn't cultivated any techniques related to Debuffing.
But the strength she displayed now...
Was it because she lost to Montjeu?
"Compared to my pressure, Montjeu's is ten times stronger," El Condor Pasa turned her head, stretching her somewhat tired limbs as she explained.
"Montjeu's pressure... has definitely reached the level of a Domain! In that race, if the impact of the Arc's heavy going on me was 1, then the impact of Montjeu's—which imperceptibly seeped into my very organs, rapidly stripping away my speed, power, and stamina—was 100!"
"So you understand now?" El Condor Pasa, who had actively reopened her old wounds by talking about that Arc de Triomphe battle, lowered her head and removed her eyepatch, revealing a stern expression as she continued:
"If you want to face Montjeu as an opponent, you must find a way to overcome the effects by yourself!"
"Only by surpassing Domain-level pressure can you truly stand on the same starting line as her and compete for victory!"
"..." Stardust Mirage didn't answer immediately. Instead, she turned to exchange a look with Toyama Hikaru, but finding no desired information in her trainer's eyes, she could only ask:
"Uh... who exactly is spreading the word that I'm going to compete against Montjeu?"
That's right!
Stardust Mirage had wanted to ask for a long time: Why on earth does El Condor Pasa think she can take on a horse girl of Montjeu's caliber?
Better yet, who started the rumor that made people believe she, a rookie who just debuted and is still aiming for G1-level races, is already ready to challenge the tyrant who dominates the entire French racing scene—Montjeu?
"Wha—what?!" El Condor Pasa was so shocked she even dropped the facemask she had just taken off.
"Then why didn't you explain clearly earlier that you wanted to run with me, little Eagle?" Thinking of this, El Condor Pasa quickly asked again.
However, Toyama Hikaru just shrugged and replied, "Our team is temporarily short on instructors, so why would we turn down free joint training?"
After saying that, she didn't bother to look at El Condor Pasa's reaction and simply turned to point at the uphill training course ahead, saying to Stardust Mirage, "Alright, let's start today's routine four uphill training sessions."
[SIU——!]
"W-Wait a minute!!!" A gust of wind followed the strange bird as it swept past. El Condor Pasa hurriedly rushed in front of the two, spreading her arms wide to block Stardust Mirage's path.
Her expression was conflicted; she thought for a moment before shouting loudly:
"No way! That means I'm at a disadvantage, right?! So you absolutely have to challenge Montjeu!"
"There's no reason to force a rookie horse girl to challenge that tyrant, is there? And besides, you said it yourself—Montjeu is the natural counter to frontrunners, which is Stardust Mirage Specialty," Toyama Hikaru replied helplessly, her face clearly showing refusal.
"B-But—!"
El Condor Pasa didn't know how to convince the two in front of her.
She originally planned for her own team to exchange with the French team, giving her a chance to challenge Montjeu again, but that spot was directly taken away.
Then, when she heard that Stardust Mirage might race against Montjeu, she hurriedly took on the task and came over, wanting to do something about it. And now she's being told this was just made up by someone?
Doesn't that mean she was completely tricked?!
Looking at the conflicted El Condor Pasa before her, the rumor's instigator—Toyama Hikaru—revealed an evil smile and said:
"How about this? You've already retired, right? Why not stay and train with Mirage and Bourbon? If you agree... then we can consider directly challenging the French team. How about that?"
"Really? You'll challenge Montjeu? Then I, little Eagle, can help!"
This legendary uma musume immediately became filled with passion and determination upon hearing Toyama Hikaru's suggestion, as if she had found a new goal and hope.
El Condor Pasa excitedly nodded repeatedly, agreeing to the matter on the spot.
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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