Chapter 271: An Uncertain Entrance Exam
After returning to Tokyo, Makoto stopped dwelling on those earlier thoughts.
Instead, he quickly adjusted his mindset and set them aside for the time being.
After all, no matter what feelings he might have, they weren't something a trainer should dwell on.
What he needed to do now was, first, to fully assist Almond Eye in successfully passing the notoriously hard entrance examination of Tracen Academy.
Second, to work together with Kitasan Black, resuming structured and intensive training, and launch a push toward new racing goals.
The entrance exam for Tracen Academy took place a little over a week before the start of the term. It consisted of two parts: academic assessment and physical evaluation.
For the former, Almond Eye's parents had hired a private tutor, and since it accounted for a relatively small portion of the total score, there was little to worry about.
The latter, however, was entirely entrusted to Makoto. From this alone, it was clear that the couple had placed complete trust in him, this rising star among trainers.
Makoto didn't refuse. On the very first day back in Tokyo, after a simple morning of rest, he called both Kitasan Black and Almond Eye to the academy's training grounds that very afternoon.
The venue booking and special training plan had already been prepared during the holidays. After instructing Kitasan Black to lead Almond Eye through warm-ups, he stood by the track, observing their condition while organizing the training plan in his mind.
The physical evaluation included basic metrics such as height, weight, lung capacity, as well as beginner tests like high jump, long jump, and sit-and-reach.
There were also advanced components: several test races and one simulated race.
Among the basic items, things like height couldn't be changed in a short time. Fortunately, Almond Eye already excelled in that area, so there was no need for concern.
As for events like high jump, they involved techniques that could be mastered relatively quickly. Makoto had done his homework, and Almond Eye had prior practice as well. With steady training over the coming days, they would be fine.
The real challenge lay in the advanced section.
Watching the two girls jogging along the track during warm-ups, Makoto frowned slightly, deep in thought.
Each of the test races varied in distance, ranging widely from 800 meters to 2500 meters, for a total of five races.
These were designed to assess the most essential aspects of racing—speed and adaptability across different distances.
Performance in this portion would heavily influence the recommended racing specialization after enrollment.
For instance, Kitasan Black had been advised by many trainers and instructors to focus on short-distance races after debut, precisely because her entrance exam results showed excellent short-distance performance but rather average results in middle and long distances.
However, Almond Eye didn't need to worry about this.
Having already confirmed her talent in the mile and middle-distance categories, and with a preliminary training agreement in place, it would be sufficient for her to simply complete the test races.
The simulated race, however, posed a significant challenge.
Based on that earlier event race, as well as subsequent interactions and observations, Almond Eye still lacked tactical awareness, strategic planning, and the ability to adapt during a race.
Although this was true for most incoming candidates, whoever could stand out in this area during the simulated race would undoubtedly gain a considerable advantage after debut.
For example, placing first in the entrance exam simulation race could attract more fans even before debut. This would reduce the need to participate in too many Pre-OP or OP-level races for popularity, allowing the focus to shift toward higher-tier graded races instead.
The intensity of Twinkle Series races was extremely high, and most Umamusume couldn't compete continuously without rest.
From this perspective, each Umamusume's total number of races in her career was actually quite limited.
If one could compete in graded races, those would always take priority.
So, if they wanted to win the simulated race...
Makoto pondered for a moment, then took out his phone and opened a list he had compiled earlier. His brow furrowed slightly.
Lucky Lilac, Lily Noble, Satono Goddess, Sayaka, Mikki Charm, Soft Melody…
These were the opponents he had identified after carefully reviewing the entrance exam announcement—those most worth paying attention to.
Like Almond Eye, these Umamusume were all top-tier talents in their respective schools. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gathered in such numbers to apply for Tracen Academy's entrance exam.
Makoto knew these two names—Lucky Lilac and Lily Noble—would be tough opponents even before looking up any detailed information.
From what he remembered, Almond Eye had won the Triple Tiara: the Oka Sho, the Yushun Himba (Oaks), and the Shuka Sho.
These three races, like the Classic Triple Crown, were all G1 events. The difference was that these were restricted to fillies.
Just like the Classic Triple Crown, any Umamusume who won all three would be called a "Triple Tiara Umamusume."
As for the Triple Tiara, only four had achieved it so far: Mejiro Ramonu, Still in Love, Apapane, and Gentildonna.
In his original world, Almond Eye was the fifth.
As for Lucky Lilac, Lily Noble—and possibly Satono Goddess and Sayaka as well—if Makoto remembered correctly, they were all Almond Eye's rivals on the Classic circuit, formidable opponents.
When it came to future races, Makoto was confident. With his own unique strengths, continuous learning and improvement, and his experience guiding Kitasan Black, he was certain he could help Almond Eye win through the Classic campaign.
But right now, if Almond Eye were to race those opponents immediately, it was hard to say who would come out on top.
More importantly, there were many Umamusume participating in the entrance exam, and the simulated races were divided into multiple heats.
For each heat, everything—from opponents to race distance to track conditions—was determined entirely by lottery.
And it wasn't announced in advance; the draw would only take place the day before the simulated race.
This made preparation extremely difficult.
After all, even with Kitasan Black—whom he had been working with for a full year—Makoto wouldn't be confident in winning a race where the opponents, distance, and track were all unknown.
Not to mention Almond Eye, whom he had only just begun formally training.
For example, if Kitasan Black were to draw a dirt track race, then regardless of the distance, it would come down to pure luck.
She simply wasn't suited for dirt racing. Unless all her opponents were also turf specialists like her, she might have a chance. But if even one competitor specialized in dirt, then winning would be nearly impossible.
Still, this system existed for practical reasons—such as the large number of applicants and limited track availability.
And it was fair to every candidate.
So instead of worrying pointlessly, what he needed to do now was to do everything possible to improve Almond Eye's race awareness and help her secure a win even under such uncertain conditions.
As Makoto was thinking rapidly, Kitasan Black and Almond Eye finished their warm-up.
The two Umamusume ran back energetically. Almond Eye's cheeks were flushed from exercise, her eyes full of anticipation as she said loudly:
"Trainer, we're ready! What are we training next?"
Kitasan Black flicked her sweat-damp ponytail and smiled at Makoto as well.
Snapping back to attention, Makoto looked at his two trainees, thought for a moment, and pointed toward the nearest starting line:
"Let's start with a simple joint run. I want to check a few things."
"Turf, 1800 meters."
"Kita, just run your usual slow front-running pace."
"As for you, Almond Eye—do your best to catch up to your Kita-senpai."
"Of course, if you can win, I don't mind. I'm sure Kita won't either."