"The horse girls entering the Middle Division this year are all remarkably talented. The environment for Japan's horse girls may not be as harsh as it used to be, but the competition is fiercer than ever. Everyone's abilities are so close that to stand out, they need to improve themselves as much as possible—their overall strength is steadily rising."
"And the horse girls who make it into Tracen Academy… it's no exaggeration to say that every one of them has the potential to compete for a GI championship. In fact, among the ones who advanced to the Middle Division this year, many of them are genuine prodigies."
Air Groove led Kitano inside the academy building. Tracen Academy was divided into Middle and Upper Divisions. The Middle Division mainly housed newcomers—horse girls who hadn't debuted or found their trainers yet, future stars waiting to shine.
Air Groove had no intention of bringing Kitano to the Upper Division. Except for rare exceptions, most girls there already had their exclusive trainers, and their bonds were too strong to switch halfway.
"The Middle Division girls have mostly not debuted yet, so they're still searching for trainers that suit them." Air Groove walked with Kitano past several classroom doors. It was still class time. Through the windows, rows of horse girls could be seen studying seriously.
"There are a few I'm quite optimistic about—such as that one."
She pointed to a masked horse girl listening intently in class. "El Condor Pasa. A transfer student from the U.S. Among the new generation, she's extremely powerful."
"And of course, the girl next to her." Air Groove pointed to another, a gentle-looking horse girl with chestnut long hair. "Grass Wonder. Also from American bloodlines, though her parents now live in Japan. If anyone in this class can threaten El Condor Pasa, it's undoubtedly her."
"These two are geniuses… definitely too much for me to handle," Kitano sighed the moment he saw El Condor Pasa and Grass Wonder. He knew immediately he wasn't capable of training them. Grass Wonder was someone destined to challenge The General of Japan Special Week if he held her back, even if she never blamed him, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.
And El Condor Pasa? She was the strongest among the Golden Generation—someone who could race the best European horses in the Arc de Triomphe and lose only to one noble-blooded mare. Kitano wouldn't dare take responsibility for training a genius like her.
This was why he disliked the idea of being the trainer of a prodigy. It was already hard enough just to keep up with their pace, let alone guide them. If he slowed them down, he would feel terrible.
Because Kitano knew better than anyone how far these prodigies could go. Just imagining being the reason their futures diminished made his heart ache.
And the worst part was—these kinds of horse girls never blamed him. Instead, they defended him, comforted him. After so many cycles, he learned that this was exactly why he refused to train prodigies anymore.
"Miss Air Groove… didn't we say we were looking for girls with 'good' talent? Taiki Shuttle and Grass Wonder are among the top talents of the entire Middle Division. That's not what we discussed."
Kitano turned to her. "Is there no one you think has good talent but isn't at the absolute top?"
"…There is. But I don't think she suits you."
Air Groove shifted her gaze to the other side of the classroom. A chestnut-haired horse girl wearing blue earmuffs was taking notes seriously, her delicate face focused. Beside her, a green-haired girl was sleeping at her desk, the contrast striking.
"It's her…" Kitano recognized her immediately, and that recognition surprised him. Air Groove nodded.
"King Halo. Born with an excellent pedigree. Anyone who traces her bloodline knows she's destined to be a powerful horse girl."
"Her talent should have been the highest of this entire generation. She works hard—both in theory and training. She should have been the most outstanding of them all. But…"
Air Groove paused, unable to find the right words to explain this talented horse girl who had remained stuck at a bottleneck.
Kitano, however, understood perfectly. With a sigh, he said quietly:
"She's been blinded by too much pride and expectation… right?"
"…I'm glad you understand, Trainer Kitano."
Air Groove smiled gently, grateful for his respectful way of putting it.
But Kitano didn't react. Because in truth, perhaps no one in this world understood Holy King Aura's life more than he did.
—Because King Halo was the horse girl he trained in his previous cycle. And it was because of his experiences with her that he came to understand himself—and sank into the defeated, hollow state he now lived in.
The reason?
Kitano had done everything he could to change King Halo's fate of earning only a single GI victory… yet even after giving everything, he failed.
He remembered clearly her mediocre record compared to the other five of the Golden Generation—and her overwhelming talent, pedigree, and true ability that should have put her above many of them.
Compared to Kitano, King Halo was undeniably a genius. Her bloodline, her intellect—everything about her was exceptional. But what separated them was that Kitano had learned his limits. King Halo had not. She was still like the old him—rushing forward stubbornly, refusing to give up.
In many ways, she was like Kitano's past self. He never realized it before, but now—calmer and more self-aware—seeing his former partner again shook him.
"From the very start, burdened with expectations because of her bloodline… always trying to prove herself by pushing toward what she wasn't suited for… falling again and again…"
"…How foolish. Not recognizing her true talents. What a waste."
"Trainer Kitano… why do I feel some sadness in your voice… toward King Halo
Air Groove sensed the mixed emotions—envy, yes, but also disappointment. Not disappointment in her lineage or status, but that she wasted her gifts.
Air Groove understood the feeling—seeing someone with talent work hard in the wrong direction.
But to her, King Halo wasn't lazy at all. She worked tirelessly. She was trying to correct her weaknesses. Her pride simply made her progress slower.
So why did Kitano sound so… pained?
"…I've said this many times, Miss Air Groove. I'm not talented. I've only had a bit more luck, and a little more experience."
Through the window, Kitano watched her focused expression, speaking softly:
"But I know… effort alone cannot overcome everything. People cannot conquer all their weaknesses. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try… you simply can't do it."
"Instead of fighting your flaws to death, it's better to grow in the direction where you shine. You reveal your true strengths—and you don't waste time on meaningless effort."
Kitano wasn't sure if he was speaking to Air Groove… or to himself.
But his voice carried a heaviness he couldn't hide.
And just then—he noticed King Halo turn her face toward the window.
Born into a wealthy house, blessed with pedigree, beauty, and talent—she was always the center of attention. King Halo's beauty ranked among the finest Kitano had ever seen, and he had trained half of Tracen at this point.
Even so, she was easily top three in pure elegance and beauty.
But her expression now?
Annoyed. Maybe even angry. Was she glaring at him?
Kitano froze.
Had he… spoken a bit too loudly?
Had she heard everything?(Uh I fucked up the previous chapter aka 6 is after chapter ten in the chapter order go read that if you accidentally skipped that)