Air Shakur originally intended to leave…
However she instead walked straight towards Garden Gale, interest plainly visible in her eyes. She genuinely wanted to communicate more closely with this prodigy—maybe even gain some insights from her.
Really… this ability was way too bizarre and utterly unconventional.
Or rather, this wasn't a path an ordinary person could follow.
...
Of course, Garden Gale didn't notice this small interlude—or even Air Shakur's presence.
Not even as Air Shakur approached.
She was entirely focused... wholeheartedly immersed in running.
It was currently 10:31 PM, close to midnight, a time when no one else would be watching. This meant no social constraints, only the free night breeze blowing gently across her face, rustling through her hair.
Right now…
Garden Gale could train to her heart's content without any worries.
Using some foundational knowledge rewarded by the Selas System, along with the training experience gained from watching Air Shakur and Fine Motion earlier that afternoon, she was now polishing the skill she'd copied from Tokai Teio.
The greatest strength of a chameleon was utilizing its environment—creating unparalleled abilities for itself.
Even her running…
From the initial awkwardness, steadily, step-by-step, became smoother and faster.
How can she describe it?
When she first tried running in Tokai Teio's style, she'd instantly stumbled forward and fallen flat, nearly planting herself face-first into the dirt—eating dirt was pretty much guaranteed. But that didn't discourage Garden Gale.
Nor did it shake her determination.
She simply got back up...
Again... and again she ran, her soles digging into the dirt, until the horseshoes' original color became indistinguishable beneath layers of mud.
Spending this time alone.
Growing increasingly resolute… and steadily stronger. Throughout this training, Garden Gale felt the endorphins released from running—truly an ultimate pleasure—and sensed the assistance brought by the skill Reincarnation: Chameleon.
Even though its current status was marked as "sealed," it was still incredibly useful—like having someone guiding her through each movement, quickly falling into the rhythm, never lagging or rushing ahead, dancing perfectly in sync to a four-beat melody.
Should this be called the power of a gold-tier skill?
Probably the strongest rating, right? If even its sealed form was this powerful, what would it look like fully unsealed?
She pondered silently.
Then... steadied her breathing and continued to train diligently.
Until her fatigue finally surpassed her limit.
Only then did Garden Gale snap back to reality, as if abruptly awakening from a dream. She looked up, gazing at the moonless night sky obscured by thick clouds, the entire training track plunged into darkness.
Only a thin beam of moonlight pierced through the clouds, faintly illuminating the distance.
Crap.
I seem to have trained way too long.
Can't help it, I totally lost myself in it.
Thinking this, Garden Gale's lips curved upward, feeling unexpectedly happy—proud of how far she'd pushed herself. Then, exhaling slowly, she let her reason return, deciding it was finally time to call it a night.
Yet, instead of satisfaction at ending her training, the next moment brought intense, agonizing pain!
Painful!!!!
Super painful!!!!! Like being ripped apart!!!
The smile instantly became a grimace.
...Just how weak was this body's original owner? Could anyone possibly be this weak? It was just one evening of training!
Little did she know, Tokai Teio's running style heavily relied on physical capability and overall strength. Ordinary Umamusume couldn't handle that extreme balance; even deliberately copying it was nearly impossible. For Garden Gale to have trained this intensely and for so long was already a sign of immense talent.
Garden Gale, without caring about image at all, staggered onto the grass and collapsed.
Just wanting to rest for a bit.
Naturally, she opened her status panel—and immediately raised her eyebrows happily.
After all that training… stats like Speed and Stamina had grown slightly. Truthfully, you might think these minor improvements meant nothing—but no! This was absolutely clear and straightforward positive feedback! Feedback strong enough to keep someone going indefinitely. Whether you succeeded in something or not often hinged greatly on this kind of clear, tangible feedback.
She sighed.
And just... laid there for a moment.
Thoughts fluttered chaotically—but in short, she'd rest a bit, then head back to the dorm and crash.
She had no idea what time it was now.
Eyes open wide, staring blankly at the starless night sky, Garden Gale suddenly raised her right hand toward the heavens, fingers wide open, then slowly closed into a fist—as if intending to grasp the sun, moon, stars, and her own ambitions firmly in her palm.
I think—I will become the strongest Umamusume in history.
The thought had barely formed, her hand had yet to fully close, when suddenly, a face appeared right between her fingers. Honestly, describing it this way was kind of terrifying.
A somewhat... familiar face.
Before she had time to feel startled or clearly identify the newcomer, she heard the other person's voice.
"Garden Gale-san, I saw your training," Air Shakur declared, her words sharp as a blade drawn from its sheath.
In that instant—
Even the air froze solid.
A...A-Air...Air Shakur!????
What the heck is she doing here at this hour!? Come on, it's almost midnight, right? Shouldn't you be sleeping instead of wandering around the training track!? Wait—what did she just say? She saw my training? Doesn't that mean… all my pathetic training was seen by Air Shakur!? My embarrassingly slow speed, my ridiculously awkward posture… all...all of it seen clearly...
NOOOOOO!!!! This is instant social death!!!
The moment someone else appeared, Garden Gale immediately reverted from calm introspection... straight back into severe social anxiety mode.
But more critically...
Air Shakur actually saw her training! When exactly did that happen? How come she hadn't noticed at all?
Being too focused has its downsides!!
She was already internally wailing…
What now? Should I grovel, kneeling down to beg Air Shakur, "Please, I'm begging you, keep this secret for me! Please, don't expose me, don't let me lose my standing publicly!"—or maybe just risk everything and run away tonight?
What should she do!?
But before she'd made any decision, she heard Air Shakur continue, "You're genuinely a prodigy through and through, Garden-san. I deeply admire you."
Garden Gale tilted her head blankly. "...Eh?"
---
T/N: eh? should i draw her :3
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