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

“If it’s possible, I suggest Stardust you consider eliminating this final burst of energy and focusing everything on the final straight line.”

"Huh? That's Holy Night..."

Stardust Illusion was somewhat confused. In her opinion, Holy Night was practically the first element that constituted her, so how could she possibly give it up in the competition?

"Well, how should I explain this to you..."

Super Stream didn't rush to explain, but instead recalled how it interacted with those three monsters back then.

"A race isn't something you can win by just piling on powerful skills. Getting to the right position at the right time and then using the right running technique—those are the three essential elements for victory."

"?!"

The sudden conversation made everyone turn to look.

"Huh...? A shrine in the sky?"

Before anyone knew it, a girl dressed in a very avant-garde style, even with an earring, had arrived at the training ground and waved to everyone with a smile.

"Oh~?"

"...Intelligence thief arrested!!!"

At some point, Hikari Tokiyama had changed into a costume cosplaying as Jing Ge, and pointed at the Sky Shrine, shouting with an incredibly expressive face.

"Visiting other teams' training sessions is permitted, but don't try to extort anything from me."

The Sky Shrine was not fooled; instead, it shrugged and returned the attack to Toyama.

Having dealt with Toyama Scarlet's difficult demands, the Sky Shrine then turned its attention back to the Stardust Illusion:

"I originally wanted to have a get-together with all the Satsuki Sho players I've played against and the opponents I'll be facing in the derby next."

"However, when I went to find Narita Shirahito, it seemed she was diligently practicing some secret technique. Although I invited her, she refused to come, saying that she would definitely avenge her defeat in the derby..."

"Actually, it's not bad to check on each other's training progress, is it? It's a necessary intelligence gathering step... I also welcome everyone to come and visit."

As the Sky Palace spoke, a meaningful smile appeared on its face.

Chapter 252 You Have Science, I Have Magic

Seemingly realizing that the Sky Palace was gathering intelligence to refine its analysis of its opponents, Stardust Illusion fell silent, not immediately responding.

Seeing the wary looks on everyone's faces, the Sky Divine Palace simply smiled helplessly and turned away.

"Actually, whether it's Narita Shirojin or me... we all know that the Japanese derby will probably become a battle between two extremes again, or at most a three-way split."

"The witch who awakened the realm, the runner who brings the incredible to everyone - Dongshang Reform."

"He defeated the Eastern Merchant Reform head-on with his domain, proving that he was the true genius, the Phoenix of the East Sea, the Emperor of the East Sea."

"And you... the unreasonable ruler of the Satsuki Shojo arena, the dual-wielding overlord who possesses both the Great Escape and the Last Kick—Stardust Illusion."

As she spoke, the Sky Goddess took a poster out of her pocket and unfolded it for everyone to see:

"Look, TEPCO has already started the second episode of their Japan Derby prediction and discussion program."

On that poster, the Eastern Merchants' Reform and the Eastern Sea Emperor are like two poles, forehead to forehead, clashing violently in the very center of the poster.

Above the two, the dark-faced Stardust Phantom seemed to embrace everything, reaching out its hands towards their backs...

"No, no, it's not a three-way standoff... Big brother is the strongest... The derby will definitely be Big brother's victory!"

Before anyone else could speak, Mi Yu mustered the courage to refute the Sky Palace's claims.

Hikari Toyama also joined in to chime in:

"Yeah, yeah, I won't let you look down on my Stardust Illusion!"

"Rice bath".

Seeing Mi Yu's eager expression, it seemed she couldn't wait to start: "Excuse me, I'd like to tell you just how great 'Big Brother' really is."

"The neon derby was definitely my victory... It's best to say that."

Having regained some strength, the Stardust Illusion struggled to jump off Bourbon's shoulder, then stood still and continued:

"But as long as no runner has crossed the finish line, we all have a chance to win... not just us, but all the runners who will participate in the derby have an equal chance of winning."

"..."

The first reaction from the Sky Palace was that this guy was just talking big.

The terrifying and abusive feeling that Stardust Illusion had on the field was like a morale rape to Sky Goddess, as if it had directly pinned her to the ground and completely ripped out the last remaining fighting spirit in her mind.

In her view, how could she possibly say something so positive about such a tyrant, such a monster, such a... super beast?

However, the moment the Sky Palace met the stardust illusion, it realized that it was all just its own wild imagination.

Look at those clear eyes... does this guy really think that way?

The Sky Palace scratched its head, unable to figure out what kind of personality this Stardust Illusion had.

However, she continued speaking:

"Actually, we're quite similar, Stardust Illusion."

"Huh?" X5

None of the members of Draco's team understood what he meant. Did the Sky Palace and the Stardust Illusion have even the slightest similarity?

"Ah, you'll see the similarities later."

At this point, the Sky Palace waved its hand and walked out, seemingly indicating that it had truly only come to chat with everyone today:

"That's settled then, see you in the Neon Derby... By the way, just as you said, Stardust Illusion, as long as no one has crossed the finish line, all participants have an equal chance of winning."

"You too...and me too."

.

.

.

"Hahaha!"

Dong Shang was covered in sweat, his breathing as heavy as a broken bellows.

She lowered her head deeply, supporting herself on her knees with both hands to maintain her standing posture, letting large beads of sweat slide down her face.

"Ha... How is that possible...!"

"Take a break, Sweepy."

Approaching from behind and handing over a towel, Ikeda-nyan offered some words of comfort to the horse-riding girl in front of her, her voice tinged with concern.

"Yada! Yada yada!"

Dongshang Reform immediately and vehemently rejected the proposal.

The fact that she lost to both Stardust Illusion and the Emperor of the East Sea in the Satsuki Sho competition already infuriated this proud little witch.

But ultimately, it was a defeat in a head-on confrontation. Even though they were unwilling, Dongshang Reform understood that they needed to train harder and take on a stronger stance in the upcoming matches.

But just now—

That visiting aerial shrine actually defeated me completely in the parallel running training just now!

"Sky Palace, she's clearly a contestant who hasn't even activated her domain yet, there's absolutely no reason for her to resist magic!"

"But in the previous parallel run, she completely defeated herself! That wasn't Sweepy's true strength at all!"

Half-dragging, half-pulling, Ikeda Nyan and another retired racehorse girl, Durandal, together pulled Tosho Reform to the sidelines for a short rest.

After hearing the little witch's mutterings, Durandal handed her a towel and a drink:

"Is it a problem with the rhythm?"

“Sweepy, your rhythm was completely disrupted by the aerial shrine in this race.”

"That seems to be the case..."

Upon hearing this direct reminder, Dongshang Biange frowned and recalled the strange occurrence from earlier:

"Her running style was so chaotic that I didn't know how to run anymore..."

"You're wrong, Sweepy."

Ikeda Nyan put on a serious expression and held up one finger to explain:

"Sky Palace, this runner has received a lot of attention since she first debuted because she has become a professional runner very quickly, so she has more physical fitness than other runners of the same age, especially after winning the G1 level Hope Cup."

“I also studied this runner’s record and all the race videos, and I found something very noteworthy.”

"Among the opponents that Kongjinggong has faced, there is often this phenomenon: the players who meet Kongjinggong for the first time in the game will, like Sweepy, lose their rhythm and affect the result of the game the next time they meet Kongjinggong."

"In other words, although the Sky Shrine can only rely on her precocious body and skills in her first match, once she meets a player for the second time, she will see through them completely and defeat them completely!"

"So she is an enemy that you, Sweepy, need to take seriously in the neon derby."

"Possessing data analysis capabilities akin to a supercomputer, they can see right through anyone they encounter. It is because of this ability that they can kill their enemies in a second battle. This is simply the 'Swallow Return'... It is precisely because of this ability that the Sky Palace has always been considered a strong contender for the classic Three Crowns."

"..."

At this point, Dongshang Reforms fully understood Ikeda's meaning.

The Sky Shrine didn't even fully utilize its talents at the Satsuki Sho; it merely collected its own data and information...

With the data available, this level of tactical arrangement can be made.

"How are things, everyone?"

Dong Shang could almost hear the triumphant words spoken to him by the Heavenly Palace.

Did he defeat himself without even fully unleashing his fighting spirit?

This guy came all the way here to gossip, and even did a race, just to prove that she has completely figured herself out...?