Uma Musume Girl, I'll tell you about my Santa Hat special move too?

Stardust Illusion wanted to answer "Of course," but she wasn't sure if she was still practicing according to the other person's running style.

After all, she learned all sorts of techniques from various runners since then... Even now, Stardust Illusion herself can't say for sure where her running style came from.

"So that's how it is... all for making money..."

The little witch, head bowed, trembled slightly. The small ears on her witch's hat drooped down, clinging tightly to the brim...

"That means..."

"You've forgotten all about it! I clearly taught you the [Magic of Running]!!! You said it was for making money! Wasn't it to further master the ultimate [Magic of Racing]?!"

The little witch suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide open, and shouted:

"And what's wrong with you! Didn't we agree before we parted ways? We were going to become the strongest duo in the fantasy world! Swordsman and Witch—what's going on now? What kind of name is Overlord?!"

"Um... um... that..."

Stardust Illusion scratched her head, a rare blush appearing on her face, and stammered:

"Speaking of which, you know what I mean? The original draft we wrote before was a bit too childish... Let's not talk about it!"

"Idiot! Don't even mention it! Saber is such an idiot, an idiot, an idiot, an idiot...!"

After hurling insults for several minutes, Dong Shang finally stopped, panting heavily. Seeing this, Stardust Illusion quickly seized the opportunity to change the subject:

"However, things are different now."

"I'm no longer running for random things. Whether I'm a tyrant or a swordsman doesn't matter—I'm practicing diligently every day to win on the track and to become the most dazzling runner."

"..."

Dongshang Reform, who was about to continue criticizing her, fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.

Then, a relieved smile appeared on her face:

"Hmph, it seems you're not entirely useless... at least you've begun to grasp the [magic of the game]."

"However, I won't lose to you, Saber!"

Dong Shang Bian looked down at his palm, pondered for a moment, and then clenched his fist and stretched it out towards the stardust illusion:

"The Yayoi Prize that follows will be the first time that Saber and I... are enemies."

"Partner battle... No, I'm no longer your partner or sister."

"I will regard you as my strongest enemy, Stardust Illusion!"

The only fist that can meet your fist is the other fist.

Stardust Illusion extended its right fist, pressing it tightly against the fist of Dongshang Reform:

"Don't worry, Sweety... no, Dongshang Reform."

"I will also stake my pride as a runner on defeating you with all my might!"

Chapter 183 (plus 12.5) A Lone Wolf

3 month 3 day.

In two days, the first stop of the classic triple crown competition, the Yayoi Sho, the preliminary round of the Satsuki Sho, will begin.

However, this contestant, Dongshang Biange, did not sweat it out on the training field, but instead sat quietly in a dimly lit room.

She took off the witch's hat and placed it on her lap, her eyes unreadable.

This hat has a deep purple brim and a gold-trimmed body, but it is clearly quite old, as the purple fabric on the brim has long since faded and the gold trim has lost its former luster.

"grandmother…"

“I ran into Saber again… Stardust Illusion, who is now a star runner in Central Tresson.”

"We will meet at the Yayoi Sho in two days... This time we will no longer be playmates, but rivals, and only one of us can win this battle!"

At this point, Dongshang Biange reached out and gently stroked the hat.

The hat's fabric has become somewhat rough, no longer the smooth and delicate texture it once was; the wear and tear of time has left its surface covered with fine textures.

A hint of nostalgia was evident in the girl's eyes.

This hat was a gift from her grandmother when she was a child.

At that time, she was still a willful little girl, but her grandmother told Dong Shang about magic and took her under her wing, carefully nurturing her and teaching her magic to protect her from evil forces.

From that time on, the hat became Dongshang Biange's most precious treasure, and she would wear it on her head wherever she went.

"Stardust Illusion, she's become so powerful now, completely different from the little sister I taught a year ago... This means the climax of the battle is about to begin..."

"But I can't lose either. For you, Grandma, and for Sweepy herself."

"As long as you can keep winning, you can achieve the ultimate magic... [The Magic of the Match]."

"At that time, Grandmother, you can—!!"

The girl hugged the witch's hat tightly to her chest, as if she could feel her grandmother's embrace and blessing.

She had already made up her mind that no matter what danger she faced, she would become the omnipotent wind witch and ruthlessly blow away all her opponents!

------------

"Hey, Toyama, are you sure you're not suffering from heatstroke?"

Stardust Illusion's eyelids twitched as it watched the trainer sitting next to it.

The reason for this is that Toyama Hikari has changed her usual sloppy image of wearing the same tracksuit for four or five days, and has changed into a low-key and luxurious dark gold evening dress.

The delicate, smooth fabric clung tightly to her unexpectedly shapely figure, making her appear at first glance like a graceful, elegant, and alluring noblewoman.

—If your face is covered.

"Haha, I'm going to be photographed today too, so I need to be careful about my image."

Hikari Toyama's smile remained that of a villain, but her shark-tooth teeth completely ruined her aura.

As for the photos she mentioned, she was referring to the upcoming press conference for the Yayoi Prize-winning horse girl contest.

This G2-level match wouldn't normally qualify for a special meet-and-greet like this, but as a prelude to the Satsuki Sho event, it's been given a special significance by everyone.

The audience is eager to get a glimpse of the upcoming Satsuki Sho competition through this match, and naturally, they are also very interested in learning about the contestants.

Therefore, starting two years ago, JRA also set up a press conference session for several G1-level events.

"Oh, I see."

Stardust Illusion didn't linger. She gathered all the snacks in the lounge and started eating and drinking them with both hands.

"Don't eat that. Be more careful."

Hikari Toyama rolled her eyes as she watched Hikari eat like a starving ghost, not wanting to stop for a moment.

"You'll be going up there to make your debut soon, so remember not to do anything too outrageous—but don't be too conservative either. Your declaration during that undefeated battle was pretty good, so go for that kind of feel."

The stardust illusion was undeniable; he nodded haphazardly, his cheeks bulging.

Once the large plate of snacks was almost completely eaten, Hikari Toyama checked her watch and stood up:

"Let's go, it's about time we made our appearance."

She adjusted her facial expression, stabilizing it into a polite, appropriate smile.

After all, it's something that's going to be photographed and featured on a magazine cover. Even if you don't care about the impact, there's no need to embarrass Stardust Illusion.

"Let's go."

Stardust Illusion stuffed the last pancake into its mouth, chewed, stood up from its seat, picked up the longsword placed to the side, and followed behind Toyama Scarlet as they walked outside.

Actually, she wasn't eating nonstop because she was hungry, but eating had become a universal way for Stardust Illusion to relieve stress these past few days.

That's why I chew on something from time to time to ease the unbearable feeling caused by the high-intensity training.

(I think it would be better to prepare something chewy, so people don't actually think I eat a lot...)

Stardust Illusion considered as he walked into the corridor of the lounge, and was immediately met by a resolute face emerging from the opposite room, casting a complex gaze at him.

Stardust Illusion quickly recognized the racehorse girl wearing the shadow-masking eye patch as her former rival, Narita Shirahito.

This runner debuted last year and, due to his strong performance, even defeating a three-time champion, is widely regarded as a potential triple crown winner and is highly anticipated.

Without a doubt, she is also a formidable opponent.

Even in the last simulation, Narita Shirahito did not perform well. Her running style was countered by European racehorses, and she was hit by the Noble Family's combination attack before she could exert her strength, completely losing her chance to win.

However, her talent is undeniable, as demonstrated in her numerous past tournaments.

"This competition..."

To Stardust Illusion's surprise, Narita Shirahito approached her upon seeing her and extended his hand:

"I will defeat you as the challenger."

“…I’m really looking forward to it.” Stardust Illusion didn’t know what she meant either, so he shook her hand and gave a simple, polite reply.

“Sometimes your progress is terrifying to watch, but the real battlefield is still the classic three-crown—even if you have already crossed the threshold of the field, it is still the same!”

"Uh—" Stardust Illusion scratched its head, unsure how to respond.

Although the other party was indeed declaring war on her, their attitude was unusually good, even full of praise, making it impossible for her to get into battle mode.

"Actually, I haven't fully grasped the feeling of the domain either time; those two times were just luck... Anyway, let's just work hard together then."

Narita Shirahito raised an eyebrow, patted Stardust Illusion on the shoulder, and turned to walk away.

"This time, I'll show you my full power—Stardust Illusion. See you later!"

Chapter 184 (plus 14) The Twin Dragons of Heaven and Earth!

Not long after, Stardust Illusion arrived at the press conference with Toyama.

Suddenly it dawned on me that this was actually the first time she had ever appeared before reporters as the final contestant.

Looking at the constantly flashing camera lights and countless eager reporters below the stage, Stardust Illusion's eyes also showed a sense of novelty.

This is just a routine event before many G2 and G1 level matches, but this is the first time she has attended in this capacity...