Chapter 1: Hoshino Kisei
Tokyo, Tracen Academy, Student Council President's Office.
"Congratulations, Luna."
A white-haired young man sat at the student council president's desk.
"Ara, the president's work is quite demanding. How about you resign, Kisei, and become my assistant instead?"
Symboli Rudolf, who had just become the student council president of Tracen Academy and now held great authority, teased in a playful tone.
"No way. You know me—I'm determined to become a legendary trainer."
Kisei puffed out his chest, full of confidence.
Hearing this, Symboli Rudolf smiled faintly. "True, you're only good at being a trainer. Everything else is a mess."
"Give me some face, Luna."
"Address me by my title during work hours!"
"Yes, yes, Madam President."
"Speak, what brings you here?" Symboli Rudolf asked. Based on her understanding of this guy, he would never come to see her without a reason.
Kisei chuckled and handed over a leave request form. "Madam President! I want to take a leave of absence!"
"Leave? Reason."
"I've contracted an illness that will kill me if I don't rest."
"Rejected! Your current task is to pass the independent guidance ability assessment and become a full-fledged trainer!"
Symboli Rudolf grew serious, exuding an undeniable aura of authority.
Kisei shrank his neck slightly and looked at Symboli Rudolf with pleading eyes.
Symboli Rudolf gazed at this young man, who had been of immense help to her and was also her childhood friend, and let out a deep sigh.
Two and a half years ago, the 16-year-old prodigy Hoshino Kisei graduated from high school.
Driven by his lifelong ambition to become a trainer, he chose not to enroll in a trainer academy. Instead, he directly took Tracen Academy's trainer examination and achieved first place, earning fame throughout the academy as a prodigy and being exceptionally admitted.
Afterwards, under the arrangement of the academy's chairman, Kisei became an apprentice trainer under Hana Toujou, the ace trainer of the academy at the time.
That year, Symboli Rudolf became Japan's first undefeated Triple Crown Umamusume, later lost the Japan Cup, won the Arima Kinen, and secured four G1 Race victories.
The halo of a prodigy always attracts much attention. Even Hana Toujou, the ace trainer, regarded him with special importance.
Thus, Symboli Rudolf's future took a different turn.
Under his subtle brainwashing... suggestions and assistance, Symboli Rudolf, entering her older years, participated in five G1 Races: the Spring Tenno Sho, Takarazuka Kinen, Autumn Tenno Sho, Japan Cup, and Arima Kinen.
She clinched victory in all five races, not only avenging the previous year's defeat in the Japan Cup but also achieving remarkable feats such as consecutive wins in the Spring and Autumn Tenno Sho, the Autumn Triple Crown, and back-to-back victories in the Arima Kinen.
As a result, a bold idea sprouted in Kisei's mind—an overseas expedition, with the goal set on the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The proposal did not proceed smoothly. Hana had originally planned for an overseas campaign to participate in the San Luis Rey Stakes, but under Kisei's persistent persuasion, she ultimately abandoned the original plan. Of course, Symboli Rudolf's own opinion also played a significant role in this decision.
Not only that, but Hana also made a surprising decision: she allowed Kisei to accompany Symboli Rudolf to England six months in advance. This meant Symboli Rudolf would have a full six months to adapt to England's turf, racecourses, climate, and lifestyle.
Under Kisei's meticulous care and guidance, Symboli Rudolf gradually acclimated to the new environment. Her performance in England was nothing short of stunning. She ultimately defeated numerous top European Umamusumes to claim victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, successfully causing a worldwide sensation!
After returning to Japan, following several months of rest, Symboli Rudolf set her sights on that year's Japan Cup and Arima Kinen. However, fate seemed to enjoy playing tricks. Just after she successfully achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Japan Cup for the second consecutive time, misfortune struck—Symboli Rudolf was injured, suffering from suspensory ligamentitis.
In the end, this Umamusume, an eleven-time G1 champion and the first undefeated Triple Crown winner in history, had to regrettably announce her retirement.
Thus, Symboli Rudolf became a legend in the world of Umamusume.
And the man standing behind her was named Hoshino Kisei, an ordinary apprentice Trainer.
"Luna, please~"
"Tell me the truth," Symboli Rudolf said, rolling her eyes.
"Hehe, actually, I want to go to Europe and America," Kisei nervously voiced his idea.
Hearing this, Symboli Rudolf raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"To further my studies. I want to learn more advanced Trainer knowledge, mainly in sports medicine and physiology," Kisei's voice was soft, as if he feared Symboli Rudolf would get angry.
Sure enough, upon hearing this reason, Symboli Rudolf's expression changed, and the atmosphere in the office instantly grew heavy.
After a long while, Symboli Rudolf slowly spoke, "Kisei, you don't have to blame yourself for my injury."
However, Kisei abruptly lifted his head, his eyes slightly reddened with emotion, and his voice unconsciously raised an octave: "No! If I had noticed it earlier, perhaps I could have successfully prevented it from happening. You could have won more championships and gained more glory! Instead of retiring with regret at the peak of your career!"
Months had passed since Symboli Rudolf's injury was diagnosed, yet this self-blame pricked at his heart like a needle. Even though he had been by her side day and night, he had failed to protect her most important legs.
Surprisingly, in the face of Kisei's intense reaction, Symboli Rudolf did not argue with him as she usually would. She simply watched him quietly, silently enduring his emotional outburst.
Her gaze was as calm as water, yet beneath that calm surface lay deep regret.
However, compared to regret, what filled Symboli Rudolf's eyes even more was heartache and concern. For herself, the achievements she had already attained left her feeling...
She was quite satisfied. Though there were slight regrets, she had long accepted this reality. However, the person before her could never seem to cross that hurdle.
Time passed minute by minute. Kisei's emotions gradually calmed, but his gaze remained fixed on Symboli Rudolf like burning flames.
"Well then! Legendary Umamusume!" His voice echoed through the silent office, filled with undisguised determination and confidence. "I'm going to become the greatest Trainer! Do you have any objections?!"
Symboli Rudolf sat silently behind her desk, her face showing no expression. Yet her fingers trembled slightly beneath the desk. She clenched her fists tightly, then took a deep breath to compose herself.
Without hesitation, she pulled a document from her drawer—a paid leave application. She quickly signed her name and pushed the document toward Kisei.
"Go ahead!"
Though Symboli Rudolf's voice remained calm, it carried an undeniable power. "To prevent more Umamusumes from suffering, Kisei, you must become the most outstanding Trainer!"
In this room that symbolized authority, the legendary Umamusume and the trainee Trainer—two people of different statuses—were now closely connected by a shared dream.