European training methods truly could bring changes to an uma musume.
Compared with when he had left, Mejiro Dober's body was clearly more elastic. When he pressed down on the sole of her foot and then released it, he could feel a rebound. Before leaving Tracen, Mejiro Dober had not yet reached this level.
Of course, Fujiwara Chiya had been afraid that methods from over there might not suit Japanese racecourses, so he had only tested them lightly. If he had to say who had changed the most, it would still be Shirayuki.
That night, when Yaeno Muteki helped her improve circulation and ease the bruising, she was shocked by Shirayuki's body.
While kneading Shirayuki's back, Yaeno Muteki said, "You've already reached this level…"
The current Shirayuki's body combined both strength and flexibility.
That was not an easy thing to achieve. An uma musume with strength would inevitably lose some agility. When their muscles exerted force, it was difficult for them to precisely control direction. The reverse was also true.
However, Shirayuki had specially trained her control over her body. She had also undergone endurance training. Combined with her natural talent for flexibility, her physical strength had already become something remarkable.
What Shirayuki lacked now was technique.
She had such an excellent body, yet she did not have enough skill to fully bring out all of its advantages.
An uma musume did not run purely through brute force.
Shirayuki was not a front-runner either.
She needed to learn methods for dealing with opponents.
Of course, everything Yaeno Muteki said was based on the assumption that Shirayuki would go to the European racecourse. In Japan, Shirayuki had already thoroughly stepped into the very top group of the first tier. Here, she could bring out her ability to the greatest extent.
That night, Yaeno Muteki asked, "What is Shirayuki's next race?"
"The Japan Cup in November, and the Arima Kinen in December."
"As expected."
Yaeno Muteki kneaded Shirayuki's soap-like little feet and gently moved her toes.
"I'll go watch your race. This time, everyone will be waiting for you at the racecourse."
Shirayuki knew that once her injuries healed, she would have to face the Japan Cup with everything she had.
This month, Shirayuki needed to make major changes to her training plan, using everything she had learned over there.
Mejiro Dober's changes had already proven that Japanese uma musume could also adapt to those training methods. In that case, what Shirayuki needed to do next was simple.
The next day, at the training grounds, the uma musume asked Shirayuki for guidance.
Right now, aside from their trainers, Shirayuki had practically become their second trainer. During independent training, they would all listen to Shirayuki's instructions.
"Raise your arms. Lean your body forward. Hold that posture. Good! Now try it the way I just taught you."
"Yes, Your Majesty… Um, it feels a little different from what the instructors teach."
"These are things I learned in Europe. If you feel uncomfortable, you can use the instructor's method instead."
"No! I'll listen to Her Majesty!"
Between the instructor and the Empress, they decisively chose the latter.
Shirayuki planned to teach these children the methods she had learned.
Compared with her own generation, these little foals who had yet to step onto the racecourse had much greater plasticity.
She believed that once they came into contact with more advanced training methods, they would become stronger than the uma musume of this generation.
From a trainer's perspective, Shirayuki's act of helping junior uma musume for free was somewhat foolish. After all, they would soon begin their debut races and then become Shirayuki's future opponents. Raising them to become this strong was completely creating trouble for herself.
But from the Empress's perspective, she should turn her gaze toward the next generation.
No uma musume could remain strong forever. Even Rudolf would eventually reach a day when her physical ability declined and she had no choice but to leave the racecourse.
Shirayuki would have that day too.
An uma musume's strength was precious.
But what was even more precious was passing the secret of that strength to those juniors, then letting them carry it forward.
What mattered most to uma musume was inheritance.
Not a brief moment of fame.
Standing beneath the shade of a tree, Fujiwara Chiya looked at the white figure at the centre of the crowd.
It feels like Shirayuki has become the leader of the uma musume.
This scene felt very familiar.
For no clear reason, a word surfaced in Fujiwara Chiya's mind.
Lead mare.
At that moment, Shirayuki's figure overlapped with the Alpha that Darley had spoken of, the one who gathered all uma musume around her.
Darley had said that Alpha, like Shirayuki, also had white hair and blue eyes.
Fujiwara Chiya shook his head, throwing that inexplicable association out of his mind.
He would leave this side to Shirayuki.
As a trainer, it would be unsuitable for him to step forward. Otherwise, if the instructors and trainers saw those little foals training according to Shirayuki's methods instead of theirs, they might come looking for him.
Time to slip away.
"Trainer Chiya."
Just as Fujiwara Chiya was preparing to leave, a blue figure came before him.
"Cesario."
"It has been some time, Trainer Chiya."
She stood straight and bowed to Fujiwara Chiya. Her expression was so cold that not a trace of emotion could be seen.
It was Cesario's serious mode.
She was not as affectionate toward him as she was toward Shirayuki.
That was fine.
Otherwise, if Katsumura Youta saw it, he might directly throw those two still-untreated cans of surströmming into his dorm room. Now that Fujiwara Chiya had returned to Akikawa Yayoi's place, there was no one in his dorm.
"What is it, Cesario?"
She glanced at Shirayuki not far away, then returned her gaze to Fujiwara Chiya.
"Regarding the evaluation, when would Trainer Chiya like to conduct it?"
"If you have time, we can do it now."
"Yes."
Cesario nodded.
"I will prepare."
Cesario walked onto the racecourse and began warming up. During that time, her gaze remained fixed on Shirayuki.
Will this child really be okay?
Fujiwara Chiya felt that her centre of gravity was a little high.
"Isn't this the Empress's Scepter?"
While the evaluation was being prepared, Fujiwara Chiya heard a dismissive voice.
Turning his head, he saw that conspicuous golden figure, with a mocking smile hanging on her pretty face.
"Orfevre."
Fujiwara Chiya asked, "Are you here for independent training too?"
"Training?"
She snorted.
"I have merely come to inspect my territory."
This girl really was arrogant beyond all limits.
"It seems my subjects still have not understood who truly stands at the summit of this academy."
Looking toward Shirayuki in the distance, Orfevre folded her arms.
"Trainer, may we begin?"
Cesario walked over.
"Is she your uma musume?" Orfevre asked.
"No. But she will be soon."
"You're racing?"
"An evaluation test."
"I shall join as well," Orfevre said.
"I promised you that I would prove my strength. Before the selection race, allow me to give you a small demonstration."
Fujiwara Chiya looked toward Cesario.
"It is all right, Trainer Chiya. As a follower of the Empress, no matter what opponent I encounter, I will not lose."
"A follower of the Empress, hm? Then you have chosen the wrong person to follow."
Orfevre's lips curved into a grin.
"I shall show you who is truly worthy of being followed."