On the way, Fujiwara Chiya heard the sound of an argument.
It was probably an instructor and an uma musume.
This sort of thing had happened more than once or twice already. The instructors were responsible for so many uma musume that it was normal for one or two to receive less attention than they wanted. Some uma musume would feel that the instructor was deliberately ignoring them, then start arguing with them.
Normally, Fujiwara Chiya would not get involved in this kind of thing.
But ever since Shirayuki had taken on her heavy responsibility, Fujiwara Chiya had also begun taking the initiative to help those students. Whenever he encountered a conflict, he would go over and mediate a little. As the Empress's Scepter, Fujiwara Chiya still had some face. If that did not work, he could have Shirayuki step in. The students respected Shirayuki very much.
Now, Fujiwara Chiya understood what it felt like to be looked up to.
Every movement Shirayuki made was watched by the students, and also imitated by them. She was everyone's role model.
If Shirayuki did anything terrible, it would immediately bring bad influence. In the past, Fujiwara Chiya had admired how President Rudolf maintained her dignity as the "Emperor" no matter the situation. Now, Fujiwara Chiya understood.
It was not because Rudolf wanted to.
It was because she had no choice.
As everyone's role model, Rudolf had to demand ten times more from herself.
And once Shirayuki reached a similar height, she also had to maintain the image of the "Empress" at all times.
Of course, aside from the matter of image, there was also her relationship with the junior uma musume.
Since Shirayuki had returned, quite a few uma musume had expressed affection toward her. In the past, Fujiwara Chiya had thought that uma musume like Mejiro Dober, who held that kind of affection toward girls, were only a minority. Now, Fujiwara Chiya had discovered that uma musume romance simply did not care about gender.
It was seriously bizarre.
Rudolf and Air Groove had not received this many love letters, had they?
Why was it that when it came to him, there was suddenly a huge pile of little fangirls delivering confession letters?
Shirayuki had gently turned them all down.
Leaving aside whether those uma musume could even distinguish between admiration and romantic affection, her secret was not something she could share with that many people.
Even though Shirayuki no longer planned to keep everything completely hidden, she had no intention of announcing it loudly either. Who knew what sort of reaction one careless mistake might cause? If she were going to say it, she would only tell the people she trusted most.
And during this period, Fujiwara Chiya had decided to focus on Shirayuki.
Training, work, and fulfilling the Empress's duties.
As for everything else, he would try not to waste too much time on it.
Following the sound, Fujiwara Chiya walked over.
Then he saw the two people arguing.
One was an instructor Fujiwara Chiya knew. The other was a newly enrolled uma musume.
The moment he saw that girl, Fujiwara Chiya raised an eyebrow.
He rarely saw an uma musume with such distinct features.
Her golden hair flowed like a waterfall, flashing with dazzling light beneath the sun. Every strand carried a noble sheen. Two silver streaks at her forehead added a wild, untamed air to her appearance. Her deep blue-purple eyes shone with overwhelming confidence and pride.
With only one glance, Fujiwara Chiya formed a strong impression of her.
Her voice was firm and powerful, and she used a very strange way of referring to herself.
Fujiwara Chiya approached.
"Noisy!"
He heard her shout impatiently.
Immediately after that, she pushed forward. Wind rose from her fingertips, clearly showing that she had used considerable force.
Smack!
Fujiwara Chiya steadily caught her hand.
If that hit a human body, it would truly be hard to endure.
Her blue-purple eyes turned toward him.
"The Empress's Scepter?"
Her voice carried a smooth magnetism unique to a young girl.
"What are you two doing?"
"Trainer Chiya."
Seeing Fujiwara Chiya, that instructor looked as if he had found his saviour.
"I was talking to Orfevre-san about training. She keeps saying she wants to find Shirayuki-san and has been running around here."
"Looking for Shirayuki?"
Fujiwara Chiya turned toward the uma musume called Orfevre.
"That's right."
Orfevre tugged her arm twice.
She discovered that she could not actually break free from the man's hand.
What strength!
It was the first time Orfevre had seen a man with such terrifying strength.
Uma musume?
Was this guy an uma musume?
Only after Fujiwara Chiya let go did the frightening force binding Orfevre disappear.
"Do you need something from Shirayuki?"
"Mm. There are a few words I wish to say to the Empress."
"What words?"
"…Since you are the Empress's Scepter, telling you will do as well."
She held her head high and puffed out her chest.
"I will make the Empress withdraw from the world stage."
Fujiwara Chiya frowned.
"With her strength alone, there is no way she can stand at the summit of the world. I am the uma musume who will stand at the top of the world. Whether it is the Triple Crown or the Arc, the moment I step onto the racecourse, they will already be mine."
She lifted her chest and spoke to Fujiwara Chiya with an arrogant expression.
Although Fujiwara Chiya had met many uma musume, this was his first time seeing one this outrageously arrogant.
"So you mean you're stronger than Shirayuki?"
"Without question."
"During this trip to Europe, I met many people. There were stubborn ones with only empty posturing, looking as if they could do anything on the surface while having nothing real underneath. And there were also many truly powerful ones, cheerful and optimistic on the outside, not showing off at all, but once they reached the racecourse, they became top-class powerhouses. No matter how much you brag about yourself, until you show your ability, I won't think you're particularly strong."
"Oh?"
Orfevre snorted lightly.
"You dare question my strength?"
"Seeing is believing."
"Hmph. Since this doubt comes from the Empress's Scepter, then I suppose I must prove myself. At the next selection race, I will show you what it means to be the tyrant of the racing world. And then…"
She turned her body, her skirt swaying, and walked toward the training grounds.
"Prostrate yourself before me."
"Sorry for troubling you, Trainer Chiya."
The instructor wiped his sweat.
"It's fine. I have quite a bit of experience managing these problem children. She should behave for a while. Before proving her strength to me, she probably won't do anything too outrageous."
"Yes… Um, I know this might be asking too much, but when you have time, could I trouble Trainer Chiya to look in on Orfevre's training? That child has extremely strong pride. Every time she speaks to me, if I don't respond immediately, she leaves and skips training. It's already happened more than once or twice."
Less than a month had passed since enrollment, yet Orfevre had already skipped training five whole times. She would not listen no matter how they tried to manage her, and one assistant instructor had even been injured after being pushed by her. Although the student council had criticised and warned Orfevre, she did not care at all.
There was really an uma musume this hard to manage?
Just listening to the instructor's description made Fujiwara Chiya feel how troublesome she was.
In that case, he really should step in.
At the same time, Fujiwara Chiya also felt displeased that Shirayuki had been looked down upon.
He wanted to see exactly what Orfevre was capable of, to dare say such things.
"All right. Leave that child to me."