“Thump-thump—”

It was Silent Suzuka’s heartbeat.

And also Lu Jue’s heartbeat.

...

The next day’s training arrived as scheduled.

After warming up, Lu Jue led everyone to begin training.

“Today is mainly endurance-specific training.” Lu Jue held a small clipboard and began to read out the day’s running program.

“First, two sets of five kilometers, with a five-minute rest in between, the pace is… Then one set of four kilometers, one set of three kilometers, one set of two kilometers, with a three-minute rest in between, the pace requirement is…”

After Lu Jue finished reading, Special Week and the other two looked at him with clear eyes.

“Trainer, don’t read anymore, I’ve forgotten everything.” Uralala said, covering her head.

“Mr. Trainer, could you please say it again?” Special Week, however, was full of fighting spirit.

“It’s okay if you can’t remember, I’ll remind you later, this is just to give you a general idea.” Lu Jue looked into the distance; the weather today was very good, sunny but not too hot. “Alright, tie your shoelaces and check your horseshoes again.”

“Ready, Trainer!”

The three stood at the starting line.

“Wait a moment, there’s one more thing.” After Lu Jue finished speaking, he quickly ran back to the training room, ignoring their bewildered looks.

A moment later, he came out holding three wristbands, and while speaking, he put them on the three of them. “These are also for you. You need to allocate your stamina reasonably. Don't go too fast, and don't go too slow.”

...

Although Lu Jue had instructed them before the run, the three still lost their rhythm during the training.

“Uralala, hurry up, hurry up, you’re way too slow, come on!”

“Xiao Te, just maintain this, don’t chase Silence Suzuka, and don’t wait for Uralala.”

“Silence Suzuka! Slow down, I don’t want you to run a race, this is training, there are still a few sets left, how will you run later!”

...

Lu Jue was truly worried, holding a stopwatch and shouting at the top of his lungs on the track.

Sometimes he even specifically ran to their inevitable path to remind them.

Soon, his back was soaked with sweat.

Other teams naturally heard Lu Jue’s shouts and all looked curiously in his direction.

Tojo Hana, sitting in the stands, pushed up her glasses and said to her team members, “Continue training!”

Nishizaki Ryu, sitting on the grass, chewed on a blade of grass and sighed about being young.

Then he looked at Gold Ship, Vodka, and Daiwa Scarlet, “Don’t just watch, they’re working so hard, we can’t lose either, come on, come on.”

...

After two sets of five kilometers, the three barely completed this stage of the task.

Special Week and Silent Suzuka were both holding their waists, panting heavily.

Haru Urara, on the other hand, knelt on the grass and shouted, “So tired! I’m so tired! I’m exhausted!”

Lu Jue looked at his watch and smiled, “Rest well. Talking? Talking also counts towards your time, you know.”

“Trainer, you’re so cruel!”

“Thank you.”

“Uralala wasn’t praising you!”

“Still, thank you.”

Lu Jue and Haru Urara bickered for a bit, then he walked towards Special Week and Silent Suzuka, “How about you two? How are you doing?”

“It’s quite different from the training I’ve had before.” Special Week wiped the sweat from her face.

“Your previous training wasn’t systematic enough. Keep at it.”

“Okay, Mr. Trainer.”

Lu Jue then looked at Silent Suzuka, “Silence Suzuka, how about you?”

“I can still run.”

“That’s good. You need to have your own rhythm. It’s the same in a race. You need to develop a certain feeling.”

Lu Jue glanced at the time; the rest period was almost over. “Alright, prepare for the next set of training. Strictly limit your rest time to develop good habits.”

Special Week and Silent Suzuka nodded and set off one after another.

Lu Jue walked towards Haru Urara, who was still lying on the ground, “Uralala, the third set should begin.”

Uralala sighed, but still got up from the ground.

She looked at the figures of Silent Suzuka and Special Week who had already started running, her eyes dim.

Perhaps the talent gap was truly too great...

She felt even more that she couldn't complete the next tasks at the pace Lu Jue had set.

“Uralala, whether you can finish the run is one thing, whether you go to run is another.”

With yesterday’s experience, Lu Jue felt quite natural when patting her head now.

Noticing his team member’s low spirits, he naturally had to speak up in time.

Hmm, I'll get a psychology counselor certificate if I have the chance later.

“Come, stand up. Giving up so easily, that’s not the Haru Urara I know.” Lu Jue extended his hand to Uralala and smiled gently, “Remember what I told you, being last is not failure, giving up is.”

“Trainer…”

In Lu Jue’s eyes, Haru Urara felt a sense of being trusted.

Moved, she took Lu Jue’s hand, “Uralala, fully revived.”

“Trainer, I will work hard!”

“Hmm, come on.”

Watching Uralala run off, Lu Jue wrote “Psychological Quality: Excellent” on his small clipboard.

Occasional frustration is human nature; being able to quickly adjust back is the key.

...

After training was completed, the three were too exhausted to speak.

“Walk slowly, don’t sit down immediately to rest.”

Lu Jue handed over the prepared water and quickly wrote down his basic assessment of the three on the board.

In the last two sets of training, the three were clearly nearing exhaustion and failed to meet the pace requirements.

Silent Suzuka’s endurance level was still A.

Special Week was weaker, rated A-, but with subsequent training, she should be able to gradually break through.

As for Haru Urara, she could only be rated B.

However, her ability to complete today’s training had already greatly impressed Lu Jue.

...

After resting, Lu Jue led the three in stretching exercises.

“Everyone did great today, keep up the good work.”

“Uralala, I’m already squeezed dry~”

Special Week finished the last sip of water, “This is the first time I’ve felt so tired too.”

Silent Suzuka didn’t complain, she just breathed onto her palm.

It doesn’t smell, does it? Maybe I should carry a box of mints with me from now on...

“Everyone, once you’ve rested, go to the training room to change clothes. I’ve already prepared everything, and there’s water in the training room too.”

“Training isn’t over yet.”

“How is it not over yet? I really can’t run anymore!” Haru Urara said.

Even Special Week and Silent Suzuka looked at Lu Jue in confusion.

Over-training is not a good thing, Lu Jue should know that.

“I’m not making you run again. Today’s main activities are over. Next are some light activities, not tiring at all.”

The three still stood rooted to the spot, looking unconvinced.

Lu Jue sighed helplessly, “Go on, a Longguo person doesn’t lie to a Japanese Uma Musume.”

...