Is there an answer about the future?

For a long time afterward, Kitasan Black carried a Heavy Thing in both of her pockets, whether she was commuting to school, training, or resting.

That, naturally, was the cobblestone Anjing Zhen had split with his bare hands.

After being stunned for a long while back then, she had asked for the two halves in disbelief, only to be struck with fresh astonishment.

The cross-section of the stone was remarkably smooth—excessively so, as if it had been sliced by something razor-sharp or sawed through and polished over by an electric saw.

In that instant, she did not doubt Anjing Zhen's words at all: that once she learned and mastered all those strange postures, she too would be able to split stones with her bare hands...

No, she should say that she would be able to fully master her own strength and run at a speed that would shock everyone.

With this thought in mind, she even grew a bit impatient, eager to know what the follow-up postures were.

However, as if he had anticipated her thoughts, her Trainer emphasized with extreme seriousness before she could even open her mouth:

"I know you're in a hurry, but don't be.

"Being impatient won't help. Your aptitude is excellent—one might even say too excellent—and to truly master and unleash it, you actually need to spend more time than the average person.

"The things I teach can indeed help you achieve this faster, but you must follow my arrangements and progress step by step, or you will suffer a very serious injury.

"Next is routine training. Go for a run."

To be honest, she still wanted to know what the subsequent training would be.

But she considered herself someone who, if nothing else, was always good at listening to her elders and seniors.

Although her Trainer wasn't many years older than her, he always felt as mature as the many elders in her family.

Moreover, he always seemed so confident and knowledgeable, and he had even graduated at the top of his class.

So, it was definitely better to listen to the Trainer.

Still, when will I ever reach the Trainer's level...

Unconsciously, Kitasan Black thought of this again and couldn't help but pull the two halves of the cobblestone from her pocket to examine them closely.

"...So, for the answer to this question, Kitasan Black, you answer."

Reflexively, Kitasan Black stood up and answered loudly.

"Hai! The answer is Tokai Teio!"

The classroom was silent for a moment, followed by faint ripples of suppressed laughter.

On the podium, with his back to the blackboard, the teacher sighed.

"Kitasan Black, I know Teio-senpai is your idol, but...

"You can't just give the same answer for everything, can you?

"Also, can you explain to the teacher what you are holding in your hand?"

"Ah...?"

Stunned, Kitasan Black realized in an instant that she was still clutching the two halves of the cobblestone.

Instinctively, she hid her hands behind her back. A moment later, blushing and hanging her head, she honestly held them out.

"They are... two stones..."

"Sto..."

The teacher seemed to choke on his words, then shook his head helplessly.

"Do not let your mind wander during class, and do not do things unrelated to the lesson.

"Sit down for now, and come to my office after class.

"Alright, everyone, please stop laughing. Now, for the answer to this question... Satono Crown, you answer."

"Hai."

Diagonally in front of the classroom, the Horse Girl with Long Hair stood up after responding:

"In the Shining Star Series, the first undefeated Triple Crown Horse Girl was the former Student Council President, and current University Department Chair, Symboli Rudolph."

"That is correct, it is indeed Symboli Rudolph. Satono Crown, please sit."

Only then did Kitasan Black, who was hurriedly stuffing the stones back into her pockets, realize what the teacher had asked, and she muttered with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Teio-senpai was only one Kikuka Sho away, after all..."

"Now for the next point... Hm? Kitasan Black, it seems you said something just now!"

"Hai! No, nothing! Teacher, I didn't say anything just now!"

"Sit down, listen to the lecture properly, and remember to come to my office after class."

In the evening, at the dance hall, after training had concluded.

"I heard you were called to the office today for daydreaming?"

Looking down at his tablet to calculate data, Anjing Zhen asked casually.

"Huh? Trainer, you... you found out..."

Kitasan Black, who was in the middle of her cool-down stretches, grew awkward.

"Th-that... hehe, I just spaced out for a second, didn't mean to get caught..."

"If you hadn't been caught, were you planning to keep spacing out?"

Anjing Zhen rolled his eyes in annoyance and shook his head.

"Academic classes are important too; they come in handy during races and training more often than you'd think.

"Looking at the long term, no matter what you plan to do after you graduate and retire, you can't get by without a good education.

"Looking at the short term, if you end up needing make-up exams because you failed a subject, I won't be the one pleading your case to your homeroom teacher."

In terms of the academy's curriculum design, academics and professional training are kept separate, and teachers and trainers generally do not interfere with each other's instructional plans.

"It's fine, really! I usually ask Diamond-chan to help me with tutoring!"

Patting her chest confidently, Kitasan Black's little face suddenly slumped.

"Though, subjects like literature and history are okay, but math is just so hard... and physics and biology too...

"Oh, right! I noticed you seem really good at math and biology, Trainer. How about you tutor me?"

"In that case, I suggest you pay closer attention in class."

Anjing Zhen shook his head.

"Just because I know those subjects doesn't mean I can teach them, and the trainer certification exam doesn't have any requirements in those areas."

"I see... then I'll listen carefully from now on."

Kitasan Black nodded obediently.

"Besides, even though math is hard, my grades... should be alright. Even if I can't compare to Diamond-chan or Crown-chan, at least I won't fail."

Hearing this, Anjing Zhen nodded as well.

Academic performance doesn't directly affect race results, but once you master certain knowledge, training definitely becomes twice as effective with half the effort.

Make-up exams after failing a course are a huge hassle; not only does the trainer have to get involved, but the Student Council also has to mediate.

He had only just become Kitasan Black's assigned trainer, and having her fail a class before even running her debut race would be quite embarrassing, to say the least.

"That puts my mind at ease. I'll also be keeping an eye on your grades from now on."

Nodding as he added this, Anjing Zhen began packing his things to leave.

Just like before, with a "Trainer, let me help you carry your things," Kitasan Black enthusiastically slung his shoulder bag over her arm.

Afterward, they went to the cafeteria for dinner as usual, and once they had finished, Anjing Zhen took a tablet out of his bag.

"I asked you before about your future plans. How is it? Do you have an answer yet?"

Matters regarding a career path are, in terms of duty, the trainer's responsibility.

Only a trainer can apply to the academy and the URA Association to schedule races for their assigned Horse Girl.

However, by convention, unless the Horse Girl herself has no clear ideas, trainers of all kinds will respect her personal wishes, and if opinions diverge, they will communicate patiently to determine a future direction together.

Anjing Zhen considered himself a very headstrong person.

In his past life, he didn't need companions in life; he bore the consequences of all his actions alone.

During his first few years in this world, he didn't consult his parents about anything either, deciding everything for himself.