Truth be told, before coming to Central, Stardust had already learned some things about Tracen—bits from games, anime, and manga, plus fragments from this life (in principle, one may not reveal Central Tracen intel without permission).
In her imagination, Central Tracen would be like a top university from her previous life. But once inside, she realized she'd completely misunderstood:
"This isn't a school—it's a town!"
Stardust stared in disbelief as a campus bus roared past. She couldn't help shouting.
"Indeed. Our academy aims to be a comprehensive city where all Central horse girls can live healthily," Rudolf explained, turning back. "And for horse girls—if space is too small, you can't even fairly allocate training for running."
Except for Tazuna and the old man, they had all changed into academy track wear—so as not to draw attention, Air Groove said.
"That's true…" Stardust finally closed her gaping mouth but still muttered in disbelief, "This is downtown Tokyo. It's a city within a city—too outrageous."
From what she'd seen on the way in—and without even crossing half the campus—she counted at least eight different practice tracks, plus various training facilities and living areas—a self-contained world.
"That's why the student council president is called 'Emperor,'" the old man joked.
"That's a misunderstanding," Rudolf answered with perfect composure. "I'm called the Emperor only for my racing. If you joke like that and the JRA hears, it'll be trouble, Mr. Rokuhira."
"Ah! Are they racing over there?!" Bakushin, hands behind her head, spotted a grass practice track and shouted.
Stardust looked. A dozen horse girls in track suits were warming up on the course. A few human trainers exhorted them. It really did look like they were about to race.
"Ah, that should be a training race. Because some kids are about to run, or need to maintain condition through competition, teams often organize training races in-house. Want to go take a look?"
Tazuna smiled, suggesting.
"Yes yes! Bakushin wants to look!!"
The broad-foreheaded Bakushin waved her arm with glee; her tail wagged furiously—obviously excited.
"Let's go, then. We've covered most of the tour anyway," Rudolf agreed and led them toward the course.
At the edge, Stardust saw the warm-ups and was quietly stunned: she recognized many—
Daitaku Helios, Kane Wait Opera, Miho Bourbon, Hishi Amazon…
All were renowned G1 titans in the old world. Each with her own specialties—unique killer moves, iron will, and stamina that would shine in future races.
So this was Central Tracen—glance at a training race and you find a field like this.
She praised the luxurious lineup in her heart.
But she didn't feel much urge. Even to beat Teio, she didn't want to challenge every fast runner she saw—otherwise she'd be a creep asking random horse girls in the night, "Do you like running?"
"Ah! Everyone looks so fired up! I want to bakushin!!!"
Bakushin's shout broke her reverie. She turned to see the girl spinning in place again.
The old man shot Stardust a questioning look—do you want in?
No.
Sensing that, Stardust shook her head firmly.
Her system's most important function, beyond learning skills by racing for PT, was stabilizing training effect. In the time for a training race, she could be building stamina, speed, power—or, failing that, reading the rulebook to raise intelligence.
"If you want in, you can. That training race looks organized by that trainer over there, Hoyama Scarlet. I can take you to ask."
Tazuna had noticed Stardust's refusal and didn't push, speaking gently as she pointed at a mature woman bundled in a heavy tracksuit. The woman was instructing Miho Bourbon, face intent.
As Tazuna and Bakushin went to speak, the old man behind Stardust wore a meaningful smile she didn't see—
After a word with Tazuna and Bakushin, the trainer raised her eyes to scan their group—then suddenly pointed at Stardust:
"Bourbon, bring her here."
"Yes, Master."
Expressionless, Miho Bourbon turned—and blasted toward them with a sudden sprint!
Pa!
A light footfall. Watching Bourbon charge at her, Stardust thought of the Shinkansen that morning—though Bourbon wasn't Shinkansen-fast, her precise, machine-like running rhythm was nearly identical: no wasted motion, almost no personal color.
Or rather—such mechanical exactness was her color.
This was Miho Bourbon, the so-called Cyber Pegasus!
"You think you'll catch me like that—"
Smiling, Stardust dropped her body… and sprinted away at full tilt!
"—Not a chance!"
She still didn't know what the trainer had said—but if someone was chasing, the answer was to run.
She was, after all, an escape runner.
"Haa… haa… haa…"
Crossing a little river, Stardust was panting.
Not because she'd run very far, but because Bourbon kept pressing with near-sprint speed. To avoid being caught, Stardust had to cling to her maximum pace—
But was Bourbon really a robot?!
Thanks to the system's corrections, Stardust sometimes felt smug about her standard form. But seeing Bourbon's mechanical precision now, she realized:
There are levels even among "standard" forms.
Compared to her run, which at least showed the "standard," Bourbon's stride length and arm swing were identical each cycle. Despite seeming purely mechanical, her running had an industrial beauty.
Hell—it turns out mechanical motion can be beautiful!
"We've been at this nearly ten minutes! Won't you stop?!" Stardust gasped, trying to persuade her as she heard Bourbon's own breath grow heavier behind.
"Master's orders are absolute."
Bourbon's voice held no emotion.
Taking advantage of Stardust's slight deceleration as she spoke, Bourbon stamped down and launched into the air—flying straight for Stardust's waist!
"Son of a—"
Stardust never imagined the other would dare such a dangerous move at over 60 km/h.
She froze for a split-second and only managed to topple sideways—dragging the clinging Bourbon with her—both tumbling into the river!
Splash! Splash!
Two crisp splashes, and soon they dragged themselves ashore, both soaked.
"My bad, Bourbon. Let me off the hook?"
Lying on her back, Stardust spoke weakly.
She hadn't expected the girl to go so hard—not only daring a flying tackle at full sprint, but clinging to her even after they fell in. Clearly she wouldn't let go.
After struggling in the water for a bit, Stardust gave up resisting—lest something worse happen in the little river.
"Master's orders are absolute." Unmoved by the plea, Bourbon replied like a T-1000 on a mission, then hoisted Stardust onto her shoulder and marched back.
"I'm afraid of you…"
Letting herself be carried, Stardust thought that no matter what, they wouldn't be overly harsh with her in front of the Emperor and Oguri. She adjusted into a comfortable posture and let Bourbon haul her back to the course.
"Pfft! Hahahaha! You two sneak off for a bath?"
The old man spotted them first and burst out laughing.
He now stood beside the trainer called Hoyama Scarlet. Oguri, Air Groove, Rudolf, and Tazuna were on the stands, apparently ready to watch. The horse girls were already at the line—ready to go—
Judging from the neatly left open slots, they were clearly waiting on Bourbon and Stardust.
"Why have Bourbon drag me in, Trainer Hoyama?"
Stardust flicked water from her hair and asked wearily.
"You're Stardust Mirage, right?" Hoyama didn't look up from her tablet. "Run a training race so I can see."
"You didn't even know it was me—and told Bourbon to nab me?! She literally flew at me at sprint speed—you know how dangerous that is?!"
Stardust recounted the incident. She might dodge, but Bourbon could be hurt.
"It's fine." The woman was calm. "I ordered Bourbon beforehand to make 'no injury today' the first priority. Even if it looks dangerous, she won't be hurt."
"All right, all right, Stardust—this is the trainer I told you about. You like basic training, right? Hoyama is the strongest on basics in all Tracen," the old man said, handing them towels.
"Her?!"
Stardust balked. First meeting and she had Bourbon arrest her? Could such a trainer be reliable?!
"Trust me." The old man all but pushed Bourbon and Stardust into the locker room, then spoke through the door:
"Hoyama's got the goods. Try her first. If you really don't like it, Rudolf can reassign you. How about it?"
"She's way out of line! If she wanted me to run a training race, couldn't she just ask?"
With Bourbon in the changing room, Stardust grumbled as she peeled off her drenched clothes and changed into the fresh track suit.
Heading for the door, she noticed Bourbon still standing there dripping, making no move to change.
"Uh… aren't you changing? How are you going to run in wet clothes?"
"Master did not order a change of clothes."
Bourbon stood unmoving, face blank.
"tsk—so you don't move without an order? What a pain. Go change. She said we're running, didn't she?"
Seeing Bourbon still unmoved, Stardust simply started undressing her and putting her in a fresh suit. Bourbon did not resist—letting the other change her piece by piece—
"Not everything has to be so cyber, okay?"
Hand in hand with Bourbon, Stardust walked out and asked, "Hey, Hoyama Scarlet—I changed Bourbon's clothes. That okay?"
"… "
The woman didn't answer immediately. She lifted her eyes, took in their joined hands, and said more gently, "She's been like this since childhood. I'm glad you can look after her… Now, the training race—everyone's been waiting."
"Tch—so I have to run, huh?" Stardust muttered.
On her sides were a buzzing Bakushin muttering "Bakushin bakushin!" and the brightly smiling gyaru, Daitaku Helios…
If we're running, then we're winning—from the start to the end, we run away!
"Ready at your marks!"
"1400m, turf, counterclockwise, short-distance training race—begin!"
[Skill: Focus]—activate.
[Skill: Off-Distance ○]—activate.
[Skill: Counterclockwise ○]—activate.
Bang!
Twelve horse girls sprang forward, and Stardust—choosing the lead again—drove a foot into the ground!
[Skill: Firm on the Ground]—activate!
Let me show you my grand escape!
In an instant, she accelerated to blistering speed. She knew short races hinge even more on the opening burst—so she unleashed her leg strength from the gun.
If you lead, then lead!
But as she adjusted her breathing to hold that speed, urgent footfalls surged behind—
"Haha—you run fast! Where you from? What's your sign?"
To the left, Daitaku Helios tailed her with big, rooted strides and a sunny grin.
"Bakushin! Bakushin! Sakura blood—help me explode to victory!!!"
On the right, Bakushin was fully lit; her eyes blazed as she kept up.
"Master has ordered it. Today's strategy: front-run."
From the outside, Miho Bourbon used her precise, flawless form to reel them in…
Within 200 meters of the break, four escape runners were already locked in a duel. This was the brutal battlefield of the lead!
With "Firm on the Ground," Stardust had seized the point—but the three behind were close—too close.
"Damn—why are there so many front-runners?!"
At the first turn, she felt it: the three behind were too tight. If she used "Shrinking the Ground" to cut the corner, she'd risk interference—maybe even cause a spill.
But without it, she'd struggle to maintain the razor-thin lead. What to do?
Right and left were both packed. Even a normal turn was cramped—
This unprecedented predicament left her blank for a moment. While she hesitated, the other three, with skilled cornering, eased past her with only a little deceleration.
Fourth!
Bitterness flared as a front-runner—passed by so many?!
"Damn it!"
Out of the turn, she wanted to snatch the lead back.
But a wall rose up in front of her.
The three in front fanned out abreast right out of the bend, forming a human barrier. If she wanted through, she'd have to swing wide around them.
But at only 1400 meters, she didn't have the budget to burn stamina outside and chase.
What to do what to do what to do what to do what to do what to do?!
Her brain whirred as she ransacked her running memories.
As an escape runner, she was usually in front. Even when passed, it was only by one.
She had never faced a blocked path like this. This wasn't an escape problem—it was a stalker's problem… wait, a stalker?
Speaking of stalkers, there was at least one strong memory…
Watching the three backs ahead and the race nearing halfway, Stardust dipped her head—
[Trigger there!]
…
"Stardust isn't used to this spot. She can't find a line to attack."
On the stands, Oguri, two bowls of yakisoba from who-knows-where, offered commentary.
"Haha—suddenly facing three front-runners when you've always run away—it's natural to flail." The old man laughed.
"If it were me, I'd tuck behind Bakushin and use her slipstream. With the least experience, she can't block as perfectly as the other two." Oguri spoke from a wealth of experience—she had faced not three but a dozen trying to box her in.
"It depends if Stardust wakes up," the old man said, glancing at Hoyama scribbling data and smiling, before focusing back on the track.
…
Stardust shadowed the three, counting the remaining meters. Her running now was unlike her usual—but every step, she fine-tuned her body.
Oguri Cap—Tokai Teio—their motions revived in memory, fusing swiftly into Stardust's movements.
Her posture was still odd, but she felt it: this was easier, and the slipstream from the pacers helped her along—
More importantly—the spot was coming!
Think I have no power if I'm not leading?
A breeze brushed her bangs, revealing eyes that burned like fire.
850… 800… 780—
—777!
The Miracle Runner of the Holy Night—ignite!
"BAKUSHIN!!!!!!!"
Bakushin was still roaring, but she'd gone full tilt from the start, with no concept of rationing.
Even with the Sakura family's strength, leading to here had pushed her to the limit!
Damn—my strength's… huh?!
A chill flashed up her spine. The last bit of breath Bakushin held leaked out.
Her form softened, and with a cry—"Oys—ters!"—she sank into the pack, dropping fast.
The new pacer, Daitaku Helios, didn't even have time to smile before she felt the same pressure!
What the—?! How could a pressure like this appear in a training race?!
She wailed inside. The breeze became a headwind that blocked her hands and feet.
But at the center of the storm, those footsteps drew near…
THUMP!
THUMP!
THUMP!
Each step pounded the turf. With the Holy Night Runner's assist, Stardust poured absolute power into her legs.
In her eyes, the perfect wall broke as Bakushin faltered.
So—simple.
Wind hammered her face, but Stardust reveled in the comfort of it—that was why she loved to lead.
And in her ears, the commentator's impassioned voice seemed to return:
[Tokai Teio is closing! The two are nearly abreast!]
[Stardust Mirage! Stardust Mirage! Tokai Teio! Stardust Mirage! Tokai Teio! Tokai Teio! To-ka-i Te-i-o—!!!]
Attacking from a stalker's slot to the lead? If Tokai Teio can do it—
"—There's no reason I can't!!!"
With a roar, steam burst from her sweat, refracting light. For an instant, a dragon seemed to flash and fade.
Her heart hammered at the limit, pumping will into every limb.
Then—a power from nowhere rose in some corner of her body and converged on her heart—
Faster, faster, faster!!
On the system panel only she could not see, beneath the "Miracle Runner of the Holy Night" line under Unique Skills, a brand-new rainbow description flickered…
[Unique Skill: The Beat of Victory—activate!]
As the line solidified, Stardust felt strength flood her body. It flared for only a moment—then faded—but it was enough!
All the horse girls felt a weight drop on them, as if invisible chains bound their hands and feet, keeping them from advancing—
It was only a phantom, gone in a blink.
But to those on the stands, Stardust's form was now seven or eight tenths Oguri's from several days prior.
She pitched forward, unleashing a closing kick with top speed in the field.
She became a gale, scouring the course, crushing all opposition—and blasted through the line!
"First—Stardust Mirage!"
A trainer at the finish raised the stopwatch and called it.
Hearing it, Stardust lifted her head and steadied her center.
The inertia of full speed carried her several dozen meters past the line before she wobbled to a stop.
Winner!
Panting, she smiled as trainers called out the rest of the placings.
It was only a training race with almost no spectators—but there were opponents to test herself against.
For Stardust, once on a track, even a training run merited no slack.
After losing her debut to Tokai Teio's indomitable "Emperor Step," she understood: Don't run, don't lose—but if you run, you must win!
The grounds were alive again. Trainers ran to their charges. Rokuhira applauded as he came over.
Behind him, Hoyama Scarlet looked intrigued. Oguri returned to her earlier nonchalance and dug back into her yakisoba. Rudolf, Air Groove, and Tazuna headed for the totally blown-up Bakushin, ready to talk her through it.
The two trainers came to Stardust. Hoyama helped the spent girl to the rest area.
"That running just now—was it as the old man said—something you realized on the fly?" Hoyama asked as they walked.
"Not exactly. I've been studying Oguri's run. I just tried it since I was in a stalker's spot this time."
Stardust explained, taking the sports drink Rokuhira handed and chugging.
"I lost, Master."
Second-place Miho Bourbon stepped up to report.
Her expression and tone were unchanged; Stardust couldn't read her mood from ears or tail.
"I told you to run from behind today. It's fine."
Hoyama patted her head. "This training race was to get you used to the stalker rhythm. If you can't lead, you'll be very passive—learn anything?"
Bourbon paused, recalling that eerie pressure in the final moment. After a while, she nodded.
"Good. If you learned, the training race worked." Hoyama chuckled.
They returned to the rest area and let the two horse girls massage their legs.
Hoyama checked the tablet again and looked up at Stardust: "From the old man's notes, you can handle high-intensity training, right?"
"You could say that." Remembering being trained to the point of vomiting, Stardust shivered inwardly.
But she wouldn't dodge training. Only high-intensity basics let the system raise her stats.
"Hey, Hoyama—remember what I told you?" the old man said, frowning and cutting in.
"Of course. I won't break such a good seedling. But what must be done won't be skipped. Stardust's data shows she hasn't hit a ceiling. I'll arrange proper methods to keep raising her."
Then, as if recalling something, Hoyama turned and asked Stardust, "One more thing. Why did you suddenly drop so much in the turn?"
"Um—" Stardust didn't know how to explain and tossed a look to Rokuhira.
"Haha—she always turns while leading, so she's never been affected by others and uses a pretty rough cornering style. Faced with several front-runners at once, she probably couldn't remember how to turn 'normally.'"
The old man didn't let her down.
"I see…" Hoyama jotted another note, then snapped her head up:
"Then we're adding corner work!"
Under the woman's aggressive gaze, Stardust shivered all over as she rubbed her ankles.
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