On the training ground, Gold Legend was training alongside Maruzensky.
"Truly amazing! Is this really the speed a new Uma Musume can run at?"
Senmei Representative held a stopwatch, watching the two running, and exclaimed in admiration.
"Although Rudolf and Senior Maruzensky have praised her many times, such talent is truly admirable."
Narita Brian stood with her arms crossed, watching the intense competition on the field.
"In terms of physical ability alone, she's already comparable to a thrice-inherited veteran Uma Musume. In fact, if we don't consider skills and domains, Sister Maruzensky might even be the weaker one."
Senmei Representative, with her rich experience, immediately saw the current situation.
"You said it yourself, 'if we don't consider those'."
Brian shrugged.
"You're very capable, Legend-chan. This is the first time even I, your sister, have been chased so closely."
Even while running at high speed, Maruzensky spoke with ease.
"Gulp."
Gold Legend found it difficult just to keep up with Maruzensky's pace.
"Being played in the palm of her hand."
Brian said sympathetically, looking at Gold Legend's strenuous effort.
"Even with a complete physical advantage, it doesn't mean certain victory. Experience, technique, and other factors are the keys to winning. Sister Maruzensky completely controls the pace, holding it firmly. She truly lives up to being a veteran."
Senmei Representative looked as if she deeply empathized, suggesting she had also been played with quite a bit.
"Final sprint, Legend-chan, don't blink!"
Maruzensky glanced back at Legend, who was closely following her, and winked.
The roar of an engine sounded, and Maruzensky instantly burst into even greater speed.
"Ugh."
Legend, reacting, immediately accelerated to catch up, but it was still a step too late.
"Alright, Sister Maruzensky won again."
Senmei Representative and Narita Brian walked over with towels and water.
"Ha, ha, whew."
After a couple of breaths to calm down and adjust her state, Gold Legend took the towel handed to her by Senmei Representative.
"Thank you, Senior CB."
"...You really are a complete monster."
Looking at Gold Legend, who was still so relaxed after just finishing a parallel run with a senior, Senmei Representative was momentarily speechless.
One must remember that Maruzensky was still catching her breath.
"It's alright. Was that just her unique skill?"
Gold Legend wiped her sweat and asked curiously.
It's just an ordinary skill.
Maruzensky caught her breath, her usual smile returning as she cheerfully explained.
Huh? But I really did hear an engine.
Gold Legend was puzzled.
That's because Senior Maruzensky's mastery and understanding of the skill have reached perfection. For an ordinary skill to resonate with a Domain—truly worthy of a senior.
Narita Brian explained with open admiration.
It's the reward of time and sweat.
Maruzensky's smile was as bright as ever.
Well, after all, she's a great senior. Us youngsters can't compare—gah!
The outspoken Qian Ming Representative was duly silenced.
I can't let a remark like that slide, little Qian Ming.
Maruzensky was still smiling, but her eyes held no warmth.
Gold Legend and Narita Brian quietly distanced themselves from the imminent crime scene.
But… what does resonance mean?
Gold Legend whispered to Brian.
…How should I put it?
The taciturn Brian felt a headache coming on.
Allow me.
Rudolf's authoritative voice rescued her.
As the sublimation of Mind-Body-Technique, a Domain not only maintains condition and strengthens the body; it also naturally empowers skills. When your proficiency and insight into a skill are deep enough, the Domain will bolster that skill even without being activated, letting it display far greater effect.
Like a skill that gets a buff when certain conditions are met?
Gold Legend understood.
Finished with your work, President?
That was faster than usual.
Brian looked at Rudolf and asked.
Ah, the rest is routine. I'll leave it to Air Groove. Without you lot slowing me down, efficiency soars.
Rudolf replied cheerfully, her words sharp and unfiltered.
…Good to hear.
After a moment's thought, Narita Brian swallowed the curse on her tongue.
Domains really are an all-purpose cheat, huh? Everything ties back to them.
Gold Legend sighed in frank admiration.
Since Eclipse ushered in the era of the Uma Musume two centuries ago, Domains have been ever-present. Yet even now we still haven't uncovered all their functions. Perhaps only Eclipse, their creator, ever truly grasped their mysteries.
Rudolf lamented.
…You make it sound as if Eclipse is still alive.
Gold Legend joked.
She is.
Rudolf nodded solemnly.
Huh? Seriously?
Wasn't she a Horse Girl from over two hundred years ago?
Gold Legend exclaimed; beside her, Brian was equally startled.
Uma Musume naturally live longer than humans. After actualization, the blessing and constitution grant an extremely prolonged adolescence; unless death is near or the mind greatly changes, they remain forever maiden-like. Ordinary Horse Girls already enjoy this, to say nothing of legendary ones who have awakened Domains.
Rudolf explained calmly.
What does that have to do with Domains?
Before Gold Legend could speak, Narita Brian asked.
…Brian, weren't you listening in class?
The Chairman and the Secretariat give personal lessons to Student Council members.
…You know I'm no good at that stuff.
I thought it was all fluff.
At present, besides all-around enhancement during races, Domains chiefly preserve an Uma Musume's condition—physical, mental, and emotional. Those who possess a Domain are virtually free of illness, their stamina forever peaked; psychological issues never spiral out of control. Uma Musume already age slowly; with a Domain, that deceleration becomes almost unimaginable.
So… with a Domain we're basically immortal?
Gold Legend asked.
Not quite. Aging and attrition remain part of life. A Domain is only a state; it merely stretches the process. So far, no Domain-bearer has ever died of old age.
Which means I've suddenly become ageless?
The world felt unreal to Gold Legend.
We're off-topic, Rudolf.
Having finished disciplining Qian Ming Representative, Maruzensky strolled over.
…What were we saying?
Exclusive skills.
Gold Legend politely raised her hand.
Right. After a Domain awakens, Uma Musume gain many mysterious abilities—special effects perceptible only to those who have or are nearing a Domain, um…
Rudolf faltered.
Special effects?
Exactly. Then come reinforcements based on specialty—long-distance runners gain noticeable stamina, sprinters terrifying burst. Activating a Domain also heightens the senses, like…
Like bullet-time in movies?
Gold Legend, who had experienced it, chimed in.
Well, the difference isn't huge. In short, awakening a Zone brings all kinds of abilities, and skill bonuses are one of them. As one of the three elements that form a Zone, skills heavily influence its shape, and once the Zone is formed it in turn affects the skills.
Rudolf explained.
A bias toward certain skills changes the Zone's attribute. A Horse Girl who excels at acceleration skills will have a Zone specialized for speed; one good at recovery skills will lean toward stamina. Whether it's aptitude that affects skills and Zone, or the other way around, no one really knows…
The President trailed off into thought.
…I didn't get any of that.
Gold Legend put on a look of total blankness.
Let me give an example
Maruzensky stepped in at the crucial moment. "Take Rudolf: because of her personality and ideals, her Zone's imagery—I mean the special effects—is thunder representing authority and a throne representing status. Thanks to her running style and skills, her Zone is specialized for speed and momentum. All of that forms her exclusive skill, Imperial Majesty.
Then Maruzensky pointed to herself.
Another example: me. My Zone's effects are the roar of an engine and a red sports car. It boosts acceleration, and my exclusive skill is Crimson Gear. Does that make sense?
So the so-called exclusive skill is basically the complete Zone expressed in skill form?
Gold Legend was starting to understand.
An exclusive skill is the materialization of one's personal Zone!
Exactly. That's why Technique is an indispensable part of forming a Zone
Rudolf said, coming back to her senses after zoning out for a moment. "Without the support of skills, a Zone is nothing more than a pure competitive state. It can only give you simple buffs, and without proper skill release that state will drain your stamina and mental strength massively. In severe cases it backfires and hurts you even worse than a Pseudo-Zone.
But normally that doesn't happen. The vast majority—ninety-nine percent of Uma Musume—don't awaken a Zone before they've deeply mastered skills.
Maruzensky added.
Why?
Because they're not qualified
Narita Brian spoke up. "Techniques exist to make up for a lack of raw power; they're how the weak defeat the strong. Zones are the same. The whole point of skills is to open that door more easily and efficiently.
A Zone is like a mechanism gate hanging in mid-air. The body is the staircase, the mind is the key, and skills are the method to open the door. Walk to the gate (a sufficiently strong body), insert the key (mental resolve), then correctly disarm the mechanism (release it through skills)—that's the proper way to open a Zone.
Not every Horse Girl can kick the gate down. Usually the ones who try just get thrown back to the ground by the recoil.
So I'm the freak, huh?
Gold Legend felt a bit numb.
No worries. A case like yours is rare, but not unique. The Invincible of the ancient western kingdom, the Secretariat of the eastern eagle—both of them awakened a Zone without first mastering skills, just like you. It's a symbol of strength and talent. Still, I advise you to develop your exclusive skill as soon as possible. We Horse Girls are only flesh and blood; Zone power is too immense for mortal bodies. Too much is as bad as too little. A Zone like that is something you can't fully control, right? That incomplete feeling you get is probably because of that.
Indeed.
Gold Legend recalled the sense of incompleteness whenever she activated her Zone, and the events of her childhood. Perhaps the lack of systematic, rational skill guidance had caused both her past weakness and her current predicament.
Well, luckily, Legend, you've got plenty of time. Take it slow.
Maruzensky returned to her usual cheerful smile.
Anyway, let's start with the basics of skills.
Rudolf nodded.
Yes, ma'am!
All right, I'll leave this to you two. I'm off.
Having recovered from Maruzensky's punishment, Qian Ming Representative clapped her hands, a bit embarrassed.
Where are you going?
Rudolf asked curiously.
A kid who really suits my taste booked some of my time. She says she wants to beat someone—wants it more than anything.
So I'd like to go see.
Qian Ming Representative flashed a cool smile.
But don't worry, I keep my promises. Once you finish the theory, we'll jump straight to real combat! I'll personally teach you how to use it. That's it—ciao~
The senior CB left in a whirlwind.
…She really hasn't changed at all.
Rudolf watched her go, sounding nostalgic.
Well then, Legend-chan, you'll probably have to ask your Trainer for a few extra days of special training.
No problem!
He can't stop me anyway.
The phone rang: "Incoming call, Legend—pick up! Incoming call, Legend—pick up!"
Teio's unmistakable voice rang out.
Legend blinked, hurried over to the storage shelf, and pulled out her phone.
What's that?
Rudolf asked curiously—she was pretty sure that was Teio's voice.
Ah, I had Teio record my ringtone for me. Pretty great, right?
Legend explained with a grin.
Indeed. Next time I'll have Teio record one for me too.
Miss Rudolf actually loves this kind of thing.
Hello, what can I do for you?
Legend answered.
"Is that Legend-san? I'm Ryan. I want to ask, are you free now?"
...I'm still training, what's wrong?
"It's about McQueen..."
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