Uma Musume: Why Do We, Horse Trainers, Still Have To Train Uma Musume? Chapter 126 126: Ikezoe's First Request?

"Teacher... huhuhu, never thought I would see the day where I'm called a teacher..."

Maruzensky was slightly startled by Ikezoe's deep bow, but she quickly recovered, a smile reappearing on her face as she helped him up, saying to him, "Alright, no need to be so formal. I'll accept the title of teacher, but you shouldn't call that normally, okay? I don't want people to know I'm giving a Trainer preferential treatnt. Otherwise, the URA would co looking for trouble with ."

Many Uma Musu who got into the Hall of Fa are usually slow in picking a successor. Part of the reason was that they had affairs to handle and likely no ti to teach. Another reason was that they hadn't found any particularly favored candidates. Throughout Rudolf's whole ti as an Uma Musu, only Tokai Teio could be considered her half-disciple. Not everyone was as irresponsible as Mr. C.B., who had the leisure ti to wholeheartedly train a disciple. After all, Mr. C.B. usually relegated her tasks to other Student Council mbers. In fact, she was more like an active Uma Musu rather than a Student Council President.

All that said, every successful retired Uma Musu had the ability to choose soone to teach; it was just that for various reasons, they hadn't. However, Maruzensky's situation was quite special. Throughout her long ti as an Uma Musu, she had been tirelessly reading up and enriching herself with counterasures against foreign Uma Musu and tracks. The URA even sends every Uma Musu going abroad for an expedition to Maruzensky to be trained for a few weeks to familiarize themselves with different tracks, to prevent the possibility of the Uma Musu being forced to retire after returning from the expedition.

Although Maruzensky had been responsible for this work for so many years, sending off batch after batch of Uma Musu on overseas expeditions, so returned safely while others still couldn't avoid the fate of being forced off the stage... But Maruzensky had always been working hard, always trying to make those children connect with the international stage. Because she knew that only by breaking out of Japan could these children truly show their brightness to the world. Japan was too small, and... just too dark.

Maruzensky knew it best; after all, she had experienced it firsthand. She didn't want anyone to be forced into the sa situation she was in all those years ago anymore. Perhaps most of the children wouldn't be exposed to such a dark side, but if there truly were children who did... then Maruzensky would absolutely not allow them to reach the sa ending as hers.

"So, Trainer Ikezoe—no, Ikezoe-kun, for the ti to co, you are my student, Maruzensky's student."

Maruzensky stood with her hands on her hips, showcasing her very mature figure prominently. Then, with an appreciative look, as if saying, "You are worthy of being taught," she said to Ikezoe: "But I cannot stress this enough: this matter cannot be publicized. You can tell your two kids, though; after all, they both have the talent to go overseas. Though Orfevre's the one that caught my eye the most, Curren Chan also has imnse talent~ But don't let them spread it, okay? It's best for you to not even tell the rest of your team mbers. If Rudolf finds out, she would definitely chew up."

"...Are you saying the President wouldn't agree to you teaching ?" Ikezoe asked, guessing.

"No, no, no, Rudolf would absolutely go secretly looking for so foreign Uma Musu to replace if she finds out, and then tell sothing like 'foreign Uma Musu are more knowledgeable,' and then our matter might be exposed to the URA!" Maruzensky shook her head with so helplessness when ntioning her junior, saying, "Rudolf cares about everyone in Tracen, including the staff, but she tends to try a little too hard when trying to help, which usually turns out badly."

Maruzensky clearly understood Symboli Rudolf well. This President was good at everything, except when it cos to caring for soone else. She was too prone to excessive concern, forgetting the consequences behind it, and by the ti she realized it, it would likely be too late to salvage the situation. Maruzensky really wanted to tell Symboli Rudolf that being good to others doesn't necessarily have to be entirely based on the best resources or the best arrangents; compatibility is where it's at.

"Alright, we've had enough small talk. I've already gone over everything important, so next is our teaching arrangent. Now, when it cos to teaching Orfevre and Curren Chan, your level is definitely qualified for them. In terms of dostic races, even I can't give you much advice, and I haven't paid attention to dostic races for a long ti. In this aspect, your experience is probably better than mine."

"So, if I'm to teach you, what I can teach, of course, are the points to pay attention to in international races. This is sothing you, as a Trainer aiming for the wider world, must learn and master, as well as many special training thods from other countries. These are all things you need to learn."

Saying this, Maruzensky also crossed her arms, stating clearly, word for word: "From now on, unless under special circumstances, which I will notify you of separately, co here every Sunday. I will teach you the ways to improve your skills level to prepare you for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Orfevre still has an entire year before she challenges the Classic Triple Crowns. But you also still have many areas where you need to improve. Ti is tight, and there's a lot of content. My dear Kouhai-kun, are you ready?"

"—I'm completely ready!" Ikezoe also answered Maruzensky's question with full enthusiasm, and seeing Ikezoe so determined, Maruzensky nodded with relief in her heart. She had indeed not misjudged him; this junior possessed a strong drive.

Speaking of drive, that Wada Trainer also shared a similar drive. Though it felt more like an obsession, as if he would go to any lengths to achieve so goal... This drive was certainly strong, but it was entirely built on a certain confidence. Maruzensky could sense that Wada was still in a budding phase; he had set goals but lacked many things. Without ntioning anything else, Maruzensky dared to say that if that T.M. Opera O girl left him for any reason, this young Trainer would probably imdiately collapse.

That's not to say he was leeching off T.M. Opera O. T.M. Opera O's performance was also built on the trust of that young Trainer. Perhaps they weren't the strongest pairing, but it was definitely the most compatible. Therefore, Maruzensky would not interfere with such a perfect combination, even if they also had a lot of potential.

But Ikezoe was different. His goals were clear, and he was relatively much more mature, just lacking a bit of professional knowledge and self-confidence. As long as his lacking parts were filled... then, during the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with a fully realized Ikezoe, even those stubborn geezers at the URA and Shadai would have to shut their mouths! Running in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with a Japanese Uma Musu and Trainer—such an achievent, even if they couldn't win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, would be enough for everyone in Japan to feel proud.

Thinking this, Maruzensky also breathed a sigh of relief in her heart; at least all her year-long work hadn't been in vain.

"Well then, that's it. Now shoo back to Tracen Academy. I hope your two clingy children won't rip you apart when you return~" Maruzensky said with a relaxed air, and at this mont, Ikezoe suddenly rembered sothing and spoke to Maruzensky:

"Teacher, can I ask you one more thing?"

"Hmm?" Maruzensky turned her head, sowhat strangely, at his words. However, she only saw Ikezoe with a sowhat embarrassed expression and asked curiously, "Asking for the teacher's help on the first day of apprenticeship... Tell , what is it?"

"Well, actually, it's not just who wants to challenge the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. My good friend, Wada, you should have heard of him. He and the Uma Musu he's in charge of, T.M. Opera O, are also planning to go for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He and I share many similar traits; we both can't compare to foreign Trainers in terms of experience and professionalism, and... we both have only reached today's heights by relying on our talented Uma Musu. I hope that you could also help him as well, Teacher. What do you think... can you teach Trainer Wada as well?"

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I wonder how they can say Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe so many tis in a sentence without accidently biting their tounge.

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If you spot any errors, feel free to comnt about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.