Chapter 51: Seeking Help from the University Division
After explaining the upcoming arrangements, Makoto didn't go into detail about the training plan.
It wasn't because he was withholding information.
Following standard procedure, the overall training plan—just like the teachers' lesson plans—had already been submitted to the academy well in advance.
The more detailed aspects had to be adjusted according to the condition of the Umamusume on the day of training. In that sense, it was more of a training report than a plan.
These records also needed to be compiled and submitted later, so there was no rush to explain them now.
Teio and McQueen understood this well, so the conversation shifted to the topic of drones.
And true to her status as the student council president, Teio had already come up with a solution to the problem Makoto had raised earlier.
"Simply put, what we talked about just now comes down to a matter of technology and application."
As she spoke, the student council president sat behind her desk and began filling out a stack of forms she pulled from a drawer.
"I'm not very well-versed in the technical side, but from what I can tell, both the hardware and software are problematic."
"For the hardware, I'll submit a request to the university division. Yasui-san, you can go find Director Light once that's approved."
"Also, Vodka studied mechanical engineering abroad, so she might have some relevant expertise."
"You can reach out to her privately. I'll mention it in the application as well—if she's interested, she can go straight to the Research Department."
"As for the software, you can speak with Director Shakur."
"I just remembered—during a previous fireworks festival, she was on the executive committee and proposed using drones for the event."
"The proposal wasn't approved in the end, but she clearly knows a lot about drones. She might be able to solve the software issues outright—or at least offer some insights on the hardware side too."
"I'll write up this part of the application as well, so all you need to do is go see them when the time comes."
While explaining the technical support route, the student council president rapidly filled out several forms with swift strokes of her pen.
She then handed the forms to McQueen, who nodded and moved to another desk to begin working on them. Teio pulled out a new set of forms.
"As for application and usage, there are established precedents."
"Since it's for training purposes, it only needs to be used on the training grounds. I'll specify that clearly on the forms, and it won't be an issue."
"There are six copies of these forms. One will go to the Association, one to the Chairman, and I'll keep one myself."
"The remaining three will be sent to the dorm managers at Ritto and Miho."
"Although the transfer hasn't been finalized yet, Amazon-san will soon be reassigned. Vodka will take over her responsibilities."
"She and Scarlet will help you and the trainees understand the situation. With their reputation and popularity, there's nothing to worry about."
"Keep the last copy with you. If anyone has questions, just show them the document. I'll also issue a formal announcement."
"Thank you so much, President. This is really…" Makoto paused, impressed by Teio's efficiency.
"You've been a huge help. I've never seen President Rudolf at work, but I'd bet your capabilities are on par with his, if not better."
Teio's ears twitched at lightning speed.
"Right?! Right?! I have gotten as amazing as she is! Heheh~ Yasui-san, you really—"
Cough
Wearing a childlike smile, delighted by the compliment, the Umamusume quickly heard a cough from the other side of the room. She hurriedly rubbed her face and straightened up.
"Ahem—my apologies. Let me finish filling out these forms. Yasui-san, please wait a moment.
"Once McQueen finishes the application, she'll give you the contact information for both directors. After the application is approved, they'll get in touch with you directly."
Upon hearing that, Makoto let out another inward sigh before turning around to pack up the drone.
He had heard of the two Umamusume Teio mentioned.
Berno Light was the head of the Manufacturing and Engineering Research Department at the academy's university division. Her capabilities were exceptional, and within the industry, she had earned the nickname "technical genius."
Interestingly enough, both she and Oguri Cap hailed from Nagoya—more precisely, from Kasamatsu in Nagoya—and had once attended Kasamatsu Tracen Academy. They even debuted in the same year.
Compared to Oguri Cap, Berno Light didn't show much natural talent in racing.
However, thanks to her gifts and diligence in the technical field, she was able to transfer to the Central alongside Oguri Cap.
In the days that followed, she provided Oguri Cap with a lot of support—ranging from training and racing equipment to certain racing techniques.
Air Shakur was also a technical genius, and in her case, she possessed outstanding racing talent as well.
In addition to being the head of the Computer Science and Technology Department, she was a double crown champion who had won both the Satsuki Sho and the Kikuka Sho. She had also been recognized as the best Classic-class racer of her generation.
With the support of these two department heads, resolving the drone issue would likely be straightforward.
And Makoto was confident that they would be very interested in his drone.
After all, its creator was one of the pioneers in the field—Vijay Kumar.
That scholar was currently the Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
For Makoto, it wasn't mere coincidence that he had come into contact with someone of that caliber.
Extreme sports made frequent use of high-tech equipment, and drones were among the most vital—without them, many dynamic and breathtaking shots simply couldn't be captured.
And combining some ahead-of-its-time ideas and technologies with this timeline's current capabilities to write a few things? That wasn't difficult at all if one wanted to catch the attention of industry leaders from this era.
Before coming to Tokyo, he had already posted on numerous high-level technical forums and official websites, managing to make contact and have discussions with several renowned experts.
What those people didn't know was that the person exchanging "cutting-edge technical insight" with them was actually a teenager who hadn't even reached adulthood—and had no intention of pursuing further studies. He was only laying the groundwork for his future as a Trainer.
After all, as far as Makoto was concerned, humans had their limits.
Becoming a capable Trainer was enough for him. Everything else could follow naturally.
And so, once the two student council members had processed all the paperwork and he had expressed his thanks, he returned to the shared Trainer's office and went about his usual duties.
By evening, as expected, it was time to resume Kitasan Black's training.
Just after completing her warm-up routine, the black-haired girl skipped over with barely restrained excitement. From her pocket, she pulled out a small notebook with a mischievous grin and presented it to him like a treasured offering.
"Trainer, look what I got!"
If he hadn't seen her hiding in the bushes earlier at the student council building, Makoto might not have been able to guess what this energetic racer had in her hands.
But now it was pretty obvious—that notebook likely contained information she had secretly gathered about her competitors.
Truthfully, Makoto didn't need any additional scouting. Thanks to his foreknowledge, he had already collected more than enough data.
But seeing the girl's cheerful smile, her expectant and secretive gaze, the way her long ears twitched and her tail swayed excitedly—he couldn't bring himself to spoil her enthusiasm.
So he put on a curious expression, pretending to know nothing, and "eagerly" accepted the little notebook.