That evening, in the student council president's office.
Symboli Rudolf sat at her desk, the dark circles under her eyes even heavier than they had been that morning, her hair a little more frazzled as well. Even so, she was still diligently working through paperwork. Compared to earlier, the mountain of documents on her desk had shrunk considerably, leaving only a small stack.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in."
"President~"
Tokai Teio skipped into the room.
The moment she saw that it was her most beloved junior, Rudolf smiled faintly. The fatigue in her body and mind instantly vanished, replaced by fresh energy.
Today's Teio-energy levels were full!
"President~"
Teio circled behind her and hugged her.
"Teio, you recovered from your illness that quickly?" Rudolf asked, setting down her pen and gently patting Teio on the head.
"Mhm, because someone took very good care of me…" Teio said with a soft smile.
"I see." Rudolf nodded.
The one who had taken care of Teio was probably her roommate, Turbo. She was a good child.
"Sorry, Teio. I'm still a bit busy right now. Can you wait over there for a little while?" Rudolf asked.
"Of course. The president looks handsome when she's seriously working too. I could watch that forever~"
Teio let go of her and stood off to the side.
Seeing how sensible she was only made Rudolf feel even more gratified.
Good. I'll hurry and finish this, then spend more time with Teio.
Having made up her mind, Rudolf picked her pen back up. Her pace of reviewing documents sped up several times over.
About ten minutes later, Rudolf finally finished the last of her work.
"President, you're amazing!" Teio praised.
"Mm." Rudolf remained calm on the outside, but inside she was overjoyed.
What could possibly be happier than being praised by Teio?
Well, besides telling a good pun.
Next came the usual time for father-and-son-style chatting between Rudolf and Teio.
"President, listen to this…"
Teio excitedly told her about everything that had happened over the last two days. Naturally, she left out the part about Tang Han appearing in the dorm room today. Rudolf listened with a smile.
Then…
"Oh right, President, can I see the academy's trainer roster?" Teio suddenly asked.
"The trainer roster?" Rudolf blinked in confusion.
Why would Teio want to look at the trainer roster?
Don't tell me…
"Teio, are you looking for a trainer?" Rudolf asked.
"…No…" Teio's eyes slid guiltily to the side.
That tiny movement did not escape Rudolf's notice.
She was certain now. Teio absolutely was looking for a trainer!
Most likely because she wanted to start racing and pursue her dream of becoming an undefeated Triple Crown horse girl.
Excellent. That meant she could recommend Tang Han to her.
"Teio, actually, I know a trainer who would suit you very well…"
"President, that won't be necessary…" Teio shook her head, clearly uninterested.
"Hm?" Rudolf suddenly felt a trace of foreboding.
Teio was rejecting her recommendation?
And she was doing so before even knowing who the trainer was?
Other than Teio simply being stubborn and proud, Rudolf could only think of one possibility.
"Teio… don't tell me you already have a trainer you've set your sights on?" Rudolf hurriedly asked.
Teio lowered her head and said nothing.
"…"
A sharp pain stabbed through Rudolf's heart.
"Teio…"
"Yes, President." Teio raised her head, her gaze firm.
"I already have someone in mind."
Rudolf's heart shattered instantly.
Teio was calling that person someone in mind!
The thought of Teio someday being patted on the head, holding hands with, or even kissing some overly gentle trainer made her whole body tremble with rage.
No! Teio being snatched away by another trainer was unacceptable!
Tang Han, help me!
"Teio, why not think it over a little more? The trainer I'm talking about is extremely capable…"
"He definitely isn't stronger than the one I know!" Teio shot back stubbornly.
Judging by how confident she looked, she genuinely believed that trainer was powerful.
"Oh? Is that so?" Rudolf narrowed her eyes.
A few days ago, when Tang Han had gone to register Urara as his trainee, Urara had been dead last in the selection race and six lengths behind the next-to-last runner. Her ability had not merely been poor; it could only be described as abysmal.
And yet yesterday, according to the reports from the eyes and ears Rudolf had planted around the school, Tang Han had taken Urara to a friendly race against the top three from that same selection race. In the end, Urara had managed to stay close to them, finishing only two lengths behind.
Anyone who could take a horse girl that weak and make her improve that quickly in such a short span of time was unquestionably far beyond an ordinary trainer.
A rookie? No—practically a veteran!
Which meant that the trainer Teio was talking about could not possibly be stronger than Tang Han.
"Teio, you don't trust me?"
Rudolf released an imposing pressure that filled the entire student council office.
The dignity of the Emperor.
"Ugh…" The pressure made it hard for Teio to breathe.
But she still gritted her teeth, raised her head, and met Rudolf's sharp gaze head-on.
"Of course I trust you, President…" Teio said, her eyes growing even more resolute.
"But I also trust my own judgment. The trainer I'm talking about is definitely stronger than the one you mean!"
A presence slowly began rising from Teio as well, offsetting part of Rudolf's overwhelming aura.
Their eyes clashed, sparks flying between them. On this point, neither was willing to give in.
"…"
Rudolf frowned slightly.
She could see that Teio was serious.
Teio was a stubborn child. Once she decided on something, she would not change her mind.
So Rudolf had to let her experience failure once. Only then would she truly wake up.
So Rudolf proposed:
"Then let's do this, Teio. Bring that trainer here and have him undergo my test. If he passes, I'll agree to let him become your assigned trainer. But if he fails, you'll obediently listen to me."
After a moment's thought, Teio confidently agreed.
"Fine! Tang Han will definitely pass your test!"
Rudolf smiled faintly.
Hm hm, Teio. You're still too young.
The test she had in mind was hellishly difficult. It wasn't something an ordinary trainer could pass. Among the trainers she knew, only Tang Han should be capable of clearing it.
So when Teio's chosen trainer failed, she would just have to accept Rudolf's recommendation and become Tang Han's trainee.
"Hmph. Then we'll see—wait, Tang Han?!" Rudolf suddenly froze.
So the trainer Teio had her eyes on… was Tang Han?!
"…I should have realized sooner…" Rudolf rubbed her groggy forehead.
The trainer with whom Teio had spent the most time recently was Tang Han, wasn't it?
"Ahem. Tang Han, then. Good. Teio, I support you choosing Tang Han. There's no need for any test after all."
Rudolf's attitude did a complete one-eighty, shedding all that imperial pressure and turning instantly gentle and kindly.
"Hm?" Teio tilted her head in confusion.
Why had the President been like a strict father one second, only to suddenly become so慈祥 the next?
"The one I was going to recommend to you was Tang Han all along," Rudolf explained.
"Eh?!"
Teio stared in shock.
"So you know Tang Han, President?!"
"Of course. I know every trainer who has come to register a trainee. Tang Han is no exception," Rudolf answered.
"And Tang Han really is an exceptionally capable trainer…"
"Right?~" Hearing Tang Han praised and acknowledged by Rudolf herself made Teio strangely happy.
At last, both sides realized that the trainer each of them had been talking about was the same person all along.
The misunderstanding was resolved.
Which meant the next topic was how to make Tokai Teio become Tang Han's trainee.
"Tang Han is very responsible… but he's too responsible," Rudolf said helplessly.
Tang Han only wanted Urara and refused to take on anyone else, no matter how gifted they were. That was what had been troubling Rudolf.
So how could she bind her precious son—Tokai Teio—to Tang Han's team?
There actually was a method. For example:
"Teio, technically, I could make use of a little of my authority as student council president and forcibly add you to Tang Han's team…"
Once Teio was on the team, someone as responsible as Tang Han would certainly never ignore her.
But after hearing that idea, Teio shook her head.
"No, President. I want to earn Tang Han's approval through my own ability—not through something so overbearing."
"I believe that with my talent, and with hard work, I can obtain whatever I want."
"Whether it's first place… or a trainer."
Teio placed one hand on her hip, raised three fingers, and smiled.
"After all, I'm the future undefeated Triple Crown horse girl!"
Seeing Teio's confidence, Rudolf nodded with satisfaction.
"Teio, you make me proud."
Since Teio had said that much, Rudolf had no choice but to respect her decision and not force Tang Han into taking her.
But still…
Even if Rudolf had promised not to use overbearing methods, that didn't mean she couldn't use non-overbearing ones…
"Heh heh~"
Let the Emperor help Teio obtain what she wanted, then.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 139)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter171)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter100)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter184)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 168
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 156
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 105
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 185
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 160
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 150
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 76
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 97
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 66
Uma Musume: From Beginner 116
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 75
Uma Musume: I Want All 93
I Can Copy Unique Skills 79
Summoning an Evil God, but the 55
Supernatural Multiverse 75
My Harem Is Indescribable 68
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 70
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 66
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 69
Still playing traditional Honk 49
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 53
What Should I Do After Switchi 42
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 50
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 38
Transmigrated as Sukuna 35
Checking In in Demon Slayer 40
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 55
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