December 31st, 1984.
After celebrating Christmas with Echo's parents and showing Rudolf around Echo's city, Rudolf and Echo Eclipse returned to Central Tracen Academy for the New Year's party with her classmates and friends.
After arriving at Tracen station, Echo froze in fear at the person waiting at the station for her.
"E-Eh?" Echo spurted out before Rudolf could step out of the train and see what was happening.
Awaiting Echo Eclipse was Kincsem. She had returned after consulting the best scientists and researchers on her side; she configured and created a training plan to shape and grow Echo Eclipse into the best there is.
Her tail swayed at the sight of Echo Eclipse and Symboli Rudolf, and she easily spotted the new ear accessory on Echo Eclipse. Her lips curled up almost like an auntie receiving juicy gossip, but she cleared her throat.
"Echo and Rudolf." She nodded toward Rudolf, "Since you're here, come with me too."
Rudolf looked at Kincsem before at Echo in confusion.
Echo could only sigh in resignation; she hoped Kincsem wouldn't put them through hell at least until after New Year.
Her ears drooped down as she walked toward Kincsem; Rudolf followed along.
After entering a car and returning to the Academy, Kincsem easily lifted both Echo Eclipse and Symboli Rudolf. The show of strength surprised Rudolf, especially when she knew Kincsem was no longer in her prime for at least 2 centuries.
But being lifted by someone was still embarrassing for Rudolf, since she prided herself on being the emperor.
"Uh..." As Rudolf was able to ask Kincsem to let her down, Kincsem just glanced at her coldly, shutting Rudolf up.
Echo doesn't even respond when Kincsem lifts her; she's used to it by now.
Kincsem walked to the principal's office, her butler opening the door, and she entered as if it were her home.
"I need you to reserve a spot on Mount Fuji."
Akikawa looked up from her paper; Tazuna gave a double glance at Kincsem, thinking that she had misheard her. And why are Echo Eclipse and Symboli Rudolf being carried like a sack on both arms?!
"Mount Fuji? No?" Akikawa could only decline; even if Kincsem wanted to take her students away, it's impossible. They are still students in the end; they need to study and complete their mandatory monthly exam on what they learned.
Kincsem just stood there, not backing down.
"Symboli Rudolf is the Triple Crown Champion of this year; Echo Eclipse is the new generation leader for next year and will claim the Triple Crown for herself too. So, they can skip their class for at least two months."
"Two months?" Rudolf replied in shock, and Echo just stared like a salted fish, as if saying, "End my suffering."
Akikawa could only have a staring contest with Kincsem before sighing.
"Still impossible; they are still teenagers. Are you planning to deprive them of their youth and friends? Even if I want them to be the best, what's the point if they aren't having fun running?"
Kincsem placed both Echo and Rudolf down, planning to argue with Akikawa.
"This is our chance, Rudolf! Run!" Echo hissed as she flickered out of the office, running at top speed. Rudolf was delayed for a split second before running away; Kincsem could only stare at Echo's choice before chuckling.
She'll make sure to double Echo's training intensity after New Year.
Kincsem glanced at the door before at both Tazuna and Akikawa. "Echo Eclipse is destined for greatness."
"Yes, but that isn't for you to decide." Akikawa unfolded her fan and covered the bottom half of her face, no longer smiling at Kincsem. "No," was displayed across the expanded fan.
No one may force their runner to run or not; that is their choice.
"I know how much you love Uma Musume, and how much effort and wealth you spent on this place. Your efforts allow them to grow and become recognised," Kincsem sighed as the tension in the room grew denser and colder.
Tazuna stepped forward, standing beside her childhood friend, glaring coldly at Kincsem.
Kincsem continued speaking, "However, that only works on geniuses and normal Umas. Echo Eclipse is a monster through and through."
Her aura started to leak out, forming a rudimentary weak zone, filling the entire office. Her aura began pushing down on both of the girls.
"The training equipment here can help her, but it won't bring out her fullest potential." After Kincsem spoke, Tazuna's glare became even colder, and her aura also leaked out, forming a protective, rudimentary, weak zone around her and Akikawa.
"Echo is on the verge of opening her zone, and she isn't prepared for the consequences if she awakens it outside of racing."
After Kincsem said that, the reactions of both Akikawa and Tazuna widened in shock. If that was the case, then it made sense why Kincsem was going this far to pressure them.
"That is why I need you to reserve a spot on Mount Fuji, especially with a large flat area for running."
Her aura began to retract back into herself; Tazuna also retracted her aura while glancing at Akikawa's response.
Akikawa waited for several moments before speaking, "Why do you want to bring Symboli Rudolf too?" She understood why she wanted to have a two-month-long training camp for Echo Eclipse, but why Symboli Rudolf?
"Well, no reason, really." Kincsem stretched and yawned, feeling sleepy.
"Eh?" "Hm?"
"I just thought Echo Eclipse would be happy if she wasn't separated from Symboli Rudolf." She hummed before speaking again, "Plus, this training camp would be beneficial to Symboli Rudolf too."
Kincsem turned around and waved back at them, "Do the paperwork for me, please~ Thanks~" She didn't wait for her answer before walking out of the office.
Tazuna could only glance at Akikawa, "I guess... I'll go inform the head of the Symboli Household and do the paperwork regarding this..."
Akikawa could only give an apologetic and wry smile to Tazuna, "Well, as long as both Rudolf and Echo agreed to go, we should give it our all." She rolled her shoulders and puffed up her chest, getting ready to deal with URA's rules and traps.
.
.
.
"Phew, we managed to escape from that old lady," Echo sighed in relief. Rudolf took a deep breath before entering the classroom, spotting Mach, Parade, Nishiki, Way, and Cameroun. All huddle up with each other in a circle, as if plotting something sinister.
They snuck over and took a peek at what was happening; it was a newspaper, and on the grand page were two titles: "Symboli Rudolf, the Triple Crown Champion of 1984," and "Echo Eclipse, generation leader of 1984 and potential Triple Crown of 1985."
These bold titles just show the people's expectations for both of them. Though Echo couldn't really care about having such a title, she's hoping that she could have a fun race with others before the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen.
"Nom, nom, nom..." Before Echo could realise, somebody had already placed a carrot into her mouth. She instinctively chews and eats the carrot, no matter how dominant she is during the race.
She is still the class lovable mascot.