Nearl flew down the track like a flash of golden light. The gentle breeze that usually brushed her face now felt like resistance against her sprint. Her ears pressed tightly backward against her head, trying their best to avoid the rush of wind.
'This feels amazing. Is this the first time I've ever run at full throttle? Even the wind feels different from usual.'
As she ran, Nearl could feel her body gradually awakening. Her steps grew heavier, each footprint firmly pressed into the ground, yet it didn't cost her more energy. Her pace quickened, but her body told her she could push even harder.
She could feel the heat coursing through her veins, the subtle sensation of her muscles stretching, the excitement bubbling within.
It's wonderful—so wonderful to be able to stretch her body like this, to interact and bond with others like this.
A sense of gratitude swelled inside her.
She cherished her current life—something the person she was in her past life could never have imagined. Hardship or joy meant nothing to him back then. That's why, in these fourteen years as Nearl, she had never once complained inwardly.
This life was already heaven to her. She had family, juniors who looked up to her, and friends.
That's all the more reason to run!
With renewed focus, Nearl picked up her pace once more. The speed that had plateaued after the mid-stages of the race surged upward again.
'I still have so much stamina left. I can accelerate again, several times over! 1200 meters is far too short—too short to even touch my current limits.'
'Seems like my long-distance compatibility isn't so low after all,' Nearl mused with an inward laugh.
--+--
"She's too fast—this can't be her first test run… No, this isn't a speed a local Uma Musume should be capable of. She should be taking the entrance exam for the central league!"
The director's face was filled with disbelief as he watched the golden figure sprinting at an unimaginable pace. All his earlier thoughts had completely vanished.
'Originally, out of respect for Oguri Cap, I was planning to go easy on her. As long as Nearl's time wasn't too far below the passing mark, I intended to accept her. But now…'
The director shook his head quietly, as if mocking his own earlier assumptions.
Beside him, Ms. Swift Speed's reaction was even more exaggerated—her face was twisted with sheer astonishment.
"Th-this speed… Oguri Cap-sama, it might even be faster than when you were back in Kasamatsu."
"Mhm. I told you Margaret is strong."
Oguri Cap's expression remained calm. She had expected this level of performance from Nearl. After all, if she couldn't surpass Oguri's own past self, she wouldn't have been considered her greatest rival.
'Margaret, faster—come to the central league soon. I want to meet you on the track.'
Watching Nearl race ahead, Oguri Cap felt a restless excitement stirring within her.
--+--
'700 meters already?' Nearl glanced at the distance marker, realizing that most of the test run was already over.
'But my stamina still feels plentiful—nowhere near exhaustion. It looks like I can still accelerate further.'
With a lighthearted thought, Nearl quickened her steps again, lowering her posture slightly. She pushed off harder with her thighs, kicking up clouds of sand behind her as tremendous force propelled her forward.
Thump!
Nearl accelerated once more.
"Impossible—a second burst of acceleration! And after already running all-out! Does she have infinite stamina?!"
Swift Speed, standing at the finish line, felt like she was dreaming. She could no longer tell who the Uma Musume racing ahead really was.
"Am I hallucinating? Is that actually Oguri Cap running out there?"
Swift Speed was in disarray, even rubbing her eyes in disbelief.
From the distant stands, the director and others didn't hold back their praises after seeing Nearl's second sprint.
"What incredible natural talent—ample stamina, a perfect start, top-tier speed. The Great Escape seems tailor-made for her. With a bit more training, there'll be no doubt about who will win the Tokai Derby."
The director marveled at Nearl's innate ability and made a confident prediction about her future.
If word got out, it would cause an uproar—the director of Kasamatsu Tracen Academy claiming that a certain Uma Musume was certain to win the Tokai Derby. Other Uma Musume aiming for the Derby would surely feel disheartened and frustrated.
But the director stood by his judgment. Anyone who witnessed Nearl's sprint would see that any hopes of claiming first would undoubtedly be extinguished. There was no helping it—only one can be the victor. Such is the fate all Uma Musume must carry.
Ms. Swift Speed nodded in agreement, already thinking about asking for Nearl's autograph as soon as the test ended. Another name had been added to her list of admired Uma Musume.
Only Oguri Cap remained silent, her eyes fixed on Nearl's figure as she ran.
'This still isn't your full strength, is it, Margaret…'
--+--
'Oguri?'
Nearl could feel Oguri's gaze on her—a look filled with fighting spirit, impatience, and recognition.
'I see… You want to see me go all out, don't you?'
Nearl smiled wryly to herself. That was just like her friend—simple, straightforward, and without a hint of subtlety. Anyone without a generous and patient temperament would probably be driven mad by her sooner or later.
'It's a shame there's no one here to compete with me right now. I probably can't show Oguri my absolute best. But fulfilling a friend's wish is also part of a Knight's Duty. Watch closely, Oguri—this is everything Margaret Nearl can do under these conditions.'
"Hah…"
She took a deep breath in, then slowly exhaled. A golden light seemed to ignite in Nearl's eyes, and an indescribable atmosphere began to radiate from her.
Swinging her arms, lengthening her stride—without any fear of stalling. What raced before them now was a Golden Pegasus.
Faster, faster, faster. Her mind held no thought beyond the finish line. At this moment of her full-power charge, even the howling wind would shrink from her momentum.
Don't blink. Witness the charge of Margaret Nearl!
--+--
Skill Activated: Pegasus Soars, Vowing: Glory Is Here.
Effect: Activates when fighting spirit is ignited. Stamina and Guts are consumed at 1.5 times the normal rate. Speed continuously increases from the current baseline and will not drop for any reason until either Stamina or Guts is depleted.
--+--
"Sh-she's getting even faster?!"
Swift Speed's hand, holding the stopwatch, had begun to tremble. What exactly was she witnessing? The aura radiating from the runner overwhelmed her completely.
The viewing stand wasn't faring much better. Oguri Cap, too, was unconsciously unleashing the monstrous pressure she was known for, her expression intense and fierce.
"Margaret… You'd better come to the central league soon. Tamamo Cross would be thrilled to see you too."
Unable to contain herself, Oguri Cap murmured under her breath.
--+--
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.