"Waaaaaah… What am I supposed to do…?"
Orfevre was in a state of confusion. She had been training with everyone for several days, and during this time, she had been diligently trying to learn from the parallel running training with other Uma Musume, attempting to utilize the experiences of her seniors.
Yet, after several days, Orfevre's endeavors ended in failure for a very simple reason… she couldn't understand a single thing. (T/N: She's like us fr fr)
Orfevre initially wanted to learn how to run as an End Closer, as this was the running style both Ikezoe and Seiun Sky had recommended to her. Although she still firmly believed that Seiun Sky gave her the recommendation to distract her, since Ikezoe also said so too, there was no harm in giving it a try. (T/N: Orfevre has an A on both End Closer and Late Surger)
However, among the Uma Musume, Gold Ship was the only one who was relatively good as an End Closer. Thus, she respectfully asked Gold Ship for guidance, and then ran a single race against Gold Ship.
She lost. Terribly.
Gold Ship had zero intention of actually properly teaching Orfevre from the beginning; instead, she aimed to torment her older sister. So, when they raced, Gold Ship, relying on her superior fundamentals (A/N: Though she hadn't trained much), completely dominated Orfevre in every aspect from End Closer techniques to sheer physical might, making Orfevre give up on learning the End Closer running style.
Next was the Pace Chaser style. This time, Orfevre had the reliable McQueen to be her training partner. Unfortunately, she found that she simply couldn't keep up with McQueen's pace. And whenever Orfevre tried to accelerate at random points of the track due to sheer frustration, McQueen would also accelerate, causing her to end up running out of gas before she could overtake McQueen.
As for the Late Surger style, only T.M. Opera O was good at it, and Orfevre frankly didn't want to constantly deal with her overly flamboyant and narcissistic personality. Finally, for the Front Runner style... there wasn't a single Uma Musume under the three Trainers who was good at Front Running. And to be honest, after Orfevre tested it out, she gave up on the idea. (T/N: Orfevre's Front Runner aptitude is G)
Orfevre started to feel awkward. Even after starting formal training, she still hadn't found a running style that suited her. In desperation, she could only start with basic training, aimlessly bettering her physique.
'But no matter how much I train, it's impossible for me to catch up to them!' Orfevre thought pessimistically after several days of basic training.
But if she still couldn't find a suitable running style, wouldn't her already lagging progress just fall further and further behind?
"Well girls, you all seem to be training quite diligently."
And at this moment, the voice of Symboli Rudolf, who had appeared from somewhere not far away, slowly reached the Uma Musume. The three Trainers were also with her, immediately attracting the Uma Musume's attention.
"President?" "Trainer?"
The Uma Musume immediately stopped their training and gathered around, causing the three Trainers' eyes to soften a bit, suddenly feeling like their assigned Uma Musume were little children being called by their parents.
"Hello everyone, I'm here to inform you that you are now eligible to form a team."
Symboli Rudolf's purpose for coming this time was very clear. After all related parties arrived, she went straight to the point and explained her intention: "According to Tracen Academy's regulations, when a group consists of more than four Uma Musume, they can apply to become a team and can officially represent Tracen Academy in races."
"Since I have seen you all from three different Trainers conducting parallel running training together often without any conflict, I specifically came here to give you this chance."
"Moreover, your Trainers would also benefit from forming a team as Tracen Academy provides financial support to excellent teams. The better the team's performance, and the more excellent Uma Musume a team has, the less stingy Tracen Academy will be with its monetary incentives."
"The team's Uma Musume can also enjoy private and higher quality training facilities. Of course, these will be deducted from the team's funds. But whatever you use this money for, as long as it's not illegal, you are free to use it in any way you want."
"Forming a team... sounds like something we have to just accept, right?" Upon hearing about the financial support, Imanami, Ikezoe, and Wada all nodded after exchanging glances. No one would refuse the opportunity of having more money.
What's more, if the three of them formed a team, that team would have an incredibly bright future. They all had a combined total of six Uma Musume with near boundless potential. In a year or two, it's likely that every turf GI Race would be swept by their team for two or three consecutive years.
"But… a team formed between three Trainers… I don't remember Tracen Academy having such a precedent before, right?"
The dutiful and excellent student McQueen raised her hand and asked, "I remember that the requirement for forming a team is that it must have more than four Uma Musume, right? Though there are six of us here, we are split between three Trainers, isn't this a bit…"
"—Correction, McQueen." And at this moment, Symboli Rudolf smiled slightly and said in an irrefutable tone, "Though a team can only be formed when there are more than four Uma Musume, it never says anything about it needing to be 'a single Trainer' leading more than four Uma Musume."
"In other words, three Trainers together forming a team, though it has never happened before, is technically allowed." (T/N: Rudolf is acting like The Head from the way she follows the word of the law rather than the spirit of the law)
"Of course, there are reasons why multi-Trainer teams don't form. Even if you three Trainers form a team, you will only receive funds equal to as if you were a single team, not three. The conflicts that could arise from the division of the money, plus no one wanting to split the funds if they could have all of it to themselves, lead to multi-Trainer teams never being formed in Tracen's history."
"—Hahahahaha! But we don't need to worry about this at all!" T.M. Opera O also reacted at this moment, letting out a hearty laugh and saying, "Our friendship triumphs over petty and insignificant concepts like money or greed! Arguments over idiotic things like funds will never happen!"
"T- that's great. Everyone can be part of the same team from now on." Meisho Doto also showed great joy, clapping her hands in agreement.
"Hehe, I also have no objections... But Golshi-sama will say it right here, right now! I will not listen to anyone's orders except the old man's~!" Gold Ship's stance was very firm. She didn't care about the Team or anything else; she just wanted to be with Imanami.
"Having Trainers that complement each other's strength and abilities would indeed be great. Not only would our training be improved, but it would allow for us to cover each other in unexpected events." McQueen also nodded and said, "Though I agree with the idea, unless under special circumstances, I will still only follow my Trainer's instructions."
"Curren Chan will also only listen to Onii-chan~" Curren Chan also familiarly wrapped her arm around one of Ikezoe's arms, clearly having no objections to the formation of the Team.
"A team… ughhhhhh… I won't be the weakest in the team, will I…" Orfevre, however, had a sad face, suddenly having a feeling that she would be at the bottom of this team for a very long time.
"—Since no one has any objections, tell me the name of your team, then I can submit the application to the Chairwoman."
Symboli Rudolf was full of confidence in this potential team. They had three incredible Trainers, plus six Uma Musume who were all promising talents. Though their talents have yet to be fully expressed, she had no doubt that they would become the backbone of Tracen Academy in the future. (T/N: The word potential is completely ruined for me)
And now, Wada's two assigned Uma Musume were about to challenge the Satsuki Sho, the first leg of the Classic Triple Crowns. If either T.M. Opera O or Meisho Doto wins this race, the team they formed would become quite a popular one at Tracen Academy.
This way, Symboli Rudolf could secure more international race slots for them, such as the Japan Cup, or even the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe—she had already planned a lot for this team!
Symboli Rudolf had a premonition that the Team formed by these three Trainers might give her, Tracen Academy, and even the entire Japanese Uma Musume scene a miracle.
—Of course, there was another reason for her actions, a very selfish one, but she didn't think it was the right time for it yet.
"So, have you all thought of a name for your team?"
"...How about 'Miracle'? Team Miracle."
Finally, after exchanging glances, Imanami, the oldest of the three, took the initiative to step forward and say, "We've decided our team name to be Team Miracle. Because for us, where we are now is truly a miracle."
"That's right, I never thought I'd be here today. Other than miracle, I can't find a more fitting word." Wada nodded in agreement without any objection, and Ikezoe also nodded similarly.
"—Since that's the case, three Trainers, I hope your Team can blossom with your miracle and achieve your ideals."
Symboli Rudolf also nodded gently, then turned her gaze to Wada, smiling and saying, "Trainer Wada, please be sure to win the Satsuki Sho."
"We definitely will." Wada also nodded very solemnly, and beside him, T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto, looking at each other, both saw the burning fighting spirit in each other's eyes.
After the end of the Mainichi Hai and T.M. Opera O joining the Team, they had become 'family'. However, the competition between Uma Musume had not stopped at all.
For T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto, the other Uma Musume in this Satsuki Sho race were not even worth mentioning; they were each other's biggest enemy!
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They're now getting the Unity Cup update. Time for them to experience RNG slop hell!
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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.