Symboli Rudolf stroked her chin upon hearing this. Mejiro Ramonu had a point.
While girls like King Halo or Mejiro Ardan were one thing, the group around Gold Ship was an entirely different breed of trouble.
As student council president, she had long since experienced just how much havoc they could wreak.
And now, all of them were gathered around Dream Weaver at the same time. Rudolf couldn't even begin to imagine how to prevent a disaster.
She had previously considered whether to impose some restrictions on these troublesome fillies, but before she could even properly think it through, Mejiro Ramonu had beaten her to the punch and come knocking.
"The student council's power and authority can ensure the storm within the school doesn't fully erupt," Ramonu said.
"Furthermore, the influence of the Mejiro and Northern families can protect Dream from harm outside the academy. Of course, it would be even better with the added strength of the Symboli family."
Rudolf paused, a puzzled frown creasing her brow.
"Why is the Northern family involved?"
As the largest off-campus training department for Uma Musume outside Tracen, the Northern family wielded undeniable power in the racing world.
Even the current chairwoman of Central Tracen had Northern family connections.
Hearing such a weighty name brought up so suddenly by Ramonu naturally made Rudolf suspicious.
"Though somewhat reluctantly…"
"Dream can also be considered an Uma Musume of the Northern family."
Ramonu's tone seemed begrudging, but she ultimately acknowledged the connection between the Northern family and Dream Weaver.
As the two discussed matters, Mr. C.B., who had been bored waiting on the sidelines, suddenly sprang up, raising her hand.
"I know, I know! I've seen this one!"
After drawing their attention, she puffed out her chest and declared proudly,
"This is the classic drama where a powerful family reclaims their true heiress, right? There's probably a fake heiress who'll oppose Dream, and after countless overt and covert schemes and family conflicts, Dream finally secures her rightful place!"
Mr. C.B. was excited. She'd finally recognized something familiar from their conversation. She'd really seen this episode before.
However, Rudolf and Ramonu didn't react with the expected shock.
They merely glanced briefly at Mr. C.B. before ignoring her and continuing their discussion.
"Establishing rules like this needs a proper pretext. Relying solely on the student council's authority might not be enough to restrain those fillies," Rudolf reminded.
"That's where my role comes in. The Mejiro family, as Dream's guardian, can provide legitimacy for setting these rules."
"As long as they haven't completely lost their minds, they won't want to face both the student council's authority and the displeasure of Dream's family at the same time."
Hearing this, Ramonu smiled slightly. She had a few more days than Rudolf to prepare, and had already refined her strategy while the other was still gathering information.
Prompted by her, Rudolf narrowed her eyes, thinking aloud.
"In that case, it might just work…"
"It helps that while they are numerous, they're divided into several factions and can't truly unite into a single force. For each of these separate groups, no one would want to face the student council and us alone."
"In fact, they'd likely strive to follow the rules to prevent a rival from using a violation as an excuse to eliminate them."
Ramonu smiled and added the final piece to the plan.
"Divide and conquer, pick them off one by one."
"As both the referees and participants, we hold the power to interpret the rules. We're already one step ahead from the very start."
Finally, she offered Rudolf an additional reminder.
"Of course, I only wish to watch over Dream's school life as her elder sister."
Rudolf let out a soft 'hmph', responding with a touch of displeasure.
"And I only wish to protect the growth of a future star as the student council president."
Ramonu didn't argue. She simply smiled and extended her hand to Rudolf.
"So, do we have an agreement?"
"To prevent the situation from spiraling out of control indefinitely, let us be the ones to set the rules."
Rudolf grasped the offered hand and nodded, sealing the pact.
Mr. C.B., who had witnessed everything, suddenly let out a long sigh.
Gazing at the office ceiling, she mused with a drawn-out tone, "Ah, influential families and esteemed houses joining forces, the student council reduced to a tool for personal desires... Is this the hidden darkness lurking beneath the sunshine at Tracen?"
"The school forum can't save me now. I fear this Tracen is truly—"
Before she could finish, Rudolf clapped a hand on her shoulder, cutting her off.
"I told you to stop reading that nonsense on the forum. Isn't establishing rules also for the healthy physical and mental development of the students?"
"Or do you have some objection to the rules?"
Mejiro Ramonu also smiled, patting Mr. C.B.'s other shoulder.
Pinned down on the sofa by two Triple Crown winners, Mr. C.B. could only let out a woeful sigh and say in a drawn-out voice, "I'm just lamenting for those juniors, that's all. They have no idea what they're up against."
"So, are you in or not?"
Ignoring Mr. C.B.'s affected melancholy, Rudolf stated flatly.
"Of course I'm in!"
In an instant, Mr. C.B.'s sorrowful expression vanished, replaced by a playful grin as she looked at the two beside her.
"Yours truly, Mr. C.B., has always been part of the student council! Becoming both referee and player? Of course I want a piece of that action!"
Rudolf and Ramonu exchanged a silent glance. Mr. C.B. was, after all, a Triple Crown-level Uma Musume, naturally holding a status equal to theirs.
So they said nothing more, simply releasing Mr. C.B. from her pinned position on the sofa. After locking the office door, the three began discussing the specific rules within the room.
And so, as these three forged a secret pact and laid down the rules for the first-ever Dream Cup—a competition that would alter the future landscape—the very center of the storm, the coveted prize herself, Dream Weaver, remained completely unaware.
At that very moment, she was still on the training field, discussing this year's race schedule with Chizuru Haibara.
"What do you mean, 'win them all'? The Hanshin Juvenile Fillies' Race, the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, and the Hopeful Stakes?!"
"Is that even a schedule an Uma Musume can manage?"
Chizuru Haibara shouted at Dream Weaver, heedless of the startled glances from passing students.
"If it were me, I could do it."
Dream Weaver, whose physical abilities had already far surpassed her peers, nodded expressionlessly. For her, the intensity of these three races was practically on par with her regular training.
Well, not quite. Training pushed her to utter exhaustion.
These three races definitely wouldn't be able to push Dream Weaver to that point.
"I absolutely forbid it!"
But having seen memories from another world and determined to protect Dream Weaver's well-being, how could Chizuru Haibara possibly agree? She firmly rejected the proposal.
"You are allowed to win, at most, one of them!"
It sounded just like telling a child begging for toys that they could only have one.
--+--
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.