"Thanks for having my back earlier."
After the European trainers led by Richard had left, Dream Weaver turned to face Mr. C.B and Symboli Rudolf, who had come to her aid, her gratitude genuine.
Having been in this scripted world for just a week, Dream Weaver was already well aware of the strength of the European Uma Musume Racing circuit.
And Symboli Rudolf and Mr. C.B, steeped in that environment for over a decade, knew it even better.
So, Dream Weaver was truly thankful they'd chosen to stand up for her in that moment.
"Don't mention it. I can't stand them either," Mr. C.B said with a smile. "Besides, if you hadn't practically dragged me over here, I'd have missed quite the show."
"And because you were the first to step forward, I was able to see that there are others at Tracen who share a similar resolve," Symboli Rudolf added, nodding her approval at Dream Weaver.
"In a way, I should be thanking you."
"But this isn't the place for a conversation," she continued, her eyes flicking towards the reporters starting to gather around them.
Dream Weaver understood. The moment the three of them had stood together facing Richard, an unspoken alliance had formed.
Now, they needed to learn more about each other.
"I can't just leave my classmate behind," Dream Weaver said, pulling a dazed Shiragawa over and introducing her to Symboli Rudolf.
She wasn't about to leave Shiragawa alone to face the reporters' interrogation.
"Naturally, she should come too," Symboli Rudolf agreed with a nod.
She then took the lead, using her presence and the weight of the Symboli name to clear a path through the encroaching journalists.
Cowed by her authority, the reporters didn't dare get too close, forced to let the group depart.
Dream Weaver, Mr. C.B, and Shiragawa followed Symboli Rudolf to a building near the classrooms. But the further they walked, the more familiar the surroundings seemed to Dream Weaver.
When she laid eyes on the door—identical to the one leading to the Student Council room in her real world—she couldn't help but crack a wry smile and ask the others, "Let me ask something first. Does Tracen Academy have a student council?"
"We do," Rudolf replied, pushing the door open.
"But it's generally just an organization under teacher supervision, maintaining order. Its biggest use is probably that, since the members are also students, it's more convenient for handling trivial matters between them. Why do you ask?"
"No... It's nothing..." Dream Weaver murmured, her eyes scanning the room's interior, which was nearly identical to the real Student Council office. She wasn't sure what expression to make.
Symboli Rudolf, however, didn't seem to notice Dream Weaver's unease.
She first nodded to a few Uma Musume inside who were handling paperwork, signaling for them to leave temporarily.
Once they had filed out, Rudolf turned to face the group.
"Consider this a temporary base of operations. It will also be our meeting place going forward."
Dream Weaver nodded politely to the unfamiliar Uma Musume as they passed by, then asked curiously, "And who were they?"
"Allies I made while I was still with my family. To challenge the Symboli house and the European racing world, we'll need their strength as well."
Dream Weaver was taken aback by this, and Shiragawa beside her looked utterly lost.
Seeing their expressions, Symboli Rudolf let out a soft chuckle and proceeded to explain her intention to rebel against her own family.
Brilliant and immensely proud, she wasn't the type to act on a mere impulse. Before her final break with the Symboli family, she had quietly built up her own network and strength, waiting until she deemed it sufficient before making her move.
The full story of her rift with the Symboli family was too long to tell all at once, so she only mentioned it briefly before moving on.
"Anyway, let's start by introducing ourselves. Though you've probably already heard my name," Symboli Rudolf said with a smile.
"My name is Symboli Rudolf. I was once hailed as the second coming of Shinzan, but now... I am an Uma Musume who wishes to start a rebellion against this stagnant Uma Musume Racing world."
Having spoken, she turned her gaze to Mr. C.B, whom she already knew. Mr. C.B shrugged and followed suit.
"I'm Mr. C.B. I was once selected by a European scout for special training because of my talent, but I dropped out later. These days, I'm just a lazy bum who prefers to hide in trees and watch the scenery."
After she finished, the ever-nervous Shiragawa instinctively began speaking herself.
"I-I'm Shiragawa, the class representative of High School Class 1..."
It was only after she spoke that the full weight of the situation dawned on her.
Symboli Rudolf was originally the Uma Musume destined to inherit the legacy of the great Shinzan.
Mr. C.B, though often criticized by teachers for her lack of competitive spirit, was still a renowned genius within Tracen.
And these two had not only joined forces but had publicly challenged the entire European racing circuit in front of everyone.
Symboli Rudolf had even just announced her rebellion against her own family! Who knows what kind of upheaval these two could cause together at Tracen?
Shiragawa, who considered herself just an ordinary Uma Musume, felt an instinctual trepidation.
She instinctively looked towards her friend and roommate, Dream Weaver.
But then Shiragawa quickly remembered that her roommate seemed to be the very catalyst for all of this.
If Dream Weaver hadn't spoken up for her, challenging the authority of the European trainers, and then demonstrated talent that surpassed everyone present, why would Symboli Rudolf and Mr. C.B be looking at her with such interest now?
"I am Dream Weaver," she said, meeting their gazes squarely. "I am the Uma Musume who must seize the Triple Crown."
Her declaration piqued Symboli Rudolf's interest.
A smirk touched Rudolf's lips. "You do know that even the legendary Shinzan needed the professional support of the European circuit to successfully defend her Triple Crown titles multiple times. And you've just declared war on them."
"They will undoubtedly target you in every way possible during the upcoming Triple Crown races. Even knowing that, you still believe you can definitely win it?"
Symboli Rudolf wasn't wrong. Given the sheer talent Dream Weaver had displayed on the training ground, the moment Richard reported back, she would instantly become a prime target in their eyes.
But upon hearing this, not a trace of fear showed on Dream Weaver's face. She looked directly into Symboli Rudolf's eyes.
"Then let them come!"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.