Time quickly arrived at three o'clock. As Tojo had instructed, Kazuo appeared at the Horse Racing training grounds on time.
However, just as he walked over, that individual who could become the center of attention wherever she went was standing at one end of the track, firmly capturing Kazuo's gaze.
Like the other students, wearing a simple red and white tracksuit, the Emperor, Symboli Rudolf, was doing warm-up exercises under everyone's gaze.
But unlike the other students, the height she stood at and the place she looked at were like a mountain gorge, an existence that everyone looked up to.
That being said, the Emperor herself was just methodically warming up, seemingly long accustomed to the surrounding gazes, treating them as if they were air.
Even as she became the focal point of everyone's attention, her gaze was solely on the track before her, profound and looking towards a more distant place.
Her expression was stern, and a restrained sense of pressure slowly began to reveal the tip of its iceberg.
The highly anticipated contestant was very likely to become the king of her era, bestowed with the title of Emperor.
The surrounding Uma Musume were all awestruck by this feeling; she hadn't done anything, but merely standing there created a stifling sensation in their hearts.
Among them, another Uma Musume, with a tall and proud figure, and a long, flowing cascade of curly hair, possessed a fiery and captivating physique and a naturally beautiful face that perfectly embodied what it meant to have an angel's face and a devil's body.
She and the Emperor at this moment seemed to represent two completely different existences.
One was passionate like fire, possessing the power to melt everything; the other was awe-inspiring without anger, like a gathering storm of thunderous might.
Thunder and fire... while not completely opposing forces, they could nonetheless generate intense opposition, making them the two most watched contestants on the field.
"Yo... I didn't expect you to come too? Did you know this is the Emperor's last simulated race before the expedition?"
Yoshida always appeared quietly at such opportune moments. He stood beside Kazuo, his hands behind his back, his gaze also fixed on the two of them.
Looking afar and giving expectations—
"Maruzensky and Symboli Rudolf are both outstanding talents of this generation, and they represent the strongest power in top-tier Horse Racing."
"Maruzensky...?"
"She's the one who can contend with the Emperor in terms of Kiai (Fighting Spirit) and shows no weakness. I believe you can feel it too, right?"
This should be a simulated race, but even though the race hadn't started yet, it already made people feel pressure and excitement.
"This is the last simulated race before the Satsuki Sho. After this race, Symboli Rudolf will depart for the Nakayama Racecourse on April 30th."
Yoshida stroked his beard, sighing meaningfully.
As the most watched contestant from the main school, her future can be said to be entirely compared with another contestant who stands on the stage of history. Even though they are only one year apart, this seems like an inescapable fate.
As long as the Emperor continues her path, she will definitely encounter her opponent.
It can be said that she is still chasing the other person now—
"So, take this opportunity to test you, what kind of race is the Satsuki Sho?"
Yoshida suddenly asked, clearly using this opportunity to quiz Kazuo and test how well he had reviewed.
And Kazuo's reaction was extremely quick; he opened his mouth and answered without stopping:
"It's a JRA race held at Nakayama Racecourse in Chiba Prefecture, the first leg of the Triple Crown races. It's a 2000m middle-distance turf race, formerly known as the Two Thousand Guineas. A maximum of 18 contestants can participate. The entry conditions require Central registration, participation in at least one G2 preliminary race and finishing in the top three for track priority. After that, qualified contestants are recommended in sequence."
This was the ease of an honor student; these long concepts that needed to be memorized were already imprinted in his mind as if photocopied, all recorded.
And the person Yoshida mentioned, Kazuo had watched last year's Satsuki Sho race not long ago when he was frantically researching videos.
That was also a memorable race... "Hmm..."
Yoshida nodded, rarely affirming, "Although it's common knowledge, seeing how diligent you are, I'll give you a slight acknowledgment."
As he spoke, he noticed Tojo, who was holding a tablet, looking their way. He easily understood her meaning from her expression.
Yoshida didn't waste any words, patting Kazuo:
"Tojo is looking for you, isn't she? Then I won't delay you here. Go quickly."
"Oh..."
Although he wanted to complain that the old man didn't tease him today, considering he had an appointment, Kazuo couldn't delay too long.
So, hearing the old man "let him go," he readily agreed and turned to leave directly.
Although for an ordinary Trainer, textbook concepts are just common knowledge, to memorize all the extended knowledge in a little over three weeks, purely in terms of learning ability, if he were to enter an academy for systematic study, he would definitely be among the best.
Though he's stumbling now, he's approaching and thinking about Uma Musume in a different way... This is truly interesting—
Watching Kazuo walk off the field, Yoshida's thoughtful gaze saw this figure slowly beginning to overlap with someone else... Past events resurfaced, bringing with them a mix of regret and emotion.
The old man himself didn't know—
"Seriously... only now do I feel... it's so similar."
.
"Tojo, I'm here."
Kazuo jogged to her side. Tojo, while recording something, explained:
"I asked you to come today because I wanted to take this opportunity for you to see a truly high-level competition with your own eyes. I've already given you all my notes for theoretical knowledge; these are for you to absorb and learn on your own. And the knowledge that cannot be taught in textbooks is the lesson I'm giving you today, or rather, a piece of advice: don't make the same mistakes others have made..."
These words were somewhat thought-provoking, and her gaze remained fixed on the tall and imposing figure on the track—this was the posture of a king of the new generation.
"The so-called—Resolve and Responsibility."
"Resolve and Responsibility..."
His gaze drawn, Kazuo couldn't help but look at Symboli Rudolf on the track.
As her Trainer, this simulated race could also be said to be the last chance to adjust her condition before the main race.
Starting the day after tomorrow, the Emperor would also be heading to a new stage, embarking on the Nakayama Racecourse.
This was a highly anticipated and much-talked-about race.
Just as he was thinking, the moment the gate indicator light turned on, the fierce competition was about to erupt.
-------------------------
Hey everyone! I've got 40-50 awesome chapters already up on my Patreon. If you enjoy this story, drop by my Patreon to support me. Thanks a lot!!!
👉 patreon.com/TripleCrown07