What kind of monster trainer is this?!

The night after Hokubu Genkoma and Yamato Akagi trained together.

"Eh--?! So I'm suited for the Escape Horse style?"

In the sparsely populated dance hall, Hokubu Genkoma exclaimed:

"Then why did you have me run at the back during my debut race, Trainer...?"

Sitting cross-legged opposite her and scrolling through a tablet, Yasui Makoto hadn't spoken yet. Yamato Akagi, casually observing the resistance band Hokubu Genkoma had been using, chimed in:

"That was for your future, Xiao Bei."

"My future... What do you mean, Senior Yamato?"

Hokubu Genkoma looked at Yamato Akagi blankly.

"This... Hasn't Trainer Yasui debriefed your debut race with you yet, Xiao Bei?"

Yamato Akagi glanced at Hokubu Genkoma in surprise, then looked apologetically at Yasui Makoto.

"My apologies, I shouldn't have interrupted your training schedule so abruptly."

"It's fine, I was planning to explain it to her after our joint training anyway."

Casually replying, Yasui Makoto turned the tablet towards Hokubu Genkoma.

"Xiao Bei, the basic requirements for an Escape Horse, you learned that in class, right?"

"Yes!"

Quickly raising her hand, Hokubu Genkoma confidently stated:

"Sprint at full speed from the start of the race, quickly take the lead, and maintain that advantage until the finish line.

"Trainer, did I answer correctly?"

"Very good."

Smiling and nodding, Yasui Makoto added:

"This running style demands high instantaneous burst power and sustained speed, in addition to a sense of rhythm.

"Being alone at the front for the entire race, if you can't keep track of how far you've run, how long it's taken, how much of the race is left, and how long it will take, your stamina distribution will become problematic.

"Do you remember what I told you when we first started training?"

"Hehehe, my gait was messy, my sense of rhythm was a complete mess..."

Chuckling sheepishly and scratching her head, Hokubu Genkoma's eyes suddenly lit up with surprise.

"So, back then...

"Trainer already knew what running style suited me?!

"And the subsequent training was arranged specifically for that?!"

As soon as she said this, a look of astonishment flashed across Yamato Akagi's eyes. She looked at Yasui Makoto in disbelief.

If it was basic training like gait correction, that was usually arranged right after signing the contract...

If she remembered correctly, Senior Hayate said they hadn't known each other at all before...

They had never met before, yet he could tell at a glance what running style Xiao Bei suited and arranged corresponding training...

What kind of monstrous trainer is this?!

Yamato Akagi couldn't help but be surprised.

Choosing a running style is a complex matter. Physique, track conditions, strength, speed, burst power, stamina, etc., all these factors influence the choice.

Even seasoned trainers would never dare claim to know at a glance what running style a newcomer suited. Conclusions are only reached through extensive training and a certain number of races.

Some Uma Musume only find their most suitable running style one or two years after their debut.

She knew of many such cases, including some close friends and familiar seniors.

So, who exactly is this trainer...?

While Yamato Akagi was secretly astonished, Yasui Makoto patiently explained to Hokubu Genkoma:

"To be precise, it was just a guess at the time.

"I reviewed the public records of trainees from the past decade and assessed your burst power and endurance. I could see that at the rookie stage, your level in these aspects was quite good.

"Given that, it was natural to consider the Escape Horse and Front Runner styles.

"As for why the Escape Horse style suits you better, it's because..."

He paused thoughtfully.

"Your Final Speed is lacking."

"Final Speed..."

Repeating the word, Hokubu Genkoma looked down at her feet, then subconsciously glanced at Yamato Akagi.

"I'm sorry, Xiao Bei, my Final Speed isn't great either."

Generously admitting her weakness, Yamato Akagi then spread her hands.

"But back then, I didn't need any Final Speed to win, unless I ran into..."

"Cough, anyway..."

She suddenly gave a dry cough and awkwardly changed the subject.

"Final Speed can be said to be a very special ability.

"With this ability, you can concentrate all your remaining stamina in your legs during the final stretch and unleash astonishing, terrifying speed.

"Theoretically, any racing style benefits from having this ability, but it's not something anyone can have just by wishing for it.

"In comparison, an Escape Horse can gain a distance advantage through positional awareness and win even if their Final Speed isn't high.

"Your instantaneous burst, acceleration within a certain distance, and speed maintenance are all very good.

"But your control over your strength hasn't reached the level where we can discuss Final Speed.

"So, considering everything, Escape and Free-style Lead are the most suitable for you.

"Ah, I've said too much again. Trainer Yasui should have explained this to you..."

She felt a bit embarrassed.

"It's okay, it doesn't matter who explains it."

Not minding at all, Yasui Makoto smiled and then looked at Hokubu Genkoma, saying seriously:

"Classmate Yamato is right. The racing style most suitable for you is Escape, followed by Great Escape, Front Runner, and Free-style Lead.

"In other words, the tactic you used in your debut race was not the most suitable for you.

"That tactic carried considerable risk, and I was prepared for you to lose your debut race."

"Lose... my debut race?"

Hokubu Genkoma was stunned.

"How could that be... I felt like I ran comfortably then, and I won in the end."

"That means my judgment was accurate and I didn't fail your trust."

Smiling, Yasui Makoto continued to explain:

"Before your debut race, your rhythm had already been adjusted to a certain level, and instantaneous burst and subsequent speed maintenance were already your strengths.

"And at the level of a debut race, neither you nor your opponents had much in terms of skill. So, in my opinion, a forceful breakout combined with long-distance acceleration was enough to win the race.

"The risk was also there.

"If you had a bad performance, couldn't grasp the timing, or the situation was too chaotic and you couldn't break through, I would have been helpless.

"But that risk was worth taking.

"You can't always be in the lead in every race, at every moment. You'll definitely encounter situations where you get overtaken.

"The races further down the line are more important. You can't use those races to adapt to the pressure of being overtaken.

"Your debut race and the few races after are different. The impact of winning or losing isn't as significant. Many top Uma Musume didn't start without losses.

"So, it's worth it to lay a good foundation for more important races later, even if you lose.

"I'm telling you all this, of course, not because you can afford to lose carelessly.

"Your opponent in the next race won't be a rookie who knows nothing. I will make detailed adjustments based on the situation.

"I didn't explain these adjustments to you in detail before because you lacked experience.

"But from now on, I will gradually tell you more things, Xiao Bei. You need to try and understand."

Without hesitation, Hokubu Genkoma nodded heavily.

"Yes! I told you, no matter what the Trainer commands, I will listen carefully and follow them meticulously!"

Hearing this, not only Yasui Makoto but also Yamato Akagi smiled with relief.

After smiling, the Uma Musume subtly glanced at Yasui Makoto, who had begun explaining the training details.

...If there's something to gain, then losing the debut race is worth it.

That's the logic, but to say it so casually, and to have used it in your very first career race...

This Trainer... is truly a monster.