This advance chapter release is all thanks to from fisstar for gifting 6 power stones up to this point.
I currently have more than 8 advance chapters backlogged, I will up the required power stone for the week from 5 to 20 power stones per user for an advance chapter, and for every 20 power stones accumulated for the week, I will also post an advance chapter corresponding to the complete amount in the week's end.
So gift more Power Stones to advance the chapter schedule. Thank you very much for your support and enjoy the chapter!
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"And they're off! We're off to a clean start!"
The commentator's voice rang out across Nakayama Race Course the instant the gates burst open. In a single synchronized motion, the Umamusume lunged forward, boots digging into the turf as the Grand Prix of the year finally began...
There was no hesitation.
No stumbles from them.
A flawless break.
From Gate 2, Verxina exploded forward like an arrow launched from a bow, her acceleration immediate and decisive. The familiar red silks cut cleanly through the field as she seized the lead before the others could even fully align themselves.
On the inside lanes, Gentildonna and Epiphaneia surged together, shoulders nearly aligned as they fought for early position. For a brief moment, it looked as though neither intended to give way—two forces pressing against one another in silent defiance.
Then Epiphaneia pushed harder.
Gentildonna read it instantly.
Without wasting strength, the Noble Lady yielded, easing back half a step as Epiphaneia slipped ahead to claim second.
"As expected, Verxina takes the lead!" the commentator announced. "She's setting the pace for the first half of the race! After her is Epiphaneia, and then Gentildonna settles into third after yielding that first duel!"
The formation stabilized quickly.
Behind the leading trio came Tosen Ra, keeping a measured distance, followed closely by To The World and Lachesis, who ran side by side with disciplined strides.
Further back, something unusual caught the commentator's attention.
"Surprisingly, Gold Ship has settled into the midfield!" she exclaimed. "Not her usual end-closer position today!"
Gold Ship ran with an almost lazy cadence, her posture relaxed, eyes forward—far too calm for someone with five G1 titles to her name.
Trailing behind were Fenomeno, Just A Way, and Win Variation, each choosing a deeper position near the end of the field, conserving energy as the first curve approached.
The pack swept into the turn, the thunder of boots echoing against the stands as they passed the crowd for the first time.
The noise was deafening.
"Ganbare, Gold Ship-senpai!"
"Run wild, Gorushin!!"
"You can do it, senpai!"
Team Spica's voices cut through the roar, Kitasan Black practically bouncing on her heels as she waved both arms with reckless enthusiasm.
Diamente, standing among them at the very front, remained silent.
Her eyes never left the massive screen overhead, where a live aerial feed captured the race in stunning clarity. Every shift in position, every tightening stride—she absorbed it all.
The commentators continued, voices steady but excited.
"The runners are now entering the second corner! The distance from the leader to the last runner is only about sixteen lengths—an incredibly compact field considering the pace!" Verxina maintained control at the front, her stride still sharp, but the pressure behind her was unmistakable.
"Epiphaneia remains just a few lengths back, and behind her—yes, about four lengths now—the rest of the pack is led by Gentildonna in third!"
The camera angle shifted, highlighting the Noble Lady's form. Her posture was pristine, movements economical, her breathing controlled despite the relentless pace.
"Let's confirm the current standings," the commentator said. "Verxina still leads. Epiphaneia second. Gentildonna in third and going strong. Beside her is Tosen Ra, followed by Lachesis."
"Fenomeno is on the outside, To The World hugging the inner lane. Gold Ship is next—her pace slightly reduced—then Win Variation, and Just A Way at the rear."
The words hit like a drumbeat.
"And we now have just around 1,000 meters to go!"
The second straight stretched ahead, long and unforgiving.
It was then—
"It has started."
The words slipped from Diamente's lips, barely audible, but Satono Diamond heard them clearly.
Diamente leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharpening as she focused on the screen.
Fenomeno had begun to move.
The commentator's eyes widened.
"It's Fenomeno! Fenomeno has started her acceleration!"
From the outside, Fenomeno increased her stride, muscles tightening as she surged forward, cutting into the gap ahead of her.
"And Gold Ship reacts immediately! She's following Fenomeno's move from the outside lane!"
As if awakened from a dream, Gold Ship's relaxed rhythm vanished. Her stride lengthened, speed climbing rapidly as she chased the surge.
"And Just A Way is responding too!!"
The field began to compress.
At the final corner, chaos threatened to erupt.
"The pack is tightening at the 400-meter mark! Verxina is slowing—she's losing stamina on the curve!"
The leader faltered, just slightly—but it was enough.
"Epiphaneia seizes the opportunity! She's accelerating on the inside and surging ahead!"
Epiphaneia pulled free, her momentum carrying her past Verxina as the roar of the crowd spiked.
"She's breaking away from Gentildonna's grasp!"
But the Noble Lady was already moving.
"Behind Epiphaneia is Lachesis, and Gold Ship is charging, but Epiphaneia holds the fence!"
Gentildonna's stride changed.
Her calm cadence transformed into something fierce.
"And here comes Gentildonna! She's launching her spurt! She's issuing a direct duel with Epiphaneia!!"
The crowd erupted.
"Come on, Gold Ship!!"
"Go, Gold Ship!!"
"You can do it, Gold Ship-senpai!!"
Kitasan was shouting at the top of her lungs now, fists clenched, voice cracking with emotion.
Diamente and Satono Diamond stood frozen, eyes locked onto the screen.
"Oh no! Gold Ship can't quite accelerate fast enough here—300 meters remaining! Tosen Ra holds the inner lane!"
The screen filled with motion.
"Wait—Just A Way is surging forward again!"
From behind, Just A Way unleashed her stored strength, closing rapidly.
"It's Gentildonna! 200 meters! Gentildonna pushes forward! She's forcing the path like she owns it!!"
The Noble Lady drew level with Epiphaneia, then edged ahead.
"And To The World is threading through the gap between Epiphaneia and Tosen Ra!"
Bodies blurred.
Breath burned.
"Gold Ship isn't letting them pass!"
The final stretch opened.
"100 METERS! AND IT'S STILL GENTILDONNA!"
The commentator's voice rose into a near shout.
"GENTILDONNA!! THIS IS IT!! THE INDOMITABLE LADY'S FINAL WALTZ—AND SHE'S HOLDING THEM OFF!!"
Gentildonna grits her teeth, with every muscle screaming as she drove forward, refusing to yield even a single step.
"HER FINAL WALTZ HAS REACHED ITS GRAND CRESCENDO—"
The finish line rushed toward her.
"And—!"
The moment hit.
"AND SHE HAS DONE IT!! GENTILDONNA, THE INDOMITABLE LADY WINS THE ARIMA KINEN!"
The roar was overwhelming.
"AFTER SETBACKS, HER FINAL WALTZ ENDS IN A VICTORIOUS NOTE—JUST AS SHE PROMISED!! SHE HAS DONE IT!!"
The stadium shook.
"To The World takes second! Gold Ship and Just A Way are locked in a photo finish for third! WHAT A RACE!"
On the turf, Gentildonna slowed to a halt, hands braced against her knees as steam rose faintly from her body, breath coming hard and fast.
In the stands, Diamente exhaled.
A long, relieved breath.
"You've really done it, Gentil-senpai…" she murmured, a soft smile touching her lips.
She glanced at her new teammates—faces alight with joy, relief, and awe.
And for the first time since arriving here, Diamente felt it clearly.
This victory wasn't just Gentildonna's.
She didn't know this yet but it was something that would echo forward—toward the future she herself had yet to run into.
==== 🐎Legend Changer🐎 ====
After the Winning Live had concluded and the echoes of applause slowly faded into the cold evening air in Nakayama, back home, Tracen Academy had gradually returned to its usual calm.
One by one, students who came back from Nakayama Racecourse dispersed back toward their dorms, with exhaustion and lingering excitement settling in equal measure.
Diamente, however, did not follow the rest of Team Spica retiring for the day.
Instead, she wandered toward the far edge of the academy grounds, where a hollow tree stump rested quietly in the middle of the clear area within the school buildings.
The grass there was cool, slightly damp beneath her as she lowered herself beside it, knees drawn in as she stared blankly ahead.
The events of the day replayed endlessly in her mind.
Joining Team Spica.
Watching the Arima Kinen from the very front.
Gentildonna's victory was undeniable, radiant, and overwhelming.
"…I really did something reckless, didn't I?" Diamente muttered softly, fingers brushing against the grass.
Joining Team Spica had felt right in the moment, almost instinctive, but now that the excitement had ebbed, doubt crept in.
It wasn't regret, not quite so. More like the unease that followed a decision made from the heart rather than careful calculation.
Her gaze lifted toward the night sky.
"Still…" she whispered, a faint smile forming. "Gentil-senpai really shined out there."
The words carried a quiet reverence towards the now-retired Umamusume.
Before she could continue, the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears—unhurried, steady, unmistakably confident. Diamente turned her head just as the figure emerged into the lamplight.
It was Gentildonna.
She had changed out of her stage outfit, now dressed casually, her long hair tied loosely as she strolled through the grounds. When her eyes landed on Diamente, a flicker of surprise crossed her face.
"…Diamente?" Gentildonna said. "I thought you'd already gone back to your dorm."
Diamente blinked, then gave a small, sheepish smile. "I was just… thinking about a few things."
Gentildonna tilted her head slightly, then let out a soft chuckle as she stepped closer. "Fufu~ Is it about today?"
Diamente smiled before nodded without hesitation. "Yes."
She looked back toward the stump, then at Gentildonna. "You were incredible out there, senpai. You're really… shining there."
Gentildonna crossed her arms lightly, listening without interrupting.
"The cheers around me," Diamente continued, voice steady but filled with emotion. "The way everyone's hearts moved as one. The Winning Live—the song you sang with To The World and Gold Ship… it was calming, like everything made sense for a moment."
Her fingers curled into the grass.
"And then the race itself before that. That feeling of my heart that was going to burst. It made me want to run right then and there."
She let out a small, frustrated breath.
"But I can't just race around in my current state, not yet anyway... I still haven't gone through Maturation and it might take a few years before doing so, it's just frustrating to know about this wait."
Gentildonna laughed quietly at that, the sound warm rather than mocking. She reached out and gently patted Diamente's head again, her fingers ruffling her hair.
"Then enjoy being a child while you can first, Diamente," she said lightly. "You never know when that freedom disappears."
"Mou," Diamente puffed her cheeks, pouting slightly. "I already know that..."
The Noble Lady smiled at her reaction before her expression softened. After a brief pause, she asked, "Then what about you? What's your dream Diamente?"
The question lingered in the air.
Diamente froze.
Her mind, unhelpfully, spiraled.
Memories layered over one another—her former life, her transmigration, the body she now inhabited, the world that had already begun to shift simply because she existed within it. Futures branching endlessly, possibilities colliding.
Gentildonna watched her closely, brow raising slightly.
"…You're thinking too hard on this, Diamente," she said, tapping Diamente's shoulder lightly. "Don't dig that deep. Just tell me what comes to mind."
Diamente blinked, pulled abruptly back to the present. For a moment, she looked genuinely baffled—then she sighed, shoulders relaxing.
"…Alright."
She shrugged, tone suddenly casual, almost playful.
"... I guess I'll try to win the Arc."
The words fell simply, without flourish.
Gentildonna's eyes widened—just slightly.
Then she smiled.
"A dream like that," she said calmly, "already surpasses anything I've accomplished."
Diamente looked up at her, startled.
"If you want to achieve it," Gentildonna continued, her voice firm yet kind, "you'll need to do things properly. After all, the strength required just to stand on that stage… it's training I never had the chance to pursue."
She placed a hand atop Diamente's head once more, patting it gently.
"So always take care of yourself and focus on your growth, Diamente. I'll be watching."
Diamente smiled up at her.
"I promise," she said softly. "I'll do my best."
Gentildonna nodded, gaze drifting toward the distant track.
"Good. Then I'll look forward to seeing you run on that French turf someday."
The night air felt lighter.
And for Diamente, the path ahead—uncertain as it was—no longer felt empty.
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