[Anyway, for your convenience, the Training function works exactly like the mobile game.
Don’t worry about not knowing how to use it.
Just tap away.]
Listening to the system ramble on like it was on a caffeine high, Nakajima Shin listened patiently.
He didn’t feel it was wasting his time.
[Next up is the core feature: Quests.]
[Support cards, which play a crucial role in training and races, can only be obtained through quests.
I don’t know exactly how quests are triggered—my creator didn’t tell me—but I’ll notify you the moment one activates.
Just be patient.]
“Thanks, System-kun,” Shin said gently.
“Is there a beginner’s pack or something?
Maybe you could gift me a few support cards to start?”
[Uh, I don’t think so…] the system replied awkwardly.
“Got it.
Anything else I should know?” Shin asked.
The system wanted to just say “no,” but after just promising to help out, it felt a bit anxious about not being useful yet.
It figured it should at least do something.
So it scanned its database, looking for something useful.
The scan finished quickly.
The system carefully reviewed the data.
Then, suddenly, it perked up.
“Oh, wait!
Actually, you already have two support cards.
Their source is…
Li Hong and White Lily?”
Hearing his past life’s name, Shin froze for a second.
He immediately tapped the Support Cards tab.
Seeing the two cards, his expression shifted.
The first card’s art showed him riding White Lily through a downpour.
At the Coffs Coast Lightning Stakes in Australia, they’d just defeated Green Belt to take first place.
He was pointing to the sky, a triumphant smile on his face.
[Phantom in the Rain] [Source: Li Hong & White Lily] [Category: Speed] [Skill 1 – Rainwalk: The worse the weather conditions, the faster the running speed.] [Skill 2 – Front-Running, an Unstoppable Front-Run!: Once activated, no matter the opposition, the trainee will absolutely secure first place by the end of the early stage, pulling at least ten horse lengths ahead of second place.
(Note: Pay attention to stamina management afterward.)] [Note: Running is joyful, getting injured is painful.
So I guess I’m suffering and rejoicing at the same time.
Then stop looking at me with that tearful expression, like you want to cry but can’t, Mr.
Jockey.]
Shin stared blankly at the note, his eyes growing damp.
His mouth parted, but no words came out.
Finally, he looked down, ran a hand through his hair, and smiled.
A couple of heavy tears dropped to the floor, splashing lightly.
I’m so glad you didn’t leave this world harboring resentment toward me, weighed down by unhappy thoughts.
So, goodbye, White Lily…
I can finally say those words.
Watching the card, the system asked confusedly: [Jockey…
what’s that?
And what are you riding in the card art?
Is this note something White Lily said to you?
But haven’t you only known her for a few days?
This note’s content is so weird.]
“Those are my secrets.
Since you don’t know, let’s not dwell on it,” Shin said with a faint smile.
[If you say so, I won’t pry.
Let’s check the next card.]
Shin nodded and looked at the second card.
The art showed him riding a sturdy horse, herding cattle and sheep toward a lake.
He was looking down at his reflection in the water, holding White Lily in his arms, her eyes dim and lifeless.
[Lone Star of the Steppes] [Source: Li Hong] [Category: Companion] [Skill 1 – Charge: Earn one energy point for every 3 kilometers run; earn one special energy point for every marathon distance completed.
(Note: To protect the host’s health, only one energy point can be gained per day, and only one special energy point per half month.)] [Skill 2 – Infirmary: Consume one energy point to treat a designated target.
The effectiveness depends on the target’s condition and status ailments.
Using one special energy point can perfectly cure most ailments.
Using seven special energy points at once can cure any condition at its root.] [Skill 3 – Sunshine Campus Run: Once activated, the Training function changes.
Instead of the trainee gaining stats through standard “Training,” you will complete the runs yourself.
On a half-month cycle, if you run 3 kilometers every day, the trainee will complete that round of “Training.” When training any stat, the current stat will receive an extra boost, while other stats will also see minor increases.] [Note: Drinking mare’s milk, herding cattle and sheep, riding fine steeds to hunt bears and wolves.
Gripping the reins, swinging the whip, riding a lame horse through the green fields.
Back then, my spirit soared above the sky.
Winds howl, flowers fall, the prized horse crashes through the triumph arch.
Remembering the past now, my heart aches deeply.
If only wealth could buy another life.
Now, I’m lighter than dust.
Who am I?
Li Hong.]
Scanning it all, Shin’s eyes locked dead onto Skill 3.
His heart skipped a beat.
He completely broke down, unable to move.
Wait, I transmigrated to become a trainer, why do I still have to do campus runs?!
Didn’t I transmigrate for nothing then?
…Actually, I transmigrated for nothing anyway.
In my past life, I’d already made enough money to open a ranch, but then I suddenly got isekai’d, shattering my ranch-owner dream on the spot and leaving me drowning in debt.
But considering this world was full of eye-pleasing Umamusume, Shin decided to forgive the three likely culprits responsible for his transmigration.
Once his emotions settled and he stopped panicking over the campus runs, he started comparing the stat boosts with and without Skill 3 active.
He calculated quickly.
If he stuck to the daily runs, his trainee’s stat gains per half-month would more than double.
Plus, sub-stats would grow evenly, avoiding the nightmare scenario of one stat rating G while another sits at A.
If he didn’t, the only benefit was that stats would boost out of thin air.
No one would need to do anything; they could just lie there and gain stats.
Everything else paled in comparison to the campus run method.
Faced with this, Shin really wanted to be a couch potato and skip the runs.
But considering Urara would face Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross in three months, and next year’s major races would feature Orfevre and Almond Eye…
To guarantee his trainee’s victories, he had to force a smile and activate Skill 3.
“Kids, I love campus runs.
Seriously, I really do.
Running is so cool.
What college student doesn’t love doing their campus runs every semester?”
Watching him talk to himself in the empty room, his face contorted like he’d lost his mind, the system couldn’t help but ask with concern: [Host, maybe we should skip the campus runs.
Your expression is, uh…
too much.
I’m worried about your mental state.]
“…No, I’m fine.
Don’t worry about it, System-kun.” Shin rubbed his face.
Though his heart was bleeding, his expression hardened.
“It’s just campus runs.
I’ve done them before.
Now, for my trainee’s health and for victory, this is a struggle I must endure!”
“Just watch and learn, System-kun.
Behold the unyielding silhouette of a man against the sunset!”
[Yes!
I’ll watch without blinking!]
OG Author’s Note: PS: Writing up to here, the system finally makes its full appearance.
Actually, before starting this book, I kept wondering if introducing the system this late was a bad idea.
After all, other authors can’t wait to drop their cheat in Chapter 1 and show off its highlights immediately.
I worried that bringing out the system so late might drive readers away.
I’ve been stressing over this.
But in the end, to get the results I wanted, I firmly decided to delay the cheat until now.
I don’t know if this decision will make me regret it.
Hopefully not.