"Whoa, huge crowd…" Rampage mutters.
With classes ending early post-entrance ceremony, Canopus's club tryouts draw a massive turnout. Rampage recalls Rigil's tests, but this feels bigger—her fault, maybe? The thought stirs mixed feelings.
"Forty-plus, easy. More than Rigil," Nature estimates.
"Class-size and then some!" Turbo cheers.
Canopus's surge follows Rampage's Dubai World Cup win.
"Team's getting livelier," Ikuno says.
"What kinda girls'll join?" Tanhoiza wonders.
More noise is fine, Rampage agrees, excited for the variety.
"Juniors for me!" Ticket squeals.
"Nice, Ticket-san," Rice nods.
First juniors spark joy.
"That's Rampage-senpai, right?"
"Fresh from Dubai!"
"Can we get autographs?"
"Popular, huh?" Nature teases.
"Quit it," Rampage grumbles.
Her historic overseas G1 win draws stares. This'll be chaos tomorrow, she thinks. Minamizaka signals it's time.
"Thanks for coming! I'm Minamizaka, Canopus's trainer. Let's begin," he says.
"Please!" the crowd replies.
Rampage catches his glance.
"Test your strength, not just for joining but for growth. First, a word from Rampage," Minamizaka says.
"Yo!" Rampage steps up.
The crowd buzzes. She delivers.
"Ohakonharochao! World-record Tyrant, undefeated crown, unstoppable heart♡—I'm Rampage! You all behaving?"
"KYAAA!" they scream, teetering on frenzy.
No riots, please, she worries. "Just back from Dubai—'Tyrant' was the default there. Haha! Welcome to Canopus tryouts. Minamizaka's a pretty face, but he's brutal in training. He forged me, so brace yourselves."
The crowd tenses, swallowing hard. Drawn to Rampage's light, they realize Canopus's trainer is no pushover. Minamizaka smirks, pulling out a tablet.
"Test details: distances vary by your submitted preferences. First, 1000m short-distance," he announces.
Relevant hopefuls stay; others clear out. Rampage eyes Minamizaka's detailed racer profiles.
"Soft as ever," she mutters.
"Trainers guide," he replies.
"And awaken. Not all are like you," she says.
Trainers vary—Tojo's control, Okino's freedom, Kuronuma's rigor. Most care deeply, but some chase personal glory. Guiding and redirecting are key.
"A kind trainer who opens new paths isn't bad, right?" Minamizaka quips.
"You win," Rampage laughs.
Trainers support and enlighten. Minamizaka's the best, she knows.
"I'll start it. Canopus tryout, short-distance Race 1—ready, set, GO!"
The race begins, mostly freshmen. 1000m tests them, but Tressen's elite handle it. Minamizaka's setup evaluates and nurtures. Canopus isn't the only path. The tryout, steeped in kindness, kicks off.
"I'll be like her!"
"A cool, proud Uma Musume!"
"One-on-one with myself—fight on!"
"I want to race here!"
Passions clash on the turf. Some join, some miss, some learn their limits—all smile. Why?
"Well done! Race data will be sent later. Canopus will host regular selection races—test yourself, meet scouts, or just visit," Minamizaka says.
"What!? Canopus, a top team, always recruiting?"
"Open races mean…"
"Not just recruiting—races to gauge strength, attract scouts, meet us. Come play," he clarifies.
Canopus's vibrancy boosts motivation. Monthly races, plus extras, expand chances and trainer connections. The chairman approved with a grin, though Minamizaka's workload grows.
"Other trainers will help," he says, unfazed.
Results time.
"Freshman, Air Groove."
"Yes!"
The future empress, inspired by Rampage, earns her spot.
"Dragoon Lance."
"Yes!"
Rampage's friend and rival, climbing through grit.
"Hishi Amazon."
"Yo!"
Bold, aiming to surpass herself, chasing ultimate strength.
"Sakura Laurel."
"Yes!"
Bright, forward-driven, cherry-blossom grace.
These four join Canopus.
"Well done, everyone. Come back," Minamizaka says.
"Thank you!" they shout.
Spring, the season of beginnings, blooms perfectly.
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