"If our competitors become strong enough within this month, even the Japanese Derby with its current roster will become very dangerous, let alone also competing against someone like Gentildonna."
"So, Orfevre, although I know you don't like to, we need to train hard now! Let's face the Japanese Derby with a fresh new attitude!"
On the next day, unaware of the events surrounding Mihono Bourbon and Special Week, the members of Team Miracle were in the training grounds.
However, unlike usual, the ones that were there to observe Orfevre's training weren't just Ikezoe and his group, but Wada, Imanami, and all the rest too.
Sensing the gazes of everyone, Orfevre could not help but feel an unprecedented amount of pressure placed on her.
"...Is this really necessary? It's just the Japanese Derby, right?"
Although Orfevre had reverted somewhat closer to her former timid self after Deep Impact's lecture, it was clear that she still retained some of her arrogance as she stubbornly complained.
"Even if I don't improve much, I'll still win. I just need to run well in the Japanese Derby, don't I? Considering how much I was holding back and how dominantly I won, I'll definitely beat all of them..."
"—That's exactly the type of thinking we need to change, Orfevre."
Snapping his fingers, Ikezoe continued.
"Mihono Bourbon, Special Week, Rice Shower— none of them are weak. And, your easy victory in the Satsuki Sho was, to some extent, due to luck. I doubt any of them would repeat the same mistake they did yesterday."
"—Not only that, the Japanese Derby is considered the most valuable crown among the Classic Triple Crown races; everyone will be at their A-game, so don't be careless."
Fumino Nase, who had sobered up, immediately took the intellectual high ground and persuaded Orfevre.
"Y- yeah, Orfevre. Mihono Bourbon-san and the others are very strong!"
Meisho Doto, cutting into the conversation, tried her own attempt at persuading Orfevre.
"P- please, we're all here to help you improve."
"Huh?! So you're all just planning to collectively activate your Auras and flatten me until I can't get up?! Who the hell came up with this training method...?!"
Orfevre, finally unable to bear the pressure, directly shouted as she was dragged away by the others.
From Orfevre's perspective, there was no way she would want to be crushed into powerlessness like that, especially considering that T.M. Opera O was also a part of the 'Orfevre Flattening Squad™.'
Although Orfevre's Aura might seem strong— which it was— her mastery and control over it was absolutely garbage.
And unlike others, Orfevre's Aura specialized in enhancing her own strength, meaning that in a clash of Auras, Orfevre would always be at an inherent disadvantage.
Think of rock papers scissors; imagine everyone else's Aura as paper while Orfevre's is rock.
Now, in this scenario against T.M. Opera O, think of Orfevre having a LV 1 rock, while T.M. Opera O has a LV 100 paper. It would be a complete one sided massacre!
In fact, this was actually one of the biggest flaws Orfevre had.
While this was not an issue against others who were completely inferior to her in physical might, like Mihono Bourbon, Special Week, or Rice Shower, against an equally powerful opponent like Gentildonna, Orfevre would get directly crushed.
...
"...Also, I really recommend you put away your stereotypes about Fillies. I watched Gentildonna's Oka Sho and... she really is something."
"H- huh? Ike- ezoe, you w- watched that Uma Musume's race?"
Orfevre, who was struggling to hold on from collapsing under the Aura of numerous powerful Uma Musume, talked with Ikezoe with difficulty.
"I- is she strong? I'm c- curious..."
"…You'll know when you see her yourself, Orfevre. Gentildonna can really only be described as... 'strong.'"
Mulling over it for a while, Ikezoe found that the word Deep Impact had used was truly the most appropriate way to describe Gentildonna.
The other three Trainers, who had also watched the video, all nodded in agreement with Ikezoe's description.
"Honestly, she's kind of similar to you or Gold Ship in a way."
Imanami spoke the names of a few Uma Musume whose images were relatively similar to Gentildonna's, causing Gold Ship, who was named, to laugh nonchalantly.
"She sounds fun~ Will I run into her later?"
"Calm down, Gold Ship. You're only in your Junior Year; we'll think about rivals later on."
Imanami, who knew about Gold Ship and Orfevre's past, dissuaded her from actively seeking out Gentildonna.
But, when Imanami thought of a rematch between the two, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as he imagined the scene in his heart.
Yet, recalling their confrontation in the Japan Cup, it would probably be difficult for Gold Ship to overcome Gentildonna.
At that time, Gold Ship was just one year away from retirement and should have been in his physical prime. But even so, he lost against Gentildonna.
Now, for the current Orfevre to go against Gentildonna head-on in this year's Japan Cup, unless Orfevre undergoes a dramatic transformation— it's likely Orfevre would follow in both her past self's and her little sister's footsteps.
Ultimately, such a scene occurring was most likely Ikezoe's current biggest concern, with Imanami and Wada understanding that defeating Gentildonna was not just a goal of Ikezoe's, but a form of revenge as well.
However, this goal of revenge, to some extent, might be even more difficult than winning the Classic Triple Crown; still, without a bit of obsession, can anything be achieved at all?
"Orfevre, it wouldn't be bad if you watched some of her races, you know? Maybe she'll help give you some inspiration?"
"S- shut up! I don't want to study tactics! I d- don't need those things!"
Weirdly enough, Orfevre was surprisingly insistent on this matter.
Even before she awakened her potential, Orfevre never watched other Uma Musume's race videos for anything other than pleasure; if she did, she would only watch her own, internalizing past mistakes.
"Even without watching them run, I'll crush everyone just fine! Just watch, Ikezoe! Even if they study me, I will win without cheap tricks!"
However, just as Orfevre's words fell, a new Aura suddenly appeared, disrupting the Aura of many members of the 'Orfevre Flattening Squad™,' as a teasing voice quickly rang out.
"Oh my~ what game are you all playing? Can I join?"
"…Tch, that old hag is here again."
The instant this familiar voice entered her ears, Orfevre's expression immediately twisted into one of extreme annoyance.
Then, as she looked up, Orfevre once again shot an unhappy gaze towards Maruzensky, who was walking in their direction.
This old hag— this was the third time she had come to see her Trainer this week, wasn't it?
The more she thought about this fact, the further annoyed Orfevre felt by Maruzensky at this moment.
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Translating another chapter late at night...
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.