The test concluded perfectly.
Nearl shot past the finish line like a streak of golden lightning, leaving behind nothing but settling dust and the lingering marks on the track.
Her run utterly captivated the two humans and two Uma Musume watching, though what exactly filled their hearts was a matter of perspective. For Swift Speed, at the very least, the time displayed on the stopwatch felt… surreal? She couldn't comprehend the result, her mind a whirlpool of confusion and doubt.
'Did I see that right? Was I really watching a rookie test? Is the timer broken? Am I dreaming?'
These chaotic thoughts swarmed Swift Speed's mind, so much so that even when Nearl walked right up to her, she was still staring blankly at the stopwatch in her hand.
"Miss Swift Speed?"
Seeing the distant, dazed look in Swift Speed's eyes, Nearl spoke up softly, interrupting her trance.
The chestnut-maned Uma Musume jolted as if waking from a dream, her gaze finally focusing on Nearl.
"Hahaha, so it's you, Miss Nearl. Guess I wasn't dreaming after all."
The confusion in her eyes gradually melted away, replaced by a fervent intensity. Swift Speed grabbed Nearl's hands tightly with her own, refusing to let go, as if afraid she'd vanish the moment she loosened her grip.
"Miss Nearl! Miss Nearl! You absolutely must enroll at Kasamatsu Tracen! You're a natural-born Uma Musume! You must keep running on the track!"
Her grip tightened even more.
"Your form just now was so dazzling, so brilliant! Your running style was overwhelmingly powerful! Those mere 1200 meters completely captured my gaze! You can definitely make it to the central circuit and amaze countless more people! Please, you must grant my request!"
The Director, who had walked over, also spoke up.
"This old man feels the same way. Please, Miss Nearl, you must become an Uma Musume. Your running can inspire shock and passion in everyone—that's one of the most important qualities an Uma Musume can have."
Nearl looked at the two—one human, one Uma—who had just become her fans. She understood more deeply now the weight of carrying others' expectations. This mix of trepidation and excitement must feel strange and pressuring for some Uma Musume.
But I'm different. I am Margaret Nearl. I can definitely bear these expectations.
"Yes, I understand. I originally intended to enroll and become an Uma Musume. There's no need for such earnest requests. I've also promised Oguri that we'll compete together on the central circuit tracks, so I will keep running."
Nearl's response calmed the Director and Swift Speed. They exchanged a glance.
"The central circuit… To think Kasamatsu would produce two central-level Uma Musume two years in a row. This is truly uplifting news. Our Kasamatsu is going to be famous."
"Indeed. If any other young Uma Musume said they wanted to advance to the central circuit, I might have tried to dissuade them. The gap between the local and central circuits is beyond what most can imagine. But you, Nearl, will definitely bridge that gap, just like Oguri Cap did."
Both the Director and Swift Speed affirmed Nearl's potential. Based solely on that test, her strength and talent were undeniable. It was no wonder she was an Uma Musume Oguri Cap held in high regard.
"Ah, that's right, I didn't even properly record your time just now, Miss Nearl… Huh?!"
Swift Speed, suddenly remembering something, spoke while looking down at the stopwatch she had just tucked into her pocket. But this time, seeing the numbers clearly, her voice trailed off into a strange, upward inflection.
The numbers displayed clearly on the timer read: 72.5 seconds.
The scene fell into silence, until Oguri Cap broke it.
"Director, how is this time?"
The Director couldn't even manage a look of surprise anymore. He gazed at the stopwatch with a complicated expression. "If this old man remembers correctly, the current world record for 1200 meters on dirt is around 69 seconds, and that's a time set in a top-tier international graded stakes race. The record for a regular 1200-meter dirt race is even slower."
Swift Speed chimed in, her tone numb.
"Which means… Nearl is already good enough to compete in a central-level 1200-meter dirt race right now. Even if she might not win, she wouldn't be completely outclassed. In other words, even before her debut race, Nearl already possesses central-level ability."
"Maybe she should just go straight to the central circuit. Having Nearl debut locally would be like a pro fishing in a beginner's pond. The confidence of the local Uma Musume would be shattered to pieces."
As she said this, Swift Speed fixed Nearl with a subtly complex look. Nearl quickly offered a smile, not daring to argue.
"Well, never mind. For someone like Nearl, it won't be long before she moves up to the central circuit anyway."
The Director shook his head, then turned his gaze to Nearl.
"Miss Nearl, you have officially passed the entrance test. You may come to enroll the day after tomorrow. Kasamatsu Tracen Academy welcomes you."
"Thank you, Director."
Nearl nodded formally in gratitude.
"No need for thanks. Your enrollment is an honor for our Kasamatsu Tracen. Please report on time the day after tomorrow. Ozumi, please give Miss Nearl her student ID."
The young woman beside him hurriedly took a student ID card from her pocket and handed it to Nearl. After Nearl accepted it, the woman blushed and whispered,
"Sorry, but… could I get your autograph?"
"I'd be delighted," Nearl replied with a soft smile.
--+--
The test was over. Nearl and Oguri Cap left the Kasamatsu Tracen campus together. Looking back at the academy gates, Nearl's mind was filled with thoughts.
"What's wrong?"
Oguri Cap noticed Nearl's distraction.
"No, it's just… while I was running just now, I suddenly understood a few things. About the Three Goddesses, and about… myself."
An expression Oguri Cap couldn't quite decipher crossed Nearl's face. Was it gratitude? Or perhaps bewilderment? Maybe even Nearl herself wasn't entirely sure.
"Oguri, do you think… I might meet my family one ordinary day? A younger sister, perhaps?"
Nearl gazed at the sky, but her eyes seemed to stretch into infinity.
"?"
"Heh, just talking to myself. Well, we should go find an inn now. We don't enroll until the day after tomorrow, so we need a place to stay for tonight and tomorrow."
Nearl smiled at Oguri Cap and made to move towards finding lodging. But suddenly, Oguri Cap's hand grabbed the hem of Nearl's jacket, stopping her in her tracks.
"Oguri?"
Turning back, Nearl looked at her friend, who had tilted her head away slightly, avoiding her gaze. She called out her friend's nickname, puzzled.
"No need for an inn."
"Why?" Nearl was confused by Oguri's words.
Then she saw Oguri Cap turn around, take a deep breath, pause for a moment, and then turn back.
To Nearl, she looked just as endearingly simple as always.
"Before we came, Mom told me to invite Margaret to our house. So no need for an inn. You can stay with us."
"An invitation from your mother? It has been too long since I last visited her. It's hard to refuse an elder's invitation. Well then, Oguri, I'll be troubling you for the next two days."
After receiving the invitation, Nearl only thought for a brief moment before agreeing. After all, inns weren't cheap, and it was good to save money where possible. Moreover, Mrs. Oguri was very wise and gracious, and Nearl always enjoyed her company.
"Mhm!"
Oguri Cap nodded happily, her horse tail swishing behind her.
"You… there's no need to be so excited."
The two Uma Musume walked off into the distance, chatting and laughing.
--+--
As a side note, Nearl liked to wear a single earpiece on her left ear. She wasn't quite sure when she'd picked up the habit, only that it felt uncomfortable without it.
--+--
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.