'What running style should I use from this gate position?'
Facing the cursed outermost gate draw, even Miss Pegasus couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
Gate fifteen on a heavy track?! This position... seemed just a tad unfortunate.
But by now, Platinum had plenty of experience dealing with wide draws, so she didn't lose her composure.
In fact, she even felt a sense of 'not bad' about the situation.
Because right beside her, in the equally wide gate fourteen, was none other than... Tokai Teio!
Two of the four top contenders, both Japanese Uma Musume—one drawing the outermost gate, the other a wide gate!
Having a familiar face nearby made Platinum accept her gate position with ease.
As she stepped into the outermost gate...
The very next moment, the announcer began introducing the second most popular contender.
[Next to enter is the highly renowned European superstar, the Irish Derby champion—Galileo!]
[A powerful monster who battled Platinum in the Epsom Derby, consistently securing second place while challenging for first! This is her first time on Japanese soil!]
[Can she adapt to the heavy track conditions of the Japan Cup? Stay tuned!]
From the live audience to the countless viewers watching on TV, the relentless downpour had everyone buzzing with anticipation.
Most of the time, rain didn't make much difference, but for Uma Musume on the track, it was a different story.
It meant the turf would be soaked, affecting the competitors' stride and speed—turning the course into a heavy track that could drastically shift the race dynamics.
Without exceptional stamina, maintaining high speed till the end on a heavy track would be tough; without superior strength, every step would be a struggle.
On typical Japanese tracks, the emphasis was usually on sheer speed, followed by unwavering endurance—raw power wasn't as critical.
But on a heavy track, it was different. Speed, stamina, and strength were all indispensable. A weakness in any of these would become a fatal flaw.
This rain had already drenched the turf, guaranteeing a massive impact on the upcoming race!
With this all-star lineup and the added variable of a heavy track, what twists and turns would unfold?!
[Next, entering the Japan Cup as the third most popular contender—the world-class powerhouse, Fantastic Light!]
--+--
A moment later, Galileo stepped into gate four.
As she settled in, Miss Pegasus in the outermost gate gently touched the quiver on her back.
And just like that, the first arrow appeared.
A worthy opponent had arrived!!
Platinum's gaze shifted toward the sky.
The dark, overcast clouds didn't dampen her spirits one bit.
This terrible heavy track, extremely testing an Uma Musume's physical strength and adaptability, was an environment that filled most with unease and awe.
Instead, Platinum felt an instinctual, inexplicable sense of... security?
As the Platinum of the Armorless Union, her very instincts reveled in such conditions—after all... this was perfect for assassination and retreat!
Just like the cover of night or shadowy environments were ideal for hunting prey.
This steady, pouring rain didn't worry Platinum in the slightest; instead, it filled her with satisfaction and anticipation!
A cool, detached voice escaped the lips of the silver-white Pegasus, her quiver steadily filling with arrows behind her.
"It's raining..."
--+--
In the stands, spectators eagerly watched the Uma Musume enter the gates, awaiting the imminent start of the race.
In the front rows, two young Uma Musume... no, perhaps they could barely be called that now—petite young ladies might be more fitting.
Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond were here once again to witness the race.
The lively black-haired girl, Kitasan Black, had been going through her growth spurt for a while now. Though progress was slow and she was still far from becoming a full-fledged Uma Musume...
She'd already grown a bit taller and was even slightly more filled out than Platinum out there in the outermost gate.
In a few more months, Kitasan Black would be able to apply to Tracen Academy and start preparing for her debut race!
But for now, her eyes sparkled as she watched Platinum in the gate, eager to witness the Pegasus's Japan Cup performance.
"The Kikuka Sho champion, winning the Japan Cup just a month later... something almost no Uma Musume has ever achieved!"
Kitasan Black couldn't help but feel a bit worried.
As she worked toward entering Tracen, Kitasan Black had been studying up on Uma Musume, and that included the Japan Cup.
Just avoiding the Kikuka Sho to focus solely on the Japan Cup was a path few classic-era Uma Musume in history had managed to win with...
Let alone someone like Miss Pegasus, who, after winning the Kikuka Sho, was now challenging this Japan Cup in a grueling campaign.
Even the legendary Undefeated Triple Crown winner, Symboli Rudolf, had suffered a crushing defeat in the Japan Cup, making later classic-era Uma Musume too afraid to attempt this terrifying schedule.
After all, the Kikuka Sho was a 3000-meter long-distance G1. Having less than a month's rest before taking on seasoned older Uma Musume and foreign monsters...
That insane intensity and minimal recovery time meant no classic-era Uma Musume had ever won the Japan Cup after running the Kikuka Sho.
"If Miss Platinum can actually pull this off... she'll make history again, won't she?"
"Go, Miss Platinum!!"
Kitasan Black clenched her fists, heart filled with both excitement and anxiety. She hoped the pegasus could set another record that would be incredibly hard to break!
But she also feared the overwhelming difficulty might shatter Platinum's undefeated status…
--+--
Beside Kitasan Black.
The slightly smaller Satono Diamond couldn't help but gaze up at the calm, silver-white figure in the gate, her face flushed with excitement and admiration. In a deadly serious tone, she declared:
"There are only three days a year I wouldn't like Miss Platinum."
"February 29th, February 30th, and February 31st."
"The gods couldn't tolerate me not liking you on those three days, so they erased them. That way, I can like Miss Platinum all year round."
This year, February only had 28 days!
Kitasan Black, who was still tense, froze for a second upon hearing Diamond's calm, murmured words.
Once it sank in!
"Now's not the time for this, don't—don't lose it here!"
"Diamond, aren't you even the slightest bit nervous about the Japan Cup about to start? Two foreign champions are challenging Miss Platinum!"
Without hesitation, Diamond shook her head.
"She's Pegasus! She's Miss Platinum!!"
"It doesn't matter if her opponents are foreign champions—even if she were up against turf's [Dancing Brave] or dirt's [Secretariat], I'd firmly believe Miss Platinum would win!!!"
Her voice brimmed with unwavering conviction, not a trace of doubt or worry.
The two horse girls she mentioned even made Kitasan Black's expression freeze!
Turf's Dancing Brave?
Dirt's Secretariat?!
In Diamond's eyes, even they couldn't beat Miss Platinum?
Kitasan Black had to admit—Satono Diamond was the most crazy, devoted fan, the one who trusted Pegasus Platinum the most.
After all... those two were legendary, era-defining figures!!
Dancing Brave, arguably one of the highest-rated turf champions in history, a true once-in-a-century legend.
Her fame, especially as a foreign Uma Musume, was immense in Japan, thanks largely to the [Symboli family].
Back when the Symboli twins, Symboli Rudolf and Sirius Symboli, embarked on their overseas campaigns...
While Rudolf tackled the American turf, Sirius Symboli took on Europe's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
During that race, Sirius Symboli was stuck in the mid-pack, struggling to unleash her sprint on the soft turf. Meanwhile, not far behind her, another monster...
In the blink of an eye, left Sirius Symboli in the dust, charging from last to first with a kingly aura and a devastating late kick that stunned all of Japan!
Dancing Brave made Japan truly understand what it meant to be the absolute ruler of the racing world! The frog finally saw the moon beyond its well, leading to a wave of overseas challenges in the years that followed.
That Arc champion was none other than Dancing Brave, the legendary Uma Musume who dominated Europe, leaving a deep impression on countless Japanese fans.
It's worth mentioning that in the Horse Girl anime, King Halo, often hailed as "noble blood" and "royal lineage," is actually Dancing Brave's daughter! Which is why so many had high hopes for her.
That alone shows how much reverence and expectation Japan had for Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe champions!
Yet Satono Diamond believed that if anyone could challenge, even surpass, the legendary Dancing Brave... it was the Pegasus.
Even among Platinum's most ardent fans, few would dare say something so bold, right?
Kitasan Black had to admit—Diamond was the most loyal, trusting fan of Miss Platinum. She herself... was still worried.
"I hope... it turns out like you say, Diamond."
By next year, Platinum would have won most of Japan's G1 races, and then... she'd surely embark on overseas campaigns.
At that time, she might really have a shot at challenging Dancing Brave's legendary status!!
"But first, she needs to win this record-breaking Japan Cup on a heavy track!"
Even if she could win, it'd probably be... only her second victory by a single-digit margin since her debut, right?
After all, this was a grueling campaign, ultra-high intensity, plus a heavy track.
The first Uma Musume since Daiwa Scarlet to earn a spot on Platinum's victory stage, to dance alongside that silver-white maiden... was about to arrive, wasn't she?!
--+--
[All competing Uma Musume have successfully entered the gates! The countdown begins!]
[No Kikuka Sho champion has ever won the Japan Cup in the same year—can Pegasus Platinum make history?!]
The announcer's voice echoed through the venue.
[10!]
[9!]
[8!]
The final countdown to the gate opening rang out.
The crowd of over 100,000 spectators collectively held their breath, voices hushed.
--+--
On the turf, inside the gate.
In the outermost lane, the silver-white girl gently stroked the dozen or so arrows in her quiver.
The multitude of arrows, combined with the awful, gloomy rain, filled Platinum with an inexplicable sense of security.
'After winning this Japan Cup, achieving "special effects visible worldwide" should be possible at next month's Arima Kinen, right?'
'Showing off in front of everyone'—who wouldn't love that?
After working so hard to obtain and even upgrade so many special effects, it'd be a waste to only let the few horse girls on the track and in the stands see them.
So... this Japan Cup had to be won; she needed to complete the mission and clock out early!
'So... should I go for a runaway lead?'
'End this race quickly, then switch to a come-from-behind running style at the Arima Kinen to show off my cool effects.'
The silver-white girl had already decided on her strategy for this Japan Cup—and even for next month's Arima Kinen.
When it came to showcasing effects, a big comeback was definitely the way to go, right?
Next month, at the Arima Kinen against Agnes Tachyon, she'd let that Phantom Triple Crown Uma Musume and the audience witness her unique overtaking effects together!
But for now...
[3!]
Platinum, her eyes filled with interest, glanced at Tokai Teio beside her in the wide gate, then looked forward again.
It was about to begin!!
[2!]
[1!]
The next moment, as the final number echoed, the gates swung open abruptly!
All the Uma Musume burst out simultaneously!
Those qualified to compete in this high-profile international G1 race, whether overseas contenders or local Japanese horse girls, were all formidable and powerful.
A mere gate break couldn't faze them, even on this demanding, soggy track!
And in the outermost gate, Platinum shot out like a bolt of lightning, with no intention of holding back—she charged straight for the front, aiming to seize the lead!
In that critical gate break moment, the Pegasus in the outermost lane... transformed into a silver-white thunderbolt, racing toward the front, challenging the inside runners for first place!
This was the running style that, alongside the big comeback, offered the most visually stunning spectacle—the runaway lead!!
Instantly, the stands erupted with countless gasps of shock and awe.
"Huh?? On a heavy track... leading like this? I've never seen... no, never even heard of such a thing?"
"Such an extreme, stamina-draining style on a heavy track in the Japan Cup—can she really win?"
"As far as I know, no Kikuka Sho winner has ever taken the same year's Japan Cup; no unlucky Uma Musume from the outermost gate has ever won the Japan Cup; and runaways almost never win the Japan Cup... Is Pegasus just stacking debuffs on herself?"
"If she pulls this off, I'm ditching Tachyon and becoming a Platinum fan!!"
--+--
Amid the heated discussions!
On the track, out in front, the silver-white Pegasus, even from her wide position, showed no sign of cutting inward—instead, she prioritized surging to the front!
And beside her gate, the fourteenth contender, Tokai Teio... was now in the middle of the pack, staring dumbfounded at Platinum, who should've been next to her but was now leading in first.
'Wait...'
'Why is Platinum going for a runaway lead even on a heavy track?'
'This is insane, utterly insane!!'
In Teio's understanding, heavy tracks were a no-go zone for runaways.
The runaway style was extreme to begin with—burning through everything for a temporary lead.
That excessive, overloaded sprint meant runaway Uma Musume would only grow more fatigued, weary, and even... lose speed as they neared the finish line!
When conditions worsened, the already high difficulty of a runaway increased exponentially—no exaggeration.
Not just in Japan, but worldwide, runaway victories on turf G1s were rare. Runaway wins on heavy-track G1s were even fewer!
Similarly, come-from-behind styles also struggled on heavy tracks. That's why runaways and big comebacks were so thrilling to watch but rarely successful.
Seeing the rain, the quick-witted Tokai Teio had immediately prepared herself, expecting Platinum to likely switch to a front-runner or stalker style.
She'd even considered a slight chance of a come-from-behind, last-place Platinum. But she never imagined Platinum would still recklessly choose the runaway style!
But now, watching Platinum burst out of the gate and ruthlessly seize first place, Teio was utterly stunned.
The next moment—!!
Before Teio could collect herself, she witnessed something she'd never forget.
The Pegasus, leading boldly from the wide outside, shining like a silver-white thunderbolt—behind her, the ethereal, dignified silhouette of a Phantom Goddess had materialized?!
This Goddess figure closely resembled Pegasus Platinum and was aiming her bow directly at... Tokai Teio!!
'Wait, hold on—'
Teio suddenly remembered—after the Kikuka Sho about a month ago, some competing Uma Musume had explained to curious fans online, who couldn't see Platinum's stunning effects, what they'd witnessed.
During a runaway, the Pegasus didn't fire all her arrows in a few seconds. Instead, starting from the outside, she delivered judgment one by one!
Excluding Platinum herself, wasn't Tokai Teio in gate fourteen... the first victim?!
"One."
The ethereal, imposing goddess figure uttered the number emotionlessly.
In the next instant, the goddess behind Platinum shot an arrow!
The arrow transformed into a stream of radiant light, shooting straight toward Teio, who was running in a prominent position.
It wasn't a massive volley meant to pierce through all the Uma Musume at once like a meteor shower!
Instead... it was like a roll call, starting from the outside and working inward, targeting each Uma Musume one by one!
This was clearly—the Pegasus Goddess, conducting a roll call, commencing her... Judgment!!
!!!
The Undefeated Dual Crown winner's pupils contracted; she stared dumbfounded as the luminous arrow pierced through her.
So that was... the legendary Pegasus overtaking effect?
Feeling the arrow strike her chest, Teio's emotions were shaken like never before.
But the next moment, she gritted her teeth, reigniting her precious fighting spirit.
She couldn't lose the Japan Cup!!
So what if Platinum had overtaken her right out of the gate and hit her with that effect?
Compared to this precious G1 title, what did it matter? In fact, it might even be... good news?
'This... this has to be good news. It's just an overtaking effect—let Platinum have her fun.'
'When she loses steam in the second half, that'll be my chance to overtake!!'
In Teio's view, Platinum truly lived up to her pegasus name—possessing versatile, formidable footwork and an excellent physique, allowing her to master any running style with ease.
Front-runner, stalker, mid-pack, closer—Platinum not only could do them all, but she'd also won using the most extreme, challenging styles: runaway and big comeback!
Even among historical G1 champions, few monsters could handle all running styles, let alone succeed with runaways and big comebacks!
But... at least in this Japan Cup, after analyzing, Teio felt a spark of joy at Platinum's choice to run away.
Just because she could handle runaways didn't mean she could handle them on a heavy track!
Besides, this race had monsters, ones who commanded their Zones—and not just one or two. This wasn't a race where targeting a single opponent would guarantee victory.
This was, by far, one of the most luxurious lineups in Japan Cup history, destined to be a chaotic battle!
So, Teio was confident her chances of catching the Pegasus in the latter half... were pretty good.
For now—!
She'd bide her time, let Platinum have her runaway.
--+--
[This! A runaway on a heavy track?!]
[As expected of the pegasus who has captured the hopes of countless Japanese and overseas fans—even in the rain, she's taken the lead with a runaway!]
[Platinum currently holds first place. Other top contenders, Galileo and Tokai Teio, are maintaining prominent positions within the top six or seven.]
[The world-renowned veteran, Fantastic Light, seems to be holding back a bit, staying in the middle of the pack.]
[On a heavy track inevitably slowed by the rain, we have a runaway Uma Musume setting and pushing the pace! Truly unprecedented!]
Even the professional, seasoned announcer's voice was filled with amazement.
And on the track, in the middle of the pack!
The tall, golden-haired beauty, Fantastic Light, stared wide-eyed, astonished at the silver-white girl leading the way.
"Hah? A runaway??"
Having toured the world and competed in numerous overseas G1s, Fantastic Light considered herself experienced and well-traveled.
Thus, she was rich in both achievements and experience, giving her every reason to be proud.
So, unlike Galileo, Fantastic Light hadn't arrived in Japan a month early to adapt to the course.
Even though she knew Japanese tracks differed from Europe's... she didn't take the Japan Cup as seriously as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe or the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and couldn't justify spending a whole month adapting.
After all, as a seasoned Uma Musume, a month was enough time for another race overseas. And even if adapting increased her chances, what about after the Japan Cup?
Then... there'd be no other races, right? Japan's only open middle-distance G1 was the Japan Cup itself!
So, Fantastic Light, like many past European and American Uma Musume, found it not worth the effort, often arriving just before the race.
Galileo was the first to arrive so early, dedicating extensive training and effort to this Japan Cup.
And now—the reward, or perhaps retribution, had come!
For those who'd worked hard to adapt, it was a reward. For those too arrogant or unwilling to spend time adjusting to Japan's tracks, it was punishment.
Fantastic Light was now suffering the heavy track's penalty, and she was... struggling to adapt to Japan's turf conditions!
For this foreign champion, the feeling of things going south was overwhelming.
'This is... bad. My adaptation to Japan's turf is worse than expected.'
'Even on a standard track, I wouldn't be at full strength, let alone on this rain-soaked [heavy track]!!'
Under these dual constraints, Fantastic Light was filled with regret. Every step felt laborious, forcing her to hold back in the middle pack, waiting for an opportunity.
'I didn't follow Galileo's lead and came early to adapt—I thought she was the one paying the price...'
'But now, I'm the one facing a dire situation.'
Though frustrated and remorseful, Fantastic Light didn't give up entirely. She kept her eyes glued to the front, watching the silver-white figure gradually pulling away from the second-place runner.
Under normal circumstances, in a one-on-one with a strong rival like Platinum... without adapting to Japan's heavy track, she stood no chance.
But if Pegasus Platinum pushed the pace too hard or lost speed, then maybe there was an opportunity!!
Contender number eight, Fantastic Light.
Currently, severely hampered by the heavy track...
But she wouldn't give up easily, and wouldn't willingly surrender a G1 victory to her opponents.
'Even in Europe, few Uma Musume can win a 2400-meter middle-distance G1 on a heavy track with a runaway.'
'An opportunity must exist!!'
--+--
Ahead of Fantastic Light, within the front-running group.
Galileo and Tokai Teio weren't side by side; the Sea family young lady was slightly ahead, defining the order within the leading pack.
After all, Teio had started from the wide gate fourteen. Even on a heavy track, where few dared challenge the inside, she still had to shift toward the center.
So out of the gate, she was inevitably slightly behind the equally powerful Galileo.
But these two top contenders, both maintaining prominent positions, paid little attention to each other—their focus was entirely on the silver-white figure up front.
Currently, Galileo felt a surge of relief.
She was grateful she'd arrived in Japan early.
'2400 meters... in Europe, where endurance isn't emphasized, this is already a long distance.'
'Without coming early to train and adapt, I probably wouldn't be able to give my all!'
Even though Galileo had decent heavy track adaptability, Europe and Japan were different. Having adaptability didn't mean she could perform at her best without familiarizing herself with the conditions.
'If I'd arrived late like Fantastic Light, forget aiming for the Pegasus...'
'Overtaking Tokai Teio would've been tough, right?'
But that precious month of training... gave Galileo the confidence to face Japan's own Tokai Teio and Pegasus Platinum on the heavy track.
In the past, her mother, Urban Sea, had made history on a heavy track, transforming from an underdog to a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe champion—a true rags-to-riches story.
Now, as her daughter, the Sea family young lady, how could Galileo accept defeat on a heavy track?
Since her loss in the Epsom Derby months ago, Galileo had poured in countless hours of effort, even achieving a decisive victory in the Irish Derby—she'd grown stronger!
The fighting spirit burning within Galileo felt like an endless flame!
No matter what, she had to give her all, to achieve revenge against the Pegasus!
'I can't underestimate the Pegasus, even if she's using the most visually stunning, hardest-to-win-with running style—the runaway!'
'Her speed... she's dead serious! She's going for a full Great Escape!'
The dazzling silver-white girl, the goddess figure behind her firing arrows—it was like Judgment was underway!
As number four, she represented being targeted around the halfway point, with the second half being the time to overtake the runaway.
'Looks like... I'm about to get shot by Platinum?'
'But whatever. As long as I win and get my revenge, she can shoot me all she wants—once, twice, however many times!'
Gritting her teeth, gathering her intense fighting spirit, Galileo demonstrated her strong heavy track adaptability, stomping powerfully and steadily on the rain-softened turf.
Ahead of her, the Pegasus had already cleared the first turn, her swift footsteps showing no sign of slowing as she charged forward recklessly, as if the soft heavy track couldn't fatigue her or make her fear losing speed!
Letting Platinum run wild was not an option—that was the consensus shared by Galileo and Tokai Teio not far behind.
Because even though they were experienced and had faced runaway Uma Musume before... they'd never faced one on a heavy track.
Thus, neither Galileo nor Teio could accurately gauge Platinum's limits—they didn't dare gamble.
In that case... since they couldn't predict Platinum's stamina, they had to disrupt her rhythm, force the runaway to slow down, and throw off her pace!
In the next instant, the stunning, elegant young lady Uma Musume—the fiery determination in her eyes wasn't extinguished by the rain; instead, it grew even more intense.
An astonishing aura erupted from Galileo—a heavy, bone-chilling pink presence.
That pink aura seemed to blend with the steady, falling rain, impacting every Uma Musume on the track! Making everything feel even more oppressive and terrifying!
Instantly, every Uma Musume felt an overwhelming, dreadful pressure.
That tangible, terrifying atmosphere genuinely spread across the course, carrying a heavy, gloomy, cold chill, along with the still-falling rain, reaching every Uma Musume except Galileo.
Within the leading group, including Tokai Teio, the seven or eight front-running Uma Musume felt their accelerating footsteps hesitate slightly, their minds suddenly foggy, as if pricked by needles!
"Slow down, Pegasus!"
"After the halfway point, it'll be my time to shine!"
--+--
[After the gate break, the top contender Platinum has taken the lead with a runaway, already pulling four lengths! Five lengths ahead of second place!]
[Behind Platinum, the three other top contenders are positioned differently: Galileo holds third, just behind the runaway leader; Tokai Teio is in sixth; Fantastic Light is in eleventh.]
[Wait... almost all the Uma Musume have slowed down a bit?]
The announcer's voice held a note of surprise.
Not just the announcer—from the leading group to the mid-pack, disbelief was palpable.
Usually, a runaway only accelerated the pace rapidly. This situation suggested... a top-tier monster had unleashed her aura early, radiating it to suppress the entire field.
Currently, Tokai Teio's pupils contracted sharply; she felt an oppressive, far-from-ordinary aura weighing her down like shackles!
Around her, other front-running Uma Musume couldn't help but voice their astonishment.
"Seriously? Why would any Uma Musume dare use their aura like this on a heavy track, with Platinum running away?"
"So confident, unafraid of Japan's heavy track?"
"Is it Tokai Teio?"
"As expected of a rare battle of legends... casually using an aura stronger than my full power, almost Zone-level?"
Teio's expression was grave, filled with an intense sense of crisis.
She wasn't afraid of the heavy track itself, but she was wary of the runaway Pegasus Platinum and Galileo not far ahead.
'Dammit, another runaway?!'
'And whose aura is this? Probably... Galileo's, right?'
'But for me, this isn't bad news. A slower pace helps more than it hurts.'
In Teio's past defeats, there'd been multiple instances where other Uma Musume's runaways had dictated the pace, tempting her to accelerate too early and lose steam in the final stretch.
Thus, in the public's eye, Tokai Teio was "weak against runaways," Fantastic Light was "weak on heavy tracks," and heavy tracks were a "no-runaway zone"!
Doing the math, three of the four top contenders each had their flaws and weaknesses.
Only the European-renowned, exceptionally talented charmer, Galileo, was nearing perfection!
But for those who mastered domains, every race only made them stronger. Judging their strength based on past impressions was a huge mistake!
In Teio's view, the silver-white girl was charging toward the second turn with unstoppable force!
But Galileo's terrifying aura would affect everyone—either submit to its suppression or expend energy to resist with an equally powerful aura.
Every Uma Musume faced this binary choice: be suppressed or burn stamina to fight back!
Tokai Teio and Fantastic Light further back both chose to unleash their auras to maintain speed, hoping to close the gap with the runaway Pegasus up front.
'Platinum's lead is about... seven or eight lengths?! If she extends it further, catching her on a heavy track will be nearly impossible!'
'What will the Pegasus choose to do—'
'Huh?!!'
The next instant, Teio's expression filled with shock once more.
Because the vast course was gradually being enveloped by a massive, imposing venue—the Colosseum of the Kazimierz!
Gulp...
"You've... got to be kidding me? Opening her Zone before halfway on a heavy track?"
"Platinum, does she really think she's a true Pegasus?"
Teio couldn't make sense of it; she was utterly stunned!
But inwardly, she felt a surge of anticipation, because...
In the past, she'd been tempted into accelerating too early by runaways, leading to her downfall.
Now, Platinum, bold enough to run away on a heavy track and even activate her Zone this early, might just repeat Teio's past crushing defeat!
"This is my chance!!"
--+--
Out in front, the silver-white girl raced on, ignoring the falling raindrops, her footsteps seemingly incredibly light.
To Platinum, if you were going to run away, you might as well go all the way—that was the thrill of it!
Since someone behind was challenging, trying to suppress the pace...
She'd show them what it meant to have no retreat, no second thoughts—only going all out with a Great Escape!
"Come on, let's make this quick, Teio, Galileo..."
[Zone (Pegasian Sight): Activated]
"It's raining..."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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.