Naturally, Symboli Rudolf wouldn't miss this annual selection event.
As the heir to the Symboli family's future, with the clan's ambiguous ties to Europe and her own exceptional talent, she had been raised since childhood—just like her name implied—to become the future symbol of Japanese Uma Musume Racing.
After Shinzan took the world by storm, Rudolf herself was hailed as the next Shinzan. Even before her official debut, expectations for her were already at the level of a Triple Crown winner.
Destined to one day inherit the influence Shinzan wielded, and as an Uma Musume representing Japan, Rudolf needed to build her own faction.
So even if she wasn't training at Tracen Academy, she made a point of attending the selection races every year.
But this year was different.
Unlike previous years, when she came to pick followers in line with her family's will, this time Rudolf came to Tracen driven by her own resolve.
To be precise, she had already unilaterally cut ties with her family.
Yes—this Uma Musume, who only needed to follow her family's wishes in training to surely one day rule over central Tracen, chose to rebel against them one year before her debut.
That was the reason she had shown up at Tracen Academy a week earlier. Symboli Rudolf had severed her connections with the Symboli family.
And the reason was simple:
She refused to accept it.
She refused to stand alongside clansmen who carried European blood in their veins, gazing with longing—or worse, bowing down—to a foreign world.
She refused to spend her life trailing behind the so-called European racing scene, obediently becoming nothing more than a second Shinzan.
Symboli Rudolf disdained such a fate.
In her eyes, nothing had the right to shackle her.
With peerless talent and an innate disposition fit for a ruler, she was destined to bear the title of Emperor. And a true emperor would never allow any power to exist above her.
So once Rudolf decided the time was right, she unilaterally broke from her family. To most, it looked like a teenage rebellion—but she alone knew what storm she intended to stir beneath these skies.
This time, she had also come to the selection event seeking something. But unlike before, she wasn't looking for subordinates—she wanted to find her own comrades.
Perhaps because of her innate nature, Rudolf believed that there must be other Uma Musume out there, just like her, unwilling to be bound.
But reality disappointed her.
After watching a few races, she did spot several talented fillies.
In the past, Rudolf might have tried recruiting them. But now, she didn't need excellent followers—she needed a rebel who could stand beside her as an equal.
Unfortunately, under the overwhelming influence of Shinzan's legendary achievements, it seemed most Uma Musume saw nothing wrong with striving for selection and heading to Europe for special training.
On the contrary, inspired by admiration for Shinzan herself, they were more than eager to fight for that chance—some even saw it as their dream.
"A manufactured dream… How laughable…"
Rudolf lowered her head as if struck by a thought, murmuring to herself under her breath.
"Never mind. If I can't find one, so be it."
"Even if I'm alone, I can still overturn this dull world."
With that, she shook her head and turned to leave.
But just then, a loud boom from the training grounds snapped Rudolf's attention back. She whipped her head toward the source of the sound.
Two European trainers had collapsed to the ground in fright, and standing across from them was an Uma Musume.
From this distance, Rudolf couldn't make out her face clearly—but she could see a sharp, blade-like streak of red flowing in the air, lifted by the wind.
In this place where almost everyone dreamed of going to Europe for special training, was there really someone daring enough to defy them?!
The fire in Rudolf's eyes, which had dimmed moments before, instantly roared back to life. Without hesitation, she rushed toward that Uma Musume, intent on lending aid.
Though she had broken from her family, that news was still confined to a small circle. Rudolf had no problem using the Symboli name to help a courageous rebel.
After all, one of her future goals was to overthrow her Europe-subservient family. Only after blasting those so-called elders from their seats of power could she truly take control of the Symboli house.
Using that authority now was just getting a head start.
But before Rudolf could reach the scene, that Uma Musume on the training grounds made a shocking declaration in front of everyone:
She would challenge all the European Uma Musume in the world—by herself.
Realizing this, Rudolf's heart thumped hard, twice. Her gaze fixed on that red figure, eyes filled with disbelief and admiration. She stopped in her tracks, almost unconsciously.
Call it some kind of premonition—Rudolf inexplicably believed in that Uma Musume. That's why she didn't want to disturb this moment, one destined to be recorded in history.
Here and now, there could only be one star on that field.
And she… she only needed to watch quietly as that star made her entrance, and then offer her fervent applause.
Anything more would feel like sacrilege.
So she stopped, standing in a good spot, watching as that Uma Musume stepped into the starting gate, watching as the Tracen teacher—drawn in—pulled the pressure lever herself, watching as that red streak of light broke from the pack and shot past the finish line at a speed no freshman should possibly reach.
Only when she saw her cross the line did Rudolf finally remember to breathe.
"How… beautiful…"
The words slipped out. That red streak was now etched deep in her eyes. She felt she might never forget this moment for the rest of her life.
But what surged in her heart was exhilaration.
The thrill of finally finding a like-minded comrade, one she could entrust with her ideals.
Rudolf's heart beat even faster than before. She was practically itching to run over and meet that Uma Musume.
But as she started running, Rudolf caught sight of another figure sprinting toward the same Uma Musume from the corner of her eye.
"Mr. C.B.? What's she doing here?"
Rudolf recognized that Uma Musume almost instantly—which only deepened her confusion.
Given her personality, she should've been off sitting under some tree enjoying the scenery during an event like this. What was she doing here?
--+--
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.