I whistled. "Damn that's big." I grinned as I gazed upon the massive building that stood past the gates before me. It was easily double or triple the size of the main school building of Kasamatsu Tracen, and certainly far more well-kept.
And that wasn't even considering the fact that this was only the main building. There were dozens of other facilities dotted across a ludicrous amount of space, each dedicated to providing umamusume whatever training they needed to compete in the toughest races Central Japan had to offer.
This was Tracen Central!
Although…
I glanced to my left. The rest of Team Kitahara were all awed by the stark difference between Tracen Central and Kasamatsu Tracen. Belno's eyes were practically sparkling as she stood frozen. Kitahara's jaw had fallen wide open, utterly baffled by just how big Tracen Central was. Even Oguri seemed somewhat surprised, though it was hidden beneath her usual dazed stare.
I smiled wryly. Their reactions were understandable; the splendor of Tracen Central was something that would dazzle anyone. The only reason I seemed relatively unaffected was because I'd already seen this view one too many times as I played through the game.
Before I could tease them however, my ears twitched as I heard someone approaching from afar. "Oi, look sharp y'all." I told them. "Someone's coming here."
They snapped out of their reverie, though some concern began settling here. Belno took a quick breath to calm herself, while Kitahara gulped as he fiddled with the rim of his cap. Only Oguri seemed fine, narrowing her eyes instead.
Then, my eyes saw green. A lot of green.
I blinked, and then realized that it was a woman dressed entirely in green. A green cap, a green shirt, a green pencil skirt—it was a whole lot of green. The color would've been a complete eyesore had anyone else tried wearing something similar, but it seemed strangely perfect on her.
"Ah," the woman smiled. "Team Kitahara, I presume?"
Seeing as Kitahara still seemed rather nervous, I cleared my throat as I stepped forward. "Yeah, that's us alright." I smiled. "Nice to meet'cha, green lady."
The woman giggled. "Welcome to the Japan Umamusume Training Center Academy." She said. "I am working as the secretary to the chairman of the Academy." She then bowed. "My name is Hayakawa Tazuna. It's good to finally meet you all in person."
"This…?" Oguri whispered, slightly confused as to why her instincts were warning her of this seemingly normal woman.
I glanced at her for a moment, before I huffed. As expected of the Gray Monster—even with the disguise Tazuna had put on, Oguri had quickly sussed out that something about the woman didn't seem quite right.
After all, though she'd left her old name behind, the shadow of the Phantom Umamusume was one that couldn't easily be hidden.
"Ah, so you're the Hayakawa-san who talked to us over the phone." I smiled as I bowed slightly. "Name's Blossom Star." I pointed at the still-frowning Oguri. "This one's Oguri Cap. And this," I slung my arm around Belno's shoulder, causing her to yelp slightly. "Is Belno Light." I then jabbed a thumb to Kitahara. "With our trainer Kitahara Jo right there."
"By the Goddesses, ya can't even introduce yourself, you fool?" A familiar voice called out, and Kitahara snapped out of his thoughts as Musaka Ginjirou showed up as well.
Kitahara smiled brightly. "Roppei-san!"
"It's Musaka, you fool!"
And just like that, both men quickly began bickering with one another like usual.
I laughed as I heard the names being thrown about, though I quickly cleared my throat. "Sorry 'bout this, Hayakawa-san. This is just how our team usually is."
She giggled. "No worries, Blossom-san. Our Tracen is no stranger to eccentricities like this." She gently shook her head. "Though I believe we should hurry. Symboli Rudolf has requested your presence."
The news quickly caused the two men to fall silent, before Musaka sighed. "Right, that thing." He smacked Kitahara's foot with his cane, causing Kitahara to hiss. "You girls go and meet her. I'll bring this fool and show him around."
I gave a playful salute. "Aye, aye."
As Musaka led Kitahara away, I turned back to my two friends. "Well, no use in waiting." I grinned. "Let's go meet the big boss herself."
Belno chuckled weakly. "I-I wish I could be as confident…"
Oguri tilted her head slightly, before she nodded. "Then let's go."
Tazuna smiled. "Then please, follow me."
We did as she asked. She introduced us to the insides of Tracen Academy as we walked, and before long, she led us to the Student Council Office, located at the top floor of Tracen Central's main building. Tazuna politely knocked on the ornate door. "Symboli-san? This is Hayakawa Tazuna."
Light shuffling sounded from behind the door, and Tazuna silently stepped away as we waited for the doors to open.
Then, the door opened, and out came a familiar figure we hadn't seen in months.
"So you've come, Team Kitahara." Symboli Rudolf said, a slight smile on her lips. "Come. Let us talk inside."
Oguri easily nodded as she went in, but Belno began shaking as she stared forward. "Awawa…" She muttered, trembling beneath the Emperor's presence.
I huffed as I gave her a smack on the back. She yelped at the sudden action, but I just grinned. "Come on now."
"Y-Yes!"
As we entered the office together, neither of us saw the melancholic smile on Tazuna's lips, nor the nostalgia that shimmered in her eyes as she closed the door behind us.
Rudolf gestured for us to sit on the couch, and the three of us huddled together as best as we could. "It's a little…" Oguri whispered, shuffling slightly in an attempt to make herself comfortable on the too-small couch.
Rudolf smiled wryly. "I…apologize. I hadn't considered that."
"It's fine, it's fine~" I playfully winked as I stood up, instead taking a seat on one of the couch's arms. "Anywho, how're you doing, council pres?" I grinned. "We promised to come to Central, and now here we are."
"Indeed you have." She hummed as she leaned back onto a wall. "And quite spectacularly as well." She chuckled. "I doubt there are few that have not heard at least a single mention of your names."
I glanced at Belno, and she subtly nodded back. "T-That was our plan." She began slowly. "Getting into Central isn't enough; not for us." She took a deep breath, and gave Rudolf a determined stare. "Our team has a motto: Even if we have to claw our way forward, we will take over the world."
"To take over the world…" Rudolf softly repeated, before she chuckled. "What a coincidence."
She glanced at the plaque hung on the wall just above her, written entirely in English. "「Eclipse first, the rest nowhere」" She read out. "Here in Central, only one can stand above the rest." She smiled faintly as she gazed upon them. "If you wish to conquer the world, then you must first rise as the victor of this era."
"How catchy." I commented nonchalantly. "You're not wrong though. The races here will be entirely different from the ones in Kasamatsu. We'll have competitors who've poured as much effort as we have to get here." I smiled confidently. "But we all knew that before coming here." I winked. "Taking over the world ain't no easy job, after all."
"I don't disagree." Rudolf said as she took a glance at Oguri, who'd been entirely silent this whole time. "And how of you, Oguri Cap?"
"Hmm?" Oguri blinked, having been entirely focused on the cup of tea she'd been drinking. "Ah, well." She narrowed her eyes. "It sounds fun."
"Ha! Well said!" Rudolf smiled brightly as she extended her hand towards us. "Nevertheless, congratulations for making it into Central, Team Kitahara." Her magenta eyes glared with brimming excitement. "I eagerly await for the storm you shall bring upon your descent."
"You make us sound like a natural disaster." I cheekily commented.
Rudolf simply raised an eyebrow. "Am I wrong?"
I easily shrugged. "Well, ya got us there." My eyes narrowed as I smiled. "But yeah, just you wait, Emperor."
"You want a show? We'll give you one."
.
.
.
[The prophesized Fate has changed]
[The blessing of the Three Goddesses shines down upon you!]
[The "Umamusume Hero" System expands!]