"Ogura's starting to accelerate!" Symboli Rudolf exclaimed excitedly.
"Last time, Golden Crown Eagle only forced Ogura to accelerate after activating her Zone. This time, Obey Your Master made Ogura accelerate even before activating her Zone."
"I can do it without activating my Zone," Maruzensky suddenly blurted out.
Symboli Rudolf: "?"
Symboli Rudolf looked at Maruzensky, whose face held an indescribable expression of regret, feeling somewhat bewildered.
Why is Maruzensky acting like Teio today?
She's like a sulking little girl.
"What's wrong with you today? Are you so eager to run with that Ogura?"
"How boring~"
Maruzensky didn't answer, but sighed and continued watching the match.
--
In the arena, Sakura Baimu, having begun to accelerate, once again widened the gap between herself and Obey Your Master.
Seeing this, Obey Your Master's smile deepened even further.
"Truly worthy of being the Umamusume who can overpower the Zone with sheer skill in only her second year since debut. I guess I'm no match for you."
Obey Your Master practically shouted this out with a laugh.
After saying that, she added quietly:
"Of course, that's without activating the Zone."
As soon as she finished speaking, the area beneath Obey Your Master's feet sank like a sponge.
The sunken ground instantly lowered her position by a full 20 centimeters.
At the same time, a blazing golden flame erupted from Obey Your Master's eyes.
It was more than twice as intense as Rice Shower in the Takarazuka Kinen, and even more so than Golden Crown Eagle from a few nights ago.
A golden aura, visible only to Umamusume who had activated their Zone, enveloped Obey Your Master, causing her speed to surge dramatically.
"Half a wave left."
Obey Your Master calculated the distance, her smile deepening as she watched Sakura Baimu's figure draw ever closer.
"I'm catching up!"
Obey Your Master murmured, and as the last word escaped her lips, she was already running neck and neck with Sakura Baimu.
Taking advantage of the moment she overtook Sakura Baimu, she caught a glimpse of Sakura Baimu's slightly furrowed brows in the slow passage of time.
While she felt a little disappointed at not seeing Sakura Baimu's expression of shock and panic at her imposing aura, it was clear that her aura was not something Sakura Baimu could easily withstand.
A moment later, Obey Your Master had already overtaken Sakura Baimu by more than a length.
"Overtaken! Ogura was overtaken before even reaching the final straightaway!" Symboli Rudolf spoke solemnly.
Maruzensky, witnessing this, subtly gripped her sleeves, her arms crossed over her chest.
She had already tested Obey Your Master's strength.
Indeed, very strong.
In the entire Tracen Academy, top five might be a stretch, but within the top seven was definitely achievable.
Judging from the strength of her Zone she had currently displayed, it absolutely surpassed Narita Brian and Urban Sea in their Zone states.
Such strength would be overwhelming in an active race.
Even if Sakura Baimu lost to her, Maruzensky wouldn't underestimate her.
Sakura Baimu's strength without her Zone activated is truly remarkable and worthy of respect from both her and Symboli Rudolf.
Logically, that was what Maruzensky thought.
However, emotionally, Maruzensky didn't want Sakura Baimu to lose.
As mentioned earlier, Maruzensky already knew Obey Your Master's strength.
Originally, before the match between Sakura Baimu and Obey Your Master, Maruzensky's understanding of Sakura Baimu's strength was still unclear.
Therefore, Maruzensky still harbored some anticipation for competing against Sakura Baimu.
However, if Sakura Baimu lost to Obey Your Master, Maruzensky would immediately form a judgment of Sakura Baimu's strength.
No matter what, Sakura Baimu wouldn't inspire any greater expectations than Obey Your Master.
This was the real reason Maruzensky wanted to compete against Sakura Baimu before Obey Your Master.
Because she didn't want to confirm the "unknown" she held about Sakura Baimu.
Although Maruzensky's rational mind told her that Sakura Baimu, as an Umamusume from the same era as Oguri Cap but who had only competed for a year, had vastly different competitive experience compared to Obey Your Master,
without a Zone, the possibility of trying to surpass Obey Your Master was basically zero.
But Sakura Baimu had already shattered their expectations far too many times.
Therefore, Maruzensky still held a sliver of hope for Sakura Baimu.
"She hasn't activated her aura yet... why isn't she using it?"
Maruzensky muttered to herself. Activating her aura was definitely better when she was as close to the target Umamusume as possible, especially when she was behind.
Sakura Baimu was already trailing by nearly two lengths, yet she made no further move.
This was causing Maruzensky increasing anxiety.
After the final bend lay a two-meter incline before the finish line.
This was the second major test of an Umamusume's heart.
Although Obey Your Master lost some speed on this ramp, it was negligible compared to her already significantly faster pace compared to Sakura Baimu.
Finally, Sakura Baimu stepped onto the ramp.
The moment her foot touched the incline, her momentum exploded.
In that instant, Obey Your Master felt her heart pound heavily in her chest.
It was crystal clear within her Zone.
"Obey Your Master!"
Turning around, she saw Sakura Baimu, her face also beaming with excitement, a slight smile playing on her lips.
And there, enveloping her entire body, was a soaring aura of deep blue, even more profound than the night sky.
In her Zone state, she was supposed to shield herself from all external interference.
But Sakura Baimu's aura was so powerful that even with her Zone activated, she felt a direct sense of awe.
Obey Your Master felt every hair on her body stand on end, a shiver running down her spine.
"This feeling is even more terrifying than Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross..."
Obey Your Master swallowed hard.
She felt her heart pounding faster, a surge of fighting spirit igniting within her.
Exhilaration.
Nothing but pleasure.
This was far more enjoyable than being crushed like a toy by Maruzensky.
Obey Your Master looked at Sakura Baimu, who also wore a smile, knowing that this match had ignited Sakura Baimu's competitive spirit as well.
Suddenly, she felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.
Obey Your Master's loud laughter echoed clearly through Tracen Academy in the dead of night.
"Can you catch me?"
Obey Your Master had expected Sakura Baimu to give a vague answer like "yes" or "you just wait."
But a moment later, Sakura Baimu's reply struck her like a thunderbolt.
"Ten seconds."