"Hmm, this is actually my first time running a long-distance race. The 3,200-meter stretch is a challenge in its own right for me."
"So, my goal this time is set a bit lower."
"Just aiming to secure a spot on the Winner's Stage and, ideally, make sure I'm the only one up there."
At Tracen Academy, facing the reporters' pre-race questions, Barbatos responded to their inquiries.
As Barbatos answered, camera flashes popped incessantly. In this era overflowing with prodigy Uma Musume, Barbatos—fresh off a victory against El Condor Pasa, one of the current generation's brightest stars—and now venturing into long-distance races, was undoubtedly the center of heated discussion.
Even if Barbatos' words this time seemed unusually modest.
Merely aiming to secure a spot on the Winner's Stage and hoping to be the only one on it? That was all?
After all, Barbatos was an Uma Musume with a perfect record in every race except for the outlying Winter Dream Cup. She was this era's Narita Brian, this era's T.M Opera O!
Uh…
The camera flashes gradually slowed after that initial flurry.
The reporters, who had initially thought Barbatos was being unusually reserved, began to catch on one by one.
Modest?
Modest, my foot!
Securing a spot on the Winner's Stage meant finishing in the top three—that part wasn't much to write home about.
Even though Barbatos had never run a long-distance race before, and even though some had previously pointed out potential stamina issues, after her performance in the Oka Sho, everyone had witnessed her superhuman ability.
Her stamina problems seemed to have been addressed as well.
Even if the distance wasn't within her optimal range, placing in the top three for the Tenno Sho shouldn't be too much of a problem, right?
But it was that second part!
Striving to be the only one on the Winner's Stage!
In other words, Barbatos' goal was to leave the other Uma Musume in the dust by ten lengths at the Tenno Sho, achieving a complete victory so she could monopolize the stage.
What sheer confidence!
As the reporters caught on, the flashbulbs started popping even faster.
Barbatos, 'blinded' by the flashes, wasn't bothered. Pre-race interviews were, in her understanding, a place for trash talk.
If you didn't even dare to talk tough before a race, wouldn't that make it seem like you lacked confidence?
And confidence wasn't the same as underestimating her opponents.
She had prepared thoroughly for the Tenno Sho, even going out of her way to seek advice from Tamamo Cross.
"Barbatos, regarding monopolizing the Winner's Stage, do you feel that Mejiro Bright poses no threat to you?"
A reporter stepped forward to ask.
In Japan, pre-race interviews with Uma Musume were usually quite formal, so reporters from various newspapers tended to be rather proper. But when facing Barbatos, they naturally loosened up.
"As for a threat… maybe there would have been in the past."
Barbatos fell silent for a moment before speaking. She had studied Mejiro Bright's past races together with Seiun Sky.
An opponent like that, over short to middle distances, really didn't seem like much of a threat.
But when it came to the Mejiro family's aptitude for long-distance races, they were absolutely not to be underestimated. Mejiro Bright had already demonstrated this in her previous races.
Whoa—
Barbatos' response drew gasps from the reporters on the scene. Did this mean Mejiro Bright was no longer a threat to her?
Of course not.
But if she admitted there was a threat now, wouldn't that undermine her own bravado?
If she couldn't even voice a declaration of victory, if she couldn't even manage some verbal swagger, then what was the point of all her training and effort? Wouldn't all her past victories seem fake?
She, Barbatos, had always been low-key and humble since the Winter Dream Cup.
But that was when facing legendary Uma Musume, when facing her seniors. If she couldn't even show confidence and pride against her peers, how could she claim to be one of the era's prodigies?
A reporter with close ties to the Mejiro family stepped forward, cleared his throat, and couldn't help but add, "It's said that the Mejiro family's… venerable elder personally coached Mejiro Bright for this Spring Tenno Sho. Surely she has improved significantly compared to her past races."
The implication was that at the Spring Tenno Sho, Mejiro Bright would definitely not be as non-threatening as Barbatos suggested, but rather a formidable rival.
Of course, this wasn't the reporter vouching for the Mejiro family or anything. In sports, truth was found on the field.
If Barbatos won the Tenno Sho, the reporters would be thrilled to witness it. Everyone wanted to see the emergence of another Symboli Rudolf.
He was just doing what reporters do—trying to stir up more explosive topics.
"The Mejiro family's venerable elder coached her?"
Barbatos was momentarily stunned. What was this about a 'venerable elder' now?
This was the modern world, not some fantasy cultivation novel. What was this about a family elder personally coaching?
Come to think of it, who exactly was the Mejiro family's 'venerable elder'? How many G1 wins? Was she a Triple Crown winner or a spring/autumn double champion?
Though she didn't know much about the Mejiro elder, the old lady certainly couldn't replace Mejiro Bright in the race.
Seeing Barbatos seemed unfamiliar with this 'venerable elder,' the reporter asked, "Have you heard the story of the Tortoise and the Hare?"
"Of course I have."
Barbatos nodded matter-of-factly.
Not just in this world, even in her previous life before crossing over—who hadn't heard of the Tortoise and the Hare?
Even online, a quick search would bring up the story.
The hare and the tortoise race. The hare runs very fast, sees the tortoise far behind, and decides to take a nap before the finish line. In the end, the tortoise overtakes him while he's sleeping.
The moral of the story is never be arrogant. To achieve ultimate success, you must rely on your own relentless effort. Pride leads to falling behind, humility leads to progress.
Put more simply, it's that hard work can surpass natural talent.
Rock Lee would angrily smash the 'dislike' button!
The Mejiro family's so-called 'venerable elder' was probably someone of mediocre talent who managed to defeat some famous Uma Musume through sheer effort, right?
Having figured this out, Barbatos pondered for a couple of seconds, then looked at the reporter. "So, did that Mejiro family elder defeat Brian-senpai? Or did she beat Maruzensky-senpai?"
"Ahem…"
The reporter coughed twice, momentarily at a loss for words.
He'd just mentioned the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. The Mejiro elder's coaching was essentially that story—the tortoise focusing on the finish line, the hare focusing on the tortoise.
How did that suddenly connect to defeating Narita Brian or Maruzensky?!
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! 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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.