An announcement sent the entire Tracen Academy staff and student body into an uproar.
Looking at the contents of the notice, everyone was moved.
Trainers frantically pulled out their phones to call their horse girls. An opportunity like this was not to be missed. Although some trainers, like Air Groove, were worried that having their horse girls participate in a race of this level was too much, the vast majority were very enthusiastic.
Not to mention the horse girls themselves. Almost none of them could refuse the honor of racing against the "Emperor," especially with an Undefeated Triple Crown winner from a parallel world, Mejiro McQueen, also participating. Even if they didn't think they could win, they didn't want to miss it.
The number of people who wanted to sign up was beyond imagination.
Less than five minutes after the notice was posted, all the slots were filled.
The time was 3:00 PM.
The Tracen Academy training grounds were buzzing with excitement.
The construction crew had just finished installing the gates—sixteen in total. They even temporarily built a platform for the competitors to make their entrance, which would also be used for the performance after the race.
Even though this wasn't an official race, the Director insisted on the full procedure.
When Mejiro McQueen arrived and saw the platform, she suddenly wanted to back out. Why do I have to do a Winner's Stage even for this kind of private race? Director, you must be trying to make things difficult for me!
Her arrival attracted a lot of attention.
After all, Mejiro McQueen was one of the stars of this event.
"When you go up later, just stand in that spot..."
Mejiro McQueen listened with a blank expression.
After learning the procedure, she found a random empty spot to sit.
Trainer Okino, who had brought his team, had them go learn the entrance procedure. He then came over to Mejiro McQueen and said: "Are you really going to be okay? That girl's weight went up, didn't it? Will this really not affect your race?"
Mejiro McQueen shot him a cold look. How dare you ask that question, you trainer who failed at your job? Although she hated trainers who tried to manage everything, for a horse girl like [McQueen] who couldn't control herself, she had to admit the "traditional" method of education would be very effective! At least she wouldn't be like this, unable to control a simple gluttony problem.
"Since you knew, why didn't you stop her?"
"...Sorry. I was wrong."
Okino made no excuses.
He had let [McQueen] sneak snacks because he saw she was under a lot of stress and wanted her to relax. He never thought she could get fat from just one binge. But there was no need to say any of that. It was his failure as a trainer. He was willing to accept McQueen's lecture.
But Mejiro McQueen was clearly in no mood to lecture.
"You don't need to say this to me. Save it for when that girl comes back."
After all, this guy wasn't her trainer.
"Also, even if I'm weaker, it doesn't mean you all can beat me!"
Her intense aura stopped Trainer Okino from saying anything else.
"..."
The words of encouragement he had wanted to say got stuck.
Only now did Okino realize that this Mejiro McQueen was not the [McQueen] he knew. And he was not her trainer.
Damn it.
That guy named 'P'.
When you come to Chuuou, I'll make sure you have a hard time!
Okino silently cursed in his heart.
More and more competitors arrived.
Mejiro McQueen glanced over; they were all familiar faces.
With the sound of a ceremonial cannon.
The runners began to go on stage one by one.
Mejiro McQueen had no popularity in this world, but as one of the stars of the event, she was still saved for the finale, appearing second to last. The last one to appear was, naturally, the Emperor, Symboli Rudolf.
Neither of them put on a performance. They just walked on stage, flicked their red capes, and walked back down. Even such a simple action caused a huge wave of screams.
"Wow, Teacher! It looks like we're just in time."
"Shh, Dschingis. We mustn't attract attention."
"Okay, Teacher."
Two horse girls in casual clothes, wearing hats and sunglasses, blended into the crowd. Some trainers saw them and were confused. Who are they? Why are they dressed so heavily? And they look so familiar.
At this time, the Tracen Academy main gate was unguarded, as all security was here. But normally, even with no guard, no outsider would dare break in. So no one knew that two outside horse girls had snuck in.
"Teacher, those are the horse girls you mentioned."
"Yes. It seems we've arrived right during their event."
"Teacher, that's the runner you wanted me to pay attention to, right?"
Dschingis (Secret) pointed at Mejiro McQueen.
Volk squinted.
"That's right. You feel it too, don't you?"
"Mhm. She has entered that realm, too."
Both of them could sense the aura of Zone.
The commentators took their seats.
"I'm delighted to have been invited by the Director to commentate
this race. I am your commentator, Akasaka."
"And I am Hosoe."
"This race is on a 2000-meter turf track. The runners are ready. We can see they are all in perfect form."
"We hope everyone can achieve a good result."
"First, let's introduce the favorites for this race."
"Third in popularity is this one, Maruzensky! She looks very calm. As expected of a veteran runner. We look forward to her exciting performance today."
In front of the gate, Maruzensky was smiling and chatting with Special Week.
Special Week looked annoyed, even wary.
"I don't want to talk to you, Senpai!"
"Why not?"
"I have to focus on the race!"
"Spe-chan, you're full of energy. Big-sis won't be holding back today~"
"I don't need you to hold back!"
Special Week really didn't want to chat, but she couldn't get away.
Grass Wonder watched them silently from behind.
"Second in popularity is this one, our special guest, Mejiro McQueen! We don't know the details, but her strength has been acknowledged by the Director. Let's look forward to her performance in the race!"
Mejiro McQueen stood alone in front of her gate, arms crossed, eyes closed. A strong aura radiated from her, making the other runners too afraid to approach.
"And finally, first in popularity, the Emperor of Chuuou, Symboli Rudolf!"
Symboli Rudolf was currently talking with Air Groove.
As the prep time ended.
All the runners quieted down and entered the gates.
"Bang!"
The countdown finished. The gates opened.
Except for Gold Ship, who stumbled, and Special Week, whose rhythm was broken by something Maruzensky said, all the other runners were out.
"The race is on! The runners are out of the gate! Gold Ship and Special Week have a late start and are at the back! In the lead is Number 2, Mejiro McQueen! She bursts out of the pack with an amazing start and takes first! Following closely is Maruzensky, then Mejiro Zeness and Seiun Sky..."
Mejiro McQueen felt the breathing and footsteps behind her. A golden light flashed from her hooves as she used a skill, intending to pull away from the others.
"The leader, Mejiro McQueen, is accelerating!"
"This runner's style... is a bit hard to understand."
Before the commentators could finish, they saw other runners in the back also begin to accelerate.
Maruzensky, seeing McQueen enter "sprint mode," smiled and immediately went into her own acceleration. Behind her, Mejiro Zeness glanced at Seiun Sky, then also easily accelerated to follow. Seiun Sky wanted to do the same, but she hesitated and missed her chance. Unlike the other three, her acceleration ability was her trump card.
'As expected, her speed isn't what it was at the Kikuka Sho.'
Maruzensky thought, watching McQueen's back.
Mejiro McQueen had failed to shake the "Escape" group in the first section. While this was partly due to the strength of her opponents, the bigger reason was this body. In terms of stats, Maruzensky's were an "S" average. Mejiro Zeness was a little lower. And [McQueen]'s stats were B+ at best, and now they had dropped a little from the weight gain. This meant that even with her skills, McQueen's speed couldn't gain a decisive advantage.
But Mejiro McQueen's expression didn't waver. She immediately activated "Wave" and "Aura." No one expected her to enter a second acceleration so early. The "Escape" group reacted in time, but the pack behind them was a beat too late and was left behind.
Symboli Rudolf had planned to observe from the back, but her intuition told her something was wrong with the "Escape" group. She decisively abandoned her plan and began to accelerate.
However, the runners in front of her seemed intent on blocking her, preventing the "Emperor" from breaking through.
'Troublesome.'
Rudolf glanced impatiently at the runners in front. Her purple eyes began to turn red, and tiny arcs of electricity danced within them. She had no intention of being boxed in. It was a bit early, but she was prepared to use her Zone to force her way out. In that instant, the surrounding runners felt a heavy pressure, and a paralyzing, electric shock-like sensation.
"Get out of my way!"
A terrifying red lightning field (Zone) suddenly enveloped the nearby runners.
Under its cover, the other runners lost control of their bodies, and could only watch as the "Emperor" passed them one by one. And with every opponent she passed, the "Emperor's" aura became even more terrifying!
...
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