"Great Escape is another variant of the Front Runner style. A normal Front Runner only maintains a certain distance from the second horse without widening it, whereas a Great Escape constantly pulls away from the pack behind. However, due to the high intensity of the Great Escape itself, it easily leads to insufficient physical strength and loss of speed, and horses that perform a Great Escape are prone to injury."
In the training room, the Trainer pointed at the blackboard while giving a lesson to Legend.
"Under normal circumstances, the Front Runner is the core that controls the race rhythm. A Front Runner at the lead who can freely choose the route and speed possesses an advantage that is hard to replace by other running styles. To put it simply, if there's a Front Runner with outstanding ability among the participants, the race rhythm of other horses will also be disrupted."
"However, it's not to say that a highly capable horse can just blindly run as a Front Runner and be done with it. A high-ability horse at the front of the pack means it's easy to become a target for other horses. If one's rhythm is slightly disrupted, it's easy to be overtaken. Conversely, when such a high-ability horse adopts the Front Runner tactic, it's possible they won't be marked and can race at their own rhythm, and there are many examples of them finishing the race like that and causing a stir."
"But Great Escape is another extreme. The core difference is that a Great Escape is a tactic where one starts a full sprint immediately after the start, potentially pulling away by more than 20 horse lengths. By utilizing the huge advantage gained in the early stage, as long as there's no loss of speed in the later stage, it's basically a guaranteed win. However..."
The Trainer leisurely took out a lollipop, put it in his mouth, and continued to explain.
"Stamina issues?" Legend questioned.
"Yes. Although there are other issues, the most core one is stamina. Giving it your all to pull away from the start easily leads to physical exhaustion. The vast majority of Great Escapes end in major defeat due to lack of stamina. However, because of this, Great Escape is a very ornamental running style that many horse fans never forget."
"Hmm..." Legend remained silent.
"I've digressed. You shouldn't have to worry about the stamina issue. Rather, a monster like you who doesn't even pant after running 2400 meters is the only case I've seen in my many years as a Trainer. Are you really a carbon-based lifeform?"
The Trainer recalled the training session when they first met and looked at Legend with eyes full of curiosity and suspicion.
"...I'll punch you."
"...Ahem. In short, the biggest problem with choosing the Great Escape style doesn't exist for you, so other problems will be easy to solve." The Trainer changed the subject.
"But I still have problems with the gate start even now, and it's been three days of training."
"...That's not important. Today, let's first talk about the issue of rhythm."
The Trainer drew a straight line on the blackboard.
"As you can see, ignoring distance and curves for a moment, a race can be divided into three phases." The Trainer pointed at the blackboard. "The opening phase is the first sixth of the track length; the middle phase is half the total track length after the opening phase; and the final phase is the last third of the length."
"Under normal circumstances, the opening phase is where you jostle for position and decide your running style. Uma Musume will decide their initial speed based on their running style and tentatively settle into a position, maintaining speed for a short cruise. In the middle phase, they decide the most suitable speed based on the distance of the second cruise. Generally, Front Runners will slow down to conserve stamina, while Chasers will start to accelerate to close the distance. Then everyone maintains the current situation before entering the final phase, entering the second cruise."
The Trainer was writing and drawing on the blackboard, while Legend borrowed a pen from Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka, who had entered at some point, and began taking notes.
"Then comes the most important final phase. From here, Uma Musume will accelerate to maintain or reduce the gap, or decelerate to save stamina depending on the situation. After maintaining speed into the final curve, it's the straight before the finish line, which is also the place for the final sprint to decide the outcome. No explanation is needed here; just give it your all."
The Trainer continued to explain, and Legend nodded, continuing to take notes.
"Next, we'll discuss the differences, pros, and cons of various running styles for Uma Musume..."
The Trainer stuffed knowledge into Legend's head all at once, and just like that, Legend spent a fulfilling afternoon... Early the next morning, Teio and McQueen saw Legend slumped over the table, her soul practically leaving her body.
"Looking like this first thing in the morning really does a disservice to your beautiful appearance, Classmate Legend."
McQueen commented with squinted eyes.
"Exactly, exactly! This is no good!" Teio chimed in.
"Honey and Rice Cake, huh? Sorry, I don't have the strength to tease you two today." Legend looked up at the two Uma Musume with their subtle expressions and continued her decadent slump.
"Who are you calling Honey and Rice Cake!" McQueen's fur bristled, her tail standing straight up.
"If I'm Honey, then McQueen is Rice Cake? But why is McQueen Rice Cake? Is it because she has a Gray Mane?" Teio didn't get angry; instead, she fixated on a strange detail.
"Teio..." McQueen was too exhausted to even retort... "So, you're like this because your Trainer gave you extra lessons yesterday?" McQueen looked at Legend with an expression of disappointed frustration.
"Not just that, there's also the issue with the Starting Gate Training."
Legend added. She had been doing Starting Gate Training for three days now, but hadn't made much progress. The cramped, enclosed space inside the gate always made her mind wander, causing her to always be a beat slow.
"What's so hard about starting from the gate?" Teio tilted her head in confusion. To her, it was as simple as eating or drinking water—the easiest thing in the world.
"Just assume I have trouble concentrating." Legend didn't explain further. She knew that human joys and sorrows aren't shared, and the same goes for Uma Musume.
Seeing Legend's dejected look, Teio and McQueen exchanged a glance.
"...If it's that sort of thing, I have an idea!" Teio suddenly thought of something.
"Really?" Legend lifted her head.
"Mm-hmm. If you trust me, Legend, come with me at noon."
Teio puffed out her chest and said confidently... "So, the 'idea' you mentioned is the all-powerful Student Council President?"
Legend stood at the entrance of the Student Council office, deadpanning her critique.
"After all, for things like this, it's important to consult a senior's opinion. President, are you in?"
Teio said with a smile, knocking on the Student Council door.
The door opened, and the one who opened it was Student Council President Symboli Rudolf.
"You're here, Teio. And Golden Legend-san, it's been a while."
The President greeted them with a smile.
"It has been a while, President."
"There's no need to be so formal, Golden Legend-san. Just call me President, and I'll call you Classmate Legend."
The President shook her head, feeling a bit helpless about Legend's attitude.
"Then I shall do as you suggest."
"I've heard about your situation from Teio. Running style is indeed a very important aspect for an Uma Musume, and I will do my best to help you."
Rudolf invited the two to sit down and poured them each a cup of tea.
"However, I personally am not skilled at the 'Escape' style, so I can't offer much guidance in that area."
"It's fine, President. Your willingness to help is already a huge favor."
Legend didn't mind.
"Don't worry. Although I'm not an expert, I know someone who is. Calculating the time, she should be arriving soon."
With a bang, the Student Council door was pushed open.
"Hi~ It's Maruzensky!"
An Uma Musume who looked like an excellent 'Big Sister' type at first glance burst in.
"Sigh, I must have said this many times, Maruzensky, be a bit more gentle."
"It's fine, it's fine! Don't worry about such small things. Anyway, is she the little cutie who needs help?"
After brushing off Rudolf, the Uma Musume immediately locked onto the conspicuous Legend.
"As you can see, this is the expert, Maruzensky, known as the 'Supercar'."
Rudolf introduced her to Legend with a helpless tone; she wasn't very good at handling this straightforward and cheerful Big Sister.
"Hello, hello! Can I call you Little Legend? You really are as beautiful and cute as the rumors say."
Maruzensky didn't care about personal space for a first meeting and leaned right in.
"Hello, Senior Maruzen."
Legend was also a bit overwhelmed by Maruzensky's enthusiasm, her expression looking troubled.
"Well then, I'll leave this child to you. Teio, do you want to come train with me?"
Rudolf called out to Teio, who was trying hard to act like background scenery, and they left the room.
Don't go! Legend tried to plead with Teio using her eyes.
But Teio didn't receive the message and happily walked out of the Student Council room with Rudolf.
An awkward silence followed.
"So, Little Legend, what is your dream? If you don't mind, let me hear it! Transferring to Tracen at a time like this, you must want to become a G1 Uma Musume, or maybe aim for the world?"
Maruzensky broke the silence with gentle words.
"...I don't know. Although I've accepted my current situation, to be honest, I'm also very lost. At this stage, I guess I'll just keep running. As long as I don't stop, one day..."
Legend scratched her cheek. Although she was still a bit lost, that sense of helplessness and despair was gone.
"...I see. You really are special," Maruzensky said with an intrigued smile. "I've become interested in you!"
"Eh?"
"To be able to speak so frankly about your confusion, and to have the determination to move forward even while lost. Hehe, what a cute child! Steel yourself, I'm going to give you some proper 'training'!"
"..."
"But before that..."
Maruzensky smiled slightly and pulled out a key. From the design, it looked like a car key.
"First, come for a lap with me."
Before Legend could say anything, Maruzensky grabbed her hand and dashed out of the Student Council office.