Before the competitor entrance.
Trainer Hana Tojo had prepared a lot of things to say in her mind, but after seeing Tokai Teio's confident gaze, she suddenly felt that perhaps none of it was necessary.
Because Tokai Teio didn't need those things; this child's eyes always shone with confidence.
Just as Luna once said, perhaps this child really could surpass the Emperor's legend!
So, Hana Tojo said seriously, "Teio, go win the race."
Tokai Teio gave a thumbs up: "Mn, please watch my race, Trainer."
Completely unfazed by the grand occasion, there wasn't even a hint of nervousness in Tokai Teio's eyes.
Hana Tojo only saw anticipation for today's race in Tokai Teio, and that confidence as if she already held victory in her hands!
What a reliable child.
It was hard to imagine that one day she would trust a team member so much, believing from the bottom of her heart that Tokai Teio would achieve her goals.
"I will watch your race carefully, Teio."
Hana Tojo smiled and walked from the other exit toward the spectator seats, where the team members were already gathered.
Under the expectant gazes of the masses, as the number one favorite, Tokai Teio finally walked into the venue from the competitor tunnel.
In that instant, intense cheers erupted from the scene.
Watching the figure slowly walking toward the gates bathed in light, many people in the audience seats shouted exaggeratedly.
"Favorite #1, this year's Rookie King, competitor Tokai Teio is now entering!"
After the commentator finished giving the information.
The analyst immediately followed up: "This is the competitor I'm most looking forward to; I have high expectations for her performance today."
And just then, a unified chant suddenly came from the audience seats.
"Tokai Teio!"
There were even quite a few fans holding up banners in the stands.
It had to be said that the promotional effect of the previous program and official channels was truly terrifying; Tokai Teio's popularity had already completely crushed the other competitors.
"It seems the audience friends at the scene are all very excited for today's race."
The camera also captured shots of the audience seats for the TV broadcast at this time. It could be seen that in today's packed venue, almost more than half of the audience had come for Tokai Teio.
Kitasan Black's family was located at the very front near the finish line, an excellent spot.
At this moment, seeing the fiery and sparkling scene before her, brilliant colors seemed to bloom in the tiny Kitasan Black's eyes, planting a small seed in her heart.
So cool, Teio-san. Will I also be able to stand on such a stage one day?
"Amazing, this is the intensity of a live race."
"Tokai Teio's popularity is so high."
Even the knowledgeable Satono Diamond was somewhat shocked by the enthusiastic venue. Those who didn't know better would think this was a race for achieving the Triple Crown honor.
Has competitor Tokai Teio, who just embarked on her journey, already received so much response?
Satono Diamond felt like she could somewhat understand Kita-chan a little.
Because a Tokai Teio who could receive the expectations of so many people must be an amazing competitor. She began to look forward to Tokai Teio's performance in the upcoming race.
"It's really exaggerated. If Tokai Teio loses this, I don't even dare to imagine how it will end."
Team Spica's Trainer Okino couldn't help but get nervous.
"Can Spe-chan really adapt to this scene?"
He looked at the distressed-looking Special Week on the field. Unaware that Special Week was worrying about her weight, Okino thought she was frightened by the fans' cheers.
Special Week was currently rubbing her small belly, her expression very gloomy.
"Oh no, oh no, I feel very off!"
Silence Suzuka noticed Special Week's behavior, and her mood became nervous as she watched.
Because of a bumper harvest at Special Week's family farm recently, her mother had sent several boxes of carrots a while ago.
From that day on, Special Week entered a binge-eating mode. In just a few days, she had eaten herself into having a big belly. Although they had worked together to help Special Week lose weight before the race started, managing to get her back to a condition where she could race, it seemed the impact on this race hadn't been completely eliminated.
"Spe-chan..."
The opponents this time were already very strong, and Spe-chan wasn't in top condition. Silence Suzuka's heart sank.
Gold Ship and the others also knew Special Week's situation wasn't good.
"Too unfortunate. If Tokai Teio hadn't debuted so quickly, given Spe-chan's strength, maybe there would still be hope for victory."
"What discouraging things are you saying? We have to believe Spe-chan can win!"
"That's right!"
Gold Ship looked at the duo united against a common enemy before her and decided she didn't want to argue with such foolish fellows.
Spe-chan's strength isn't weak, but you have to look at who today's opponent is. That's Tokai Teio, who struck a blow to McQueen-ojousama even before officially meeting her!
Mejiro McQueen didn't participate in the discussion. She was watching the track with total concentration, once again substituting her spirit into the race.
"This time I will take the lead. I absolutely won't lose to Tokai Teio again!"
Although she had stubbornly said before that simulations were fake, even she knew in her heart that it was just a feeble excuse.
So she had increased the intensity of her special training recently, just to come and 'challenge' Tokai Teio again!
"Do your best, Nature-chan!"
Twin Turbo shouted toward Nice Nature on the field with her loud voice.
Nice Nature's ears twitched. looking up to see the Trainer, Twin Turbo, and other teammates, she silently clenched her fist.
"No problem, I can do it. I'm in top form today too!"
Nice Nature looked toward Tokai Teio, who was chatting with Blue Rose of Melancholy over there, and a strong fighting spirit welled up in her eyes.
Even if the opponent is that Teio-san, I have to believe in myself.
Even ordinary people have their own way of fighting. Let me use this race to show everyone!
A burst of red light appeared on Nice Nature's body.
The surrounding competitors felt a chill at the same time, as if something unclean had appeared within the venue.
Tokai Teio, who was chatting with her previous opponent, suddenly seemed to sense something and looked back at Nice Nature.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Then let's have another wonderful race."
Blue Rose of Melancholy was very happy to hear this.
"I'll show you the results of my special training over these past months."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Meanwhile, Tokai Teio had already noticed Ms. Nature.
The aura on Nice Nature reminded her of the Nature Robot from the previous race between the Demon King and Saint McQueen.
"Finally walked onto the path of the demonic way, huh."
Tokai Teio finally knew why Nice Nature hadn't gotten injured in this world.
Mastering demonic (debuff) skills, naturally, it would be impossible to get injured easily in a race.
I wonder if, besides myself, other competitors have resistance to debuff skills.
Just then, the signal for competitors to enter the gates lit up.
The pre-race preparation time was over; the race was about to begin!
Tokai Teio entered Gate 1.
The commentator's voice came from the speakers at this moment.
"Only the fastest Horse Girl can win. The first stop of the Classic Triple Crown, the starting point of legends—the Satsuki Sho officially opens here!"
"The competitors have completed entry into the gates. Carrying the expectations of fans, the competitors are ready!"
The indicator lights flashed.
The gates opened.
Tokai Teio's start once again placed her in the front row, but what surprised her somewhat was that there was a competitor who could keep up with her speed.
Golden specks of light gently drifted in the air above Seiun Sky's horseshoes. With amazing speed, she surpassed Tokai Teio and claimed victory at the start.
"Competitors have broken out of the gates. A beautiful start! Tokai Teio and Seiun Sky are competing for the lead position... Seiun Sky has successfully broken through!"
Tokai Teio fell behind Seiun Sky, thinking silently.
Was the skill Seiun Sky just used... [Groundwork]?
Interesting.
Although she could tell Seiun Sky hadn't brought out the maximum power of that skill, in a situation where Teio didn't use skills, Seiun Sky's start indeed wasn't weaker than hers.
Next to rush out was Blue Rose of Melancholy. Having also used skills, she rushed to Seiun Sky's back.
Tokai Teio continued to run steadily in the "Royal Road" position.
Special Week, a Betweener competitor, surprisingly chose to run in a forward position this time, her expression looking somewhat anxious.
Tokai Teio withdrew her gaze. Behind her, there was the sound of footsteps following steadily and closely.
This kind of technique wasn't something a rookie of this year could master. That meant this competitor had come to challenge the Classic races after debuting for some time.
And such a competitor...
Biwa Hayahide's big head instantly appeared in Tokai Teio's mind.
Nice Nature...
Still waiting for an opportunity in the back, huh.
Tokai Teio analyzed the situation of the competitors on the field almost completely in an instant.
"Ahead is the corner entrance. Currently leading is still Seiun Sky, but Blue Rose of Melancholy isn't far behind!"
"Favorite #1 Tokai Teio trails by two body lengths, followed by Special Week and Biwa Hayahide!"
While the commentator was still speaking, the competitors had already passed the first corner and entered the latter half of the second corner.
Blue Rose of Melancholy suddenly launched a thrust at Seiun Sky at this moment.
Having trained specially for months just to fight Tokai Teio, the number of skills she mastered was completely different from the situation at the Hopeful Stakes.
Seiun Sky looked at this guy who wanted to fight her fiercely in the middle leg, her expression somewhat impatient.
But she had no intention of giving up her position, accelerating at the same time.
The two leaders were already fighting it out in front.
In the audience seats, Mejiro McQueen's face quietly turned pale.
Because she discovered that running in the Runner position, she actually couldn't compete with Seiun Sky and Blue Rose of Melancholy, after all, she hadn't specifically practiced the running method for this position before.
The rhythm of this race was very fast. Soon, the competitors passed the corner and entered the middle leg of the track.
...
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