Having trained real horses, why are we now training racehorse girls after time-traveling?

Although the Golden Master was slightly taken aback by Maruzensky's extravagant spending, her eyes quickly blazed with intense fighting spirit as she spoke, word by word:

"I accept your challenge, Maruzensky!"

"Wrong, you're the one challenging me, you little tyrant~" Maru Zenkichi's eyes narrowed slightly, a sly glint in them, as he said softly:

"And I haven't even said what you plan to do if you lose."

"—Then I'll call you teacher, just like Chi Tian did, okay?" The Golden Master hadn't thought about this question before, but he answered it quickly.

“That’s not all.” Maru Zensky waved his finger and said, word by word, “You all have to call me teacher, and you must accept all the training, practice and arrangements I propose without objection.”

"How about this agreement lasts until the end of your Classic Year?"

The classic year has ended, that's a year. After a year, both Golden Master and Shinki will have become the racehorse girls of the Ancient Horse Year, and will have fully entered their peak. Even if Maruzensky wanted to control them then, the situation would probably be different.

After exchanging a glance, the Golden Master and Zhen Jiling fully discussed their opinions, with the Golden Master replying without hesitation:

"Okay! I promise you!"

“Well then—the friendly match next month will be held at Treson Academy.” Maru Zenki smiled and said with a light laugh, “I will set the rules for the match. To ensure fairness, Rudolf and the others will be there, so don’t worry.”

"Hmph, no need to say more, I will definitely win."

The Golden Master, however, remained arrogant and haughty, seemingly looking down on Maruzenski, a racehorse girl who had long since retired. But given her attitude, Ikezoe couldn't quite put her finger on it... This kid probably didn't know just how strong Maruzenski really was.

...Well, actually he himself wasn't quite sure. When Maruzen became famous, it was quite a long time ago. What impressed Ikezoe the most was Maruzen's excellent bloodline as a paternal figure, rather than her achievements as a racehorse.

Thinking about it, Ikezoe felt she should consult with Imanami-senpai and ask him just how strong Maruzenski really was as a racehorse girl.

"Well then, I'll be going now~"

"Wait, um—Maruzen-senpai!"

At this moment, Dong Shang Biange couldn't help but jump out, standing directly in front of Maruzensky, and said excitedly:

"Maru-senpai—that move you just used! It was amazing! You must be a very strong witch too, right?"

"Could you teach me that move? I want to be as strong as you and learn such powerful magic."

"Oh? Then I suggest you join my dear student's team. After all, I personally trained him."

Maruzen chuckled and patted Ikezoe on the shoulder, saying to Tosho Reform, "He's my proud student. If you can't even surpass him, you won't be able to study here with me~"

"Sigh... but I don't think Chi Tian is that amazing?" Dong Shang Biange glanced at Chi Tian with disdain upon hearing this. She didn't think this man was anything special, and his appearance even made her feel a little uncomfortable.

"A true witch master is not just someone who can cast spells, but someone who can also teach magic to others."

Upon hearing this, Maru Zenki smiled and gave Dongshang Reform a flirtatious wink, then pulled Ikezoe aside, saying to the group:

"Alright, think about it again. Also—I'm borrowing Ikezoe-kun for now, it's time for today's study session~"

Chapter 234: Maruzensky, who asks for nothing in return?

Maruzensky quickly pulled Ikezoe away a short distance, but soon, after the Golden Master and Shinjire had disappeared from sight, Maruzensky subtly released Ikezoe, saying with a smile:

"My dear student, you really do have two very strong horse girls who are very exclusive. I can't help but worry about your future."

"Oh, but teacher, I've found a girl for you in the balancing team. She might be able to make your situation a little better. Based on that, Ikezoe-kun, shouldn't you buy me a drink or something?"

"Having a drink is a small matter... but even if I sold myself, I couldn't afford to pay back the two sets of final outfits."

Ikezoe wasn't stupid. Although he was a little slow on the uptake when it came to emotions, he could still see through Maruzensky's deliberate provocation of the Gold Master and Shinjiro. The goal was the two decisive outfits Maruzensky had proposed.

If Maruzensky had simply come to deliver two sets of the Final Battle outfits to the Golden Master and the True Mecha, that might have been fine. But receiving two sets of the Final Battle outfits for no reason, regardless of what the True Mecha thinks, the Golden Master would definitely feel uneasy, feeling that the origin of these outfits is unclear.

They might assume that Ikezoe paid some price to get this final costume from Maruzensky... After all, who would spend a fortune to send them two final costumes for no reason? Even the final costumes for Good Opera and Raging Waves could only be obtained through Treson Academy's channels, and they simply couldn't afford such a huge sum on their own.

However, if it's a bet on a competition, it's a completely different story. Both the Golden Master and the Clever One can accept the final outfit without feeling guilty, which is a good excuse for these two rather sensitive kids.

"—But I still don't understand, teacher, was it really necessary for you to spend so much money to design the final outfits for Orpheus and Karen?" Ikezoe still looked up at Maruzen and asked:

"This is no small amount, teacher. Even though I know you're not short of money... are two sets of final outfits really okay? Are you sure you don't need me to cover a little for you?"

"Hmph, my dear student, the cost of these two sets of winning outfits is more than you could afford, even if you sold yourself. Are you sure you want to help your teacher cover part of the cost?"

Maruzen chuckled upon hearing this, giving Ikezoe a subtle smile before waving his hand and saying:

"It's alright, junior. I've run so many competitions and earned enough prize money. I'm very wealthy now, enough to live a life of luxury for the rest of my life. Maybe I can even find a decent man to marry and live a very nice life in Tokyo~"

"Even so, I still think it would be better to use this money on those who need it."

"Chizoe-kun, this is all the savings I've accumulated for the rest of my life. You must treat these two winning outfits well so that your two adorable racehorse girls can win the race. My future happiness depends on you two~"

Maruzensky uttered words in a very casual yet teasing tone that left Ikezoe completely bewildered. However, Maruzensky's expression remained indifferent, as if spending all her savings and prize money on the two racehorse girls' final outfits for her students was nothing more than a blink of an eye.

But that's not the case. This is the entire bounty of a legendary racehorse girl! Although Ikezoe doesn't know exactly how much Maruzenski's bounty was, it was undoubtedly a huge sum of money.

Even if she were to buy a horse, it would still be close to 100 million, right? Even if Maru Zenski used to spend money extravagantly, owning not only supercars but also her own house, the money she spent on the final battle outfit is undoubtedly all of her remaining bounty.

However, this amount of money is undoubtedly beyond what Ikezoe and his team can afford right now. Although the school can provide them with the final outfits, Maruzensky made this choice because the final outfits provided by the school are different from the custom-made ones he chose.

Chi Tian opened his mouth, but couldn't speak for a long time. After a while, he shook his head and said:

"How can I thank you enough... teacher?"

"It's simple. Race well, win well, and then pay me back this money. And if you can do that, race out of Japan with your lovely racehorse girl and never come back."

Maruzensky smiled and patted Ikezoe on the shoulder, saying to Ikezoe, "That's all I can do. I'm content to see my student and his partner, Uma Musume, break out of Japan and create a rift to the world for the children to come."

"Shouldn't you be focusing on good operas, teacher? She's about to compete for the Arc de Triomphe, and her chances of winning seem pretty good?"

“It’s different, my dear student, completely different.”

Maruzensky smiled and shook his head. He had considered this matter a lot. Putting aside whether Good Opera could win against the Arc de Triomphe, even if it did, this victory would be a cause for celebration in Japan, but for the organizers in Paris, it wouldn't be enough to make them pay attention to the results of Japanese horse racing. After all, strictly speaking, Good Opera isn't exactly a Japanese-blooded horse racing show.

Even if a good opera wins, given Maru Zensky's understanding of them, he would assume it's just a coincidence that a Japanese horse from the Saddler Ii lineage adapted to the European track and happened to win the race; it can't be considered a victory for Japanese horse racing at all.

Moreover, even if she receives an invitation to a good opera afterward, she most likely won't accept it. After all, she's now on a pedestal in Japan, and if she leaves Japan for France, the central government won't allow it.

Good opera wouldn't want to leave Hotan and go to France alone.

Golden Master is different. She is a purebred Japanese racehorse girl with formidable strength. Although it is still unknown how well she will adapt to European tracks, Ikezoe has high hopes for her. Based on Maruzensky's understanding of Ikezoe, his student is not such a blindly confident person.

Maruzenski dared to gamble, gamble on this team, gamble on this "miracle," and she also dared to gamble that a combination like Ikezoe and the Golden Masters could pave a path to the future for future generations.

"This is all you need to repay me, Ikezoe-kun. Nothing else is required."

"No, teacher, you've helped me so much, I'll definitely help you if I have the chance."

Upon hearing this, Ikezoe shook his head and said to Maruzensky with utmost seriousness:

"I will always remember your support, teacher. If we can do it, and if we have the opportunity to speak up for the central government, we will completely change the current situation of Uma Musume in Japan."

“From now on, there will never be such a thing as ‘bringing into racehorse girls’ again. Every racehorse girl that comes to Japan to race can participate in the Triple Crown. What happened to you will never happen to the next racehorse girl—if we can do it.”

"...This is really exhilarating, Mr. Ikezoe."

However, when Ikezoe's words reached Maruzensky's ears, even this senior, whose age was unknown, was slightly taken aback. After a long while, he finally showed a relieved smile.

"But the idea of ​​joining Uma Musume no longer exists, my dear student."

"If you and your Orpheus had been born a decade or more earlier, perhaps... you could have changed my fate."

She no longer cares about what happened to her; all she can complain about now is that she was born too early and didn't live in a good era.

Unfortunately, the existence of Uma Musume was canceled a year after her retirement, which can truly be described as a cruel twist of fate for Maruzensky.

But Maru Zensky didn't complain about it. She just hoped that her efforts could bring a fairer and brighter future to the children who came after her.

"...But I'm so happy, my student."

"You are the first person to say these things to me."

A beautiful smile appeared on Maruzensky's face. Although it was fleeting, she still felt genuinely warmed by Ikezoe's words. No one had ever said to her before, "I will change the Central Committee for you."

However, Maru Zenki quickly suppressed his slight flutter of excitement, turned around and left the scene, shaking his car keys as he said:

"Well then, prepare well, Chi Tian-kun. I didn't say I would go easy on you. If you lose, I won't be giving you these two final outfits."

"I'll let you know the competition rules and specific details later, so don't be surprised!"

Chapter 235: Riding Duel in the Mist

"A friendly match with the final outfit as the stakes... I must say, as expected of Maruzen-senpai, he even came up with something new for our long-awaited race."

A few days later, the student council received a clear notification and response regarding the match proposed by Maruzensky. This was not a difficult matter, after all, it was a friendly match, and the student council only needed to approve the application. Rudolf would not refuse his senior's request.

However, the rules and events of this friendly match proposed by Maruzensky... are indeed quite interesting.

"Riding duel? Maruzen-senpai, which Shonen Jump magazine did you see this term in? It's surprisingly novel."

"That's too much, Rudolf! This is a word that I, your senior, carefully came up with myself. It's super exciting and has a really 'supercar' vibe!"

In front of Rudol's symbol, Maru Zenki showed no respect for his senior, pouting and saying with obvious dissatisfaction, "Besides, don't you think this project is super interesting?"

"Yes, just describing it gives me a headache..." Rudo Symbolic also made no attempt to hide the pressure she felt from Maru Zenski's reckless behavior in the competition. Perhaps it was because she knew she could retire in a year or two. Now, Rudo Symbolic was indeed starting to relax a lot and was beginning to show her true nature.

"A racehorse girl and a 'rider' responsible for driving the racehorse girl, riding on the racehorse girl's shoulders, the two work together to achieve victory, and if the rider falls off, the racehorse girl's result is invalid... Maruzen-senpai, how did you come up with such a rule?"

"Hehe, this has to do with my lovely disciple. His unique training method... I think it's quite effective."

When this was mentioned, Maruzensky couldn't help but reveal a hint of pride in his expression, and said to Rudolf:

"I'd like to take this opportunity to try and popularize this unique training method within our academy. Perhaps it can better help the children build a stronger bond with their trainers!"

"Spare me! There are already too few trainers at Treson Academy. We finally got three such excellent trainers. Don't let the number of trainers decrease further."

Rudolf also felt a headache coming on. As the student council president, she sometimes thought that this world was really quite fantastical. The racehorse girls of their Treson Academy were all children in the sensitive period of adolescence, and the trainers, although each of them was responsible for several children at the same time, had to support each other for three years.

This isn't like having a conversation with a teacher in a classroom of thirty or forty people; it's about supporting each other at close range. It would be fine if it were people of the same sex, but the problem is that the number of female trainers is pitifully small. Among the few central trainers, men make up about 80%.

In this situation, it's quite normal for a mature man and a young racehorse girl to wholeheartedly support each other for three years. If the trainer is even slightly good-looking, his racehorse girl would fall in love with him, right?

And what kind of beings are racehorse girls? Most of them can run races. Even if they can't compete in GI races, most of the racehorse girls from Treson Academy can still easily win GIII and GII championships. These racehorse girls usually have their own pride, and deep down, they already consider the trainers they recognize as their own "personal possessions".

Therefore, every year during graduation season, there are always cases where trainers and racehorses retire at the same time to return to their hometowns and get married with their bounties. There have even been instances where, during graduation season, several racehorses have turned on each other and fought each other over who would be their trainers.

Therefore, the graduation season at Tresson Academy has always been jokingly referred to as "matchmaking season." Every year, a batch of racehorse girls graduate, along with several excellent trainers, resulting in a persistent shortage of teaching staff at Tresson Academy...

If it weren't for the fact that many racehorse girls stay at Treson Academy as trainers after retiring, the academy probably wouldn't have been able to sustain such a rate of trainer attrition long ago.

"Moreover, this training method will attract controversy. We racehorse girls are protected by the three goddesses and are equal to ordinary humans in terms of human rights. If this training of riding racehorse girls is made public, it may cause some unnecessary trouble."

"For example, the Uma Musume Human Rights Protection Association, etc... Senior, I don't need to remind you, right?"