"Hah… hah…"
Victory Ticket clutched her chest, panting heavily, but then she looked up, crying out in distress:
"Ah—I'm so unwilling, ah ah ah ah ah! I lost, ah ah ah ah!!"
Her loud voice seemed to want the entire racecourse to hear her, and although Chén Guāng Pipa looked a bit tired, she still came to comfort her:
"It's okay, that was a very good competition, Inahoichi. I hope we can compete again next time."
The petite, twin-tailed Inahoichi also laughed heartily while rubbing her head, "Okay! You two were amazing too! It was so close, who knows what will happen next time…"
Victory Ticket, wiping away tears, also nodded unwillingly, "Next time, next time! I will definitely give my all and compete with Inahoichi again!!"
Such a sight was undoubtedly comforting to the Trainers. This kind of healthy competition among Uma Musume would be positive feedback for their growth.
Chén Guāng Pipa was talking with everyone, but she turned her head to look for another person's figure, but—
The person walking further and further away made her show a hint of worry.
"Alright, today's simulated training race is now concluded. All students performed excellently. For those who came in first, please do not become arrogant; continue to work hard and maintain your momentum. As for those who did not place or whose results were not ideal, please do not be discouraged. Maintain a calm mindset and review carefully. Over the next month, we will continue to hold various simulated training races, and all data will be compiled to provide individual guidance."
"So—dismissed for today!!"
.
"Hmm, the students in Class A seem to have great potential…"
Looking at the students below, Yoshida couldn't help but smile contentedly, while Kazuo seemed a bit distracted.
"Where are you going next? Back to the office?"
The old man asked.
Kazuo shook his head and said, "No, I need to go to the library now."
"Hmm…?"
The old man paused slightly, then looked at him with some curiosity.
"What are you doing there? Is your training department that free?"
His words were as sharp as ever… But Kazuo had, at least, grown accustomed to interacting with this old man. He shook his head and said:
"No, I'm just studying on my own to get my Trainer qualification. Rather than serving tea and water in the office, I believe that if I want to make progress, I need to rely on my own efforts."
"Heh heh~"
The old man's tone stretched, with a hint of teasing, and he chuckled, "Do you, a mere youngster, think you're quite capable? In the end, you just got in through connections. Since it's already like this, who are you doing all this for?"
Yoshida's words were a bit much. Kazuo frowned, feeling a little uncomfortable, but still looked at him seriously and said, "For myself. Getting into the Academy, even if it was luck, I have to seize this opportunity. I truly don't have the qualifications to stand here, but since I'm already here now, there's no way I'm going to waste this chance. Whether I can do it or not, I'll only know after trying."
"Even if you're not meant to be a Trainer?"
"Even if I'm not meant for this."
Kazuo stared at the old man somewhat defiantly, but the old man just smiled helplessly again.
"That's why you young people are left with nothing but this foolish enthusiasm..."
Just as Kazuo was about to say something, Yoshida took out a laminated card from his cardholder.
"Take it."
"...What is this...?"
"Hmph, aren't you stubborn? A guy with no capital dares to talk about ideals with me here? Take this quickly. Do you really think a little effort will lead to success? Do you think you can accomplish in this way what others spent four years working for?"
Yoshida continued to mock, but forcefully pushed the card into Kazuo's hand.
"But, since you've said so—"
Yoshida paused slightly, then turned his back: "Then take this and struggle for your life in the library. Who can't boast? If you're truly unconvinced, then prove it to me. The Trainer Qualification Assessment Exam at the end of May, if you can really do it, then come back and mock me for underestimating you."
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/TripleCrown
If you guys wanna check it out.