"So that's… what happened."
A few minutes later, Symboli Rudolf revealed all her thoughts and the small actions she had taken behind the scenes to Ikezoe. In the Student Council, apart from Air Groove who knew the inside story, everyone else, whether it was Ikezoe, Curren Chan, or even Tokai Teio, was stunned by Symboli Rudolf's words.
The dignified Student Council President of Tracen Academy actually schemed against a Trainer for her own selfish reasons, pushing for a specific Uma Musume to be assigned as the Trainer's charge… If others found out about this, it wouldn't sound good at all.
It made their Tracen Academy's Student Council seem like a group of dark forces controlling everything from behind the scenes… Although Symboli Rudolf had indeed resorted to "strong-arm tactics" and "moral blackmail" in the past to establish her authority as the Student Council President of Tracen Academy, she had clearly improved a lot by now. She realized that a President not only needed authority but also a balance of kindness and severity to become a beloved President, rather than a revered "Emperor."
But even so, Symboli Rudolf still made a mistake, and it wasn't until the situation became somewhat unmanageable that she realized her own meddling had caused this series of errors.
"Honestly—even for the President, this is going too far." Tokai Teio pouted in dissatisfaction upon hearing this, her small feet restlessly tapping her unique "Teio Step" in place as she said to the apologetic Symboli Rudolf:
"How can you interfere with Trainer Ikezoe's assigned Uma Musume slot? And it's not fair to Big Sister Orfevre either. Isn't this deceiving her?"
"…Narita Brian and I finally managed to persuade Gold Ship to come and talk." Air Groove, at this moment, was also not on Symboli Rudolf's side, standing by the door and remarking faintly:
"Gold Ship was quite resistant at first. Brian and I had to talk her into it, and she finally softened a bit, saying that if Trainer Ikezoe really didn't have an assigned Uma Musume, she could reluctantly agree."
However, as she said this, Air Groove also sighed and looked at Ikezoe, saying helplessly:
"But I didn't expect Trainer Ikezoe to be here as well, and she just happened to see Trainer Ikezoe's agreement with Curren Chan… It would be strange if she wasn't angry."
At this point, Air Groove also noticed the subtle change in Ikezoe's expression and immediately added: "No, I don't mean to blame you, Trainer Ikezoe. I have always supported Trainers choosing their Uma Musume independently. A Trainer whose personality doesn't match their Uma Musume will only hinder each other's talent."
"But I said all that to let you know that I oppose the President's methods, but I understand why the President did it—Gold Ship's talent, if not properly cultivated, would truly be a great pity."
"But Senior Air Groove, you also said that unmatched Trainers and Uma Musume will only hinder each other."
Curren Chan smiled and hooked Ikezoe's arm, looking at Air Groove and saying with a smile: "Now Karen-chan is Oni-chan's assigned Uma Musume, and Karen-chan and Oni-chan are very compatible, don't you agree, Oni-chan?"
"…I'm just relieved now that it wasn't because my face repels Uma Musume. I suddenly feel a bit relieved."
However, Ikezoe was also a guy with a disconnected thought process. At this moment, the first thing he cared about was that his face was indeed in line with popular aesthetics, not particularly handsome, but at least not unpleasant to look at.
But Ikezoe quickly noticed something more important than his face, and then turned to look at Symboli Rudolf, asking in an unexpectedly calm tone:
"So… President, you want me to guide Gold Ship? You think I am the most suitable person to unleash Gold Ship's potential?"
"…Yes, even now, I firmly believe that."
Symboli Rudolf also nodded solemnly, saying to Ikezoe word by word: "Gold Ship's potential is being hindered by her personality, which is something none of us want to see."
"All this time, Gold Ship has not found a suitable person who can unleash the potential within her. She is fierce yet timid, but deep within her heart lies a competitive spirit and potential that even she is unaware of. As the 'Emperor,' I can see it, but I cannot unleash her potential."
"She needs a Trainer, a Trainer who can unleash her potential—just like you, Ikezoe Kenichi."
At this point, Symboli Rudolf's tone paused, and she continued: "You are the only person we have encountered so far who shows signs of being able to unleash Gold Ship's potential, which is why I took it upon myself to make these decisions…"
"—You can be angry, Trainer Ikezoe. I am even prepared to be suspended for this, but as the Student Council President, I truly hope to see Gold Ship's potential unleashed."
"No, angry… should I be angry?"
However, Ikezoe's expression was a bit strange upon hearing this, while Curren Chan next to him tilted her head in surprise and said softly: "Oni-chan, you can certainly be angry. You were schemed against, you know."
"…That's what I said, but"
Ikezoe's words ultimately remained unspoken. Should he be angry? Of course, he should. He suffered a day of hardship for no reason because of the Student Council's self-serving actions. If it weren't for Curren Chan's timely appearance, he would have been on the verge of self-doubt.
But when Symboli Rudolf spoke of Gold Ship's potential, and said that he was the most suitable person for Gold Ship so far, Ikezoe simply couldn't get angry—even though he had originally planned to live a brand new and relaxed life this time.
He thought that Gold Ship was the strongest Racehorse, and even if he hadn't transmigrated to this world, Gold Ship's potential would definitely be discovered. Although he was also an excellent Jockey, there were plenty of people at his level in Central, and he could at most be ranked upper-middle.
Just as Wada's achievements were built by Opera O, Ikezoe Kenichi had no glory in his first decade or so of his career, and not even a single Triple Crown—until he got Gold Ship as his partner. He felt that Gold Ship made him, not that he made Gold Ship.
Therefore, Ikezoe didn't feel that he was special. Any slightly stronger Trainer could replace him in training Gold Ship, and could even allow Gold Ship to achieve accomplishments no less than, or even exceeding, his own.
And it's not hard to understand that he, having finally lived a second life, would want a comfortable one, right?—But all of this had a prerequisite: Gold Ship's potential could not be buried.
"…Where is Gold Ship?" In the end, Ikezoe silently withdrew his thoughts and spoke the only thought in his mind at that moment.
"Trainer Ikezoe…"
However, Ikezoe's words startled all the Uma Musume present. No one expected that after such a farce, Ikezoe not only showed no sign of anger but instead turned to care about Gold Ship's situation.
But soon, Ikezoe's words sparked hope in the eyes of Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove, and Symboli Rudolf immediately seized the opportunity to say:
"I, I can access the academy's surveillance footage. I will find Gold Ship as soon as possible."
"I'll take Brian and the others to look for her." Air Groove also went without a word to call people to search for Gold Ship. And just after Air Groove left, Tokai Teio put her hands on her hips and said with an appreciative smile:
"As expected of the person Lord Teio favors! Then Lord Teio will also come to help!—Big Sister Air Groove! Wait for me! I'm coming too!"
Tokai Teio followed closely behind Air Groove, also going to lead a team to find Gold Ship. At this moment, Symboli Rudolf came to Ikezoe with a joyful expression and bowed slightly to him, saying:
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Trainer Ikezoe."
"Honestly… Oni-chan, you're too kind." Curren Chan, however, seemed a bit displeased by this, pouting unhappily and saying: "You should be angry, but you don't care at all. Am I not enough when you have Karen-chan?"
In fact, even Curren Chan herself didn't know why she said that. Normally, Curren Chan should have already gone to find people in such a situation, instead of being jealous here.
But for some reason, whenever Curren Chan thought of "Gold Ship," she felt a slight sense of displeasure, as if Gold Ship had done something to make her very unhappy in her previous life.
"That's not right, Curren Chan. You shouldn't say such things at a time like this." Ikezoe also smiled and ruffled Curren Chan's little head, then raised his head and murmured:
"No matter what… she is my Gold Ship, my proud comrade-in-arms… Let me handle this. At most, she'll just beat me up."