Opening the door, Symboli Rudolf stood there in her pajamas, her long hair draped loosely over her shoulders. She was carrying a bag in her hand.
"Madam President, is there something you need?"
"Yes. Ms. Tazuna asked me to deliver this to you. She said you reported your training gear for repairs at noon today. Here is your outfit."
Hearing this, Starlight's eyes widened slightly. As expected of Tracen, their efficiency is truly impressive.
Taking the bag, Starlight looked up slightly at Rudolf. "Won't you come in and sit for a while?"
"No, it's already quite late. It wouldn't be good to disrupt your rest. Get to sleep early— goodnight."
With a wave of her hand, Rudolf turned and left, her words brief and to the point.
"Oh, you too, President. Goodnight."
The door closed, and Starlight stood there for a good while before returning to her desk.
'It makes sense. If it weren't for work, why would someone like Rudolf come looking for an extra like me?'
'And when she said she'd watch my race, she was probably just being encouraging. She'll likely forget by race day, or even if she goes, she'll be there to watch the other Uma Musume...'
As she thought, a faint smile played on Starlight's lips.
"That's fine too. It saves me from unnecessary trouble. Sometimes being a background character isn't so bad."
After finishing her homework, drowsiness washed over her. Divine Starlight turned off the lights and fell asleep the moment she hit the bed.
Thanks to the buff from the recovery liquid, she slept soundly. When she woke up the next morning, she felt completely refreshed and full of energy.
Just as she finished changing into her school uniform, the options popped up again.
[Option 1: It's still early. Why not change into your training gear and take advantage of the morning for some practice?]
[Option 2: How about a few more minutes of sleep?]
[Option 3: Head to the cafeteria and have a hearty meal.]
"Perfect timing. Now, what should I choose..."
The answer was obvious, Starlight had already changed into the training gear that had just been mended. After tidying her hair and standing before the mirror, she checked her overall condition.
She nodded with satisfaction. "It looks brand new. You can't even see the repair marks. Not bad."
Since it was summer, the sky was already bright despite it being only 5:30 AM. Standing on the deserted training field, Starlight began her warm-up exercises.
[Detection complete. Option 1 determined. Reward: Willpower Tempering Bracers (1-hour limit).]
[Willpower Tempering Bracers: While wearing these, your willpower will be tempered over the next hour.]
[Additional Option 1: Let's engage in even harsher training, it is the only way to break through your limits.]
[Additional Option 2: Never mind. Choose the normal method, I don't want to be that tired.]
The bracers hadn't even warmed up in her hands before Starlight was stunned by the sudden additional options.
"I'm guessing these bracers were meant to go along with the harsh training. Let's do it."
[Detection complete. Option 1 determined. Training Content: For the next hour, you will be subjected to three times your own gravity. Please complete a 10km run under these conditions.]
Putting on the bracers, Divine Starlight nodded, signaling she understood the training task. However, the system didn't seem to give her a moment to react.
The second the virtual subtitles vanished, a powerful pressure swept over her.
The sudden heaviness in her legs and a slight dizziness almost knocked her off balance. Had it not been for the previous Muscle-Building and Bone-Strengthening Liquid enhancing her physique, she probably would have collapsed right then and there.
After steadying herself, she didn't hesitate any longer and began to run.
'So heavy...'
Every step felt incredibly heavy. It felt as though she was no longer on grass, but in a swamp. With every stride, she felt herself sinking deeper. Starlight's feet left distinct impressions upon the turf as she moved.
Her once tidy running shoes were now caked in mud and grime.
With less than a tenth of the distance completed, her face was already drenched in sweat. Her body had begun to tremble slightly.
'I guess this is why they call it willpower training.'
Subjecting oneself to three times one's own gravity wasn't as simple as having three people of your own weight pressing down on you, it was a force distributed evenly across every inch of the body.
In practice, it felt significantly heavier than that. While Uma Musume often performed weight-bearing exercises during strength training, compared to this, standard weight training was undeniably much easier.
It was around 6:00 AM.
Outside the field, on the path leading to the Trainers' office, Ryu Nishizaki was walking at a leisurely pace, carrying a few steamed buns he had just bought from the cafeteria.
"Hmm-hmm~ I heard Gold Ship found two Uma Musume for me today. Does that mean I finally get to form a team too?"
"Once I've trained them, maybe I'll finally become a graded stakes Trainer."
After his daydreaming, Nishizaki was about to turn the corner when he caught a glimpse of a figure running on the field nearby.
"Oh? an Uma Musume training this early? How diligent."
After making a mental note of her appearance, Nishizaki didn't linger. He walked into the office and headed to his own workstation in the corner.
"Senior, you're here."
"Yeah. Inami-chan, what are you doing? Drafting a training plan?"
He leaned over behind Inami to take a look.
"How detailed. As expected of you, Inami-chan."
"Well, my Uma Musume finally chose to start running again, so I have to work hard too," Inami said with a smile, recalling the words Starlight said while cupping her face yesterday.
"Is that so? Then keep it up. I'll have Uma Musume joining me soon, too."
"Uh... you didn't go back to your old tricks of tricking and kidnapping them, did you?"
"How can you say that about your senior? Am I that kind of person? Don't worry, Gold Ship arranged it."
"Oh, that's good then."
"By the way, there's already an Uma Musume training on the field. Starting this early— she's really dedicated."
"Eh? Really?"
"Yeah, that gray-haired girl... Hey, she looks a lot like this one."
Glancing at the data file for Starlight on Inami's desk, Nishizaki pointed at the photo.
Instantly, Inami froze. She scrambled to her feet and rushed toward the exit.
"I'm going to take a look!"
Without giving Nishizaki a chance to speak, Inami was already out on the path, practically sprinting. She reached the spectator stands and looked toward the track.
There was that familiar figure.
"Leave the rest to me..."
Those words echoed in her ears, and Inami felt a pang of emotion. She watched Starlight's running form on the track without blinking, right until the very end.
The moment Starlight crossed the finish line to complete the ten kilometers, the bracers vanished, and the gravitational field dissipated. Instantly, waves of soreness and exhaustion crashed through her entire body.
She tried to take two steps forward on trembling legs, but her balance failed, and she collapsed directly onto the ground.
Seeing this, Inami's heart skipped a beat. Ignoring everything else, she scrambled onto the field. When she reached Starlight and saw her condition, she couldn't help but gasp, covering her mouth in shock.
Starlight's face was covered in sweat, and her training gear was completely soaked through. Her running shoes and the lower half of her leggings were caked in mud. Her legs were still twitching uncontrollably.
Starlight was gasping for air violently, looking as if she might suffocate at any second. Due to the massive loss of fluids, her lips were severely cracked and parched.
"Starlight! Starlight! Are you okay? Starlight..."
Crouching down, Inami hurriedly helped her up, her voice full of concern.