As for the usual pleasantries, I will up the required power stone for the week to 100 power stones per user for an advance chapter, and for every 300 power stones accumulated for the week, I will also post an advance chapter corresponding to the complete amount in the week's end.
So gift more Power Stones to advance the chapter schedule. Thank you very much for your support and enjoy the chapter!
===========================
Word Count: 5,300
The cafeteria's massive wall screens were still dominated by footage from Nakayama Racecourse.
Replay angles of the Spring Tenno Shō looped endlessly—Win Variation surging past the finish line almost at the same time as Gold Ship, the stunned expressions of the crowd, the final Winning Live that had closed her long racing career.
It had only been a few days since then.
And yet, it already felt like a story that had become legend.
Diamente sat near the window with her tray, quietly eating while half-listening to the broadcast.
"…Central Tracen's veteran trainee Win Variation secures her first G1 title in what will also be her retirement race—an unprecedented emotional victory for her—"
Lucky Lilac leaned back in her chair, twirling her fork.
"By the way, Dia-chan," she said casually, "we'll have kindergarten division students touring Tracen all day tomorrow."
Diamente looked up. "Mm?"
"Our class got picked in the draw lottery to help guide them around," Lucky Lilac continued. "Sensei said I need ten people."
Rey de Oro raised an eyebrow. "And you're announcing this like it's urgent business?"
Lucky Lilac shot her a flat look.
"I already asked Aicchan and Tact-chan. They're in on this as well."
She started counting on her fingers.
"Bokke-chan, Con-chan, Lys-chan, Chrono-chan, and Yu-chan too. That makes eight."
Bokke-chan, referring to Curren Boquet'dor, Con-chan with Contrail, Yu-chan being Loves Only You, and Lys-chan and Chrono-chan from Lys Gracieux and Chrono Genesis's first names respectively.
"So," Her eyes slid toward Diamente and Rey de Oro, "I need two more."
Rey de Oro slowly turned to Diamente.
The look she gave was almost pleading but Diamente simply shrugged.
"Sure. I'm fine with it."
Rey de Oro's shoulders visibly relaxed.
"Then I'll go too~" she feigned agreement.
"Hey!" Lucky Lilac's eyebrow twitched and added, "Ya're only agreeing because Dia-chan is goin' with you."
Rey de Oro clicked her tongue. "You're imagining things, Lala-chan."
Diamente smiled faintly before looking at Rey de Oro with a side eye.
"Lala-chan's right, though, Rei-chan."
Rey de Oro immediately puffed out her cheeks.
Lucky Lilac burst into laughter.
The screen behind them shifted to another segment.
A bold red banner appeared.
BREAKING NEWS
"…Central trainer Kitahara Jō has officially announced his retirement from Central Tracen Academy effective immediately—"
"Eh?" Rey de Oro glanced up lazily, "Is that trainer important?"
Diamente rolled her eyes, swallowing her food before answering Rey de Oro's question.
"That trainer trained Oguri Cap back in Kasamatsu, and she won ten races and placed second twice in twelve starts there. That alone got her transferred to Central before he even got his Central license."
Rey de Oro's eyes widened slightly.
Diamente continued.
"Then, his first G1 win in Central was also Oguri Cap's final race, which was the Arima Kinen."
Lucky Lilac leaned forward, interest piqued.
"He also trained Oguri Roman," she added. "Oguri Cap's little sister. She won the Oka Shō which became the first verifiable full-blood-related trainer-trainee pair to win a G1 race."
Diamente nodded.
"Then under Team Polaris that he formed, Believe won the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, King Kamehameha won the Japanese Derby, Daiwa Major and Daiwa Scarlet also got their respective multi-G1 wins, and not to mention Buena Vista who is a filly that won 6 G1 wins."
The commentator's voice overlapped their conversation.
"…With over twenty-four G1 victories to his name, Kitahara Jō stands among the most successful trainers in modern Central history…"
Lucky Lilac blinked.
"That's… absurd." Rey de Oro sighed. "Okay. I admit I was wrong."
Diamente merely shrugged.
"People will still focus on Team Spica and Team Rigil more than anything else."
As if on cue, the broadcast transitioned again.
Speculation graphics filled the screen.
ROAD TO THE JAPANESE DERBY — 3 WEEKS TO GO
"…This year's Classic season bears an uncanny resemblance to the legendary Golden Generation all those years ago—"
Four names appeared side by side alongside their faces and also wearing their full G1 outfits.
Duramente
Kitasan Black
Real Steel
Satono Crown
Below them were race results, margins, finishing times.
"…With a record-breaking Satsuki Shō winner, a nose-second powerhouse, a consistent late kicker, and the former undefeated Yayoi Shō champion, analysts are calling this rivalry the next Golden Generation, and everyone is excited to witness these four strong umamusume clash at this year's Japanese Derby…"
Rey de Oro turned toward Diamente.
"What do you think about this, Dia-chan?"
Diamente studied the screen quietly.
"They're not wrong."
She paused.
"But I don't think anyone truly understands what's pushing them."
Lucky Lilac tilted her head. "Meaning?"
"This Derby is a fair game for everyone since this will happen here in Fuchu, so this race won't be about proving who's strongest nor the fastest," Diamente said.
"But it'll be about who's the luckiest of them all." she added.
Her gaze lingered on the four names.
"So… this race will be a free-for-all for everyone there."
Outside the cafeteria windows, spring sunlight continued to spill across Tracen Academy.
==== 🐎Legend Changer🐎 ====
Diamente then went to the club room after the classes were over, only to realize how crowded the club room was the moment she slid the door open.
It wasn't too noisy nor too chaotic, but it's just quite unfamiliar.
Team Polaris' familiar faces occupied one side of the room, some sitting, some standing, some leaning casually against desks or lockers. Across from them were umamusume that she was all-familiar with, Team Spica, who were intermingling with one another.
Conversations crossed between them. Some with laughter in short bursts. Someone from Spica (Special Week) offered snacks to someone from Polaris (Oguri Cap).
Someone from Polaris (Oguri Cap) graciously accepted it as the two of them started munching on snacks heavily while Suzuka and Teio were chuckling awkwardly.
It felt less like two teams facing each other and more like people standing at the edge of something new, unsure of where to place their feet.
Near the center of the room, three adults stood in relaxed discussion.
Trainer Okino had his arms folded, smiling faintly.
Trainer Belno Light stood beside him, hands clasped behind her back, posture straight but expression warm.
And between them was Kitahara Jo.
The man looked no different from usual. Same calm eyes. Same gentle posture. Same air of someone who never needed to raise his voice to be heard.
Yet Diamente couldn't shake the feeling that this was a farewell scene disguised as an ordinary afternoon.
Her gaze drifted.
The Takamatsunomiya Kinen winner, Believe, stood nearby while holding a diploma holder in both hands.
She was speaking with Buena Vista and King Kamehameha, the three of them forming a small circle.
Buena Vista listened with an easy smile, nodding occasionally, while King Kamehameha spoke with his usual mature mannerism, clearly trying to lighten the atmosphere.
Believe smiled.
It wasn't the wide, beaming smile she had when she won that race.
It was quieter but also a lot more content.
Diamente exhaled softly and realized this was how it looked.
"…I'm really grateful," Kitahara was saying as Diamente's ears perked towards the three adults.
Trainer Okino tilted his head slightly. "For what?"
"For being able to leave them with you," Kitahara replied. "Belno-chan too. Knowing they'll be in good hands makes this retirement a lot easier for me."
"Indeed, Kitahara-san," Belno Light gave a small, polite bow. "We'll make sure it doesn't go to waste."
"Come on now, Belno-chan," Trainer Okino chuckled. "You're making it sound heavier than it needs to be. We're not sending them off to war."
Kitahara smiled faintly. "Even so. A trainer entrusting their trainees to another trainer… it's not something you take lightly."
Trainer Okino glanced toward the former Polaris members chatting nearby.
"…So," he said casually, "is Oguri Cap going back to Kasamatsu with you?"
Kitahara shrugged.
"She's old enough to decide that herself."
Then, after a brief pause:
"Though if I had to bet… she'll probably stay here."
Okino blinked. "Really?"
Kitahara nodded. "Free food, Okino-kun. Unlimited portions of it. If we go back to Kasamatsu, the food supply in the city would start to dwindle."
Belno laughed.
"That does sound like her."
"So you're returning to Kasamatsu to inherit the academy?" Trainer Okino smirked as he added, "Or is it because of your lovely wife?"
Kitahara scratched his cheek.
"You got me there."
"Really?"
"Yeah…" Kitahara coughed lightly, "I want to enjoy my retirement by having a quieter life with Narubi-san."
Trainer Okino burst into laughter.
Belno covered her mouth, shoulders shaking.
Only Kitahara looked away, ears faintly red.
Diamente sighed loudly, as if she's now making her presence known to everyone.
The room did not go silent with her arrival, but the three adults' heads turned toward her.
"Diamente-chan," Trainer Okino blinked. "Since when were you standing there?"
Diamente crossed her arms. "Since the part where you three started talking about Trainer Kitahara's flourishing married life."
Belno laughed from Diamente's retort outright.
"Come on now, kid." Trainer Okino immediately ruffled Diamente's head, which made Diamente chuckled.
Kitahara then adjusted his cap before sighing in defeat. "Children shouldn't eavesdrop on adult conversations, you know?"
Diamente rolled her eyes. "Then adults shouldn't talk about it so loudly in a room full of single umamusume, you know?"
Belno cleared her throat, still smiling.
"Well, since you're here, Diamente-chan… we were just about to gather everyone."
She glanced around.
"…You're the last one we were waiting for, after all."
Diamente paused.
Something in Belno's tone felt… deliberate. Before she could respond further—
"HEY! WAIT, WAIT, WAIT!"
A familiar, sharp voice rang out.
Diamente turned.
Daiwa Scarlet stood with her arms crossed, glaring daggers at her older sister.
Daiwa Major, meanwhile, looked utterly unbothered.
Vodka stood between them, visibly uncomfortable.
Special Week, now without food in her hands, was about to go get some more when she hovered nearby, hands raised nervously.
"I'm telling you, Onee-chan, don't drag Vodka into your weirdness!" Daiwa Scarlet snapped.
Daiwa Major tilted her head. "It's not weird at all, dear sister. I just think she's cute when she's this flustered, you know?"
Vodka sputtered. "D-Don't say that so casually, M-Major-senpai!"
Diamente then approached Special Week quietly.
"So, what's happening with those three, Spe-senpai?"
"Um—Diamente-chan, you're here!" Special Week tried to explain, "Daiwa Major-san just said she wanted to get closer to Vodka-chan, but in a friendly way!"
"Don't listen to her nonsense, Diamente-chan, Spe-senpai!" Daiwa Scarlet pointed at Daiwa Major accusingly. "That's exactly what makes it more suspicious!"
Daiwa Major hummed.
"Besides," Daiwa Major added, "you're not exactly an expert either, dear sister."
Daiwa Scarlet bristled. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
Daiwa Major smiled serenely.
"You're just as much of a dunce about love as Vodka."
For exactly half a second—
Silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!" Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka shouted in unison.
They froze.
Slowly turned toward each other.
And immediately recoiled.
"Don't lump me together with her!" Daiwa Scarlet snapped.
"Like I'd want to be compared to you!" Vodka shot back.
"You're the one who panics every time someone even hints at romance!"
"At least I don't explode over nothing!"
"You're calling me explosive?!"
Meanwhile, Daiwa Major had somehow acquired a bag of popcorn.
She calmly sat down and began eating her fill.
Special Week stared at the happenings in horror.
"S-She planned this…"
Diamente pinched the bridge of her nose.
'Why is this my life?' Diamente, the soon-to-be umamusume marriage counselor, sighed inwardly.
She then turned away—only to notice something even stranger.
"Why," Diamente said slowly, "are McQueen-senpai and Golshi-senpai playing badminton…"
She squinted.
"…with table tennis paddles and an eraser."
Gold Ship leapt across the room, swinging a table tennis paddle with wild enthusiasm.
"HYAAAAAA!"
Mejiro McQueen returned the eraser with surprising precision.
"Please refrain from using underhanded serves, Gold Ship-san."
*CLAP*
"Underhanded?! That was a special move!"
*CLAP*
"Special moves are not recognized in badminton."
*CLAP*
"It's extreme eraser badminton!"
*CLAP*
"Stop renaming it!"
*CLAP*
Diamente closed her eyes.
Of course, Gold Ship must have started it by trying to target McQueen-senpai but she was prepared so the two started their impromptu paddle battle.
Before anyone could intervene—
McQueen swung her paddle and the eraser flew.
But not toward Gold Ship.
It spun, whistled, and it curved.
And then—
*THUNK*
Diamente saw something flash her eyes before she felt something solid collide with her forehead.
Her vision went white.
"Ow."
She then dropped straight to the floor on her back.
Silence permeated for a quick moment.
Then—
"DIAMENTE-CHAN!"
Footsteps thundered from many directions.
Special Week, who's near her, knelt beside her and caught her head before it could impact the ground.
Someone else panicked while the others shouted McQueen's name.
Someone shouted Gold Ship's name louder.
Diamente groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead and felt that there wasn't any blood on it and it was just pain.
McQueen's face was pale.
"D-Diamente-san, I deeply apologize—!"
Gold Ship pointed. "IT WAS THE WIND."
"There is DEFINITELY no wind indoors, Gold Ship-san!" Special Week tsukkomi'd.
Trainer Okino then appeared instantly behind McQueen and Gold Ship, which earned a shiver from the two umamusume as they turned their heads towards him slowly.
His smile was gone while Teio, now with her glasses on, appeared beside him with an ominous smile.
Her aura alone made the temperature of the entire room drop.
McQueen and Gold Ship stiffened upon seeing this
Teio adjusted her glasses and a single word was let out of her ominously smiling lips.
"Explain."
Five minutes later…
Both McQueen and Gold Ship stood in the corner.
Wearing dunce hats.
Teio crossed her arms.
"You'll wear those for a week every day after class."
Gold Ship immediately dogeza'd. "I accept my fate!"
Teio then looked at McQueen and said, "You'll be giving Diamente-chan your weekly stash of sweets for this week. This is not negotiable."
McQueen looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her after hearing it.
Diamente sat back up, rubbing her forehead.
Belno knelt beside her.
"Are you alright, Diamente-chan?"
Diamente sighed.
"I've survived worse."
Belno smiled gently.
"That's not reassuring to hear."
Several minutes later, everyone was seated around the long table.
The mood had shifted, which was now lighter than before.
But it's quieter at the same time.
Kitahara stood at the front, alongside Okino and Belno Light.
"I'll keep this brief, everyone," he said.
"As of today, Team Polaris is officially dissolved."
No dramatic gasps nor reactions on it since everyone was already briefed about this a week before.
He then looked at the side of the table where the members of Team Polaris were seated.
"Every one of you gave this team meaning," Kitahara continued. "I'm proud of what we built. And I'm proud of what you'll build next."
He bowed deeply before he then stepped back as Belno Light stepped forward.
"From this point on, I'll be formally serving as a sub-trainer under Trainer Okino's Team Spica," she said. "The former members of Team Polaris will also be under my direct tutelage.
"This means that both Team Spica and our team will be a big family." Belno added.
Applause filled the room for a moment.
Afterwards, Belno took a breath.
"As for the name of this new team…"
She turned.
Every gaze followed.
They landed on Diamente.
Diamente blinked.
"…Why is everyone looking at me?"
Belno smiled.
"It's because you're our resident strategist here, Diamente-chan, and you've been given the privilege to name our new team."
"Me! Me!" Daiwa Major raised her hand. "I want to suggest Team Lightspeed as our sub-team's name."
Diamente's eyebrows twitched.
"Dia-chan~" King Kamehameha beamed. "How about Team 'New Beginning on a Lovely Day' ?"
Diamente sighed yet again.
'…Please don't make me regret being alive.' she said to herself.
She then closed her eyes and thought about it for a few moments.
Then—
"I've got one."
Everyone leaned in, ready to listen.
"The sub-team's name shall be Team Arcturus."
Silence followed as confusion came from them.
Diamente then continued, as if she anticipated this reaction.
"As for why I named it, it's because of an astrologer's mnemonic. They say that 'if you want to find the brightest stars of spring… you follow the handle of the Big Dipper."
She looked at Belno.
"You arc to Arcturus."
Then she glanced toward Team Spica.
"And, then you speed on to Spica."
Belno's eyes widened upon hearing this.
Trainer Okino smiled slowly while Kitahara nodded, approving of this naming sense.
Belno clenched her fists in a guts victory pose.
"Then it's decided!"
She then bowed in front of everyone.
"Trainer Okino-san, members of Team Spica, Team Arcturus and I will properly be in the care of all of you."
Applause erupted from this as Diamente leaned back slightly.
Polaris had been their north star.
Now—as the time of spring has come, it is time they would arc toward a new one.
==== 🐎Legend Changer🐎 ====
The farewell party ended without tears.
There had been laughter and there also had been stories that were told between them all.
There had been food, far too much food, courtesy of Oguri Cap's enthusiastic "help" in the kitchen.
And when Trainer Kitahara finally left Tracen Academy the next day, bowing once more to everyone before walking out with a gentle smile, what lingered wasn't sadness.
It was closure from all the memories he had.
Which, somehow, felt heavier than grief.
The next morning…
Diamente noticed the difference the moment she stepped onto the school grounds.
The air felt… lighter.
Not because anything had become easier, but because something had ended.
And something new had quietly begun.
Ten umamusume, including her, stood in a line in front of the main gates, each wearing a white sash wrapped around their sleeve.
Tracen Academy – Tour Guide
Printed neatly in bold letters.
Diamente adjusted the edge of her sash, with her eyes scanning the group.
Lucky Lilac stood at the front, posture straight, hands clasped behind her back.
Rey de Oro lingered beside Diamente, rocking slightly on her heels.
Their group consisted of Lucky Lilac, Almond Eye, Daring Tact, Contrail, Curren Boquet'dor, Chrono Genesis, Lys Gracieux, Rey de Oro, and finally, herself, Diamente.
Rey de Oro glanced sideways.
"…Are you nervous,bDia-chan?"
Diamente blinked before asking back, "About guiding kids?"
"Yeah," Rey nodded. "I'm a bit nervous since a lot of people would be watching. Teachers. Staff. Parents, maybe."
Diamente shrugged.
"We're just showing them around. There's no racing, evaluations, and even pressure."
She looked ahead.
"So no. I'm not nervous at all."
Rey de Oro stared at her.
"…You're scary sometimes, Dia-chan."
Diamente deadpanned. "You're lazy most of the time, Rei-chan."
Rey puffed her cheeks. "Rude."
Before she could retaliate—
The low rumble of an engine approached as a white bus pulled up in front of the gates. Its doors hissed open upon its arrival.
Lucky Lilac straightened.
"Everyone. Positions."
All ten of them nodded.
From the front of the bus, Tazuna Hayakawa approached the door first.
Then—
A short umamusume with brown, softly curled hair and bright, gentle eyes went down the door that had just opened.
Diamente recognized her instantly.
Haiseiko.
The legendary idol horse. A national idol. The Monster of Local Racing, before Oguri Cap.
The small umamusume approached Tazuna with a warm smile.
"Tazuna-senpai~"
Tazuna stiffened slightly before replying, "…Haiseiko-sama. Please, we're in a formal setting today."
Haiseiko tilted her head with her peach-yellow eyes showing confusion.
"But you're still Tazuna-senpai that I know, you know?"
Tazuna sighed, defeated.
Haiseiko giggled, then turned toward the bus. "Alright, everyone~! Let's line up properly~!"
One by one, children stepped down.
Small frames, short legs, bright eyes with playful tails and expressive ears.
Some of them clutched their bags while some held hands.
Some stared up at the towering academy buildings as if looking at a castle.
There were twenty young umamusume in total.
Whispers spread amongst themselves.
"So big…"
"Is this where those champions live?"
"I heard they eat a lot here…"
Lucky Lilac raised her hand.
"Everyone."
That was the cue for every tour guide umamusume as all ten of them spoke in unison.
"Welcome to Central Tracen Academy!"
The children burst into applause.
"Umu~ that's very good~" Haiseiko nodded proudly.
"For today, each pair of you will follow one big sister wearing a white sash on their sleeves~! They'll show you around and take care of you for the day, okay~?"
"Yesss!"
Tazuna smiled.
"They're very well-behaved, Haiseiko-sama."
She turned toward the guides.
"Please choose two children each, our young tour guides."
The moment the words left her mouth, gentle chaos began.
Some children shyly raised their hands.
Some stared at them, while some whispered among themselves before nudging each other forward.
Almond Eye calmly selected two.
Lys Gracieux crouched to meet her pair at eye level.
Contrail awkwardly scratched her cheek while two energetic kids latched onto her sleeves.
Diamente scanned the group.
Then—
She saw her, a black-haired child wearing a long, straight hair tied into a neat ponytail.
There's a single but wide white streak cutting through her bangs, and a tiny black ahoge standing proudly at the top of her head.
Their eyes met as the child smiled back.
She wasn't shy nor overly bold, but she's a calm child nonetheless.
The child turned to the brown-haired umamusume beside her, whispered something.
That umamusume nodded.
Together, they walked toward Diamente.
Diamente knelt slightly.
"Umu~" Diamente smiled as she then asked, "What are your names, little ones?"
The brown-haired girl with twin tails peeked out first.
"I-I'm Panthalassa…"
Her voice was soft.
The black-haired girl stepped forward with a confident posture.
"I'm Equinox, tour guide onee-chan. But you can call me Nox-chan."
"For me," Panthalassa nodded quickly. "Nox-chan calls me Pan."
Diamente felt her breath hitch for half a second.
These were the future legends standing in front of her. The Titan of the World Turf and the Reiwa Twin Turbo.
Right now, though, they are still just kids.
She smiled gently.
"I'm Diamente and I'll be your tour guide today. You guys can call me Dia-chan or Dia-oneechan."
Pan's eyes sparkled.
"Really?"
Equinox tilted her head.
"Please take care of us, Diamente-oneesama."
It was then that Almond Eye approached the three.
"Dia-chan, you done picking?"
Diamente nodded. "Yeah."
Almond Eye smiled. "I'll wait for Rei-chan then."
Diamente glanced at the two children behind Almond Eye.
"They're yours, Aicchan?"
Almond Eye looked back before smiling as she then encouraged the two little girls.
"Introduce yourselves, you two."
The two girls stepped forward.
"I'm Liberty Island!"
"And I'm Do Deuce!"
Diamente blinked for a few moments before laughing softly.
"Those are wonderful names, you four."
Both girls beamed while Equinox and Panthalassa beamed up as well.
Rey de Oro soon arrived, guiding two slightly nervous kids by the hand.
Once everyone was paired—
"Yes, everyone~" Haiseiko clapped. "Let the tour begin!"
The gates of Tracen Academy opened wide as all 30 figures walked forward, 9 of them were way more forward than the others.
Three big sisters in front.
Six small ones trailing between them.
Diamente looked down at Panthalassa and Equinox.
Their eyes reflected the academy.
They were wide and not just full of curiosity, but also full of dreams they didn't even know the shape of yet.
A quiet thought crossed her mind.
The stars of tomorrow…
…were already walking among them.
==== 🐎Legend Changer🐎 ====
The first place Diamente and others led them to was the library.
The moment the sliding doors opened, the atmosphere shifted.
It was quiet and cool as rows upon rows of shelves stretched across the room, filled with books of every thickness and color.
There were training manuals, strategy guides, biomechanics textbooks, race records, historical journals, and even children's picture books about famous racers.
Diamente placed a finger to her lips.
"This is the library. Most of the books related to training, race theory, and general academics are here. You're allowed to read and study as long as you keep your voices down."
Panthalassa clasped her hands together.
"There's so many…"
Equinox slowly turned in place, eyes tracing the shelves.
"Do champions read all of these?"
Diamente smiled softly.
"A lot of them do. Some study their opponents, while some study for themselves. And sometimes, some just like reading here."
Equinox nodded.
"I want to read too."
Diamente felt a small warmth in her chest.
After leaving the library, they passed by several classrooms.
Almond Eye gestured toward the building.
"The classrooms in this wing are used by umamusume currently participating in the Twinkle Series."
The children froze.
"R-Really?!"
"So all the champions study here?!"
"Yes," Almond Eye replied calmly.
Liberty Island bounced on her heels.
"I wanna study here someday!"
Do Deuce clenched her tiny fists.
"I'll get in too!"
Rey de Oro crossed her arms.
"Classes are almost over right now."
She smirked.
"So let's move to where it really matters."
They turned the corner as the cafeteria entrance opened before them.
There's the scene of clattering trays, some laughter, and also of eating.
The scent of curry, bread, soup, grilled meat, and desserts all mixed together.
The children stared in stunned silence.
"Woah…"
"It's huge…"
Then—
Panthalassa pointed.
"That one umamusume…"
Every pair of eyes followed her finger.
An ashen-haired umamusume walked past them.
On her tray sat a mountain, which consisted of a massive bowl of rice and a large bowl of thick curry sloshing at the edges.
Several side dishes stacked neatly beside it.
Equinox blinked.
"…Is that for everyone?"
Rey de Oro opened her mouth for a bit, then closed it. Then opened and closed again, before answering, "I… actually don't know how to explain that."
Diamente sighed gently.
"Some umamusume have much faster metabolisms than normal, so they need to eat more to compensate."
She pointed.
"That's Oguri Cap. She's the most famous example of what I had just explained."
Oguri sat down and immediately began eating with terrifying efficiency.
Panthalassa's jaw dropped.
"She's amazing…"
Equinox whispered.
"I wanna eat like that too."
Diamente smiled.
"Focus on growing up first, then we can talk about that as long as you don't get overweight."
Next stop: the swimming area.
The scent of chlorine greeted them.
A large indoor pool stretched across the room.
Almond Eye explained, "This indoor pool area is mainly used for stamina training. As you know, swimming builds endurance without putting strain on the legs."
Liberty Island raised a hand.
"Do you have to be good at swimming?"
"Not necessarily," Almond Eye replied.
Before anyone could ask more—
"WAIT! WAIT! WAIT!"
A frantic voice echoed.
Hishi Miracle sprinted along the poolside.
Behind her, Yaeno Muteki and Fenomeno chased with dead-serious expressions.
"Get back here, Hishimi!"
"You can't skip stamina day again, Hishimi!"
"I DON'T WANNA DROWN—!"
She slipped, barely recovering her gait before continuing on running.
The children stared at it as one of them asked. "…Is that also training?"
Diamente rubbed her temple.
"There are umamusume who dislike pool training because they're afraid of water."
She pointed toward the shallow end.
"The regular pool depth is a little over a meter. The deep side is only for diving practice, which is often used for practicing one's guts."
Panthalassa nodded slowly.
"…So she's just being dramatic?"
"Yes."
They moved on very quickly.
The University Wing came next.
The building felt different.
It's now a lot quieter and more… adult for everyone there except for Diamente.
Diamente then explained as they walked, "After retiring from racing, us umamusume doesn't have to leave Tracen and graduate immediately. Although a very recent addition just a decade ago, this wing of the academy facility offers university-level courses."
Equinox looked up.
"What kind of courses, Diamente-oneesama?"
"There are three main departments, mostly," Diamente replied before adding, "Umamusume Sports Science, Computer Engineering, and Medical Science."
The children murmured in awe.
They had just entered the Medical Department's hallway when—
BANG!
A loud explosion rang out from a nearby lab.
Smoke puffed from under the door.
The children were shocked and stopped on their feet.
Panthalassa grabbed Diamente's sleeve while Equinox stiffened.
Almond Eye immediately turned around.
"…We're leaving here."
Rey de Oro nodded instantly.
"Yes. Right now."
Diamente didn't argue as she whispered to herself, 'That Tachyon-san… Wasn't she notified that there's going to be a tour visit today… why can't she have any restrain just for today?'
They then left the University Wing very fast.
Their final destination was the training grounds.
The massive racecourse spread before them.
It was wide, long, and seemingly endless.
The children ran to the railing from the higher vantage point where they could oversee the whole racecourse.
"Woah…"
"It's so big…"
Almond Eye spoke.
"This course is modeled after Tokyo Racecourse. Its overall length is around two thousand, four hundred meters."
Equinox's eyes sparkled.
"This racecourse should be modeled after the Japanese Derby, right?"
"Yes," Almond Eye replied.
Diamente smiled.
"You guys are quite lucky to pick today of all days since multiple teams are training right now."
They watched groups of umamusume running.
Some were running in parallel, while others were breathing hard on the side.
"This is what us umamusume do before the races you watch," Diamente said.
"All that cheering… comes after this."
Equinox suddenly leaned forward as her eyes locked onto one runner.
A black-haired umamusume doing short but strong strides at the uphill.
Equinox squinted her eyes as Diamente followed her gaze.
Then smiled.
"That one running uphill is from Team Spica, a trainee who's currently participating in their Classical Year. "
She looked at the children.
"Who do you think she is?"
Equinox slowly raised her hand as Diamente then asked, "Yes, Nox-chan?"
"That's Kitasan Black, right?"
Diamente nodded.
"That's correct."
She gently patted Equinox's head as her face beamed from it.
Then—
Another presence at the far-end of the dirt track was a tall dark, long brown-haired umamusume who took her starting position.
She was still and silent.
For a brief moment, it felt like the air surrounding her darkened.
Then she launched forward in an explosive manner.
It was an explosive, relentless, and devouring ground due to the strong strides, which surprised not just the kids but also the other umamusume from other teams who were jointly training with each other.
The children gasped when they saw it.
"She's fast…!"
Diamente's eyes narrowed.
"That's… Duramente…"
Storm clouds seemed to trail behind her.
Not literally, but it felt that way for Diamente and others.
The kids watched in awe as Diamente, Rey de Oro, and Almond Eye watched this in quiet understanding.
There's not just one or two, but four monsters in the same generation.
Each carrying a different kind of terror being brought to the race track.
Before anyone realized—
The tour had ended as Tazuna and Haiseiko regrouped everyone.
The children chatted excitedly.
About food, the giant swimming pool, about racing, and becoming champions.
Diamente looked down at Panthalassa and Equinox and they were smiling, with their eyes bright and full of dreams.
She felt it again.
That quiet certainty.
Even when she hasn't started racing yet, the future is already here.
It was just… that they're very small right now.
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