"I never expected Trainer Wada to be the first one to find a Uma Musume… and it wasn't Opera O, but Meisho Doto."
Some time later, from noon until nearly evening, the three new Trainers, led by Imanami, finally finished touring Tracen Academy. The three then returned to the Student Council to meet Symboli Rudolf.
When Imanami returned alone, and Trainer Wada arrived with a timid Meisho Doto, they found Trainer Ikezoe already waiting for them, his face bruised and swollen, seemingly covered in iodine and ointment, as if he had taken a bad fall.
In contrast, inside the Student Council room, there was another Horse Girl, crying and whimpering behind a mask, carrying two buckets. It was clearly Gold Ship, being punished for making a mistake.
"Ugh… President, I'm sorry, my arms are so sore, can you please let me off…?"
"No, Giant, you must apologize to Trainer Ikezoe. How could you lay hands on a new Trainer without understanding the situation?"
However, Symboli Rudolf, as the "Emperor," clearly had enough authority to control Gold Ship. The current Gold Ship was just an ordinary Tracen student, not yet debuted and without a Trainer. Faced with the dignified Student Council President of Tracen Academy, she had no option but to timidly back down.
Trainer Ikezoe, on the other hand, knowing her identity and having already suffered, looked at Gold Ship with a particularly subtle expression, feeling somewhat surprised.
"Is this really the Gold Ship I know? You actually know how to be afraid?" — This was Trainer Ikezoe's truest thought. He had never seen a scared Gold Ship before.
After all, he was originally just a Jockey, not a horse Trainer or stablehand. In the few years he fought alongside Gold Ship, he didn't often visit the stable where Gold Ship was housed, as he was very busy as a Jockey.
It wasn't until Gold Ship retired that he occasionally had a few chances to see her. However, he still didn't know much about Gold Ship's daily behavior in the stable — he and Gold Ship were more like comrades than family.
Therefore, seeing Gold Ship "suffer," he not only didn't feel unhappy, but actually quite enjoyed it.
"Ugh… I'm sorry, alright?"
Gold Ship ultimately couldn't win against Symboli Rudolf and reluctantly apologized to Trainer Ikezoe, clearly still unwilling to be punished for this incident.
"Tap, tap, tap." Just then, another knock came from the Student Council office. The door quickly opened, revealing a roan Horse Girl's cheerful voice:
"President, I'm here to take Big Sister Orfevre back — Ah! Old man! You're here too!"
"…Gold Ship?"
Everyone in the Student Council was slightly surprised by the newcomer. When Gold Ship uttered the name "Gold Ship," even Trainer Ikezoe and Trainer Wada couldn't help but look at her twice.
The name Gold Ship was impossible for them, as Jockeys, not to be familiar with. She could be said to be the "youngest" Uma Musume they had seen so far.
Moreover, Gold Ship's words, clearly directed at Imanami, made the two present a little nervous — had the old man Imanami told Gold Ship about them being transmigrators?
Fortunately, Imanami also seemed to notice their concerns and actively shook his head, indicating that he had not revealed anything, which put the two at ease.
"Gold Ship, you and Trainer Imanami… know each other?" Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove, on the side, were surprised that Gold Ship was so familiar with Imanami, who had just arrived. Clearly, the two women were also well aware of Gold Ship's troublesome nature.
Gold Ship was a very special existence in Tracen Academy. Few people knew when Gold Ship enrolled. Many Uma Musume even remembered Gold Ship being there when they first came to Tracen Academy, and she was still there when they left Tracen Academy.
As for Gold Ship's file… to be honest, Symboli Rudolf herself wasn't very clear. Although the Chairwoman had given her a file on Gold Ship, it contained… a large number of missing entries, with only vague and unclear descriptions.
Moreover, Gold Ship's personality was very strange; she didn't cause big troubles, but she never stopped causing small ones. The Student Council members had no way to deal with her, and eventually, they just gave up.
But what did they see now? That Gold Ship, actually acted so… docile in front of Trainer Imanami?
Although this word was strange to use on Gold Ship, Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove, and even Gold Ship's good older sister, Gold Ship, all found it quite strange — Gold Ship actually became obedient?
"No, we met this morning. We hit it off right away~"
Gold Ship, with a matter-of-fact expression, completely disregarding the gazes of others, asked Imanami: "Old man, I'm here to take Big Sister Orfevre back. Have you found your 담당 Uma Musume yet?"
"If you haven't found one, Big Sister Orfevre is not bad. Her troublemaking level is really on par with mine. If anyone becomes Big Sister Orfevre's Trainer, their days will be very interesting~"
Gold Ship also took this opportunity to recommend Gold Ship to Imanami, but her method of recommendation sounded a bit strange… troublemaking level on par with Gold Ship, how terrifying would that be?
Among the group, only Trainer Ikezoe's eyes lit up after hearing this, and he desperately tried to signal the old man Imanami with his eyes, urging him to accept this proposal.
This way, he could be rid of Gold Ship forever. And the old man Imanami's experience and ability were stronger than Trainer Ikezoe's, not weaker. Gold Ship would not only achieve more glorious results than before, giving him a proper explanation, but he also wouldn't have to risk his life to teach Gold Ship anymore.
Surely, with the old man's technique, which could even soothe Gold Ship, dealing with a Gold Ship would be easy, right?
However, just as Trainer Ikezoe was thinking this, he saw Imanami smile faintly and politely decline:
"Hahaha, I'm not worthy of such a good prospect. I'm also not a very passionate Trainer. This opportunity should be given to other more passionate young people."
"—And, if I were to accept, one of our young people wouldn't be happy."
As he spoke, Imanami did not forget to look at Trainer Ikezoe, indicating that he was the unhappy young person. For a moment, everyone "understood" the meaning of Imanami's words and secretly nodded.
As for Trainer Ikezoe, his face was almost black.
Old man, you can't scheme against me like this! Do you really think partnering with a Racehorse like Gold Ship is a comfortable thing? Every day is filled with anxiety!
Also, President, Symboli Rudolf, please don't look at me with such expectant eyes, okay? Do you really think I'll train Gold Ship? I only want to train Curren Chan!
"Cough, cough. In that case, Trainer Wada, among the three of you, only you have found a suitable 담당 Uma Musume. So, I will finalize the seal."
Symboli Rudolf also temporarily suppressed her thoughts. Neither Gold Ship's nor Gold Ship's matters could be rushed, especially since one of them clearly had resistance and needed her to persuade her slightly.
At this moment, the agreement between Trainer Wada and Meisho Doto was handed to the two by Symboli Rudolf, who said calmly: "I hope you can act as an excellent Trainer, diligently teach your 담당 Uma Musume, and let her become a shining new star on the racetrack."
"I will," Trainer Wada nodded with determination. The uneasy Meisho Doto also nodded sheepishly, not daring to respond to the Emperor's words.
However, she seemed very happy, her tail wagging non-stop. Clearly, she was deeply delighted by Trainer Wada's confident statement towards her.
Even she, who was so unpromising, had found a Trainer who appreciated her… "In that case, Air Groove, please take the three Trainers to the Trainers' exclusive dormitories." Symboli Rudolf also clearly noticed Doto's joy and, with a slight smile, spoke to Air Groove beside her.
"No problem, President." Air Groove nodded, and as she led the three out, she explained:
"Three Trainers, I will take you to the Trainers' exclusive dormitory building. All facilities at Tracen Academy, except for the Uma Musume dormitories, are open to the public. Please do not approach the Uma Musume dormitory area."
"Additionally, Tracen Academy provides free meal services and dormitory equipment for Trainers. Your three individual suites have already been arranged. If there is any damage or equipment that needs replacement, just inform Ms. Tazuna."
"Finally Gold Ship, don't keep following us! Even you cannot stay overnight in Trainer Imanami's dormitory!"