With the URA Finals and the Legend Races looming, the air at the academy had grown electric. Rampage spent her days in a whirlwind of activity, constantly on the move and seemingly in touch with half the world at once. To an outsider, she looked less like a rookie trainer and more like a seasoned veteran—or perhaps something more unsettling. The sheer, effortless efficiency with which she juggled her impossible schedule moved past "admirable" and straight into "horror-movie levels of competence" for those watching from the sidelines.
"Taiki, I'm adding dirt sprints to your regimen today. Maya, you're hitting the hill climbs with Sunny and Stay. Stay, keep the Shinzan irons on. Air Groove, Dober, and Suzuka—you're up for a mock race."
Supporting this relentless pace was her sub-trainer, Kamizuru. Already regarded as a talent in his own right, his time by Rampage's side had forged him into something entirely different. The naive "new teacher" energy had evaporated, replaced by a thick-skinned, almost audacious professionalism. It wasn't just growth; it was as if Rampage had "power-leveled" him through the most grueling dungeons of the training world.
"What a schedule..." Air Groove murmured, wiping sweat from her brow. "It's the end of the year, yet there isn't a moment for the mind or body to rest."
As a member of Team Pleiades, she was used to a high-octane life, especially with the Arima Kinen and the Hopeful Stakes approaching. But this year was different. The year-end festivities had been bolstered by the sudden addition of the Finals and the Legend Races, set to explode right after the Hopeful Stakes.
"That said, today is the Arima Kinen," one of the girls noted. "And once again, the lineup is absolutely insane. It feels like every year since Rampage's generation, the Arima just gets more and more ridiculous."
The room fell into a chorus of silent nods. While this year's roster might not have reached the legendary heights of Rampage's own era, it was a "Who's Who" of the turf. The "BNW" trio who had defined the Classics were all starting, alongside Teio, McQueen, Ikuno, Bourbon, Rice, Nature, Turbo, and Palmer. Almost every single entry was a G1 winner. With Teio and Turbo eyeing overseas challenges next year, and the likes of McQueen and Palmer preparing for the Dream Trophy League, this was the final time the world would see this specific clash of titans.
"The public is calling it the 'Changing of the Guard,'" someone remarked.
"Hard to argue with that," Stay Gold grunted. "That monster generation ran wild for so long, and things are finally settling. Though, the ones coming up behind them are monsters too. I almost feel bad for the new Seniors."
Everyone agreed. As the BNW trio moved to the Senior ranks, Narita Brian's generation was rising through the Classics, with the likes of Bourbon and Rice standing as the walls they had to climb. The evolution of Japan's Twinkle Series had become so rapid it was drawing global eyes. Some critics whispered that the level had simply been low before and was only now reaching international standards—but regardless, the world was ready to welcome Japan to the top table.
"So, where did our resident Tyrant run off to?"
"Final adjustments for the Finals," Kamizuru replied. "Holding a massive event right at the end of the year is causing a lot of logistical headaches. A few bureaucrats are whining, but most people are thrilled. They've got a new reason to celebrate the holidays."
Two days of high-stakes racing. Even Rampage hadn't expected the Finals to mirror her "previous life's" gaming app so closely, landing right on the heels of the Arima.
"Anyway," Kamizuru concluded, "all we can do today is watch."
"Ugh, what a massive pain in the ass!"
In a corner of the Chairwoman's office, Rampage slumped onto a reception sofa and let out a frustrated roar.
"They're obsessed with the most trivial bullshit! Why can't these morons use their brains for once? Use me to boost your own standing, you idiots! 'Oh, are you trying to threaten the dignity and authority of the URA?' Give me a break! Do you have any idea how worthless your seats actually are? I swear, I'll call the President and both Secretaries and have them dismantle the whole lot of you!"
"...She's really worked up, isn't she?" the Chairwoman's secretary murmured.
"Indeed," the Chairwoman replied. "Quite the tempest."
Rampage's fame was a double-edged sword. There were very few places she could truly relax. Within the academy, she was always "The Trainer," so the Chairwoman had offered her office as a sanctuary. Unfortunately, the sanctuary was currently being bombarded by "outside noise"—petty interference from traditionalists that was sending Rampage's stress levels through the roof.
"Chairwoman, seriously—can I just crush the URA? If we need to rebuild, I can talk to U-chan, Grandmother, and Sue-chan. We'll have a new association up and running in a week."
"Stay calm! While that would be fascinating to watch, we cannot have a situation where the Twinkle Series is suspended!"
"Chairwoman, that's... not a very helpful response," the secretary sighed.
"Haaaah... Sorry. I lost my cool." Rampage downed a cup of bitter, black coffee, trying to center herself.
The interference had been a low hum for a while, but with the official start of the races approaching, it had turned into a tidal wave. She had already tapped her high-level connections to start silencing the critics, but as the organizer, there were still administrative fires she had to put out herself.
"Dammit, at this rate I'm going to miss the Arima Kinen... Those fossils. I'll make them regret every second of grief they've given me."
"You have my permission!" the Chairwoman declared. "Do it with style!"
"Honestly, with Uranus-san, the Mejiros, and the Symbolis already moving, I'm not sure how much more 'style' we can add," the secretary noted. "But if you need us to move, just say the word."
"I'll hold you to that if it gets ugly... but I'm an adult. I'll handle my own messes as much as I can."
Rampage had already sorted the "pests" from the "merely annoying" and sent the list to her grandmother. Things would settle. But just as she started to relax, a knock came at the door. Rampage's shoulders slumped. How long have I been working? she wondered. It was irritating how easily her "Human Soul" experience as a corporate drone kicked in when things got busy.
"Chairwoman, I've brought the guest."
"Excellent! Though, technically, this is an introduction for Rampage."
"I heard you had someone for me," Rampage said, rubbing her eyes. "But who is it?"
The second reason she was in the office was that the Chairwoman had insisted on introducing her to someone. If the Chairwoman was vouching for them, Rampage figured they were worth the time.
"She is a horse girl currently in university," the Chairwoman explained. "She's studying live production and management, working hard to realize her dream of the perfect concert. She's a junior of mine, and she was very eager to meet you."
"I'll call her in."
"Production, huh? A student who—" Rampage paused. A strange sensation, like a spark of recognition, flickered in the back of her mind.
The door opened, and a horse girl stepped inside. She looked nervous, her ears twitching with anxiety. She had bay hair and a distinctive ribbon on her left ear. One look at her face, and Rampage felt the world tilt.
"H-H-Hello! My name is... Light Hello! It is an absolute, p-profound honor to meet you, Mejiro Rampage-san!"
Of course, Rampage thought, mentally staring up at the ceiling in resignation. So that's how it's going to be.
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