This advance chapter release is all thanks to from Laguta 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 (now 100, starting next week) 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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Word Count: 3,627
New Year's Eve at the Symboli estate was less a celebration and more a declaration.
Crystal chandeliers shimmered above a sea of finely dressed umamusume and guests, their laughter mingling with the gentle strains of classical music that flowed through the grand hall. Elegant tables lined the room, filled with delicacies that Diamente had only ever seen in photographs in both of her lives.
Everything about the place screamed prestige—the kind that had been cultivated over generations.
And standing in the middle of it all was Symboli Diamente, trying very hard not to look like she didn't belong.
She wore a modest yet tasteful peach-colored dress, its design simple compared to the extravagant gowns around her, but still refined enough to fit the occasion. Even so, her fingers nervously fidgeted at the hem as her eyes darted across the room. This was her first time attending something like this—not just as an umamusume, but as a Symboli.
'Everything's so lavish… this is so overwhelming,' she thought, swallowing quietly.
As if sensing the tension radiating from her, a tall umamusume strode toward her with confident, unrestrained steps.
The dark-green jacket she wore was unmistakable—paired with long sleeves and pants that spoke less of formality and more of presence.
"So," the umamusume drawled, looking Diamente up and down without bothering to hide it. "You're the new kid the old woman and Rudolf decided to take in, huh?"
Diamente blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the bluntness. It took her a second to register the nickname.
"…If by 'old woman,' Sirius-san means Grandma Speed, then yes," she replied, straightening her posture. "I'm Symboli Diamente. To be honest, this is my first time attending a family gathering like this."
A sharp smirk curved Sirius Symboli's lips.
"Heh. You've got a mouth on you for someone your age."
Diamente paused, then nodded politely.
"Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment."
That earned her a short laugh.
"Not bad kid," Sirius said, folding her arms. "But I'll warn you now, kiddo… Events like these? They don't get any less annoying so if you keep acting this stiff, you'll burn out before you even realize it."
Diamente considered that, then let out a small breath through her nose. "It's all new to me. But I plan to adapt to these things. Slowly, if I have to."
For a brief moment, Sirius looked genuinely impressed.
"Heh… Good mindset, kid." She reached out and gave Diamente's head a firm pat. "Also, don't be shy around that busybody, either."
Diamente puffed her cheeks slightly as Sirius walked off, muttering under her breath.
"Mou… Why does everyone keep patting my head…?"
After a moment to steel herself, Diamente scanned the room again—her gaze landing on a familiar figure.
Symboli Rudolf stood among a group of formally dressed men and women, her presence commanding without effort. She listened attentively, offering measured responses as she navigated the conversation with ease.
'Okay… now or never.'
Diamente took a deep breath and approached.
Rudolf noticed her almost immediately. She excused herself with a polite nod and stepped away from the group, her expression softening as she turned toward Diamente.
"You look troubled, Diamente," Rudolf said gently. "What's on your mind?"
Diamente hesitated, fingers tightening briefly before she spoke. "I… feel a bit overwhelmed, Rudolf-nee. I wasn't sure how to say it."
Rudolf sighed quietly—not in irritation, but understanding. She placed a reassuring hand on Diamente's shoulder.
"Come with me."
They made their way toward the balcony, the muffled noise of the party fading behind them. Cool night air greeted Diamente the moment she stepped outside, and she exhaled deeply, tension visibly leaving her shoulders.
Rudolf smiled. "Is this better?"
"Yes, thank you," Diamente replied honestly.
They stood side by side for a moment, the distant lights of the estate illuminating the winter night.
"How are your studies lately, Diamente?" Rudolf asked casually.
"I'm managing well, Rudolf-nee" Diamente answered. "I've been keeping everything balanced."
Rudolf nodded, then shifted the conversation smoothly. "And once your maturation begins—have you thought about which team you'll join?"
Diamente froze for a fraction of a second before smiling.
"Yes. Team Spica invited me… and I accepted their invitation."
Rudolf's brows lifted slightly. "Team Spica? Okino's team?"
"Yes," she answered. I would like to continue the low-intensity pre-maturation training under Trainer Okino's supervision," Diamente added.
"That's unexpected," Rudolf admitted. "Why Okino's team? You had access to Toujou who's my former trainer, to Kuronuma who trained an umamusume like Mihono Bourbon—or even Kitahara who trained Oguri, Win Variation, and Buena Vista. All of them have proven records, you know."
Diamente thought for a moment before answering. "I think that Trainer Okino focuses on individualized training, where he can train me in a way that my body can cooperate well with. I believe he'll help me reach my dream."
"Hmm… I have asked you this question before but didn't let you answer it since it was too early," Rudolf studied her carefully. "Then tell me," she said, voice calm but serious.
"Diamente, what is this dream you're preparing for?"
Diamente met her gaze, all hesitation gone.
"I want to become a legend, Rudolf-nee," she said. "I want to change how the world sees Japan… by becoming the first Japanese umamusume to win the Arc."
Silence followed.
Rudolf looked out across the night sky, memories clearly surfacing. She knew better than most how brutal overseas races could be—the difference in turf, the demand for power over pure speed, the need for early adaptation.
She remembered the struggles of not just herself in America at the time, but also with Sirius Symboli and her grandma Speed Symboli… the breakthroughs of a successful overseas expedition that only came years later through others like Seeking the Pearl, Taiki Shuttle, Stay Gold, El Condor Pasa, Deep Impact, and Cesario.
At last, she turned back to Diamente.
"That is no small dream, Diamente," Rudolf said quietly. "But if you truly wish to walk that path… then I will support you."
Diamente's eyes widened.
"All I ask," Rudolf continued, "is that you give everything to that dream, always be safe—and that you find happiness along the road you carve for yourself."
Diamente's chest tightened, warmth flooding her expression.
"I will, Rudolf-nee" she said, a determined smile forming. "I promise."
Rudolf returned the smile, gentle yet resolute.
The future, it seemed, had already begun to move.
==== 🐎Legend Changer🐎 ====
Winter break ended far too quickly.
Central Tracen Academy returned to life in a rush of footsteps, chatter, and the familiar hum of routine as students poured back into the halls. Classrooms that had sat quiet for days were once again filled with voices—some groggy, some excited, all carrying the energy of a new term.
And then—
"EEEHHHH?!"
A sharp, high-pitched scream pierced through one of the elementary division classrooms, causing several students—and even a passing teacher—to flinch.
All eyes turned toward the source.
Rey de Oro stood frozen beside her desk, eyes wide, mouth agape, staring straight at Diamente as if she had just witnessed something utterly impossible.
"…Ah."
Diamente sighed quietly. Here we go.
"Sorry! I'm sorry!" Rey de Oro yelped, immediately bowing toward the class once she realized the attention she'd drawn. "I didn't mean to shout!"
Murmurs rippled through the room as the tension slowly eased. Rey hurried back to her seat where Diamente and the others were gathered, her face still flushed.
"D-Diamente-chan," Rey whispered urgently, leaning in. "You joined Team Spica?!"
Lucky Lilac, Almond Eye, and Daring Tact were all staring at Diamente as well—each of them wearing a variation of shock, disbelief, or curiosity.
Diamente rubbed the back of her neck. "Yeah... I did."
"But you were so hesitant about that before!" Rey pressed. "Why Team Spica of all teams?"
Diamente exhaled, then explained calmly, "It came down to Trainer Okino. After talking to him, he said that he's willing to accommodate her pre-maturation training this early."
The others leaned in.
"Well… You guys know that the low-intensity training that I'm doing right now is… experimental," Diamente continued. "I can only do it because I'm very aware of how my body works. And he allowed me to continue that, only under his proper supervision."
There was a short pause.
Lucky Lilac let out a slow breath, her usual playful demeanor replaced with something more serious. "That's… good, actually. Having a trainer this early."
She crossed her arms, eyes narrowing slightly. "But if Golshi-nee ever does anything weird to you, you must tell me immediately."
Diamente blinked.
"If Golshi-nee did anything over the top, I'm obligated to call Grandpa Iwanami and have him come to Tracen personally to scold her."
"…Lala-chan?" Diamente laughed nervously. "Why did that suddenly sound terrifying?"
Lucky Lilac smiled sweetly. "Just looking out for you."
Almond Eye, who had been quietly listening, sighed and rested her chin on her hand. "Man… I envy you, Diamente."
"Ai-chan?" Diamente turned toward her.
"You get to train the way you want," Almond Eye said softly. "Meanwhile, my family keeps insisting that I should be a sprinter… but I want to get the Triple Tiara."
There was no bitterness in her voice—just quiet frustration.
Rey de Oro reached over and gently patted Almond Eye's shoulder. "Ai-chan, you can still aim for it though."
Almond Eye looked at her in surprise.
"If you show your future trainer that your medium distance aptitude is possible," Rey continued, nodding confidently, "then I'm sure that your trainer can convince your parents for you."
Silence followed.
Everyone then stared at Rey de Oro with disbelief.
"…What?" Rey puffed her cheeks. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Daring Tact was the first to recover, waving her hands lightly. "No, no—we're not saying anything bad. Just surprised that Rei-chan suddenly sounded so cunning."
Rey froze.
"…Cunning?"
Her cheeks flushed as she turned her head away with a dramatic huff. "Hmph. Don't lump me in like that."
That was all it took.
Laughter bubbled up around the group, light and genuine. Rey tried to stay pouty for a few seconds longer before breaking into laughter herself, the tension dissolving completely.
Just then, the school bell rang.
"Oh—it's class time already!" Lucky Lilac said, scrambling back to her seat.
"Let's talk later~," Almond Eye added.
Diamente smiled as she returned to her desk, warmth settling in her chest.
Back to normal, she thought. But also… not quite.
==== 🐎Legend Changer🐎 ====
Classes for the day finally came to an end.
The winter sun hung low over Central Tracen Academy, its light stretching long shadows across the courtyard as students filtered out in clusters—some heading back to their dorms, others toward training grounds or club rooms. The atmosphere was calm, almost peaceful.
Diamente walked alone along one of the stone paths, her small steps measured and relaxed as she headed toward Team Spica's club room for the first time as an official member.
'I still can't believe I actually joined…' she thought to herself.
She turned right at the corner of the main building—
—and promptly walked straight into something soft.
"Oof."
Diamente stumbled back a step, rubbing her forehead before looking up.
After bumping into someone's chest, standing in front of her were four umamusumes wearing sunglasses and face masks.
All four of them.
Gold Ship, Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka, and even Special Week's now included in this group.
Gold Ship, in particular, was holding a large burlap sack over her shoulder.
Diamente stared at them in silence for a full three seconds.
"Hey… Is the sack really necessary?" she asked flatly.
The four exchanged glances.
Then, as if rehearsed, they all nodded in perfect synchronization.
Diamente's eyebrow twitched.
"…I see."
She let out a long sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Alright. Just get it over with."
Gold Ship grinned beneath her face mask. "You heard her."
She snapped her fingers. "Scarlet! Vodka! Spe! Let's get her!"
"Yes, Gold Ship-san!" Special Week chirped enthusiastically.
Before Diamente could even finish blinking, the sack was pulled over her head.
"W-Wait—!"
Scarlet and Vodka hoisted the sack onto their shoulders with practiced ease, and the four of them took off running at full speed down the courtyard.
Students who witnessed the scene barely reacted.
Some glanced over briefly.
Others nodded knowingly.
A few even muttered, "Ah, it must have been Team Spica again..."
Normal school life resumed immediately.
When the sack was finally removed, Diamente found herself standing inside Team Spica's club room.
The first thing she noticed was the silence.
The second thing she noticed was the lineup.
Teio stood stiffly near the table, laughing awkwardly. McQueen's arms were crossed, her brow twitching dangerously. Silence Suzuka covered her mouth, clearly holding back her laughter. Kitasan Black scratched the back of her neck, eyes darting everywhere except Diamente.
"…Welcome to Team Spica, Diamente-chan," Teio said weakly as she then took a sip of her hachimi-filled cup.
McQueen inhaled sharply. "Gold Ship—"
"Oh come on, McQueen, it's our tradition at this point~!" Gold Ship declared proudly.
Trainer Okino, who had been seated at his desk buried in paperwork, finally stood and walked over.
Gold Ship snapped into a salute. "Mission accomplished! The special package has been delivered successfully, Trainer-san!"
Trainer Okino closed his eyes.
He exhaled deeply.
"…I'm sorry about this," he said, turning to Diamente with a genuine apology.
Diamente waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry, Trainer-san. It's fine, and at this point, I assume this is a long-standing Spica tradition."
She scratched her cheek lightly. "Besides, Gold Ship already tried this once before but fate intervened that time."
Gold Ship blinked. "Eh?"
"Gentil-senpai stopped you, remember?" Diamente added with a small smile. "If I stopped it now after agreeing to join, it'd just spoil the fun."
There was a brief pause—
Then laughter broke out. They definitely remembered what had transpired beforehand.
Even McQueen sighed, though the edge of her anger dulled.
Trainer Okino chuckled and scratched his chin. "Alright. Everyone, take a seat and let's start our team meeting for the day."
They gathered around the long table.
On one side sat Teio, McQueen, Kitasan, and Diamente. On the other were Gold Ship, Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka, Special Week, and Silence Suzuka.
Trainer Okino stood at the head.
"First of all, let's officially welcome Symboli Diamente to Team Spica. Give her a round of applause, everyone." Trainer Okino declared as everyone else clapped in enthusiasm as Diamente stood up with a smile and bowing to everyone, thanking them.
After that subsided, Trainer Okino's face turned serious as he started the first topic for the meeting today.
When he flipped the whiteboard, it was filled with a lot of illustrations regarding racing form and training statistics that's being clipped to the board with magnetic clips.
"For our first topic today, there have been documented attempts at pre-maturation training in the past," he began. "Historically, these focused on two things: general foundation-building, and body strengthening."
He gestured lightly. "Most provincial tracen academies around the country prioritize the former and are usually trained by elementary division students there. The latter, though, is usually seen only in elite racing families—like the Mejiro family with their focus on producing stayer racers, and the Symboli family, who are known for their strong final spurts."
He turned toward Diamente. "So tell us. What kind of pre-maturation training have you been doing at this point, Diamente?"
Diamente straightened slightly. "It should be a mix of both, Trainer-san."
Everyone leaned in.
"I focus on foundational work to stabilize my flexible legs," she continued, "while also training body coordination, spatial awareness, racing gait, and flexibility early on. I can't do too much high-intensity training until I have a strong enough body to sustain such training without hurting myself."
Trainer Okino nodded slowly.
Teio's eyes lit up. "Flexible legs? That sounds kinda like me, Diamente-chan!"
"Yes, Teio-senpai," Diamente nodded. "Our physiques are similar with both my ankles and knees being quite squishy. But my leg flexibility could become a weakness, if it's not trained properly."
She spoke calmly, matter-of-fact. "If I push intense training too early, the micro-damage in my legs will accumulate. Without a strong enough foundation, once maturation comes to me, that shaky foundation would increase the risk of injury instead when it builds up enough damage."
Trainer Okino raised an eyebrow before nodding.
"Impressive analysis, Diamente." Trainer Okino complimented.
"How did you know all of these yourself, Diamente-san?" Special Week asked.
Diamente smiled politely. "I've studied umamusume anatomy extensively and also analyzed a lot of races from Teio-senpai and Mejiro Ardan-senpai in my spare time. Enough to make informed inferences since I know my body well enough for it."
'That's the safest explanation if someone were to ask about it when I progressed far enough,' she thought quietly.
Trainer Okino nodded in approval. "Good. I'd like for you to create a printed training menu for your training."
He glanced around the table. "Since Special Week and Suzuka are in their final year at the university and are currently focused on their respective theses, Teio and McQueen are tied up with Student Council duties,"
He turned to Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka.
"I'd like the two of you to supervise her training and approve Diamente's pre-maturation training menu when you're not needed for Golshi or Kita-chan since you guys have the most time nowadays."
Scarlet nodded immediately. "Of course, Trainer-san."
Vodka grinned. "Leave it to us."
They turned toward Diamente.
Diamente stood and bowed slightly. "I'll be under your care from now on, Senpai."
Vodka waved it off. "You'll be fine."
Scarlet smiled, eyes sharp with interest. "I'm looking forward to it, Diamente-chan."
Diamente returned the smile. "So am I."
The atmosphere inside Team Spica's training room shifted the moment Trainer Okino finished addressing Diamente's situation.
He let the silence settle for a beat—then turned his gaze toward the black-haired umamusume sitting near the center of the room.
"Kita-chan."
Kitasan straightened instantly, her posture sharp and attentive.
"Your debut race is scheduled for January 31st."
A soft stir rippled through the room.
Trainer Okino continued calmly, his tone firm and deliberate. "After that, you'll be entered into an open race to build experience, and following that—" his eyes narrowed slightly "will be the Spring Stakes, which is a G2 Trial Race for the Satsuki Sho."
McQueen's brows lifted almost immediately.
"That's… quite late, isn't it, Trainer-san?" she said, her voice measured but clearly concerned. "To debut that close to the Classic trials… it's risky."
Several others nodded. Even Teio tilted her head, thoughtful rather than playful for once.
Trainer Okino didn't hesitate. "I'm aware of that, McQueen." He folded his arms. "But Kitasan's body is sturdier than average for her age. Her recovery rate, muscle response, and overall conditioning are already beyond what I'd expect from a debutante, like an iron umamusume like you."
He then looked directly at Kitasan.
"I believe she can endure this schedule."
The room fell quiet again.
Teio leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands as she looked at Kitasan. "So, Kita-chan," she said lightly, though her eyes were sharp, "can you really handle something like that?"
Kitasan met her gaze head-on.
"Yes."
There wasn't a shred of hesitation in her voice.
"I'll win every race I'm in," she declared, fists clenched at her sides. "And I'll bring the same festival atmosphere that Teio-senpai showed everyone during her retirement race."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then McQueen smiled softly. Several others followed, warmth spreading through the room.
Teio blinked—then broke into a wide grin. "Haha! That's the spirit, Kita-chan~!"
Trainer Okino nodded, unmistakable pride flickering across his expression.
Then—slowly—his gaze shifted.
"…Gold Ship."
Gold Ship, seated off to the side, didn't look up.
She was intensely focused on the Rubik's Cube in her hands, twisting it with frightening speed, eyes narrowed in absolute concentration.
"…Gold Ship."
Still nothing.
Trainer Okino's eyebrow twitched.
He exhaled. "You'll be racing in the American Jockey Club Cup a few days before Kitasan's debut."
Gold Ship rotated the cube once more.
"Following that will be the Hanshin Daishoten. For spring, you probably want to get your win at the third attempt of the Spring Tennō Shō. After that, it's up to you if you want to get your third win at the Takarazuka Kinen."
Click.
The cube snapped into place.
Gold Ship finally looked up. "That's done~!"
Trainer Okino stared at her for a second… then sighed, rubbing his temples.
"…That's all."
Diamente, watching quietly from the side, didn't intervene. Those races were still far ahead for her—but she mentally filed one thing away.
'Takarazuka Kinen…'
She'd heard enough stories.
'If there's one thing I should deal with before then… it's Gold Ship's gate issue...'
Her expression remained calm—but her resolve quietly sharpened as the meeting moved on.
And just like that, her first day as a member of Team Spica had truly began.
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