Sneaky Hokubu Genkoma

An hour later.

"Oh, don't rush, McQueen. I told you I'd let you play with it for half an hour, and I'll keep my promise."

"But Emperor, you said the same thing half an hour ago... Sigh, whatever, you're like a child."

Looking amusingly at her friend who was clinging to the drone remote, and then enviously at the remote, Mejiro McQueen smiled and shook her head, pinching her chin as she looked at the tablet on the desk.

A data cable was plugged into the tablet, its other end connected to the remote in Tokai Teio's hand.

The remote was about the size of a brick.

The top had a control stick, the front half was equipped with joysticks, various buttons, and indicator lights.

The back half was occupied by a screen.

On the screen, European-style buildings with blue tiles and red bricks, paved avenues, tree-lined paths, classrooms with bright windows, and lush green training grounds...

It was an aerial view of Tracen Academy.

The tablet displayed the same image, and as Tokai Teio moved the joysticks and buttons back and forth, the two images flew by at high speed.

"It's amazing. I never thought such a small machine could fly so fast."

After marveling at the screen for a while, Mejiro McQueen looked at Yasui Makoto.

"If I'm not mistaken... the drone should be moving at about 60 kilometers per hour right now?"

Without waiting for Yasui Makoto to answer, Tokai Teio, like a child with a beloved toy, said with a hint of pride, not looking back:

"That's right, McQueen. I've set the speed to 60.

"Although Trainer Yasui said its maximum speed can reach 72 kilometers per hour, even the final sprint of a G1 race doesn't reach that speed, and training certainly doesn't. 60 is more than enough.

"Heh heh, you'll know when you play with it later."

Mejiro McQueen was a little helpless. Having known each other for so many years, she could tell her friend was boasting.

However, she quickly shifted her attention back to the drone, examining the image on the tablet intently.

After seeing Yasui Makoto's demonstration before, she had immediately realized the significance of the drone.

High-quality footage was crucial for training and racing.

By reviewing such footage, both trainers and Uma Musume could identify many issues, learn a great deal, and optimize subsequent arrangements.

There were currently three main methods of filming: first, multiple cameras on the racetrack; second, various surveillance recordings; and third, self-filming or fixed-point shooting.

Each method had its pros and cons.

Multiple cameras provided excellent results, but apart from those broadcast on major programs, racetrack footage was generally kept by the association and the academy, requiring applications and various procedures to access.

Surveillance recordings covered a wider area, but applying for them was more troublesome, and the clarity was poor.

Self-filming was the primary method used by trainers, but the problem was that trainers couldn't keep up with the speed of the Uma Musume unless other Uma Musume assisted.

If filming alone, they could only set up at fixed points, resulting in very limited camera angles.

It was the same for Uma Musume filming with a camera while running at high speed; the footage would be very shaky, and the recording quality would not be ideal.

However, drone filming not only incorporated all the advantages of previous methods but also avoided all their drawbacks.

Especially, as Yasui Makoto mentioned, after setting a filming route, three drones could be arranged for continuous tracking. This method would undoubtedly produce footage far superior to any previous method.

With this thought, Mejiro McQueen couldn't help but look at Yasui Makoto with anticipation.

"Trainer Yasui, since you thought of this method before, you must have filmed Xiao Bei during her training these past few days, right? May I see it?"

Hearing this, Tokai Teio also looked over.

As Uma Musume with top-tier talent and extensive experience, she could think of what her friend could think of.

So, even though she was reluctant to let go of the remote, she hadn't forgotten her duties as President.

"That's right. Although you only told me last night, Trainer Yasui must have filmed once this morning, right?"

When Tokai Teio was playing with the drone earlier, Yasui Makoto hadn't interjected to dampen the mood.

He had hoped that these two Presidents would personally experience the advantages of this filming method, so that the subsequent discussion would proceed more smoothly.

Now that they had both brought up the main topic, and he had nothing to hide, he shook his head.

"Not yet. There are still a few issues with the drone, which is why I wanted to talk to you both."

"Issues?"

They both asked in unison. Tokai Teio thought for a moment and handed the remote to McQueen.

"McQueen, bring the drone back. I'll talk to Trainer Yasui first."

"...You remember me now, do you."

Complaining with a wry smile, Mejiro McQueen didn't refuse.

After taking the remote, she operated it according to Yasui Makoto's previous demonstration.

"The most obvious problem is the noise."

At this point, pointing to the image on the tablet, Yasui Makoto explained:

"You can't tell from this because the fuselage has a built-in noise-canceling device.

"But you both should have heard the sound during takeoff; honestly, it was quite loud.

"In fact, if you get too close, you can always hear that buzzing sound.

"Your hearing is very sensitive, and if this problem isn't resolved, it will affect your training results to some extent.

"Next are some programs.

"Strictly speaking, this machine is still a test model. I was able to acquire it due to some very coincidental circumstances.

"Actually, I didn't buy it. The inventor of this model wanted me to conduct real-time testing, which is why they provided it to me.

"So, lens movement, image processing, intelligent avoidance... in short, many programs need to be debugged.

"There's also the issue of privacy."

Upon mentioning this, Yasui Makoto didn't shy away.

Tokai Teio was taken aback for a moment, then quickly understood.

"Indeed, with this kind of machine, it would be easy to film anything.

"The Academy is full of girls, as well as female teachers and female Trainers. If you're not careful, it's easy to cause misunderstandings.

"In that case, let me think..."

Seeing this, Yasui Makoto didn't interrupt.

He actually had some preliminary solutions, but he recalled Tokai Teio being very capable and thought perhaps he might come up with a better solution. So, he decided not to rush and wait.

Before Tokai Teio could speak again, Mejiro McQueen voiced a puzzled question.

"Huh? Isn't that Xiao Bei? Dressed like that... what is she doing?"

In unison, Yasui Makoto and Tokai Teio's attention was drawn away.

Soon, just like Mejiro McQueen, the two saw a black-haired girl in the center of the screens of both the remote control and the tablet.

It was the time after class, and many students were chatting in the hallways, while some had gone to the field to wander or play games with friends to relax.

The black-haired girl on the screen was neither chatting in the hallway nor wandering around to relax.

Instead, she was hiding suspiciously in the grass next to the field, holding a branch full of leaves in each hand.