...
The School Selection Competition was a grand recruitment event.
The participating horse girls were divided into groups for assessments. A massive ranking board was set up on the field, automatically updating the rankings as each horse girl crossed the finish line.
Thus, the name of the first-place finisher would be displayed prominently, usually granting them the privilege of freely choosing their trainer.
As for those ranked lower, they might not receive any invitations and would have to actively reach out to the trainers present.
As soon as Lucian stepped onto the field, he spotted many familiar trainers.
"Lucian, you're here." Nishizaki Ryo quietly appeared beside him.
"Nishizaki-senpai," Lucian greeted.
"I've spotted quite a few promising talents this time. Hope you won't compete with me for them, alright?"
Lucian joked, "Nishizaki-senpai, you haven't even told me which horse girls you're eyeing. How could I possibly compete?"
If he really wanted to compete, why would he need to remind Nishizaki Ryo? Besides, he'd already claimed plenty for himself.
"Of course I won't tell you. Scouting talents is all about individual skill."
"True, Nishizaki-senpai makes a good point. But just a few days ago, Mejiro McQueen joined my team."
"What!?" Nishizaki Ryo's mind immediately conjured an image of Mejiro McQueen. "That young lady from the Mejiro family? How did you manage to... persuade her to join?"
"Teio went to invite her~ Ah, my team members are so wonderful. They even help recruit for their trainer now." Lucian suddenly remembered something. "Nishizaki-senpai, didn't you try to recruit Teio before? Too bad she ultimately chose 'Dream.'"
"You little... don't get too cocky!" Nishizaki Ryo glared at Lucian's smug face, torn between laughter and frustration.
"Nishizaki-senpai, I'll head to the stands first." With that, Lucian slipped away from Nishizaki Ryo's presence.
...
From the stands, Lucian's view expanded significantly.
Among the many horse girls on the field, he spotted familiar faces like Nice Nature, Doto, and Twin Turbo.
He wanted to compete for these horse girls, hoping he wouldn't fall behind other trainers when the time came.
"Trainer Lucian~"
Just then, a small hand tapped his shoulder from behind.
Lucian turned around. "Well, if it isn't the legendary part-timer who's always elusive?"
Ines Fujin blinked. "What kind of ridiculous nickname is that?"
"Why are you here today? Are you participating in the selection too?" Ines Fujin wasn't wearing casual clothes today but her school uniform, prompting Lucian's question.
"I'd like to, but as a horse girl about to graduate, I don't really have that opportunity anymore."
Lucian walked with Ines Fujin to the railing. "So you're just here to watch the selection today?"
"Pretty much. My career started here too, you know." There was no trace of melancholy on Ines Fujin's face—only a sense of peaceful acceptance.
"Do you still miss it?"
"Regrets are a common thing." The girl tucked her wind-blown hair behind her ear, smiling as she watched the horse girls below.
Lucian fell silent for a few seconds before suddenly asking, "Fujin-chan, have you ever thought about returning to the races?"
Ines Fujin turned to him in surprise, then laughed as if he'd cracked a joke. "That's impossible, Trainer Lucian. You can't just trade your entire physical well-being with the Three Goddesses, can you? Besides... I'm not worth that kind of sacrifice."
"It's not like there are unlimited trades anyway. But Fujin-chan, don't dodge the question—just answer yes or no. Do you want to return?"
"...Yes." Ines Fujin didn't understand. Even if she returned, her body wouldn't allow her to achieve outstanding results.
"That's enough. You'll understand when the time comes."
...
The School Selection Competition officially began, with ten horse girls per group.
This time, Air Groove and Hishi Amazon weren't needed to mark the start and finish lines, as more precise timing machines were used instead.
The events were divided into sprint races, middle-distance races, and long-distance races, which the participating horse girls had signed up for in advance.
Thus, the real-time ranking board on the large screen displayed three separate columns.
As group after group finished their races, the initially empty ranking board gradually filled up.
Before the competition even concluded, some trainers had already begun approaching horse girls who had finished their races, extending invitations.
Lucian suddenly realized he hadn't prepared thoroughly enough. With so many people on the field, how would the horse girls interested in contacting him find him?
"Trainer Lucian, are you worried about something?"
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"It's written all over your face." Ines Fujin guessed casually, "Are you concerned that some interested horse girls might not be able to find you?"
"Exactly."
"There's no need to worry. Look around—almost everyone on these stands is a trainer. Our spot is already quite conspicuous, so it'll be fine."
Lucian glanced around and realized she was right. The horse girls were all down on the field, likely following an unspoken tradition.
"But should we just wait here? I see so many trainers heading down already." Suddenly, an idea struck him. "Fujin, how about you go down and guide them? Follow this list—you recognize them, right?"
Ines Fujin scanned the list. "I remember most of them, but... I'm lazy~ Why should I go?"
"I'll pay you."
"Boss, consider it done."
"One of these days, you'll drown in a pile of money." Lucian chuckled.
"Nah, because the money isn't for me anyway." After saying this, Ines Fujin took the list from Lucian and left the stands.
...
Not long after Ines Fujin left, two familiar horse girls made their way up to the stands.
"Trainer Lucian." Nice Nature approached directly, with Twin Turbo in tow.
"Nature and Two—"
"It's Twin Turbo!!" The little shark girl waved her fists angrily. "Ugh, Teio must've been the one spreading that nickname!"
"Oh, Twin Turbo. Hello, both of you." Lucian greeted them casually. "No need to be nervous. This is just a relaxed interview."
Despite his reassurance, Nice Nature couldn't help but feel a bit tense. "Trainer Lucian, I'd like to join 'Dream.' My results in the selection might not seem outstanding, but I'm confident I can grow stronger."
"Trainer Lucian, I want to join 'Dream' too!"
Lucian didn't agree immediately, instead going through the motions. "Can you tell me why you chose 'Dream'?"
Go on, praise me—praise me lavishly! Even if you lose yourself in the process, I'll gladly accept it.
...