Time passed, and VR training had become a daily routine.
"So, I need to observe if the horse girl's center of gravity is shifting backward?"
"That's right. You need to see if the center of gravity aligns with their landing point. If it's too far back, the horse girl will have difficulty starting."
Luo Cheng nodded repeatedly. Nasse Bunno's words automatically appeared in Luo Cheng's notebook, a function of the VR's automatic recording.
Currently, Luo Cheng was learning how to give horse girls new skills. Considering future races, which required early bursts, mid-race positioning, and final-stretch sprints, horse girls would need to use skills.
Luo Cheng remembered playing the Uma Musume game and losing races even though his stats were significantly higher. Horse girls could be unpredictable.
Of course, the horse girls here wouldn't deliberately lose a race. Luo Cheng couldn't imagine Teio or Sky "throwing" a race, but they could get blocked by the pack and be unable to accelerate. That's when skills became crucial.
Each race was a one-time opportunity; if you lost, there was no starting over. Or was there?
According to the game's settings, an "alarm clock" item could restart a race. Did a similar item exist in this world? Since there was an event replay feature, restarting a race shouldn't be a problem.
"Little Lamb~" Just as Luo Cheng was thinking about where to get an alarm clock, Godolphin greeted him in her languid voice.
"Are you busy?"
"Godolphin, what is it?" Luo Cheng asked, suppressing the urge to hug and rub her.
"I want to talk to you about the Master's Cup."
"Master's Cup? Does that mean the races are about to start?"
"Yes, the first Master's Cup race is happening soon. I thought I should tell you in advance so you can be prepared, Little Lamb."
Luo Cheng pinched his chin. Uma Musume had different scenarios, and each had corresponding special races, like the Master's Cup, the Champions' Meeting, and the Arc de Triomphe. However, the Trainer's manual only recorded the mandatory races, not the scenario races. This meant that winning or losing the Master's Cup had no impact on the main story.
"Little Lamb, I think it's better to win the race~" Godolphin said.
"You're reading my mind again!" These Three Goddesses really enjoyed stripping him bare and leaving him no privacy.
Also—
"What do you mean 'it's better to win'? Explain it to me clearly!" Luo Cheng went up to Godolphin and pinched her chin, making her fair cheeks puff up like small steamed buns.
"I don't know... I just think it's better to win the race."
"You're definitely hiding something. Are you going to tell me only after I punish you?"
"Little Lamb, we're just AIs. We're not trying to trick you," Godolphin said, her eyes watering. Even as a virtual goddess, her strength was enough to pin Luo Cheng to the ground, but she acted like a pliable rice cake, letting him do as he pleased.
"Luo Cheng, don't do that," Nasse Bunno said, getting up to stop him. "The Three Goddesses haven't said anything. Why are you getting so angry?"
Nasse Bunno held Luo Cheng's arm. Her hand wasn't as strong as a horse girl's; it was just a human girl's hand, soft and weak.
"...Sorry." Luo Cheng let go. "I got a little emotional. A lot has happened recently, and my mind is a bit of a mess."
"It's good that you've calmed down."
"Thank you for your help, Trainer Nasse Bunno. Actually, I don't mind at all," Godolphin said with a smile, a hint of regret in her eyes. The atmosphere was perfect, but she had to interrupt. I wonder what Little Lamb would have done to me? Would he have spanked my bottom, kissed me by force, or... Ah, what a shame.
"How long until the race?" Luo Cheng asked, composing himself.
"Seven days. The top three in the race will advance to the next round. The final twelve horse girls will compete against the Three Goddesses."
"Is there a prize for winning?"
"The honor of defeating the Three Goddesses."
"So, basically nothing?"
"Not necessarily, Little Lamb. You've never defeated the Three Goddesses before, have you? So, your first victory might have some special effect, just like you said in that broadcast: you want Teio to win the Satsuki Sho by breaking the record with an overwhelming victory."
"Godolphin... you really do know something!" Luo Cheng unceremoniously grabbed her tail and gave it a hard rub. Her body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground.
"I just... read your mind. I saw the broadcast here... This place... can connect to the network. I wanted to help you, Little Lamb... Ah, wait~ Little Lamb, slowly, if you use so much force, I'll..."
By the time Nasse Bunno realized what was happening and tried to stop him, Godolphin was already a puddle on the floor.
"Little Lamb Hehe" she laughed, sounding like a pervert.
"Luo Cheng, aren't you going too far with the Three Goddesses?"
"It's fine," Godolphin said, exhaling a puff of white mist. She stood up, still wanting more. "Our duty is to help the Trainers. If we make a mistake that angers them, we are willing to be punished."
"..."
Since the person involved said so, Nasse Bunno had nothing to refute.
"Luo Cheng, let's stop for today. I have training to do, so I'll be going now."
"Can I come to you for advice again sometime?"
"Of course, anytime."
With that, Nasse Bunno's body turned into a white light and disappeared, leaving Luo Cheng to look at Godolphin.
"Little Lamb, I made some pastries. Would you like to have some with me?" A sweet scent emanated from her body. Godolphin leaned against Luo Cheng and asked softly. Beads of sweat slid down her face, flowing onto her long, fair neck. Her milky white thighs subtly rubbed against his body. Godolphin narrowed her eyes, standing in front of Luo Cheng at an angle where he could see her perfectly shaped chest.
"I don't have time today."
"I have your favorite apple pie."
"...Save some for me. I need to go learn skills with Teio. Maybe next time."
Godolphin stood still, surprised. She thought her invitation would make him stay, but he didn't seem to appreciate it. Is Little Lamb's affection for me not high enough?
Godolphin hugged her chest, deep in thought.
"Goddess-sama, I need..." a Trainer walked over, but before she could finish, her eyes lost their light.
"I'm sorry, I have an urgent matter to attend to as well. Please find someone else," Godolphin said with a smile before disappearing. She was going to ask Darley how to increase Little Lamb's affection.
The Trainer who was left standing there stopped moving. A few seconds later, she started moving again, as if she had forgotten what had just happened. She called out, "I need help from an AI."