The opening phase unfolded at a blistering pace. The field was unusually restless, radiating an intense offensive spirit.
Kousei settled into the mid-pack. It seemed she intended to run as a Chaser in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. While this strategy lacked the element of surprise compared to others, it offered greater stability. After all, this was the grandest stage, and her opponents were far from ordinary. A single mistake could plunge her into an extremely disadvantageous position.
Meanwhile, Sea the Stars held back at the rear of the field, showing no intention of making a move in the early stages. It appeared the two most-watched contenders would not clash anytime soon.
This conservative approach, however, carried a different meaning for the other Umamusume. It was common knowledge that neither Sea the Stars nor Kousei was in peak condition.
Their cautious actions sent a clear message to the rest of the field: Perhaps we can force them out with high-pressure tactics.
Indeed, caution implied a fear of risk.
If the race proceeded at a normal pace, it would undoubtedly favor these two. Naturally, the others wouldn't let that happen. The first to attack was the Front-Runner at the very head of the pack, unleashing her usual escape tactic at full throttle from the start.
Thanks to her, the tempo began to skyrocket.
Middle-distance races demand more of an Umamusume's overall ability. The greater freedom of the course allows them to perform as they see fit. Escape tactics are especially deadly in middle-distance races, as skilled Front-Runners have a very high chance of leading the entire race.
However, the Arc de Triomphe's turf was soft, and its final straight was comparatively longer—conditions quite disadvantageous for Front-Runners.
After a quick weigh-up of the pros and cons, Kousei decided to keep pace with the Front-Runner. Whatever challenges lay ahead, it was better than being instantly "beheaded" by the guillotine of an escape tactic.
As Kousei made her move, other contenders followed suit, all making the same decision. The field began to push forward rapidly, clearing the opening phase in less than a minute.
Kousei waited for her moment, anticipating the first turn. Cornering had always been her strength, but now she needed to prepare for her entry. Her current position was far from ideal. Her eyes scanned the field, searching for something.
Suddenly, a cunning smile flashed across her face. She had clearly found a good spot.
But just as Kousei prepared to move, Umamusume immediately closed in from her left and right. They exchanged no words, their actions clearly a spontaneous blockade after seeing through her intentions.
"Looks like I'm being marked," Kousei muttered. "Can't move as I please now."
Kousei glanced back. Sea the Stars' overtaking path was also blocked. Clean and decisive, leaving not a single opening.
"As expected of the Arc de Triomphe," Kousei thought. "In that case, I'll just hold my position for now."
Like a red serpent flicking its tongue, she watched from the shadows, eyeing every passing prey.
While the others had successfully blocked Sea the Stars and Kousei, their focus seemed too narrow. They were completely unaware of another Umamusume quietly closing in.
"Huh?"
An Umamusume in the leading pack stared in confusion at the violet blur that suddenly appeared before her. The next moment, Nakayama Festa's face flashed into view.
"She's from Central!"
Nakayama Festa launched her attack, slipping through a gap in the defense. She shot straight toward the Front-Runner, leaving a trail of blooming violets in her wake.
It was an incredibly sudden assault—practically an ambush.
Seizing the fleeting opportunity, Nakayama Festa broke through the forward blockade in one swift move. Seeing this, the Central spectators erupted in cheers.
"Go, Festa!"
This unexpected strike dramatically shifted the race's dynamics. Now pursued, the Front-Runner was forced to increase her speed once again.
The Umamusume behind her faced a dilemma: even if they wanted to keep up, they were about to enter the race's first turn.
Entering a turn at high speed is a terrible idea unless you have absolute confidence in your technique. Nakayama Festa's timing was brilliant. Any racer who might have tried to block her would hesitate, wary of the approaching curve.
To navigate the turn safely, the field's formation began to loosen. The opening Kousei had been waiting for presented itself almost immediately. Though the pack was still tight, it was no longer a problem.
The vibrant red polka dots danced forward, shimmering as if freed from gravity, moving effortlessly along the curve. Kousei's footwork was now second nature. She had come to understand McQueen's movement patterns, and with her own cornering technique perfected, her choices became simple.
Coming out of the turn, Kousei began searching for Nakayama Festa. She genuinely wanted to face her, curious to see just how strong Central's racers had become.
"Mark—"
Nakayama Festa's mind jolted. In an instant, she understood what had happened.
"Got you."
Kousei appeared like a phantom, her blood-red eyes seeming to drip with crimson light.
"Using your Mark on me... I'm truly flattered!" Nakayama Festa retorted.
Kousei shifted her footing, her body angling to unleash her full power and suppress Nakayama Festa on the straightaway.
BOOM!
After the thunderous clash, Nakayama Festa wasn't pinned to the inner lane as expected. Instead, her golden eyes blazed as she stared directly at Kousei, refusing to yield and confronting her head-on.
"I'm quite confident in both my power and stamina!" Nakayama Festa declared with a defiant grin.
Kousei faltered for a moment. Nakayama Festa was far stronger than she had anticipated. This contradicted Kashimoto Riko's training philosophy. Building such a powerful physique required pushing past one's limits—a process synonymous with danger. Riko now favored technique-focused racers like Tokai Teio. While she adjusted her methods for each Umamusume, a trainer's style inevitably influenced their charges.
"Isn't Acting Chairman Kashimoto your trainer?" Kousei asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Hmph—interested in me, are you?" Nakayama Festa retorted.
"You don't have to tell me," Kousei replied, flames erupting from her pupils. "I'll find out the real you myself."
In an instant, the sky darkened. Blood-red mist seeped from the ground, and demons vanished into the illusion.
"A Gate Technique of this scale?! Her body shouldn't have recovered yet!"
The sudden appearance of the Gate Technique startled everyone. What they didn't realize, however, was that Kousei had never been one to worry about consequences. On the racetrack, she poured her entire being into enjoying the race.
"My eyes... they burn."
The backlash from the flames was far more intense than she had anticipated. Kousei wasn't just competing against the other Umamusume; she was racing against time. She had chosen to summon the Mist instead of the more powerful Flame Wheel because she had already devised a strategy during the brief opening phase.
The subtle restlessness in the footfalls around her reminded Kousei of days long past.
"It's been a while since I've run in a free-for-all like this."