Uma Musume, do I have to tell you that I know how to use the Santa Hat special move?

Stardust Illusion sighed, deeply regretting his careless act of speaking his mind yesterday.

Obviously that was not what I meant, but I ended up being criticized, and Qingyun Tiankong and Hushan Feihong took turns to laugh at me, and I couldn't even explain myself...

how to explain?

Did you say that in the game you played in your previous life, you relied on breeding parent stallions to pass on inherent skills?

Anyway, I can only swallow my anger and accept the situation. Since I need Qingyun Tiankong to practice with me, I'll just consider it as my payment to her!

Thinking about training, Stardust Illusion's mood improved, and even his movements on the track became lighter.

Bei Yuan, who was sitting in the rest area, looked up at the blue sky with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

The girl was standing there listlessly doing warm-up exercises, totally lacking the energetic and passionate aura of the horse girls that Kitahara had seen before.

However, he was not so ignorant that he could not recognize the girl in front of him.

With this girl's signature light-colored short hair and the daisy hairpin on her forehead, it is obvious that she is the strategist, Qing Yun Tian Kong, who defeated General Te Bie Zhou Du and dominated the Chrysanthemum Award by escaping a few years ago.

However, the question that puzzled Kitahara was why Qing Yun Tian Kong, who had already announced his retirement, appeared here?

Although she looked a little lazy, she seemed to be ready to go on the runway...

"No way……?"

Looking back at the Stardust illusion running on the field, Kitahara recalled the conversation between her and the trainer yesterday, and suddenly he was shocked and thought of some explanation...

But, isn’t this too outrageous?

This is a top player even in the central government—Qingyun Tiankong.

Just looking at her worth, her bounty is already several hundred million. How could a horse girl of this level be summoned like this, and come to a place like Kasamatsu to practice alone just for the Stardust Illusion? !

Although Kitahara is somewhat famous in Kasamatsu Regional Academy, it can be said that he has become the ace trainer here. He often finds ways to spend extra money in exchange for better training.

But most of that was just buying some training equipment and helping to improve the lives of the racing girls, or at most going out for group training together.

Where have you ever seen such a wealthy family that goes to the countryside for seclusion and even brings a top horse racing girl with them for training?

"This...I don't think I can learn this?"

Kitahara looked at the small notebook in his hand that was already filled with his thoughts and experiences, and scratched his head with the pencil in his other hand, feeling somewhat helpless.

If all the exercises today were like this, there would be a lot less content worth learning - after all, it is different from the training methods and the ideas of formulating training plans.

Simply finding someone to run with and practice running with may not seem difficult, but he doesn't have the conditions to find a top horse racing girl to help.

Finally, Kitahara could only sigh and console himself: "Huh... Anyway, let's take a look. Maybe we can learn something from the running of these two horse girls."

.

Half an hour later, Stardust Illusion and Blue Cloud Sky had both finished warming up, and they gathered at the starting point of the training track.

At this time, Qingyun Tiankong had also changed into sportswear. He was lowering his head and gently stepping on the sandy ground with his horseshoe, as if confirming the touch of his legs and feet.

"Qingyun Tiankong, let's have a good competition this time!" Stardust Illusion stood beside the girl with short emerald green hair and suddenly spoke.

"Eh~? Competing is so tiring..."

Hearing this, Qingyun Tiankong raised his head, revealing a lazy smile, and raised his ten green jade fingers tightly together, stretching beautifully:

"I just want to run as planned. Running twice a day is tiring."

"Eh?"

Stardust Illusion didn't expect that even though they were already standing on the field, Nebula Sky could still say such discouraging words.

Even though the horse girls I usually come into contact with have different personalities and attitudes towards me, this is the first time I have met an opponent like Nebula Sky who doesn't show any enthusiasm or fighting spirit at all.

Faced with this attitude, Stardust Illusion didn't know how to respond for a moment. He couldn't force her to go all out and compete with him, right?

After all, they are here purely to help me train...

Finally, after looking at the blue sky around him in boredom, Stardust Illusion had no better solution and could only turn around and walk towards his starting position.

No matter what, it is not up to her whether to be serious or not after stepping onto the track - it is impossible for Qingyun Tiankong, who can fight against Te Bie Zhou, to be completely indifferent to victory or defeat.

Use the next run to convey everything you want to say, and then awaken the passion of the blue sky.

With a smile on his lips, Stardust Illusion stood in place, lowered his body slightly, waiting for Toyama Scarlet to announce the start.

Qingyun Tiankong, who was standing next to her, also smiled and took the starting position.

"1200m parallel running training, ready... go!"

With the loud shout from Toyama Feihong, who was acting as the temporary referee, the start of the parallel running training was officially announced.

Is it because it is not an official competition, or is it because the minimum number of people required to activate the system function is not met?

In short, in parallel running training, Stardust Illusion cannot unleash the terrifying initial ground-solid acceleration combo like it usually does.

But that doesn't mean her start will be flawless.

The game had just begun when Stardust Illusion suddenly stomped his foot on the ground and flew forward in a strange posture with his body leaning forward to the point that people were worried that he would fall at any time.

The track at the Kasamatsu training ground is different from the grass field they usually use in the center, and is mainly composed of sand and mud.

On such a track, if a runner tries to run at full speed, he or she will easily suffer adverse effects due to the recoil of the hard sand and mud.

This impact will not only increase the probability of knee and ankle injuries, but will also actually hinder the athletes' strides, forcing them to expend more speed on it.

This is also why some runners who are prone to leg injuries choose to start their race on sand - it limits the possibility of runners running at full speed, and the health benefits brought by this are much more cost-effective than the slight increase in probability due to hardness.

Just as she rushed forward, Stardust Illusion glanced to her side with her peripheral vision. After only 0.1 seconds of judgment, she felt that her speed should be faster than Qingyun Tiankong.

However, just when she had the thought [Maybe the prelude was successful?], the green figure beside her suddenly accelerated and caught up to her in the blink of an eye.

What's this--

[Gold skill leader has been activated! ]

Qingyun Tiankong, who seemed to have no intention of competing for the lead and even had no desire to compete, seized the opportunity to forcibly regain the lead when Stardust Illusion relaxed a little!

What do you mean you just want to follow the routine?

The Stardust Illusion widened his eyes, and subconsciously turned his head slightly while running at high speed, looking at the girl beside him who was gradually leaving him behind with her agile steps.

Standing at the starting point and looking at the backs of the two people, Toyama Feihong couldn't help but reveal a smile of sympathy:

Qingyun Tiankong, this guy, has never given up his self-esteem as a leader from the very beginning - those words he just said were simply meant to make Stardust Illusion relax her vigilance!

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Gold Skill Leader: Good at overtaking and competing for position during the early or middle stages of the game (Fighting? Escape Horse)

Chapter 274 When did you get the illusion that I was useless?

(Happy April Fools' Day~)

It turns out that my idea was right!

Although he was clearly being slowly pulled away from Qingyun Tiankong, Stardust Illusion was very happy as he watched the opponent's back as he ran at full speed trying to leave him behind.

Qingyun Tiankong had just started the race so leisurely, but when he saw that he had been overtaken by her, he suddenly jumped up and took back the lead.

Need I even explain why this is happening?

As expected, he conveyed the words he wanted to convey with his running legs, awakening Qingyun Tiankong and rekindling her fighting spirit!

Who in the family understands?

Running instead of chatting really works!

Let’s get back to the point. In just these few seconds of competition for the lead, Stardust Illusion witnessed something completely new in Qingyun Tiankong’s running style.

This made her look forward to the upcoming race even more.

But... I can't really keep hanging behind her like this, right?

Stardust Illusion lowered his head, and the moment he stepped into the corner, he suddenly kicked forward.

Kitahara, who was standing at the finish line, was concentrating on watching the two people running, and his jaw almost dropped when he was suddenly shocked by the scene in front of him.

The Stardust Illusion, which had just been left two horse lengths behind, suddenly caught up by half a horse length in an instant as if teleporting.

"Is this the legendary Shukuchi?!"

Kitahara immediately recalled the information he had looked up in advance, which contained a summary of various ways to run the Stardust Illusion.

In several documents from different sources, this running method called "shrinking the earth" was emphasized.

Although this running style allows Uma Musume to control steering and acceleration by forcefully kicking the ground, it is essentially just a one-time charge technique.

But all the information unanimously indicates that this simple technique, unique to the iron-legged horse girl Stardust Illusion, is the starting point for her to perform various advanced running styles.

To use the game's terms, this shrinking the earth is the light punch that is common to several combos.

Therefore, in Kitahara's opinion, perhaps this move is not that magical. It is just compatible with various running methods learned by Stardust Illusion. It is a panacea-like move.

However, the moment she witnessed the Stardust Illusion performing the shrinking of the earth, she realized how wrong she was.

The legs that kicked out in step were tense without any bends, and they hit the sandy and muddy ground like a sledgehammer.

Even though Beiyuan was halfway across the runway, he could clearly see how much dust and sand were splashed by this step.

Even he, who was standing in the same place, seemed to be able to feel that the ground beneath his feet was shaking slightly under the power of Stardust Illusion.

The figure of the stardust illusion teleported forward to close the distance again.

This shrinking the earth... is not a so-called starting move at all. Even if the stardust illusion is used now, it is enough to pose a threat to Qingyun Sky!

--------

(This is... the technique called shrinking the earth?)

Qingyun Tiankong, who was running in the front, of course also noticed the actions of the Stardust Illusion behind him.

This was of course her first time facing this special technique in competition, and she couldn't help but marvel at the fact that Stardust Illusion's legs could withstand such a chaotic attack.

However, this is just a sigh.

Having already taken the shrinking of the earth into account in his calculations, Qingyun Tiankong was not at all surprised that the Stardust Illusion could start chasing him again.

——You have to know that this guy has performed this kind of terrifying outburst in several competitions after his lead was taken away from him.

(Yes, let’s catch up like we are doing now…)

Qingyun Tiankong was thinking silently in his heart, still maintaining a calm smile on his face.

pat.

The sound of footsteps on the muddy ground is different from that on the lawn.

But for her, who had already confirmed the difference between the two beforehand, it was completely under her control.

Qingyun Tiankong's running pace changed naturally in this instant.

(Just as I expected... See if you will be swallowed by this phantom!)

The figure in the Stardust Illusion seemed to slow down a bit, which made her think that she could chase him in one breath...

The sound of the wind blew in his ears, which made Stardust Illusion, who already loved the wind, even more spirited. The distracting thoughts in his mind quickly dissipated during the running, and his eyes gradually became focused.

Now that it saw the possibility of catching up and overtaking the enemy, Stardust Illusion instinctively changed its running style and chased forward without any hesitation.

Although skills cannot be activated here, the posture of Stardust Illusion at this moment undoubtedly makes Toyama Feihong very familiar.

This movement, this forward leaning angle, and her passionate fighting spirit that seemed to be enveloped by wildness...

Kitahara, who is in charge of all matters concerning Ogurimaro, is even more certain after seeing this scene: there is no other possibility. What Stardust Illusion is performing now is the inherent running method learned from Ogurimaro: the encouragement of victory!

Bang bang bang bang!

Like an explosion, this terrifying acceleration force that was originally used at the end of the race was exerted in this parallel running training just after the 400m mark.

At this moment, the eyes of the Stardust Illusion were full of bloodshot, and he mobilized all his strength to his legs and feet, ready to surpass the blue sky in front of him in one fell swoop -

--no.

(Can’t catch up…?!)

Stardust Illusion looked ahead in surprise, his heart was filled with shock at the back figure that didn't seem to be getting closer at all.