The Ironclad and the Blacksmith

The parallel run on the other track had ended.

Satono Diamond returned to Trainer Chris, drenched in sweat. Crown hurriedly handed her some water.

She accepted it, but her eyes remained fixed in astonishment on Kitasan Black in the distance. After merely adjusting her breathing, she had already begun the next set of training.

"It's not like we've never trained or raced together," Crown said, watching her as well and shaking her head in disbelief. "But no matter how many times I see it, I still have to ask—Little Kita, is her entire body made of iron?"

Diamond took a few drinks and wiped her chin. Her gaze was locked onto Kitasan Black, filled with fighting spirit, determination, and even a trace of aggression.

"Made of iron..." For once, she spoke with a hint of humor as she looked at Trainer Chris. "Then it seems that in this Tenno Sho Spring, I'll have to see whether I can become a blacksmith."

Trainer Chris smiled. Crown looked somewhat puzzled. "A blacksmith?"

"A blacksmith hammers iron, doesn't he?"

Chris gave a brief explanation, then turned serious. "So, Diamond, did you confirm your hypothesis?"

Crown immediately snapped back to attention and looked at her sister with concern.

Diamond fell silent for a moment, then nodded before shaking her head.

"I did feel it..."

Slowly clenching her fist, she said, "Just how terrifying Little Kita is now.

"That was my purpose from the start. If I didn't truly experience what her current strength felt like, I couldn't determine where the final burst point should be. But..."

She raised her head, her expression complicated. "That burst point... I couldn't find it."

Trainer Chris patted her shoulder, her tone firm. "I see... That's enough already. Calculating and choosing a decisive point like this was originally my