"That technique—wasn't a mirage, was it?"
After a beat, Groove asked, uncertain. "Does she know Oguri Cap?"
"With a burst like that—if she masters it—she's more than worthy of the Central," Rudolf answered, chin propped on one hand as she watched:
"And she isn't just mimicking Oguri. She picked a precise moment—when Teio hit a threshold—and used it to snatch the advantage back. That's not a judgment a one-month runner makes by accident… unless it was luck."
Rudolf sounded surprised.
On the course, pretense dies. In a brief all-out dash, if you want to win, you show everything.
Stardust Mirage's eyes hadn't shown a killer's hunger before the break—but that reckless step just now was pure refusal to be passed.
"Looks like she just hasn't had a true duel," Rudolf thought, more satisfied.
Don't be fooled by 500–600 meters; with her terrifying bank of experience, she could already see it: this runner likely had tremendous potential.
"In that case, Teio is the one in danger…"
Groove, seeing Rudolf thrilled to find a gem, began to worry.
Being happy about Stardust Mirage was fine—but had the Emperor forgotten whose debut this was? If Teio didn't win, how long would Rudolf mope in the Council room this time?
Rudolf had, in fact, forgotten. Eyes glued to the leaders, she murmured:
Come on, Stardust Mirage. Show me more.
Do it again if you must. Let me be sure… that you can succeed Oguri Cap—soon to retire—as the next Cinderella.
The race rolled on.
Teio hadn't been rattled by the setback. Her face held nothing but the will to win.
With a physique superior to everyone present and those once-in-a-myriad legs, she reeled Stardust Mirage in again.
This time, the miracle didn't recur. Stardust Mirage was caught.
Having led for a good chunk, she now ran shoulder-to-shoulder with Teio.
She didn't panic.
She'd learned something from years of delivery runs:
From the first step, apportion your stamina for the whole distance.
Weak in Stamina, she knew that locking horns would shatter her rhythm.
She'd just procced Straight Recovery and Corner Recovery back-to-back, but she was no superhuman; to finish, she couldn't burn wantonly.
Teio—take the lead for now.
Holding her comfort pace, Stardust Mirage watched Teio edge past.
Rudolf nodded.
Even she could see the girl's Stamina was tight.
For an un- or under-trained runner, pacing is crucial.
When she reached Tracen, they'd fix that with a proper plan.
Rudolf had already stopped caring about the result. In her mind, Stardust Mirage was in the bag.
She was already considering training regimens and a suitable trainer.
On the course, the field had entered the back half. Stardust Mirage eased along, drawing up on Fine Motion in third.
Up front, Teio showed no hint of Stamina strain—only a widening lead.
So it had just been a fluke?
Fine Motion eyed Stardust Mirage creeping closer and wondered.
But Stardust Mirage was laser-focused on the course. She kept her rhythm, closing on Turn 3—
Just a little more. A little more!
At the turn-in, Fine Motion on her inside eased for the arc. Stardust Mirage held a straight-line charge, cutting from the rail to the far outside—
"Hey, you're not going to—hngh!?"
Worried, Fine Motion tried to speak, wrecking her own rhythm. Her breath hitched; her feet hiccuped; her speed collapsed—she was swallowed by the second pack…
Stardust Mirage, already sliding into the far outside, stepped onto the pre-selected mark. Her eyes flew wide—
There. That's the spot!
Blue skill: 777—activate!
A warm rush flooded her; fatigue ebbed from her limbs. That wasn't the key. Hitting the 777-meter mark procced the recovery, and with it, a vision exploded in her mind—
A gray-white phantom ripped along a strip of Christmas lights. A runner's eyes went sharp; a foot detonated into the turf.
Miracle Runner of the Holy Night—ignite!
A shiver, a quake—terror washed over the pack.
Several tailenders flinched and stumbled, spilling out of formation.
The rest fared little better; though they held on, their speed and faces changed. Only Fine Motion and Tokai Teio kept roughly steady.
What just happened?!
Even Teio felt it—sudden drag on her legs; needles pricking her back, daring her to slow even a hair. And behind—footfalls, hard and fast—
Someone was coming.
The thought barely formed before a figure on the far outside edged into her vision.
Every stride looked like it might shatter the turf—her speed was still climbing.
Impossible… With nearly 700 meters left and the field not even in the final turn—someone's kicking now?!
Teio gritted her teeth, forcing more power. Heat flared in her chest. She didn't know who was launching early, but as the leader, she would not be passed.
If you're going now—then let's do it. Don't think this is all I've got!
Teio changed form in a snap.
She went straight to the final-kick posture!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you so much for reading until the end.
If you'd like to read more, you can Joining to my Patreon.
My Patreon: p*treon*com/Hydran_Tea
Chainsaw Man: The Covenant of Flame Demon [ 71 Chapter ]
Uma Musume: Wait—you want me to pop my Christmas Hat Ultimate? [ 53 Chapter ]