"That filly, is she called Grass Wonder? Truly impressive speed, her body coordination is so fluid, her strides are youthful yet not panicked, and that focus while running... I'm starting to look forward to her future."
Symboli Rudolf made no attempt to hide her high opinion of that chestnut-haired Uma Musume.
Her eyes reflected the graceful smile Grass Wonder had revealed.
When it came to the specifics of how to make an Uma Musume stronger, Rudolf couldn't compare to a professional trainer.
But regarding judging a runner's future potential, she could say she had never been mistaken.
In her view, this little one's talent could reach the heights of a predecessor like Maruzensky.
Though it was just a vague premonition for now, Rudolf, as a legendary Uma Musume, had instincts sharper than most. That alone spoke volumes.
In Nearl's arms, Tokai Teio pouted with dissatisfaction.
She had wanted to say that her talent was obviously better, but Nearl quietly soothed her, pressing Teio back against her chest.
It was best for children not to interrupt when adults were talking.
Teio still had some time before her full Maturation was complete. No matter how much she boasted about being fast, it was just empty talk for now.
"Teio, arguing with words is the least powerful way. After your Maturation is complete, you can startle the president with your achievements then."
Teio looked at Nearl in surprise, finding that Nearl's eyes seemed to see right through her thoughts. But these words... they were so cool!
"Right! It's not about arguing and boasting with words, but using unshakeable facts to make others shut up, right? Teio-sama understands now."
Her little head nodded emphatically. The words fully ignited her chuunibyou desires.
In her view, a true strong person should be just like that: speaking little, expression cool, holding nothing back in action but never explaining verbally.
'Hmm, the strong need no words. Those who understand you will naturally grasp the meaning in your every move. So this is the path to becoming an Emperor? Yes, it must be!'
The mental storm raging in Tokai Teio's head was unknown to outsiders.
Symboli Rudolf was currently immersed in her own joy, not paying her any mind. And the reason for that joy... was, of course, the entrance exams.
"King Halo, passed!"
"Seiun Sky, passed!"
Two consecutive announcements of success sent ripples through the field once more, whether from the failed applicants looking at them with intense envy, or the trainers engaged in heated debate.
In any case, the three of them were now the absolute center of attention on the track.
"King Halo? Could she be that one's daughter? That's top-tier family lineage! No wonder she's so strong. She's sure to shine brilliantly in the future too."
"The other two aren't bad either. In fact, just looking at the results, they're even a bit better than King Halo."
"No, no, Grass Wonder aside, Seiun Sky's bloodline is just too mixed. While an Uma Musume's strength can't be judged solely by lineage, it's a factor that's hard to ignore. We can only say we don't have full confidence in her future."
They didn't bother to lower their voices at all.
Perhaps in their view, commenting on an Uma Musume's qualifications like this was perfectly normal. Just part of the job.
Some resilient Uma Musume might not care about being assessed like merchandise, but these three fillies were not among them.
Their ears twitched slightly, and their expressions instantly darkened upon hearing those blunt words.
"Are the trainers at the center all such cold people? If that's really the case, then my opinion of Central Tracen is about to take a dive."
Surprisingly, the first to complain wasn't the one being pointed at, Seiun Sky, but the seemingly gentle Grass Wonder.
There was no trace of gentleness in her now. Her clear, water-like blue eyes sharply fixed on the group of trainers at the track's edge, her brow tightly furrowed.
"Indeed, what a bunch of boring fellows. A king's worth cannot be expressed by the mere words 'bloodline.' How shortsighted!"
On the other hand, though she was the one being praised, King Halo wasn't happy at all. Though she couldn't precisely articulate that dissatisfaction just yet.
"Hey now, hey now, it's fine. I'm used to it. No matter how harsh their words are, they can't affect me. Didn't I pass this exam easily?"
Seeing the two other fillies getting indignant on her behalf, Seiun Sky, who initially looked displeased, actually became less angry. She wore a look of utter indifference, as if they weren't talking about her.
"But I won't be choosing a trainer from among those people."
That was perhaps the only point where she showed any anger now.
"But what if all the trainers at Central Tracen are like that..."
Grass Wonder revealed a look of worry. Her nature was soft on the outside but strong within, not one to compromise easily.
If a trainer truly didn't meet her standards, she might even choose not to debut at all.
It's just that, if possible, she didn't want things to come to that. An Uma Musume's career is, after all, short.
"Don't worry. What you're seeing now isn't the whole of the center. In fact, it's not even the surface."
Right then, an authoritative voice came from behind, startling the pensive Grass Wonder and the other two resting fillies.
"Who?"
The thought flashed through Grass Wonder's mind. As she turned, she saw the look of awe hidden within her two companions' surprise. And the next moment, she felt the same.
"Symboli Rudolf-senpai!!"
The three of them almost shouted the newcomer's name in unison.
"Hello, welcome to Central Tracen. I watched your exams just now. Very well done. With just a little more time, I'm sure you'll all achieve excellent results."
Rudolf smiled. Right now, she was a kind, caring student council president concerned with her juniors. If Oguri Cap saw this amiable, gentle side, that kid would probably think Rudolf had been replaced.
But that was all in the past. The three fillies before her felt they couldn't be more fortunate, happening to meet the legendary Emperor herself.
Only the most observant among the three, Grass Wonder, noticed something. There was another Uma Musume following closely behind the Emperor.
'Family?'
Her curious gaze was met by eyes that seemed to hold a vintage purple wine. In those eyes, Grass Wonder saw her own reflection.
Deep, calm, yet clear and transparent. Their placid gaze seemed to hold nothing, yet everything could be reflected within.
"!"
In that instant, a ripple stirred in the lake of Grass Wonder's heart. For no reason at all, she felt she had encountered some ineffable future.
She wanted to know her. Wanted to exchange names. If possible, she'd love to have a conversation. On the future racetrack, she wanted to compete against her.
"Is it fate..."
Grass Wonder murmured, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Special Week. Even Rudolf sensed this curiosity.
"Grass Wonder, are you very interested in Special Week?"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 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]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.