Urged on by the enthusiastic class president, Dream Weaver didn't argue. After changing into their gym clothes in their respective stalls, they headed together to the training field.
However, something far more important than training was weighing on Dream Weaver's mind.
Based on what she'd learned earlier, it seemed to her that Tracen Academy had become something like a nursery for cultivating talent for the European Uma Musume racing scene—selecting promising Uma Musume through a rookie selection race and then sending them off to Europe for training.
If that was the case, then those who remained in Japan would essentially be the ones who didn't make the cut.
Natural talent aside, this selection race was bound to have a huge impact on the morale of the girls who were eliminated.
"I see… So that's how they've monopolized the Triple Crown?" Dream Weaver murmured under her breath as she warmed up.
The class president, who had stayed close by out of concern, lifted her head and asked, "Did you say something just now?"
Caught off guard by the question, Dream Weaver hesitated for a moment before deflecting with another question that had been on her mind.
"Every region has its own Triple Crown races, right? It's their own Triple Crown, yet they can only watch as Uma Musume from Europe come and take it… Doesn't that make them resentful?"
In Dream Weaver's view, even if the European racing world could use their head start and resources to continuously attract geniuses, such prolonged dominance was bound to breed discontent.
It was like a volcano steadily building up pressure—sooner or later, it would erupt.
"Well, it's true that a European Uma Musume won last year's Triple Crown, but no matter what, they could never surpass Miss Shinzan!"
"Shin…zan?" Dream Weaver repeated the unfamiliar name in confusion.
"You really don't know about Shinzan, Dream Weaver?!" The class president's eyes widened in disbelief. She clasped her hands over her mouth, as if such ignorance was unthinkable.
"Is she that remarkable?"
"Remarkable doesn't even cover it!"
At the mention of Shinzan, the class president's eyes lit up. She immediately launched into an enthusiastic explanation for Dream Weaver.
"The Triple Crown system was originally introduced from Europe. In its first year, it wasn't fully developed yet—the Satsuki Sho and Kikuka Sho weren't quite what they are now, so the Triple Crown didn't have the special prestige it does today."
"Back then, a European Uma Musume named St. Lite won the championship and was honored as a Triple Crown winner, but many felt her achievements lacked a certain weight."
"But Miss Shinzan, who came after her, was completely different!"
The class president clenched her fists excitedly, her cheeks flushing with fervor.
"Miss Shinzan is our pride and joy! Not only did she secure a true, undisputed Triple Crown, but after the race system was reformed, she achieved the unbelievable honor of winning three consecutive Triple Crowns!"
"If she hadn't recently taken a break from racing, those European Uma Musume would never have had a chance to snatch the Triple Crown from her grasp!"
The class president grew more and more animated as she spoke, but Dream Weaver only grew more puzzled.
From the system's earlier introduction to this world's setting and the selective recruitment of new students at Tracen, she had understood this as a method for the European racing world to monopolize the Triple Crown and establish its absolute authority.
But listening to this description, Dream Weaver began to feel uncertain.
Shinzan was a Japanese-born Uma Musume, yet she had achieved honors that many European Uma Musume could only dream of.
How could the European racing establishment just stand by and let her break their stranglehold on the Triple Crown?
However, the class president, now completely lost in idolizing her hero, failed to notice Dream Weaver's thoughtful silence.
She grabbed Dream Weaver's shoulders and shook her gently, exclaiming, "And Miss Shinzan showed incredible talent from a very young age!"
"She was quickly spotted by a European trainer, who took her abroad for the most professional training. After returning to Japan, she went on to seize the Triple Crown right from under the noses of all those European Uma Musume! It's just—!"
Shaken out of her train of thought by the class president's enthusiasm, Dream Weaver barely registered what was said and simply replied automatically, "You sure know a lot about her."
Perhaps realizing her excitement was making Dream Weaver uncomfortable, the class president awkwardly released her shoulders, scratching her brightly flushed cheek in embarrassment.
"Not at all, I only know what everyone knows."
Seeing her finally still, Dream Weaver let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Hoping to prevent another burst of excitement, she randomly pointed toward a figure in the distance and asked, "How about that Uma Musume over there? Do you know her?"
The class president followed Dream Weaver's pointing finger, tilting her head in confusion. She didn't quite understand why Dream Weaver was asking, but she answered honestly nonetheless.
"But she's our classmate… Dream Weaver, you still haven't memorized everyone's names yet?"
"Well, I suppose I have no choice! As class president, I'll just have to help you out!"
She squinted, stretching her neck for a better look before saying, "That's—"
"If I remember correctly, her name is Mr. C.B. I don't know her very well yet, but she always strikes me as a really free-spirited Uma Musume, like the wind."
Dream Weaver patted her chest, trying to shake off the last of her dizziness, and followed the class president's gaze.
On the other side of the training track, an Uma Musume with long chestnut-brown hair was running freely.
Her smile, just as the class president had said, seemed so carefree that you could feel it just by watching.
"Mr. C.B. and you are probably the most talented in our class, I'd say," the class president murmured, watching Mr. C.B.'s fluid running form.
"She does have considerable talent," Dream Weaver admitted.
After experiencing so many races, Dream Weaver could now roughly gauge an Uma Musume's strength just by observing how they ran.
And Mr. C.B. currently sprinting down the track gave her a distinct impression of power.
Even though she knew Mr. C.B. was just a new student, that almost blindingly radiant natural talent made Dream Weaver instinctively regard her as a formidable rival.
"That's exactly why we need to train seriously! There's only one week left until the selection race. It would be such a shame to miss the chance to go to Tracen Europe just because we didn't train hard enough."
The class president patted Dream Weaver's shoulder. It seemed she was worried about Dream Weaver's recent habit of spacing out during practice, which was why she was sticking close, keeping an eye on her and offering reminders.
"Tell you what—after school, once we've had dinner and are back at the dorm, I'll give you some extra tutoring in the academic subjects. That way, if the European trainers quiz you on theory, you'll be able to answer properly!"
"Huh?"
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T/N: Love C.B.
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.