The gates opened as everybody spurred out toward the track; the cheers roared. Most of them were toward Echo Eclipse. Echo easily took the lead and sped up, once again forcing the pace of the entire race.
Once again, Echo is proving that her record isn't due to a fluke, even in a G1 race.
Off the rip, Echo was leading by 4 lengths, and this was still the first stretch. Unfortunately for the rest of the runners, those that decided not to drop out of this race wouldn't have had the chance to take first place.
Her stride widened as the gap between her and the pack increased.
6 lengths.
9 lengths.
12 lengths.
Echo had reached the first corner of the track, and she wasn't slowing down anytime soon. She stuck close to the barrier of the track before leaning her upper body so far ahead that it looked like she could've fallen down.
Yet she doesn't.
Her legs are pumping forward while keeping her centre of gravity low, allowing her to glide right next to the barrier while running around the corner.
Once again showcasing her prowess. The way the thin white cloth slackens from her neck, to the way the transparent white sleeves fluttered with each movement she makes.
Everybody loves a good underdog story, but undoubtedly, Echo Eclipse will be the winner of this race. She isn't letting other runners take first place.
Echo kept on speeding up; the gap increased.
19 lengths.
23 lengths.
24 lengths.
Then, at the end of the 2nd stretch. Echo Eclipse had fully disappeared for a moment, flickering ahead at the 2nd corner.
To the average eye, it looked like she was blurring and flickering due to her high speed. But to the professional runners and retirees, they can tell it is not just speed, but also technique, muscle control, and intent.
The stuff you usually see in a Senior or world classed races, and Echo learned all of this instinctually. Symboli Rudolf's trainer, Kazuo Fujisawa, didn't teach her this for sure. Because even though he managed to create a training schedule for her, he never dealt with a monster like Echo Eclipse and thus only multiplied the difficulty of professional training.
Now imagine if someone knows how to train the type of monster Echo is, and was capable of polishing that raw potential instead of letting Echo do her own thing.
So, the fact that Echo managed to learn all of this and incorporate this into her running style instinctually with no teaching is a testament to her potential and talent.
Echo flickered ahead, like a wind that is incapable of slowing down.
29 lengths.
31 lengths.
She is now on the last stretch to the finish line, while the pack just arrived at the end of the second stretch.
'The wind feels good,' Echo mumbled while running, closing her eyes and feeling the warmth of the wind amidst the frigid, snowy weather. She thought back to the Japan Cup, when Rudolf and Ace had that duel; Echo wanted to experience such a thing too.
She wanted to put her all into the race, for the sole purpose of winning the race.
She opened her eyes, and before she knew it. She had already crossed the finish line with a 41-length distance.
"Fuah... Fuh... Already?" she whispered to the wind accompanying her, feeling slightly disappointed that she reached the finish line so soon.
"..." she panted silently as she stared at the finish line.
'Now that I think about it, did I ever win a race with pride?' Echo slowed down before coming to a stop, breathed heavily before turning and looking at the audience. She could hear cheers and excitement from her fans and from the commentator.
'Every time I won a race, I would be happy and excited. But have I ever felt proud of winning a race that was so easy?' She smoothly adjusted her facial muscles, putting on her mask as she 'smiled' happily and gave her signature winning pose with an extra flare to her steps.
'The answer is no. Then what is the purpose of racing? I know why I run, but why do I race?' She then turned around; she could see the packs approaching the finish line after some time.
"Old lady convinced me to race because she found it sad to see my potential go to waste..." she once again whispered with a dull gaze.
'The entire reason why I decided to race is so that I can have somebody run beside me.'
"Why did I have to debut this year... Rudolf, oh Rudolf... I wouldn't be thinking so negatively if I had debuted a year before... I could've had that same exciting duel with Rudolf and Ace at the Japan Cup."
She subconsciously walked toward the podium, deafened by the surrounding sound.
'There's nothing wrong with being born a normal genius; they get to have rivals, grow from the competition, and break their limits to beat each other. '
'Yet here I am. Rudolf declared me her rival, but we never raced officially. Oh, Rudolf... Please do not let me win so easily once we meet in an official race...'
'Otherwise, I won't know what I might do.' Flashes of memories of that alternate version of herself appeared in her mind.
'Is there anyone who can easily beat me once I fully grow up?'
Echo doesn't remember what she did clearly, but she had finished the photoshoot on the podium and answered some interviews.
She was ready to finish and run off to the van until...
"How arrogant, filly." A sharp, elegant voice cut through the noise, causing Echo to lift her head. She stared in confusion while selectively pinpointing who had said that. Immediately, the interviewers and fans parted like Moses to the sea, revealing the woman.
They did not understand what led them to step aside as a woman walked down toward Echo Eclipse.
Echo, standing at 154cm tall, stared up at the lady, who was standing at around 165cm tall. The cat brooch glistened in the sunlight as her amber-gold eyes stared coldly at Echo.
"Do you truly believe that nobody can beat you on the track?" Her presence appeared and enveloped everybody, pushing them down to the ground, kneeling.
Rudolf, who was going to the van, saw this and was enraged. Nobody gets to treat her, Echo Eclipse, like this, but before she could do anything. She and Echo's friends were stopped by Mr C.B., Maruzensky, Director Akikawa, and Tazuna.
"What are you doing? Let me go," Rudolf growled at them, but they sighed while still standing in her way.
"You can't. She is Kincsem," Akikawa said while opening her fan, which said 'Do not.'
Rudolf froze in shock; she had heard of her. But wasn't Kincsem in seclusion and retired from racing? Why would she be here to watch a small race that isn't worth her time? Unless...
"Echo Eclipse?" she said subconsciously, and her principal nodded.
"I invited her to tutor Echo Eclipse; today is the end of her observation period."
"Wh-" Rudolf stopped herself from saying why; she understood clearly why. There is no trainer in all of Japan capable of tutoring and training Echo Eclipse, because Echo Eclipse isn't like normal runners or geniuses.
Only a veritable monster can understand and train another monster.
Upon this realisation, Rudolf slowly turned her head toward Echo and Kincsem.
"Isn't that the truth?" Echo did not try to clear the accusation, and Kincsem only smirked and laughed.
"How cheeky, you are correct!" She said with an entertained smirk; then the pressure was twofold. Now pushing down on Echo Eclipse.
"For runners your age, that is. Even though I am overdue and long retired, I can still beat you easily." Echo fought against the pressure, glaring at Kincsem.
"Who are you, then?" Echo grunted, flaring her own aura to fight the pressure emanating from Kincsem's presence.
"Me? I am the Unbeaten Hungarian Wonder, and your new trainer." Kincsem chuckled before turning around.
The situation became eerily quiet before Kincsem spoke, "Don't be arrogant, filly. Otherwise, I will curb stomp that ego of yours to death." She hummed before leaving.