What exactly was that card Yoshida gave to Kazuo at the end?
When he arrived at the three-story Academy library, said to house tens of thousands of books, he truly understood everything.
Initially, when asked to show his faculty ID, Kazuo, as a temporary observer, hadn't officially been issued one. With a try-it-and-see attitude, he handed over the card Yoshida had given him.
Who would have thought that the librarian took it, swiped it on the machine, and her expression immediately changed.
Her attitude instantly became respectful, and she kindly reminded Kazuo.
"This card allows for unlimited free borrowing of various materials, documents, and books from the library, and comes with a dedicated personal reading room. Any questions can also be asked from the terminal in the room."
Upon learning all this, Kazuo finally understood what kind of item Yoshida had given him.
Although he was no longer surprised by his identity, Kazuo quickly calmed down.
Because he remembered Yoshida's words: the next Trainer Qualification Exam was at the end of May. Since he had already spoken, and the other party had provided him with such convenience, it was like a military order. Succeed or die trying. In this situation, he had to speak with results.
Whether for his promise to his sister, his wager with Yoshida, to prove himself to Ms. Tojo, or even to give himself an explanation.
He had over a month, which was enough time for him to do many things.
Sitting in the personal reading room, he remained there for six hours.
"Uma Musume History Research," "Summary of Racing Rules Evolution," "Horse Racing Theory," and so on—books piled beside him, along with notebooks filled with his notes.
He watched intently for a long time, his hands constantly taking notes. As an honor student, he was now completely immersed, absorbing knowledge with intense focus, oblivious to everything else.
After reading all of these, he gained a detailed understanding of the history and systems of Japanese Horse Racing. While this knowledge wasn't specialized theory, having a more detailed grasp of the broad concept of Horse Racing was more important to Kazuo.
Starting from scratch, it was crucial to learn the basics. To roughly understand all of this within the given time was already quite good progress.
However, it wasn't enough.
Yoshida was right, how could he use over a month to compensate for four years of specialized study?
"In terms of race setup, Japan mostly has turf races, while America, on the contrary, mostly has dirt races. To revitalize Japanese Horse Racing, Yoshida Zenya spent heavily to import the then-leading turf sire from America, Sunday Silence. Through study and testing, and by comparing various data, the Japan Racing Association also began to screen Uma Musume similar to her in various aspects, or even more compatible, to train them to participate in Japanese races, thereby gradually improving the bloodline environment of Japanese Horse Racing. This step can be said to be crucial for the Japanese Horse Racing world. From then on, the Japanese Horse Racing world gradually began to recover. Her appearance, one could say, brought a new turning point to the Japanese Horse Racing world..."
—
A mysterious silence. When he inadvertently read this passage in "The Development of Modern Japanese Horse Racing," Kazuo seemed to realize something incredible.
It shouldn't... be the same name, right?
On the photo attached to the next page, the energetic-looking middle-aged man, even if he looked much younger, had a striking resemblance in his features. Plus, the introduction section noted: "Yoshida Zenya, Honorary School Board Member of Tresen Academy."
"After importing Sunday Silence, he established Tresen Academy. The school is dedicated to cultivating excellent Uma Musume to participate in Central races. One could say that during the most difficult time for Japanese Horse Racing, he, by himself, injected fresh blood into Japanese Horse Racing. Tresen Academy also became the first institution specifically established for Uma Musume in Japan. Other newly established academies later emulated their teaching model. Five years after the school's founding, he officially stepped down as the Academy's Chairman, with the Uma Musume Northern Taste, also known as Akikawa Yayoi, taking over as the second Chairman..."
He—he had actually said those words in front of such an impressive person... He finally realized that the seemingly amiable but actually incredibly cunning old man at the interview was in fact at the highest level of authority in the Academy... Wait—
Then how did he even get in? Based on Yoshida's reaction, he should have been against his entry, right? He also made things difficult for him on his first day of work... If he was against it, no one should have dared to let him in as a special recruit, right?
Could it be... that he helped him get in?
That—that couldn't be, right?
Kazuo clearly didn't know that he had, for a moment, indeed realized the correct answer. He just wouldn't have thought that the old man did it entirely to give him a good shake-up. In reality, the person in the Academy who thought most highly of him was none other than Mr. Yoshida Zenya.
However, to help Kazuo grow, the old man also put in a lot of effort, making Tojo his mentor and Koji his roommate.
It was simply because he believed he hadn't misjudged him; the old man was helping him from behind.
"Since he's such an incredible person... and I've already said those words in front of him—"
Kazuo once again focused his attention on the book in front of him. "Then I can't slack off at all. If I still fail after all this, that would be a disgrace."
His conviction seemed to strengthen. Although it was just a small interlude, Kazuo became even more focused on his studies.
Absolutely, he must become an official Trainer!
PS:
At this point, the first phase of entering the Academy is completely over.
The seventy thousand words only describe what happened in just one short week from the very beginning of entering the Academy.
Several characters have been portrayed, and a main tone for the protagonist's growth has been set. The protagonist's subsequent growth often relies on the help of two seniors (Koji, Tojo) and Yoshida, who points the way at critical moments.
Of course, the Uma Musume were naturally the ones who influenced the protagonist the most.
He will soon welcome his first Uma Musume.
Everyone can guess who it is:
Fine Motion
Super Creek
Narita Taishin
Rice Shower
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