Suddenly one day, four legendary Uma Musume appeared at a random GIII-level sprint racecourse. (T/N: Suddenly one day...?)
Any one of these four, if they appeared in public, would attract numerous reporters vying for an interview. If two of them appeared together, it would make front-page headlines even if nothing happened. And now, four of these legends were gathered in one place, and it seems that after many years, the rivalry between them hadn't diminished in the slightest.
At this moment, even the commentators, live broadcasters, and other staff members were completely at a loss, not daring to interfere. This was a live standoff between four legendary Uma Musume; anyone who dared to interrupt might get scared into cardiac arrest with just a glare from them. And besides, it was likely that a large number of news agencies had already begun rushing their reporters to the scene. If they rashly intervened, they probably wouldn't be able to handle it...
Thus, after a "staff meeting" that was so simple it didn't even require talking, the racecourse officials decided to just give up and do absolutely nothing until everything blows over.
And now, at the center of the racecourse, the three Student Council members of Tracen Academy, led by Symboli Rudolf, were launching an overwhelming offensive against Mr. C.B. Although Mr. C.B. still looked very carefree, she had no intention of squabbling with Symboli Rudolf and her entourage.
If it were just Symboli Rudolf alone, Mr. C.B. would simply do as she liked; after all, they could just race privately to settle things. But now, this "Emperor" was playing dirty, bringing her two goons with her. It was clear that Rudolf didn't intend to settle things the Uma Musume way, but rather to weaponize her authority. (T/N: I miss when goon just meant henchmen...)
"Rudolf... do you even dare to call yourself an Uma Musume at this point? Ever since you became the Student Council President, it seems like you're becoming less and less of an Uma Musume."
Mr. C.B. dangerously narrowed her eyes and smiled, saying, "The Emperor I knew back then was someone who would challenge another Uma Musume to a showdown at the slightest of disagreements and would keep running until everyone was convinced. Now you're bringing Air Groove and Narita Brian to gang up on me. Don't you think that's a bit unfair?"
"What honorable words coming from the mouth of the person who just tried to poach from me. It is my right, my duty, to exercise my authority as the Student Council President, Mr. C.B."
Symboli Rudolf naturally wouldn't fall for such provocation so easily. She smiled slightly and said, "You were the one who acted first; I am merely retaliating. Plus, C.B., not to insult you, but we all know the situation at the Branch School, and it's not suitable for our excellent Trainer and his Uma Musume."
"Oh, really? Then you'd need to elaborate because I don't understand a single word from that mouth of yours. Our Branch School was founded only a year after Tracen Academy. In terms of historical performance, the children of our Academy and our treatment of our Trainers are in no way inferior to your Tracen Academy."
Mr. C.B. wasn't actually truly set on poaching Ikezoe and his two Uma Musume; the reason she was being so aggressive right now was mainly because Rudolf had insulted her school. She was also a Student Council President, not inferior in status to Symboli Rudolf, so naturally, she couldn't let Symboli Rudolf just run her mouth off about the children of her Academy.
Just as the tensions between the two of them reached their peak, an Uma Musume who suddenly appeared interrupted the tense atmosphere.
"Oh my~ Isn't that Rudolf and C.B.? Well, long time no see; you two really haven't changed one bit~"
"That voice... is that... Maruzensky-senpai?"
When everyone saw the newcomer's face, they discovered an adult-looking Uma Musume with a fiery figure and beautiful features had appeared. She wore a smile, and with one pull, she drew Symboli Rudolf and Mr. C.B. closer, smiling as she diffused the atmosphere.
"Haii... you two are still the same, always arguing the moment you meet. It's been how many years now? Can't you two just get along?"
"Maruzensky-senpai... I don't recall inviting you this time."
Symboli Rudolf also looked troubled. Facing this individual, whom even she had to address as "senpai," she didn't know what to do. Although she was the Student Council President, Maruzensky was a Student Council member even before she joined Tracen Academy, so she had to show respect.
What? How old is Maruzensky? If you really asked Symboli Rudolf that, she could only say that she didn't know; Maruzensky had always been in the school for as long as she knew...
"Hehe, of course, I also came to see how excellent my beloved juniors are doing, Rudolf. Do you really think I just do nothing except laze and drive every day?"
Maruzensky smiled and poked Symboli Rudolf's forehead, completely unafraid of the Emperor's so-called authority. After all, in her eyes, almost everyone present could be considered her junior. As she spoke, Maruzensky's gaze quickly turned to Ikezoe's trio, her eyes sparkling, and she walked forward with a smile.
"Hello~ You're Trainer Ikezoe, right? Your team has been really popular recently, and your two Uma Musume—ahh~ these two children are very excellent~"
"Ah... thank you for the compliment, senior."
Ikezoe was a bit nervous when Maruzensky began talking to him. Though he didn't immediately recognize who Maruzensky was, once her name was mentioned, he remembered a legendary racehorse from the Showa era who shared the same name. (T/N: Showa era is 1926–1989)
However, Ikezoe didn't really revere her that much even after realizing who she was, as racehorses from the Showa era were a bit too distant for him. But he did know that Maruzensky, as a broodmare, had excellent genes. Well-known modern Japanese racehorses like Special Week, Rice Shower, Winning Ticket, and Mejiro Bright were all related to her by blood. Even Curren Chan can be linked to Maruzensky through a complicated family tree. Ikezoe thought carefully; if so, she should be called "great-great-grandmother."
Of course, Ikezoe wouldn't dare to call Maruzensky that. Though his emotional intelligence was as dumb as a brick, he knew that one of the "forbidden things" when talking with a woman is her age. However, he was indeed very curious how old this seemingly youthful Maruzensky was, and why she looked so young. Or do Uma Musume not age until they reach a certain age like Saiyans from Dragon Ball?
"Trainer Ikezoe, I feel like you're having some bad thoughts about me right now~" Maruzensky smiled slightly, which betrayed the dangerous glint in her eyes, though she still said: "But I'm in a good mood, so it's okay—ah, these must be our excellent juniors, right? Orfevre, correct?"
"Yes, Maruzensky-senpai, hello."
Facing such a great senior as Maruzensky, even Orfevre respectfully shook her hand with both hands. However, the moment Orfevre's and Maruzensky's hands touched, Maruzensky's kind aura suddenly disappeared, and replacing it was an extremely powerful one which surged towards Orfevre!
The moment the aura touched Orfevre, she immediately trembled all over. Experiencing fight-or-flight mode, her body chose to fight as she unconsciously unleashed her Aura in response, instantly retaliating. For a moment, the "phantom" coalesced on Orfevre's body even let out an angry roar towards Maruzensky.
"—Not bad, not bad at all! Excellent job, truly worthy of a child from our Tracen Academy."
The aura from Maruzensky went as quickly as it came. In reality, Maruzensky was a little surprised by Orfevre's small counterattack. Although she didn't exert much effort at all, the fact that Orfevre was able to fight back at all shocked Maruzensky. But after the surprise came joy. She had already sensed that Orfevre was an incredible unpolished gem that was as valuable as it was rough, and the gem was actually somewhat polished simply because of one Trainer, which made Maruzensky even more curious about Ikezoe.
Maruzensky released Orfevre's hand, then turned to look at Ikezoe, smiling slightly as she said:
"Trainer Ikezoe, you have a good eye for Uma Musume, and you're very capable too! I'll leave these two children to you, 'kay~? Ah, also if you have time, could we meet privately? I have a few things I'd like to discuss in depth with you~"
Saying this, Maruzensky took out a business card from her pocket and handed it to Ikezoe, then pulled Symboli Rudolf and Mr. C.B. away with her. Ikezoe stared blankly at the business card in his hand. The card in his hands looked very simple, with only a name and a contact method... Wait, was this a pager contact method? (T/N: Girl is a Index member)
Ikezoe frowned slightly, but soon, he felt his shoulders suddenly being burdened by two hands. Soon, Curren Chan and Orfevre, one on each side, both said to Ikezoe:
"If you go, you're dead."
"Hehe, you can't be so fickle, Onii-chan; you already have Curren Chan~"
"..."
I'll find another time.
Thinking this, Ikezoe silently put the business card in his pocket, and under the "gentle coercion" of his two assigned Uma Musume, he was "voluntarily" chosen to return to school...
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When the Three Goddesses manifested, they made Uma Musume based on Maruzensky because she had long since existed before them.
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.