...
For the remaining days, Seiun Sky did exactly as she said—she'd wake early but spend the entire morning draped over Lucian.
Yet this routine ended with the start of school; Seiun Sky had to move her luggage back to her dorm.
On opening ceremony day, Lucian dressed up specially before heading straight to Tracen's field.
The vast field was packed with Uma Musume as far as the eye could see.
Lucian stood with Trainers like Toujou Hana, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Toujou Hana: "Little Lu, I heard Suzuka went abroad?"
"Yes, studying abroad for a year, then back."
"Without Suzuka as your ace, this year's Best Trainer is mine for sure." Nishizaki Ryo chimed in.
"Nishizaki-senpai, you're right, but besides Suzuka, I still have Special Week, Seiun Sky, Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen..."
"Stop, stop reciting." Nishizaki Ryo gave Lucian a disgusted look and stepped away. "Look at you, so smug."
Lucian smiled, turning to Minamizaka beside him. "Minamizaka, who've you recruited?"
Minamizaka scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Recruited one Uma Musume last year—new here, you know."
"No worries. I was the same when I started. Believe you can do it this year." Lucian patted his shoulder encouragingly.
"Thank you, Lu-senpai. I'll work hard." Minamizaka nodded, surprised Lucian thought so highly of him.
But he wasn't thinking far ahead—just wanted the team fully established first.
"Alright, ceremony's starting." Toujou Hana reminded.
...
After the chairman's speech, Student Council President Symboli Rudolf took the stage first. "Good morning, Trainers and students. Over the past year..."
Lucian found it quite formal, but overall an excellent speech.
Next came commendations. Special Week, Silence Suzuka, Seiun Sky, and others with strong results last year had their names called and went up for awards.
Not just certificates—generous scholarships too.
From first to third prize, many Uma Musume won, reflecting Tracen's high-quality students.
"Next, the 'Best Trainer Award.' Three Trainers receive this: Trainer Lucian, Trainer Naseno Fumino, and Trainer Toujou Hana. Please come up."
"Naseno Fumino?" Lucian murmured the name, vaguely familiar.
"Little Lu, spacing out? Up for the award." Toujou Hana said.
"Oh, coming."
...
Though Best Trainer had no official ranking, everyone knew the order of names was the ranking.
Lucian accepted his certificate, sizing up the short-haired, spirited female Trainer Naseno Fumino.
He remembered now—she was one of Tracen's popular figures.
"Three of you, this way." The photographer directed.
Photos done, Lucian gave a speech.
He'd received the school's draft yesterday—edit and print.
But seeing everyone standing so long...
"Hello, everyone. Honored to receive this award. Students, Trainers—let's work hard together this year."
"My speech ends."
Turning hundreds of words into dozens was editing too, right?
Lucian ignored the stunned looks from Symboli Rudolf and the chairman behind him, walking offstage.
Thunderous applause followed belatedly.
...
"Trainer Lu, hello." Naseno Fumino greeted Lucian.
He'd heard a bit—indeed impressive.
Lucian smiled and nodded. "Hello, Trainer Naseno."
Not very familiar, so little to discuss.
After brief greetings, Lucian and Toujou Hana headed back.
Along the way, he overheard whispers.
"How come this year's 'Best Trainer' isn't local? Never mind the other two—I only recognize the first name called."
"Yeah, how did a Dragon Country person take the crown..."
"Why doesn't he go back to Dragon Country?"
"Uma Musume culture there is just starting—how can it compare?"
"So his award still relies on our local Uma Musume."
...
Lucian suddenly stopped, hearing the chatter, feeling uneasy.
Toujou Hana behind him heard too, patting his shoulder. "Little Lu, don't mind it. Just jealousy. Ignore them."
"Yes." Lucian nodded.
...
That afternoon, "Dream" team gathered in the lounge.
"Long time no see, everyone. After New Year, you all look sturdier—must've skipped training at home?"
Haru Urara raised her hand. "Trainer, I trained!"
"What'd you train?" Afternoon practice was light, so Lucian chatted.
"Trained my stomach's digestion." Haru Urara said.
Twin Turbo grinned shark-toothed. "Urara-chan, if you say that, I trained too—trained my mouth's biting power!"
Lucian glanced at her teeth—not joking.
Matikanetannhauser joked too: "I fought the demon called 'bed' for ages, but often got bound."
"Nature, did you train your 'nature' up?" Lucian laughed.
"Um..." Nice Nature couldn't follow his logic, stumped.
"Trainer, me too." Seiun Sky boasted. "Trained mic-holding skills, plus waist and leg flexibility."
Lucian's face darkened, fake-smiling: "Impressive..."
"Seiun, didn't we travel together? I never saw you practice dance." Special Week wondered greatly.
With Suzuka gone, Seiun Sky was her biggest rival now—she had to care.
"After Japan, a few days left—I couldn't practice?" Seiun Sky grinned, leaning toward Special Week. "Spe-chan, sorry—this time I secretly grinded past you~"
"Seiun, I'll catch up!" Special Week clenched her fist, fired up.
Lucian watched her seriousness, thinking: "Spe-chan, it won't be that easy..."
In the corner, Tokai Teio leaned toward Mejiro McQueen. "My queen~ how much sturdier did you get?"
"Teio, asking a girl's weight is very rude desu yo." Mejiro McQueen hugged her arms, turning away.
She hadn't weighed recently—shouldn't have gained much, right?
...