The sunrise played back and forth at the port of her memory.
Light awakened the sleeping flowers and leaves.
The grass was rejoicing for a light rain.
And Legend was gazing at this beautiful world.
This morning, Legend very rarely didn't go for a morning run, but instead came to this port.
Tracen Academy is not far from the seaside, and the beach is also one of the training grounds that Uma Musume really like.
At the end of the beach is a small pier, which is said to have been built specifically for Tracen Academy.
The pier is not big, but it is complete with all necessary facilities. On weekends, there are always anglers coming here to fish.
This pier goes directly to the side gate of Tracen, which is an almost perfect straight line, so it also attracts many people who run.
But Legend rarely comes to the seaside to run, because she always stops because of the scenery on the sea.
But today, Legend came here for a rare visit.
This is probably what is called a whim, but it really is a nice view.
Legend sat on the pier, quietly watching the sunrise on the sea level, letting the sea breeze blow her golden hair.
The sea level reflected a shimmer, birds were soaring in the sky, everything was so quiet and harmonious.
"It's so beautiful..." Legend sighed.
"...Legend? Why are you here?"
A gentle voice sounded from behind.
Legend turned to look back.
Neat clothing, perfect posture, and the iconic green hat.
The true power behind Tracen Academy, the Chairman's secretary, Hayakawa Tazuna.
"Contemplating life?"
"Why is that a question?" Hayakawa sighed helplessly, "There are less than two days left until the Kikuka Sho, are you really sure it's okay to slack off?"
"It's no problem." Legend answered indifferently.
"You really are at ease." Hayakawa chuckled and did not refute Legend's words.
Legend looked at the chuckling Hayakawa, and suddenly remembered her meeting with Invincible two days ago.
"Sister Shunkawa, I want to ask you a question."
"What? Considering that you haven't made me go to the police station to pick someone up lately, Legend-chan, I will tell you everything I know." Hayakawa said with a smile.
"For an Uma Musume, what exactly is a [Domain]?" Legend asked.
"...Why ask this question all of a sudden?" Hayakawa asked, hesitating for a moment.
"Two days ago, when I went to visit Ardan, I met an Uma Musume. She was very special." Legend said, "I could perceive the power hidden beneath her petite appearance."
The aura was magnificent, the spirit at its peak, unparalleled.
"But strangely, I didn't feel her 'Zone'."
The 'Zone' is the sublimation of an Uma Musume's spirit and energy after honing them to the extreme.
An Uma Musume without a 'Zone' isn't necessarily weak, but an Uma Musume who possesses a 'Zone' is undoubtedly strong.
It can be said that the 'Zone' is a symbol of an Uma Musume's strength.
"She—that existence known as Invincible—has overturned my impression of the 'Zone'."
She doesn't have a 'Zone', but I truly sensed her strength.
"I have a premonition that the current me is no match for her. Even if I fully expand my 'Zone', I don't have the confidence to beat her."
This isn't logical.
Uma Musume have limits. Setting aside technique and aptitude, there actually isn't much of a gap between every Uma Musume who has reached the peak.
It's like a game character. Assuming the game version is the same, and setting aside skill modifiers, attribute counters, and a series of other factors, with the same top-tier equipment, everyone's stats are about the same.
This is also why Uma Musume who possess a 'Zone' appear so powerful.
They are like having an extra signature weapon. It's fine usually, but once the signature weapon's skill is activated, their stats jump up by a huge margin. How can you compete with that?
But Invincible broke Legend's impression.
This feeling is like playing Monster Hunter speedruns: you're fully geared in endgame equipment, chugged a ton of potions, used traps, and applied status effects, but in the end, your time is about the same as someone running naked with just a weapon and rushing in.
Oh, and you even lost.
Of course, it's not actually comparable like that, but the current situation is indeed similar.
"So you came running here early in the morning to doubt life?" Hayakawa Tazuna looked at Legend subtly.
"Huh? That's not it. I just came here on a whim today. Also, Sister Shunkawa, you're off-topic."
Legend waved her hand.
"Really? Fine, hmm~ let me think. Regarding the 'Zone', I'm sorry, I can't tell you what that is."
"Why?"
"Because that is my understanding, not yours. Some things cannot be told by others."
That is something you need to understand yourself.
"I see..."
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao, huh? Why make it so mysterious...
Legend muttered to herself.
"However, regarding what makes Invincible different, I can talk to you about that. Hmm~ where should I start?"
Hayakawa rested her chin in her hand, revealing a thoughtful look.
"Legend-chan, do you know where the term 'Zone' comes from?"
"Eh? Hmm... I don't know."
"The answer is that it was taken directly from humans."
"Eh?"
"Because the appearance and feeling are very similar, we (Uma Musume) also use this term to refer to that state. That is the origin of the term 'Zone'." Hayakawa waved her hand in mid-air, implying something.
"..." Legend frowned.
"Before this term appeared, we called this power the 'Eclipse Mode'."
"Eclipse... Mode?"
Why is it called that?
"Because the first Uma Musume who mastered this power and carried it forward was named Eclipse."
Upon saying that name, Hayakawa Tazuna's eyes became sharp.
A surging aura like a tsunami erupted, causing Legend's breath to hitch.
Legend could clearly see the arc of Hayakawa's mouth curling up.
"Ahem, excuse me." Noticing Legend's reaction, Hayakawa gave a light cough and returned to being that kind and reliable secretary.
"...It's fine." Legend swallowed, gently wiping the cold sweat from her forehead.
"Eclipse, the ancestor of Uma Musume, the greatest Uma Musume in history." Hayakawa paused for a moment before continuing, "That is not an exaggerated title."
If one were to make a list of achievements for Uma Musume in the world, then without a doubt, Eclipse would be at the top.
"She pioneered the Uma Musume system and led the creation of the current Uma Musume organizations."
The prototype of the Uma Musume Association was a civilian organization led by Eclipse.
"Her disciples are all over the world, and all current Uma Musume can trace their lineage back to her."
The establishment of Tracen around the world is also due to this.
"Her training methods are the foundation of all training methods today; almost all current Uma Musume training methods are derivatives of the Eclipse Training Method."
"...Almost?" Legend frowned, catching the key point.
Invincible seemed to have said that the training methods were different.
"The history of Uma Musume begins with Eclipse, but the history of Uma Musume has always walked alongside humanity."
Hayakawa said pointedly.
"A more ancient heritage... is it?"
"I'm afraid so. After all, there are quite a few famous Uma Musume in history over in China."
When it comes to heritage, China is second to none.
Invincible's words echoed in her ears.
Should I find an opportunity to go over there and take a look?
"Legend-chan, do you know? Before Uma Musume became Uma Musume, what did Uma Musume mean to people?"
Hayakawa said suddenly.
"Huh?"
"They represented military force and disaster."
Physical abilities far exceeding ordinary people, superior mobility, purer thoughts, and stronger desires—what an Uma Musume who embodied all these things represented cannot be glossed over in two sentences in a history book.
"..." Legend suddenly felt a sense of heaviness.
"Eclipse is called the greatest Uma Musume in history, not because she is the ancestor of Uma Musume, but because she turned the demons that brought war and death into angels that bring hope and dreams."
"...Why are you saying this?"
"I just hope you can remember that we are Uma Musume."
"..."
Legend turned her head to look at the sea; the sun had already risen.
The sea surface was sparkling, and seabirds were soaring with their wings spread.
"It's so beautiful."
Legend said softly, letting the sea breeze blow through her hair.
And Hayakawa just watched this scene with a smile, saying nothing more.
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