CHATTER CHATTER CHATTER
Everything was bright and dandy, the scent of grass rolling in the air as the expansive green plains stretched towards the horizon, meeting with the vast blue sky and a few mountains and forests popping off along the way.
It was yet another bright and sunny day with the symphony of the wind playing along with the boisterous chatter of the crowd, everybody talking with everyone they know and laughing from time to time as they told jokes.
Neighs, nickers, and stomps could also be heard all over the place, all sorts of horses present left and right coming in all colors, patterns, varieties, breeds, heights, and all sorts of unique physical features which aren't common to see elsewhere.
"Waah... There are so many horses..." ［Yuna］
"Hm? What's wrong? Why is your voice so downcast?" ［Grey］
"Mmn... Well... I'm just nervous... You're the strange one for acting fine. I thought we're here in this together..." ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. I'm also nervous, you know? But I'm also excited. Other than in televisions and internet videos, I haven't seen horse racing up close. Don't you think it makes your heartbeat a little faster?" ［Grey］
"It does... But... Uuu... I'm still nervous..." ［Yuna］
It was finally time for the qualifiers, and with all sorts of people coming from all over the region, there were hundreds of participants gathered around, each with their own prized horse and also their medals along with them.
The current event may be an annual, regional competition, but there have also been several racing tournaments all year round in various cities. Champions from such places now gather in Galderia to see which one of them stands at the top.
Of course, amongst those champions was Berns who has been winning events and tournaments left and right in his hometown. He is still in his mid-twenties yet he had already overtaken the veterans he had come across.
Yuna was already used to being the center of attention, but seeing all the flashy and veteran competitors surrounding them was more than enough to make her feel dizzy. She has been restless since early in the morning, her heart unable to calm down.
"Hahaha. This sure is nostalgic... Don't you think so too, Yuna?" ［Grey］
"Eh...? I thought you've never been to horse racing before...?" ［Yuna］
"No, not that, silly... I meant the situation... When we first registered in the Guild, you were also nervous back then. In fact, you were even shaking, weren't you?" ［Grey］
"Mou... It's been so long... Just forget it already... It's embarrassing..." ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. I don't think I will... It's a precious memory, after all..." ［Grey］
It has been over two years since then, and a lot has happened. They've fought strong monsters, challenged the labyrinths, explored different continents, destroyed criminal organizations, and now, they are even participating in a horse racing event...
Just reminiscing of the past was enough to calm Grey's heart down. He chuckled to himself as he recalled the different and absurd experiences they've been through, the warmth of his hands soon touching the young lady's, holding her in surprise.
"They say holding hands can make people feel calmer and more at ease. I thought it might help out a little bit." ［Grey］
"... I'll take you up on your offer then..." ［Yuna］
They weren't the exact same words they used nor were they in the same situation in which they await their examiner. However, simply holding hands and walking side by side made Yuna's heart flutter, her nervousness thawed by warmth.
There was a light blush on the young lady's face, her ears dyed a tinge of red. Her heart is racing like a stallion, but now, for a completely different reason. She could only describe it as happiness, a soft and fluffy feeling in her heart.
"It's still so early in the morning, and you two are already flirting so sweetly... Haah... It really is nice to be young." ［Fritz］
"Oh, Fritz... And Liz, too. Good morning. How was your night?" ［Grey］
"It was pretty good. I already heard you gave some nice wool to Cedric, and they used it to make the beds and pillows, but I didn't think it was that comfortable. If only there wasn't an event today, I would have loved to sleep more." ［Fritz］
"We still have more of that wool. Would you like some?" ［Grey］
"That would be greatly appreciated. Just make sure you don't give anything crazy expensive again. I don't want to do something so burdensome." ［Fritz］
"You don't have to remind me. We already learned our lesson, you know?" ［Grey］
It was neither Berns nor Logan, but the Landevar Father and Daughter combo that Grey and Yuna met so early in the morning. Eliza was so full of energy, she was practically beaming when she greeted Grey and Yuna a good morning.
With a small deal going on and some interesting stories to tell, everyone then headed to their little temporary post and there, they met up with Logan and the others who are now tending to their horses, making sure their conditions are at their peak.
"You came, Your Highnesses! Sven and Jasper will be in your care again today. Please do your best and good luck." ［Logan］
"Hahaha. We still don't know how things will turn out, but we'll try our best no to disappoint you, Mister Logan." ［Grey］
"Un! We will surely get through the qualifiers!" ［Yuna］
"Hahaha! That's reassuring to hear!" ［Logan］
She was just shaking a while ago, and now she was brimming with confidence, even going as far as to declare that they will be going through the qualifiers. It seems that the hand holding was a little too effective on the young lady.
Even then, it isn't going to be an easy competition. The participants would have to travel about 2 kilometers worth of distance, around a quarter of the city's perimeter and they will be working with different obstacles and challenges.
They have already registered themselves and got priority numbers in exchange. All that was needed was to wait and listen for their numbers to be called, and have your time be measured. It was a single-trial event where one must give their all.
After all, only the top 14 scorers will be allowed to go past the qualifiers and into the main event to be played tomorrow. With hundreds of participants signing up, there was but a slim chance that Grey and Yuna will be going through.
"Yo, Grey, Yuna. How are you feeling today? Are you nervous?" ［Berns］
"Hahaha. Just a little bit." ［Grey］
"Don't worry, you've already done the best you can, and you've already shown great promise yesterday. I'm sure you'll do just fine." ［Berns］
"Fufufu! We sure hope so." ［Yuna］
Soon, Logan handed over Sven and Jasper to Grey and Yuna, respectively. They have already been fed some delicious crops and greens, already healed of fatigue, and had their minds be relaxed and more focused with a few exercises.
The same could also be said for everyone else's horse, neighing so proudly as they stomped their foot. Each and everyone of them are already excited to let loose and want to take off to the tracks, to show everyone what they can do.
"Ah, right... I have something to... Where was it... Ah! Here they are. You two can have these. I made it myself so they're really effective." ［Berns］
Out of nowhere, Berns suddenly took something out of his storage ring and handed them over to Grey and Yuna. They looked like a dried ribbon made of a bunch of hay poorly tied together, not even a single piece of decoration in sight
Grey and Yuna could tell it was some sort of good luck charm, but looking at how poor its craftsmanship was, the two couldn't tell what they should use them form. No matter how they looked, it was just a bunch of straws clumsily strung together.
"That's a stallion charm. I don't really know where it originated from, but I heard that if you feed a ribbon of hay to your horse, it will bring about good luck." ［Berns］
"That's... That's quite the bizarre idea..." ［Grey］
"Hahaha! I think so too! But everyone I know does it, and I've also been doing it as far as I can remember. You could say it's a tradition of sorts." ［Berns］
"A horse racing tradition, huh... Hahaha. That's interesting." ［Grey］
"Thanks, Mister Berns. We hope you pass the qualifiers too!" ［Yuna］
They don't really get it, but seeing as to how sincere Berns was, Grey and Yuna didn't think too much of it and soon fed the lucky hay ribbons to Jasper and Sven as they continued to groom and bond with their horses.
The others are also bonding with their horses and even talking to them as if they were other people. They are already their trusted partners and also their longtime companions. The tracks was their battlefield and their bond was their weapon.
DING DING DING DING DING
Before long, the bell was rung and everyone gathered near the temporary wooden platform Cedric will be making his speech. Every equestrian and spectator listened carefully to the announcement and looked up at the stage with eager eyes.
"It's a fantastic morning, everyone. I am the Lord of Galderia, and also your host for our annual horse racing competition, Cedric von Aldridge. Today..." ［Cedric］
Cedric soon made his entrance, and as one would expect, he gave his speech regarding the opening of the qualifiers. Thankfully, Cedric was a considerate man, and rather than make a boring and lengthy speech, he made sure to be concise.
The rules, the safety regulations, the punishment for cheating, the length and layout of the course, and so on and so forth. Cedric only mentioned the important parts and left out the nonsensical boring words, ending his speech in just a few minutes.
"And most of all, I want everyone to enjoy the horse racing competition to your hearts' content... Everyone! Let's start the qualifiers!" ［Cedirc］
"""Ouhhhh!!""" """Yeahhhh!!!"""" """Let's do this!!!"""
The qualifiers finally started and with Cedric's signal, a loud cacophony of cheers rang out through the air. Everyone was greatly excited and readied their hearts for the upcoming competition, all their eyes brimming with passion.
One... Two... Three... Four... Five...
One number was called one after another, and the participants rode their horses down the tracks. The moment the flag was waved and the timer was started, they immediately started speeding, rushing through the obstacles.
Normal horses were able to fare fairly well, but they still paled in comparison to the hybrid horses which simply zoomed all throughout the place, conquering the whole 2 kilometer track in just a matter of a couple minutes.
"Woaaahh!! Why is there a trap here?!"
"Hyaa! Giddyup, buddy! Let's show these rascals what we got!"
"Argh...! Why won't you listen, dammit...! I quit! I quit this stupid competition!"
There were all sorts of people, and so, there were all sorts of reactions. Just seeing how everyone reacts to the situation was a good gauge of their skills and experience as horse riders, the veterans calmer than the beginners.
Some of the rich youngsters thought they could just get through the tournament with a good horse, but oh how wrong they were. Skill and bond was even more important, allowing the experts to maneuver through the traps and obstacles with much ease.
While many of the intermediate-level riders were able to finish the race, they were already extremely tired when they arrived at the finish line. It was only then that they realized how serious and extreme horse riding was.
Seeing it with his own eyes again, with all the annoying obstacles, the unexpected traps, the large ditches, and all the crazy things in the qualifiers, Grey once again understood how extreme Merusia. It was on completely different level.
"Number 35, done! Time: 1 minute and 17 seconds!"
"Number 38 has crossed the finish line! 1 minute and 22 seconds!"
"We have number 46's time! It's 1 minute and 3 seconds!"
Everyone was zooming through the course, passing through the obstacles as if they were nothing and setting personal records, completely different from last year. They were completely astonishing results, however...
"These guys wouldn't win..." ［Berns］
Berns has a completely different thought. He was unsatisfied with their results and could only heave a sigh as he continued to watch. The same also goes for all his friends, nodding their heads and completely agreeing with him.
"Hm? But isn't that fast...? Just a little over 1 minute is good, isn't it?" ［Yuna］
"That is fast, but not fast enough... Remember, only the top 14 can proceed with the main event. Everyone who exceeds a minute is practically out." ［Berns］
"Eh?! That's brutal! Isn't that really hard?!" ［Yuna］
"That's just how horse racing goes... The faster, the better..." ［Berns］
Commented Berns as he laid his eyes on the tracks once again, thinking ever so seriously and not missing even a single moment. Even the course repairs using magic, he scrutinized every single detail. The timer continued to run.
Normally, it would be hard to get a measure of everyone's time accurately, but the event has a card up its sleeves. It was a multi-million magic tool which resembled a stopwatch back on Earth. It was crazy expensive for something so simple.
But perhaps even more interesting was the speed of the horses. It was a whole 2-kilometer course filled with all sorts of traps and obstacles and yet it only took them only a couple minutes to bridge. It was insane no matter where you looked at it.
"There he is... That damned old man..." ［Berns］
One participant stood out the most. He was an old Baron whose territory was located northeast of Galderia, and looked like a frail old man, but his skills were no joke. He was so good at maneuvering his horse, it only took him 47.95 seconds to finish.
The old man is one of the leading figures in horse riding not just in the Barten region, but the whole kingdom of Alfrione. He also happens to be the man Berns and his friends want to surpass someday. A wall they must climb.
"Who is that? From what it looks like, he seems like a noble." ［Grey］
"You're right... That's Baron Wensley, the reigning champion and also a living legend amongst horse riders. It is said even His Majesty admires his skills." ［Berns］
"He must be really good then..." ［Yuna］
"Not just good... He's the best amongst the best." ［Berns］
Everyone continued to watch the horse racing qualifiers, and after the old Baron, yet another person displayed a time lower than 50 seconds. He was an old veteran like the former and also another living legend amongst horse riders.
The race continued, and time and time again, the riders challenged the course. Some passed, some were victorious, some gave up halfway, some were caught by traps, and some didn't even get to start, their horses throwing a tantrum.
"Number 83! Number 83! Please line up!"
"Looks like it's almost my turn. I'll see you later, everyone," ［Berns］
"Yeah! Show them what you got, Berns! Show them who's boss!"
"Don't you dare fail, or you'll be paying for dinner tonight!"
The wait was over and finally, it was Berns' turn to play. The very moment the flag was waved, he immediately gave his horse a soft bump and it immediately started cruising through the course, zooming at high speeds.
The ditches were leaped over, the walls were jumped over, the obstacles were dodged skillfully, the tight turns were maneuvered with ease, the traps were left untouched, the needless paths were ignored, and so on and so forth.
Berns made sure to take the most efficient paths he could, saving milliseconds with each decision he made, not allowing himself to make even a single flaw. Everything was practically perfect, the finish line soon in sight.
"Number 83 has crossed the finish line! Time: 50.08 seconds!"
The result was only to be expected. While Berns did not make it under 59 seconds, his time was still scarily close and deserved some praise. Cheers and applause rang from the crowd, everyone in awe of the young man's skills.
After Berns, it was his friends' turns, and much like him, they were also very efficient in the paths they take and decisions they make. They may be idiots most of the time, but their skills are undeniable. Their times were all under 1 minute.
"Number 106! Calling number 106!"
"Ah! That's me! Look forward to my results everyone!" ［Yuna］
"Un! Good luck, Elder Sister Yuna! You can do it!" ［Eliza］
"Good luck, Yuna. Just remember what we practiced." ［Grey］
Before long, it was finally Yuna's turn. She took Jasper by the reins and brought him to the waiting line. She was still a bit nervous, but she needs to face it head on. A light and sharp glimmer soon gleamed from her eyes as she switched to serious mode.
CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP
The flag was waved and the timer was started. Yuna didn't waste any time in urging Jasper to run, her white steed following her command. They streaked through the whole course without any problems, taking an entirely different route from the others.
Since she couldn't beat Berns and the others' speed, she ought to use shortcuts instead. She found unconventional ways all over the track to save time even just a little bit, passing through the obstacles as if they were nothing.
When there was a vertical wall, she scaled it with Jasper, using Jasper's speed to run and using her own body weight to counterbalance. When there was a wide ditch, she knocked over an obstacle and used it to go across. She was a wild one.
Fortunately enough, none of what Yuna did was wrong according to the rules. After all, they are allowed to use anything and everything throughout the course. Rather, they were pleasantly surprised by Yuna's performance.
"That's a finish! Time stop! Time is 53.67 seconds! 53.67 seconds for number 106!"
"Waah～! Elder Sister Yuna did it! She went below a minute!" ［Eliza］
"It went zoom, boom, and whoosh! Big Sister Yuna is amazing!" ［Galvin］
She wasn't just fast, she was extremely fast. She was fast to the point that it was unbelievable that it was her first time horse racing, and that she only has about a week to learn it all from Berns. It was beyond comprehensible.
"And you're telling me she's supposed to be a beginner... Haah... You two never really cease to surprise me. I couldn't even describe this." ［Fritz］
"Hahaha. She did her best, after all. It's because she's a hard worker." ［Grey］
"If hard work can only do so much, the world would have been a better place... Haah... I don't even know what to do anymore..." ［Fritz］
After Yuna, it was soon Grey's turn and much like his beloved fiancée, he also took unconventional methods to cross the track, using his eyes to scout ahead and plan several steps ahead, calculating everything as accurately as he could.
All his steps were calculated and all the paths they took were the easiest. Even the smallest of inconveniences was terminated by his detailed planning, reining Sven as gently as he can, all the while guiding him firmly.
"Number 107! Time is 52.11 seconds for number 107!"
As one would expect, Grey also got a great score as Yuna, only differing their times by just a little hit over a second. They could have gotten better scores had they had a longer time to practice... Well, they did everything they could and that's what matters.
Time passed just like that and the remaining participants got their time taken. There were several more people who got less than a minute on the timer, but thankfully, only a select few were able to get close to Grey and Yuna's times.
Finally, after several hours of horse riding and waiting, the results have finally been tabulated, and the list of finalists have been finalized. As expected, the old Baron was first, another veteran was 2nd... As for the others...
"Ohh!! Berns got 5th! That's amazing! That's a new record!"
"Look, Grey, look! I got 13th place! I really passed!" ［Yuna］
"Good for you. It seems like we'll see each other again tomorrow." ［Grey］
Berns got 5th place, Grey got 10th, and Yuna was 13th. One other friend of Berns also made it to the main event. All in all, it was a good day for everyone, having a bit more success than the previous years.
But perhaps the happiest ones amongst them were the children. They were all happy and jumping around, smiling from ear to ear as they cheered for Grey and Yuna. It was them that got the two to horse racing and for it, they were thankful.
"Elder Sister Yuna! Elder Brother Grey! We should celebrate!" ［Eliza］
"Hahaha. Let's do that, shall we? Let's cook someー" ［Grey］
However, the festive atmosphere didn't last very long. Grey couldn't even finish his words when he suddenly remembered something really important. Thankfully, his memories were jogged by Eliza's words, otherwise, it would have been trouble,
"Grey... Is something wrong...?" ［Yuna］
"No, it's just... Yuna... Isn't today Anne's birthday?" ［Grey］
"Ah..." ［Yuna］
They were so busy about the sudden horse riding event, that they almost forgot they were invited to the Little Angel's 1st birthday. They already bought the present, but it would be useless if they weren't there in the first place.
Fortunately enough, Eliza used the word "celebrate", otherwise, it would have been over for them. Not only would their hearts be crushed by guilt, Vanessa would also bug them to no end... Of course, what followed after was panic....
"Ahh! The birthday! The birthday party! Have we wrapped the present yetー No! That's not important! The cake! We haven't made a cake yet!" ［Yuna］
"Big Brother Grey! Big Sister Yuna! I also want to join the birthday party!" ［Galvin］
"An, yeah, just wait a moment, alright? I'll make a call to Big Sis Vanessa first to see if she's alright with it. Ah, no! Yuna, what about your dress?!" ［Grey］
"Oh, right! I think there was something Big Sis Vanessa wanted me to wear! Oh no, where did I put it?! Grey... I forgot where I put it!" ［Yuna］
"I'll help to look～! I wanna see Big Sis in a dress!" ［Bella］
"Ah, s-sure! Let's buy a dress next timeー Ah, wait?! What did you say again, Bellaー nom actually, Bella, can we buy some of your flowers?! And Ah!..." ［Yuna］
It was complete and utter chaos...
CHAPTER 482 END