Fujimasa March's training was finally on the right track.
In the cycles of high-intensity training, Kuroha added strength training, and even on her once-a-week rest days, she wasn't allowed to slack off—he required her to go for light jogs to maintain her condition. He also taught her dancing and singing to improve her coordination and prepare for a possible Winner's Stage in the future.
Yes, Kuroha could dance and sing too. Although these weren't registered as skills in his system—just like nutrition—if we graded it by "Uma Musume standards," it'd still be G1-level.
Whenever March expressed amazement at Kuroha's many talents, he'd always reply passionately:
"Don't underestimate how much I love being an Uma Musume trainer!"
Time passed quickly. A whole month went by.
February 23rd. Just two days left until the 1600m Group C race at Kasamatsu Racecourse.
In Kuroha's private trainer's room, Fujimasa March lay face down on the bed, blanket pulled over her head.
Kuroha calmly began applying his [Massage] skill.
He gently gripped the girl's long, toned legs, pressing along certain meridians. Her body shivered, and a small, muffled whimper came from under the blanket.
Still not used to it, huh?
Kuroha shook his head helplessly as he loosened her tense muscles and said,
"We can ease off a bit these next few days. Just keep up with some light speed drills."
March gave a broken "mm" sound to show she understood.
"As for the race in two days—it's a classic mile track, 1600 meters. You've got a strong sense of pacing for mile races, and you're also quite adapted to the Kasamatsu course. This shouldn't be a difficult race for you."
"Mile races tend to be more intense. I've analyzed the data of the seven other horse girls in this group—most of them are Front Runners and Pace Chasers. So even though you've rarely used lead-running tactics before, this time you must take the lead from the start and hold it to the end. You absolutely cannot get swallowed up in the front pack."
Stats are stats. A race is a race.
Back in his previous life playing Uma Musume, even god-tier stat horse girls would get stuck in the pack and finish 5th to 8th. Rage and aneurysms were common. That's why he never underestimated any race.
"The final stretch at Kasamatsu is only 201 meters long. If you wait to accelerate at the end, it'll be too late. While someone like Oguri Cap has a finishing kick that's rare even locally, you still have to go all out. That's why we need to accelerate during the final curve—remember the technique we practiced?"
[Fujimasa March]
Track Aptitude: Turf C / Dirt B
Distance Aptitude: Sprint B / Mile B / Medium C / Long F
Running Style Aptitude: Front Runner B / Pace Chaser A / Late Surger C / End Closer D
Unique Skill: None
Skills: Good Track Condition, Rainy Days, Mindfulness, Corner Adept, Focus, Poor Track Condition, Positioning Sense
Speed: 371 / Stamina: 422 / Power: 367 / Gut: 413 / Wit: 334
Even without having learned Professor of Curvature, these stats alone were proof of how hard March had worked over the last month.
"It's time to put our training to the test, March!" Kuroha said with a smile.
The girl peeked out from under the blanket, a few strands of white hair falling against her cherry-colored cheeks. She nodded firmly.
"Don't worry, Trainer. I'll win!"
"I believe in you," Kuroha replied softly.
March froze, her blush threatening to spread again, and she retreated back under the blanket.
Kuroha gave a helpless sigh. She was still such a pure-hearted little horse girl—even after a month of massages and leg therapy, she still got this shy.
Over the next two days, Kuroha had March review the key points of running in the lead. Running style aptitude was considered a form of natural talent in this world, and not easily improved.
There were four types: Front Runner, Pace Chaser, Late Surger, and End Closer. The determining factor? Explosive power.
Front Runners and Pace Chasers generally lacked short-burst explosiveness, but they excelled at stamina control, pacing, and race management. That's why they used extra leg power early on to cut from the outer lane to the inside, securing better positioning for the final stretch. The downside? That early sprint cost more stamina, and breaking wind for the group ahead consumed even more. If they couldn't disrupt the rhythm of the horses behind them during the race, the final stretch would be tough.
Late Surgers and End Closers were the opposite. Their burst potential was high, but they often lacked in other areas. They conserved their stamina, waiting for the final curve or straight to strike—slicing through the group with a killer kick. The weakness? Everyone clusters in the endgame, so if they lacked the skill to cut through, they'd get blocked and rage-quit from brain hemorrhages.
March lacked strong explosive bursts. She could maintain high speed and even reach her top speed over short intervals, but even with stamina to spare, it was hard for her to trade that for sudden acceleration.
That's why Front Runner and Pace Chaser tactics were her main styles.
"What a shame. If only the shop sold Unique Skills, I'd slap on the fishing dude's, Santa Hat Suzuka's, and Emotional Wave's. I don't even want to imagine how fast she'd be…"
Kuroha had thought this more than once.
And then... race day arrived.
The sun was shining. The skies were clear. A perfect day for activating Good Track Condition and Sunny Days.
Kuroha brought March to Kasamatsu Racecourse.
After watching her enter the competitor's preparation tunnel, he glanced around—the audience was sparse.
Kasamatsu was a local venue, and this race wasn't anything major. A small crowd was only natural.
Out on the track, the commentator calmly introduced the racers.
Unlike the passionate tone he'd used for Oguri Cap, his voice now was flat—clearly saving his throat for more important matches.
"The 1600m Group C race at Kasamatsu Racecourse, held under clear skies, is about to begin…"
Kuroha quietly listened as the commentator read out the list of horse girls.
"And finally, the crowd favorite—Number 3, Fujimasa March!"
Having once defeated Oguri Cap, March now held the undisputed top popularity for this race.
"All horse girls have entered the gates."
On the field, Fujimasa March took a deep breath.
This was her first race since special training.
It felt amazing.
That was the first thing she noticed. Standing in the gate, she wasn't nervous like before. Confidence welled up from deep within her.
Click! — the clear sound of the gate unlocking rang out.
"The gates are open!"
"The horse girls have started beautifully! Who will take the lead?!"
(End of Chapter)
Before the commentator could even finish the usual pre-race lines, a flash of white burst out from the gate—Fujimasa March exploded forth with overwhelming speed. Her powerful legs pounded the dirt, propelling her straight to the inside lane!
[Focus] and [Good Track Condition]!
These two skills had long since become instinctual for her. With her body leaning forward and her stride smooth, Fujimasa March began her lead run with perfection.
"A beautiful start! Fujimasa March blasts ahead with a stunning performance to take the lead!"
The horse girls behind her didn't even have the chance to contest the lead—instead, they fought among themselves for the best remaining front-running positions.
The lineup in the early stage wasn't stretching out—it was bloated and messy, only easing up slightly after the first corner.
This said a lot about the quality of local horse girl races.
Kuroha glanced once at the group behind March, then relaxed and focused entirely on her.
The wind howled past her ears. The scenery of the track rushed by with each stride.
Her body felt so light.
March inhaled rhythmically, arms swinging fluidly. All outside noise faded—leaving only the wind, the sound of hooves striking dirt, and—
The sound of victory!
It was calling her name!
This was the first time Fujimasa March had ever felt such a powerful, mysterious sensation.
I can win! I must win! I will win!
She exhaled and settled into her stride, as if she were in a training run. Her steps were fast and compact, pounding into the ground like a thunderous symphony—radiating sheer power.
Accelerate… then accelerate again!
The clash of iron shoes and earth echoed throughout the track. The distance between her and the trailing pack steadily widened.
To March, she was simply managing her stamina while keeping an even pace.
But to the other horse girls—it looked like a massive runaway!
The gap continued to grow: four lengths… six lengths...
Finally, a few Pace Chasers could no longer hold back and began to pursue.
Hoofbeats thundered behind her as the field approached the third corner. By then, March's lead had stretched to seven lengths!
Those who tried to catch her found themselves off rhythm, dragged into a pace that wasn't their own, and ended up ruining their stamina control.
"Damn it!"
Letting out cries of defeat, those Pace Chasers began to falter, overtaken by the rest of the pack.
"Number 3, Fujimasa March still holds the lead! The gap has stretched to seven lengths as they pass the 1000-meter mark! Approaching the fourth corner—will anyone break out and challenge?!"
The commentator's voice began to rise, excitement creeping in.
Close the distance!
The few horse girls nearest to March gritted their teeth and surged forward.
They had to close that gap before the final straight, or else no amount of burst speed could recover such a lead!
But...
They couldn't.
Even pouring out everything they had left—it was meaningless.
The distance between them and March didn't shrink even a little!
How?! She's been running a massive runaway this whole time—does she still have stamina to spare?!
They couldn't understand it.
[Corner Adept] and [Mindfulness]!
Fujimasa March glided through the inside lane like a feather, breathing deep and steady.
"I've still got stamina. My legs are holding up fine. Then—right here!"
With about 100 meters before exiting the turn, March stomped down hard, kicking up a spray of dust. Emotion welled up in her chest—fueling a surge of incomparable strength!
"She's nearing the final turn—Number 3, Fujimasa March is still holding her lead! Are the others not going to challenge?!"
"She's accelerating again! Does she still have stamina?! The gap is growing—eight lengths! Nine lengths! She's flying—unbelievably fast!"
The white silhouette raced down the track, as if cut off from the rest of the horse girls—like they were in different worlds.
Kuroha watched March's figure and raised his camera toward the finish line.
The girl's graceful figure dashed across it—and the commentator announced:
"First to cross the line—Fujimasa March!"
Snap!
The camera captured this unforgettable moment.
[Uma Musume Data Update]
[Fujimasa March]
Unique Skill: None → Unique Skill: Verse of the Wind Lv1
A Unique Skill—representing a horse girl's personal mastery and expression.
Kuroha looked at the glowing panel on the system. Before him stood March, just past the finish line.
"You've grown, March…"
...
Athletes' Tunnel
Fujimasa March stood in a daze.
The race had been too easy. No one had posed even a remote threat. It was her first time crushing her opponents with such a massive lead.
For someone with an 11-race, 2-win record, it was hard to believe.
Then came footsteps.
She looked up to see a boy standing at the tunnel exit, backlit by sunlight, smiling at her.
"What's the matter, March—"
Before Kuroha could finish, the gray-haired horse girl sprinted toward him and threw herself into his arms.
"Trainer, I did it! I won! I won!!"
Her voice was full of excitement and youthful energy, ringing clearly in his ears.
Feeling the joy in the girl's embrace, Kuroha didn't say anything to kill the mood. He simply stood there and let her celebrate.
After a long while, March finally stepped back, wiping away tears of joy from her eyes.
"Shall we go?"
"Mm!"
Side by side, the two left the tunnel.
...
They'd earned a small fortune—500,000 yen. The financial pressure eased, at least for now.
Of course, 20% would go into March's personal account, as per the rules.
Now back in the trainer team room, March and Kuroha sat together planning her future.
"According to Kasamatsu custom, once you make a name for yourself here, the next step is usually Nagoya Racecourse."
Kuroha opened his notebook and pointed seriously to one section:
"Your original plan was to enter the jointly-hosted series between Kasamatsu and Nagoya—the Tokai Triple Crown."
"Jun-Tee Sho, Tokai Derby, and Gifu Kimpai. All SP1-grade races. They'll be the highest-level stakes races you've ever entered."
The Tokai Derby…
Hearing that familiar name, Fujimasa March grew a little dazed. It used to be her highest goal.
But ever since the Oguri Cap incident...
She looked away from the Tokai Triple Crown section and pointed to another part of the notebook.
"What about this one?"
The South Kanto Triple Crown!
The words were written boldly across the page.
Kuroha had thought long and hard about March's future. First of all, the Central Classic Triple Crown was totally off the table.
That rotten policy requiring registration two years in advance effectively blocked all local horse girls from transferring to Central circuits last-minute.
And Kuroha didn't have a Central Trainer License yet anyway.
So, he had no choice but to aim for high-level local graded races.
The Tokai Triple Crown, being March's original goal, stayed on the list. It was also easier to enter due to being co-hosted by Kasamatsu and Nagoya.
But now, March was pointing at a different future—
The South Kanto Triple Crown.
(End of Chapter)
The South Kanto Triple Crown consists of the Haneda Cup, the Tokyo Derby, and the Tokyo Crown Prize.
All three are hosted at Oi Racetrack.
Unlike regular local venues, Oi Racetrack stands apart. Located in Tokyo, it's well-funded, has abundant new talent, and boasts excellent training resources and staff.
Its event grade and overall importance completely outclass the Tokai Triple Crown.
If Fujimasa March can claim victory in the South Kanto Triple Crown, she'll be qualified to transfer to the Central District—just in time to shine at the peak of her three-year prime and compete on the central circuit!
"So, Trainer, you want me to run the South Kanto Triple Crown?"
After silently listening to Kuroha's explanation, Fujimasa March smiled confidently. "Then it's the South Kanto Triple Crown!"
"Good. No time to waste!"
The Haneda Cup, the first leg of the South Kanto Triple Crown, is usually held in early May. It was already late February. To qualify for the Haneda Cup, there was only one chance left—next month's trial race, the Keihin Cup.
But Kuroha and Fujimasa March weren't just aiming for the Keihin Cup. They had their sights set on the entire South Kanto Triple Crown, which stretches from May to October. Regular training and participation alone wouldn't cut it.
Training facilities, venues, resources, and the long-distance trips to Tokyo for the races would all take a toll on Fujimasa March's condition.
So if they were truly aiming for the South Kanto Triple Crown, there was one essential move—transfer affiliation!
Transfer to Central Tracen Academy, take advantage of their top-tier staff, and get used to the race venues in advance, so that resource limitations and travel fatigue wouldn't drag her down!
…
"Transfer?!"
In the trainers' office, four large faces leaned in close to Kuroha, who instinctively backed away in distaste.
"This is for March's future. Kasamatsu is just too small!" Kuroha said bluntly.
"Damn it, don't say something so harsh with such a calm face!"
Kitahara, who'd already come to terms with this ever since the Oguri Cap incident, howled at the ceiling.
"So, transferring to Oi… that's for the South Kanto Triple Crown?" Among the four trainers, Shibasaki was the calmest. He pondered for a moment and quickly deduced the truth.
But that truth made all four men suck in a sharp breath.
The current Kasamatsu Tracen Academy couldn't even dream of the Tokai Derby, let alone the South Kanto Triple Crown.
"For March's future, huh?"
They all fell silent. As trainers, they understood better than anyone just how important a racehorse girl's future was.
"I'll go talk to the principal!"
"I know some trainers over at Oi!"
"…"
Kuroha was left dazed, watching the four veteran trainers spring into action. He knew they weren't just helping him—they were helping Fujimasa March too. Still, he bowed his head in gratitude.
"Thanks."
Changing affiliation was a troublesome process. If Kuroha had handled it alone, it would've eaten up a lot of his time.
But with the help of those four seasoned pros, he finished all the procedures in less than three days.
After packing their bags together, he visited March's family to explain the situation, and then boarded the train to Tokyo!
…
The scenery outside the window zipped by.
Kuroha sat silently in his seat. Beside him, March had already dozed off, slumped over the table in exhaustion.
She had indeed been pushing herself too hard this month. Though Kuroha had scheduled proper rest, her nerves had only relaxed after the race ended. Add in the fact that she rarely traveled far from home, and it was no surprise she'd gotten sleepy on the gently rocking train.
[Race Completed – Earned pt: 20]
That was the pt reward from the local race a few days ago. Barely anything—he'd need six or seven more races like that just to afford one basic skill.
"The road ahead is long…"
Kuroha sighed. His path as a trainer still felt incredibly steep.
No money, no pt, few skills, no reputation.
The only thing he could be proud of was training a hardworking, naturally gifted Uma Musume.
Clunk.
Just then, Kuroha felt a sudden weight on his shoulder. He turned his head and saw that March, trying to shift positions from an awkward arm lean, had tried to rest against the chair's edge—only for her head to slide and land right on his shoulder.
He didn't think much of it and instinctively softened his posture a little.
"With the 150 leftover pt, just enough to buy that weird skill…"
Dirt Aptitude!
This was a skill that didn't exist in the original game. It enhanced a Uma Musume's adaptability to dirt tracks. There was no cap to the boost—given enough effort and time, it could theoretically raise a rank from F all the way to S.
Of course, "enough time" was vague at best.
Fujimasa March's current Dirt Aptitude was B. With this skill, bumping it to A wouldn't be a problem.
Slowly patching up her weaknesses.
In the end, March was still just a local runner. Her talent still had a long way to go compared to someone like Oguri Cap.
Oguri Cap was a top-tier dual-aptitude dirt and turf runner, mastered her own running style and breathing rhythm, and probably had a built-in unique skill—Triumphant Pulse.
Even her base stats were in a completely different league.
By comparison, aside from her Front Runner style, March didn't have a single A-rank adaptability in anything.
If she were to stay local, it wouldn't matter much. But if she wanted to challenge the Central stage, these weaknesses had to be addressed.
Thankfully, after the last race—whatever happened there—March awakened her unique skill. That alone resolved one of Kuroha's major worries.
He didn't know how it happened, but Uma Musume were a race full of miracles. There was no need to overthink it—just chalk it up to the blessing of the Three Goddesses.
After buying the Dirt Aptitude skill, his already meager skill points dropped back to zero.
Feeling a wave of drowsiness wash over him after getting things done, Kuroha set his alarm and closed his eyes.
…
Time passed quickly in the dark.
No one knew how much time had gone by.
Riiing~!
The blaring alarm jolted Kuroha awake—his muscles had already memorized that sound.
Beside him, Fujimasa March rubbed her eyes and slowly sat up, stretching her graceful body with a long yawn.
"Are we there, Trainer?"
She looked around in a daze.
Kuroha adjusted his jacket and replied, "Almost there. Get ready, we'll be getting off soon."
"Mm, okay~"
The two grabbed their luggage. As the train gradually slowed and came to a stop, they finally stepped onto the land known as Tokyo!
"Should we go find Oguri Cap? She should be done with class around now."
Walking out of the station with March, Kuroha asked with a smile.
March thought about it for a moment, then shook her head and muttered, "Let's get settled first. We're in Tokyo now—plenty of time to visit."
She didn't want to see Oguri Cap just yet. At the very least, she needed to achieve something on the Tokyo track first.
Keihin Cup—I'll definitely win it!
"Alright then."
Though it was a little disappointing not to see the familiar Central Tracen Uma Musume, Kuroha understood how March felt.
They were in Tokyo now. There was no rush.
(End of Chapter)
They walked and paused intermittently, treating it like a stroll through Tokyo's scenery. Fujimasa March was a horse girl, and while Kuroha didn't have her kind of speed, he did possess the stamina of a G1-level Uma Musume. If converted into system stats, his Gut would probably be at least 800 points.
As the evening approached, the two of them finally arrived at a massive complex—far grander than Kasamatsu Tracen.
Kuroha had seen far more spectacular sights and advanced civilizations in his previous life, so this didn't impress him too much.
But Fujimasa March, who had only gone pro a year ago, widened her eyes slightly in amazement. Walking here from the train station, she looked around in wonder like a country girl entering a palace, everything striking her as fresh and novel.
Pushing a suitcase, Kuroha approached the gate guard and handed over his identification.
"Hello, may I ask where the office of the Central Tracen Academy Director is? I'm the new trainer reporting in today, and this is the Uma Musume on my team."
The guard inspected the documents with routine diligence, then respectfully pointed the way.
"...Then turn left and you'll find the Director's office."
Kuroha memorized the directions, thanked him politely, and led Fujimasa March through the academy gates.
Along the way, they passed by training fields several times larger than those at Kasamatsu, as well as a library, an advanced and well-equipped gym, and even a swimming pool.
The facilities for various sports were all present and professional.
The Uma Musume in their Central Tracen uniforms brimmed with youthful energy, making Kuroha feel like he had returned to his university days.
It gave him a sense of hope for the future.
This—this was the meaning of transferring Fujimasa March.
Just what kind of harsh month had they endured back in Kasamatsu?
The improved educational environment and advanced training equipment filled Kuroha with confidence about his future life as a trainer!
Soon, Kuroha arrived with Fujimasa March at the Central Director's office.
The Director of Central Tracen was a woman in her fifties.
She wore a formal suit and had a natural air of authority. She was flipping through Kuroha's profile when they entered.
"Trainer Kuroha, is it?"
"Yes, Director!"
Kuroha replied calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.
The director's glasses caught the light as she slowly spoke while reviewing the documents. "Originally, Central Tracen doesn't accept new trainers—even if your academic performance was quite exceptional."
"But, according to your resume, you only started working in Kasamatsu a month ago, and the Uma Musume under your care achieved a dominant victory in a race just four days ago..."
"I watched the race footage. Her name was Fujimasa March, correct? An excellent Uma Musume!"
She closed the file, and her previously stern expression softened into a smile.
The next moment, she stood up and extended her hand toward Kuroha. "Trainer Kuroha, welcome to Central Tracen Academy!"
Kuroha stood as well and returned the handshake politely.
Then came the signing of documents and discussions of benefits and arrangements.
It took quite a while before Kuroha emerged from the Director's office, where Fujimasa March quickly ran up to him.
Waving his hand, Kuroha smiled. "Alright, let's head to the trainer dorm first. I'll show you around the academy afterward."
...
Central Tracen truly lived up to its Tokyo status—its grounds were several times the size of an ordinary local Tracen.
Kuroha led Fujimasa March to his assigned trainer dorm. After helping her get familiar with the layout, he dropped off his belongings, then followed the academy map to guide her to the student dorms.
Truth be told, Fujimasa March had only graduated from "loli" status to full pro one year ago. Kuroha still didn't feel comfortable letting her handle all this alone.
Though the girl herself wasn't too thrilled about being treated like a child.
At the dorm entrance, Kuroha habitually patted Fujimasa March's soft gray mane.
He didn't always have this habit, but after a month of training and massages, he realized that petting her like this helped calm her down before talking—so it stuck.
"March, it's still 5:30 AM tomorrow. No high-intensity training for now—just get used to Central's track these next few days."
"Got it!"
Fujimasa March nodded earnestly, then said goodbye and walked into the dorm with her large bags swinging easily in her hands.
Kuroha watched her disappear inside before turning to leave.
...
Carrying over ten kilos of luggage like it was nothing, Fujimasa March easily found her room. She politely knocked, and once a voice answered, she opened the door.
The first thing she saw was a rather small horse girl with an utterly smug expression. Her deep brown twin tails were tied up, and a fox mask was clipped to her right ear. She stood with her hands on her hips, flashing a theatrical, chuunibyou-style smile.
Only that smile, paired with her single sharp little fang, looked more cute than intimidating.
"I heard we were getting a new transfer student in the dorm—that's you, huh?"
The girl puffed with pride, her voice overflowing with energy. "My name's Inari One! What's yours?"
"Uhh... I'm Fujimasa March. Just call me March."
Fujimasa March still wasn't great at dealing with these overly friendly types.
"Hmm, March, that's a pretty nice name!"
The energetic Uma Musume cheerfully took her luggage and started helping make the bed. "Where are you from? Why are you transferring now?"
"Oh, right, I'm from Edo!"
March tilted her head. "Isn't Edo just Tokyo?"
"Ah—ahaha, don't worry about those little details!" Inari One waved her hand dismissively, then blinked her big eyes. "What about you?"
"I'm from Kasamatsu," March replied, not rejecting Inari One's goodwill. "I transferred here to go for the South Kanto Triple Crown."
Inari One nodded seriously. "Yeah, makes sense. Anyone transferring in around now is aiming for that."
But right after she said that, she scoffed and pouted, clearly unhappy. "But my Boss said the Triple Crown doesn't match my running style and won't let me compete—no matter how much I argued! Ugh, it's so frustrating!"
She shook her little head, pouting adorably.
Seeing that, March actually felt a bit more at ease. It seemed like her future roommate wouldn't be hard to get along with.
"I'm a year above you, so I'm your senpai! You have to call me Inari One-senpai, okay?"
Inside the dorm room, Inari One's lively voice never stopped echoing.
(End of Chapter)
The next morning, Fujimasa March's biological clock woke her up.
Dressed in fluffy white pajamas, the girl opened her eyes sleepily and yawned before glancing around.
Seeing that Inari One was still fast asleep, she moved quietly and began her morning routine.
After finishing, she put on her running shoes, careful not to let the sides of her hooves clack against the floor, then gently shut the door behind her.
Stepping out of the dorm, she was planning to head toward the trainer's room—but as she focused her gaze, she saw that Kuroha was already outside waiting.
"Trainer, I'm sorry, I woke up late today."
Fujimasa March jogged over, a little flustered.
"No problem."
Kuroha smiled and waved his gloved hand.
It was only late February, and Tokyo's temperature at 5:30 in the morning could still dip into the single digits.
Only someone with Uma Musume physique could just throw on a tracksuit and completely ignore the cold.
"No rush. Let's walk over together."
Since they had only just arrived at Central Tracen yesterday, Kuroha wasn't about to start overworking her just yet.
Fujimasa March nodded and followed behind him.
As they walked, Kuroha pointed toward a building not far away. "March, that building is Central Tracen's largest training facility. Whether it's strength or coordination, it has the most advanced equipment tailored for each. Going forward, most of our strength training will take place there."
The two stepped forward across the damp road while Kuroha introduced the basic information he had gathered over the past day about Central Tracen Academy.
Fujimasa March blankly stared at his face, a little entranced, occasionally nodding in response—looking adorably dazed.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a training field.
While pulling some compact devices and a notebook from his coat, Kuroha pointed to a section of the track. "March, start with a warm-up, then run a lap at a light pace. We'll spend the next few days getting used to Central's dirt track."
March responded softly and moved to the course to begin her warm-up exercises.
It was the second day at Central Tracen Academy, and training had officially begun.
Pa!
The gray-haired girl's nimble figure dashed past the finish line and continued sprinting forward.
Kuroha pressed the stopwatch precisely and jotted down the lap time.
For now, the focus of training was Dirt Adaptation, with occasional strength drills added as needed.
Kuroha would occasionally coach her on how to apply force effectively on dirt. As time passed, more and more Uma Musume arrived at the training field.
Each Uma Musume was accompanied by her own trainer, earnestly and energetically running forward.
Whether in terms of individual strength or training atmosphere, the environment here far surpassed that of Kasamatsu.
While watching March closely, Kuroha was also quietly observing the other Uma Musume.
Some of them clearly hadn't even mastered the basic running posture—relying purely on brute strength, they were scolded by trainers as they smiled with bright yet clueless expressions. These were most likely newly pro debutantes.
Many others had completed their foundational training and showed familiarity during their sessions.
But in Kuroha's eyes—empowered by his "Physique and Rhythm Recognition"—they lacked control in stamina management and had unstable pace distributions, often exerting energy in the wrong segments.
Those girls were probably still in their Classic Year phase.
However, there were also some who exuded remarkable composure. Their starts and bursts were sharp and precise, emitting an indescribable fighting aura.
These were obviously veteran Uma Musume—those who had fought in major stakes races.
Whether they were still in their Classic Year or already Seniors, Kuroha couldn't tell for sure.
Though the Keihin Cup and the South Kanto Triple Crown only allowed Classic Year Uma Musume to participate, Kuroha had to prepare for the worst-case scenarios.
"We didn't have these kinds of conditions back in Kasamatsu. But now at Central, with this level of training equipment, we can finally build a proper program."
Kuroha thought to himself, "March's technique isn't a concern, but her base stats are still too low. It'll be tough to compete in top-tier stakes races."
"We'll just take it one step at a time."
Just then, March's figure passed by him again, cutting through the wind!
Kuroha pressed the stopwatch again. Seeing the time displayed, the corners of his lips lifted in a slight smile.
At that moment, a crisp voice rang out beside him. "Hey, are you March's trainer?"
Kuroha turned slightly, surprised to find a small-framed Uma Musume standing right next to him.
That height…
1.4 meters? Maybe even less? Could she be one of the not-yet-pros?
Inari One had been striking a "cool and mature" pose beside this young trainer, trying to act like March's senpai.
But something didn't feel right. She looked down and—
"Height isn't everything! What matters is what's on the inside!" the girl shouted in embarrassment.
"...I didn't even say anything."
"Your eyes were saying it!"
"All right, you little rascal, don't bother other trainers!" A composed female voice rang out, making Inari One freeze.
Kuroha turned toward the voice. A woman in a kimono was approaching—her gaze sharp yet weary, carrying the Central Tracen trainer's badge.
"Hello, Trainer Kuroha."
The kimono-clad woman took the initiative to speak. "We received word yesterday that a young trainer would be arriving at Central. That must be you."
Kuroha quickly stood up. "Yes, I'm Kuroha. And you are?"
"Tatsuko Yuzuhara, a trainer at Central Tracen Academy."
Without warning, she grabbed Inari One—who was still sulking—and forced her into a bow. "This rascal's name is Inari One. Sorry for the trouble."
"Boss!"
Inari One looked like she was resisting, but her efforts were feeble at best.
Otherwise, with the strength of an Uma Musume, how could an ordinary human woman like Yuzuhara possibly hold her down?
"Ah, it's fine. Really, it wasn't any trouble."
The other party's formality actually made Kuroha a bit embarrassed. He shifted the topic: "By the way, Yuzuhara-senpai, are you here for training?"
Yuzuhara nodded. After a bit of small talk, she led Inari One away.
Kuroha silently watched them walk off, his gaze settling on the smaller brown-haired twin-tailed Uma Musume.
Inari One.
A legendary top-tier runner, known alongside Oguri Cap and Super Creek as one of the "Three Heisei Greats" and "Eternal Big Three."
But in truth, she wasn't a contemporary of Oguri Cap—she belonged to the Tamamo Cross generation.
Just like Tamamo Cross, she had reached about two-thirds into her pro development and was now in the Senior Horse phase.
Yet while Tamamo Cross was already dominating the central circuit as the strongest active Uma Musume, Inari One was still playing around in the local mud.
It wasn't until Tamamo Cross peaked and began to decline—eventually retiring due to performance dips—that Inari One finally stepped into the spotlight.
At that time, she had fully matured, her physical abilities reaching historical highs, even mastering a semi-complete version of the [Domain].
She clashed with both Oguri Cap and Super Creek during that era. And in the Arima Kinen, with the strongest final dash and a completed [Domain], she shattered Super Creek's entire tactical rhythm and broke the spirit of a pressure-laden Oguri Cap—proving her unmatched strength.
What followed was like many fully matured Uma Musume before her. After a year-long peak, her power waned, and she was forced to retire after a string of losses.
(End of Chapter)
Unlike Oguri Cap, Inari One was already almost a fully matured Uma Musume. What she lacked was simply the polishing of her technique and the refinement of her mind.
"I'm afraid if I open her stat panel, I'd just see a bunch of 800+ stats..."
Kuroha shook his head. Inari One was strong, no doubt—but as a Senior Horse, she wasn't a direct threat to Fujimasa March. She could be ignored for now.
Pulling himself back to focus, he watched March dash past him once more and called out loudly, "Very good, March! You're doing great with speed control—give me two more laps!"
...
Morning training ended quickly. In Tracen Academy, the daily schedule included not only trainer-led physical training but also general education subjects like Japanese language.
After all, an Uma Musume's peak racing career rarely lasted more than four years. They would eventually need to live in society like everyone else, so these classes were necessary.
Fujimasa March had gone off to class, and with his analysis work done, Kuroha found himself a bit bored. He left Central Tracen Academy and began to explore Tokyo.
His university studies had taken place in Kyoto, and though this wasn't his first time learning about Tokyo, his understanding was still somewhat superficial.
Unlike his previous life, this world was peaceful—perhaps thanks to the very real presence of gods.
Technology had advanced, but pollution was minimal. Even just strolling around filled one with a sense of tranquility.
Oh Great Three Goddesses, I praise you with all my soul!
Before he realized it, Kuroha had wandered into a park.
It wasn't exactly deserted, but there wasn't much to see either. After a couple laps, he decided it was time to leave.
Thud!
Suddenly, a heavy sound rang out from the right.
There was silence for a moment. Unable to contain his curiosity, Kuroha parted the leaves that blocked his view.
Morning sunlight gently spilled over a grassy field.
There, a girl had buried her face into the dirt like an ostrich. Only her swaying horse tail remained above the ground, revealing her identity as an Uma Musume.
"..."
Kuroha didn't even know how to react to something this bizarre.
"Hm?"
Her ears twitched. Apparently realizing someone was there, she pushed off the ground with long legs and landed on her butt.
Then her delicate, exotically beautiful face lifted into a cheerful smile as she greeted him, "Hello there!"
A foreign Uma Musume? And her Japanese was so fluent.
"What... are you doing?"
While Uma Musume were all known for their unique personalities, Kuroha had never seen one literally eating dirt.
"Haha, the grass here is just so sweet. I couldn't resist!"
The horse girl scratched her head, her smile visibly stiff—a textbook fake smile.
"You're alone? Where's your trainer?"
The glow of Kuroha's [Physique and Rhythm Recognition] activated in his eyes. It was obvious this girl had been through intense training. Her physical condition was on par with Inari One.
If there really was such a powerful foreign Uma Musume currently active at Central Tracen, he would have remembered. That could only mean she was a visitor.
Newly debuted Uma Musume weren't allowed to travel abroad alone, so she must have a trainer or guardian nearby.
"Umm, he's back at the hotel. Not sure what he's writing. He told me to just go out and have fun."
Whatever this girl was learning, she clearly had to work hard to appear enthusiastic while speaking.
A strange Uma Musume.
That was Kuroha's first impression. But since she wasn't lost and had a guardian, there was no need to worry.
He gave her a polite nod and turned to leave.
A few minutes after Kuroha walked away, the cheerful expression on the girl's face vanished. Her entire aura shifted from light and approachable to deep and unreadable.
Perhaps this was her real face.
"Tokyo's grass... really is beautiful..." she muttered softly.
...
Back at the academy.
Class had just ended, and Uma Musume were pouring out of the academic building.
At Central Tracen, knowledge classes only lasted two hours in the morning. The administration didn't want to take too much time away from training.
As for the social knowledge needed in the future, that could be picked up after retirement.
After all, major Tracen Academies like Central had a twelve-year post-retirement education system!
From junior high to high school to college, then on to master's and PhD programs. During this period, some would even get involved with URA's operations. To put it in his past life's terms, you could graduate with a doctorate and land an executive position in one of the world's top ten companies. The ultimate winner in life.
Q: Why is Symboli Rudolf still student council president despite retiring so long ago? Why hasn't she moved up like a director?
A: Because she hasn't graduated.
The twelve-year system after retirement meant that Symboli Rudolf still had at least nine more years of school ahead of her.
No wonder she was still a youthful and radiant beauty during Oguri Cap's time, but had become a refined and mature lady by the time of Tokai Teio's generation.
(Note: I won't be strictly adhering to canon timelines. There are only so many new horse girls introduced each year. I'll be accelerating the pace for new generations. After all, the anime's timeline is a mess—Vodka, Daiwa Scarlet, and Teio are generations apart, and yet the same character can appear in three different teams depending on the version...)
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]