Once life gets on the right track, time passes very quickly.
Before they knew it, a week had passed.
During this week, Legend's life was basically regular.
Morning run in the morning, then to class, and greeting Miss Hayakawa at the school gate.
Teasing Teio and McQueen in the classroom.
Lunch at the cafeteria with Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross.
Training in the afternoon, pestering the Trainer, punishing Gold Ship, and assisting Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka with their training.
Going out in the evening to review gourmet food.
Returning to the dormitory before curfew, writing a diary after washing up.
Then lying in bed playing on her phone for a while, falling asleep at 11 PM sharp.
Oh, don't forget a glass of hot milk before bed.
Even my 996 schedule before transmigrating wasn't this regular.
Legend would occasionally complain like this.
It was another afternoon, but unfortunately, there was no sun.
Training at Tracen Academy doesn't take the weather into account. Unless it's so bad that it's unsuitable to go out, most students are required to participate in training until their days off.
After all, there's the concept of a 'Heavy Track' in races.
However, the team's training still primarily follows the Trainer's arrangements.
"Legend, your Debut Race has been arranged."
In the training room, the Trainer spoke to Legend while holding a newly revised training schedule.
"That was fast, Trainer."
Legend was a bit surprised. Registering for a race wasn't just about submitting a nomination. Arranging the schedule, deciding on the participants... oh, horses, and then a series of other procedures—the Trainer had to follow up on all of these. This was also why an Uma Musume had to have a Trainer to participate in races.
Of course, there were exceptions. For example, McQueen participated using her family's direct Trainer.
Being able to get everything ready in just a short week wasn't exactly exceptional, but it was enough to prove the Trainer's ability.
"Of course! Who do you think I am?" With a lollipop in his mouth, the Trainer struck a pose that practically screamed 'praise me.'
"...Well, since the weather isn't suitable for continued training anyway, I'll temporarily bestow some of my time upon you to hear your arrangements."
Legend glanced at the weather outside the window and sat down.
Gold Ship, who was playing magic nearby, heard this and dragged Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet over to sit down as well.
"You really are merciless," the Trainer said, long accustomed to this treatment and not minding it at all.
"To be honest, I originally planned a standard process—a normal debut, then G3, G2, G1, taking it slow like that." The Trainer waved his hand. "But your potential is too outstanding, so I want to hear your opinion. Would you consider an optimal route?"
"Optimal route?"
"Yeah. It's a race schedule proposed by a senior Trainer that's only theoretically possible. You know the meaning of the Flash Race, right?"
"Of course."
Legend nodded.
The Flash Race is a competition for Uma Musume after they reach honkakuka at age 16, and it is the most important competition for an Uma Musume.
Besides that, there are Hopeful Stakes for reserve Uma Musume and Legend Races for retired Uma Musume.
The Flash Race is divided into three stages: the Debut Race limited to 16-year-olds who have just reached maturity; the Classic Races at 17 after the second factor inheritance; and the Senior Races for those 18 and older after the third factor inheritance. These correspond exactly to the three factor inheritances of an Uma Musume.
Of course, due to birthdays and other reasons, the age refers to the nominal age.
Uma Musume receive a massive boost after factor inheritance, so this arrangement is designed to ensure maximum fairness in the competitions.
"The so-called optimal route, without considering overseas expeditions, involves debuting as early as possible in the first year, accumulating fans, and securing the right to enter the three most representative G1 Debut Races. This ensures priority selection for the Classic Races in the second year. Then, in the second year, you build popularity through the Triple Crown trials, go for the classic three crowns, participate in the Arima Kinen, and finally enter the Spring and Autumn Triple Crown circuit during the Senior Races."
The Trainer explained while drawing on the blackboard in the training room.
"If you can win even half of these races, you'll have earned the right to enter the Uma Musume Hall of Fame!"
"...That sounds very difficult, doesn't it?"
Legend hesitated slightly.
"Of course. Even setting aside accidental injuries and emergencies, it's not guaranteed you could finish it. Not to mention that those who can participate in G1 are all top-tier strong horses; the sheer intensity of the races alone is more than an average person can handle. So this is only a theoretical optimal route. No Uma Musume has ever completed it to date."
The Trainer's expression was serious.
"So, how do you want to choose?"
"..."
The three Uma Musume, including Gold Ship, sat quietly behind Legend, watching her solemnly.
"...Doesn't that sound interesting!"
Legend thought for a moment and then gave her answer.
Compared to aimlessly participating in races just to get by, a well-planned goal like this was much more worth her effort.
Moreover, Oguri Cap had said that as long as she kept running, she would eventually find it.
This might be exactly what she needs right now.
"...As expected of Senior, doing things we can't do so easily."
Vodka stood up excitedly upon hearing Legend's answer.
"I won't lose either!"
Daiwa Scarlet said, not to be outdone.
"..."
Gold Ship didn't speak, just looked at Legend with some concern.
"...Are you certain?"
The Trainer asked with some hesitation.
"Since you brought it up, it means that's what you're thinking, right?"
Legend countered with a playful look.
"When the Trainer has set expectations, an Uma Musume can't back down."
As if comforting the Trainer, Legend spoke lightheartedly.
Then, as if remembering something, she said, "But for a guy with your personality to make such a request, what have you pinned on this?"
After spending over a week together, she knew the Trainer's character. For a guy who believed that 'no tactics is the best tactic' to specifically arrange such a route for her, it meant there was something in it he valued deeply.
"...You really are terrifying." The Trainer shook his head helplessly. "It's hard to explain the specifics, but if I had to say, I guess it's my dream."
"...Ho."
Legend raised an eyebrow, and the three youngsters behind her looked at each other.
The pitter-patter of rain outside stopped, and light gradually broke through the clouds.
After a moment of silence, Legend stood up and walked toward the training room door.
She pulled the door open but didn't walk out yet.
Turning halfway back, she said to the Trainer, who was looking down dejectedly, "A dream is a curse. The only way to break that curse is to fulfill it."
The Trainer looked up, somewhat surprised.
"I'm a guy who just drifts along, doing the bare minimum. But even someone like me understands the meaning of a dream. I don't have a dream of my own, but I can protect a dream."
Legend looked at the Trainer and gave him a thumbs up.
"That's how it is. Arrange it however you want, Trainer-kun."
With that, she walked out.
"Kids, time to train!"
"Oh! x3"
The three youngsters followed her out excitedly.
The post-rain sunlight spilled over their silhouettes, as if bringing hope.
"...I really am a lucky guy."
The Trainer relaxed his body against the chair, staring at the ceiling and muttering to himself... "Even though I said the lines I've always wanted to say, it's still really embarrassing."
After training ended, Legend walked along the somewhat muddy road, escaping reality.
She had said some very cool words earlier in the heat of the moment, but after calming down, the sense of shame gradually occupied the high ground of her heart.
"...When you're troubled, go eat!"
Oguri Cap's figure flashed through her mind, and Legend decided to go on a binge-eating spree to soothe her wounded soul.
"Ara, that's..."
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted two figures on the public training ground—it was Teio and McQueen.
"Are they working that hard?"
Seeing the two of them circling each other even though they were both exhausted, Legend rubbed her chin.
She knew these two were always competing, but she hadn't expected it to be this serious.
Come to think of it, there seemed to have been scenes like this in the anime.
Legend thought for a moment and went to the convenience store next to the training ground to buy two bottles of drinks.
"You two over there, want to take a break?"
Holding the two bottles, Legend called out to the two competing in the field.
"Legend!"
"Classmate Legend!"
Ah, both Uma Musume are spent... "I say, you guys are pushing yourselves too hard."
Legend helped the two exhausted girls to a nearby bench to rest. The two who were just competing were now leaning against each other quite harmoniously.
I really want to take a picture. Legend thought as she handed over the drinks.
"When someone issues a challenge, as an Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family, I naturally cannot refuse."
Mejiro McQueen took the drink and said proudly.
"Nonsense, you were clearly the one who provoked me first!"
Teio, who also took a drink, retorted.
"That was also you..."
"Alright, alright." Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, Legend immediately cut into the conversation.
"Hmph, for Legend's (Classmate Legend's) sake..." x2
"Let's leave it at that for today. Having drive is a good thing, but you also need to balance work and rest."
Legend said somewhat sternly.
"Since Legend said so, then the victory will be decided next time. I'll definitely win next time, you remember that, McQueen!"
Teio puffed out her cheeks and threw out a harsh word.
"That's my line." McQueen was not to be outdone.
"...By the way, do you two have any plans for tonight?"
Looking at the two who were at each other's throats, Legend suddenly had an idea.
Teio and McQueen glanced at each other and both shook their heads.
"Then that's perfect, let's go have dinner together!"
Legend pulled up the two drained Uma Musume and spoke in a tone that allowed no refusal.
"Eh!!!" x2