Early the next morning, with a mix of trepidation and excitement, the three embarked on their journey to Tracen Academy, and after riding a few subways and taxis, they finally stood before the most important Uma Musume training academy in Japan, which was the subject of many rumors.
"It's so big! It's almost larger than some universities, isn't it?" Ikezoe exclaimed in surprise the moment he saw the large academy, curiously looking around.
Within their line of sight, Tracen Academy, with its gates wide open, had many Uma Musume students in their school uniforms continuously entering with their bags like a stream, and at the main entrance, a gentle woman dressed in green with a green hat was greeting everyone.
"There's no use standing here, let's go in." Imanami, as the backbone of the trio, after a slight moment of amazement, led his two juniors inside. Wada and Ikezoe also quickly calmed themselves down and followed closely.
"Tazuna, good morning!"
"Good morning."
"Tazuna, you're looking energetic today!"
"Yes, thank you."
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? Though Tracen Academy is not usually open to the public, today is when new students are joining, so everyone is 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 called 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 Umamusume Racing 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 follow me."
"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 just call me 'Chairwoman.'"
And soon, inside an office room in Tracen Academy, the three quickly met the person currently sitting in the Chairwoman's office—and it was a… little girl? With orange hair streaked with white, wearing a hat, and even with a sleepy kitten perched on her hat.
The three suppressed their urge to comment, as it would be too rude to talk about someone's age and physique during a first meeting, let alone to a superior, but their eyes were filled with doubt, wondering if they had come to the wrong place.
"Calm down, Ikezoe-kun, Wada-kun. This world has magical beings like Uma Musume, which are basically humans who possess the strength and speed of horses. 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, (T/N: He knows too much. Tazuna, take him down)
"Hello, Chairwoman, I am Takatoshi Imanami. 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 has had new Trainers. After all, ever since the Umamusume Association's exam reforms, the Central Trainer Certificate has become very difficult to obtain. Some Regional Trainers might take seven or eight years and still not pass the Central Trainer Qualification Exam, but you all passed at such a young age, which shows that all three of you have great talent!"
The Chairwoman then happily used her fan to cover the lower half of her face, smiling as she said to the three, "Tracen Academy houses the strongest and most talented Uma Musume in all of 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 pushed away by an annoyed Wada with a curled lip.
"Ahem, my apologies. I just thought of something funny."
"Knock, knock, knock." 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 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 see me often, but for all matters big and small, you can approach them."
"Let me introduce you to the 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 most of their lives working with horses, collectively entered the Chairwoman's office.
"Good morning, Chairwoman," answered the one who was immediately recognizable as Symboli Rudolf, an elegant woman who had long brown hair with a white strand shaped like the moon. She then 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."
"—Takatoshi Imanami." Facing the hand extended by the Emperor, even Imanami, whose mental age was already seventy or eighty, felt a bit nervous, but he still maintained his composure and said, "Symboli Rudolf, 'the Emperor'… I've finally met you in person."
"Welcome." Symboli Rudolf nodded slightly at Imanami's composure. After all, her title of "Emperor" had long spread throughout all of Japan, and it was no exaggeration to say that every single Trainer and Uma Musume who joined Tracen Academy had heard of her story.
Therefore, Symboli Rudolf was pleased with Imanami, who managed to keep his composure despite knowing of her story, thinking that 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 something with one's own eyes rather than just listening about it!"
"Welcome."
This one seems a bit more "younger," but this Trainer had willingly stepped forward and was not afraid of her authority. He seemed to be a rather bold Trainer, perhaps capable of training some of the 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 and very reservedly held the Emperor's hand, politely saying,
"Hello, my name is Wada Ryuji. Please take care of me."
"Hmm, welcome."
This one seems much more reserved, the type of Trainer who can suppress his emotions. His stress resistance is probably very good; perhaps he is suited to enduring outside pressure and helping his Uma Musume burst forth despite the pressure?
After the handshakes, Symboli Rudolf had gained a general understanding of these three Trainers' personalities. She was indeed quite satisfied with the personalities of these three new Trainers. Although their personalities differed quite a bit, they were all relatively more mature compared to the previous new Trainers, yet they all looked very young, which was rare.
"Trainers, you are now officially appointed to Tracen Academy. The motto of Tracen Academy is 'Eclipse First, The Rest Nowhere.' (T/N: She says it like this: 'Ecwilpes Phirst De Leste Nowheye'.) Your arrival at Central Tracen as new Trainers means you are already the best of the best among Trainers of your generation."
"But please remember, the Uma Musume of Tracen Academy are also exceptional, so I hope you will take the responsibility for each Uma Musume you are in charge of seriously and let them become dazzling new stars on the track—this is my request to you, as the Student Council President and also as 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 the 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
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I will never get tired of Rudolf's way of saying "Eclipse First, The Rest Nowhere"; it's so fucking funny.
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it, and I will fix it as soon as I can.