On the other side, Symboli Rudolf also planned to return to the student council to properly discuss this freshman friendly race with Air Groove.
Although its surface purpose was to compete for Kitano Ryuichi's assigned horse girl position, in reality, using this competition as a way to motivate new horse girls to train actively and participate in races—thereby improving overall standards—was the true focus.
After Symboli Rudolf and King Halo left, the surrounding horse girls also gradually dispersed while chatting excitedly.
Judging from the lingering excitement on their faces, what had just happened in the cafeteria would likely spread rapidly across Tracen Academy's forums, drawing in even more curious onlookers.
Soon, only Kitano, T.M. Opera O, and Mihono Bourbon remained.
At last, Kitano regained his right to speak. Still confused from beginning to end, he quickly turned a resentful gaze toward the instigator of all this—T.M. Opera O.
However, when his eyes met her familiar face, the complaints he was about to voice were swallowed back down.
After a long pause, his expression shifted from frustration to helplessness, and he finally asked with a wry smile:
"Opera O… what exactly are you trying to do?"
"Hahahaha! Isn't it obvious, my dear Princess of beauty and wisdom~"
Even now, with everyone else gone, Opera O showed no intention of dropping her theatrical way of addressing him.
Without the slightest hint of embarrassment, she continued:
"This concerns the position of your first knight. Of course, I must choose the most suitable candidate for you—this is a matter of your personal safety, after all."
"I cannot guarantee that I will always be by your side. If there ever comes a time when I cannot help you, then your first knight will be your final line of defense."
Opera O spoke as if she were deeply concerned about Kitano's safety.
Yet even Kitano himself didn't understand how choosing a horse girl had anything to do with personal safety.
Was he supposed to prepare for the day when a horse girl might come after him, and his trainee would have to protect him?
If that were the case, maybe he should recruit half the academy just to be safe…
—Of course, something like that would never happen. This was a new loop. No one knew anything about his past.
"So, Opera O… since you're so involved in this, does that mean you're joining the race too?"
"If I remember correctly, you're in the upper division.
Don't you already have a trainer?"
"Hahahaha! What an excellent question!"
Opera O laughed heartily, then suddenly looked at him with a serious smile.
"A ruler does not accept subjects so easily. At the moment, the position of this overlord's subject remains vacant."
"As for whether I become your knight, or you become my subject… I shall leave that as a mystery for now."
With that teasing remark, Opera O herself had yet to fully understand her own feelings.
She could sense the joy that rose within her when she imagined standing beside Kitano and running for his sake—but she still didn't know where that feeling came from, so she did not make a decision.
The next moment, she performed an elegant bow, then suddenly took one of Kitano's hands and said gently:
"Until we meet again, my dear Princess."
She lightly kissed the back of his hand in a courteous gesture, gave him a playful wink, and turned to leave.
Kitano was left stunned. The warmth still lingering on the back of his hand made him instinctively glance down at it.
But soon, another figure stepped in front of him.
Mihono Bourbon, who had been standing beside him, now moved directly in front of him, looking at him with a calm yet clearly dissatisfied gaze.
"Mr. Kitano."
"Ah… Miss Mihono, I…"
Kitano's attention shifted completely to her.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something—but after a long pause, he simply sighed and spoke slowly:
"…I'm sorry."
"?"
Mihono Bourbon tilted her head, not understanding why he was apologizing.
"About earlier… even though it wasn't what I wanted, when you were confronting King Halo, I didn't speak up for you.
I'm sorry."
He continued awkwardly,
"Everyone was watching you. When you said we were discussing forming a contract, I didn't even know how to respond… And I dragged you into all this.
You just enrolled, and now you're caught up in this mess."
"—Mihono Bourbon understands."
She nodded, then asked in her usual emotionless tone:
"Question: Mr. Kitano, do you not intend to become Mihono Bourbon's highest authority?"
"No, no—I… actually really want to be your trainer. I know your talent!"
Kitano immediately refuted her, as if he sensed a faint tremor in her words.
He instinctively used his usual trump card—his "future knowledge."
Across multiple loops, this had always worked. By affirming the potential of horse girls who doubted themselves, he had successfully convinced many to become his trainees.
Even if their achievements didn't change in the end, this method was always effective.
"But… I'm not sure if I can train you properly right now. I don't know if I can truly help you—or just hold you back."
The real reason, however, was something he didn't say.
He didn't want to use that old training method again.
It was effective—but far too intense. Over time, it would damage her body, leaving lasting injuries and pain in her later years.
Trading a year of brilliance for a lifetime of suffering
That was not something he could accept.
Unless he found a better method, he couldn't become her trainer again.
"…Understood."
Mihono Bourbon fell silent for a moment.
Then, a faint smile briefly appeared on her usually expressionless face before disappearing again.
"Mihono Bourbon will participate in the race, with victory as the objective."
"After achieving victory, I hope Mr. Kitano will become Mihono Bourbon's highest authority. Mihono Bourbon will run for your sake."
"Please look forward to it, Mr. Kitano. Mihono Bourbon will win."
After saying this, she bowed deeply and turned to leave the cafeteria.
Watching her back, Kitano felt a sense of relief—but then suddenly realized a small problem.
…Didn't she not know the way? If she just walked out like that, would she even find where to register?
Outside the cafeteria, Mihono Bourbon was unaware of his concern.
Her mind was completely occupied by Opera O's proposal.
She understood that this was her closest chance to reach Kitano Ryuichi. If she won, she would become his assigned horse girl.
Her opponents… King Halo, and that Opera O.
In the past, she might have been cautious.
But now, having knowledge ahead of time, she had to begin training immediately if she wanted to win.
"—Accessing database. Retrieving Master's training records for Prototype Mihono Bourbon."
She already knew how to train herself.
She only needed to replicate Master's methods.
This race
She would win.
The one closest to Master could only be her.