I stare in the tall mirror. The aristocratic tunic is on, if you can even call this a tunic. The white collar appears to flatten around my neck, a ribbon with a horseshoe in the center sits underneath. The short sleeves are a purplish blue, and puff out, reminding me of dresses I would see civilians wear as they went shopping in the market.

  I then remove my breeches, revealing that I’m, indeed, wearing female undergarments. Seems the goddesses were kind enough to not permit me the need to see my changed forms reproduction parts among my first garment change. I do know eventually I will have to face that in full. I look at the other half of the dress. A white cloth with a purple stripe at the bottom. The bottom of the skirt also seems frilled, in the same way handmaids or servants uniforms were when I attended meetings. There’s a bow on the back followed by another hole. Which appears to be where my tail would wish to escape from.

  It doesn’t take a genius to notice an immediate issue with the skirt, it is far too tight to fit across both my legs. I try to look over it, most clothing I’m aware of that females would wear would have the strings on the back, allowing for a proper fit. Armor also used the same idea with leather straps. Yet… looking all around the skirt, I see no strings, straps, or anything that could help make the clothing loose enough to get on.

  I let out a sigh. I suppose I immediately must eat my earlier confidence in being able to change by myself. In a world where communication is done through glass slabs that talk back and create light, I should have been more humble. I approach the door and knock on it quietly. “I appear to have a question about this bottom garment.” I mutter in defeat.

  I hear Tazuna’s voice. “Oh, okay. I’m coming in.” I hear her fumbling with the knob before she steps in. She sees me standing blushing, arms folded.

  “I do not know how to loosen this fabric.” I let out, showing the skirt to Tazuna. “There are no strings or straps.”

  Tazuna eyes quickly look down, but then returns to my face. “Oh, right, you might not know about a zipper.” I give her the skirt, and she points to a seemingly hidden line of metal, she then grabs it and… pulls it? As she does so the small metal follows the trail she then hands it back to me.

  “... What…?” I mumble, looking closely. I slowly grab the same metal flat piece, following the trail as it tightens again. “What magic is this?”

  Tazuna smiles. “It’s not magic, it’s engineering.”

  I find myself inclined to pull it up and down. “What’s… engineering?” I mumble, distracted by the sound and the feeling of gliding the metal along the path.

  Tazuna smiles. “It’s planning how to make things easier.” She bows to me. “Doesn't pulling that up and down seem much easier than the straps you mentioned?”

  “Yes…” I mutter, still feel drawn to pulling it up and down.

  “Make sure to put it on soon though! We should really familiarize you with Tracen Academy.” Tazuna smiles as she closes the door behind her.

  I pause, snapping upright. “R-Right!” I let out, turning my head slightly. “Yeah. I’ll just put this on.” I sigh. “Cursed contraption…” I mumble. “I may have looked like a fool in front of her.” I pull the ‘zipper’ down, watching as the silver spikes open, loosening the fit, I then step into the skirt, pulling it up. I feel my tail getting caught, I quickly adjust it, as the tail seems to force its way around the skirt, refusing to obey like a regular limb.

  I can at least be thankful of the large ribbon, as it helps indicate which side is the back. As I use my hands to force the tail through the corresponding hole, I then pull the zipper up. Causing it to tighten around my waist. “Hmph…” I mumble. More breezy than I’m used to. But it can’t be helped. I look at the stockings and shoes that were brought in.

  The way the shoes are shaped… the bottoms remind me of the armored cavalry boots I used to wear. The back’s heel is raised, while the front incaves. In combat this was easy to keep my feet attached to the stirrups. To see something resembling it in a world without horses makes me smile slightly. As if even in a world without horses, fate makes connections. I sit down on the bed, pulling up stockings on my legs. They stretch up beyond my knees.

  I then step into the shoes, they seem to tighten in a way familiar to armor straps. As I tighten the strap across my feet. At least it’s good to know one comfort from home is not replaced. I walk in front of the mirror. Staring at my reflection.

  “I look like some sort of aristocrat, or an aristocratic servant.” I can’t help but blush slightly. If any of my comrades back home saw me in something like this, they would be giving me hell. I slowly walk across the tile back towards the entrance of the infirmary. I take a deep breath before opening the door, seeing the three waiting for me. Tazuna, Director Yayoi and Symboli Rudolf.

  “Hmhm!” Yayoi's chest puffs up as she hums to herself. “I see it fits you quite well!” She smiles. “It’s time for your tour!” She points her fan at me.

  I look down, pulling the side of my skirt awkwardly. “I suppose physically, it fits me, but it feels more exposed than any armor I’ve worn. The length is rather… short? None of the maidens around town markets would ever wear something like this.” I sigh, feeling my tail sway flick itself against my hand. “Have you ever considered longer garments?”

  Tazuna smiles. “Are you an expert on female fashion now?”

  “I do not know what fashion is. But I can surmise it has something to do with clothes.” I sigh.

  Symboli Rudolf gives me a calm smile. “I understand you are from a very different time. But these uniforms give most students who wear them a sense of pride. Tracen Academy is a very sought after school. Everyone who dons this uniform is serious about racing.”

  I fold my arms, letting out a sigh. “I preferred working with horses so I wouldn’t have to run as much actually.”

  Yayoi opens her fan as she begins to fan herself off. “You may feel different now! Every umamusume feels a draw towards running and racing. It’s practically in their blood!”

  Tazuna raises her hand slightly. “Well, let’s begin. Currently we’re in Tracen Academy’s main building." She signals to the nearby stairs. “As you saw from running to the roof earlier. It is quite tall.

  I nod. “Yes, a palace. I mumble, looking around at the architecture. “Chandaliers, large windows, multiple stories. It looks as if it was designed to be appealing to look at, while serving for large uses.”

  Tazuna smiles. “Yes. There are multiple buildings on the academy grounds. This one is for general classes. Educational purposes.” She begins leading as I follow along. Arms folded. As we go down the hall, I notice many doors, umamusume of all types appearing in them through the window on the doors.

  However, as we take a turn, I see grand scale windows being used for an entire half of the walls. This led into a giant open room, with many umas around. But I could not look away from the grand windows, silver rims keeping each in place. “By the goddess…” I mumble. “How, is this possible? Windows creating an entirety of wall? I have seen colored glass in monasteries… but, how… this is on such a grand scale…”

  Yayoi smiles at my face, which sits in utter shock. “It looks great doesn’t it?”

  “It… is completely unsafe for sieges…” I mumble. “One boulder is launched in and the structural integrity of this place will fall apart.”

  Yayoi jumps back. “Eh?!”

  Rudolf coughs before approaching me. “It must be hard to instantly worry about things like that.” She then smiles. “But here, fear of attacks with… boulders aren’t exactly common.”

  “Sieges…?” I mutter.

  Rudolf swiftly shakes her head. “Nowadays buildings are made with safety from natural disasters, but not exactly fear of attacks by others.”

  “... Right…” I mumble. I’m fairly certain they mentioned it earlier, but it is hard to cut out that natural instinct of worrying about defenses.

  Tazuna smiles, as she approaches the glass railing of the floor we are on. “As you can see, there’s many rooms for teaching. While also having a large common area for students to talk to friends.”

  I approach the glass railing next to her, examining the grand scale of it all. Large rectangular pillars seem to connect to the ceiling high above, going through each floor. Across from us lay a symmetrical floor. With stairs below to a large grand hallway. Full of umamusume, each wearing the same uniform as myself. They sit on chairs and around tables, talking and laughing with each other.

  “Your population of students… their morale seems high.” I can’t help but let out, seeing smiling faces. Something I always enjoyed amongst my own regiment. “And with how you’ve explained things, they don’t fear… the shadow of death around corners?” I pause, my hand going to my chin. “It must be easier to keep joyful faces when fear of the unknown isn’t around each corner.”

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  Symboli Rudolf approaches the railing next to me, arms folded. “Fear of the unknown is still around each and every corner for every uma.” She peeks over towards my face. “Their fears may very well feel the same to them that yours did to you back in your day. Just because fear of sudden death might not be their top concern, they still have their own anxieties, and how to live with any consequences the unknown may bring.”

  I see many smiling faces of the girls. “Perhaps that’s just human, and horse human, nature.” I let out with a sigh. “Even in a world of peace, fears will continue to push others towards preparation of the unknown.”

  Yayoi smiles, as she reaches up to lay her elbows on the railing. “Rudolf, you’re quite good with her.”

  I gaze out towards the windows to my right, seeing another architectural wonder through it. “And you said you have multiple buildings of this… level?”

  Tazuna turns and smiles at me. “Yes! We have an indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, a training track, outdoor stage and many others!”

  I pause. “Indoor… swimming pool?” My eyes close as I try my best to think. “A pond inside? Is that not simply a bathhouse?”

  Yayoi opens her fan and smiles. “Oh! You’ll be amazed! Let’s go there right now!” She instantly begins running down the stairs.

  “Director!” Tazuna lets out. Before giving a sigh of resignation. “We had better follow her quickly. She always loves showing people around Tracen.”

  I try my best to keep up, heading down the steps to the main floor. The way my clothes… move, begins to get to me. The skirt swaying, leaving way too much open air where greaves or breeches should be. My tail constantly whipping back and forth isn’t helping. I can feel my ears pull back.

  “That’s also an issue.” I mumble to myself. My ears are reactionary to my emotions. No matter how much I compose myself in stressful situations, my ears will give my true feelings away. In the battle of discussion, keeping one’s outward emotions in check is key. However, I’m now an open book. I just pray that this world may rely less on pointed debate than my old world. Otherwise, despite having physical strength beyond what I’m used to, there’s still disadvantages.

  Rudolf follows me, and seems to catch my ears back. “Is something bothering you?”

  “Yes.” I sigh, doing my best to move quickly after the director and secretary in my uniform. “The fact my ears tell you of my emotions is a bother.”

  “Through practice you should be able to control them.” She nods. “My vice president and I tend to keep ourselves composed.” She pauses. “Well, until I tell a joke, I tend to see Air Groove react outwardly to it.”

  “Air Groove?” I mumble. “That Tokei Teio mentioned her.”

  “Yes.” She smiles. “She is vice president of the student council. An uma I depend on plenty, and she is very trusted.”

  “Did her parents worship the wind spirits?”

  Rudolf pauses, as her eyebrow raises at me.

  “I have not heard the name ‘Air’ used for someone’s child before.”

  Rudolf mouth opens as if she understands. “Right. I mentioned earlier, but it is believed that all umamusume inherit their names from worlds beyond ours.” She turns to me. “In a way, having your name from your life before follows the same rules.”

  “Ah, I understand.” I nod. “So, perhaps Air Groove was a name for a wind spirit?”

  Rudolf pauses. “We’ll go with that understanding for now.”

  We swiftly follow Yayoi and Tazuna, to the “swimming pool” previously discussed. Yayoi stands in front of the door, she points her fan at me.

  “Hmhmhm! Aven prepare to be amazed at what can be done with the technology of modern Japan!”

  I stare at her and raise an eyebrow. “I don’t think it can possibly be as amazing as your communication slabs, but I suppose I’m mentally preparing.”

  Yayoi pauses. “Okay, yeah, probably not as impressive as smart phones. But still!” She pulls the doorhandle with both her hands, seeming to need the strength from each.

  I admit, I certainly am surprised. This is no mere bathhouse. There appears to be a large hole in the ground, filled to the brim with water, and not any ordinary water, it is quite possibly the bluest water I’ve ever laid eyes on. With blue competing with the vast ocean itself. Umas of all types wear these dark blue outfits.

  “I have several questions.” I let out, looking at the scene, noticing what appears to be execution planks tall above the water. “One very important.” I point to the ladders with the planks. “Those… have me concerned, but I assume I am wrong with this world you’ve painted for me.”

  Tazuna looks where my finger is pointing. “Diving boards?”

  “Yes. First question. What are those?”

  Yayoi smiles approaching and unfurls her fan. “Diving boards! It’s mostly for fun! You climb up the ladder, then jump in the water below!”

  I pause. Already sounds less grim than what we would be ordered to do to traitors off those, but I need to be clear. “That is safe?” I ask. “To jump so high, would you not severely injure your legs?” I pause. “Wait, are uma more resistant to damage as well? What kills a human wouldn’t harm them?”

  Tazuna shakes her head as she waves her hands back and forth. “No, no, no!” She lets out quickly. “Umamusume are still very prone to injuries! Don’t be reckless!” She points to the diving boards. “However, these have been tested and made sure to be safe when jumping into a pool of water below.”

  “Have you ever swam back when you were home?” Yayoi asks curiously.

  I pause. “It wasn’t exactly… safe for anything this deep.” I mumble, peeking into the large rectangular pool of water ahead. “I was commonly encased in armor, and falling into the water would cause me to drown anyway, so I never saw much reason to do it outside of cleaning.”

  Yayoi jumps back. “Er, right! I assume armor would make it hard.” She then opens her fan, as I see writing has returned on it, reading “Rule 2.” “Rule 2, young Aven! Swimming is a powerful way to exercise your muscles for running! You will have to learn how to swim!”

  My mouth opens, and then closes. “I suppose that can’t be helped…” I sigh, looking at the students around swimming, appearing happy. “Why do they wear dark blue clothes? Does it not hamper their ability to swim?”

  Rudolf’s mouth opens, then she covers her mouth. “We REALLY must teach this girl modesty.”

  Tazuna steps forward. “So, Aven, I know you seem… overly nonchalant about your body being seen. You see, nowadays. It’s often seen as embarrassing to not have clothes on.”

  I pause. “Huh?” I tilt my head slightly, confused by the idea. “But the goddess molded our bodies as they are.” I pause. “How are baths supposed to work if it is so embarrassing?” I then sigh. “Unless you’re going to tell me baths have been replaced by Luna beams.”

  Tazuna pauses, staring at me taken aback. “Well, baths are a bit different. Normally you clean yourself before relaxing in a bath, not to mention, it’s commonly done in a private setting only around those of the same sex, or those close to you. But Tracen Academy doesn’t have bath houses.” She turns her head to me. “Wait, how did baths work where you came from?”

  “Baths are done once a week, to help with cleanliness. It would be done to remove any attempted parasites, such as lice or fleas. Those in similar classes would tend to bathe together to not waste water.”

  Yayoi gasps, covering her mouth. “No! No! NO!” She unfurls her fan and then reopens it. “Rule 3” It says in black ink on it. “Rule 3, tenacious Aven! Cleaning is done by oneself! Baths are only allowed after cleaning yourself beforehand! And you must clean yourself everyday!”

  I pause. “E-Everyday? Isn’t that a lot of wasted time?”

  Rudolf sighs. “Aven. If you don’t clean yourself everyday, you will smell.” She folds her arms. “And smelling poorly would poorly represent Tracen Academy.”

  I fold my arms, ears naturally leaning back. “I suppose… you must have created a way that makes cleaning easier, so I’ll trust your judgement for now.”

  After leaving the swimming pool, the three take me to the next stop, a stage that appears to have plentiful benches around it. As we approach, I pause to look at it. “Ah, so this must be done for important announcements?” I ask, looking at the seating.

  Tazuna smiles. “Actually, those are done with the cell phone, or intercom.”

  I stop for a moment. “Right… glass slab…” The idea that a single creation trivializes so many aspects of normal life is still jarring, it doesn’t sit right with me. As for intercom, I don’t know what it is, but I assume it’s similar to a glass slab.

  Yayoi smiles, fanning herself. “This is actually a stage to practice for concerts!”

  Concerts? Another unfamiliar word. The only other idea I can think of a stage for is plays? “Is a concert those stories acted out on a stage? The type nobles would attend?”

  Tazuna speaks up. “It’s similar! What you’re thinking of is a play! A concert is when music is played and others sing and dance to it!”

  Huh? “Is that not similar to a noble party? Where they wear fine clothes and try to make connections with each other?”

  Rudolf turns. “A concert is done by one or more people on stage singing and dancing to music. Performing for a crowd of people.”

  “That’s… entirely new, I know of bards playing music in towns and nobles hiring musicians to play during balls. But… to play and perform to a large number of gatherers?” I turn to Tazuna. “Is this common in this world?”

  “Well, it is pretty common with umamusume!” She smiles.

  “Oh?” I mumble. Horses never did such a thing back in my world, or anything similar, to perform in front of others? “What makes it so common for umas here?”

  “After winning a race, a concert is held for the audience, those who win the race sing and dance in front of the crowd.”

  “Sing… and dance? For winning a race?” My face shifts to complete confusion. “So they dance together? Holding one’s hand in the other?”

  Yayoi shakes her head. “No, not like that. It’s dancing individually.”

  “Dancing… individually? That’s… not how dancing works?” I mutter, looking at the three of them as they are speaking nonsense. “Dancing is done between two attempting to form a bond at parties of nobles.” I shake my head. “It is impossible to be done individually, your definition of dancing in this world is incorrect.”

  Yayoi smiles, fanning herself. “What you’re thinking is ballroom dancing, dancing has evolved a lot beyond that! Now dancing is when someone moves their body to music! So it can be anything!”

  Moving body to music? By oneself? “And… umamusume who win races are supposed to do that?”

  “Yes.” Tazuna smiles. “It’s an honor to get to be the center stage after a race and sing to fans.”

  “Fans…?” My face scrunches up as I look to Yayoi’s fan confused.

  Tazuna sees where my eyes go and holds her hands out. “No, not those types of fans. Fans are also… a name for people who enjoy someone, even if that person doesn’t know them back.”

  My mind tries to attach it to something I’m familiar with. “So… like gladiators?”

  “Yes!” Yayoi points to me with her fan. “Those who perform for an audience! Although, racing is less gruesome than gladiator fights!”

  Rudolf nods. “Yes, and it’s also why you must race in order to get closer to finding who you’re looking for, Archibald.”

  I fold my arms, trying to make the connection in my mind. “How does racing help me find Archibald’s location?”

  Yayoi points at me. “You see, when umamusume participate in races! They get fans! Winning races causes word to spread! You said the three goddesses said you’d meet him again! So the best chance is to win races and hope he will find you!”

  “Huh…” I fold my arms. “It… I don’t fully understand it. But I suppose I’ll take your word for it for now. You know more about this place than I do.” I look at the stage. “So, I must learn how to race, and then when I win a race, I must sing and dance on a stage?”

  Rudolf nods with a smile. “Exactly.”

  “Can I politely decline the last part?”

  “No.” Rudolf folds her arms with a stern expression. “It would disappoint the audience and insult the name of Tracen Academy.”

  “Right. Tracen’s name.” I let out a sigh. “I have no idea how to race, nor dance, nor sing. I’m expected to need to learn these skills to find Archibald. Skills that by themselves serve no purpose back in my world…” I squeeze my elbows tightly as I fold my arms. “Those goddesses may have pulled a cruel trick on me. Holding my unity with Archibald beyond all these tasks…”