Early the next morning, with a mix of trepidation and excitement, the three embarked on their journey to Tracen Academy, and after a series of transportation methods involving the subway and taxis, they finally stood before the most important Uma Musume training academy in Central, which was the subject of so many rumors.
"It's so big! It's almost bigger than some universities, isn't it?" Ikezoe exclaimed in surprise the moment he arrived, curiously looking around.
Within their line of sight, Tracen Academy, with its gates wide open, had many Uma Musume students in school uniforms continuously entering with their bags, and at the main entrance, a gentle female dressed in green with a green hat was greeting everyone.
"Standing here is useless, let's go in." Imanami, as the backbone of the trio, after a slight moment of surprise, led his two juniors inside, and Wada and Ikezoe also calmed themselves down and followed closely.
"Hayakawa Tazuna, good morning!"
"Good morning."
"Hayakawa Tazuna, you're looking energetic today!"
"Yes, energetic."
The green-clad woman standing at the school gate responded to each greeting from the Uma Musume students, and when she saw Imanami and the other two approaching, she smiled and walked forward, saying:
"Hello, this is Tracen Academy. I am the Chairwoman's secretary, my name is Hayakawa Tazuna."
"Are the three of you here for a visit? Tracen Academy is not usually open to the public, but today is the new student season, so everyone is very welcome to visit as long as you don't disturb the Uma Musume's training~"
"Um, we're not here to visit, we're here for an interview."
Facing the secretary named Hayakawa Tazuna, Imanami immediately took out the interview documents he had prepared and handed them to the green-clad woman in front of him, while Ikezoe and Wada also followed suit, submitting their respective documents.
"We are Trainers dispatched by the Central Racehorse Association for an interview. May we please see the Chairwoman and the Student Council President?"
"Ah, so it's the three of you. My apologies." Hayakawa Tazuna replied gently after looking at their documents, "Then, Mr. Imanami, Mr. Ikezoe, and Mr. Wada, please come in."
"Welcome to Tracen Academy."
…"Welcome! You must be the new Trainers who are here to take up your positions, right? I am Chairwoman Akikawa Yayoi, but please don't call me by my name, just call me 'Chairwoman'."
And soon, inside Tracen Academy's Student Council, the three quickly met the person currently sitting in the Chairwoman's office—a… little girl? —with orange hair streaked with white, wearing a hat, and even with a sleepy kitten perched on her head.
The three suppressed the urge to complain, as it would be too rude to comment on someone's age and physique at a first meeting, but their eyes were filled with doubt, wondering if they had come to the wrong place?
"Calm down, Ikezoe, Wada-kun, we haven't not seen petite Uma Musume before. Perhaps the Chairwoman is also an Uma Musume?" Imanami cautiously reminded his two juniors not to speak carelessly, then stepped forward and bowed proactively, saying:
"Hello, Chairwoman, I am Imanami Takatoshi. It is an honor to be appointed to Tracen Academy."
"These two are my juniors, Ikezoe Kenichi and Wada Ryuji."
"Hello, Chairwoman." X2
"Welcome! It's been a long time since Tracen Academy had new Trainers, after all, after the Racehorse Association's exam reforms, the qualification certificate has become very difficult to obtain. Some Trainers in certain areas might take seven or eight years and still not pass the Central qualification exam, but you all passed at such a young age, which shows great talent!"
The Chairwoman also happily used her fan to cover the lower half of her face, smiling as she said to the three, "Tracen Academy cultivates the top Uma Musume in All Japan, so the Trainers who match them certainly can't be useless."
"Pfft."
However, the Chairwoman's words made Ikezoe burst into laughter. He subconsciously looked at Wada beside him and even deliberately nudged Wada with his elbow, only to be disdainfully pushed away by Wada with a curled lip.
"Ahem, my apologies, I just thought of something funny."
"Tap, tap, tap." Just then, a knock sounded on the Chairwoman's office door, and soon, Hayakawa Tazuna opened the door, smiling as she said:
"Chairwoman, the members of the Student Council have arrived."
"Oh! Let them in!" The Chairwoman also smiled and gestured, quickly forgetting the small commotion Ikezoe had caused.
"Three new Trainers, I will now formally introduce you to the three members of our Student Council. In the time to come, you may not often see me, but for all matters big and small, you can approach them."
"Let me introduce you: Student Council President Symboli Rudolf! And the two Vice Presidents, Air Groove and Narita Brian!"
As the Chairwoman's words fell, three beautiful young women, each with distinct appearances, yet whose characteristics were instantly recognizable to the new Trainers who had spent half their lives working with horses, collectively entered the Chairwoman's office.
"Good morning, Chairwoman." The one who was immediately recognizable as Symboli Rudolf, an elegant woman with a long, challenging white strand of hair like the moon, also turned her gaze to the three, maintaining her imperial dignity, yet not being overbearing as she said:
"You three must be the new Trainers. Hello, I am Symboli Rudolf, the Student Council President."
"—Imanami Takatoshi." Facing the hand extended by the Emperor, even Imanami, whose mental age was already seventy or eighty, felt a bit nervous, but still maintained his composure and said, "Symboli Rudolf, 'the Emperor'… I've finally met her in person."
"Welcome." Symboli Rudolf nodded slightly at Imanami's composure. After all, her title of "Emperor" had long spread throughout All Japan, and it was no exaggeration to say that nine out of ten Trainers or Uma Musume who joined Tracen Academy came because they had heard her story.
Therefore, Symboli Rudolf was pleased with Imanami's knowledge of her story and his composure, thinking he seemed to be a very steady Trainer.
"Uh, um, my name is Ikezoe Kenichi!" Ikezoe immediately stepped forward, took Symboli Rudolf's hand, and said somewhat nervously:
"I've finally met the Emperor in person; it's truly better to see once than to hear a hundred times!"
"Welcome."
This one seems a bit more "younger," but she is willing to step forward and is not afraid of my authority. She is a rather bold Trainer, perhaps capable of training some more difficult and temperamental children. Symboli Rudolf thought to herself.
And the last one, Wada, also saw the Emperor's hand come before him. He suppressed the impulse in his heart, very reservedly held the Emperor's hand, and politely said:
"Hello, my name is Wada Ryuji. Please take care of me."
"Hmm, welcome."
This one seems much more reserved, like the type of Trainer who can suppress his emotions. His stress resistance is probably very good, a presence capable of enduring pressure and then bursting forth?
After the handshake, Symboli Rudolf had a general understanding of the three's personalities. She was quite satisfied with the personalities of these three new Trainers. Although their personalities differed, they were all relatively more mature compared to previous new Trainers, yet they all looked very young, which was rare.
"Three Trainers, you are now officially appointed to Tracen Academy. The motto of Tracen Academy is 'One horse leads, all others fade.' Your arrival at the academy as new Trainers means you are already among the best of Trainers."
"But please remember, the Uma Musume of Tracen Academy are also exceptional, so I hope you will take serious responsibility for each Uma Musume you are in charge of, and let them become dazzling new stars on the track—this is my request to you, as the Student Council President and also an Uma Musume."
Symboli Rudolf first spoke with seriousness, then her expression quickly cleared, and she said with a smile:
"With that, I welcome your arrival. You must still be unfamiliar with many aspects of Tracen Academy. Therefore, before you officially assume your positions tomorrow, you are free to explore all the facilities of Tracen Academy."
"Additionally, if possible, please choose a suitable Uma Musume to be in charge of as soon as possible. If you do not find an Uma Musume you are satisfied with within seven days, the Student Council will make arrangements for you. Understood?"
"—Understood!" X3