The next day, Myriad Dreams sat in the Team Spica training room, carrying a lingering trace of exhaustion from yesterday's "family gathering" as she listened to the Trainer deploy the next set of plans.
The Trainer held a marker, drawing simple diagrams on the tactical board.
"Currently in Team Spica, aside from Silence Suzuka, the next one eligible for a race is Myriad Dreams. Spe-chan still needs a few months of systematic training to reach debut standards."
He circled a date in the following month.
"So, to help Myriad quickly accumulate experience and fans, the team has decided to let her enter next month's Sapporo Kinen!"
"Eh?! Challenging a G2 level race for her very first graded stakes?" Daiwa Scarlet spoke up, sounding a bit worried.
She knew very well that in a race of this caliber, the opponents would be nothing like those in a debut race.
"That's right," Okino nodded with certainty, turning his gaze toward Myriad Dreams. "I have faith in Myriad's strength."
"Her running technique, especially her rhythm control and cornering, is already quite mature, nearly perfect."
"What she needs most right now is to temper her will through higher-quality races, and..."
He paused, emphasizing, "...systematic strength and stamina enhancement training! The 2000-meter course of the Sapporo Kinen is an excellent test of endurance."
His tone shifted, and his expression turned serious.
"However, Myriad will need to face a formidable enemy that cannot be underestimated."
Everyone held their breath as the Trainer wrote a name on the other side of the board.
Marvelous Sunday.
"Since her debut, she has three wins in three starts, undefeated. Her debut race was won by a crushing margin of ten lengths."
"Ten lengths?!" A wave of suppressed gasps echoed through the training room.
Even for a debut race, being able to pull such a massive gap was proof enough that the opponent possessed monster-like strength.
The Trainer looked at Myriad Dreams, his tone solemn.
"Marvelous Sunday's running style is extremely oppressive, and both her speed and stamina are exceptional. Myriad, for the next few weeks, your training focus will be long-distance endurance runs and core strength improvement."
"You must be fully prepared for the 2000 meters!"
Myriad Dreams shed her usual casual demeanor and nodded earnestly. "I understand, Trainer. I'll give it my all."
At the same time, on another training field in the academy.
Marvelous Sunday was conducting endurance interval training on the turf.
Her strides were steady and powerful as she carefully felt the rebound and friction of the grass, striving to make her body completely adapt to the racing environment.
"Sunday—!"
A familiar voice called out from the sidelines.
Marvelous Sunday looked toward the sound, a brilliant smile immediately blooming on her face as she slowed down and ran over.
"Fuji Kiseki-senpai! What are you doing here?" she asked happily as she reached her.
The two had a very close relationship, Fuji Kiseki was a senior she deeply respected.
"Coming to check on your training, of course," Fuji Kiseki smiled before cutting to the chase. "I heard you're participating in the Sapporo Kinen next month?"
"Yes!" Marvelous Sunday's eyes were filled with confidence and fighting spirit. "I will definitely win that race!"
Fuji Kiseki admired her drive but offered a reminder: "Confidence is good, but this time, you need to pay special attention to one opponent— Team Spica's newcomer, Myriad Dreams."
"Myriad Dreams..." Marvelous Sunday thought for a moment.
"Is that the rookie who won her debut by eight lengths but froze up on the Winning Stage? I've heard of her, she's a hot topic right now."
"Whatever you do, don't look down on her because of what happened on stage." Fuji Kiseki's expression turned serious.
"I've watched her race footage. Her mid-leg rhythm, cornering technique, and explosive final leg are terrifying. She's exceptionally gifted."
"Her only weakness might be her lack of experience in big races, but for that very reason, you can't afford to be careless."
She patted Marvelous Sunday on the shoulder.
"For the upcoming training, I'll join you. We need to develop some strategies specifically targeting her characteristics."
"Really? That's marvelous!" Marvelous Sunday was overjoyed. "With Fuji-senpai helping me, I'm even more confident!"