If Ryuichi couldn't be sure that he had started a new loop, and if the current T.M. Opera O didn't seem to remember him, he would have suspected that her proposal of a "Royal-Audience Race" was a deliberate ploy to set up an easy win for herself.
After all, he knew her strength all too well. Excluding her classic year when her strength hadn't peaked—and the bigger reason being that he had foolishly tried to apply the methods he learned from Symboli Rudolf to her, completely disrupting her rhythm—Opera O's raw power had always been formidable.
At the very least, among all the Uma Musume he had trained, her raw power was definitely in the top three. In terms of achievements, she was second only to Symboli Rudolf. Although, from his perspective, while Rudolf's undefeated Triple Crown was dazzling, Opera O's achievements—highest prize money, first to win the Autumn Triple Crown, and an undefeated year—were by no means inferior.
It was just that Japan placed such a high value on the undefeated Triple Crown that Ryuichi reluctantly considered her achievements slightly less than Rudolf's. But apart from that, while both were geniuses who knew how to win races early on and hardly needed his guidance, Opera O had another excellent quality.
Her consistency was truly the most comfortable he had ever handled, even more stable than Rudolf's. She wasn't picky about tracks or conditions, had no strange tempers, and wasn't difficult to manage. As long as you let her run, she would aim for victory.
It could be said that as long as he didn't give her terrible instructions, and she found a suitable tactic for herself without being overworked beforehand, her entry in a race was almost a guaranteed win. Not even Rudolf herself could say for sure that she could beat her.
And since this so-called "Royal-Audience Race" was her own proposal, Ryuichi had every reason to suspect that she didn't just want to watch the show... she wanted to compete herself.
"This idea... is not bad."
However, after Opera O's proposal, Air Groove, for once, actually began to seriously consider it. In her mind, Opera O had the potential to be the next candidate for the student council, but her strange way of thinking and difficult personality had made Air Groove give up on the idea.
Opera O had never caused much trouble for the student council, but every year when they collected suggestions, she would always write a huge, flamboyant screed that they were obligated to read.
And her suggestions were usually unreasonable things like "bigger and more stages" or "let my glorious figure be sung about all over the world," which gave them the impression that she wasn't a serious person.
But this time, her proposal seemed quite feasible to Air Groove, and it perfectly suited her own plans—to select a suitable assigned Uma Musume for Kitano Ryuichi.
Although she was initially on King Halo's side, thinking she was the perfect choice, Mihono Bourbon's appearance made her realize that Ryuichi would indeed be a sought-after commodity.
If that was the case, why not use the position of his first assigned Uma Musume to motivate the undebutted girls in the academy? Let them actively participate in training and races, to strive for this "First Knight" position.
This would not only boost the training and racing enthusiasm of the new students, but also improve their overall quality and strength. More importantly, the one who met the requirements would definitely be the best among the new students, and also a Uma Musume willing to cooperate with him.
After all, if they weren't interested in him, who would participate in a race nominally for the position of his first assigned Uma Musume?
This could effectively prevent some of the high school students from joining just to crush the competition, as most of them already had trainers. It was highly unlikely they would break their contracts with their deeply-bonded trainers for a rookie.
Therefore, the participants would surely be from the middle school division, and without trainers. And their reasons for choosing him, whether for the title of "First Charge" or for his reputation as a "genius trainer," would undoubtedly prove that they were all incredibly ambitious Uma Musume.
This way, the student council might even discover some girls they had previously overlooked.
Such a screening method, killing multiple birds with one stone, was simply a stroke of genius!
"Opera O, this is an unexpectedly good proposal. I didn't think you could come up with such a genius idea," Air Groove said with delight.
"In that case, let's hold a friendly race with the position of Trainer Kitano's assigned Uma Musume as the prize. Any interested Uma Musume can sign up."
"Let this race be a special event for the new students of Tracen Academy. Whether you've had training and racing experience or not, as long as you're willing, you can participate."
The moment her voice fell, a deafening roar erupted from the cafeteria. It was as if the ground itself shook. The countless gossiping Uma Musume were suddenly hit by this pie falling from the sky.
"You just have to win a race to become that genius trainer's charge?! I want to join, I want to join!"
"Count me in! Such a genius trainer! And he's handsome! I have to be the first!"
"Looks like I'll have to train hard from now on, no more slacking!"
"C-can I participate too? I'm such an ordinary Uma Musume..."
For a moment, regardless of their mood, any Uma Musume moved by the proposal turned their "greedy" eyes towards Kitano Ryuichi.
At that moment, he felt like a piece of meat on a chopping block, stared at by a pack of ravenous beasts, as if he would be devoured in the next second. He was in genuine mortal danger!
Isn't this whole thing supposed to be about me? Why does it feel like I'm the only one with no say in the matter?
"New data objective updated. Objective: win the friendly race."
Mihono Bourbon, however, seemed quite enthusiastic. She nodded solemnly, clearly ready to compete.
"Hmph, it can't be helped. Although I'm not stepping onto the racetrack for this guy, a first-class Uma Musume never refuses a challenge."
King Halo flicked her hair, looking very proud as she cast a provocative glance at Mihono Bourbon. "Just wait to be crushed by a first-class me, Mihono Bourbon. Ohohoho~"
After officially declaring war on Bourbon, King Halo left the scene with a satisfied, proud laugh, like a peacock spreading its tail. However, a short while after she left the cafeteria, a question suddenly occurred to her.
"Huh? What was I... originally here for?"
King Halo slowly realized that something was wrong. She was supposed to be challenging Kitano Ryuichi, so why had it suddenly turned into her competing against a bunch of second-rate Uma Musume?
And the prize was the position of that guy's first assigned Uma Musume? Didn't that mean if she really proved she was first-class and won the race, she would have to become his charge?!
But if she lost... she had already issued the challenge, and accepted Bourbon's. If she lost, wouldn't that be admitting she wasn't first-class?!
"Waaah!! How did it turn into this?!"
King Halo belatedly realized she had fallen into a trap. Her face flushed red as she scratched her head, completely at a loss.
This race... should she win or lose?! It felt like she was at a disadvantage no matter what she chose!
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