According to incomplete statistics, about ninety-seven percent of Umamusume enrolled in either regional or central Tracen Academies.
It seemed almost every Umamusume chose to enter Tracen and join the racing scene, even though fewer than three percent ever became famous.
Yet, they still flocked to it, as if an Umamusume’s life had to follow the script of “meeting a trainer and running.” Even retired Umamusume had nothing but praise for their time at Tracen.
No one disliked Umamusume racing.
These natural elves possessed abilities that fascinated everyone.
The eight major races in Japan were a national obsession, and viewer numbers were constantly climbing.
The public’s passion for Umamusume racing was always burning hot.
The only one who saw through the illusion was Keiko, who looked like a child on the outside but had the hardened mind of an adult beaten down by reality.
She knew the heavy price of dreams and didn’t believe she could be part of the successful three percent.
So, she chose a different track: studying hard and aiming high.
“Another day of finishing a whole test prep book—” Keiko yawned, placing the completed test papers onto her stack of achievements.
She wanted to apply for the humanities department at the University of Tokyo, which required a massive amount of memorization.
She had been cramming Japanese history, which she knew nothing about, as well as Shinto mythology that somehow made it onto the exams.
Although it made her sleepy and the names of the gods were insanely hard to remember, she still memorized them all.
She was flipping through the *Kojiki* more often than she went outside now.
“Keiko-chan, you’re doing test papers again.
Why don’t you take a break?” Kita-chan, who had come over to visit, was lying on Keiko’s bed flipping through a manga.
“Every time I see you, you’re working on exams.
Can you really get into Todai like this?” “I don’t know, but I definitely won’t pass if I don’t.” Keiko replied.
She had gathered every test paper she could find.
Grinding exams was always the best strategy for test-oriented education.
She felt like she had returned to the peak of her high school intelligence.
She had to admit, a middle schooler’s brain was incredibly efficient.
Even with an Umamusume’s debuff of “slowed theoretical memorization,” she could still remember things far better than she did as a corporate slave.
“Kita-chan, you’re basically guaranteed a spot at central Tracen Academy, right?” “Yeah—but Duramente seems to be going too.
Dammit, I still haven’t beaten her once.” Kita-chan turned a page, answering with a pout.
“But if I go to central, I should be able to see my idol soon.” “Your idol?” Keiko asked, although she had no interest in Tracen herself.
“Who is it?” “She’s amazing!” Kita-chan rolled over and sat up, her eyes shining as she introduced her idol.
“I’m talking about the strongest rising star of our era, the super rookie rumored to be able to defeat Symboli Rudolf herself: Tokai Teio!” “Symboli Rudolf…
the seven-crown legend?” Keiko was familiar with the name.
After all, Rudolf was famous enough to appear on exam questions, being a true legend among Umamusume.
She was often mentioned in history and general knowledge questions.
In fact, Rudolf and Oguri Cap were the most frequently featured Umamusume on exams.
“Questions about her pop up on tests quite a bit.” “Right?
She is a legend.” Kita-chan spoke as if reciting a textbook.
“But Tokai Teio is also incredible.
Even though she hasn’t debuted in the Twinkle Series yet, she remains undefeated in the rookie exhibition races.
Many famous racing commentators are highly optimistic about her future, saying she could become the next undefeated Triple Crown Umamusume.” “Oh—” Keiko dragged out her response flatly.
“Meaning I have one more history question to study.” “…Have you studied yourself stupid, Tojo-san?” Kita-chan poked Keiko’s head with concern.
“By the way, didn’t you participate in early admissions?
How did it go?” “I have good news and bad news.
Which one do you want first?” Keiko asked calmly.
Kita-chan hesitated before choosing the good news.
“The early admissions went well.
I received an offer from a top academic high school in Tokyo.” Keiko shrugged.
“And the exam questions were surprisingly easy.
I was actually shocked.” “Isn’t that great?” Kita-chan tilted her head.
“So what’s the bad news?” “The bad news is, they don’t plan to put me in the academic track.
They want me to join the sports department…
I was completely speechless.
They even acted like they were doing me a favor.
Honestly, if I hadn’t controlled my temper, I’d probably be facing school suspension right now.” “…That sounds rough.” Kita-chan mumbled.
“So you turned down the offer?” “Yeah.
I’ll probably just go to any random high school and study like crazy on my own.
Or join a cram school…
but the fees are insanely expensive.” Thinking of her nearly empty bank account, Keiko began to worry.
“My enemy might be society itself…” “Well, don’t worry…
there’s always a way.” Kita-chan was already trying to think of how to help, but her family didn’t have connections in the education sector, and she didn’t want to rely on them anyway.
“You’re so smart, Keiko-chan.
I’m sure you can get into Todai.” “Thank you, Kita-chan.” Getting rare comfort from Kita-chan, Keiko’s expression softened a bit.
“Even though I’m not going to Tracen, I definitely don’t regret becoming friends with you and Dia-chan.” “Hehe~ Me too!” Kita-chan smiled happily.
“Oh, right.
By the way, does Todai actually have an early admissions program?” “In theory, yes.
If you have a recommendation from a Todai professor, you might be allowed to take a special entrance exam.
But I don’t have those kinds of connections.” Keiko thought for a moment and nodded.
“Why do you ask, Kita-chan?” “I was just wondering…
if someone suddenly came up and offered you a chance to take Todai’s entrance exam early, would you accept?” Kita-chan asked.
“I’m still just a middle schooler.
Can I even make a jump that big?” Keiko asked in confusion.
“But if an opportunity like that did exist, it would be crazy not to take it, right?” “Who says it’s impossible?” At that moment, the dorm door was pushed open.
Symboli Rudolf, whom they had just been discussing, walked into the small room with a smile, as if she had been listening to their conversation.
“Nice to meet you, Tojo Keiko-san.
Although for me, this is actually the second time I’ve seen you.” “…S-Symboli Rudolf?” Keiko felt her soul leave her body when she saw who walked in.
This was like talking about whether Messi or Beckham was better in your room, only for Messi himself to walk in and ask, “Are you talking about me?” Or discussing Ultraman Tiga when Daigo suddenly walks in holding his Spark Lens.
Why was this legendary figure of the Umamusume world suddenly standing in her dorm?
“And me too!
Tokai Teio is here!” Behind Rudolf, another girl in a Tracen uniform bounced in, waving.
Keiko shot a glance at Kita-chan—yep, the poor girl was practically frozen in shock.
Keiko had to handle this herself.
It seemed the Giant of Light—no, Rudolf—was indeed here for her.
“Um…
Rudolf-senpai, Teio-senpai, what brings you here?” Keiko asked, her legs trembling with fear.
“We just came to see you.
Do you remember the run you had at the Satono family’s private track a few days ago?” Rudolf got straight to the point.
“It was a brilliant run.
Even in the heavy rain, your performance was outstanding.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a talented Umamusume.” “Oh—you must be here for Kita-chan, right?” Keiko immediately assumed Kita-chan had shown incredible talent during their run.
“I won’t get in your way then, I’ll just head out.” “You cannot leave.” Rudolf immediately blocked her path.
Keiko felt like a cornered soldier with no option but to surrender.
“I won’t leave, I won’t leave.
Rudolf-senpai, please don’t stand so close.
Let’s maintain some social distance, or my poor heart might give out.” “Haha, you really have a funny way of speaking, Tojo-san.
True, Kitasan Black is very talented, but we were focused on you.
Your running style and your unique presence left a strong impression on me.
I believe you have immense potential, which is why I came to see you early.
Do you understand what I mean?” Rudolf didn’t mean to, but her natural aura made Keiko’s throat go dry.
She felt like Kuafu was running too close to the sun—if there were a bucket of water nearby, she would have chugged it instantly.
“…I think you must be mistaken.” Keiko waved her hands quickly.
She had absolutely no desire to go to Tracen Academy.
Her time at the art school had taught her that dreams were only meant to be shattered.
“I’m just a completely ordinary Umamusume.
How could I possibly be talented?” “Humility is a good trait for an Umamusume, but being too humble is just pride.” Rudolf said seriously.
“Besides, do you really not feel how amazing your talent is?
That spectacular late spurt—if you hadn’t slowed down so much earlier, and even in the heavy rain, you would have won.” “I…” Keiko groaned internally at Rudolf’s words.
“But I did slow down, and I lost.
You can ask Kita-chan, I really didn’t hold back.” “Yeah, she really did her best.
I could feel it.” Kita-chan nodded in agreement.
“That has nothing to do with it.
Being able to maintain such a high speed early on and still keep enough strength for that final spurt is the definition of talent.” Rudolf smiled.
“And it’s not just me.
Oguri Cap was with me, and she also highly praised your talent.
Believe me, your talent will definitely shine on the track.” ‘I do believe you.
I just don’t believe in myself…’ Keiko almost burst into tears.
She really, really didn’t want to go to Central Tracen Academy.
The chances of someone of her level making a name for themselves in Central Tracen were about the same as winning an Olympic gold medal.
Central Tracen was a breeding ground for monsters and geniuses from all over the country.
If you threw a brick there, you’d hit ten people, and nine of them would be once-in-a-decade geniuses.
Knowing her own limits, Keiko didn’t think she stood a chance against those freaks.
“True, I might have been a bit too hasty.” Seeing Keiko fall silent, Rudolf assumed she had scared her.
Her tone softened slightly.
“I just heard that you want to apply to the University of Tokyo?” “Yes…
My goal is to get into Todai.” Keiko nodded.
“So I really have no intention of going to Tracen Academy.” “I see…
Then, what if I can get you into Todai early admissions exam?” Rudolf never hesitated to offer incentives when trying to recruit talented runners.
Like the serpent tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden, her smile became highly enticing.
“I can arrange for you to take the early entrance exam for the University of Tokyo.
I have the connections for it.
But if you fail, you must come to Central Tracen to study.
How does that sound?” “…” Keiko’s face immediately turned serious.
“Are you serious?” “An Umamusume never goes back on her word.” Rudolf smiled.
“It’s fair, isn’t it?
I’ll give you the opportunity, but if you don’t seize it, then we do things my way.
Either way, you don’t lose anything, do you?” “…True, I suppose I won’t lose out.” Keiko was a bit suspicious.
The offer was almost too good to be true.
Whether she passed or failed, she wouldn’t really lose anything.
Getting into Todai’s early admissions was normally incredibly difficult, but it wasn’t surprising for a legend like Rudolf to have those kinds of connections.
To be honest…
Keiko was tempted.
“And I trust that Rudolf-senpai wouldn’t tease me about this.” “Of course.
I am a woman of my word.” Rudolf smiled.
“So?
If you agree, I’ll arrange a private exam for you in two weeks.
It will be designed by an active Todai professor I happen to know well.” “Alright!
I agree!” Although Keiko felt something was off, she knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If she couldn’t even pass a private exam, there was no way she could compete with the massive pool of normal applicants.
Even if she failed, she could just focus on studying at Tracen Academy.
Who said you couldn’t study at a sports school anyway?
That was just biased!
“Good.
I shall look forward to it.” Seeing that the fish she had been baiting for so long finally bit, Rudolf flashed a fox-like smile.
“Then, I’ll see you in two weeks, Tojo-san.” Watching Rudolf and Tokai Teio leave, Keiko collapsed back into her chair.
“My heart almost jumped out of my chest!” “Waaah!
That was actually the living legends, Symboli Rudolf and Tokai Teio!” Only now did Kita-chan dare to scream.
She shook the exhausted Keiko, tail wagging.
“Keiko-chan, I told you you were talented!
Look, even Student Council President Rudolf came to recruit you!” “Yeah, yeah, sure…
But I still think Todai is better.” Keiko nodded.
“Anyway, we’ll see the results in two weeks!
Whether I can climb the social ladder depends entirely on this!!!”