The fading sunset slowly stained the racecourse crimson.
A cool breeze brushed over the grass of the turn as two gray-haired Uma Musume flashed past.
As they entered the middle leg of the race, Starlight accelerated again the instant before she was about to exit the curve.
Like a dragonfly skimming the water, she left a series of light footprints on the ground. This was a running style she had evolved based on the power-delivery methods of her starting techniques.
Behind her, Tamamo Cross's footsteps were the exact opposite. Though she looked small, those heavy footfalls pressed closer to Starlight like the rolling of distant thunder.
Blue and white lightning surged around her as Tamamo Cross further increased the weight of her steps, sending clods of dirt and grass flying into the air behind her.
"I see. It looks like you're still not quite used to this distance, Divine Starlight."
Noticing that her opponent's breathing was starting to become unstable, a smile tugged at the corner of Tamamo Cross's mouth.
She lowered her center of gravity and lengthened her stride. Then, blue transparent rings flickered within her eyes.
Her speed surged once more, her body turning into a white blur as she easily overtook Starlight.
Leading by one length, she tilted her head slightly to look at Starlight beside her. Sweat was dripping down to Starlight's chin, and her golden hexagram eyes were clearly visible through her fluttering hair.
There was a faint, almost imperceptible smile on Starlight's lips. Seeing that smile, Tamamo Cross felt a wave of confusion.
'Why... why is she smiling like that? So weird...'
They reached the uphill section of the second lap. Once the climb was over and they rounded one more turn, the race would basically enter the final straight.
Pa-da, pa-da, pa-da!
The familiar sound of footsteps returned. Ahead of her, already climbing the slope and leading by three lengths, Tamamo Cross's ears twitched.
'That sound again...'
It wasn't just her on the track, even Tojo Hana, standing in the spectator stands as a Trainer, could hear it clearly.
"Those footsteps... is it caused by her running form?"
The quiet remark reached Symboli Rudolf's ears. Looking closely, she realized that Starlight's running posture had indeed undergone a subtle change.
"Interesting..."
But if there was anyone in the crowd more shocked than the rest, it was undoubtedly Mejiro McQueen. Her pale purple eyes deeply reflected the silver Uma Musume who was now emitting a faint golden light from her back.
"You've got to be kidding me. How can she have this kind of strength...?"
She had certainly investigated Starlight before, after all, the girl had confessed to her every single day. One was bound to look into someone like that at least a little.
However, whether she asked others or heard it from the mouths of other Trainers, it was as if the girl didn't exist. Not to mention her official profile only had data from a single debut race.
Based on that, McQueen had concluded that this person was decadent, mediocre, and lacked any spark of passion or ambition. She figured she could just ignore her.
But lately, she seemed like a completely different person.
'Is she trying to attract my attention? Or is she planning some sort of revenge plot to slap me in the face? Hmph...'
Whoosh— !
While Mejiro McQueen was lost in her internal monologue, Starlight began her surge. The gap that had been gradually widening was instantly frozen the moment Starlight stepped onto the uphill path.
No matter how Tamamo Cross tried to shake her off, she couldn't pull away.
Then, Starlight's eyes flashed with light, and her speed began to climb at a pace visible to the naked eye. From a distance, it looked as if she were flying over the grass.
'What?!'
Tamamo Cross cried out inwardly, looking to her left in disbelief. Starlight's figure had already caught up and, without any resistance, passed her directly.
"How is that possible! Uphill acceleration— could it be a skill...?" Mejiro Ardan gasped, covering her mouth in surprise.
"No, it's not. Starlight's speed isn't just a simple stat boost."
'Dammit, she definitely didn't use this kind of move in her previous races. Starlight... you tricky girl.'
Staring fixedly at the figure getting further away, Tamamo Cross gritted her silver teeth.
'Hehe, but the slope is about to end. I haven't even used my real tricks yet— '
Compared to those intense thoughts, Starlight's mindset was much simpler.
She just wanted to do her best in this race. After all, she had already profited.
The performance just now was the reward granted for choosing the option to accept Tamamo Cross's challenge.
[Blue] Slope Energy Storage: While on an uphill or downhill slope, stamina recovery speed increases slowly.
That's right, it was a Blue Skill.
However, compared to other Blue Skills, this one also came with a slow increase in speed. Under the combined boost of both effects, Starlight's hill climbing appeared particularly stunning.
But, just as Tamamo Cross had said, she hadn't used a single one of the many powerful cards in her hand yet.
Back to the race. The slope ended. The moment Tamamo Cross's front hooves hit flat ground, she no longer restrained her aura.
Her aura was like violent, raging white chains that surged toward Divine Starlight ahead. They tightly bound the opponent's ankles and wrists.
In an instant, Starlight, who had been running like the wind, felt a heavy weight beneath her feet and a surge of anxiety in her heart.
Faint flames began to burn around Tamamo Cross's training outfit. Her stamina began to recover.
Then, another gold skill for straight-line acceleration triggered.
Like a javelin, Tamamo Cross's figure overtook Divine Starlight without the slightest effort.
Watching that petite figure to her front right, Starlight's expression contorted, her silver teeth clenched tight. Relying on sheer willpower, she successfully withstood the pressure of the Red Skill and entered the corner.
'The distance isn't that far, there is still a chance to overtake her.'
Thinking this, Starlight steeled her heart and poured power into her stride.
Bang!
Her light pace instantly became heavy. Starlight switched back to her original running style, rushing forward with all her might.
Seeing that she was less than three-quarters of a length away from overtaking Tamamo Cross, an uncontrollable surge of excitement welled up inside her.
Crackle, crackle—
Unfortunately, the lightning suddenly churning around the opponent acted like a protective spiritual tool, forcing Divine Starlight back.
Tamamo Cross had activated her Unique Skill.
In that split second, in the eyes of the two gray Uma Musume on the field, the sky became covered in dark clouds, and the surrounding light dimmed. Only the area around Tamamo Cross was as bright as day.
Massive amounts of lightning continuously erupted from behind her as Tamamo Cross's speed exploded. Her entire form transformed into an arrow forged of lightning, shooting toward the finish line hundreds of meters away.
Three lengths, four lengths, five lengths... Finally, she crossed the line!
Tamamo Cross successfully defeated Divine Starlight with an absolute advantage of six and a half lengths.
After running past for several meters, Tamamo Cross gradually slowed down and turned her head excitedly. She looked back at Starlight, who had just stopped to catch her breath, and immediately rushed over.
"Did ya see that! Divine Starlight, ain't the White Lightning amazing?"
Squinting her eyes, Starlight took a step back and waved her hands with a wry smile. "Yeah, yeah, amazing. Tamamo Cross, you're really strong."
"Hahaha, 'course I am! I'll come find ya right after the first class tomorrow. It's a promise!"
"Yeah, no problem."
Watching the two of them chat for a long time, Yaeno Muteki walked over slowly from the stands with a dark expression.
"I had so much fun running today! Let's race again next time, how about it~"
Looking at the petite Uma Musume in front of her, before Starlight could say anything, she heard a resentful voice ring out from behind.
"Hey, Divine Starlight!"
Her body stiffened involuntarily. Starlight hurriedly turned around to look. "Wh-what's wrong?"
"I have something to say to you. Can you come with me for a moment?"
"This, well... ahaha, I, uh, I forgot to feed the cat in my dorm! I gotta head back first. See you tomorrow, Tamamo Cross!"
Anyone would have to be an idiot not to see the "I'm gonna kill you" look on Yaeno Muteki's face.
Starlight had no intention of going with her. After saying goodbye to Tamamo Cross, she turned and bolted.
Seeing this, Yaeno Muteki was stunned for a moment, but her eyes soon narrowed as she took off in pursuit. "Stop right there! I have words for you..."
"Can't we talk tomorrow? I've got things to do!"
"No! It's just a small matter, stop running!"
'This girl is way too intense!'
Turning back to see Yaeno Muteki hot on her heels, Starlight wailed inwardly in distress.