Race of a Lifetime is an event in SINoALICE.
 | |
|---|---|
| "Race of a Lifetime" |
Intro Scene[]
Parrah:
Apparently young kids these days have a knack at reading the situation.
Noya:
I guess you have to if you wanna get by in the modern world.
Well, that's a skill we'll never have.
Parrah:
Don't tell me you actually care about all that?
Noya:
What you don't wanna?
Parrah:
Absolutely not.
Sometimes it's better to be ignorant in some situations.
Noya:
Like when?
Parrah:
How about this.
Let me tell you a story of a certain nightmare.
Maybe you'll change your mind after this.
Noya:
I can't wait to see it.
Verse 1[]
Unicorns. Magnificent, legendary creatures.
Standing tall with their glimmering manes
and a single horn on their foreheads.
It is believed that their horns possess detoxification
and healing powers that cure all kinds of diseases.
However, their nature is extremely ferocious and alert.
They'll attack anyone they catch in sight, and if the
situation is unfavorable, they'll flee in the blink of an eye.
For this reason, it is said it's nearly
impossible for people to tame them...
That's what the world thinks of me, a unicorn.
※
Unicorn:
That's exactly how it was for a family of unicorns.
But I personally don't see it that way.
Verse 2[]
But I hate fighting.
Nothing good comes from hurting others.
What I really enjoy doing is smelling the flowers.
And since I love plants, I'm careful not to
trample on them with my hooves.
Not only that, but I like to make friends
with the animals in the forest.
I wouldn't even wish harm on a tiny insect.
Perhaps it was because of my nature that I
wasn't allowed to join the herd of other unicorns.
But, that's okay. I like hanging out with little critters, too.
※
Unicorn:
Every day feels like a blast to me, but...
If I'm being honest, I do have one worry.
How can I become better at casting healing spells?
Verse 3[]
While unicorns are a fierce species.
our horns also have powerful healing powers.
That's why all unicorns are especially
good at casting healing spells...
Well, except for me that is.
In my case, if I were to cast a spell on a simple cut,
it would take quite some time before it fully heals.
If it were any other unicorn, they'd be able to heal
a wound like that in a matter off seconds without any
signs of a scar.
I need to practice harder if I'm to reach that level.
※
Unicorn:
Although I'm not very good at it, it does make me happy when I can heal someone.
I just want to be more helpful to everyone.
Verse 4[]
One day, some strangers appeared
in the forest where I reside.
"Gentle unicorns don't exist."
"They do! I'm telling you I saw one frolicking
with a bunch of wild rabbits around here!"
Those people surrounded me and tossed
nets from all directions.
I hastily dodged what I could,
but one of them got tangled on my legs.
"Yes! Caught it!"
If I tossed about in a frenzy,
I'm sure I could shake it off...
But if I did then I'd be jeopardizing these people's lives...
※
Unicorn:
(No... I don't want hurt anyone else.)
(Violence just isn't for me.)
Male Villager:
Woah, you're really tame!
All right! I captured this unicorn alive!
Verse 5[]
The people who caught me were grinning widely.
"No one's gunna out run us at the Nightmare Derby now! Ahahaha!!!"
"I'm gunna train you to be the fastest racehorse there is!"
Apparently, I was expected to be a unicorn with great agility.
...But If I'm to become a nightmare for racing, that means
I'll have to compete with a bunch of other nightmares.
※
Village Elder:
First to train it how to charge attack!
Giddy up! And dash!
Unicorn:
Um... Should I just run really fast?
Clop, clop, clop, clop...
Village Elder:
...?! Woah there...!
You're really fast!
Verse 6[]
I had no choice but to run.
My trainer seemed proud of me,
certain that I was a winner.
And it wasn't just him.
So was everyone else.
And so, I partook in my first race,
the Library Stakes, as a promising up-and-comer.
And I really did win the championship.
"You were amazing!"
"You're the hope of us all!"
With their enormous winnings,
the villagers raised a cheer.
They praised me.
※
Unicorn:
I'm glad you like that, but...
I'm not fond of competing against others.
I rather be acknowledged for other merits...
Verse 7[]
Since then, I've competed in tons of
races and claimed all sorts of rewards.
I was the only unicorn to run in
a nightmare racing tournament,
so there was hardly any real competition.
I was even given the nickname "Formula Lightning".
I was glad to finally feel appreciated, but...
horse racing just wasn't for me.
It pained me to see all the other
nightmare horses crying and frustrated because
there was no way they could ever outrun me.
What I truly want, is to heal people with my magic.
※
Male Villager:
Can you heal injuries, Mr. Unicorn?
I fell and the bleeding won't stop...
Unicorn:
Leave that to me!!!
(Cure the wound... Healing Magic...!)
Male Villager:
......
...It's still bleeding.
Unicorn:
I-I'm sorry. It takes some time.
Male Villager:
...Time? That's too long...
...Just forget it!
Unicorn:
Wait...!
Verse 8[]
It's been ages since I last tried to use it,
so maybe that would explain why it took so
long to heal a small cut.
"I hear that unicorn over there can
hardly heal anyone."
"But he's fast, so who needs it?"
"He does have a lot going for him."
The villagers aren't even a tad
interested in my healing abilities.
But they're kind an they do praise me.
I guess I should be grateful for that.
But am I... happy?
※
Unicorn:
I don't like racing. And I don't want to fight.
But so many people are happier when I run.
Even if I could use my favorite healing magic, no one would praise me for it.
...It makes me sad.
But, if it's something people acknowledge, I guess that should be enough for me.
Even if I hate it... But...
That should still make me happy.
Verse 9[]
I couldn't help but wonder that during
one of my races.
Near the end of the race, the horse in
front of me suddenly fell at the corner.
I tripped into him and then...
I felt a sharp pain in my hoof.
They said was a broken bone.
A severe and complicated fracture.
After numerous examinations, the doctor
returned with bad news.
The villagers all wept around me.
I was no longer able to run.
"The poor thing... He'll never run again."
※
Male Villager:
You were a great horse.
I and the rest of us really loved you.
The very least we can do is euthanize you so you don't have to suffer anymore...
Unicorn:
...Huh?
Verse 10[]
All of a suddenly, I was told that
I would be euthanized, and so I
cast a recovery spell desperate to save my own life.
As long as my broken leg heals,
I'll be able to live.
So please, put away that syringe.
I can still live!
And yet...
I had been running for so long without
magic that I didn't possess enough to
heal my broken leg.
※
Male Villager:
You don't have to be in pain anymore.
You can rest now.
Unicorn:
No... STOP IT...!
NOOOOOOOO!!!
※
The drug was injected into my body.
In the depths of my rapidly fading
consciousness, I kept asking myself:
Why did I have to be killed?
Is this the result of putting up
with things you hate for so long?
Where did I go wrong?
What should have I do to prevent this?
Did I do something bad?
Or is it someone else's fault?
Someone... answer me.
What was the meaning of my life?
Ending Scene[]
Parrah:
From the outside, it was a story loved by many of a happy nightmare.
Noya:
But the fact of the matter was, the nightmare was foolish and could not assert themselves and died with regret.
Parrah:
But it might not be a bad thing to not be ignorant all the time either.
Noya:
You need to be assertive, not timid.
Parrah:
Aren't you also frustrated when you can't say what you want?
Noya:
Why don't you try being vulnerable and open your heart to the world before it's irretrievable?
Parrah:
We're not the one's responsible for what happens in the end.