(TL: Made a mistake with the name of the Academy. The Academy that the MC is now is a branch from the main one of the anime and game. The academy is based in Oi Racetrack)
After returning to Oi Tracen Academy, Kuroha tried out the food at the academy cafeteria.
"Hmm… I'd say it's just alright."
Smacking his lips, Kuroha thought it wasn't as good as his own cooking. Nutritionally, it only slightly edged out typical outside meals.
The only real benefit might be the unlimited supply.
Still, it'd be better to cook for himself going forward. March was currently in a phase of rapid growth — he couldn't afford to let her nutrition slide.
After a few quick bites, Kuroha left the cafeteria.
He was just about to return to his dorm to rest a bit when a lively figure zipped right past him.
But with a surprised "Eh?", that figure quickly backtracked and stopped right in front of him.
"Aren't you March's trainer? Where are you going? Out to train?" Inari One asked while mimicking a sort of jogging-in-place motion as she walked alongside Kuroha.
"Exercising right after eating isn't good training practice. It's lunchtime break now," Kuroha replied casually.
Honestly, it was strange. How someone like Inari One or Tamamo Cross, with their height, could run so fast… it really didn't make scientific sense.
"Haha, true, true…"
Hearing Kuroha's logic, Inari One let out a light laugh. Her motions slowly relaxed into a normal walking pace.
"Now that I think about it, March's trainer — I think Boss mentioned you once. Said you're some kind of amazing trainer!" Inari One said, walking and trying to recall.
Tatsuko Yuzuhara — a veteran trainer at Oi Tracen Academy. She had long since earned her Central Trainer's License, yet still chose to remain at Oi.
Kuroha replied casually, "Yuzuhara-senpai is an amazing trainer. I'm just a newbie with a lot to learn."
"Right? Right? I think so too! Boss is incredible!" Inari One nodded excitedly, her eyes practically sparkling.
As she kept talking, her tone grew more passionate. "I'm not bad either! As a daughter of Edo, I'm definitely going to become the strongest Uma Musume in the world!"
Looking at her face glowing with ambition, Kuroha couldn't help but sigh internally.
Eight consecutive wins without a single loss — at the moment, she truly lived up to the title of 'Daughter of Edo.'
And yet, not even a veteran like Tatsuko Yuzuhara had realized that Inari One was completely unsuited to heavy track conditions. Within a month, she'd suffer her first loss.
And then, a five-race losing streak would follow. The genius girl would fall from grace this very year and only barely recover by year's end.
But by then, Tamamo Cross, her peer, would have already retired. Even after reaching her peak post-formalization, Inari One would struggle against older legends like Oguri Cap and Super Creek.
If Inari One could adapt to heavy track conditions in these remaining ten or so days, could she perhaps alter her fate at the turning point in March?
Could he forge an even more glorious future?
Kuroha looked at Inari One, lost in thought.
But he quickly shook his head, brushing away that unrealistic idea.
Right now, Fujimasa March was his responsibility. His focus needed to be on her future first and foremost.
As for Inari One… he could only report her situation to Tatsuko Yuzuhara.
As her trainer, she'd likely find a way to address it.
After chatting a little more, Kuroha found this fiery and cheerful Uma Musume rather endearing.
Drip—
A chill touched the top of his head. Kuroha looked up.
Dark clouds were creeping across the sky.
"Ah, it's gonna rain! I'm heading back! Kuroha-sensei, you should hurry back to the dorm too!" Inari One glanced up, hurriedly waved goodbye, and ran off toward the dorms.
Kuroha watched the sky's changing hues and quickened his pace.
"It's started raining. Looks like we'll be getting weather like this for the next few months…"
He paused and murmured softly, "Heavy track, huh?"
…
It was nearly three hours before the rain finally stopped.
Kuroha and March arrived at the training grounds right on time.
Splsh...
Kuroha stepped into the sand lightly, immediately feeling resistance underfoot — enough to squeeze water out of the soil with ease.
This was textbook heavy track.
Heavy track had a much higher moisture content than standard courses. On dirt tracks, that moisture caused Uma Musume hooves to sink in, increasing drag.
Such a track would drain much more stamina from racers. The mud also absorbed more of the power from their strides, making it especially harsh on those who relied on explosive bursts of speed.
Greater stamina drain. Reduced speed. Weakened bursts. And the slippery surface made falls and injuries far more likely.
It was, in every sense, a nightmare of a racing condition.
And it demanded a much higher overall standard from every participating Uma Musume.
In effect, it lowered every attribute across the board. No one dared to recklessly accelerate, fearing injury. Even if a girl had a powerful closing speed, it was useless without proper technique — you'd only end up burning extra stamina for disproportionate gains.
That's exactly why Inari One was headed for a string of failures.
She was the type who relied purely on raw stats and innate explosive power to win.
Her compatibility with heavy tracks was horrendous.
"March, starting today, along with resuming your regular intense training cycle, you'll also need to work on adapting to heavy track conditions!"
"Got it, Trainer!" March, who was stretching nearby, nodded with determination.
Kuroha had already taught her the skill Bad Condition Track.
That skill helped Uma Musume perform better under poor track conditions.
But just like the green skills in the game from his past life, these kinds of skills had a double-ring — they could always be leveled up further.
Dirt Track Aptitude could be pushed all the way to S-rank through long-term training.
Bad Condition Track could likewise evolve — from basic muddy surfaces to the truly hellish international-level super-heavy tracks.
"Alright, start with a light three-lap jog to warm up the body!" Kuroha snapped his stopwatch.
Under her trainer's guidance, the girl began to work up a sweat.
And so, the formal daily training at Oi Tracen — began.
(End of Chapter)
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