"In that case, you may leave."
The moment Symboli Rudolf finished speaking, Myriad Dreams felt as if she had received a royal pardon.
Cheering inwardly, she turned around, intent on escaping this low-pressure zone at maximum speed.
She had even calculated the shortest path from her seat to the door and timed her explosive start.
However, she had barely taken half a step when a calm voice rang out from behind, tripping her up like a rope around her ankles.
"Myriad Dreams-san."
Myriad Dreams' body stiffened.
She turned around with excruciating slowness, squeezing out a somewhat forced smile.
The one who had called out to her was Trainer Tojo Hana, the academy's universally acknowledged ace trainer and the one responsible for cultivating legendary Uma Musume like Symboli Rudolf.
She adjusted her glasses, holding the data profile of Myriad Dreams' race in her hand.
"Is... Is there something you need, Trainer Tojo?" Myriad Dreams' voice carried a trace of imperceptible tension.
Tojo Hana looked at the data on her tablet, her tone peaceful yet carrying a professional scrutiny.
"I analyzed yesterday's race in detail. From a racing perspective, it was perfect."
"Whether it was the stability of the start, the control of the rhythm mid-phase, the choice of cornering lines, or the explosive power of the late-stretch kick... all of it was textbook-level, especially for a debut race."
Hearing praise from this notoriously strict trainer, Myriad Dreams relaxed slightly, but she immediately tensed up again.
"Furthermore, I have confirmed that you haven't officially joined Team Spica yet, you only registered under their name for the race, correct?"
Myriad Dreams' heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected the other woman to have investigated such a fine detail.
She could only nod honestly. "Y-Yes... that is currently the case."
A rare smile— one carrying a clear intent to recruit— appeared on Tojo Hana's face.
"In that case, Myriad Dreams-san, would you be interested in considering joining Rigil?"
"Eh?!" Myriad Dreams' eyes widened in shock.
Rigil! The premier elite team of Tracen Academy, famous for its rigorous selection process and ultra-high-intensity training.
Every member was a top-tier performer. Trainer Tojo Hana was even more famous for her picky eye, she was extremely cautious every time she recruited a new member.
And now, she was actually extending an olive branch to a "problem Uma Musume" like her— one who had just debuted and made a fool of herself on the Winner's Stage stage?
This was absolutely unprecedented!
However, after the brief shock, Myriad Dreams' mental alarms went off almost instinctively.
Rigil's training intensity was notoriously terrifying.
That kind of disciplined, meticulous environment was a total nightmare for an Uma Musume like her who pursued casualness and freedom.
'I absolutely cannot go!'
"Th... Thank you very much for your appreciation!"
Myriad Dreams bowed hurriedly, her words tumbling out as she scrambled for an excuse.
"But I have already decided to join Team Spica! I am truly sorry to disappoint you!"
Having said her piece, she didn't dare look at Tojo Hana's reaction.
Ignoring all etiquette, she channeled the same energy she had used to try and flee the Winner's Stage, darting out of the Student Council office so fast she left nothing but an afterimage at the door.
"Wait—"
Tojo Hana's extended hand froze in mid-air, a rare look of bewilderment and confusion crossing her face.
She had actually... been rejected so bluntly? And with an excuse that sounded so perfunctory?
After running a good distance from the Student Council building and confirming no one was chasing her, Myriad Dreams leaned against a wall and let out a long, heavy sigh of relief.
She habitually fished a piece of gum out of her pocket, tore open the wrapper, and popped it into her mouth, chewing vigorously with her eyes closed as she tried to calm her racing heart and lingering nerves.
"Hah... seriously. I didn't expect that in a single day, I'd first get a personal warning from her Majesty the 'Emperor,' and then get invited face-to-face by the trainer of Rigil... The pressure is just too much."
Right then, a serious yet slightly helpless voice sounded beside her.
"I told you, Myriad Dreams-san, chewing gum isn't good for your health, and the sound might affect those around you. You really should try to cut back."
Myriad Dreams turned her head to see Yaeno Muteki standing nearby. She was looking at her with that trademark gaze filled with concern.
She seemed to have just finished training, as fine beads of sweat still dotted her forehead.
Myriad Dreams sighed, continuing to chew with a bit of self-abandonment.
"Sigh~ Yaeno-san, give me a break, will you?"
"I was just called in for a 'heart-to-heart' with President Rudolf. The pressure was super high. Just let me make an exception this once to take the edge off."
"The President? President Rudolf?" Yaeno Muteki tilted her head, appearing somewhat puzzled. "Why would she seek out a talk with a newcomer like you?"
It seemed she truly was devoted heart and soul to her training, remaining completely oblivious to outside gossip, she hadn't heard the "news" about yesterday's Winner's Stage yet.
Left with no choice, Myriad Dreams gave a brief explanation of how she won the race but stood like a statue on stage, and how she was severely criticized by the President today and threatened with "special guidance."
"I see."
Realization dawned on Yaeno Muteki.
"I heard other students discussing a rookie who shone brilliantly in her debut but froze on stage. So, it was you all along, Myriad Dreams-san."
"Yeah, so now I'm a primary 'person of interest' to the Emperor." Myriad Dreams threw up her hands helplessly.
Yaeno Muteki crossed her arms and fell into serious thought, her tail swishing gently.
"That is indeed a very serious problem. As an Uma Musume, both a victorious run and a perfect stage performance are indispensable, it is our response to those who support us."
Suddenly, her eyes lit up as if she had hit upon a brilliant idea.
"I've got it!"
Before Myriad Dreams could react, Yaeno Muteki grabbed her wrist with a grip that brooked no refusal.
"Wait? Yaeno-san? Where are you taking me?"
Myriad Dreams stumbled as she was yanked forward, gum still in her mouth, being dragged along with a look of utter confusion.
Yaeno Muteki didn't look back, simply speaking as she walked: "To solve your dilemma, of course! Come with me."