Just as Rice Shower was preparing for her racing hiatus, the academy suddenly announced news about an Arc de Triomphe Exchange Race.
The exchange race was equivalent to a GII competition.
Anyone who claimed victory in this race would qualify to compete in this year's Arc de Triomphe in France.
This exchange race was the same scale as the Japan Cup—meaning there were no restrictions on nationality or age.
The moment this news broke, it immediately attracted massive attention on the International Racing Association forums.
Compared to the original entry requirements for the Arc de Triomphe, this exchange race's qualification criteria were undoubtedly simpler.
Just win, and you'd secure a spot.
Previously, to participate in the Arc de Triomphe, one needed to win at least two G1 races before July each year, and then pass a popularity vote to earn entry.
Now all it took was winning a single GII race.
While it was entirely predictable that winning this GII would be no easier than a G1, at least the race was officially only GII-tier. However, people soon noticed a special rule attached to this exchange race.
As the host of the Arc de Triomphe, the French side's representative had a priority entry slot.
Those who noticed this rule instantly felt a chill run down their spines. While the rule seemed reasonable enough, thinking it through made things feel very wrong. People immediately began investigating information about this year's exchange students.
Rigantona and Legacy World, as already-graduated competitors, were famous but didn't attract much attention—they couldn't possibly participate in this exchange race. But the information about Venus Paques instantly made everyone who obtained it feel like they couldn't breathe.
Because this competitor registered as Venus Paques had already claimed the Classic Double Crown this year!
Many people's pupils trembled when they saw this.
Wait, wait, wait!
Was the Classic Double Crown that easy to win? And undefeated at that!
To win this year's exchange race, you'd have to defeat someone like this?
What kind of international joke is this?!
This girl had claimed the Classic Double Crown undefeated despite the debuff of competing on foreign soil. Even without entering this exchange race, she undoubtedly had the ability to compete in the Arc de Triomphe.
And they were letting this Monster guard the gate?
The organizers are truly despicable.
Many trainers gripped the documents in their hands tightly.
The thought of rushing to register instantly died. After all, this exchange race's venue was a recreation of the Arc de Triomphe's course—the track conditions completely replicated France's course. When the time came, this Monster would only be even stronger!
Thus, a comment appeared on the forum:
"Is this some kind of new-era joke? A GII-level race with this caliber of gatekeeper?"
But the moment this comment was posted, counterattacks came immediately.
"Hey, isn't this great? If you can beat her, you prove you're truly strong!"
"Did someone actually think they could slip through and join the world's strongest competition?"
While it was certainly alarming, everyone agreed that a race of this nature should have such a powerful gatekeeper to make it worthwhile. After all, anyone thinking of sneaking through was someone without real ability anyway—such people shouldn't dream of reaching the world's strongest level.
For those with true ability, they wouldn't fear a powerful opponent. If anything, they felt more excited.
Meanwhile, on the French side, seeing the forum discussions, the French Committee members had question marks popping above their heads.
Hey, don't slander us.
While they had wanted to set up a gatekeeper, they never intended to set the bar this high.
After all, finding a competitor as strong as Venus Paques wasn't something they could do just because they wanted to. They'd never even considered it from the start. Besides, when the exchange students were first selected, Venus Paques hadn't even debuted yet.
Back then, they only knew her talent wasn't weak—she was the disciple of that Arc de Triomphe champion, Legacy World. But they had no idea this petite girl would be this strong. Giving her the first exchange student slot had simply been a gesture of respect toward Legacy World.
It wasn't until Venus Paques started officially racing this year that they realized just how powerful she was.
Though they were secretly delighted, they absolutely would not admit this was some behind-the-scenes manipulation.
Besides, Venus Paques was just a rookie who'd debuted one year ago. Her participation was completely legitimate.
The exchange race had no age restrictions anyway. On what grounds could anyone claim that a first-year debutante like Venus Paques was bullying people?
"We originally planned to have Chairwoman Akikawa's students compete, but Miss Venus Paques being this strong was beyond our expectations. There's really nothing we can do." The French Committee staff couldn't help but laugh as they said this.
Chairwoman Akikawa paid such a high price to establish this exchange program. Surely they won't lose to us in the very first exchange race? That would truly be unfortunate. But well, it's a competition after all. Going all out is the ultimate respect for one's opponents.
...
On the Japan Central Tracen Academy side, the Chairwoman and Student Council President gathered the trainers from several teams for a meeting. The content was simply hoping everyone would take this exchange race seriously and actively register to participate.
Honestly, the strength Venus Paques had displayed had genuinely frightened the Chairwoman and Student Council President.
When she won the Satsuki Sho, they simply thought, As expected of Legacy World's disciple—her strength really is formidable. But when they saw Venus Paques proceed to win the Japan Derby as well, they could no longer sit still.
This level of ability, combined with the talent of having awakened ZONE before debut, reminded them of the strongest active competitor—Rice Shower.
They had originally thought a monster like Rice Shower was a once-in-a-decade occurrence. They never expected a second Monster to appear so quickly—and one who would be their next opponent. This was truly a headache.
"I've called everyone here to discuss this exchange race. We absolutely must win this competition!"
Symboli Rudolf looked gravely at the senior trainers before her.
"So we'd like to hear your opinions, and we hope you can provide your list of competing athletes."
The trainers' expressions showed no surprise.
When they received the notice, they'd already guessed this was what it was about.
But honestly, they didn't have any good suggestions.
There were no tricks to play here.
After all, the other side was coming at them with pure, overwhelming strength.
The only response they could offer was to push back with their own hard power.
Thinking this, many trainers turned to look at P, who had been standing in a corner.
Under everyone's gaze, P immediately felt his scalp tingle.
He could guess what the seniors were thinking—they simply wanted Rice Shower to compete.
But he'd already agreed with Rice Shower that she would stop racing after the Takarazuka Kinen this year.
He was planning to shift his work focus to managing the team going forward.
He never expected that just at this moment, the exchange race the Chairwoman had been preparing would happen to begin.
And they'd run into such a difficult obstacle.
"Don't you want to let Japan's current strongest, Rice Shower, challenge the world's strongest?"
Okino spoke to P with easy familiarity, looking genuinely envious.
If this exchange race had been held a year earlier, he would have immediately registered Teio.
After all, back then Teio was Japan's strongest, fully qualified to challenge for the world's top spot.
P smiled stiffly and replied, "Sorry, but on this matter, I'll respect Rice Shower's own wishes."
Honestly, he had no such desire.
He was already very satisfied with Rice Shower's current achievements.
Challenging for the world's strongest? In his view, it was completely unnecessary.
Because there were risks of losing and getting injured.
Hearing this, Okino looked at this college-aged trainer with surprise.
He'd originally thought this guy was just lucky. He never expected him to be just as naive as himself?
"I see. But this kind of opportunity is rare. I'd suggest you seriously consider it."
Tojo Hana offered her advice.
"Understood," P said.
But he still decided to stick to his own thinking.
If Rice Shower didn't want to participate, he would absolutely not try to persuade her.
After all, Rice Shower's achievements were already sufficient.
And even if they truly wanted to challenge for the world's strongest, there was no need to rush.
He believed that even two years from now, with Rice Shower's ability, she could easily make that challenge.
"Team Sirius needs time to consider, then. What about the rest of you?"
Chairwoman Akikawa's face flickered with momentary disappointment upon hearing Rice Shower might not participate.
Before convening this meeting, she had discussed this matter with Symboli Rudolf.
The conclusion they'd reached was unanimous: to ensure victory in this exchange race, having Rice Shower compete was the only option.
But looking at P now, he clearly wasn't interested in this exchange race at all.
This was understandable.
Given Rice Shower's current achievements, if she wanted to compete in the Arc de Triomphe, she didn't actually need to participate in the exchange race.
Since they hadn't expressed such intentions, it meant neither P nor Rice Shower had any plans to enter the Arc de Triomphe.
And if they decided to enter this exchange race, they would have to compete in this year's Arc de Triomphe.
After all, this exchange race was held specifically for that purpose. They couldn't take the ticket and then forfeit, right?
While that wasn't impossible, it would obviously provoke fan dissatisfaction.
After pondering for a moment, Tojo Hana spoke: "I'd like to recommend my team member, Grass Wonder, for this exchange race."
If they wanted to beat that Monster, they either needed to field an equally monstrous competitor, or use the race rules to deploy a veteran-level athlete.
After all, the opponent was just a rookie who'd debuted one year ago.
On her team, the only veteran-level competitors she could field were Grass Wonder and El Condor Pasa.
But the problem was that El Condor Pasa had gone to France again this year to race.
At the time, they didn't know the Chairwoman would actually manage to negotiate this exchange race. Having El Condor Pasa fly back now would only affect her racing condition. So after consideration, the only option was to have Grass Wonder step up.
But whether she could beat that monster—even Tojo Hana wasn't too confident. After all, Grass Wonder hadn't fully mastered ZONE's power.
If El Condor Pasa were here, she could confidently say they'd definitely win.
As for the rookies Narita Brian and T.M. Opera O...
Their talent was indeed impressive, but there was still a gap between them and Monster-level.
Hearing Tojo Hana mention Grass Wonder's name, Okino's eyes suddenly turned sharp. The name he'd been about to say was instantly held back, and instead he spoke: "Team Spica will be entering Special Week."
Tojo Hana looked at Okino.
She instantly understood what this man was thinking.
Back then, it was precisely because Grass Wonder beat Special Week at the Takarazuka Kinen that Special Week gave up on challenging the Arc de Triomphe. Was he now trying to attempt that challenge again? Okino, your thinking is still as naive as ever.
Symboli Rudolf was somewhat surprised.
Not Teio?
She had originally assumed Okino would enter Tokai Teio in this exchange race.
After all, at 2,400 meters, this was completely Teio's specialty distance.
And current Teio had the ability to challenge the Arc de Triomphe.
But Special Week?
That girl was already in a semi-retired state, rarely competing in races anymore.
"Um, Team Ascella will pass."
A young man with somewhat haggard eyes spoke apologetically.
He was Team Ascella's trainer. Though he came from a prestigious background, he hadn't achieved much success yet.
His team had encountered the same situation Okino once faced—due to poor results, almost all team members had left. Only one contracted Uma Musume remained, and that was King Halo, who currently had only one G1 victory.
He couldn't exactly send King Halo to run this exchange race, so he could only express his helplessness here.
Nanzaka followed, saying: "Team Canopus will also pass."
It wasn't that they didn't want to participate in such a grand stage. It was simply that their ability really wasn't up to par.
With someone taking the lead in declining, many other team trainers reluctantly followed suit. Though Symboli Rudolf's gaze was intimidating right now, they weren't about to send their team members to run a race they were certain to lose.
"I see. Then let's end today's meeting here."
There was no point in continuing the discussion.
Because of the pressure Venus Paques brought, Symboli Rudolf found that enthusiasm for this exchange race was low across the board.
She could only say that the French representatives had truly given her a difficult problem.
Letting a Monster guard the gate like this—did they really intend to cooperate sincerely?
"...This situation has become rather troublesome."
Only after the trainers had left did Chairwoman Akikawa finally allow herself to sigh with a troubled expression.
Symboli Rudolf asked seriously, "Should we use more forceful measures?"
It wasn't that they lacked students capable of fighting that exchange student. It was simply that these trainers didn't want to take the risk.
"No. That would go against my original intention for holding this event."
...
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