"This is good news... no, this is great news! It seems that our 'Overlord' has not only managed to become a symbol for Japan, but now even attracted the attention of foreign URA branches!"
Later that day, the trio of Wada, Imanami, and Ikezoe once again gathered for a meeting after quite some time.
When Wada conveyed the news Fumino Nase had told him about to Imanami and Ikezoe, the both of them were surprised, before an immediate wave of joy washed over them.
Among the three, Imanami was unexpectedly the happiest.
This secret grandpa, whose true age was around seventy to eighty, couldn't stop showing a toothy smile after hearing the news, patting Wada's shoulder with great satisfaction.
"Wada, you've made progress! With this, you and T.M. Opera O can actually pioneer a path for Japanese Uma Musume!"
"We don't even need to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe; as long as you two's performance is dazzling enough, the URA will set a new precedent for us and give all our Uma Musume and Trainers a chance to step onto the world stage!"
"T.M. Opera O managed to defeat El Condor Pasa in the Aoba Sho, right? As long as you two perform to the best of your abilities this time, you'll definitely become national heroes for decades or even centuries to come!"
As an old veteran of the industry, Imanami knew better than anyone what this chance the France URA branch gave them meant.
Although Japan's horse racing culture has a long history, to the point it could be considered a national hobby, it still couldn't rank that high among the wider world of horse racing.
While most other countries had different horses and venues that were popular internationally, Japan was, and is still considered to be, one of the less favoured ones.
Moreover, Japanese Racehorses do not have that high of a popularity due to most of them not having outstanding performances during overseas expeditions.
Although a few excellent Racehorses do occasionally appear, it was still very difficult for them to gain worldwide recognition.
But, with these spots France granted them, a step could be taken to change this perception.
Still, like they said, T.M. Opera O has to showcase an outstanding performance in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe; less than a race, it was more like a report card T.M. Opera O and Wada had to submit on behalf of the entire Japanese Uma Musume scene.
How strong can Japanese Uma Musume and Trainers be? Are they qualified to stand on the world stage?
These questions have to be answered by Wada and T.M. Opera O.
If they were indeed qualified to dominate on the world stage, France would then acknowledge the potential of Japanese Uma Musume, investing into them for future returns; thereby helping more Japanese Uma Musume and Trainers to go global.
And, it must be said how much T.M. Opera O had contributed to this test being posed to Japan in the first place; years of countless failures without any result realized within a single year, it was truly awe striking.
"Come on! Come on! We need to drink to celebrate! Cheers!"
"Cheers!" X2
Once the sound of their mugs clinked once more, Ikezoe and Wada drank their draft beer, while Imanami drank shochu mixed with oolong tea.
After downing their entire glasses in one go, all three let out satisfied sighs.
"By the way, Ikezoe, how is Orfevre doing? She's about to participate in the Satsuki Sho, aren't you nervous?"
Wada, watching his mug getting refilled with draft beer, asked Ikezoe with a hint of drunkenness.
"Not only that, you've been so busy with Curren Chan's races lately and yet you haven't told us the results~!"
"Ah, right, I've been so busy lately I completely forgot to tell you guys."
"Curren Chan's last race was the GII Fillies' Revue about a month ago. I plan to let Curren Chan rest for a while before letting her challenge the GIII Hakodate Sprint Stakes."
Ikezoe had quite the hectic schedule indeed.
On one hand, during the weekends, he was busy learning from Maruzensky, and on the other, he needed to plan and pay attention to Curren Chan's training and race schedules.
Sweep Tosho was also quite a needy girl who ate up a lot of Ikezoe's free time, making him truly wish that he could split himself into two.
Luckily, Orfevre had changed a lot since her earlier days and was much more self-disciplined now, naturally requiring less effort from him to take care of her.
Combined with his foresight as well as Orfevre's own natural talent, Ikezoe was fully confident that a mere Classic Triple Crown race was no issue for her.
"After her race in Hakodate, we decided on the GIII Keeneland Cup, and after that, Curren Chan will finally challenge the GI Sprinters Stakes in September."
"As for Orfevre, although I haven't done an extensive diagnosis of her recently... I will definitely be there for her in the Satsuki Sho."
"Be careful, Ikezoe, this year's roster of Classic Year Uma Musume is filled with quite a number of surprising talents."
Imanami, deciding to warn Ikezoe from a fatal flaw both he and Orfevre shared, spoke with great seriousness.
"Special Week, Mihono Bourbon, Rice Shower... none of them are weak. If you're not careful, even Orfevre can lose to them."
The fatal flaw they both shared was, of course: overconfidence.
Ikezoe's source of arrogance was easy to understand; he previously rode Orfevre to win the Classic Triple Crown and had full faith in Orfevre's strength.
In fact, Ikezoe was so confident that he believed that even without him, Orfevre could easily dominate the Classic Triple Crown.
However, this was not the case, or rather, it was no longer the case.
Perhaps because of the precedent set by Wada and T.M. Opera O, Ikezoe seemed to have grown complacent, making him believe that the Classic Triple Crown would not only go the same as it had in their previous world, but even better.
Yet, due to all the differences in this world as well as the changes they themselves made, the power level of this year's Classic Triple Crown was much, much higher.
First was Mihono Bourbon, the one who won the first two legs of the Classic Triple Crown undefeated, a feat no less impressive than Tokai Teio's.
Special Week was also a major threat, managing to utterly dominate the Japanese Derby by five whole lengths.
And finally was Rice Shower, the one who defeated Mihono Bourbon in the Kikuka Sho and was also incredibly powerful in long distance races.
It can be said that all three of these Uma Musume had the potential to win the Classic Triple Crown and also the potential to defeat Orfevre; thus, having such arrogance was definitely not a good things.
"What's more, Ikezoe, don't forget, Rice Shower is absolutely qualified to be classified as a threat to Orfevre now."
"Yeah, didn't we tell you last time? Rice Shower already managed to awaken her Zone. That's something Orfevre still doesn't have right now."
"Imanami even said that McQueen was affected by Rice Shower's Zone at the time. If you get careless now, the Satsuki Sho might not end well for us..."
"—Tch, why did you make me remember what that idiot Orfevre did, making her opponent stronger..."
Ikezoe, now starting to notice the inconsistencies between the belief behind his confidence and the reality of the situation, scratched his head in frustration.
However, after gulping down some of the liquid in his glass, he gradually calmed down and nodded in acceptance.
"Alright, I understand what you guys are saying. I really might be in over my head this time... I'll hurry up and go make sure Orfevre is prepared."
"It's good that you understand, Ikezoe. Although Orfevre is indeed absurdly talented, she still needs your help."
Nodding back at Ikezoe, Imanami then turned to look at Wada.
"So, Wada, have you decided? After the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, will you and T.M. Opera O stay in France for further studies?"
"...To be honest, I'm not so sure yet."
Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Wada put down the glass mug he had just taken a sip from earlier.
"I never really thought of it before... I never expected an opportunity like this to land on me."
"And actually, what I really want to know is about you, Ikezoe. Will you and Orfevre study in France together? You two will definitely have an outstanding showing in the l'Arc, right?"
"Hmm... about that, though I really want to go, I actually think I should let Maruzensky take my spot first."
Getting asked this question, Ikezoe spoke the answer he had been contemplating for quite some time now.
"She has helped me so much already. I'll feel bad if I don't help her at least attempt to fulfill her dream."
"Furthermore, I'm afraid that if she delays further, her body might truly give out; then she really might not have the chance to pursue her wish anymore."
"So, if Orfevre and I really manage to succeed at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe one day, I'll give the Trainer spot to Maruzensky to repay her for all she has done for us."
"Giving it to Maruzensky, huh...? You're quite a gentleman."
Imanami expressed his admiration for Ikezoe's choice, finding it rather noble.
However, just then, Ikezoe's words seemed to have inadvertently given Wada some inspiration.
After taking another deep gulp of his draft beer, it seemed that Wada had made his decision.
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Just another set up chapter, nothing much to say
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.