Shirayuki had no intention of collapsing beneath everyone's cheers.
She would give everything she had and win this race.
The instant Air Groove announced the start, Shirayuki rushed forward and took the lead. Rudolf settled into second place. Whether she was deliberately holding back or had some kind of strategy, the moment Shirayuki secured the front position, the race had already entered her rhythm.
The distance was two thousand meters.
A race that required both speed and strategy.
Of course, with only two runners, there was no point talking too much about strategy. All Shirayuki had to do was keep the pace within a range she was familiar with.
Whether you're the Emperor or anyone else, beating me won't be that easy!
In the stands, Tokai Teio gripped the railing. Her mouth opened and closed nervously. She did not even know who she should cheer for.
If she cheered for the President, she was afraid Shirayuki would hear it and ignore her from now on. If she cheered for Shirayuki, she could not bear to neglect her beloved President.
In the end, Tokai Teio could only squeeze out one sentence.
"Both of you, do your best!"
Air Groove and Narita Brian stood at the highest point, watching Rudolf race Shirayuki. Truthfully, even though they were Student Council Vice Presidents, they rarely saw Rudolf race. After Rudolf transferred to the Dream Trophy League, she basically stopped appearing on the racetrack.
They did not know whether Rudolf had entered an uma musume's decline period or whether she was still growing. In recent years, no one had seen Rudolf run at full strength.
"If Rudolf has weakened, then Shirayuki may not be without a chance of victory. Of course, that is under the condition that Shirayuki enters the Domain," Air Groove analyzed.
Narita Brian held a twig between her teeth.
It was undeniable that the current Shirayuki could already bear the title of a strong runner. However, she was only "strong." There was still a considerable distance between her and the "summit."
Although Air Groove held the title of "Empress," in a certain aspect, she was already inferior to the current Shirayuki.
That's right.
What Narita Brian was referring to was instinct.
The instinct to become a predator.
The instinct Narita Brian felt from Shirayuki was far stronger than what she felt from Air Groove. That meant Shirayuki was more likely to enter a state of complete concentration.
Narita Brian believed that Shirayuki would go farther than Air Groove.
If Shirayuki were racing someone else, even a senior uma musume, the result would still be unknown.
But if it was Rudolf…
To put it this way, Narita Brian had never once felt the presence of instinct from Rudolf.
There were only two explanations.
First, Rudolf had no racing instinct.
Second, Rudolf's instinct had already surpassed Narita Brian's perception.
Even with her brain, she could tell which one it was.
"The 'Emperor' on the racetrack is a true emperor."
Even someone as powerful as Narita Brian could not help but be wary of her.
The cheers around the racetrack grew louder and louder.
The students saw Shirayuki holding Rudolf down by a head. Could it be that a supernova who would surpass the "Emperor" was about to be born on the racetrack?
Were they about to witness Tracen history?
Unlike the excited students, Shirayuki clenched her teeth. Her heart pounded rapidly.
She could feel Rudolf's gaze.
Those purple eyes were like a blade pressed against her back. If it pushed even slightly harder, blood would spill on the spot.
Shirayuki swallowed with difficulty.
On the surface, it looked like she was suppressing Rudolf. In reality, she had already been forced into the other girl's rhythm.
Hearing the footsteps behind her grow closer and closer, Shirayuki's heart became more and more disordered.
No good.
This absolutely can't continue!
She had to recover her original rhythm.
Feeling the power flowing through her body, Shirayuki fixed her eyes straight ahead and gradually relaxed her thoughts. The complicated ideas in her mind slowly peeled away.
Shirayuki began entrusting her body to instinct.
In the stands, Hayakawa Tazuna suddenly sensed something wrong with Chiya. His pupils dilated, and his body began swaying as if it had lost all strength. Just as he was about to fall, Tazuna hurriedly caught him.
Looking at Chiya lying limp in her arms, then at Shirayuki's movements on the racetrack suddenly beginning to change, Hayakawa Tazuna already understood.
Shirayuki had entered the Domain again.
Far away, Agnes Tachyon watched while holding her chin, surprise appearing on her face. She had not expected that a mere practice race would be enough to push Shirayuki into the Domain. Ordinary uma musume could only enter that state when they were in excellent condition.
Gifted beyond measure…
Was that how she should describe it?
Was Trainer actually a natural-born uma musume?
But even a talented person should not be able to learn this quickly.
Unless—
Agnes Tachyon looked toward Manhattan Cafe, who stood beside her.
Cafe's golden eyes were calm and unshaken. It was as if she had known from the beginning that Shirayuki would enter this state. Not only was she not surprised, she even showed a trace of worry.
Agnes Tachyon suspected that the reason Trainer could understand the Domain so quickly was probably due to the influence of Cafe's "friend."
Unfortunately, she had no way of speaking with Cafe's "friend."
Because Agnes Tachyon could not see her.
After going back, she would have to ask Trainer about the details.
Opposite Agnes Tachyon, Air Groove and Narita Brian also showed surprise.
They had not expected Shirayuki to truly be able to open the Domain.
Watching Shirayuki's movements become more and more wolf-like, even their emotions were stirred despite themselves.
Maybe…
Perhaps…
She really could do it?
The Domain could not increase stamina or improve physical ability. But an uma musume in the Domain could draw out all of her potential.
Half a second after entering the Domain, Shirayuki's speed began to rise.
She gradually opened a gap from Rudolf.
Rudolf also clearly felt the change in Shirayuki's aura. She vaguely heard the wild wolf howl echoing from inside the other girl's body.
At the same time, the group of students who had spontaneously formed an announcer team shouted,
"The race has reached the final straight! Currently leading is the Empress!"
Rudolf had originally only intended to have a simple practice race.
She had not expected Shirayuki to be this serious.
It reminded Rudolf of that Japan Cup.
In order to race against those top-level uma musume from overseas, Rudolf had been pushed to her limit. It was also then that she had grasped the true meaning of the Domain.
Looking at Shirayuki entering that state, Rudolf took a deep breath.
It had been a long time since she last used all of her strength.
Since the opportunity had presented itself, she too wanted to run at full power for the first time in a while.
Thump!
Everyone on the racetrack heard a deafening heartbeat.
In that instant, all the noise around them fell silent.
People showed blank expressions, while the uma musume standing in Tracen's first rank all broke into cold sweat at the same time.
"To think I would hear it again…"
The heartbeat of the "Emperor."
Like a bolt of lightning exploding beside the ear, Rudolf slowly lowered her body.
—Behold the majesty of the Emperor.
Bang!
The turf was torn up directly by the sole of her foot.
A giant flash of lightning appeared inside Shirayuki's mind. Shirayuki abruptly came back to herself, and the Domain vanished.
Then she saw it.
Rudolf, who had entered some kind of transcendent state, closed a five-length gap in only two strides.
Then her speed grew faster and faster.
One hundred meters before the finish line, Rudolf surpassed Shirayuki. Purple flames burst forth in her eyes.
In the end, Rudolf crossed the finish line with a seven-length lead.
Looking at the figure standing beyond the finish line, every student at Tracen understood.
The "Emperor" was still the "Emperor."