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

"I'll crush my opponents even without watching the videotapes! Just watch, Ikezoe! No matter how much my opponents study me, I won't study them. I'll win based on my own abilities!"

However, just as the Golden Master finished speaking, a strange aura suddenly dissipated the "momentum" of many of the racehorse girls present, and a teasing voice immediately rang out:

"Hey everyone, what are you playing? Can I join in?"

"...Tch, that old woman is here again."

However, when the sound rang out, the Gold Master's expression suddenly turned somewhat ferocious, and an extremely irritated look appeared on his face as he glared unhappily at Maruzensky who was walking in that direction.

This old woman—has she come to see Ikezoe for the third time this week? The Gold Master was growing increasingly annoyed with Maruzensky.

Chapter 294: Maruzen's Hint

"Oh dear, it seems our junior, Golden, isn't very welcoming of his senior~ Why does he look so unhappy?"

As soon as Maruzensky arrived at the scene, he immediately noticed the Gold Master's almost undisguised displeasure. Maruzensky knew very well why the Gold Master was so unhappy with him, but he still smiled and came forward to ask.

"You're clearly not one of our team, are you? You keep coming to see Ikezoe every few days, it's so annoying." However, the Golden Master rarely made any attempt to hide his displeasure with someone, a treatment that only Maru Zenki received besides Ikezoe.

"Why don't you just join our team? That way I'd be a little more comfortable watching you. But you're not on our team, yet you keep contacting our trainers every few days... What exactly are you trying to do, you old woman?"

"Oh dear, it seems our master classmate is really unhappy with me, senpai. I'm so sad~"

As Maru Zenki said this, he even put on a fake crying expression, saying in a very aggrieved tone, "Senior, I spent all my bounty money to buy you guys the final outfits, and I'm also Ikezoe-kun's teacher, teacher. I worked so hard for you guys, and you still hate me so much, waaaaaah, I'm so sad..."

"..."

However, even knowing that Maruzensky was faking it, the facts she spoke were indeed undeniable. For a moment, even the Gold Master had to admit that Maruzensky had truly helped them without reservation, even without expecting anything in return.

But it was precisely because Maruzensky did not seek anything in return that the gold master, who had understood since childhood that "free things are the most valuable," was both wary and uneasy about Maruzensky. He always felt that Maruzensky and Ikezoe had reached some kind of agreement, which would make them pay some "reward" that was difficult to repay.

If Maruzensky had said that the money was to be returned to her, the goldsmith might have treated her better, even thinking that Maruzensky was a very sincere person. But it seems that this was not the case...

The goldsmith always felt that Maruzensky had deeper plans.

"Alright, Orpheus, don't be so rude to the teacher. She has helped us a lot."

Ikezoe was also the first to stand up for Maruzensky. Even he couldn't blindly side with the Golden Master in this situation, so he immediately said to Maruzensky:

"Teacher, I'm sorry... Orphie is a bit shy... no, I should say, she's been under a lot of pressure lately, so she's not in a good mood."

"Yes, yes, Maruzen-sensei, the eldest sister of the master craftswoman is just a little short-tempered." Dong Shang Biange immediately stepped forward to chime in. She didn't want Maruzen-sensei to have a bad relationship with the eldest sister in her team, as she still needed to learn how to use "magic"!

She's very interested in the "magic" of Maruzensky and the Golden Master! The Eastern Merchant Reforms are researching this ability called "Aura," hoping to find a way to fuse multiple "Auras" into one, so she can master the strongest "magic"!

"Maruzen-senpai, are you here to see Onii-chan again?" Makoto subtly stepped forward and smiled at Maruzen, asking, "We're training Master-kun right now~"

"Kallen-chan is still cuter, she's so sensible and gentle~" Maruzensky replied to Maki-rei's question with a smile. This senior, whose age is unknown, is very good at pretending to be young, and sometimes even Maki-rei can't resist it. However, this time, Maruzensky obviously has something serious to say.

"I do have something I'd like to discuss with my dear student, Ikezoe. Shall we go to our usual spot?"

"I understand." Ikezoe agreed without hesitation, and before leaving with Maruzensky, he turned to Maki and said:

"I'll leave things here in your care for now, Karen-chan, and—Orphie, good luck! I'll be back soon!"

"...Tch, what exactly did that guy Ikezoe talk about with that old woman? It was so mysterious."

Meanwhile, the Golden Master watched as Ikezoe and Maru Zenki slowly walked away, and smacked her lips in displeasure. As her negative emotions surged, her "aura," which had been easily suppressed by the group of racehorse girls, began to show signs of rising slightly.

However, they were quickly suppressed by the combined efforts of everyone.

"Big Sister Karen, what are Kenichi and Maruzen-sensei talking about?" Dong Shang Biange tugged at the sleeve of a clever little witch wearing a magic hat, asking curiously.

"Mr. Maruzen has been coming to see Kenichi way too often lately, hasn't he? This is the third time this week, and he came five times last week. Aren't they supposed to only teach on Sundays? Why are they meeting so frequently lately? And they don't even let us know."

"Big Sister Karen, could it be that Professor Maruzen is going to teach Ikezoe some powerful magic, so he's deliberately not telling us?"

"...I really hope that you, Dong Shang, can keep this naivety forever."

After hearing what Dong Shang Bianhe said, Makoto was silent for a moment, then gently rubbed Dong Shang Bianhe's cheek with a doting expression. She really liked this cute little witch, who cared about her older brother and posed no threat.

However, Maki-rei was actually quite clear about one thing: Maruzensky, who seemed safe, was actually a potential big threat. But the reason why Maki-rei had no hostility towards Maruzensky was largely because she knew that Maruzen-senpai would never cross that "one and a half step" line.

The more senior someone is, the more they understand human relationships and social dynamics, the less likely they are to follow their own heart. At this moment, Makoto's feelings towards Maruzensky are not so much hostility as sympathy.

At this age, it's truly... pitiful that one can't even follow their own heart.

……

Meanwhile, Ikezoe and Maruzensky returned to this "old spot"—the fountain where Maruzensky had stood alone and wept after his friendly match with the Gold Master. Since that day, this place had become a frequent meeting spot for Maruzensky and Ikezoe in private.

Of course, Maruzenski never hid anything from others. She always went to see Ikezoe openly and then called Ikezoe here alone. If she really wanted to do something, the Golden Master and his group would not know where Maruzenski had taken Ikezoe even after a whole day had passed.

"So, teacher, is there anything important you want to tell me?"

"—My dear student, you and the Golden Master should be careful." Maru Zenkichi, having just arrived, quickly turned serious and said to Ikezoe:

"I've received news that Miura Bourbon has recently received some great guidance, and Special Week has somehow gotten help from Tanino Misaki. Their strength will probably improve by leaps and bounds in the next month. We'd better be careful in the Japanese derby."

"However, I'm more curious about why they suddenly received such a shock and Tanino Misaki's help... Ikezoe, do you know anything about this?"

"A huge shock... I think I understand."

When Chi Tian received the news, he was slightly taken aback, but he quickly realized that after witnessing the Great Shock yesterday, he received news of the Great Shock from Miura Bourbon today. He really couldn't believe there was no connection between the two.

"Really—it seems our predecessors have created even more challenges for us. This is much more difficult than the tricks of the TV station. Miura Bourbon, personally guided by Dai Shock—are we going to encounter someone like that in the Japanese derby?"

Chizue scratched his head in distress and said anxiously, "And Tanino Misaki... that name sounds familiar, isn't it? He's Vodka's father?"

"Junior, something's not right in your head. Tanino Misaki is a Uma Musume (horse racer), how could she be her father?"

Upon hearing this, Maruzensky reached out and lightly tapped Ikezoe on the head with his finger, then said, "Although she's a bit of a fence-breaker, she's very dominant in mile races and middle-distance races. She's not your average racehorse girl."

"She's brought in to mentor Special Week, and it's sure to bring about a huge transformation for him. You all need to be careful."

"This Japanese derby is definitely not comparable to the Satsuki Sho competition. Although it's only a month long, there's no doubt that if the Gold Master is still at her current level, she will suffer a crushing defeat."

Chapter 295: Ikezoe's Choice, Maruzen's Tears

"They really know how to make things difficult for me... I'm already at a loss when it comes to Orpheus's training, and everyone is still making things harder for me."

As Ikezoe gradually came to understand the crisis of the current situation, he sat down by the hot spring with great distress. The coolness coming from his back did not calm him down at all. He felt extremely powerless. He felt powerless even though he had received the best support.

"Orphie and I... don't seem to be as strong as I used to think, teacher."

“I suddenly feel like I’m not even as good as Wada-kun… Wada and Good Opera, they have so many resources and they just took off. And I’m in no way worse than Wada-kun now. In fact, Wada has shared a lot of his resources with us, but my situation and Orphe’s situation haven’t changed at all.”

"Why have you suddenly lost confidence in yourself? My dear student." This was the first time Maru Zensky had seen Ikezoe lose confidence, and his pupils contracted slightly as he asked with a hint of nervousness, "You weren't like this before."

In Maruzen's memory, Ikezoe had always been a very reserved person, hiding her true emotions, and was essentially very similar to Wada. However, the difference was that Wada was much luckier than Ikezoe. She had good opera, gentle waves, and even Nase Fumino who was willing to listen to her, and even occasionally needed to rely on her.

However, Chi Tian rarely confides his thoughts to others. Although he takes good care of Zhen Jiling, he doesn't tell her his troubles. The Dongshang Reform... she is still young, so Chi Tian is even less likely to tell her his worries.

Only when facing the Gold Master does Ikezoe's emotions erupt along with the Gold Master. In fact, isn't the Gold Master also an outlet for Ikezoe's emotions?

Now, however, the Gold Master is tormented by his "other side," experiencing great emotional fluctuations, and is the one who needs to be taken care of.

The Gold Master himself restrained his emotions, trying not to do anything to hurt Chi Tian, ​​and kept his distance from Chi Tian. How could he possibly help Chi Tian share that part of the pressure?

Thus, Maruzen became the last person Ikezoe could confide in. After all, the "teacher" relationship made Maruzen's identity very safe, and Maruzen was also very willing to listen to Ikezoe's troubles and share some of the pressure for his dear student.

Surprising, isn't it? It wasn't Maruzen who took the initiative to reach out, but Ikezoe. However, Maruzen was very considerate of Ikezoe, willing to make the trip himself every time instead of letting his already busy student go through the trouble himself.

"The junior I know is someone who is incredibly proud whenever the topic of the Gold Master comes up. Why is he suddenly becoming insecure and starting to feel that his abilities are insufficient?"

“This is not a student I taught, Mr. Ikezoe. You are my most proud disciple.”

"Do you still remember the grand ambitions you made in front of me back then? And you still have to repay the reward I worked so hard for. I won't allow you to give up before you break into the world."

Even when reprimanding Chi Tian, ​​Maru Zenki was exceptionally gentle. She knew that Chi Tian didn't need scolding now, but rather support and comfort. Therefore, Maru Zenki gave the big boy in front of her some gentle encouragement as much as possible.

"You won't have a chance to go to the Arc de Triomphe like this, my dear student. Don't forget, if Paris opened its doors to us, it was Wada-kun and my opera friend who fought tooth and nail for us. Don't let them down and disappoint the path they paved."

"Wada... he's such an enviable guy, I'm starting to get jealous of him."

Mentioning Wada, even Chi Tian, ​​who had traveled through time with him, couldn't help but feel a little envious. This guy was just too lucky. He was clearly the one with the least talent among the group, but he was just so lucky. God... no, the three goddesses were all on his side.

Now he's become a genius trainer who has directly paved a new path. He actually knows what level Wada is at, but it's just that the right time, place, and people have led to his current achievements. When Ikezoe thinks about all this, he's so jealous of Wada that he's almost dying of envy.

But despite his jealousy, Ikezoe had seen all the miracles that the bond between Wada and Kazuyo Opera had created... To be honest, he could only say that everything had a cause and effect, and that only a combination like Wada and Kazuyo Opera could create such a thing.

As for him... perhaps he's still a little lacking.

"To be honest, teacher, I've already made a decision."

"Putting aside whether Orphie and I can break out of the world stage, even if we do, we still won't leave Japan."

"Hmm? Why?" Maru Zensky was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and asked somewhat nervously, "Does the central government not want you to leave?"

"No, I'm not entirely sure about the central government's attitude... but I don't think they'll be that accommodating to us, will they?" Ikezoe shook his head upon hearing this and said to Maruzensky:

“I’ve made this decision, teacher. I intend to leave the opportunity to go to Paris to you.”

"Leave it for...me?"

However, Maruzen's pupils dilated slightly upon hearing this news, but she quickly smiled and said, "You're joking, Ikezoe-kun. I almost took it seriously just now."

"—It's true, teacher. Orpheus and I have discussed it, and we both intend to give this opportunity to you."

However, Chizumi shook his head at Maruzensky and said very solemnly, "I have made up my mind. We will definitely give you this spot. This is to thank you for your help over the years."

"You have helped us a lot, imparting so much knowledge to me so that I can better raise Orpheus and Karen, as well as Dong Shang Biange. You have also taken great care of my children, even willing to spend money to prepare their final outfits, and you have spent all your bounty."

“Simply returning these things to you is not enough to express our gratitude—so, Orpheus and I discussed it and made this decision together.”

"If we ever get this spot in the future, we will give it to the teacher."

"Teacher, don't you also really hope to have such an opportunity? To leave Japan, where they treat you like a substitute for horse racing, preventing you from fully displaying your abilities."

"Although... this might be a little too late for a racehorse girl's teacher, you can go to Paris for further training as a trainer. I believe the resources there will definitely help you become the best trainer and allow you to... help more racehorse girls who want to compete on the world stage."

"Isn't this your dream, teacher? I will help you, just as you did your best to help me, I will also do my best to help you realize your wish!"

In fact, Ikezoe had never discussed this matter with the Gold Master. He also intended to send the Gold Master to France with him—not that he was willing to be separated from the Gold Master, but rather that he had learned about Maruzensky's troubles from Rudolf's symbol.

If Maru Zenki doesn't consider switching to being a trainer soon, she'll probably be past the age limit for entering the profession in a few years—the retirement age for trainers is normal, but there are age restrictions for choosing this profession.

In this world, being a trainer is a profession that can only be pursued after graduating from high school. It is a very noble and sacred profession to be responsible for racehorse girls. As the closest people to the racehorse girls, every trainer is very worthy of respect. Of course, the requirements for this profession are also strict, and a choice must be made as soon as possible.

Therefore, the Central Horse Racing Association stipulates that people over a certain age are not allowed to become trainers midway through their careers. This is to avoid some people being unprofessional, wasting resources, or even wasting the talent of the racehorses. The Central Association does not need half-baked trainers.

The rule is more lenient for racehorse girls, but only if the racehorse girl has not been retired for more than ten years; otherwise, she is not allowed to apply for the trainer profession.

Maruzen is about to cross that line, and Ikezoe's choice was mainly for Maruzen's future, and of course, her ideals.