Chapter 7: Blessing of the Three Goddesses?
"Trainer! Trainer-san!"
As soon as he recovered, Kisei saw Sakura Bakushin O with an expression of urgent concern.
"I'm fine, probably just didn't sleep well." Kisei waved his hand, only able to guess it was due to his lack of rest.
During his over a year abroad, he had indeed been studying day and night, neglecting food and sleep, so it was normal for his body to struggle.
But when he fully regained his senses and looked at Sakura Bakushin O again, he froze in place.
What is this?!
Kisei stared intently at the top of Sakura Bakushin O's head.
There, several lines of text were floating in mid-air.
[Name: Sakura Bakushin O]
[Track Aptitude: Turf (A), Dirt (G)]
[Distance Aptitude: Sprint (E), Mile (C), Middle Distance (A), Long Distance (A)]
[Running Style Aptitude: Leader (B), Front Runner (A), Stalker (A+), Closer (C)]
This...
Kisei rubbed his eyes hard, his face filled with disbelief. He even reached out toward Sakura Bakushin O's head, trying to touch the text.
He couldn't touch it—it wasn't physical.
What exactly is this? What are these ABCs? Could they be Sakura Bakushin O's abilities?
Why can I see these?
A blessing from the Three Goddesses?
Just then, a piece of information suddenly appeared in Kisei's memory.
[Winning a G3 race grants one random C-level Factor]
[Winning a G2 race grants one random B-level Factor]
[Winning a G1 race grants one random A-level Factor]
[Three Factors of the same level and type can be combined into one higher-level Factor]
[Three Factors of the same level but different types can be combined into one random higher-level Factor]
[+ indicates potential for improvement through training. A+ can be trained to S]
Factors?
Kisei was stunned again.
"Trainer-san, what's wrong?" Sakura Bakushin O asked softly, her face flushed.
Kisei had suddenly reached toward her head, moving his hand around. Although he didn't touch her, it was still strange. Other Uma Musume passing by were now looking at them curiously.
"Nothing."
Kisei took a deep breath. This was too bizarre, and no one would believe him if he spoke about it.
He withdrew his hand, his tone returning to calm. "Let's exchange LINE contacts. I'll notify you about some things later, so keep an eye on it."
"Okay, Trainer-san." Sakura Bakushin O obediently took out her phone and exchanged contact information with Kisei.
After parting ways with Sakura Bakushin O, Kisei immediately turned his gaze to a nearby Uma Musume who had not yet undergone her blooming.
[Name: What the Heck]
[Track Aptitude: Turf (C), Dirt (F)]
[Distance Aptitude: Sprint (C), Mile (B), Middle Distance (D), Long Distance (G)]
[Running Style Aptitude: Leader (F), Front Runner (G), Stalker (D), Closer (C)]
Sure enough, it wasn't his imagination.
After observing a few more Uma Musume, Kisei gradually grasped this strange ability. As long as he focused his attention, he could see the information of any Uma Musume.
Hah~
Deep breaths.
Kisei stood in place, taking several deep breaths before his emotions gradually settled.
If ABC... refers to the talents of Uma Musume, then do Factors mean the ability to enhance those talents?
Thinking of this, Kisei grew excited.
If he could obtain three Mile B-level Factors, wouldn't he be able to combine them into one Mile A-level Factor?
So Sakura Bakushin O's Mile aptitude can become A too?
Bolder still, what if there were three Middle Distance A-grade factors? What would they become after synthesis?
Or could these ABC aptitudes potentially improve through training?
Suppressing all sorts of wild thoughts in his mind, Kisei took the team application form and arrived at the Student Council President's office.
"Perfect timing, I was just about to call you."
Rudolf was sitting at her desk organizing things when she saw Kisei enter. After casually remarking, she took out various bottles and jars from a small bag hanging nearby and placed them on the desk.
Kisei didn't respond, simply staring at Symboli Rudolf's head.
[Name: Symboli Rudolf]
[Track Adaptability: Turf (S), Dirt (G)]
[Distance Adaptability: Short Distance (E), Mile (C), Middle Distance (S), Long Distance (A)]
[Running Style Adaptability: Leader (B), Front-runner (S), Mid-pack (A), Closer (C)]
S!
A rank above A!
As expected of you, Emperor.
Three S ranks!
Is this what it means to be an eleven-time G1 champion Uma Musume?
After marveling at Rudolf's talents, Kisei watched as she opened these bottles and jars, applying them here and there. He couldn't help but mutter quietly: "Is all this really necessary?"
"What did you say?!" Rudolf narrowed her eyes and looked over.
"Nothing! I meant that your skin is already naturally beautiful, Luna. You don't need these things." Kisei quickly explained.
Rudolf rolled her eyes as she packed everything away. "It's just basic moisturizing. Let's go, the Trainer and Maruzensky have already headed over."
"Wait, look at this first."
Kisei placed the team application on the desk. Rudolf picked it up and immediately widened her eyes: "You recruited an Uma Musume?"
"Why are you so surprised? Weren't you the one who told me to watch the simulation race?" Kisei said helplessly.
Rudolf carefully read through the team application and signed her name without another word.
"Sakura Bakushin O, I know her. She's an excellent kid. The Trainer had been keeping an eye on her too, but we've been too busy recently to spare the time. Otherwise, she would have been recruited during her blooming phase. You've found quite the gem."
"Master was watching her too? Seems my judgment was right after all." Kisei proudly boasted to Rudolf.
Rudolf put away the team application and took out another document, placing it on the desk.
"Fill out this form. Since you have an Uma Musume now, you need to establish a team. You'll also need to come up with a team name. Submit the completed document to me within three days."
Team name?
Kisei suddenly remembered that at Tracen, Trainers had to form teams, and there was a tradition of naming teams after constellations.
He'd have to think carefully about this!
Putting away the document, Kisei followed Rudolf out the door.
The gathering was at a sushi restaurant near the academy.
When the two entered the reserved private room, three people were already seated inside.
Maruzensky, Hana Toujou, and Kunihira Rokuhira.
"Master, Old Man Rokuhira, long time no see."
Kisei immediately greeted them upon entering. Hana Toujou was his mentor, and Kunihira Rokuhira was a senior veteran at the academy.
"Kisei, it's been a while." Hana stood up and gave Kisei a hug.
Then Rokuhira also stood up, extending his hand and saying, "The little one has grown up and gotten taller."
Hearing this, Kisei shook Rokuhira's hand with one hand while the other reached out to pat the other's round belly.
"Old Man Rokuhira's beer belly has gotten even rounder."
"You brat, you come back just to tease me, huh?" Rokuhira laughed and scolded, "Later, I'll have to make you drink as punishment."
"No problem, I'm already an adult."
After the greetings, the five of them took their seats. Kisei sat between Rokuhira and Hana, while Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky sat opposite them.