Uma Musume: Rising From the Countryside to Legend!!

"Apologies—this visit was rather sudden. I hope I haven't disturbed you."

After stating her position, Symboli Rudolf inclined her head slightly in apology toward Kuroha.

He thought the conversation had ended and was about to stand to see them out—when Rudolf suddenly shifted the topic.

"Then, let's discuss the real matter at hand."

…?

Kuroha blinked. That wasn't the real matter?

"Trainer Kuroha."

Her amethyst eyes sharpened.

"I've heard you've been training an as-yet-unbloomed young Uma Musume named Tokai Teio?"

…Teio.

At that, Kuroha immediately understood—this was Rudolf's true reason for coming.

No wonder there had been no news of her visit to Ōi Racecourse.

Normally, as Central Tracen Academy's Student Council President, any inspection Rudolf made would be handled with great formality.

Even if someone of Kuroha's rank wouldn't get an official notice, her arrival would have stirred fans and paparazzi, just like when Oguri Cap's trainer Kitahara had learned of her visit back in Kasamatsu.

But none of that had happened here—meaning this was indeed a personal matter.

"Yes," Kuroha admitted calmly. "I am training Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen."

There was nothing to hide. The day he took those two little girls under his wing, he'd already prepared himself to face both Rudolf and the Mejiro family.

…Though he hadn't expected the Mejiro name to come up here as well. Clearly, Rudolf hadn't known about that second pupil.

"Why would you take the initiative to train two unbloomed Uma Musume?" she asked with a frown.

Kuroha didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned forward slightly and countered:

"Miss Rudolf—do you think there's something wrong with training unbloomed Uma Musume?"

"Of course!"

Her pale-violet pupils flared with emotion, and an imposing pressure built in the depths of her gaze.

"Before True Blooming, an Uma Musume's physical gains are minimal. Worse, her body isn't fully developed—training risks placing an enormous burden on her. As a trainer, you should know this!"

From the side, Maruzensky started to speak, then closed her mouth again with a sigh. Rudolf's gone and made it all serious again.

But Kuroha wasn't swayed by the Emperor's rising aura. He calmly and firmly corrected her:

"It's not training that causes harm—it's overtraining."

Right now, any small gestures or evasions were meaningless before someone like Rudolf. If he wanted any chance of keeping Teio, he had to win this argument outright.

"At present, Tracen's Elementary Division gives unbloomed Uma Musume nothing but cultural lessons—and, at most, slow, even-paced laps."

"In my view, that's because the trainers and instructors can't assess the girls' average physical condition or athletic potential—so they can't design proper, scientific training."

"So, instead of improving themselves, they've retreated again and again, settling for the most half-hearted, bare-minimum program—and even pushing it nationwide under the claim that it's 'for the girls' future.' Don't you think that's laughable?"

The truth was, in this era, trainers in the Far East were abysmal. Calling them "third-rate" was generous.

How many top-class Uma Musume had lost their futures in such hands?

Kuroha's temperament was normally mild, but this time there was steel—and anger—in his tone. It wasn't aimed at Rudolf herself, but at the rigid, archaic URA Association.

"If you want to train unbloomed Uma Musume and enhance their potential, you can—so long as you safeguard their growth and development. Build a proper training system, foster well-rounded ability…"

"Not only will you make good use of those years instead of wasting them, you'll also make their bodies, bones, and tendons more suited to racing—so they can greet their True Blooming in the best form possible!"

"You central trainers can't do it—because you lack the ability. But I can. So why shouldn't I?!"

His words rang like a hammer on steel.

Since arriving in this world, he had studied, trained, and leveled up relentlessly—all for moments like this.

A formless aura spread from him, one that even a top-tier racer like Rudolf couldn't ignore.

"Are you… questioning the Central system?" she asked, her head bowed, voice low.

"Yes," he said bluntly. "But not all of it."

"I acknowledge that its conservatism keeps unbloomed girls from being ruined by incompetent trainers. I acknowledge that its rules—though restrictive—set a baseline that prevents abuse and political interference."

"But those same rules also stifle potential. They favor a one-size-fits-all safety over nurturing prodigies who could shine early."

"I'm not questioning the necessity of the Central system. I'm questioning its rigidity, its outdated policies, and its injustices."

"I'm questioning the culture of 'don't train them at all' just to avoid risk—at the cost of every gifted girl's chance to reach her peak sooner."

When he'd said all he needed to say, the weight in his chest lifted.

He met Rudolf's gaze calmly.

"You're the Emperor, the symbol of Central Tracen. You, of all people, know that a true champion must be willing to challenge tradition and embrace change. Isn't that so?"

The air felt sucked dry, his words lingering in the silence.

Finally, Rudolf's head lifted. The shadow over her face receded, and a wide, unrestrained smile bloomed.

"…Ha… hahahaha~"

The Emperor laughed—not in mockery, but in genuine release.

Change… huh?

She thought back to just days ago, when she'd gone to plead for Oguri Cap's entry into the Triple Crown—only to be denied outright.

Is Central always right? Do I dare to challenge the unknown?

Of course she did. She was Symboli Rudolf.

"I'll handle the Mejiro family," she said lightly, still smiling. "As Student Council President, I have that much authority."

Kuroha was taken aback—he'd expected more debate, not immediate agreement… let alone an offer of help.

"You're wondering why I believe you so easily, aren't you?"

She gave a sly grin—still carrying a trace of girlishness despite her regal air.

"In just over two months, you've trained two Uma Musume to awaken the [Domain]. How could I doubt your ability?"

Her eyes shifted toward Inari One, leaving the lively fox girl utterly bewildered.

"Trainer Kuroha, I've heard your resolve—and your promise," Rudolf said, standing and offering her hand.

"Teio will be in your care."

Kuroha rose as well, gripping her hand with a confident:

"Look forward to it."

Maruzensky regained her big-sisterly warmth, smiling.

"Well then, a happy ending all around~"

"…Which means we should be going now," Rudolf added—then paused oddly.

"Teio is still waiting for me."

Something in her tone made Kuroha pause. In Japanese, 'waiting for me' and 'I'll feed you later' could sound alike…

…Was that supposed to be a pun?

Suddenly, he understood why people often got exasperated with her in the future. The air seemed to chill a little, and everyone shivered.

"Ahem~" Maruzensky broke the awkwardness with two coughs, looping her arm through Rudolf's.

"Let's exchange contact info—it'll make future discussions easier."

"Ah… yes, alright."

Seemingly oblivious to her failed joke, the Emperor let herself be guided, and soon they had all traded contact details.

(End of Chapter)

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