...
Tokai Teio happened to share a class with Dextrous Bailey.
Also in their class were Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka, Mejiro McQueen, and Twin Turbo.
When the two gifts arrived in the classroom, the pair instantly became the center of attention.
"Teio! What's this? Who's sending you gifts?" Twin Turbo blurted out. "And why does Bailey have one too?"
"These must be the 'Dream' team's welcome gifts, right? I've heard about them," Daiwa Scarlet observed, giving the gifts a scrutinizing look before nodding in confirmation.
She turned to Vodka. "Why doesn't our 'Spica' team have these? We should make our Trainer give us some too!"
"Forget it~ Getting our Trainer to treat us even once is hard enough," Vodka waved her hand dismissively.
Nishizaki Ryo did occasionally take them out for drinks—though it was usually Toujou Hana who ended up footing the bill.
That said, he wasn't stingy; he did organize celebratory banquets for the team.
But compared to Lucian's approach... the difference was obvious.
Though Mejiro McQueen didn't join the conversation, she was still quietly intrigued by the gifts, tilting her head slightly to eavesdrop.
"That's right! These are specially customized gifts from Trainer Lucian for me and Little Bailey. I didn't expect them to arrive today—what a surprise!" Tokai Teio held up her gift box, examining it from every angle. "Little Bailey, should we open them here?"
"Sure, why not?" Dextrous Bailey was even more impatient than Teio. "I'll open mine first!"
Without waiting another second, she tore into the packaging. "This is... a hairdryer?"
She recognized the brand, but what stood out was the custom cartoon version of her printed on it.
But... why would the Trainer give her a hairdryer?
"A hairdryer?" Tokai Teio was equally baffled. "Little Bailey, I heard Trainer usually picks gifts based on the recipient's preferences... so why a hairdryer?"
"That's... what I'm wondering too."
What was a hairdryer for? Drying hair.
But how did that relate to her interests?
Was Trainer implying she should be as relentless as a hairdryer on the track, blasting forward with unstoppable force?
"Wait... hold on." A sudden realization struck Dextrous Bailey.
Hairdryers weren't just for hair—they could also be used for... tails.
The answer was obvious. Lucian wanted her to take better care of her tail's fur... so he could...
"Little Bailey, do you get it now?" Tokai Teio pressed.
"I do—no, I don't!" Dextrous Bailey shook her head vigorously, deflecting. "Teio, never mind me—hurry up and see what your gift is!"
"Fine." Tokai Teio gave her a suspicious glance but relented. "But you still haven't read your letter yet."
"Oh, right." Dextrous Bailey carefully set the gift aside and picked up the envelope.
She read the first line aloud: "Unwavering in your charge—a lone warrior can still be an army."
Among all the horse girls, Lucian knew the least about Dextrous Bailey, so her gift and message had required the most thought.
Her strength and physical prowess were undeniable—she never yielded her position in races, fearlessly charging forward.
And so, Lucian had chosen these words for her.
"Trainer Lucian really has a way with words. That line feels powerful—and it fits Bailey's fearless running style perfectly," Daiwa Scarlet mused, connecting the dots.
She couldn't help but wonder: If I'd joined 'Dream,' what kind of gift and message would I have gotten?
Beside her, Vodka nodded. "Teio, it's not just the gifts that are personalized—these messages must be tailored to each person's personality too, right?"
"Probably." Tokai Teio felt a sudden surge of anticipation for her own letter.
Twin Turbo, however, had no patience for deep analysis—she just wanted the thrill of unwrapping. "Teio, hurry up and open it! Hayaku, hayaku!"
"Alright, alright, Twin Jet, stop rushing me!"
"It's Twin Turbo! Teio, you got my name wrong again!" Twin Turbo bared her sharp teeth in frustration.
"Got it, Twin Spiral~"
"Teio!"
Twin Turbo's angry flailing was ignored as Tokai Teio finally opened her gift.
Inside the box lay a sleek black-and-gold wireless microphone, adorned with an adorable cartoon version of her.
The meaning behind this gift was instantly clear to everyone, and the surrounding group nodded in understanding—no surprises here.
"I've wanted a microphone from this brand for ages! And it's even customized?!" Tokai Teio clutched it excitedly, unable to put it down.
Professional singers often used their own microphones during concerts, and Tokai Teio had her own standards for audio quality.
Lucian had taken that into account—hence the perfect gift.
Mejiro McQueen had been stealthily peeking, but Tokai Teio caught her in the act.
"McQueen, jealous? This is from my Trainer~" Tokai Teio couldn't resist gloating in front of her rival.
"Tch. If I wanted one, I could just buy it myself."
"But mine was a gift—totally different from buying it yourself~"
"Hmph." Mejiro McQueen had no comeback for Teio's smugness and turned away.
Who knew that Trainer Lucian could be so thoughtful... Maybe that's why his cooking is so good too.
Speaking of food, Mejiro McQueen's mouth began to water as memories resurfaced.
She really wanted to taste it again...
Both she and Grass Wonder came from wealthy families—they'd tasted the finest delicacies. But Lucian's cooking? That was beyond refinement.
Lucian (if he knew): You gluttonous mares.
"Teio, read your letter already!" Dextrous Bailey urged.
"Fine, fine." Tokai Teio unfolded the envelope and read aloud: "Hardship is but the prelude to bloom—winter must always yield to spring."
"Hardship... Probably referring to tough training?" Tokai Teio guessed.
Given her current experiences, she might not fully grasp the deeper meaning.
But if possible, Lucian hoped she'd never have to understand it—fewer injuries, no fractures.
Going from an undefeated genius to an undefeated emperor sounded just fine.
...