Agnes Tachyon's story

Hey, you. You're finally awake.

Looks like you're in a state of shock. You just regained consciousness, so I'd advise you to not overdo it.

Now, sit in this chair for me. It's time to relax.

Now... do you know why you're here? Can you recall?

By the way, I'm the one who carried you here while you were unconscious. So the question is <I>how</I>, and <I>why</I>, did you lose consciousness?

Hey, heeey, heeeeey! Tachyon, I said waaait!

Why, if it isn't Bakushin O! What's got you this riled up? It's not like your beloved homeroom was burned to a crisp or anything.

You're right, it wasn't burned to a crisp!

Then all's well that ends well. See you.

Your class representative commands you to stop! There's nothing well about any of this!

Yes, the classroom is still standing! BUT! Do you understand how close we got to disaster?!

One corner of the classroom had an eensy bit of smoke, right? Is it really something our class representative should get so upset about?

Huh?! H-hmmm... When you put it that way...

You only filled the entire classroom with smoke, so I guess I should let you off this time?

Magnanimity is a virtue, class representative. You would do well to remember that.

...Ah, wait! The teacher even told me eight times to ignore the excuses and capture you!

I won't let you escape, Tachyon!

Ahahaha! I knew that wouldn't work!

Stop right there! BAKUSHIN, BAKUSHIIIN!

Oh! You there, yes, you, the trainer! Don't let Tachyon through!

Hm? Whoa, there!

Hm, looks like you remember the events that transpired.

What a peculiar thing to ask... To further my research. Why else?

Might you be the type who gets lost in their own thoughts? As someone of the same breed, I understand your confusion all too well.

Out of the kindness of my heart, here's some advice, you'd be wise to guard yourself better.

After all, you never know when you might run into a researcher looking for a spry, healthy adult male to serve as her test subject, right?

As for me, this windfall is certainly welcome. Maybe I should pay my respects at the shrine.

At any rate, everyone at this academy already knows me far too well. Forget asking for test subjects, everyone runs away from me on sight.

And yet, HA-HA-HA! Never would I have imagined that fresh blood would show up on my doorstep! What a stroke of luck!

So, my guinea pig, ah, apologies, I mean rookie trainer.

An adult needn't worry about such trifling matters.

More importantly, I have one special, wait, given your heartiness, I'll have you drink three of my medicines.

Heh-heh-heh, the proof is in the pudding, or should I say, the medicine?

Don't worry... Worst case, both of your legs will glow green-gold for a few hours. A cute side effect, if I say so myself.

What I really want to see is the human quadricipital data that I can collect with this.

It's a well-known fact that human and Umamusume body structures are almost entirely identical, but by comparing data from both, perhaps a new...

Tachyon... Are you up to no good again?

Why, if it isn't Cafe! What's the matter? Perhaps you've finally come to join my experiment...

Keep dreaming. I came to tell you that the teacher's looking for you. I think... it's about the upcoming tryouts.

Hurry up... and go already. Now... Right now...

Okay, okay... Message received, so don't glare at me like that! Looks like the experiment will have to be put on hold.

See you around, rookie trainer!

Sigh... I'll... untie you...

You're kidding. I just took a look at the new pamphlet and I can't believe my eyes, Agnes Tachyon is entering!

Huh, the Agnes Tachyon?! The one who's supposed to be as dangerous as she is talented?!

Tachyon, Agnes Tachyon?! That's weird... Cafe, have you seen Tachyon?!

W-what? Why would I have seen her...

Whaaat? What should I do...

Oh, so Tachyon's a no-show again. Aw, I wanted to see that lightning-quick final spurt of hers that everyone always talks about.

Her grandmother won the Oaks, and her mother the Oka Sho. Before she started at Tracen, everyone was saying she was the jewel of a distinguished bloodline...

But her eccentricity has put a bit of a damper on that...

Greetings, Manhattan Cafe. Agnes Tachyon is... not here, I take it?

She should've received an official notice from the academy telling her that participation in today's tryouts would be mandatory.

About that... I'm the one who told her the teachers had something to discuss with her the other day... I even saw her leave to meet with them... But, well...

Another absence... I see. Thank you, I understand the situation.

Oy... Whatcha doing loafin' around here, Tachyon?

A rare illogical query coming from you, my dear Shakur. I, a student of this academy, am standing on campus. Is there any reason to inquire about my intentions?

Tch, that's not what I meant! Aren't you registered for today's tryouts?!

Ha-ha-ha! No need to be so grouchy! Are your serotonin levels getting low?

The answer is simple, I concluded that there was no reason to enter. Unfortunately, my goals do not coincide with those of the tryouts.

Besides, the last time I entered, things didn't end pretty. All those trainers swarmed me like guinea pigs to cabbage.

...That's just proof of how great you are at running.

The problem was, all of their training schedules had excessive wastes of time. Throwing invaluable research time down the drain is beyond me.

Trainers judge us Umamusume by their own standards, so we should be able to screen them as well. Isn't that right?

Agh, you know what? Forget it! I've done my part, so I'll be leaving. Go and play hooky all you like.

But just so you know... skipping class for your experiments, ditching the tryouts, and turning down every scouting offer, all that means you won't be able to debut.

To be frank, you're standing on thin ice with the academy.

Hmph. She tells me to do as I like and then ends with a warning... Heh-heh, you really are a delight, my dear Shakur.

Oh? If it isn't the rookie trainer from the other day!

Are you here to become my test subject of your own volition?! What an amazing display of guinea pig spirit! I'm moved beyond words!

Ah, so that's why. Alas, I have not even an inkling of desire to participate.

Just as you trainers see the tryouts as a place to discover promising talent to scout, we Umamusume view it as an opportunity to display our talents.

However, I see no reason to flaunt my racing skills in front of trainers at this time. Therefore I will abstain. The end.

But on a more important note, why don't we continue our experiment where we left off?!

Last night, I completed a prototype device that can measure muscle functions. Using this, I can collect data a thousand times more detailed than...

Only through experiments can we discover all manners of possibilities. You can never possess enough time for research, am I wrong?

I'm researching the potential of Umamusume.

More specifically, the dormant physical potential within Umamusume as organisms. And by potential, I mean their top speed, no, what lies beyond that.

People view an Umamusume's top speed as something definite, but common knowledge is the enemy of progress. Extrapolating without preconception...

We recognize that the existence of us Umamusume is an enigma in itself, no?

Despite resembling humanity, we possess high-functioning ears and tails, as well as inexplicable strength in spite of our low muscle mass.

And when it comes to running, we can achieve speeds almost unrivaled within the natural world.

Ahahaha! Fascinating! Don't you think it's fascinating?!

In their essence, the impulses running through my cerebral cortex are laughably simple. How fast can we run? How far does our potential reach?!

This I declare! With this body, I shall discover the limits of our speed!

It's said that the fastest Umamusume are the ones who become race-ready, that is to say, their bodies are prepared to achieve the highest possible speeds of their lifetimes.

In order to enhance my speed, entering strenuous races and challenging formidable opponents will be indispensable.

Therefore, qualifying for the Twinkle Series would undoubtedly be a huge step forward for my research. That is why I came to the academy.

But, alas...

Agnes Tachyon. The academy would like to have a word with you. Come with me.

Hmph, so they found me. Excuse me, rookie trainer, but I must depart.

Then... you've made up your mind? You're really going to leave?

Yes, I suppose. It appears that the academy forcing me to enter the last tryouts was them giving me one last chance.

You could've just... entered the tryouts. Or maybe... attended a few more classes...

I'll always pass on wasting time that could go into my research. That said, I've always attended the useful classes.

But... if you drop out, you won't be able to race in the Twinkle Series. What will happen... to your research?

I'll continue it, of course. I still have my brain and body here with me, after all.

And it's not as if the Twinkle Series is the only place to race against the best Umamusume.

Perhaps I should move my lab overseas! The UK, France, America, Dubai, the possibilities are limitless!

Overseas... That's... pretty bold of you...

Ha-ha-ha! Anything for the sake of my research!

In any case, I plan to use this Umamusume body of mine, of Agnes Tachyon, to discover what lies beyond our top speed. That hasn't changed one bit.

...Is that so?

Hm? What's this? Might you be worried about me?

Could it be that after being experimented on so many times, you've come around?! Never fear, I'm willing to send my future medicines to you!

No thanks... I'm just hoping... I won't be wrapped up in weird experiments... ever again.

What?!

But... I'm glad you're continuing your research. Goodbye.

Ah! Cafe, wait! I have one final experiment... But I guess she's gone already.

Greetings, rookie trainer. We've been seeing each other a lot lately, haven't we?

You nailed it. I got in because of everyone's hopes for me, and they even overlooked my eccentricities, but it looks like the higher-ups finally had enough.

This academy is renowned for prioritizing its students' freedom and does so by providing them with cutting-edge training facilities.

But it has no need for students who neither get scouted nor make their official debut.

It doesn't need someone who skips class and refuses scouting offers in favor of research.

In the end, the academy recommended that I drop out.

It's a shame I won't be able to enter the Twinkle Series. And my research will surely slow down as well.

However... it's still better than letting my research stagnate in favor of school.

I knew this day would come. Perhaps I was waiting for it. Actually, this is...

I won't have you saying something as sad as "This is a blessing."

Oh? Now here's a surprise. If it isn't one of the academy's top brass.

Sorry to interrupt, but I have some business with her. Agnes Tachyon, do you really intend to leave this academy?

My intentions are to continue my research, President. Is that all you came here to ask?

Yes, that is all. As such, I have a request for you.

A request? Hmph, what could it be?

Agnes Tachyon, come for a run with me.

Oh, and there you are in the stands. Rookie trainer, you're rather persistent, now aren't you?

Hmph. I don't hate a person who's starving for knowledge. Watch to your heart's content...

Because this is the last time I'll run on this track.

Sorry for the wait, Agnes Tachyon. It's just us two... and this rookie trainer. Looks like we can enjoy our duel in peace.

Isn't that precisely why you picked this time slot? I don't know what you're planning, though.

Hm... Now then, does 2,000 meters on turf sound good to you?

Anything is fine with me. I'm sure I'm greatly indebted to you, so I'd be happy to return the favor.

There is no reason to thank me, in the end, I failed to protect you.

Ha-ha-ha! You're always way too serious! Anyways, 2,000 meters on turf, right? I'll go get ready.

...

She enrolled at Tracen to enter the Twinkle Series for her research. But if her duties as a student here hinder her research, then her leaving is inevitable.

There's no need for her to stick with the Twinkle Series. She can move her base of operations anywhere else and enter other races with skilled competitors.

Everything she does is so logical, which makes it all the more strange, does it not?

Why has she chosen to stay at this academy until breaking point?

Why this academy, where she can't avoid the trainers she herself calls nuisances?

...What do you think?

Well then. Are your preparations complete, Agnes Tachyon?

I'm ready whenever you are, President.

Pant, pant...

Pant... You're the Emperor, all right!

(The existence of virtual particles that travel faster than light without contradicting special relativity has yet to be disproven.)

(The top speed of an Umamusume is theorized to be about seventy kilometers per hour, but there's no data that rejects the possibility of overcoming that!)

(Understand? It's about potential! My body, and my legs, are overflowing with potential!)

Hgh?!

Faster! Faster! Faster!

The latent potential within an Umamusume's legs! The limits of this body's speed!

I've yet to see even a glimpse of either, for I know that they lie beyond the horizon!

Pant... Pant, pant!

I'm exhausted! Absolutely incredible, Agnes Tachyon!

Heh-heh, how nice of you. You are the victor, though.

Only by a nose, Nay, we finished at essentially the same time. You are a formidable foe.

This is why letting you go would be too great of a loss. Have you had a change of heart? Perhaps even a little?

Was this run your attempt to make me feel longing for this academy? If so, I regret to inform you, I've made up my mind.

I see... Then, what about after hearing his story?

Hm? Whose story?

Heh.

...Hm? What's that look on your face for?

How should I put this, you look rather impassioned. Perhaps even driven to madness?

Hey now, don't play dumb with me!

You want to scout me, don't you? Well, cut it out, I don't need any more delays to my research.

I do, but what's it to you?

Huh? Wait, what?!

...I'm shocked.

Dare I say, even impressed. Ha... Ha! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I've never seen such a willing test subject! Were you a guinea pig in your past life?!

Oh?

You certainly say some delightful things. So you're okay with being my test subject? You're okay with me stripping you of your human rights? Heh-heh-heh!

...What caused this change of heart?

Hmmm...

And there it is. Truly driven to madness, huh? Heh-heh-heh!

Very well. Follow me.

Slow on the uptake, aren't you? To the staff room, of course. I can't drop out if I have a trainer counting on me, now can I?

Heh-heh, you'll be my guinea pig, perhaps even worse than that. But if you're okay with that, then come with me.

I'll show you what lies beyond our limits, what nobody has yet to witness.

...Hm, actually, let's wait a second. At least until the side effects wear off. It'd be a bother if you caused unnecessary confusion or chaos.

Haven't you noticed? You're glowing. Greenish gold, if I might add.

You're perspiring profusely. Your body temperature... Yes, you're burning up quite a bit.

You may be a guinea pig, but your body disperses heat just like a human. But I suppose we'd have a problem if you didn't.

This reminds me of when we first met. But things are a little different. This is my personal laboratory. Here, no one will get in my way!

Not at all! I'm here because you wished for experimentation!

You were the one who prepared this environment. As such, is it not fitting to christen this as my laboratory?

Ahahaha! Know this, a guinea pig's duty is to accept all phenomena as experiments waiting to happen.

You were the one who chose to be my guinea pig. Do you think you're in a position to demand when, where, or how my experiments proceed?

If I am to surpass my limits and realize the latent potential of Umamusume-kind, then I must devote myself to research, in other words, more experiments!

Now, I'll have you ingest my newest creation. Look, this one glows a pleasant blue.

Heh-heh-heh... With this, your muscular strength will increase a thousandfold, giving birth to a body surpassing that of any monster!

All right, open wide.

Good morning, my guinea pig.

Hm? You look rather frightened, you know? Did you have a nightmare or something?

The lighting hasn't changed, yet your pupils are dilated. Heh-heh-heh... You've piqued my interest. Go on, tell me all about it.

Even now, modern science is unable to explain the precise mechanisms of how we dream. However, from the lens of depth psychology...

We can infer that the image of me within your subconscious is of an Umamusume who experiments on people without considering their feelings.

At any rate... I see. I can't believe I did all that in your dream.

Heh-heh... I really said, "Open wide"? The Tachyon in your dream actually bothered asking?

As if a guinea pig had any choice in the matter!

Ahahaha! What're you looking surprised for? Did you forget that you're my personal test subject?

A shame about earlier, though. Just a little bit more and I would've quietly poured some Medicine-β down your gullet.

Just to be clear, I was trying to show you mercy, okay? While β works wonders, it comes at the cost of its rancid taste.

But instead of me trying to pour 120 milliliters of β down your throat without spilling, be a dear and flush it down yourself.

Much easier than having to force your mouth open after all!

What's wrong, my dear little guinea pig? Step one, take the medicine from my hand. Step two, drink it. Easy enough, right?

Why, if it isn't my trainer!

Might you be here to carry my bags? Heh-heh, I'm touched! Now work to your heart's content.

No worries, I don't mind. You can get that over with along the way. As you know, I am nothing if not magnanimous!

A single tomato provides a non-insignificant amount of nutrition, and yet this cumbersome body of mine still demands more.

So I'll get a tomato... and three steamed chicken breasts to make a salad. I can't neglect my protein intake if I want to see muscle growth.

Agh, what a hassle. If only I could sustain myself solely on supplements.

Hey now, isn't eating just an act to replenish our nutrients?

Most sources of nutrients can be absorbed even if they're ingested in their base state. In some cases such as lycopene, ingesting processed foods is more efficient.

However, I have no time to waste on cooking. Usually, I just throw everything I buy into a food processor and call it a day.

If possible, I don't want to waste even a second on oral replenishment. Time is finite, my dear Trainer!

Sigh... If the cafeteria was always open, I wouldn't have to waste my time shopping.

You, cook?! Haha! Should I call you devoted or just subservient?

I can't rule out the possibility that you may have developed an addiction to serving me after all of our experiments.

Heh-heh, fine by me. It'll free up my day. Not a bad idea at all.

It's decided, I'll leave dinner to you. Attend to me with all your being!

Ah, and don't make anything too high in calories. Make sure to prepare something nutritionally balanced.

What's the matter, calling me out at this time?

Oooh, that's right! I was so absorbed in my research that I forgot to eat.

You see, I decided to go back to basics. Like the pursuit of faster-than-light speed, unlocking the potential of Umamusume requires the use of four-momentum...

What are you so riled up about? In any case, my research is in a good place. I won't need you for some time, but you can look forward to it all the same.

I'll take that food off your hands, but I must return to my lab posthaste, my research begs for a resolution.

Yawn... Good morning, Trainer. Here, my lunchbox.

Vitamins, minerals, proteins... Lipids and carbohydrates, too. All present. I give it an A for balance.

It wasn't unpalatable. But there are two things you can improve for next time.

First, I consumed the food during the downtime between experiments, but having to use chopsticks proved to be a hassle. Fix that.

Second, there was far too little rice to accompany the main dish. Add some more to balance things out.

I assume today's portion is a lost cause, but I expect these flaws to be ironed out moving forward.

My breakfast, of course. You do have it, don't you?

It's time for me to return to the lab. Come on, hand it over.

Wh-what?!

You didn't make me breakfast?! You're kidding me! You're telling me I left my research for this?!

Didn't you promise to prepare my meals?!

Huh?!

Do I have to ask you for every meal?! That would be way too inefficient!

It's your job to look after me! So give me something to eat, pronto!

I said now! I want to eat now!

I can only suppress this craving with nourishment, or experimentation at your expense.

Now, pick your poison. Either make me food or fulfill your role as my guinea pig.

Fine by me. I'll move our experiment to the afternoon, so hurry up with that breakfast, will you?

Naturally, it's your duty as my guinea pig. Making me food is your duty as my trainer.

Going all the way to the cafeteria is too much of a pain. I think I'll go take a nap, so wake me up when the food is ready.

Hey, I'm not asking for much. Feel free to use the leftover ingredients from yesterday's meal. You still have them, I assume?

All right, hop to it! Hurry up and make me food!

I have a sudden urge to prove a theory that I've been losing sleep formulating. But before we start the experiment...

Trainer, how are you feeling?! Your body temperature? Hours slept? Food consumed?

Your condition could greatly affect the results, you see. As such, I must record this data before the experiment!

Heh-heh... My theory concerns the increase of running speeds. You could call it another form of training!

Though, you'll be the one putting in the work.

Ahahaha! Don't worry, this time you'll stay conscious.

All right, first we'll measure the energy consumption of your organs under extreme stress. Then we'll crank things up step by step...

Which is why it's about time you stopped subscribing to the tired notion that summer camp means a montage of us running along the beach. Try to think outside the box.

There's no time for us to be twiddling our thumbs when we should be pursuing the limits of speed. Now, let us begin the experiment!

First, we'll utilize the incline of this road to stimulate your cardiopulmonary functions!

To get good data, you'll need to run to the beach and back at least three times.

Is your measuring instrument ready? It'll record your oxygen levels once a lap, so don't forget it.

Also, no matter how exhausted you get, don't stop running. I want data from when you're near your limit.

What? All you have to do is empty your mind and run like a hamster on a wheel!

But you are only a guinea pig, so I'm not expecting you to run as well as a hamster.

Fear not, I'll be accompanying you. Someone has to make sure you don't veer off course.

Come on, you can do it, Trainer! Lift those thighs higher! Right, keep up this pace!

Keep your breathing steady! Otherwise, you'll make things harder on yourself.

Ahaha! Excellent, are you near your limit? We still have two laps to go! Just a little bit more!

Hm... You suffered greater muscle fatigue than I had expected. Your legs aren't shaking, but I can see that you're trying your best to keep standing.

Okay then, let's move on to the next experiment. I want to collect data on your respiratory organs as you run up a slope in this state.

Heh-heh, this will be a gold mine of data! This could open the door to the potential we seek, the precursor to something great!

Or, it would've been. Looking at you, you're not almost at your limit, you're past it.

It appears my calculations were off. Since we can't get the data right now, we'll have to reschedule the experiment.

I have no complaints if you wish to continue. But I'd rather use this time to perform another experiment than record unnecessary data.

That said, I don't seem to be carrying anything useful. Hm...

...Seawater, you say? Of course, swimming isn't the only thing you can do in the ocean. But what are we to do without the right tools?

Don't tell me you were thinking of drinking it?

Icing... Considering today's weather, the temperature of the ocean must be over twenty-five degrees Celsius. Not the ideal temperature for ice.

Hm, your idea is banal yet has its merits. For instance, I never would've come up with that idea myself.

By focusing the water on your muscle contractions, we could collect new data, No, that would only retain heat. Hm...

I've decided! The ocean possesses its own unique salinity, buoyancy, and tidal friction. We must verify how your body will react to these elements!

I see, this is very interesting data indeed. Not quite enough to prove my theory...

But if I focus my research in this direction, then surely a breakthrough is inevitable!

Heh-heh-heh... This will work, I'm sure of it! Trainer, it's time to compile the data! Lend me a hand!

Yawn... A good morning to you, Trainer!

I must express my gratitude for your cooperation. Thanks to you, I was able to develop a new medicine based on my theory.

Regrettably, it's still only on paper. I don't have my tools here at camp, so production will have to wait until we return to the academy.

But before that, I'd like to get your opinion on something. Did you notice anything from our research last night?

I especially want to hear about ways to increase the efficiency of supplying oxygen to the muscles during contraction. Tell me all that you know.

You see, there's a certain value in the opinion of an amateur. Your opinions are novel, even your simple questions spark my interest.

Most importantly, you're the only one who goes along with my experiments. I'm expecting great things from you, my guinea pig assistant!

You're a capable test subject, and your perspective is invaluable. Holistically speaking, what are you if not my assistant?

Guinea pigs and assistants are equally invaluable to a researcher like myself. So if you ever have an interesting thought, share it with me! I'm all ears!

Oh, have I not been? Hm, perhaps we could call this another step towards the potential we seek.

Rejoice, Trainer! This single step will indubitably lead us down a greater path.

And with that out of the way, let us resume our experiments! Our time here is finite, after all.

I miscalculated yesterday, but this time I'll work you to the brink of your limit! Let us begin, Trainer!