Ikezoe, noticing the bored Orfevre, excitedly looking to dominate some weaker opponents, immediately tried to stop the problem Uma Musume who had no qualms about crushing newbies.
"Huh? Teio, while I think that Trainer Imanami will be very happy that you're proactively asking us for a mock race, why do you want to race Orfevre?"
Ikezoe couldn't help but ask Tokai Teio.
After all, if Tokai Teio really wanted to race, shouldn't Mejiro McQueen and Gold Ship from her own group be more suitable? Even if she had to wait for them to come back.
Although McQueen had just finished the Kikuka Sho and wasn't suited for another high-intensity race, wasn't Gold Ship a perfectly good choice?
You see, while Gold Ship's current strength couldn't compare to the likes of Meisho Doto and T.M. Opera O, as a future Classic Triple Crown contender, Gold Ship's current level was definitely at a level to sweep GIII races.
And as for Tokai Teio... Ikezoe didn't want to be rude, but while her strength might be considered top-tier among her generation, within Team Miracle, Tokai Teio was essentially an elementary school kid, needing another year or two of serious training.
"Gold Ship won't race me at full strength! Seriously, she's around my age, right? So why does she always treat me like some kid? Just because she's a tad bit taller?"
At the mention of this, Tokai Teio pouted, clearly displeased.
"Every time we run, she never puts any effort into it. So when I win, it feels so unsatisfying!"
"And T.M. Opera O and Doto-san... Wuwuwu... I know I'm not their match yet, for now."
"Besides, the Kikuka Sho and Tenno Sho just finished, so it's not good to make them race now. It would be bad if they got injured."
"So, only Trainer Ikezoe's Orfevre can race me on the team! I want to prove my strength!"
"When I defeat Orfevre, I'll then find a suitable opportunity to race T.M. Opera O! I want to prove to the Prez that I can be just like T.M. Opera O and race against her in the Arima Kinen!"
"...So, President Rudolf told you to race Orfevre?"
Once Ikezoe realized that it was Symboli Rudolf who told Tokai Teio to do this, he instantly understood her intentions.
Ikezoe has been around for a long time that his mental age could qualify him as a senior Trainer.
While he might be a bit lacking in matters concerning the heart, his actual intelligence was perfectly fine.
There was only one reason why Symboli Rudolf sent Tokai Teio to him for a race: it was to make him help rein in Tokai Teio's pride a bit.
Teio's overinflated pride meant she didn't yet understand her own strength compared to the wider world.
As an Uma Musume treated like a genius who grew up with excessive doting and attention, she had always considered herself to be strong, capable of having a chance at winning even GIs as she was now.
Therefore, after hearing Tokai Teio's words, Symboli Rudolf didn't let her challenge T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto immediately.
It wasn't just because they were tired, but because even if they raced against Tokai Teio with tired bodies, they would still beat her so badly she'd doubt her life choices.
Instead of that, it was better to let the energetic Orfevre do it. Her strength was greater than Tokai Teio's, and the overwhelming dread she can impose was sufficient.
Most importantly, while Orfevre was strong, it wasn't enough to completely crush Tokai Teio's ego; it was just enough to teach her a lesson.
Thinking this, Ikezoe nodded silently. Then, under Tokai Teio's eager gaze, he smiled slightly and said:
"—No problem. Then, let's start the race after we warm up, Teio. What distance do you want to run?"
"Turf! 2400 meters, clockwise!"
Tokai Teio was clearly aware of the race environment most suitable for her.
As an Uma Musume skilled in middle-distances, 2400 meters, the longest middle-distance, could perfectly showcase her abilities.
However, Tokai Teio seemed to have overlooked one thing: Orfevre was also an Uma Musume who had a strong affinity to medium distances too.
Orfevre silently stood up, stretched her joints, and with an excited expression beaming on her face, she walked towards the track.
"—Orfevre, feel free to go all out, but don't overdo it."
As Ikezoe patted her on the shoulder, he pretended not to see Orfevre's excited expression, but kindly reminded her.
"I can't guarantee that, but I'll try."
Orfevre, hearing this, restrained herself a bit, but didn't make any promises.
After all, she knew better than anyone that, once she was on the track, all she could really do is run.
Orfevre briskly walked towards the track, and at this moment, Curren Chan slowly tapped Ikezoe, asking with a slight unease:
"Onii-chan, is this really okay? If Orfevre goes all out... Teio might not be able to take it, right?"
"...Curren Chan, we should understand President Rudolf's good intentions. Because I doubt anyone would want to see a gem this brilliant ruin her career due to pride."
"It's best to let her suffer a bit more now when it's safe than in an actual race later."
Regarding this, Ikezoe, of course, felt a bit reluctant, but considering it was all for Tokai Teio's sake, he had to harden his heart and be the bad guy this time.
It was all so that this "genius" Tokai Teio could quickly transform into the "resolute" Tokai Teio.
And this, of course, required a process, a long process of continuous hammering...
"Well then, this race is about to begin. Teio, Orfevre, are you ready?"
"Ready!"
Tokai Teio replied energetically, while Orfevre on the other side didn't speak, but simply nodded, indicating she was fully prepared.
And just as Ikezoe nodded in return, preparing to start the race, suddenly, a voice came over, breaking the calm.
"Oh? Isn't that Teio?"
"Eh? Where, where? Where's Teio, Nattie?"
"That voice—Nice Nature?"
Tokai Teio was also very familiar with this voice. She looked up and saw two Uma Musume quickly approaching from the spectator stands.
Soon, they arrived in front of Tokai Teio, Orfevre, and the others.
"It really was you! Also, hello Orfevre."
The Uma Musume Tokai Teio called "Nice Nature" smiled and said, then looked at their postures and asked:
"Um... are you planning on doing a mock race?"
"No, it's a race, a r. a. c. e!"
Tokai Teio immediately shook her head and corrected her:
"I'm going to race Orfevre and defeat her head-on!"
"Eh... As expected of Tokai Teio, daring to challenge the 'Golden Tyrant'."
"—Hey! Don't ignore me like that!"
Beside Nice Nature, a short Uma Musume with blue twin tails complained loudly. Ikezoe, Tokai Teio, and the others had all seen her before.
During the Tracen Academy mock race a while back, as a Runaway, she got a late start and was unfortunately stuck at the back of the pack, never getting the chance to burst forward.
Despite that, she stubbornly persisted until the end; she was: Twin Turbo.
"Alright, I've decided, Tokai Teio! Nattie and I are going to challenge you right here! Let's race together!"
"Huh? You two too? Nice Nature, and... Twin Jet?"
"It's Twin Turbo!"
Tokai Teio had clearly forgotten Twin Turbo's name more than once. Twin Turbo, however, still flared up as usual, then grabbed Nice Nature's hand and said:
"Nattie! Come challenge Tokai Teio with me! Two people a race, four is still a race, let's all do it together!"
"Eh... But, is that okay? Trainer Ikezoe?"
Nice Nature looked at Trainer Ikezoe with some difficulty.
Although she seemed hesitant, the eagerness in her eyes made Ikezoe understand her thoughts.
'So this is Nice Nature...'
Properly seeing another Uma Musume he was quite familiar with, Ikezoe nodded silently and said with a smile:
"It's fine, this won't affect Orfevre. If you want to race, please enter the gates."
"Yay! Then let's all go!"
"In that case..."
With Ikezoe's approval, Nice Nature and Twin Turbo entered the gates one after another. Suddenly, all four Uma Musume adjusted their conditions again and entered race mode.
"Then... Ready... Set..."
"—Start!"
With a "Clang!" of the gates opening, before the other three girl could even step out, a sudden, extremely terrifying sense of power made all three of their muscles stiffen as a sense of dread instantly emerged in their hearts.
The three clearly knew the source of all this, and simultaneously looked at Orfevre.
At some unknown point, Orfevre had already pulled down her mask, revealing her fierce and excited expression.
At this moment, the three rookie Uma Musume finally understood just how big the difference was between the 'Golden Tyrant' in the school and the one on the track.
-----+-----
Mods!!! She's smurfing!!! Ban her!!!
-----+-----
If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.