Sirius had been developing steadily for some time, and Ling felt it was time for those two slackers to fulfill their duties in her team.
So, when Ling brought Air Groove and Manchester Cafe to the training ground where everyone was still training, it caused quite a stir.
"Well, anyway, these two are our assistant Trainers for Sirius."
"Please take care of us," Chaza said with a smile, introducing herself.
Hmm? What about Suko?
"Oh my, Miss of the Mejiro Family, would you like to try the potion I made that allows one to eat without gaining weight?" Air Groove pulled out a test tube containing a suspicious liquid and dangled it in front of Mejiro McQueen.
No... a potion that won't make you gain weight! Is it really that miraculous!? McQueen swallowed, her eyes sparkling slightly.
"Confiscated = =" Ling jumped up and snatched the potion.
"I told you not to experiment on team members = ="
"No, no, no, this potion is basically a finished product, just waiting for the second round of clinical trials, you know?" Air Groove shook her sleeve.
"Still no = = And besides, Daiwa is watching from the other side."
Upon hearing that Daiwa was also there, Air Groove immediately became a bit more serious.
She was just like a foolish father trying to impress his daughter.
"Alright, anyway, one of these two is a leader in Uma Musume training theory, and the other is that dark phantom on the racetrack. You should have heard of them."
Air Groove not only had achievements in research but also published many papers on the identification, conditioning, and rehabilitation of Uma Musume's physical condition. It was only because she focused most of her energy on drug research; otherwise, if she had specialized in academics, her achievements would not have been much weaker than the Emperor's.
And Manchester Cafe, as an Uma Musume proficient in long-distance races, would be an excellent teacher for McQueen, whose goal was the Tenno Sho, and Rice Shower, who excelled at long distances. Moreover, she could help adjust Haru Urara's race rhythm so she could run middle-to-long distances.
After all, Ling's own energy was limited, and she wasn't actually very good at teaching. If you don't believe it, just look at how her few teaching sessions were basically all taught through practical combat.
"Ahem, please take care of us," McQueen said, her face slightly flushed, putting on a serious demeanor. Unfortunately, almost everyone present already knew McQueen's true nature.
"Please take care of us!" Haru Urara was still very cheerful.
"Ugh... please take care of me!! Wuwu... QAQ... tilted head..." Rice Shower covered her mouth and squatted down as she spoke.
"Then let's arrange the teaching content. Rice Shower and McQueen will be temporarily in charge of Suko. Suko, please also give them a physical examination later. Can you do it by evening?"
"Heh, are you looking down on my professionalism? A mere physical examination only takes me an hour." Air Groove finished speaking and walked towards the indoor area, while Rice Shower and McQueen followed her inside at Ling's silent instruction.
McQueen had some hidden injuries from her previous extra training, and Rice Shower needed to adjust her physical condition well as she was to debut this year.
Coincidentally, these were all within Air Groove's area of expertise.
"As for Haru Urara, she'll learn middle-to-long distance race rhythm with Chaza. I'm leaving her to you, Chaza."
"Mm." Chaza nodded.
"Eh? What about Z-chan?" Haru Urara tilted her head and asked.
"Well... I have something to do later, I need to go out for a bit."
"Oh! Have a safe trip~!" Knowing that Ling had something to do, Haru Urara immediately started waving goodbye.
"Yes, yes, www, you also need to train well, Chaza. I'm leaving this child to you."
"It's fine, I'm not Suko." Chaza indicated that if she was in charge, everyone could be completely at ease.
Well, Chaza only seemed a bit quiet, but she was actually very gentle and talkative. She should get along very well with Haru Urara.
Feeling relieved, Ling also took her belongings and left.
This outing was not for anything else; it was a regular event held every year.
The School Festival.
Although the event was scheduled for early June, preparations had to be made in advance, especially with the current lack of funds.
Everyone digging into their own pockets to cover the expenses was the worst option. The most important thing was how to extract and reasonably plan within the limited budget.
One could only say that the Chairman's sudden whim, while certainly exciting, led to some decisions being made too hastily.
However, everyone had no complaints, as it was the Chairman. She genuinely loved the Uma Musume and everything about them.
"How's the discussion going?" Opening the door to the Student Council Room, Ling saw all the Student Council members discussing.
"Hmm? Where's CB?" Although CB often slacked off, she wouldn't miss an occasion like this, would she?
"..." Air Groove silently pointed to the top of Ling's head.
"? Shiba!?" Ling looked up and saw Representative Chiaki, her mouth taped shut and tied with ropes, hanging from a hook.
Around her neck hung a small wooden sign that read [I was wrong].
"What happened?" Ling was curious about what Representative Chiaki had done.
"Well..." Air Groove looked at the Emperor with some helplessness.
"Alright, let's continue our discussion." The Emperor, on the other hand, intended to resume discussing the School Festival arrangements.
Okay, it was clear that Representative Chiaki had gotten in the Emperor's face and was subsequently counter-attacked.
"Wuwuwu!" The poor Miss CB struggled on the hook at this moment, but everyone selectively ignored her, including Ling, who was also part of the "Emperor's Anti-Rebellion Army."
Well, work is important, you can just hang up there for now.
"Alright, now that Ling is here, I'll briefly reiterate what needs to be done this time." The Emperor clapped her hands, bringing everyone's attention back to the meeting.
"First, we need to contact the various shopping malls and stores in the commercial district to have them provide materials for our School Festival. However, the specific distribution will require each team to contact them individually based on their needs."
"Secondly, it's about how to make this School Festival a success with limited funds. Although the Chairman said that if funds are insufficient, we can approach her, this is clearly only a last resort. We must try our best to achieve the usual effect with lower expenses."
"Finally, the preparatory work for promoting this School Festival has also encountered many difficulties. After all, Central Tracen Academy's reputation has been thoroughly established, and in some aspects, it will be attacked by other academies in the interest chain. This aspect will require special negotiation and clarification."
"That's probably all. The first and third points are fine; we've been discussing the second one. Ling, do you have any ideas?"
Seeing everyone's gaze turn to herself, sitting on Maruzensky's lap, Ling pondered for a moment.
"Why don't I just buy the nearby commercial street in the academy's name?"
"Rejected = =" xn
"Tsk..."
Funding issues are truly a headache no matter what position you're in, especially for those responsible for managing the budget. Other departments always want to increase funding and will come up with various reasons. If a review is unfavorable and leads to unexpected situations, the party managing the funds will face immense scrutiny and pressure.
"That's easy to say, but it seems there's no other way besides me providing the funds, right? Even if we go to work, it's impossible to fill such a large funding gap." Ling shrugged.
But this money wasn't too much for her. After all, everyone present came from wealthy families, but it was their families. A large portion of their prize money from races would also be given to their families for their operations, voluntarily of course.
But Ling was different. She was a lone wolf. Whether it was her industries or her prize money from races, it was all hers. In terms of disposable funds, she had the most.
"It seems this is the only way..." The Emperor had a headache.
Either find the Chairman, or find Ling.
"Forget it, since you yourself said so, then let's go with what you said. We'll still need to sign a contract then." The Emperor shook her head, ending the topic of funding.
"What about other aspects?"
"In a few days, the Chairman plans to hold a press conference for the URA Series. All Trainers will need to attend. Remember to notify Trainer Okino."
"No problem. What's the time?"
"Mid-March. Also, both you and I need to be there."
Just as everyone was discussing the upcoming arrangements... "Yiyaaaaaaaahhh!?!?!?"
Hmm? Miss Hayakawa's scream? Accompanied by rumbling sounds!?
"Ha!? Is some clueless person causing trouble here!? Shiro Hito! Let's go! Let's get 'em!" Hearing Miss Hayakawa's wail, Hishi Amazon was the first to lose her composure. She immediately rolled up her sleeves and went out with Narita Brian.
"Although something feels off, let's still go out and see..." The Emperor pondered for a moment and followed them out.
Miss Hayakawa was gentle and often helped everyone, enjoying high popularity throughout the school, among both Uma Musume and Trainers. Therefore, hearing the wail of Miss Hayakawa, who usually showed no fluctuations even during a test of courage, they had to go and see.
"Wuwuwu!!!" As the Student Council Room door closed, Representative Chiaki on the hook desperately twisted her body, making sounds.
What about me!?
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