In the school library, Sunday Serenity sat in a spot far from the windows, tucked between two bookshelves.
No one liked sitting there because of the poor lighting, but the empty corner suited her just fine. While her black outfit was comfortable and she liked wearing it, it stood out a bit too much in a place where everyone else was dressed in the blue-and-white school uniform.
Drawing too much attention didn't align with Sunday Serenity's personal aesthetic. She had considered changing clothes—after all, her soul was nearly solid; it wasn't like the clothes would fall off the moment she turned transparent. But there were a few major issues.
If she changed into a Tracen Academy uniform and someone bumped into her, the clothes wouldn't turn invisible along with her body. Instead, they'd collapse where her spirit-form was "injured," revealing the skin beneath.
To others, it would look like the clothes were clipping through her body—bizarre and unnatural.
What's more, the clothes couldn't pass through mirrors with her into that strange other space.
Every time she entered, whatever outfit she'd managed to acquire would be left behind. She'd have to go back and retrieve it when needed, and if luck wasn't on her side, someone else might pick it up.
All these complications turned clothing into a kind of rental service: pick it up when needed, return it when not.
What a hassle.
Thinking this, she couldn't help but sigh softly as she turned the page.
Beside her came a soft rustle, and then a page headed with the bold title "Japan Derby" was slid in front of her by an unseen hand.
"Information on your next race," said Sunday Silence.
That's right—at this very moment, Sunday Serenity was sitting in Tracen Academy's library, cramming knowledge about Uma Musume.
Sunday Silence's explanations had only given her a general idea. It wasn't until she started reading that she truly understood what Uma Musume meant in this world.
They were at the center of the most famous international sporting events.
Countless specialized schools, numerous organizations and unions, and tens of thousands of experts and scholars all focused their research and training on Uma Musume.
And yet, the ones who actually competed were only a small fraction. Most Uma Musume led ordinary lives in everyday professions.
Racing Uma Musume represented the pinnacle of their race—a chance to unleash their full potential, like fireworks in the night sky: brilliant, dazzling, but fleeting.
Seeing the words "Japan Derby" printed on the page, Sunday Serenity now grasped the weight they carried.
"To think my first race would be such a grand event… I'm truly humbled."
"Feeling the pressure?" Sunday Silence asked.
"Not a chance."
Sunday Serenity smiled. "I've already scripted it out: the moment the gates open, I'll dash to the front, build an insurmountable lead, and after winning, I'll vanish without a name, leaving only a black silhouette in everyone's memory. Appearing like a phantom, disappearing just as quickly—taking the victory but not the glory. That's the aesthetic I'm after."
"Well said." The stool beside her shifted, and a soft hand came to rest on her shoulder.
"But there's one point where I see things differently."
"Oh? What's that?"
"Victory isn't the end goal," she said, her tone brimming with arrogance. "Victory is just the process that proves I'm faster and stronger than the rest. If winning were the only point, then racing would be terribly dull."
"What are you saying…?"
"Who is the true peak of the Uma Musume? Who represents the absolute limit of speed? The one whose name will be etched into history, forever beyond reach—it's not some undefeated horse who hides away from the world, nor the one crowned 'Emperor,' Symboli Rudolf, standing above the masses. Beyond them, higher and farther, there is another."
"Someone unseen, unnoticed."
She settled back into her seat and said slowly, "Once people realize it, things are going to get very interesting. I can't wait…"
"Two thousand four hundred meters, two minutes twenty-seven seconds. A remarkable time."
On the training field, a woman wearing frameless glasses and a gray-blue suit clicked her stopwatch, watching the black-haired girl who had just crossed the finish line.
Even in a routine practice run, she'd clocked a time rivaling official races. Moreover, after crossing the line, the girl showed no signs of strain. Her breathing was a bit heavy, but far from exhaustion.
Meaning she was still holding back.
Even though she'd been told to give it her all, clearly she hadn't followed instructions.
What a difficult child, the trainer thought. She only goes all out in actual races… No, even then, if her opponents aren't strong enough, she still holds back.
This black-haired girl, who had sprinted past the finish line and then eased into a jog, was none other than the recent champion of the [Satsuki Sho] and the current talk of the town—Narita Brian.
As she crossed the finish line, Narita Brian's expression hadn't flickered in the slightest. To her, it wasn't a race that could define an Uma Musume's career—it was just another trivial practice, meaningless and dull.
She didn't regard the [Satsuki Sho] with any seriousness. Victory came too easily, worthless as a handful of dust.
Even as Narita Brian's trainer, obligated to assess her charge's strengths and weaknesses objectively, she had to admit that Narita Brian possessed a depth of power that was downright frightening.
As the girl completed a cool-down lap and approached, the trainer walked over.
"That's enough for today, Brian. The [Japan Derby] is coming up soon. It's best to reduce your training intensity to avoid muscle fatigue."
The trainer, named Toujou Hana, noted the time on her clipboard as she spoke to the stern-faced girl, whose hair was tied back tightly with a twisted cord.
"Understood. You can go back first."
"What do you mean, 'go back first'? Are you planning to keep training?"
"I'll leave once I've burned through all my energy."
"You can't be serious!? This is right before the [Japan Derby]. If anything goes wrong at this critical stage, the consequences would be unthinkable."
Too many Uma Musume had been forced to withdraw regrettably after pushing too hard before a race, resulting in injury. Even without serious harm, intense training built up fatigue, damaging muscles and preventing them from performing at their best when it counted.
It was like putting the cart before the horse.
So, conserving energy before a major event was a standard practice for every trainer.
But Narita Brian shook her head, her tone leaving no room for argument. "The training's too light. It's nothing compared to before. If I can't race, this is the only way to burn away the fire inside me."
Without waiting for a response, she sprinted away.
The Japan Derby… Honestly, whether it was a G1, G2, or G3, any race would do. She wanted to experience the thrill of clashing with rivals on the track; she craved a battle that set her blood boiling.
She'd heard that G1 races gathered the best of the Uma Musume, so she'd used her impressive results to enter one.
But the race had left her utterly disappointed.
Not a single Uma Musume had been worth her full effort.
Boring… the whole event was unbearably dull.
What I want is a challenge, not a herd of horses playing house!
Her foot slammed into the ground, carving out a small crater as if venting all her frustration.
What I crave… is a true rival.
'Hah…'
Suddenly, Narita Brian's body shuddered.
Just then, she had felt a gaze so sharp it seemed to pierce her skin.
Halting, she looked toward the source of the stare. At the far end of the training field stood a pitch-black figure, silhouetted against the slanting sun, staring right back at her.
Yellow and golden eyes locked.
In that instant, a chill ran down Narita Brian's spine.
That gaze was filled with a brutality that felt soul-rending.
Her muscles tensed instantly, her whole body screaming with the primal signal of being hunted by a predator.
Who—?!
She clenched her fists, her mind flooding with uncontrollable excitement. Her starved body let out a deep, inner roar.
Just from that single exchange of glances, her blood was set ablaze.
But that pale face only offered a teasing smile before turning to leave—before Narita Brian could even give chase.
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T/N: Mans just aura farming
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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.