"Huh? You want me to join the selection race?"
About half an hour later, after Rudolf had dispatched Air Groove to the middle school division, she brought back a Uma Musume named Tokai Teio. When Rudolf explained her purpose, Teio was very surprised.
Tokai Teio was a middle school student, but not a new one. She had come to Tracen a long time ago and was a well-known star.
Her appearance was eighty percent similar to Rudolf's, like a miniature version. The same chestnut hair, the same meteor blaze. If it weren't for her middle-schooler physique, few would consider her a "senior" at Tracen.
But the truth was, she was a senior. She had enrolled earlier than some of the high school students, having skipped grades to come here. She had just been waiting to reach the appropriate debut age, so she remained in the middle school division.
Of course, the reason she could enjoy so many privileges so early was inseparable from her talent—and, of course, from Rudolf's secret support. But the main reason was that she was a true all-rounder, a genius in both theory and practice.
Her talent was known to everyone at Tracen. She had been the rising star of the academy for a long time, a Uma Musume with celebrity-level attention even before her debut.
Many promising young trainers had tried to recruit this recognized genius, but while she was polite on the surface, she was a proud child at heart. Most were politely rejected, and the more persistent ones gave up in dejection.
These failed attempts only added to her mystique. Everyone was curious who could tame this proud genius of Tracen.
And now, when Rudolf called her over, this girl who was usually most affectionate towards her dear president, came skipping all the way, only to hear her dear president's first words be:
"Teio, I want you to participate in this selection race. Are you willing?"
"Huh? You want... me to join that race? Why!"
Teio was extremely confused. Air Groove and Narita Brian were also shocked by this decision. Air Groove quickly asked:
"President, are you planning to have Teio... become Trainer Kitano's assigned Uma Musume?"
"And why not?" Rudolf said with a smile, her eyes closed. "Teio is about to debut soon. And Trainer Kitano is the 'recognized' 'genius trainer.' Even several high school students were attracted by his 'talent'."
"If he really has that ability, then what's wrong with me recommending Teio to him? And if Teio participates, I think her chances of winning are very high."
Isn't that just another form of fixing the winner?! Air Groove and Narita Brian screamed in their hearts. How can this dog of a president have such double standards!
Although Teio was indeed a middle schooler, she was far from a new student. Her racing experience might not be on par with the high schoolers, but she had been taught by Rudolf herself. It could be said that her current tactics were all imitations of Rudolf's running style.
And as an undefeated Triple Crown winner, how could the tactics learned from her be weak? Most new students hadn't even discovered their own preferred running styles and tracks yet!
Tokai Teio was like a player who could have gone to the next high-level map long ago but was still grinding in the newbie village. If it weren't for her age, her current strength would be considered excellent even in GIII-level races. Compared to a group of new students, wasn't that breaking the rules?
But the point was, she really did meet the criteria for the selection race. After all, she was a middle school student. Even if her strength surpassed most of them, she was still a middle schooler.
This left Air Groove and Narita Brian speechless. But at the same time, they couldn't understand why the president would introduce Teio to Kitano's team.
They could all see now that her main reason for stopping Opera O was that she didn't want her to become his first charge... The reason was still unknown.
But, if she didn't want others to become his first charge, why send Teio?
At this moment, they were a little confused about what was going on in Rudolf's head. But at this time, Teio had already taken the lead and questioned:
"Why, President? Why do you want me to join the selection race? That trainer named Kitano Ryuichi has nothing to do with me."
Teio didn't understand. As one of the few in the middle school division without a trainer who hadn't gotten involved in the commotion, her pride was very high. She hadn't been fooled by his "genius halo."
So what if he's a genius trainer? Weren't there plenty of genius trainers who wanted to recruit her in the past? Wasn't she a genius too?
Because of this, she was disdainful of those so-called genius trainers. The person she respected most, besides her parents, was Symboli Rudolf. Therefore, she would basically obey whatever the president said.
But this time, Rudolf was asking her to join the team of a trainer she had never met, to become his assigned Uma Musume. This made her very confused.
"I'm Teio-sama, President. Even if that trainer is a genius, I'm a genius too. I haven't approved of him yet!"
"To recruit Teio-sama, you have to show the strength and means that Teio-sama approves of. Otherwise, how can you become my trainer?"
"..." Looking at Teio, Rudolf thought for a moment, then an idea came to her. She turned to Air Groove and Narita Brian.
"You two, could you step out for a moment? I'd like to talk to Teio alone."
"..." x2
After a moment of exchanging glances, they obediently left the office. After the door closed and she heard their footsteps fade away, she continued to look at Teio.
"Teio, come here. I want to tell you something."
"Hm? What is it, President?" Teio walked over, still confused, but happily plopped herself onto Rudolf's lap, smiling like a child clinging to her father. Rudolf patiently nodded.
"Teio, you've always been curious why I don't have a trainer, right? And because of my influence, you feel that an excellent Uma Musume can get this far even without a trainer's support, correct?"
"Isn't that true, President?" Teio nodded curiously. "You've never had a trainer, right? If you can become an undefeated Triple Crown winner without one, then I definitely can too!"
"...Actually, that's not the case, Teio." Rudolf gently stroked Teio's head, her eyes filled with a reminiscent light. She said with a smile:
"I did have a trainer. A... very mediocre, but still always supported me in moving forward. Without his support, I don't know how many times I would have collapsed and fallen on this path I walked alone."
Rudolf knew that even the usually obedient Teio would not accept it if she tried to force her on Kitano Ryuichi. She was obedient, but not a yes-man.
So, to close the distance with Trainer-kun... she could only do it through Teio. This was the best way to create opportunities for contact.
Rather than letting someone else take the position of first charge, she would rather Teio have it—at least, Teio wouldn't betray her like Air Groove or Narita Brian might.
Anyway... once Trainer-kun is all mine, the so-called "first assigned Uma Musume" position... will just be a meaningless, empty seat.
Rudolf gently told her story, but her eyes, devoid of light, flashed with a scarlet color, as if she could no longer hold back the arrival of that day.
-------
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