"The Student Council President of European Tracen?"
That night, Symboli Speed finally breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Inari Kagura return to Central Tracen at a normal hour and report back safely.
Naturally, she asked who exactly had invited Kagura out. Kagura's answer, however, surprised her a little. Speed knew that Tracen had branches in other regions, but she also understood the current state of Japan's professional racing world. Forget going abroad to compete—this year was the first time they had barely managed to defend their own Japan Cup. With the current level of Japanese Umamusume, the fact that Rudolf and Kagura had received invitations from Europe could already be called an unprecedented first in decades.
And unlike Rudolf, the Student Council President of European Tracen was willing to wait here an entire month just to invite Kagura…
Galileo had placed Rudolf's invitation in Rudolf's office and left. Compared with waiting here for a whole month just to meet Kagura and discuss the invitation with her, even a fool could tell which one Galileo truly valued. In a way, that also showed just how highly people regarded Kagura's talent.
After all, ever since her debut, Kagura had won every race by a massive margin. That was something even Rudolf had never done. It was proof enough that there was a sheer cliff-like gap in strength between Kagura and every opponent of her generation around her. Now that Rudolf had successfully defended Japan's Japan Cup title, it really was time for her to set her sights farther afield.
Japan was too small a place for Kagura to fully display her talent. She ought to go to a bigger, broader stage.
From that perspective alone, going to Europe, where the strong gathered, would undoubtedly be a good thing for Kagura. During this period, when Japan's racing world was still mostly shut in and focused on tinkering with domestic races, Speed had not neglected to keep an eye on the professional scene overseas. She also knew the gap between Japanese Umamusume and foreign Umamusume. In her eyes, the only two who currently had any hope of approaching those powerhouses were Kagura and Rudolf.
"What is it? Speed-sama, you look rather troubled."
The head maid by her side, who had just finished cleaning the bookshelf, finally could not help turning back to ask.
"There is indeed something troubling me a little… Ah, it really makes me sentimental. In the blink of an eye, that little Kagura has grown up too…"
"I've heard you sighing here all night. What is it? Did something bad happen to little Kagura? I heard she won a huge victory today."
"It isn't exactly a bad thing. It's just…"
After thinking it over, Speed decided it was not something she could not talk about, so she told the head maid as well.
Kagura and Rudolf had both received invitations from Europe. What Speed was conflicted about was whether to let the two of them go. She was hesitant to send Rudolf mainly because she feared Rudolf might not be suited to European turf. After all, Rudolf had yet to show any relevant aptitude, and Rudolf herself had also said that she could not leave for too long. So Speed was still more inclined to keep Rudolf racing domestically.
Kagura, on the other hand, had already shown extremely outstanding adaptability to bad ground. Speed had no doubt that Kagura could go to Europe and still fly across that swamp-like turf as if it were nothing. The main problem was one thing: Kagura's race schedule was still a mystery even now. And if Kagura went to Europe, who would go with her? Tojo still had new students to look after, while Speed herself and Rudolf were not people who could leave whenever they wished. Just thinking about it made Speed's head start to ache.
"Uwaa… It feels like a whole pile of threads have gotten tangled together… This is a little hard to sort out."
"Yes… Of course I hope the children can go abroad and broaden their horizons, but this really won't be easy to arrange… When Trainer Tojo has news on her end, if she allows Kagura to go abroad for an expedition, I'll think of a way to find some people to accompany that child."
…
"Europe?"
In the trainer's office, Trainer Tojo looked at the invitation Kagura had just brought back, then at Kagura sitting across from her. She could not help raising an eyebrow.
After returning to Tracen, the first thing Kagura had done was go find Tojo and show her the invitation from Galileo. Right now, she herself could not decide whether to accept it. Galileo had also said that, if possible, she hoped Kagura could go to Europe and complete the Triple Crown schedule there during her classic year. Kagura naturally had that thought as well, but this sort of thing still had to take her trainer's opinion into account.
To be honest, even after all this time, this was Tojo's first time receiving something like this. Before this year, almost every trainer at Central Tracen had been working toward the goal of "defending the Japan Cup championship." She had been no exception. And this year, Japan's trainers had finally fulfilled that long-cherished wish through Rudolf. As a result, Central's trainers had instead been left feeling a little at a loss.
Now that they had reached the summit of the Japan Cup, where should they aim next?
"Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."
Kagura was the one who spoke those words. When Tojo heard them, she froze for a moment. Once, that name had been something she would not even have dared imagine. For a time, she had buried it deep in her heart and stopped thinking about such unrealistic things.
But now, even beyond her own expectations, they had crossed the mountain that was the Japan Cup and defended it. She finally had the right to look toward races in other countries. And as one of the world's top-level turf races, it was absolutely the next peak Japan—now fully focused on turf racing—could set its sights on.
Rudolf's adaptability to European turf is still unclear for now, but she really does have the strength to fight there. As for Kagura… she's already shown extremely high adaptability to that kind of ground. And next year will be her classic year… Her talent is that exceptional. If it's her…
In Tojo's heart, with Kagura's talent, surpassing Rudolf was only a matter of time. Perhaps Rudolf was no longer even Kagura's opponent, because Kagura really did possess that level of strength. Thinking that, Tojo could not help feeling tempted.
"I think Galileo-san's invitation to Rudolf surely also includes the intention of having Rudolf participate in that race. Tojo-san, what do you think?"
"…"
Hearing Kagura's words, Tojo could not help falling into indecision again. Next year, both Rudolf and Kagura would meet the entry requirements. Was she supposed to send the two of them to Europe together, let them try there, and then have them crash into each other? It was not impossible, but personally, Tojo still did not particularly want to see that happen.
"Mm… Kagura, I need a little time to make a decision about going to Europe."
Feeling that this matter would still have to wait until Rudolf returned so she could discuss it with her properly, Tojo could only put off the decision for now.
"I understand. There's no need to rush, Tojo-san. Galileo-san also told me to think it over carefully, so I don't need to reply right away."
"Mm… Then let's leave it at that for now. Kagura, it's already getting late. You ran a Runaway and also performed in the Winner's Concert today, so go back early and get some rest. There are no more races coming up, so relax properly. It'd be fine to go out and have fun with your friends too."
"Okay~"
...
——Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe? What kind of race is that? I heard that Galileo girl mention it during the day, and it sounded rather impressive.
That race probably didn't exist yet in your era, Eclipse-san. It's one of the highest-level races in the world now. Galileo-san said that every year, powerhouses from all over the world compete for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe championship. It's a very prestigious race.
——One of the highest-level races? In other words, I might be able to meet the strongest Umamusume in the world there?
Mm. I can't guarantee that the ones who go are definitely the strongest, but I think any Umamusume who can make it to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe should be very capable.
——I see… I'm suddenly a little interested in this race. If you get the chance, go run it and see!
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