After persistent persuasion, Golden Crown Eagle couldn't convince Sakura Baimu to compete against her again and was so frustrated that she almost jumped up and down.
The previous defeat was too humiliating, and Sakura Baimu had done too many things during the match that could have negatively impacted her performance.
Therefore, Golden Crown Eagle didn't believe her skills were inferior to Sakura Baimu's.
Furthermore, she would be the American representative at this year's Japan Cup.
Having tested Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, who were considered the strongest active duty fighters, Golden Crown Eagle originally thought she had the Japan Cup in the bag.
But then, for some reason, another "Ogura" suddenly appeared at Tracen Academy.
This made her feel inexplicably uneasy.
Because the Umamusume she had called earlier, named Obey Your Master, was one of their academy's "investigative maniacs."
Obey Your Master's favorite pastime was thoroughly investigating powerful Umamusumes from various countries.
This included their personalities, running styles, habitual tactics, and overall strength.
Golden Crown Eagle had already obtained information from Obey Your Master regarding noteworthy active duty Umamusumes.
However, she hadn't received any information on the Umamusume named "Ogura."
Not only was there no Umamusume named "Ogura," but she also had no memory of any Umamusume matching Sakura Baimu's appearance.
She was certain that Sakura Baimu wasn't on the list of retired Umamusumes, meaning she had to be an active duty Umamusume.
Since Sakura Baimu wasn't in Obey Your Master's records, it was basically because her performance was too poor to warrant Obey Your Master's attention.
Results don't equal ability, which led to her carelessness and loss to her opponent.
"I have to show her the power of the Zone."
Golden Crown Eagle narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed on Sakura Baimu, who had begun practicing on the track.
Sakura Baimu, of course, noticed Golden Crown Eagle's gaze. Accustomed to training alone, she felt extremely uncomfortable being constantly watched.
According to the original plan, she was supposed to train all night.
But with Golden Crown Eagle staring at her, Sakura Baimu abandoned the idea of continuing training while on drugs.
Sakura Baimu hadn't trained for long when she estimated the time was almost up, so she picked up her belongings and reluctantly prepared to leave.
Tonight's training was, to say the least, very unsatisfying.
She had only taken a few steps toward the exit when Golden Crown Eagle called out to her from behind again.
"Hey, I'm asking you, when are you going to run another race with me?"
"You're an active duty Umamusume from the US, right?" Sakura Baimu asked.
"So what if I am?"
"Then I have no interest in running with you," Sakura Baimu replied softly.
Sakura Baimu's repeated refusal reignited Golden Crown Eagle's anger.
Although Sakura Baimu didn't say it directly, Golden Crown Eagle understood her meaning—
Active duty Umamusumes were too weak; Sakura Baimu looked down on them.
"Ha, what arrogance! During the match just now, I deliberately let you win by a lot. You didn't think that was my true strength, did you? My deliberate slowing down in the middle game and my sudden braking on the final straight were all to let you win. Don't you understand?" Golden Crown Eagle sneered.
Sakura Baimu knew that Golden Crown Eagle had made many serious mistakes in the match due to underestimating her opponent, so she definitely hadn't shown her true strength yet.
Without a Zone, she naturally couldn't sense the strength of Golden Crown Eagle's Zone.
But regardless, Sakura Baimu had no interest in competing against an active duty Umamusume.
"So?" Sakura Baimu asked.
"I've seen too many arrogant people like you. I only let you win once by making a mistake and letting you win. You don't actually think you're invincible among active duty Umamusumes, do you?"
"Well said." Sakura Baimu chuckled and walked past Golden Crown Eagle with her belongings.
Just as Sakura Baimu passed by Golden Crown Eagle, she suddenly spoke in a deep voice:
"Two pieces of advice."
"When you run with me, that's fine, but please don't intentionally use your Zone to harm the Umamusume within the academy."
"Also, my investigation is still ongoing. You'd better pray I don't come looking for you. If I find out you intentionally used your Zone to harm the Umamusume within the academy, you'll regret it."
Hearing Sakura Baimu's suddenly heavy tone, Golden Crown Eagle turned and met Sakura Baimu's emotionless azure eyes.
Then she felt a tightness in her chest, a strange sense of panic rising within her, even her breath catching in her throat.
Sakura Baimu and Golden Crown Eagle exchanged a glance. Then Sakura Baimu looked away and walked past her.
As Sakura Baimu left, Golden Crown Eagle finally felt the invisible pressure on her chest disappear.
Her breathing began to grow smoother.
Golden Crown Eagle breathed a sigh of relief, clutching her chest and catching her breath several times to dispel the lingering tension.
She turned to look at Sakura Baimu, who was walking away with her backpack slung over one shoulder, and suddenly realized what had just happened.
It was aura.
During the competition, Sakura Baimu hadn't shown any signs of controlling her aura, so Golden Crown Eagle subconsciously assumed that Sakura Baimu's aura was merely generated by running.
Now that the competition was over and she had relaxed her tense heart, Sakura Baimu's sudden display of aura had truly caught her off guard.
"Damn it, I was careless again."
Golden Crown Eagle spat. So what if Sakura Baimu controlled her aura? She still didn't have a Zone.
She hadn't just activated a Zone; she had activated a higher level of Zone.
Sakura Baimu was simply not in her league.
Golden Crown Eagle recalled how she had been caught off guard and stunned by Sakura Baimu's aura and felt a wave of humiliation wash over her.
"F*CK! She's only just mastered aura—what's with the smugness? A piece of trash who doesn't even have a Zone!"
Golden Crown Eagle grew increasingly furious. She, a Umamusume with a Zone, had been intimidated by the aura of a Umamusume without one—it was utterly humiliating.
"Tonight's been fucking unlucky."
Golden Crown Eagle cursed, kicking away a patch of grass, deciding not to stay any longer and heading back to sleep.
"I have to show her the power of a Zone and make her understand the gap between herself and a Zone Umamusume."
Golden Crown Eagle chuckled, recalling Sakura Baimu's advice.
"Fine. Since you won't accept my challenge, I'll wait for you to come looking for me."