Just to be safe, let's first take a look at the ecosystem among the Uma Musume.
Led by the central Tracen Academy, thousands of Uma Musume across the country train each year, either already having become or soon to become Uma Musume.
For the vast majority of them, even winning their debut race is nothing but a distant dream.
Those who can secure a victory in their debut race—no matter how many attempts it takes—are already considered quite talented Uma Musume.
Those who manage to take first place and earn prize money in OP races are among the elite of the Uma Musume.
Among these elites, the number capable of winning G3 and G2 races shrinks even further.
They can be called the backbone of the Uma Musume racing world, often enjoying considerable popularity and widespread recognition as stars.
And above these individuals—there exist Uma Musume who can be described as standing at the very peak. They possess the potential to seize G1 championships, are the focus of the entire nation, and are household names.
Figures like Ibuki Maikagura, Tokai Teio, and Neo Universe. They are star competitors burdened with such expectations.
People firmly believe that, given the talent they've already displayed, a G1 crown is merely a matter of time.
So then—across all of Japan, how many internationally recognized G1-level turf races are there?
The answer is, at most, fewer than thirty.
Even if we assume one unique Uma Musume winner per race, only about twenty-plus individuals can stand at that summit.
Uma Musume racing is just that kind of brutally savage enterprise, one that relies heavily on innate talent.
The pinnacle of the pyramid is ultimately something only a handful can ever touch—and it's inextricably linked to that very talent.
After all that explanation, the ultimate point is just to express this—
For an Uma Musume, having talent really means you can do pretty much anything you want.
And, there will always be someone who runs faster than you.
Ibuki Maikagura felt her lungs burning as if about to explode, her breathing ragged. Her proud, light-footed stride was impossible to maintain.
Her brain starved for oxygen, her eyes bloodshot, she stared fixedly, incredulously, at the figure running far ahead of her.
—How is this even possible?
—I've... I've always been praised as a genius comparable to Tokai Teio. My talent is unmatched. I can definitely win, even against a monster like Tokai Teio.
"Haha, haha..." Unbelievably, Ibuki Maikagura started laughing during the race.
No, no, no, this is just too funny.
—I must be dreaming. That's absolutely it, right?
Otherwise, there's simply no explanation. No way to explain that—unimaginable, blistering speed!
"She's too fast! Platinum is the first to burst out of the second turn and into the homestretch!"
The commentator's voice and the gaze of the entire audience were firmly locked onto the figure who had left all other competitors far behind.
Eclipse First, The Rest Nowhere—this was the true portrayal of the racing world. The audience's eyes only ever focus on the very front.
"She established a solid lead right from the start! There's simply no chance for resistance!"
At the very beginning, the audience, commentators, and live broadcast might have worried about Platinum's stamina—whether such a fierce dash would cause her to slow down mid-race.
But after race after race, Platinum's form, Platinum's characteristics, had been seared into memory.
"Platinum isn't employing a 'oikomi' or Great Escape strategy—"
"It's that the other competitors can't keep up with Platinum's speed, making it look like she's running away with it!"
"Unmatched, unrivalled, second to none!"
"Platinum today seems to be in fighting spirit beyond imagination! Is she sending a warning to all the competitors who still dare to challenge her?"
Nice Nature, tucked within the pack, saw Platinum's figure ahead and blinked helplessly.
"That's not a distance anyone can close..."
Ibuki Maikagura, alone in second place, chased frantically after Platinum.
The gap between her and the following pack was still growing, but...
The gap between Ibuki Maikagura and Platinum was also still widening!
Ibuki Maikagura was pushing herself beyond her limits. Now, even breathing felt agonizing; a metallic, rusty taste crept up her throat from her lungs. Her vision darkened at the edges, saliva she didn't have time to wipe away mixed with sweat and streamed down her chin.
Even like this, even like this...
The gap refused to shrink.
In that moment, Ibuki Maikagura finally understood what other Uma Musume must have felt when looking at her in the past.
Once the gap becomes too vast, even the spirit of defiance utterly vanishes.
That's how it was for the Uma Musume who used to surround Ibuki Maikagura, and now, that's how Ibuki Maikagura felt looking at Platinum.
All that remained was pure, unadulterated admiration.
And what about Platinum?
Was Platinum really running that smoothly?
Was she really taunting all the competitors as the commentator said?
Was she truly in complete control?
Platinum right now... was scared out of her wits!
It's over it's over it's over... just half left, only half to go!
Victory is right there, this is just the darkness before the dawn!
At this very moment, Platinum was also being driven forward. Driven by the formless, shadowy fear in her heart. Platinum didn't even dare to glance back.
How many are still behind me? Are they all getting ready to pass me? If someone actually passes me, can I overtake them again?
Of course not! Then I'm definitely going to lose!
This mistaken mindset led to flawed judgment, creating an anxiety that shouldn't have been there. In truth, Platinum had indeed entered a state of frantic, all-out dash, a very dangerous condition.
Because it would cause her to mismanage her stamina distribution!
Platinum right now was like someone hopped up on adrenaline, in that state during a horror game where you get so terrified you start cursing and turn around to confront the boss that's been chasing you.
Current Platinum had lost all sense of track judgment; the adrenaline-fueled illusion made her feel like she had boundless energy to burn... but it was just that—an illusion.
If this were a closely matched race, this would be the critical point where Platinum threw away her victory.
Provided, that is, it was a closely matched race.
Even Ibuki Maikagura, hailed on the circuit as capable of rivalling Tokai Teio—how much substance was in that title was hard to discern before the two actually raced—and now her will to fight had completely crumbled.
And as for the Uma Musume led by Nice Nature, they hadn't set out with the goal of defeating Platinum in the first place.
In other words, Platinum was essentially just running a genuine, full-throttle Great Escape. Unless her slowdown in the final stretch was excessively severe, her victory remained unstoppable.
"Nice Nature, go for it!" Ikuno Dictus stood in the stands, cheering loudly for her companion. Meanwhile, another companion standing beside her seemed to have reached some conclusion.
Quietly, she tossed her blue-tipped golden hair and began to leave, turning her back to the crowd.
"Where are you going..." Ikuno Dictus called out, turning her head. But as the words left her lips, her expression froze in confusion.
"Who... was I even talking to...?"
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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 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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.