"…Seiun Sky, are you really just an Uma Musume who hasn't debuted yet?"
On the training ground, the man holding a timed stopwatch took out his phone.
He found a race online that matched the distance Seiun Sky had just run, and after comparing the results, Director Saito Asuka looked at Seiun Sky with disbelief: "The time you just ran, even in a G1 race, has the potential to win the championship?!"
He said this, then walked over to Seiun Sky, staring intently into her eyes, as if trying to see something within them.
"Are you really not a reincarnated Race Uma Musume?"
"…Trainer, are the recent light novels good?"
After resting for a while and catching her breath, Seiun Sky smiled and retorted when she heard Saito Asuka say that.
"Not exactly good, just enough to pass the time."
Not affected by Seiun Sky's attempt to change the subject, he continued: "…I'm quite curious how you used to train, can you tell me?"
"How I used to train, huh…"
Seiun Sky repeated Saito Asuka's words, while subtly avoiding eye contact with Saito Asuka.
"Oh dear, I can't quite remember."
"…"
Looking at Seiun Sky, who was pretending to be deep in thought, the young Director remained silent.
"It's okay, if you don't want to say, then don't."
Saito Asuka shook his head, then looked down and stared at his pocket watch for a long time again.
"However… it's hard to imagine."
The man put away his pocket watch, looked up, and gazed at the Black-haired Horse Girl with a complex expression: "…An Uma Musume who hasn't even completed her debut race can run such a time."
"Beautiful maidens can do anything, you know!"
Then, Saito Asuka saw Seiun Sky say this with a smile on her face.
…Although all Uma Musume are naturally beautiful, can being pretty allow them to do whatever they want?
Then, he remembered the Uma Musume's physical abilities, which were comprehensively superior to humans.
It seems… it really can.
"Trainer, what are we doing next?"
While the man was still lost in thought, Seiun Sky's words pulled him back to reality.
"Hmm… let's stop here for today."
Saito Asuka thought for a moment, then closed the notebook in his hand.
"Eh? Aren't you going to experience it again?"
Hearing the man's words, Seiun Sky asked with feigned surprise: "The feeling of being a Trainer?"
"…No need."
The man's face showed a helpless smile: "I can't be of much help right now."
From everything he had just seen, Seiun Sky had once again given him a surprise.
Although she hadn't debuted yet, she had already shown powerful strength capable of winning a G1 race.
However, this also meant that… he, who wasn't even considered a Trainer yet, couldn't help much, at most providing logistical support.
The biggest help he could provide now was to pass the upcoming Uma Musume Trainer qualification exam.
Thinking of this, the man felt his self-confidence somewhat bruised.
Although he was reluctant to believe it, there was indeed such a genius in this world…
My only role is to help her get on the race track, right?
Saito Asuka, realizing he couldn't help Seiun Sky at all, thought dejectedly.
"Hmm… ending so early, are you eager to go see your fiancée?"
The Black-haired Horse Girl teased: "Your relationship is really good."
"The Uma Musume Trainer qualification exam is coming soon."
Hearing Seiun Sky's words, Saito Asuka frowned deeply: "…Before that, I need to read more books."
"If I don't pass this exam… I'll have to wait another month for the next one."
The man couldn't help but sigh at this point.
Trainer qualification… only a maximum of five attempts each time.
If he didn't pass all five times, then everything would have to start over.
…Don't be nervous, even if this exam fails, doesn't he still have four more chances?
But… if too much time dragged on, the situation at Himeji Local Tresen Academy would only get worse and worse, until it fell into an irreversible state.
Saito Asuka, who had intended to comfort himself, began to feel anxious.
No… I can't think about it anymore!
The exam starts in three days; he couldn't put too much pressure on himself before the exam and cause a poor performance.
The current situation at Himeji Tracen couldn't afford him to delay for long.
He must… turn things around before everything becomes irreversible!
"Although the exam is very important, Director, you also need to pay attention to rest."
Seiun Sky, watching Saito Asuka's expression change a thousand times in an instant, finally becoming resolute, said: "…If we ultimately succeed, but you collapse due to health reasons and can't personally witness the results of our joint efforts, don't you think that would be too much of a pity?"
"Thank you, but before that, I won't let myself fall."
Saito Asuka, with dark circles under his eyes, shook his head, then turned and left under Seiun Sky's gaze.
Absolutely… he wouldn't let this academy be abolished just like that!
"…Honestly, why can't he just listen to what I say?"
Watching Saito Asuka gradually walk away, Seiun Sky pouted in dissatisfaction.
While it's important to protect cherished memories, if one collapses because of it, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?
Such a simple truth, why do some people just not understand it?
Seiun Sky sighed, then glanced again at the transparent screen on her left that only she could see.
However, would the effects of the medicines displayed in the shop be too strong for humans?
Looking at the shop page she had brought up, Seiun Sky rested her chin in her hand, lost in thought.
Forget it, it's better if that kind of thing doesn't happen.
The Black-haired Horse Girl looked in the direction Saito Asuka had left.
But if something like that really happened…
"...Then I'll give him the bitterest medicine."
Seiun Sky muttered to herself.
Consider it a small punishment for not taking good care of his body, perhaps?
Hmm, yes, that's what I'll do!
"Well then... Trainer has left, what interesting things should I do next?"
Seiun Sky looked up and scanned her surroundings.
Looking at the training ground where only she, an Uma Musume, stood alone, Seiun Sky felt a little disappointed, remembering that the Academy currently only had her as a student.
This Academy only has me as a student; it really lacks a lot of interesting things.
Sigh... When will I see other Uma Musume besides her in this Academy?
Seiun Sky thought to herself, troubled.