As the first morning light spread across the towering buildings of Tracen Academy, a new day began.
And today was orientation day, the very first day of the new school year.
And unlike the quiet afternoon when Urara first arrived, the academy was now overflowing with life.
Students poured through the campus grounds one after another.
Some ran excitedly toward their friends.
Some greeted old classmates.
Some dashed around while dragging luggage and documents behind them.
The atmosphere was lively, noisy, and crowded.
Seniors stood around welcoming the freshmen while others desperately promoted their own clubs or racing teams.
Mascots wandered across the grounds, and signs and banners waved through the air.
Everywhere was carried the sense of being alive.
All except...
Inside one dorm room.
Where one pink-haired Umamusume remained completely unconscious.
Snoring loudly while hanging halfway off her bed.
Beside her, the alarm clock screamed relentlessly.
Yet somehow...
It failed to move her even an inch.
Only a groggy mumble, "Please… just a little more…"
Completely disregarding today was her first day in school...
...
...
...
Meanwhile...
Across the academy grounds, students had already begun entering the grand assembly hall for the welcoming speech soon to be conducted by Symboli Rudolf.
Long queues formed outside the entrance as senior helpers organized newcomers into their assigned classes while checking attendance.
Soon enough, one particular brown-haired Umamusume approached the registration table with an especially prideful posture.
A helper smiled politely toward her.
"Hi, welcome. Please state your name, fellow student."
"Oh ho ho ho…!"
The brown-haired Umamusume laughed proudly as she placed a hand against her chest.
"My, how could you possibly not know who I am?"
"It is I—"
"The one and only first-rate Umamusume, King Halo."
"The true winner of the trial test!"
The helper blinked in surprise before scanning through the name list.
"King Halo..." muttering in repeat.
Until—
"Oh, right! You're the daughter of—"
Before she could finish, King Halo immediately cut her off.
"Please refrain from referring to me through my mother."
Her expression shifted slightly.
"I am here because I am destined to achieve greatness through my own abilities."
"Not through the pedigree of my parents."
The helper became slightly flustered.
"I-I see…"
"My apologies, King Halo."
She quickly regained composure before pointing toward the designated line.
"Please proceed to the queue assigned to your class. Thank you very much."
King Halo gave a graceful nod before continuing onward.
But as she walked toward the queue, her hands slowly clenched tighter.
Her teeth gritted faintly.
"…Daughter of…"
She muttered bitterly beneath her breath.
"Damn it…"
"I'm King Halo."
"Not just the daughter of anyone else."
"I can prove my own greatness without..."
"..without..."
"..."
…
…
…
A few weeks earlier...
Immediately after the entrance trial examinations, the golden evening light stretched across the pavement of Tracen Academy.
Having finished both the race and the written exam, King Halo casually exited the school building while stretching her arms.
"It truly was a first-rate performance worthy of me," she declared proudly while groaning through the stretch.
Until—
An elegant, straight-backed figure stood waiting near the academy entrance.
Holding a purse while an assistant stood quietly beside her.
"Took you long enough," the woman said calmly.
"Mother!"
King Halo instantly brightened.
Without hesitation, she gracefully hurried toward her mother's side.
"Did you see my race, Mother?!" she asked eagerly, practically bouncing as she walked beside her.
"I won! I won the trial race!"
"I-I see," her mother replied simply before motioning toward the assistant.
Immediately, the assistant bowed formally and walked ahead, one hand pressed against his ear, muttering quietly, likely signaling for their ride to prepare.
Meanwhile, King Halo continued proudly.
"What do you think of my performance, Mother?"
"I told you I would seize victory on that track."
"I completely outclassed every competitor trying to stand in my way toward greatness."
"I see," her mother answered once more in the same calm tone.
King's smile stiffened slightly.
"So… Mother?"
"Did I perform within your expectations?"
At that...
Her mother simply sighed.
"You see, King…"
"Have you ever considered stepping back a little?"
"Your performance today was indeed impressive, however…"
"You were quite clearly placed against two handicapped participants, and several runners who were..."
King's mother paused briefly, carefully choosing her next words.
"...less than optimal," she continued calmly.
"Your victory was practically guaranteed before the race even began."
"It was handed to you rather than earned."
"W-what…?"
King Halo slowed slightly, visibly taken aback.
"It is not that you are lacking, King," her mother corrected smoothly.
"It is simply that…"
"You weren't even tested truly today."
"Are you sure you're prepared for the next level?"
"To challenge the genuine racers."
"The kind who casually seize victory even when standing among heavyweights."
"I-I..." King stuttered, clenching her hands together.
"And because of that…"
"I cannot confidently say you are sufficient yet."
"B-but how can you know they weren't just as capable as I am?!" King shot back, her voice rising.
"You weren't the one racing!"
"Watch your tone, King," her mother interrupted immediately.
"Refined people like us do not raise our voices simply because we feel pressured."
"We are not brutes."
"I-I'm sorry, Mother," she quickly apologized, lowering her head.
With that, her mother sighed.
"As for your question…"
Her mother continued walking calmly beside her.
"Can you truly not see it?"
"They were never your equals the moment you stepped onto that turf."
"They were sluggish."
"Unrefined."
"All over the place."
"Especially that pink-haired little girl."
Her mother sighed again faintly.
"Whoever allowed her to participate in such a prestigious trial was an embarrassment to the academy itself."
"Perhaps Tracen Academy has regressed since the days I once knew."
Then she paused briefly.
"Though…"
"Perhaps not the one who shattered her leg."
"Her form was rather impressive."
"And naturally so," she added smoothly, "She likely spent most of her life running on turf."
"And mostly the fuels that resulted in her early retirement."
"But yours…"
Her mother turned back toward King, her eyes narrowed.
"Still requires significant improvement."
"And for that, you're not enough."
"King Halo."
Then, she returned her gaze forward and lightly gestured ahead.
"Now then, King Halo."
"We would not wish to miss our dinner reservation, would we?"
"We can continue this discussion once we conclude our dinner."
At that, King quietly lowered her head once more, nodding slightly.
"Y-Yes, Mother…"
And silently, she followed behind.
The excitement she once carried after her victory had completely faded.
All was crushed beneath doubt.
Leaving behind only the feeling of uncertainty.
She then stared quietly at her mother's back, her lips moved faintly.
"Why… can't you just ever…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"…acknowledge me…?"
"...mother..."