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"A Friendship Race? Held within Tracen Academy? And people are coming to watch?"
However, Symboli Rudolf's words made all three Trainers and Uma Musume freeze. Even Tokai Teio, who almost always wanted to be inseparable from the President, showed a bewildered yet excited expression. She stopped drinking her honey drink and immediately bounced up and down, asking:
"President! You're finally letting me race! Yay! The invincible Teio-sama's first battle is about to begin!"
"Teio, this is a Friendship Race, so it won't affect your dream of becoming a Triple Crown undefeated racehorse girl. There's no ranking, it's not even an OP race; it's just a simple friendly competition held within Tracen Academy."
Symboli Rudolf had already made her plans and it was by no means a sudden whim. She took a stack of report files from Air Groove, handed them to the three Trainers, and slowly said:
"However, as All Japan's most watched Uma Musume training center, and the designated Central-level Uma Musume training academy, the quality and popularity cultivation of the new generation of Uma Musume will inevitably attract a large number of reporters and fans. Everyone will want to know how the strength and performance of the new generation of Uma Musume are."
"Instead of hiding it, it's better to openly let them enjoy it. I have absolute confidence in the quality of our Tracen Academy's Uma Musume—of course, we also need to consider some other factors."
"Gentlemen, have you heard the anecdote of the 'catfish effect'?"
Symboli Rudolf said this without waiting for the three Trainers to answer, then answered her own question: "Putting a catfish among a school of small fish can stir up the small fish's comfortable living environment, thereby making their will to survive more vigorous—and the Uma Musume you are in charge of are the ones I plan to choose as the 'catfish' this time."
"You represent absolute competitiveness. I believe with the addition of the Uma Musume you are in charge of, this Friendship Race will definitely be very exciting—and who knows, we might even discover some promising talents we hadn't noticed before."
"Catfish, they're not cute at all, so ugly~" Curren Chan, however, was not very satisfied with Symboli Rudolf's metaphor, muttering unhappily with a bitter expression.
"—But, Oni-chan, it seems very interesting. Let's participate. Karen-chan will definitely work hard to get a first win for Oni-chan~"
"A Friendship Race... can I, can I really be a catfish...?" Meisho Doto was initially quite happy, but as soon as she thought of becoming a target for everyone, her newfound courage immediately extinguished. She nervously fiddled with her fingers and looked at Wada, asking:
"Trainer, can I, can I really go to the race...?"
"Of course you can, Doto, as long as you want to participate." Wada, as always, supported Doto's idea, and while rubbing her head, he said: "And you're not weak now; you really need some practical training to build your confidence and practical ability. As long as you perform steadily, first place won't be a difficult thing."
"But, but I haven't lost weight yet..." Doto was clearly still very flustered. Wada's words calmed her down a bit, and after a long while, she cautiously said:
"If, if Trainer says so... then, then I'll participate."
"As an Uma Musume of a prestigious family, I certainly cannot fall behind. Whether it's a Friendship Race or an official race, I will take the championship." Mejiro McQueen also stated her position without hesitation. She didn't ask Imanami's opinion because she knew Imanami would definitely agree.
Especially since Tokai Teio would also be participating in this race. For Mejiro McQueen, who regarded Tokai Teio as her number one rival, she certainly wouldn't allow herself to fall behind Teio.
However, Imanami, behind McQueen, did not speak. Yet, Imanami's eyes did not hold such confidence; instead, he seemed somewhat worried, his gaze occasionally falling on McQueen's legs, as if recalling something... "When does the Friendship Race start?" Imanami finally decided to put his thoughts aside for now and instead asked Symboli Rudolf about the Friendship Race.
"Next week. Don't worry, Trainer Imanami, my arrangements are perfect and will absolutely not affect McQueen's Debut Race next month." Symboli Rudolf, thinking Imanami was worried about Mejiro McQueen's insufficient rest time, also said with a smile:
"Additionally, the distance for this Friendship Race is 2000 meters, on turf. If you three need to adjust tactics or intensify training for your Uma Musume, you'll need to hurry."
"This Friendship Race might see the emergence of more new star Uma Musume. Don't be careless, everyone."
Symboli Rudolf's pointed words also made the three Trainers slightly more serious. They all had great confidence in their Uma Musume, but for now, they also knew that their rivals were far more than just the other Uma Musume.
Just Tokai Teio alone, even at a stage where she hadn't even participated in a Debut Race, was enough for them to take seriously. Moreover, they didn't know how many Uma Musume in this world would break through time differences, appearing later or earlier.
After all, it seemed that many Racehorses they were familiar with from different periods had already converged. Who knew how many more famous Racehorses from their own world would pop up in this Friendship Race that were worth their attention?
"—Alright, now that the notification is delivered, my work is done." Symboli Rudolf also immediately relaxed again, and the Presence of an "Emperor" on her vanished. She gently turned her head and said to Air Groove:
"Air Groove, would you mind taking Teio and the others for training? As the Empress, you must have a lot of experience to share with your juniors, right?"
"Do I have to do this job too...?" Air Groove was momentarily speechless upon hearing this. However, seeing the juniors whose eyes immediately lit up when they heard she would be giving them special lessons, Air Groove touched her forehead and softly replied:
"Alright, juniors, come with me. I'll teach you some things to pay attention to on the racecourse."
"Yay! It's Air Groove-nee's private lesson!" Tokai Teio also cheered, raising both hands.
"Idiot, don't let others hear!"
And so, Air Groove led the group of junior Uma Musume and left the scene. Only after Air Groove and Tokai Teio's group had all left did Symboli Rudolf drop all her smiles and turn to the three Trainers, saying:
"Alright, you three, now that Teio and everyone else have left, I won't hide my thoughts anymore."
Saying this, Symboli Rudolf directed her gaze to Ikezoe, asking with a hint of unease and anxiety in her tone: "Trainer Ikezoe, what was the latter half of the sentence you didn't finish saying about Teio when you were at the Student Council?"
"And... Trainer Wada, and Trainer Imanami, what are your opinions on Teio? Do you think she is a true genius, or an unpolished gem with flaws?"
"This..."
However, Symboli Rudolf's words left all three Trainers speechless. The three exchanged glances, clearly none wanting to speak the cruel truth, especially in front of Symboli Rudolf.
Although in this world, Symboli Rudolf and Tokai Teio didn't seem to have a father-daughter relationship... their relationship didn't seem any less close than a father-daughter or mother-daughter one. Saying these things they all knew in front of Symboli Rudolf... wouldn't it be too much of a blow to her?
Finally, Imanami, the oldest of the group, voluntarily stepped forward. Imanami's expression also gradually calmed down from his initial reluctance, and he said to Symboli Rudolf:
"President, regarding Tokai Teio's evaluation, Wada-kun, Ikezoe-kun, and I all agree: she is undoubtedly a favored child of heaven, a Uma Musume like a Miracle."
"But, the Miracles behind this all come with a price. Perhaps it will make you find it unbelievable, even unacceptable, but do you truly want to know?"
"..."
Symboli Rudolf fell silent, a rare occurrence. She slightly turned her head to look at the other side of the racecourse. There, under Air Groove's supervision, Uma Musume were preparing for a parallel training session at the starting line, and in the number one position was Tokai Teio, whose confident smile, brimming with joy, could be clearly seen even from such a distance.
That was Tokai Teio's competitive spirit and self-confidence, which only appeared on the racecourse. Symboli Rudolf had once hoped this child could surpass her, but now, she began to feel that perhaps this was an illusion... If all of this were false, she might still be able to accept it, but Teio... "...I will judge for myself, Trainer Imanami. Since your three thoughts are consistent, please tell me the conclusions you have analyzed."
Ultimately, Symboli Rudolf chose the truth, even if the conclusion would make her feel bitter or unbelievable, but for that child, she had to know.