...
The three teams finished assembling in front of the open ground.
Although a small episode had occurred during the early-rising period, "Dream" was not late.
Toujou Hana stepped forward and stood in front of everyone, getting straight to the point: "Now I will begin explaining today's training content..."
The overall training-camp projects were not much different from last year, but reasonable adjustments had been made on that foundation.
After all, they were in the mountains by the sea, so some natural conditions had to be put to use.
On top of that, the three trainers had also added several training items, such as pulling tires while climbing the mountain, or relay races between the teams.
Just listening to these projects made the Uma Musume tense up all over.
Uma Musume, Uma Musume—the character "race" accurately reflected the "confrontation" carved into their bones. Now that the training arrangement carried stronger competitiveness, everyone's enthusiasm was naturally stirred up.
"Then the punishment." Toujou Hana's tone flattened. She glanced at Lucian beside her, who always wore a smile. "What Trainer Lucian prepared.... 'Jue Juice 2.0'. I don't understand it very well. The person involved, please explain."
Lucian walked forward slowly and took Toujou Hana's place. He looked around at everyone. The smile on his face was gentle, yet the words he spoke instantly dropped the atmosphere to freezing point. "No need to say much. Those who know, know. Is there anyone who wants to try this time?"
His gaze swept across them. Complete silence.
Lucian: "Opera O?"
"This... this kind of drink cannot intoxicate me." T.M. Opera O avoided Lucian's gaze. What was in the cup was mundane stuff that would pollute her artistic aura.
"Condor?"
"It tastes bad! It tastes really bad!!!" El Condor Pasa almost screamed the answer, her little head shaking like a rattle drum, her face showing the painful expression of recalling some terrifying experience.
Matikane Tannhauser closed her eyes.
Don't look at me..... don't look at me...
Having achieved the expected effect, Lucian nodded in satisfaction. "How bad does this drink taste? Everyone can use their imagination based on the reactions of these two."
"If you don't want to drink it, then don't lose any points in a single match... After all, this time only the first-place team can be exempted from the punishment."
Lucian stopped there, but the Uma Musume below were no longer calm. Yet this move of Lucian's also made the competitive fire of the training camp burn even more vigorously.
"Then training... begin!"
...
The first event was still the beach run.
The rules were simple: run a round trip along the planted flags.
The resistance of the beach was far greater than flat ground. How to allocate stamina and how to deal with the quicksand underfoot were the primary problems the Uma Musume had to consider.
Moreover, they had to wait for every member of the team to finish running before they could proceed to the next project. Therefore, while each Uma Musume was running, she would hear tremendous encouragement from her teammates.
If someone did not understand the techniques of running on sand, the captains would immediately teach them.
"Rice Shower, keep small strides and high frequency! Don't jump!" Narita Brian cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted with full vigor. Her voice covered the sound of the waves.
Symboli Rudolf curled the corners of her mouth and said to Haru Urara, who had not yet started: "Did you hear that, Urara? If you run the way Brian said, there will be no problem."
Haru Urara raised her clenched fist high. "Ossu—!!!"
The yellow sand under the sunlight shone like flowing gold, but even more dazzling were the figures of the Uma Musume working together as one, falling and then getting back up.
...
After the beach run came the swimming training.
The swimming distance was a bit longer than last time. The Uma Musume were required to swim to the buoy and then swim back, one round trip.
But it still required the entire team to be ashore before it counted as victory.
"I'll give everyone ten minutes of rest time, then we'll start the next swimming special training... I suggest everyone discuss how to cooperate properly." Lucian looked at the Uma Musume lying on the beach and kindly reminded them.
"Cooperate..." Golden Ship panted while elbowing Mejiro McQueen. "McQueen! How should we swim this time? Form a 'Golden Fleet' with me and charge at the front!"
Mejiro McQueen shook her head. "I suggest we adopt the 'Lead Rotation Method'."
"Lead Rotation?" Golden Ship tilted her head.
"That's right." Maruzensky took over the conversation and drew a simple triangle on the sand, explaining:
"At the beginning, the person with the best stamina breaks the waves at the front, and we follow behind her. This way we can save a lot of stamina. When she feels tired, she signals with a hand gesture, then the next person takes over. This way we can maintain a steady speed and no one will fall behind."
...
Not far away, Symboli Rudolf's team also quickly formed a circle.
"It's roughly the same principle as drafting in a race... My swimming form is relatively standard. I'll be responsible for the first stretch of wave-breaking." Symboli Rudolf said.
T.M. Opera O elegantly wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief and added: "But just having a lead is not enough. We must unify the rhythm and coordinate our breathing."
Symboli Rudolf nodded in agreement and continued arranging: "We should all try to adopt the rhythm of two strokes and one side-breath. This way we can ensure oxygen supply and make our movements look like a single whole, avoiding mutual interference."
"Chairman! Formation and positions are also important. You in the middle, and we on the two sides a bit behind, forming an arrow formation? That way we can also take over for you at the first moment."
...
Narita Brian's side even discussed the worst-case scenario.
"If someone gets a cramp or swallows water, don't panic. Immediately shout for help loudly. The two nearest teammates—one responsible for calming, one responsible for towing. This is our emergency and protection mechanism."
She paused and looked at the faces of the group of teammates. "Remember, we are a whole. Missing even one person does not count as victory."
But of course Lucian and the other two would follow throughout the competition, and Ines Fujin was also present. If there was any sudden situation, they would carry out rescue at the first moment.
...
The ten-minute rest time passed in a flash.
Lucian blew a whistle. The members of each team immediately stood up and finished assembling. "Rest time is over. Everyone prepare to enter the water."
Three swimming lanes had already been planned on the water surface.
The Uma Musume walked to the front of their respective lanes and only waited for Lucian's command.
"Enter the water!"
...