...
At Nishizaki Ryo's request, all the horse girls donned specially designed training outfits and gathered on the beach by the sea.
Before the training even began, they stepped into the water, splashing each other playfully.
"Gather up, gather up!" Nishizaki Ryo blew his whistle. "We're here to train, not to play in the water."
Lucian stood quietly to the side.
Nishizaki Ryo was the head coach for the afternoon, and Lucian would do his best to accommodate his arrangements.
The horse girls lined up according to their morning teams, awaiting Nishizaki Ryo's next instructions.
"Let me explain this afternoon's training program," Nishizaki Ryo said, pointing to a small island in the distance and signaling everyone to look. "See that island over there?"
"Your task this afternoon is to swim from here to that island. Once you arrive, ride a bicycle to the mountaintop—that'll complete the mission."
Lucian also glanced at the distant island, which resembled a small tower.
That's... quite far, isn't it?
Fortunately, the sea was calm that afternoon, and the water temperature wasn't too cold.
Of course, the horse girls found such training routine and showed no signs of fear.
"Trainer Nishizaki, are there any requirements for this process?" Symboli Rudolf asked.
"Teams won't be a factor—everyone is on their own. Just complete the task... but the last three horse girls will face punishment," Nishizaki Ryo replied bluntly, setting no additional rules.
"But if that's the case, wouldn't the morning's team points already determine the final rankings?" Symboli Rudolf pressed.
If true, this would undoubtedly dampen the horse girls' enthusiasm.
Nishizaki Ryo had anticipated this. "Don't worry. Once you return here, we'll hold a beach volleyball match—three rounds in total."
This final training event was mainly meant to help the horse girls relax.
"I see," Symboli Rudolf nodded.
"Any other questions? If not, start warming up."
...
The horse girls truly were exceptional swimmers.
Their slender legs erupted with tremendous power, churning like motors as they kicked up frothy white waves.
The top three positions were held by the three team captains.
Silence Suzuka, Seiun Sky, Special Week, and others formed the second echelon, closely pursuing and ready to overtake at any moment.
Behind them, the other horse girls weren't far behind either. Everyone gritted their teeth, pushing through the seawater and leaving long trails in their wake.
As they neared the shore, the horse girls gradually slowed down.
But it was here that Silence Suzuka made her move, overtaking the leaders and seizing first place.
Behind her were Tokai Teio, Seiun Sky, Air Groove... As for the three captains from earlier, their lack of recent high-intensity training and their faded peak condition caused them to lose stamina much faster.
Lucian, riding a speedboat, noticed the somber mood and quickly grabbed a megaphone.
He took a deep breath:
"This is reporter Lucian with a live broadcast."
"Currently leading in first place is Silence Suzuka—Silence Suzuka from Team 'Dream'!"
"In second place is Seiun Sky, third is Tokai Teio... Wait, where are the members of 'Rigil' and 'Spica'? Did they not participate?"
"El Condor Pasa, out~"
"T.M. Opera O, out~"
"Shuttle-chan~ Never mind, just wait quietly for Little Bailey to pass you~"
...
"You little brat~" Nishizaki Ryo, on another speedboat, laughed and cursed before picking up his own megaphone to cheer for his team. "Rice Shower, charge ahead! Overtake everyone in front, especially those from 'Dream'!"
"Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka is already three or four lengths ahead of you! You're not just going to accept defeat, are you? Start by passing Grass Wonder as an appetizer!"
"Haru Urara, your top priority right now is to keep an eye on Narita Brian!"
...
Exchanging a smile with Nishizaki Ryo, Lucian continued: "Rice-chan, hurry up! Don't let Hishi Amazon overtake you!"
"Urara, I declare you're doing great today!"
"What's going on with the three captains? Team 'Dream', listen up—show these seniors the power of the new generation!"
...
Though the horse girls found it amusing, they were still encouraged, firming their resolve as they sprinted toward the shore.
As for "Rigil," the team without a trainer cheering for them, they were actually the most motivated.
After being roasted by Lucian, they then had to endure Nishizaki Ryo's taunts—their only option was to prove the two trainers wrong through action.
Once the atmosphere was ignited, passion boiled in the cool seawater.
"The future may be yours, but for now, it's not!"
With less than 100 meters to the shore, Symboli Rudolf glanced at the figures ahead and accelerated once more.
Maruzensky refused to fall behind either. "Looks like if we don't get serious, we'll be looked down on by these juniors."
"A provocation? I admit it works on me!" Narita Brian pushed forward fiercely.
Soon, the once-stretched battle lines began to tighten.
The middle pack was fiercely contested, the leaders were in danger, and the stragglers were catching up.
This training was a test of their limits, digging deep into their potential.
Though the sea bore no trace of turbulence, they had already surged through it.
...
After reaching shore, the horse girls saw bicycles neatly lined up on either side.
The next phase of the competition began the moment they dashed toward them.
Nishizaki Ryo rode an electric scooter, with Lucian sitting behind him.
"Lucian, look at these kids—how lively they are," Nishizaki Ryo remarked with emotion.
"My 'Dream' members are the liveliest."
Nishizaki Ryo gave him a deadpan look through the rearview mirror. "Lucian, do you have any goals? Like becoming the world's number one trainer?"
"I do, but it's not about being the top trainer," Lucian replied, his gaze profound. He had grown much since his early days. "I want my horse girls to reach world-class levels—or rather, to achieve their dreams."
Lucian withdrew his gaze and smiled. "And if I incidentally become the world's best trainer along the way, that wouldn't be bad either. You'd better step up your game, Nishizaki-senpai."
"Hahaha, I'll do my best," Nishizaki Ryo laughed heartily at Lucian's humor.
"Oh, by the way, the weather forecast said it might rain in a few days. We should prepare in advance," Lucian added.
"Got it. If the weather turns bad, we'll cancel training for the day."
...