Uma Musume Girl, I'll tell you about my Santa Hat special move too?

Although he had received a bet that would decide the outcome of the derby, Ennis the Wind God inadvertently stumbled upon the reason behind it all:

Toyama Hikari, in order to go to the Neon Derby with her, symbolically performed the dogeza (a deep bowing gesture) for Rudolf in the student council office.

She knelt on the ground, pressing her limbs and forehead firmly to the ground, pleading with the other party to believe that the two of them could succeed.

Only after that did Rudolph agree to step in and help deflect JRA's accusations, giving the two of them a final chance.

Aeneas, the god of wind, does not blame Rudolf for his symbolism.

Because she also knew that the emperor was only worried that Hiiro Toyama was indeed the kind of trainer who would disregard the health of racehorse girls for the sake of his own honor.

It wasn't until the emperor witnessed the weight of that dogeza (a Buddhist ritual performed on the ground) that he truly believed it was a testament to their mutual understanding.

Whether for training or competition, it is a joint choice between the racehorse girl and the trainer.

"Don't worry, Trainer Toyama, I will pass on my experience to Stardust Illusion. It seems you have high expectations for her."

“Of course.” Toyama Scarlet curled her lip, unconvinced by Ennis Wind God’s question. “I have full confidence in every one of my racehorse girls, and Stardust Illusion is the kind of horse that is good at creating miracles in races.”

"In that case, as her trainer, I only need to do one thing—support her, help her in everything outside of the competition, and give her a stage to create miracles!"

Looking at the spirited Toyama Hiiro before him, Ennis Wind God smiled.

This trainer has always been like this, doing whatever she wants. No matter what unreasonable demands the racehorse girl makes, as long as it's related to the race, she will do her best to fulfill them.

That time I wanted to participate in the derby, and that time I chose to flee before the match—

If it were any other trainer, they would absolutely never have supported her making a runaway in that kind of competition, right?

2400m track, Great Escape.

Media figures at the time described him as: "He was like Icarus flying toward the sun, seeking self-destruction."

But when it came to herself making that request, Hikari Toyama simply said:

[If you want to do it, then do it. If you can't even ensure your racehorse girl wins, then all the safe training is meaningless.]

"You still love talking to yourself, Trainer Toyama." Ennis, leaning on her cane, smiled helplessly as she spoke, walking step by step toward the athletes' rest area.

"Tch, I'm going to find Miura Bourbon—but you should come back as soon as you've recovered, those two juniors are waiting for your guidance."

Chapter Sixty-Nine: I'll sell you this Tathagata Palm manual for ten dollars.

"A 2400m track, this is going to kill me!" Stardust Illusion sat anxiously in the rest room.

She scrolled through her profile page, repeatedly checking the numbers.

Stardust Illusion Basic Data:

Speed ​​459

Stamina 280

force 194

Root nature 191

Intelligence 170

(To avoid padding the word count, the full attributes are included in the author's postscript.)

Compared to half a month ago, her attributes have improved again, with a total increase of about 60 points.

It's clear that the Sakamichi training plan arranged by Toyama Scarlet is indeed quite effective. If we only look at the numerical values, the training effect can be said to be comparable to the boost from a typical support card.

However, this was of no use. 2400m is already close to a long track distance, and today's weather made the grass quite muddy, all of which raised the endurance standard to an even higher level.

So if she doesn't come up with a solution, she might be unable to sprint at the end because of the energy she expends while leading the race.

Thinking of this, Stardust Illusion turned its gaze to a newly added golden skill in the skill bar: Gluttony.

That's right. Although no PT points were spent, Stardust Illusion's persistent feasting over the past month has eventually given it a new golden stamina recovery skill.

But here's the problem.

While the Golden Stamina Recovery skill, "Big Eater," is very reliable and provides a significant amount of stamina recovery, it also has its limitations: it can only be triggered by using the "First Run" technique!

What should we do? Should we switch to going first in this match?

Stardust Illusion looked at his feet and pondered the B column.

Indeed, if she had taken the initiative, she wouldn't have been completely unable to run. With her imitation of the East Sea Emperor and Oguri Hat, plus the abilities she had learned, she was confident that she could perform at a fairly good level in the advance-running technique.

but……

Should we proceed first?

Stardust Illusion gently placed her right hand on her chest, feeling her heartbeat through the fabric of her clothes. She didn't know what to choose now and murmured to herself.

"I could have just chosen to go first, but why? My heart is telling me that I should take the lead."

"...Is this feeling of wanting to see that boundless scenery ahead again right?"

Suddenly, the Stardust Illusion heard a voice answer it: "Of course it's right."

She looked toward the entrance to the lounge, only to find that a racehorse girl with a cane had already pushed open the door and entered, continuing her conversation.

"Hello, I'm Ennis the Wind God, your senior." The racehorse girl, leaning on her cane, smiled brightly and waved at the Stardust Illusion.

"Ennis Wind God?" Stardust Illusion asked doubtfully. Of course, she knew that the person in front of her was the first racehorse girl under the care of Toyama Scarlet. She had been hospitalized due to injuries and had only recently received news that she would be cured soon.

But what is she doing here?

"You're feeling lost, aren't you?" Ennis asked gently as he sat down next to the Stardust Illusion.

"From a normal theoretical point of view, if you choose to take the lead in this race, it is equivalent to sending yourself into an endurance hell, and you can say that you have no chance of winning at all."

"But deep down you're telling yourself... you want to take the lead, right?"

“Yes.” Stardust Illusion nodded. She wanted to defeat everyone in this competition, whether it was the Noble Clan, Zhuofu, or the Great Tree Express and Megumi McQueen.

These opponents are stronger than the last, but that's precisely why the competition is worthwhile.

"Before last year's derby, countless people helped me analyze the game with various theories. They tirelessly told me - don't run away. Running away in a derby is like suicide. There is absolutely no chance of winning."

"However, I succeeded."

When talking about her achievements, Ennis was a little embarrassed, her cheeks flushed slightly, but she still continued to comfort her, "Did Trainer Toyama say anything to you before the match?"

"She said... for this race, I can decide for myself how to run, and she trusts my choice."

"That's what she told me too. Even if the data didn't support the escape strategy, I still chose to escape."

"After that race, many people said that it was because I didn't listen to advice that I suffered such an injury, and that I might even lose the right to continue running."

"If you were in that situation, would you regret choosing to flee?"

Stardust Illusion imagined that scene: on the neon derby field, a desperate escape, leaving all opponents far behind, and seizing the final victory...

All the spectators in the stadium were waving their hands wildly in celebration of their performance in the match, each shouting their own name.

What an honor this would be...

That is her—the radiance of the victor that the stardust illusion craves!

“I will absolutely not regret it!” she replied firmly.

“You’re right, Stardust Illusion.” Hearing the other’s reply and seeing the girl’s resolute expression, the Wind God Ennis smiled with great satisfaction.

"The so-called great escape, if you don't fully commit yourself, is destined to only end up with a half-baked result. Considering the consequences is something other racehorse girls should do."

The Stardust Illusion could see that the Wind Goddess Ennis, who was saying this, had an extraordinary confidence in her eyes, an expression that showed not a trace of regret.

She was truly willing to gamble everything on this escape route.

Even when he lacked confidence, even when he knew he would lose his open race career after finishing the race, runner Ennis Aeolus never felt lost.

Is this... the real Great Escape?

Looking at the expression on the stardust illusion before him, the Wind Goddess Aeneas understood that she had grasped the meaning he wanted to convey.

"Let's leave the topic of running techniques here." She took out a worn-out notebook from her bosom.

The cover of this notebook is worn, and there are signs of use in the corners.

Stardust Illusion took the notebook and casually flipped to a page, which was filled with various tips and feelings about leading the race.

Although the contents of this book are filled with many ambiguous onomatopoeic words and cute illustrations.

However, she could clearly sense that the Wind God Ennis had written down all his experience on this piece, stroke by stroke.

Even after just a cursory glance at the contents, she could almost see the phantom of the Wind God Ennis running in front of her, with all his skills displayed before her.

"This one……"

Stardust Illusion held the book, which could be described as a bible for escaping horses, and hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

"What's wrong? I wrote this while I was bedridden and unable to move after I heard that two juniors had joined the team. It's a gift for you."

Ennis the Wind God patted her head, then stood up again, leaning on his cane, and walked towards the door.

"Why don't you take a look at the contents in this short time? I was hoping to give them to you and Bourbon earlier, but Trainer Toyama wouldn't let me—"

"I don't know what she's thinking, but anyway, good luck in the upcoming matches!"

"Okay!" Stardust Illusion carefully opened the notebook, and upon hearing the system notification [ding-dong] in her ear, she nodded in response:

"I will definitely not let everyone down in this match!"

Chapter Seventy: Touching the Edge of the Zone

"A 2400m track is a test for most athletes."

Inside a box in the grandstand, a female racer in a red racing suit with long, brown-red hair smiled and turned her head to talk to her friend beside her.

Her expression wasn't particularly deliberate, but every gesture exuded charm. Even a casual touch of her long hair revealed the confidence and allure unique to an older sister.

Maru Zenki, a veteran of the Rigil team.

She was once a legend of her time, with an 8-0 record in her career, winning every race and beating second place by a total of 61 lengths, earning her the nickname "Supercar".

Those who witnessed the race at the time said that Maruzenski's running was like an art performance. Every bend revealed her perfect and enjoyable running form, and in the end, she held victory and glory in her own hands.