"Teacher... huhuhu, never thought I would see the day where I'm called a teacher..."
Maruzensky was slightly startled by Ikezoe's deep bow, but she quickly recovered, a smile reappearing on her face as she helped him up, saying to him, "Alright, no need to be so formal. I'll accept the title of teacher, but you shouldn't call me that normally, okay? I don't want people to know I'm giving a Trainer preferential treatment. Otherwise, the URA would come looking for trouble with me."
Many Uma Musume who got into the Hall of Fame are usually slow in picking a successor. Part of the reason was that they had affairs to handle and likely no time to teach. Another reason was that they hadn't found any particularly favored candidates. Throughout Rudolf's whole time as an Uma Musume, only Tokai Teio could be considered her half-disciple. Not everyone was as irresponsible as Mr. C.B., who had the leisure time to wholeheartedly train a disciple. After all, Mr. C.B. usually relegated her tasks to other Student Council members. In fact, she was more like an active Uma Musume rather than a Student Council President.
All that said, every successful retired Uma Musume had the ability to choose someone to teach; it was just that for various reasons, they hadn't. However, Maruzensky's situation was quite special. Throughout her long time as an Uma Musume, she had been tirelessly reading up and enriching herself with countermeasures against foreign Uma Musume and tracks. The URA even sends every Uma Musume going abroad for an expedition to Maruzensky to be trained for a few weeks to familiarize themselves with different tracks, to prevent the possibility of the Uma Musume being forced to retire after returning from the expedition.
Although Maruzensky had been responsible for this work for so many years, sending off batch after batch of Uma Musume on overseas expeditions, some returned safely while others still couldn't avoid the fate of being forced off the stage... But Maruzensky had always been working hard, always trying to make those children connect with the international stage. Because she knew that only by breaking out of Japan could these children truly show their brightness to the world. Japan was too small, and... just too dark.
Maruzensky knew it best; after all, she had experienced it firsthand. She didn't want anyone to be forced into the same situation she was in all those years ago anymore. Perhaps most of the children wouldn't be exposed to such a dark side, but if there truly were children who did... then Maruzensky would absolutely not allow them to reach the same ending as hers.
"So, Trainer Ikezoe—no, Ikezoe-kun, for the time to come, you are my student, Maruzensky's student."
Maruzensky stood with her hands on her hips, showcasing her very mature figure prominently. Then, with an appreciative look, as if saying, "You are worthy of being taught," she said to Ikezoe: "But I cannot stress this enough: this matter cannot be publicized. You can tell your two kids, though; after all, they both have the talent to go overseas. Though Orfevre's the one that caught my eye the most, Curren Chan also has immense talent~ But don't let them spread it, okay? It's best for you to not even tell the rest of your team members. If Rudolf finds out, she would definitely chew me up."
"...Are you saying the President wouldn't agree to you teaching me?" Ikezoe asked, guessing.
"No, no, no, Rudolf would absolutely go secretly looking for some foreign Uma Musume to replace me if she finds out, and then tell me something like 'foreign Uma Musume are more knowledgeable,' and then our matter might be exposed to the URA!" Maruzensky shook her head with some helplessness when mentioning her junior, saying, "Rudolf cares about everyone in Tracen, including the staff, but she tends to try a little too hard when trying to help, which usually turns out badly."
Maruzensky clearly understood Symboli Rudolf well. This President was good at everything, except when it comes to caring for someone else. She was too prone to excessive concern, forgetting the consequences behind it, and by the time she realized it, it would likely be too late to salvage the situation. Maruzensky really wanted to tell Symboli Rudolf that being good to others doesn't necessarily have to be entirely based on the best resources or the best arrangements; compatibility is where it's at.
"Alright, we've had enough small talk. I've already gone over everything important, so next is our teaching arrangement. Now, when it comes to teaching Orfevre and Curren Chan, your level is definitely qualified for them. In terms of domestic races, even I can't give you much advice, and I haven't paid attention to domestic races for a long time. In this aspect, your experience is probably better than mine."
"So, if I'm to teach you, what I can teach, of course, are the points to pay attention to in international races. This is something you, as a Trainer aiming for the wider world, must learn and master, as well as many special training methods from other countries. These are all things you need to learn."
Saying this, Maruzensky also crossed her arms, stating clearly, word for word: "From now on, unless under special circumstances, which I will notify you of separately, come here every Sunday. I will teach you the ways to improve your skills level to prepare you for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Orfevre still has an entire year before she challenges the Classic Triple Crowns. But you also still have many areas where you need to improve. Time is tight, and there's a lot of content. My dear Kouhai-kun, are you ready?"
"—I'm completely ready!" Ikezoe also answered Maruzensky's question with full enthusiasm, and seeing Ikezoe so determined, Maruzensky nodded with relief in her heart. She had indeed not misjudged him; this junior possessed a strong drive.
Speaking of drive, that Wada Trainer also shared a similar drive. Though it felt more like an obsession, as if he would go to any lengths to achieve some goal... This drive was certainly strong, but it was entirely built on a certain confidence. Maruzensky could sense that Wada was still in a budding phase; he had set goals but lacked many things. Without mentioning anything else, Maruzensky dared to say that if that T.M. Opera O girl left him for any reason, this young Trainer would probably immediately collapse.
That's not to say he was leeching off T.M. Opera O. T.M. Opera O's performance was also built on the trust of that young Trainer. Perhaps they weren't the strongest pairing, but it was definitely the most compatible. Therefore, Maruzensky would not interfere with such a perfect combination, even if they also had a lot of potential.
But Ikezoe was different. His goals were clear, and he was relatively much more mature, just lacking a bit of professional knowledge and self-confidence. As long as his lacking parts were filled... then, during the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with a fully realized Ikezoe, even those stubborn geezers at the URA and Shadai would have to shut their mouths! Running in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with a Japanese Uma Musume and Trainer—such an achievement, even if they couldn't win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, would be enough for everyone in Japan to feel proud.
Thinking this, Maruzensky also breathed a sigh of relief in her heart; at least all her year-long work hadn't been in vain.
"Well then, that's it. Now shoo back to Tracen Academy. I hope your two clingy children won't rip you apart when you return~" Maruzensky said with a relaxed air, and at this moment, Ikezoe suddenly remembered something and spoke to Maruzensky:
"Teacher, can I ask you one more thing?"
"Hmm?" Maruzensky turned her head, somewhat strangely, at his words. However, she only saw Ikezoe with a somewhat embarrassed expression and asked curiously, "Asking for the teacher's help on the first day of apprenticeship... Tell me, what is it?"
"Well, actually, it's not just me who wants to challenge the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. My good friend, Wada, you should have heard of him. He and the Uma Musume he's in charge of, T.M. Opera O, are also planning to go for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He and I share many similar traits; we both can't compare to foreign Trainers in terms of experience and professionalism, and... we both have only reached today's heights by relying on our talented Uma Musume. I hope that you could also help him as well, Teacher. What do you think... can you teach Trainer Wada as well?"
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I wonder how they can say Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe so many times in a sentence without accidently biting their tounge.
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.