...
The New Year slowly faded away in joy.
On this day, a stranger arrived at Lucian's home.
Upon seeing the visitor, Lucian politely stood up. "Mr. Huang, hello."
Huang Youren, the current chairman of the Dragon Country Uma Musume Racing Association and also the principal of the Central Uma Musume Academy.
His figure often appeared in Dragon Country Uma Musume racing news.
Lu Fengzhou beside them introduced, "My son, Lucian."
Huang Youren looked at Lucian appreciatively and extended his hand. "Mr. Lucian, I've been looking forward to meeting you for a long time."
"You can just call me Little Lu, senior." Lucian said.
Huang Youren's status and experience were evident, but he didn't put on any airs at all.
After Lucian and the other briefly shook hands, Lu Fengzhou led both of them to the study.
The group of Uma Musume in the living room looked at each other in confusion.
"Who is that person? Why did they go to the study to talk? Is there something we can't hear?" Haru Urara asked curiously.
Silence Suzuka had heard Lucian mention this a few days ago. "That person seems to be the chairman of the Dragon Country Uma Musume Association. He probably has some important matters to discuss, and it's not convenient to say here."
Seiun Sky suddenly mentioned, "I remember that Uma Musume racing in Dragon Country has only become popular in recent years, right? Why would the chairman come looking for the Trainer now?"
Her casual remark unintentionally led everyone's thoughts to the same thing—poaching.
"The Trainer had outstanding results last year. This person couldn't be here to poach him, right!?" Dextrous Bailey directly voiced her inner thoughts.
Haru Urara immediately couldn't sit still. "No, no, no! The Trainer can't leave Tracen!"
Rice Shower's furrowed brows were also piled with worry. "I don't want Onii-chan to leave either."
Special Week remained silent, but the hand tightly clutching the sofa revealed her anxious heart.
Tokai Teio also fell into silence.
The Trainer might leave Tracen, leave Japan...
She had never felt such intense unease before.
And in the cracks formed by this unease, Tokai Teio desperately searched for a way to survive.
"Everyone, don't panic yet. Maybe he's just here to catch up with the Trainer?" Silence Suzuka said calmly.
Haru Urara: "What exactly did they say? If Urara listens, she'll know, right?"
"Urara, isn't eavesdropping on others' conversations not good?" Rice Shower was very anxious but still had some reservations.
"The Trainer is about to be poached. Urara doesn't care about that anymore." Haru Urara angrily walked toward the study.
The remaining few looked at Haru Urara's back and followed her.
...
Lu Fengzhou and Huang Youren had some personal connection.
He brewed a pot of tea and exchanged a few pleasantries with Huang Youren before the latter got straight to the point.
"Little Lu, you should have some understanding of our country's Uma Musume culture, right?"
"Mm, it's in a state of rebuilding from scratch." Lucian nodded. After briefly summarizing, he could also confirm Huang Youren's intention.
"Yes, the student intake is fine, but the faculty is much weaker."
Many professional Trainers don't go for the salary and benefits; they have their own dreams, so their first choice is definitely prestigious schools like Tracen.
"So Uncle Huang, you're here this time to poach?"
"Hahaha, that's not the right word. It should be bringing talent back." Huang Youren laughed heartily, his voice full of energy as he solemnly said, "Little Lu, on behalf of the Dragon Country Uma Musume Association, I extend an invitation to you. I hope you can join 'Tiance Junying Academy.' The treatment and such won't be worse than what you have at Tracen."
"Tiance Junying? That's a name full of meaning."
"Speed, power, strategy, talent... none can be missing, right?" Huang Youren briefly explained. "Little Lu, so what's your reply?"
Huang Youren felt he might be too hasty and added, "Of course, if you need plenty of time to consider, that's fine too."
Lucian was about to reply when the door was suddenly pushed open, and one Uma Musume after another tumbled spiritedly onto the floor.
Special Week: "Ouch, Urara, why did you suddenly open the door?"
Haru Urara: "Spe-chan, you're pressing on me. Hurry and move."
Rice Shower fell in a peculiar pose, her head buried between Dextrous Bailey's legs.
Meishou Doto was like a captured prisoner, pinned left and right by Silence Suzuka and Seiun Sky.
Only Tokai Teio held the door handle and braked in time.
"How did you all fall in?" Lucian quickly stood up to help the Uma Musume up.
"Trainer." Haru Urara suddenly teared up, grabbing Lucian's wrist. "Are you going to leave Tracen!? Do you not want to coach Urara anymore? You clearly said you'd stay with Urara to win the championship in Kochi... Liar!"
As Haru Urara spoke, tears blurred her eyes.
But she still kept a straight little face, letting the tears flow, tilting her head up and staring firmly at Lucian.
"When have I ever lied to Urara?" Lucian used his hand to wipe Haru Urara's tears.
"Lucian-kun, although eavesdropping isn't right... but we just heard everything."
"This is still under discussion, and I haven't agreed yet."
"You can't agree! No way!" Haru Urara protected Lucian behind her.
Rice Shower also mustered her courage and stepped forward, standing beside Haru Urara. "Onii-chan, if you leave, Rice-chan will be very sad."
Dextrous Bailey: "Trainer, you can't just not take responsibility for me!"
Everyone looked at Dextrous Bailey in surprise.
Dextrous Bailey: "I mean the training matters..."
Meishou Doto: "T-Trainer, I haven't even started training yet. You can't just leave like this."
"I didn't say I was leaving." The reactions of these little Uma Musume touched Lucian deeply. He looked at Huang Youren. "Uncle Huang, no need to consider. But you should know my answer, right?"
Huang Youren nodded, not annoyed at all. "Little Lu, this only proves even more that you're an excellent Trainer."
"Uncle Huang flatters me."
"Although you refused this time, the doors of Tiance Academy will always be open for you. If you're interested later, you can contact me anytime."
"The Trainer won't leave Tracen..." Haru Urara hugged Lucian, muttering softly, but everyone present heard it.
Her tone was a bit sharp.
Who told this uncle to try to steal her Trainer?
Obviously, Huang Youren also understood Japanese, but he didn't mind and stood up. "Since I've got your answer, my purpose for this visit is complete."
Lu Fengzhou also stood up to see Huang Youren out.
...