Perhaps it was because the impression left by that earlier showdown with T.M. Opera O was so deep, but ever since, in every scripted world she trained in, Dream Weaver would unconsciously push herself beyond her limits.
Moreover, compared to those initial days when no amount of effort could break through her constraints, and even exhausting her very life force wouldn't raise her attributes a single whit, after her "break," Dream Weaver could increasingly feel the rewards brought by sheer, desperate struggle.
Even in the more relaxed environment of Tracen Academy, which lacked targeted training for the "Guts" attribute, she managed to temper her own Guts to a crown-worthy S-rank.
Even if placed back in her Northern estate, where she had not a shred of help and could rely only on herself, Dream Weaver could push her attributes to nearly all S-ranks.
Yet she was never some uniquely gifted Uma Musume. Even after breaking her limits, she didn't gain training speed that surpassed geniuses.
All of this, every bit of it, was bought with her own life.
That's why regret always tinged the endings of Dream Weaver's scripts—because her body had long accumulated countless hidden injuries from day after day of limit breaking training.
Coupled with burning everything she had whenever she faced the final battlefield, such outbursts were something even an Uma Musume with a powerful physique couldn't possibly withstand.
As for this, Dream Weaver, who previously never had a professional support and medical team to help her, had actually never noticed.
But even if she had noticed, she likely wouldn't have changed.
To seize victory, she had already made this sacrifice several times; a few more wouldn't matter.
However, for the people of the scripted world, for Symboli Rudolf, this was absolutely unacceptable.
She wanted to overturn the decaying Symboli family, to rebel against the European racing world that placed shackles on Uma Musume.
Beyond a born unwillingness to submit, it was mostly because Symboli Rudolf couldn't bear to see Uma Musume headed toward tragic futures.
Perhaps this was why, in the real world, she chose to become the student council president, dedicating herself to striving for the happiness of every Uma Musume.
Some things, once Symboli Rudolf saw them, she would never let go, never close her eyes and pretend nothing happened.
If she had the courage to propose rebelling against the European racing world in such an environment, even going so far as to lurk within the Symboli family, accumulating strength and waiting to erupt, how could she possibly leave the current Dream Weaver to her own devices?
"Dream."
"I don't want you to become a symbol in people's memories. I don't want you to become the final sacrifice before dawn."
"After shattering the shackles of the European racing world, I hope you can still run on the track. Different from now—running just for yourself, on the racetrack."
Symboli Rudolf said softly. Dream Weaver gazed at her profound face, still carrying traces of youthful naivety, yet gradually overlapping with the image of the president she knew in reality.
She suddenly remembered her first meeting with Symboli Rudolf—not in this scripted world, but their true first meeting.
Fresh from her debut race, Dream Weaver didn't even have time to collect her prize money. Rushing out to pay her mother's medical bills, she was stopped at the end of the athlete passageway by Symboli Rudolf.
It was as if Symboli Rudolf had been waiting there for her.
Not only did she bring Dream Weaver's debut race winnings, she even offered to help her apply for Tracen Academy's financial-aid program for impoverished students.
Though Dream Weaver declined her kindness, she was left with a favorable impression of Symboli Rudolf.
Then there were all those times Dream Weaver went to the student council office, making various requests, treating Rudolf like a walking directory. Surprisingly, Rudolf never refused.
She hadn't realized it then, but the Dream Weaver behind the act now understood.
That Symboli Rudolf had clearly just pulled an all-nighter working, yet even then, she was willing to help with Dream Weaver's impolite requests.
Dream Weaver never considered herself special.
So, this help and kindness from Student Council President Symboli Rudolf was directed at all Uma Musume.
Dream Weaver deeply admired that about her—this Symboli Rudolf who held pure goodwill toward every Uma Musume.
Especially seeing her like this now: a third-year in junior high, a year younger than Dream Weaver herself.
Yet she not only carried everyone's expectations on her shoulders but also flawlessly handled logistics work while keeping up with her studies.
And before formally breaking with the Symboli family, at an age even younger than now, Symboli Rudolf had already resolved to rebel against the behemoth of the European racing world.
Such an age, paired with such resolve—how could Dream Weaver not be moved?
"Rather than me, you should take care of yourself first."
"You haven't even undergone Maturation yet, but you've willingly taken on such immense pressure. Every day after training, I see you going off to talk with groups of adults. At your age, doing all that must be incredibly hard."
"Rather than worrying about me becoming the final sacrifice before dawn, I'm more worried you'll fall before even seeing the first signs of the dawn arriving."
Uma Musume physiques couldn't be compared to ordinary ones.
Dream Weaver felt her current physical condition could adapt to such extreme training.
But Symboli Rudolf was different. She hadn't even undergone Maturation yet.
No matter how much of a genius she was, no matter how trained from childhood, she couldn't sustain such high-intensity work combining both mental and physical strain.
Hearing this, Symboli Rudolf was genuinely taken aback. She truly hadn't expected Dream Weaver to say such things.
Here she was, urging the other to rest more, and Dream Weaver was turning it around to advise her.
They looked at each other, each seeing helplessness and determination in the other's eyes.
The helplessness was because they knew they could never persuade the other, no matter what.
The determination was because they also knew they would never abandon everything they'd upheld up to now, just because of the other's words.
"I can't persuade you, right?"
"I can't persuade you either."
They spoke in unison. As the words landed, they saw only helplessness reflected in each other's gazes.
After a long silence, Symboli Rudolf finally spoke.
"Then at least promise me this: give yourself a little time to rest, alright?"
Dream Weaver looked into her sincere eyes and could only nod helplessly before replying.
"Then you have to promise me too: give yourself a little time to rest as well."
After saying this, they gazed at each other for a long, long time—so long it felt as if even the sound in the room had vanished.
After who knows how much time had passed, Symboli Rudolf suddenly let out a soft laugh.
"Hearing our kind of conversation... when I think of a certain someone who considers any sunny day, rainy day, or windy day a perfect chance to go out and play, I suddenly feel like laughing."
"Really though."
At that very moment, Mr. C.B., who had already returned home, sneezed for no apparent reason.
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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.