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It was just a peaceful moment ten minutes ago in the Coral Highlands. I was simply relaxing, near the tallest peak of the biome licking the plants for moisture and cleaning my mane. That is, before "they" showed up. A hunter of the fifth fleet, carrying one of those massive swords used to slaughter my kind. And he's here . . Seeking a pair of new boots.
I struggled, I pulled, and pushed, and rained lightning. But with all my might I can't seem to put him down. All of his equipment, It was an equal brawl, with us two exchanging attacks and blows. And not even a minute later, I was limping. I tried to climb back up to the highest cliff, but he persisted to the point of nearly breaking my horn. But I won't let him slide, I won't let him go! With all my might, right as he was about to finish me off with his massive sword, I summoned a massive bolt of lightning.
His sword carved it's way into my head. Killing me in an instant, but it was an instant too late. As nothing could have stopped the lightning coming down on him. As we both died in the same time. I thought I could finally rest, despite no longer being in control of my own fate, I was content. How funny fate really is huh? I never bothered believing in fate. Only focusing on the small pleasure of life, being the embodiement of lightning and roaming the lands.
But before I could ascend into the afterlife, I was pulled away by a streak of light. As the vague sihouettes of three humanoid figures pulled me into the darkness. As I could feel my soul being pulled from one world, into another. And before long, I was reborn.
Days passed in my new form, as a human with similar features to my past life. White hair, a long flowing tail, a pair of equine ears, and most noticably out of all. My horn, azure and sparkly, crackling with magical energy like static in a lightning storm. I spent this new childhood in a rural village, far from major cities. Chasing the fastest deer or birds of prey, honing my speed and soon enough relearning to use my lightning to increase my endurance. I was a shining star, out pacing the local umamusame. I never participated in any actual races, but word of mouth somehow managed to reach the big stars of the racing world, the ones behind the URA.
I sat near a small waterfall just a run away from my hometown. Dipping my feet into the running water and breathing in the air. Only to be interrupted by a stranger. A tall man, with gray hair wearing a smart suit and tie. "Phew! It took me a long time to track you . . After all this time." The stranger said. I clocked the feeling of familiarity immeadietly. I turned my head around and. . There he was. The same hunter that tried to go after me in my past life and failed. He was bought here by the three goddesses as well!? "Stand back! Don't hurt me!" I shouted, but he approached unarmed. It felt unneasy, he dint't have the sword and armor he adorned himself with. But what else was I supposed to feel after being confronted by the hunter that wanted to take my life!?
"Relax, i'm not here to hurt you. It seems we both remembered our past huh . ." He calmly reassured.
What do I do now? I felt like murdering him a second time with another flash of lightning. But he was calm, and I began to lower my guard
"How did you find me? Theres no way you'd come across my village so far, far away." I asked, and he replied. "There we're rumors of an Umamusame, with white hair and crackling horn that had the ability to outspeed all competition near her. It all led me back to your town. And after asking the locals a bit of my skills from my past life, I found you here specifically." He dusted his pants off before sitting beside me on the river's edge.
"So why are you here?" I asked again
"That's because, im a Trainer now. And i'm here to scout you out as my Trainee!"
"I- what."
"You know! To become a racer like the umamusame being broadcast on TV! Don't tell me weren't interested!?"
"N-no I wasn't"
The hunter turned trainer sighed. "Oh come on, this was why I searched for you so badly! Back then when I too almost accepted being a part of nothing after I died, I was dragged too by the three Goddesses here as well. And they gave me one mission. "Find the Kirin, and teach her to run like all Umamusame." And I was reborn."
He said sincerely, there was zero lie in what he said. I thought about what his words, he wanted me to participate in the races that were on TV.
"No, I sincerely decline. I don't care that much for racing, a pointless endeavor like that dosen't appeal to me." I replied respectfully.
"It isn't a pointless endeavor. All umamusame have the will to run in their hearts, so why don't you?" He said again, trying to convince me.
This "will" that he says. I don't feel it, never once in this new life. I can't imagining myself in those races on TV, becoming a star, or crushing the dreams of those regular umamusame participating with my power.
"No I don't have that will. I simply don't have the heart for it." I repeated.
The trainer sighed once again. Convincing the Kirin would be difficult, but that's when his old persistence kicked in. As the fire in the trainer's heart ignited and his love showed.
"Hey Kirin. No matter what, I will not give up. I will reignite that explosive lightning in your heart. And maybe after, you can enjoy your peace. Ever since I was a hunter, I always admired the way you ran, and you gave a good fight and had me struggling. Winning and achieving goals isn't as foreign as you think. And I'm here to show you that." The hunter stood up, offering his hand to the beast made human.
The Kirin paused, the hunter's words reaching her heart. As a small spark ignited within her. But she wanted to test this human before hand.
"If your so persistant in training me. Then try and catch me." The Kirin said, walking towards the trainer and patting her hand on his shoulder. Before stomping the ground and kicking herself into a full sprint. The hunter could look in awe at the Kirin's speed before realizing he has another impossible task ahead of him. "It's on then!" The trainer shouted, as the strength and endurance of his past life we're also reignited.
The kirin ran out of the forest, and into the plains. Grass being flattened under her feet as she stomped forward continuing her sprint. She was more than a 100 meters away from her waterfall spot, surely that hunter would've given up by now- and she tripped. She unexpectedly ran off the side of a small ditch too fast, and scraped her knee on the dirt. She winced in pain, damn her luck. It won't be too long before he-
"Huufff. . . Huufff. . . What do you have to do to make an old man like me run for so loong. . ." The trainer finally caught up to her. Breathing heavily and exhausted. He slides down the ditch gently, and examines the Kirin's foot.
"Looks like it's a pretty bad scratch. Do you need me to bandage it up?" The trainer asked gently.
"Mmm. . Yea, thanks." The Kirin replied. "So you managed to catch me, well done!" She congratulated, as the trainer bandaged her wound.
"S-so. . Do you accept my offer?" The trainer asked
"I-I don't know still. I dint't want to hurt the dreams of those girls participating. Being that young, it could be frustrating to loose I dint't want to ruin them like that. It's unfair and all with my powers. ." The Kirin solemnly said. Her ears drooping and"Don't think about it that way! Winning and disappointing the dreams of others is a natural thing. And plus, many racers out there do have someunnatural abilities after all!" The trainer spoke precisely
"It is now my new mission, my new quest to help you rise into the mythical figure you once we're. I will raise this hatchling, and turn them into a powerul monster." He spoke again. Those words finally convincing the Kirin.
"Hm.. Alright then, then i'll become your trainee. I will assist you in your mission." The Kirin said
"My name is Kirin. My new birth parents really weren't that creative I know. . " She said, causing a small laugh from the Trainer
"Well then, my name is Ronn Hashagire. Former hunter of the fifth fleet, and trainer at Tracen Academy. It's a pleasure to be your accomplice Kirin." Ronn spoke. As he lifted Kirin up with his hands, helping the girl stand.
"Well then Kirin! It's time to pack your bags and fill those papers. It's time to get you into the nationals!" Ronn spoke again, causing Kirin to jump immeadietly
"N-Nationals!? I thought we'd be doing Regionals first!" Kirin said in response with confusion and shock
"No worries, with your exceptional talent, all eyes are waiting for your debut. No need to worry though, you'll have plenty of experience meeting and training with your partners!" Ronn said
"So, are you up for the challenge?" He spoke again
Kirin huffed "I'm ready for anything."
"That's the confidence you'll need." Ronn said. As the two walked back to town
And into the big leagues the Hunter and Elder Dragon go.