Barbatos gazed out at the packed stands, listening to the roaring cheers that rose and fell like mountain peaks and tidal waves.
Compared to her debut race, the number of live spectators had at least doubled—and all these people had come for her.
Right now, she really felt like throwing her arms up and shouting:
"We're the champions!"
But she knew she couldn't—not yet. It wasn't just about tempting fate.
Truth was, most of these so-called fans weren't truly hers. Real fans stick with you even when you hit a rough patch.
The fans she had now liked her for all sorts of reasons: maybe because she was good at League of Legends, maybe because of that Jojo Dance she did on the Winner's Stage last time, or maybe just because she looked a lot like that Anemo Archon from that game Genshin Impact.
Once their curiosity was satisfied, or if she lost a race someday, they might just vanish—like a castle in the air.
Even so, even knowing all that…
All Barbatos wanted right now was to win. To keep winning, just like in her debut race!
Once you've experienced a moment when you set the whole stadium alight, it feels like the hunger for victory only grows stronger.
With a light flick of her right hand, her red track jacket flew through the air—as if heralding the rise of a legend.
"And now, the final entrant: the second favorite—Queen Berry!"
As Queen Berry stepped onto the track, the cheers from the stands, while nowhere near as loud as those for Barbatos, were still noticeably stronger than for the other Uma Musume.
Up in the commentary box, the play-by-play announcer watched Queen Berry in the distance.
"The highlight of this race has to be the showdown between Queen Berry and Barbatos, doesn't it?"
"Absolutely,"the color commentator agreed. "As an experienced Uma Musume who's already raced in G3 events, Queen Berry stands out in every way at this beginner level."
"From that perspective alone, Queen Berry will be Barbatos's toughest opponent in this race!"
"I don't know if you've all seen the schedule on the official site, but Barbatos is already registered for next month's G3 race in Tokyo—the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup."
The play-by-play announcer made a show of sounding surprised. "G3? She's only been racing for a month!"
"That's right. Although she registered before that viral article hit, it still goes to show—prodigies like her really might have a shot at winning a G2 title within half a year."
"So, do you think Barbatos can maintain her dominant form from the beginner races in the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup?"
"Hard to say."
"Eh? Really?"
The play-by-play announcer looked genuinely taken aback. After all, even Queen Berry, with her G3 experience, hadn't dominated her debut race the way Barbatos did. Didn't that mean Barbatos was already a cut above G3-level runners?
The color commentator chuckled and explained, "It's not that simple. Every Uma Musume in a G-series race has more experience and refined skills."
"Remember how Barbatos was marked by everyone in her debut, but her fierce closing speed made it irrelevant?"
"That's because the marking wasn't executed well enough—their individual abilities just weren't up to par."
"But in G-series races, which Uma Musume isn't a battle-hardened veteran? Every one of them is elite."
The analyst broke it down clearly. Generally, the play-by-play announcer handles hyping up the crowd, while the color commentator needs deeper expertise. Honestly, if a commentator ever wanted to change careers, passing the central trainer exam at Tracen Academy would be a breeze for them.
"Alright, we've gone a bit off track. The Uma Musume are now entering the starting gates—let's turn our attention to the race."
Queen Berry stepped into her stall, right next to Barbatos, the top favorite.
Wearing blinkers, she stared straight ahead, ignoring Barbatos entirely—part of her strategy.
Against a rookie like this, a well-timed intimidation right before the start could easily spook her into a slow break.
This trick had worked like a charm before—it even worked on Special Week in a previous beginner race.
Though she had no idea how that one filly managed to dodge her later harassment.
If she'd known, she would've built a bigger lead earlier and never given her a chance to come from behind. She'd gotten careless!
This time, she planned to build a lead the moment Barbatos broke slow, then harass and block her when she tried to close the gap.
She didn't believe Barbatos could dodge all the kicked-up dirt like Special Week did—let alone somehow predict and evade her bumping attempt!
If she was being honest, she felt that if Special Week hadn't run into her, that filly's fame wouldn't be much less than Barbatos's, Seiun Sky's, or El Condor Pasa's.
"You're Queen Berry, right?"
"?"
Hearing the voice beside her, Queen Berry didn't turn. She kept looking straight ahead.
Trying to trash-talk before the race to throw off her rhythm? Did she really look down on a G3 veteran that much?
She had no intention of replying. She was just waiting for the moment the gates opened to yell "Crush her!" and startle Barbatos into a slow break.
She was rigorously trained—nothing any other Uma Musume said could affect her race focus.
Seeing she wasn't getting a response, Barbatos just smiled faintly.
"You know, I really think you should've stayed in G3 races. That's how you get stronger."
"?"
For a second, Queen Berry was confused. Was her opponent talking like a trainer or something? But… her focus remained unshaken.
"I mean… coming down to a beginner race to fight for second place… what's the point, really?"
"?"
"??"
"Who the hell is fighting for second?!"
Clack.
The starting gates flew open.
Thirteen Uma Musume burst from their stalls and charged forward—leaving only Queen Berry still inside, one leg kicked high over the gate as if she were trying to leap into Barbatos's stall for a… friendly chat.
Realizing she'd been tricked, Queen Berry vaulted down from the gate, gritting her teeth in humiliated fury as she tore after Barbatos—who was already seven or eight lengths ahead.
"I'm gonna crush you!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.