The Prophecy of Taking Over the World

Anzu did not truly put any thought into figuring out why.

The chaotic thoughts flashed through her mind only briefly before being swept away by a stronger instinct. Her mind went blank, leaving only one thought burned clearly into it—

Catch up!

Whether the one ahead was a formidable opponent called a "monster" or an insurmountable legend, she—had to catch up!

Catch up, surpass them! And then—

Win this race!

That unyielding will supported her already tiring body, squeezing out every last bit of strength.

She ignored the screams of her muscles, ignored the burning pain in her lungs. Her eyes saw only the figures ahead, gradually blurring yet still incomparably distinct.

Under that extreme focus and exertion, her consciousness even began to waver. It even felt as though the figures ahead—

Had slowed down?

No, they had not slowed down. She—had caught up?!

An indescribable ecstasy surged through her in an instant!

She—had passed them!?

She—

Had really passed Senior Oguri Cap, Senior Super Little Bay, and Senior Inari One—?!

Yet that joy was as fleeting as a shooting star.

The next moment, she realized something was wrong.

It was not that she had passed the seniors. The seniors had already stopped and were standing leisurely behind and to the side, chatting with one another.

Anzu abruptly stopped, staggering before she managed to steady herself.

She looked around blankly and saw that most of the other Horse Girls had stopped as well, their faces bearing either relief or regret after the race's end.

She instinctively looked up at the enormous scoreboard. A moment later—

"—Fourth place—"

Anzu stared dumbly at her ranking. After several seconds, she slowly lowered her head.

Her hands hanging at her sides quietly clenched, her nails digging deeply into her palms, before loosening weakly again.