Xiao Bei, You Truly Are a Genius

It seems she did notice that.

Thinking this, Yasui Makoto nodded and said:

"Your strength level is exceptional even among Uma Musume, but it makes it harder for you to control your body than others, which is also why other Trainers believe you can only run short distances.

"To use a not-so-apt analogy, imagine if everyone else's punch is one ton, and yours is ten tons. After training, yours would certainly be more powerful.

"But without sufficient training, your punch is actually harder to control."

"My punch... ten tons is a bit of an exaggeration, Trainer."

Holding her small fists up in front of her face, Hokubu Genkoma chuckled foolishly, then nodded.

"But I think I understand what you mean, Trainer. So how should I practice?"

"I'm glad you understand."

Yasui Makoto nodded approvingly, then patiently continued:

"Strength control is a very complex matter, involving a wide range of factors, so what I'm talking about is just the surface.

"The issue I want to address is one of those factors: your gait and running form."

He gripped the fence of the training field and lifted both feet off the ground with force.

"While watching recordings these past few days, I noticed your gait is very messy, and your rhythm is a complete disaster.

"In most cases, the gait you use in races is 'Assault Step'.

"Simply put, it's front foot lands, back foot lands, then front foot, then back foot, followed by a brief airborne phase, and so on."

As he spoke, he demonstrated the gait used in Uma Musume races at a slow speed.

"With each airborne phase as a dividing line, one set of 'Assault Step' involves four points of contact with the ground, so it can be considered a 'four-beat' rhythm.

"However, the gait you use in training isn't just Assault Step; it's also 'Running'.

"Front foot, back foot, front foot, airborne – that's the 'three-beat' rhythm of 'Running'.

"The rhythms of these two gaits are completely different. Usually, an Uma Musume's rhythm either gets messed up or slows down during a race. More likely, it gets both messed up and slow.

"But you, my dear Xiao Bei..."

After demonstrating the 'Running' gait, Yasui Makoto released his grip, landed on the ground, and chuckled.

"To be able to run at a decent training speed while chaotically interspersing three and four-beat rhythms... should I call you a genius, or a genius?"

Hokubu Genkoma blinked, then scratched her head and giggled foolishly.

"Heh heh, Trainer, you don't have to praise me so much..."

...Did she really not hear the sarcasm in my tone?

Feeling a slight suffocation, Yasui Makoto rubbed his forehead and fell into thought.

Extreme Stuntman training involved a considerable amount of fighting and martial arts. Mastering their essence required a deep understanding of the human body and injuries.

Applying that knowledge to training Uma Musume might not reach the industry's top level, but it would certainly offer unique advantages.

Especially since he had already roughly compared it; the timeline of this world was more than ten years earlier than his previous life, so many of his concepts could be considered quite advanced.

The overall level of the Japanese Uma Musume world wasn't very high, which gave him even more room to maneuver.

For example, strength control.

If other Trainers at the Academy knew how to handle it and allow Hokubu Genkoma to fully control her various talents, she would quickly gain fame, and it wouldn't be his turn to coach this Uma Musume.

Since that hadn't happened, and the evaluation of Hokubu Genkoma in her file stated she "only excels in short-distance races," it could only mean those people were truly blind.

His own disadvantages were also obvious.

From his past life to this one, he had absolutely no experience interacting with girls like Hokubu Genkoma, who were around her age.

The experience of an Extreme Stuntman and a coach weren't entirely the same. To continue coaching her and help Hokubu Genkoma fully unleash her potential and become an outstanding Uma Musume, he would need to grope and learn slowly.

For instance, now that he knew this Uma Musume had a somewhat clumsy and straightforward personality, he should probably say fewer roundabout things in the future.

"I wasn't praising you at all. Don't forget I said your gait was a mess from the start. Randomly switching between two gaits isn't a good thing."

With a new decision and understanding, he stated it directly. Seeing the smugness on Hokubu Genkoma's face freeze instantly, Yasui Makoto thought for a moment and tried to use a comforting tone.

"But you don't need to worry. Since I've pointed out your problem, I definitely have a solution.

"Follow me."

Gesturing for Hokubu Genkoma to hand over the tablet and stopwatch she was holding, Yasui Makoto walked towards the teaching building.

Subconsciously following, Hokubu Genkoma looked back at the training ground with some confusion.

"Trainer, are we... not continuing our training here?"

Swiping through the tablet, Yasui Makoto replied casually:

"Not for now.

"You have regular training courses, and I'll be there to watch them later.

"So, what's next is arranging some special training for you."

Tracen Academy's class schedule is similar to other high schools. Mornings and afternoons until three or four are filled with various academic classes, and there are also outdoor classes scheduled.

In addition to regular subjects like Japanese and math, the academic classes also cover general knowledge about Uma Musume races, such as the racing system, tracks, and history.

Outdoor classes consist of athletic training like Running and swimming, but they are all basic instruction.

After signing an agreement with their Trainer, the Contracted Partner Trainer will arrange specialized training based on the Uma Musume's specific situation after the morning and afternoon classes conclude.

This is currently the training time after classes have ended. Many Uma Musume were undergoing specialized training on the athletic field just now. On the way to the academic area, figures could be seen working hard on other grounds along the route.

He didn't enter the academic building but instead headed to the dance hall in the Comprehensive Hall.

The dance hall is very large; it seems like over a hundred people could do exercises simultaneously without issue.

There weren't many people training, only about thirty or so.

Three instructors were each leading a dozen or so Uma Musume in practicing dance steps, leaving quite a bit of empty space.

As soon as he entered the dance hall, Yasui Makoto was about to greet the instructors when Hokubu Genkoma suddenly whispered:

"Ah! It's Crown-chan..."

Upon hearing this, Yasui Makoto unconsciously glanced at Hokubu Genkoma, who was covering her mouth with a look of admiration, and then followed her gaze to an Uma Musume practicing dance.

That Uma Musume had long black hair and dark green eyes. As she stretched her waist and moved nimbly, a faint, confident smile graced her face.

Judging by her arm movements and the dance steps her feet were executing, she was clearly the most skilled dancer among the Uma Musume currently practicing.

"Crown... Satono Crown?"

Thinking back to the name Hokubu Genkoma had just mentioned, Yasui Makoto quickly recalled some information.

"The young lady from the Satono family?"

"Mhm! I'm in the same class as her and her sister. Oh, right, I'm in the same dorm room as Light Diamond-chan too!"

Unconsciously, Hokubu Genkoma's voice became a little loud again, tinged with excitement.

"Crown-chan is amazing! She debuted last year and won two consecutive races! She's just incredible!"