"An acrobatic strike?!"
The sunflower seeds Barbatos had been idling with slipped from her fingers, scattering unheeded across the sand. Even knowing how flexible Tokai Teio was, Barbatos hadn't imagined her taking it that far.
In that instant, the true meaning behind Hishi Amazon's earlier words finally clicked.
Once upon a time, Maruzensky and Symboli Rudolf were in a league of their own, perfectly matched.
But now, with Tokai Teio in the mix, the Emperor's duo had pulled a decisive step ahead of Maruzensky's team.
Teio was using every bit of her lithe athleticism and raw speed to cover the backcourt like a shadow.
Even when faced with "Snake Shots" or "Curveballs" that snapped into sudden, wicked trajectories, she reached them with an effortless grace.
She didn't need to force a breakthrough using a Zone—relying on heightened reaction speeds and predatory insight—the way Barbatos did.
While T.M. Opera O and Grass Wonder had managed to claw a few points away from Maruzensky's group earlier, keeping the distance respectable, Fuji Kiseki and Air Groove were now staring into the abyss.
Barbatos stopped her snacking entirely, her eyes narrowing as she studied the court.
She began to mentally project herself into Fuji's shoes.
If I were out there, using my own "Curveball" techniques, how would I handle a Teio who can pull off these acrobatic saves and a Rudolf who is simply flawless?
If only my Zone worked like a Magical Journey or a Frozen Tomb, pulling the ball toward me, she mused. Then I could at least hold the line.
But it was just a passing thought. While their volleyball skills shared some common ground with their racing prowess, there was no such thing as a "Barbatos Domain" that could physically magnetize a ball in the real world.
--+--
On the court, the atmosphere was stifling.
Air Groove and Fuji Kiseki were throwing everything they had at the sand, testing every angle and strategy.
Yet, no matter what they tried, they couldn't close the gap.
The distance between them and the Emperor's team only widened, stretching out like a long, lonely stretch of track. With Teio patrolling the rear, Symboli Rudolf didn't even have to glance at the backcourt.
It was a formation without a single crack.
Barbatos realized then that although Tokai Teio hadn't made her official debut yet, her innate talent as an Uma Musume was staggering.
There was still a massive gulf between her and the legends in a direct race, but here on the beach volleyball court, the physical constraints of the sand and the nature of the game had leveled the playing field just enough for her to shine.
By the twenty-minute mark, the lead had ballooned to seven lengths.
"Match over!"
At the thirty-minute mark, Toujou Hana called the game.
"Victory to the Emperor's Team by a margin of ten lengths!"
It was a result that surprised absolutely no one in Rigil.
"Teio, you're getting far too comfortable with that playstyle," Air Groove remarked.
Despite the loss, she offered the younger girl a sincere, seniorly nod of praise.
Fuji Kiseki joined in, voicing her agreement. Despite their relentless offensive, Teio hadn't let a single ball hit the sand in the backcourt. To keep the legends at bay like that was nothing short of remarkable.
"Hehe~" Teio scratched her head, a bashful, beaming smile lighting up her face. "Well, I am the girl who's going to become an Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume, after all."
She cast a furtive glance at Symboli Rudolf. Her dream had always been to follow in the Emperor's footsteps and become the second to achieve that legendary feat.
However, that dream had shifted slightly of late.
She might not actually be the second anymore—both Barbatos and Seiun Sky looked like they had a serious shot at clinching their own Undefeated Triple Crowns this year.
Fine then, I'll just be the fourth! she decided.
That didn't change her resolve one bit. Once she finished her own Triple Crown run next year, she'd likely face off against Barbatos and Seiun Sky in the Arima Kinen at the end of the season.
Then, they could settle it once and for all: among the undefeated Triple Crown winners, who was truly the best? Even before her journey had truly begun, Teio was radiating confidence.
--+--
"Ahem."
"Air Groove, Fuji Kiseki. Over here, please."
Toujou Hana's voice cut through the chatter.
Two cups of dark, ominous vegetable juice had been plucked from the cooler and placed on the judge's table, waiting for their "owners."
Ever the reliable seniors, Fuji Kiseki and Air Groove walked toward the table without hesitation.
From the moment they knew they were facing the Emperor's team, they had mentally prepared themselves for this "reward."
They were confident in their own abilities, but years of training alongside Rudolf had taught them exactly how wide the gap was. Even without Teio, winning would have been a Herculean task.
Their goal had simply been to avoid a total blowout, like T.M. Opera O's match.
It's just vegetable juice, they thought. It'll taste a bit weird, but it's no big deal.
As two of the most dependable members of Rigil—the ones Hana trusted to tutor Hishi Amazon—they weren't about to show fear over a drink.
Their minds were still occupied with Teio's growth, wondering if they'd be facing her in the Winter Dream Cup in a few years.
"Mgh!!!"
"Ah..."
The moment the liquid hit their tongues, the world shifted.
They suddenly understood why their teammates had reacted so violently. "Bad-tasting" didn't even begin to cover it. It was an assault on the senses.
No! Stay composed! Air Groove told herself. It's just a flavor. I won't make a scene like Amazon.
She fought to keep her breathing steady, but she didn't realize her "Empress" composure was crumbling.
Her face had twisted into a grimace of pure "Despair" status. It felt worse than being forced to listen to the Council President's puns for an entire day.
Her legs felt like jelly, and to maintain her dignity in front of the juniors from other teams, she had to lock her knees, her entire body trembling under the strain of the foul concoction.
A sudden gust of wind brushed past her, fluttering her hair.
Beside her, Fuji Kiseki had already bolted. It was as if she had activated her Final Kick on the home stretch, sprinting toward Gold Ship's stall at a hundred-meter dash pace.
She needed a real drink to neutralize the toxic sludge in her throat—and she needed it now.
Air Groove reacted a second later. She tried to maintain a dignified walk toward Gold Ship, but within moments, instinct took over.
Following the desperate examples of T.M. Opera O and Fuji Kiseki, her pace shifted from a brisk walk to a full-blown sprint.
The Empress had officially joined the mad dash for survival.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! 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.