"A mock race? Held within Tracen Academy? And the public is also allowed to watch it?"
However, Symboli Rudolf's words made all three Trainers and Uma Musume freeze. Even Tokai Teio, who was always around the President, showed a bewildered yet excited expression. She stopped drinking her honey drink and immediately bounced up and down, while joyfully declaring:
"President! You're finally letting me race! Yay! The legend of the invincible Tokai Teio is about to begin!"
"Teio, this is a mock race, so it won't have any effect on your goal of becoming an Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume. There are no cash prizes and it's not considered an official race; it's simply just a 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 Japan's most watched Uma Musume training center, and the only Uma Musume academy that is considered central-level, the quality and popularity of the new generation of Uma Musume will inevitably attract a larger audience. Everyone will want to know how the strength and potential of the new generation of Uma Musume are, especially the reporters."
"Instead of hiding it, it's better to openly let them know it. I have absolute confidence in the quality of our Tracen Academy's Uma Musume—of course, there is another reason I haven't said yet."
"Gentlemen, have you ever heard 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 stimulating their will to survive—and your assigned Uma Musume are the ones I plan to become that 'catfish'."
"You three and your Uma Musume represent the absolute peak of what this generation has to offer. And with your participation, this mock race will definitely be very exciting—and who knows? We might even discover some promising talents we hadn't noticed before."
"Catfish are not cute at all, they're all so ugly~" Curren Chan, however, was not very satisfied with Symboli Rudolf's metaphor, muttering unhappily with a bitter expression.
"—But, Onii-chan, it seems very interesting. Let's participate. Curren Chan will definitely work hard to get first place for Onii-chan~"
"A mock 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 of course." Wada, as always, supported Doto's ideas, and while rubbing her head, he said: "And you're not weak now; the only thing you currently lack should be some practical training to build your confidence and experience on an actual racetrack. As long as you perform as usual, getting first place won't be difficult."
"B— 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:
"I— if Trainer says so... then, then I'll participate."
"As an Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family, I certainly cannot fall behind. Whether it's a mock race or an official race, I will win." Mejiro McQueen also stated her position without hesitation. She didn't ask Imanami's opinion because she knew Imanami would definitely agree. (T/N: McQueen really just said, "Nah, I'd Win")
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 be inferior to Teio in any way.
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 mock race start?" Imanami finally decided to put his thoughts aside for now and instead asked Symboli Rudolf about the mock race.
"Next week. Don't worry, Trainer Imanami, I have taken every Uma Musume's situation into account and it will absolutely have no effect on McQueen's Debut Race." Symboli Rudolf, thinking Imanami was worried about Mejiro McQueen not having enough rest time, also said with a smile:
"Additionally, the distance for this mock race is 2000 meters, on turf. If any of you three need to adjust tactics or intensify training for your Uma Musume, you'll need to hurry."
"This mock race might just see the emergence of hidden rising stars. Don't get too lax."
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 each other's Uma Musume.
Just Tokai Teio alone, even at a stage where she has yet to participate in her Debut Race, was enough for them to take seriously. Moreover, they didn't know if the Uma Musume versions of past and or future Racehorses would appear.
After all, it seemed that many Racehorses they were familiar with from vastly different time periods were of a similar age. Who knew how many more famous Racehorses from their previous world would pop up in this mock race that were worth their attention?
"—Alright, now that I've delivered the news, my work here is done." Symboli Rudolf also immediately relaxed, and the Aura of the "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 a teaching session? As the Empress, you must have a lot of experience to share with your juniors, right?"
"Do I really have to do this job...?" 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, you four, come with me. I'll teach you some things you need 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 Tokai Teio and the rest have left, I won't hide my intentions 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 an unparalleled genius, or an unpolished gem who still has some 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 an actual mother-daughter relationship... their relationship didn't seem any less close than a father-daughter one. Saying these things they all knew in front of Symboli Rudolf... wouldn't it be too much of a blow to her? (T/N: Even they think Rudolf is a dad character)
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 someone who is favored by the heavens, a living miracle in the form of an Uma Musume."
"But, every miracle comes with a price. Perhaps you find what we are about to say unbelievable, even unacceptable. So, 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 undergoing a parallel training session, 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 it might not be possible... Even if Teio failed, Rudolf would still be able to accept it, but Teio... "...I will judge for myself, Trainer Imanami. Since you three seem to share the same thoughts, please tell me the conclusions you have come to."
Ultimately, Symboli Rudolf chose to hear the truth, even if she might find it unbelievable or painful. For the sake of that child, she had to know.
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3 FUCKING FRACTURESSSS!!!!!
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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.