With Twin Turbo's triumphant roar still echoing from the Dubai Turf, the momentum for overseas campaigns in Japan had reached a fever pitch. It wasn't just a flash in the pan; heavy hitters like Agnes Flora and Tokai Teio had already made their intentions clear—they were going global.
Amidst this international fervor, the seasons turned. A new school year arrived, bringing with it a fresh breeze to Tracen Academy. A new crop of promising young talent stood at the gates, each girl a spark of potential waiting to ignite.
"Haaaah..."
"What's with the groaning? It's rare to see you sounding so defeated before the day even starts."
Okino called out to Rampage as she sat buried under paperwork in the staff room. Despite entering her second year as a trainer—a milestone that should have been celebratory—Rampage looked like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.
"It's the international students," Rampage grumbled. "Because of the surge in overseas enrollment this year, the administration realized I'm multilingual. Now I've been roped into translation and 'linguistic oversight' duties."
"Oh, right. I forgot you were a polyglot."
While the influx of international talent was a blessing for the Twinkle Series, the language barrier was a logistical nightmare. Many talented girls had nearly missed out on the URA Finals simply because the paperwork couldn't be translated fast enough.
"So," Rampage continued, "the new system is to temporarily attach these girls to teams with 'linguistically capable' trainers. I have to oversee their transition and supplement their classroom learning until they're fluent."
"Hey, are you going to be okay? You're already managing two teams simultaneously."
"It's fine. Honestly, now that the first Finals are over, my schedule is actually lighter than it was last year."
"You're such an overachiever it's almost annoying," Okino teased.
"If you have time to complain about me, you should spend it worrying about Roman and Blizzard. Their primary rivals are my girls, Amazon and Doralun. You're up against Minami-chan now—good luck with that."
"Don't remind me," Okino winced. "I've already got a migraine."
Okino's trainee, Oguri Roman, was targeting the Triple Tiara, but she was on a collision course with Team Canopus's heavyweights. In the history Rampage remembered, Roman had snatched the Oka Sho, but in this world, Hishi Amazon was a juggernaut and Doralun was hungry for a comeback. And that was to say nothing of the "Nightmare of the Classics"—Narita Brian. The current racing scene was becoming a den of monsters.
"Well, my main focus this year is Maya's debut," Rampage said, standing up. "I'll save my worrying for the next year's crop."
"Just you wait. If you think the Senior circuit is going to be easy after what you did in the Legend Race, you're in for a shock."
"Psh. I've survived worse. I once had a debate with the U.S. President; these girls are a cakewalk compared to that."
"Please, for the love of god, keep your political combat skills in the 'Retirement' folder."
Rampage waved him off and headed out. She was actually quite excited to meet her new charges. If her memory served, the new intake represented the "'98 Class"—the "Golden Generation." Even if she limited her scope to the Maruzen (foreign-bred) girls, the list was legendary: El Condor Pasa, Grass Wonder, Agnes World, Meiner Love... it was an embarrassment of riches.
"I wonder which one I'm getting..."
The moment she arrived at the meeting point, she felt the urge to punch her past self for being so curious. Standing there was a familiar face from the school festival, accompanied by a girl wearing a luchador-style mask.
Of course, Rampage thought, letting out a silent, weary sigh. Of course it's them.
"Ah! She's here! Rampage-saaan!"
"Wh— For real!? It's really Mejiro Rampage-san desu!?" the masked girl gasped, her voice jumping an octave. "You really know her!?"
"Hmph! Didn't I tell you?" King Halo declared, puffing out her chest. "Even before I entered Tracen, it was already decided that I would join the team of a legend!"
"Incredible desu!"
One half of the duo was King Halo, whom Rampage had met during the festival. True to her word, she had fought her way into the Academy.
"Yo, King. So you're here for Team Pleiades?"
"Naturally. To surpass my mother, I must train under the best. I'm joining your team!"
"Good to hear. And I assume your friend here is our international student? Why are you two together?"
"She's still struggling with Japanese," King explained, her tone shifting to one of sophisticated grace. "Since I am fluent in English and several other languages, the faculty asked me to act as her initial support."
"Impressive as always," Rampage noted. King's high-born upbringing was already paying off; she was functionally a teacher's pet before the first bell even rang.
Then, Rampage turned to the girl in the mask.
"H-H-H-Hello! I am... E-E-El... El Condor Pasa desu! It is... a very fine day today, no?"
"Relax, El-san," King whispered. "A simple 'Pleased to meet you' is sufficient."
"I look forward to working with you desu!!" El shouted, giving a stiff, nervous bow.
"Hahaha! Plenty of energy, at least. I like it."
El Condor Pasa. To many, she was the strongest horse of her era. A victor of the NHK Mile Cup who remained undefeated until her clash with Silence Suzuka. Her true legend, however, was written in France, where she took on the world's best in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and fell just short of winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, finishing a heartbreaking second to Montjeu. She was the Japanese-trained horse who came closest to the world's peak, eventually earning Horse of the Year honors.
"Well, welcome to Tracen," Rampage said. "For now, you'll be a provisional member of Team Pleiades while I help you get your feet under you with classes and the language. If you like the vibe, you're welcome to stay permanently."
"I... I watched your BC Classic! In America!!" El blurted out.
"Oh? You did?"
"Yes! That's when I decided—I have to go to Japan desu!"
Being called an inspiration was always a bit embarrassing, Rampage found. King Halo chimed in with more news.
"There are others who came here because they admire you, too. I believe a Miss Grass Wonder and a Miss Agnes World were mentioned? I heard Grass-san is joining Rigil, and World-san is going to Spica."
"Heh. Is that so?"
The pieces were falling into place. Rampage recalled that in the anime, El hadn't started in Rigil either; she had to earn her spot through a trial.
"Anyway, don't be so tense," Rampage told El. "If Japanese gets too annoying, just talk to me in English. We've already got an American on the team, so you'll fit right in."
"H-Hai!"
"And King... you're serious about Pleiades?"
"Of course. My goal is to become a girl who surpasses her mother. In other words—I am going to conquer a G1 at every single distance!"
"K-King! You said that in your class introduction too... were you serious!?"
Rampage blinked. She actually announced that in front of the whole class?
"I am absolutely serious," King declared. "The higher the goal, the more meaning there is in the pursuit! And since I have Mejiro Rampage as my trainer, I have no choice but to sprint toward the summit!"
...She was definitely serious. Rampage had lit a fire under her during the festival, but she hadn't expected it to turn into a forest fire. Still, as a trainer, guiding that ambition was her job.
"Alright. If you're that motivated, I'll build a menu that'll make you weep. How about you, El-chan? Any big dreams?"
"M-Me!?" El squeaked. "I... I want to become... the strongest horse girl in the entire world desu!"
"And what does that mean to you?"
"It means... I have to become stronger than you, Rampage-san! ...I-I said it... I actually said it..."
El started with confidence, but her voice shrank into a tiny whisper by the end. Rampage stared at her for a moment. To think the boisterous, world-beating El Condor Pasa ever had a phase this adorable... it was too much. Rampage burst out laughing.
"Hawaa... Is it... too much? Is it... lucha...?"
"The word is 'mucha' (reckless), El-san," King corrected.
"No, no! Sorry for laughing," Rampage said, wiping a tear. "It's just... I have someone else on my team who said the exact same thing to me. Hearing it again just tickled me."
"Eh!? Someone wants to be faster than Rampage-san!?"
"Why not?" Rampage smiled, reaching out to pat El's head. The girl's timid expression immediately brightened. "Like King said, a big goal makes the race worth running. Go for it. Try to take me down. I dare you."
She turned toward the club room. "Now then, ladies, shall I show you to the Pleiades headquarters?"
"Hmph! We would be honored! I must make sure to greet my seniors properly!"
"El is going too desu!"
"That's the spirit. Let's go."
As they walked, a thought crossed Rampage's mind.
(Wait... what about Special Week? In the anime, she transferred in later... does that mean she's not here yet?)
The Golden Generation has officially entered the fray.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"