Two days later, Nearl said her goodbyes to everyone at the orphanage and set off for Kasamatsu alongside Oguri Cap to enroll. When the time came to part, most were smiling—except for a few of the younger children, who cried and fussed, unwilling to let their big sister Nearl go.
Nearl was the most beloved child among the adults at the orphanage. Everyone fully supported her dream of becoming an Uma Musume. They all felt that she really ought to strive for her own aspirations and didn't need to devote her entire self to the orphanage.
As for the work left behind after her departure? Well, that was a problem they'd just have to figure out themselves.
--+--
On the train to Kasamatsu, Nearl chatted casually with Oguri Cap. She had already mapped out her future race participation plans well in advance, and she didn't need anyone else meddling with her training regimen.
After all, she wasn't like other Uma Musume. The training loads that would overwhelm them were still within normal limits for her.
But she couldn't easily bring up the fact that she was a Special Species to just anyone. If she were to actually take on a trainer, her training plans would probably be seen as self-torture.
To avoid that, Nearl intended to only nominally have a trainer, then carry out her own training independently.
Over the years, she had learned a great deal about training methodology. If she were to take the Central Licensing Exam, she might still be a bit unsure, but she was more than confident she could pass the Local Trainer Certification.
(Since the age of ten, Nearl had slept only four hours a day, relying entirely on Radiance to dispel her fatigue. All those late-night hours were spent studying.)
After Oguri Cap's visit, she learned during their conversations that Nearl planned to register under a trainer in name only. So, she recommended her own former trainer from Kasamatsu, Kitahara Jones.
Oguri Cap believed that given Nearl's circumstances, it was best not to go with an ordinary trainer.
Having spent time with Nearl, Oguri Cap knew just how extraordinary her friend's natural talent was—it went beyond anything an ordinary person could comprehend.
Since her debut, Oguri Cap had received plenty of praise. Although she didn't have a precise measure of her own talent, if someone like Symboli Rudolf was inviting her, she must be pretty strong.
But even so, when facing Nearl, she felt hesitation. It was a level of talent she couldn't grasp, something even more monstrous than a monster.
Back before Oguri Cap had enrolled at Kasamatsu Tracen, she went about her daily training routine. One day during her exercises, she encountered an eleven-year-old Nearl. Her stubborn stomach started acting up the moment it caught the scent of food.
Caught off guard, Nearl—still a stranger at the time—paused for a moment before offering her own meal to Oguri Cap. After eating, Oguri Cap felt a rare sense of fullness. It was like stumbling upon a treasure. After that, she made a habit of lurking around the same spot every day, hoping Nearl would "respawn" and bring her more food.
After several rounds of this, the two became friends. Back then, Nearl earnestly told her that her name was Margaret, and from then on, she brought meals for Oguri Cap daily.
But during their time together, Oguri Cap's sharp intuition picked up on something: it seemed like Nearl never trained seriously.
Her morning exercises were little more than a warm-up. After that, Nearl would return to manage orphanage duties: cooking, cleaning, looking after the children, assisting the director with tasks, studying on her own… In short, she showed no intention of improving her running performance.
Oguri Cap was different. Ever since the day her legs could run, becoming an Uma Musume was her one and only goal.
So she trained every day. Even without a trainer's guidance, much of her training was inefficient, but her physical fitness improved steadily nonetheless.
Yet even so, back then, Nearl could still keep up with her. It wasn't until Oguri Cap went to Kasamatsu Tracen, received professional training, and later moved on to Central Tracen to study and compete that Nearl began to fall behind.
But that only highlighted how abnormal Nearl was. As a child, Oguri Cap hadn't paid it much mind, but after her time at Central Tracen, she now realized just how 'monstrous' Nearl truly was.
Even without professional training, Nearl had reached a central-level standard through talent alone. And she hadn't even undergone Maturation yet.
Now that Nearl intended to enroll at Kasamatsu Tracen, it meant she would begin formal training. With her talent, her performance would likely improve to an astonishing level in a very short time, catching the attention of the central district.
Precisely because of this, Nearl couldn't just sign with any trainer.
For a local trainer, Nearl was a tremendous asset—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Once contracted, unless the trainer was outright scum, Nearl wouldn't easily break the agreement.
Even if the trainer contributed nothing, Nearl could handle her own training. One could say that signing with Nearl was like waiting for manna from heaven.
But that wouldn't do. Few trainers could bring themselves to let go of a supremely talented Uma Musume. When the time came for Nearl to move to the central district, how many local trainers would have the resolve to terminate the contract?
As long as Nearl remained under their name, honors and prize money were practically within reach. Their own dreams of victory would no longer seem distant. How many trainers could resist such temptations of fame and fortune and still prioritize Nearl's future, abandoning their own dreams?
What's more, most Uma Musume are kind and gentle by nature. They would rather suppress their own feelings to fulfill their trainer's dreams. Nearl's personality was especially like this—she wouldn't be able to simply leave her trainer behind and head to the central district alone.
That's why Oguri Cap recommended Kitahara Jones, her former trainer.
She had confidence in Kitahara's character. Back then, he had been willing to give up his dream of winning the Tokai Derby to let her go to the central district. Now, she was certain he could also let Nearl go when the time came.
Though Kitahara was poor, his training skills were average, and he lacked confidence, his love for Uma Musume was second to none. For Nearl, Kitahara was the most suitable trainer available.
Stepping off the train, Nearl and Oguri Cap arrived at the gates of Kasamatsu Tracen Academy. Only one guard was stationed at the entrance, sitting and sipping tea. There was no one else around.
This was to be expected, as they had deliberately chosen a rest day to discuss Nearl's enrollment. Oguri Cap was far too well-known in Kasamatsu now—being recognized would have been troublesome.
Nearl's enrollment was a special admission case. She still needed to pass a test to officially enter Kasamatsu Tracen. The academy's director had agreed to give her a chance only on the strength of Oguri Cap's recommendation, especially since it wasn't the regular enrollment season.
Just before entering the school grounds, Oguri Cap asked Nearl one question.
"Margaret, are you ready to step into your future?"
"Who's ever truly ready, Oguri? I'm just following the voice in my heart."
Nearl didn't turn back, but her tone was as firm as ever.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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.