One Day, My Dad Disappeared - Chapter 31

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 31
I examined the poster once more.
If that really is a Core, it means I’d have to place first to get it, doesn’t it?
Me and Equestrian Skills? Well, I could manage it casually, but I had absolutely no ability to compete seriously at a formal event. In the first place, I’d only ever learned the refined posture of ladies’ riding.
The Equestrian Classes at the academy were nothing more than a “refined subject.” Naturally, the female students had learned only to ride horses with elegant grace on leisurely rides—not to gallop.
But suddenly, an equestrian competition?
Riding and galloping? Even jumping over obstacles like that?
I felt my expression harden. There was no way I could manage it.
“What are you so worried about?”
“My lord?”
I wasn’t sure how long he’d been listening, but Aidan puffed out his broad chest and spoke.
“I’ll be the one entering the competition this time.”
“You, my lord?”
“What’s with that look? Believe it or not, I’ve been riding since I was very small.”
Did my expression give me away again?
Even with all my practice looking in the mirror lately, my feelings still seemed to show plainly on my face.
“Are you certain, my lord? You’ll have to gallop on horseback.”
“Of course. Have you forgotten we share the same goal?”
That was true—Aidan would certainly be better suited than I would be.
“Wait, just a moment! If you’re going to enter, I’d like to be on a team with you!”
Meliot raised his hand and called out.
“A team?”
“Yes. As you can see, this equestrian competition requires three people per team.”
“It’s not just one person competing?”
I examined the poster again.

[Entry Requirements: Teams shall consist of three members total—one Horse Manager, one Rider, and one Assistant. Teams wishing to participate must register with the Turtley Equestrian Association no later than two weeks before the competition.]

“I understand the Rider and Horse Manager roles, but what exactly does an Assistant do?”
“Simply put, someone who handles miscellaneous tasks—checking equipment, treating injuries if they occur, that sort of thing.”
So Aidan could be the Rider, I could serve as Assistant, and Meliot would handle the horses. That could work.
I glanced sideways at Meliot. He seemed to have a good disposition, and he had his own difficult circumstances, from what I’d gathered earlier.
Besides, among the three of us, he clearly knew the most about horses, so he’d be a real asset.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but my family has our own people for horse management. It would be more convenient for my mount to be cared for by someone who usually tends to it.”
But Aidan quickly drew a line.
It seemed he didn’t know Meliot’s circumstances, but should I explain them now?
“W-wait, but the horses are determined by lottery at registration!”
“…What?”
“Well, that’s the particular charm of this equestrian competition, I suppose. When you register, you draw for your horse by lottery. You get to know that horse as you prepare for the competition.”
“So the horse you draw could turn out to be mediocre.”
“Every horse competing in this tournament is an Excellent Horse!”
Meliot assured us that Turtley Village had no inferior horses, then continued.
“I was born and raised in Turtley Village, so I know the horses’ strengths and weaknesses well! Ah, and I also know what kind of course the competition will be! And most importantly, I can bond with any horse, and—”
Meliot’s words spilled out more insistently.
“I really need the Excellent Horse Breeding Right….”
I did want to help him, but could I actually persuade Aidan?
Wouldn’t it increase their chances of winning if Aidan let one of his family’s people manage his horse, as they had been doing all along?
“An Excellent Horse Breeding Right?”
Those dry green eyes slowly scanned the poster beside him.
“Hmph. For a small village competition, the prizes seem rather modest.”
“The competition is actually quite large-scale!”
Meliot’s voice rose, as if he’d taken offense.
“As you know, our village is famous as a source of Excellent Horses, so people from neighboring areas actually come to the competition if they need horses. The prize money alone—the Excellent Horse Breeding Right is worth several thousand Gold.”
“So you want the most valuable Excellent Horse Breeding Right in particular?”
At Aidan’s sharp question, Meliot fell silent.
“Uh, my lord.”
I was about to persuade him by pointing out that all we really needed was a Saddle anyway, so wouldn’t it be better to give the Breeding Right to Meliot—
“Fine.”

“Pardon?”
“Instead, you take only the Excellent Horse Breeding Right. We’ll keep all the other prizes.”
“Really? That’s wonderful! You can count on me!”
Watching Meliot beam with joy, I felt a flush of pride—but something about Aidan’s nature told me he wouldn’t hand over responsibility so easily.
Then I caught the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth. What was that? Was this planned?
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Once Meliot had left, I pressed Aidan quickly.
“If you were going to agree anyway, why did you make him wait like that?”
“Can’t be too careful. Kid’s got a real way with horses—he might ask for the saddle later.”
“So you were planning to give him the job from the start?”
He nodded lightly at my question.
“Saw how he handled the horses in the stable earlier.”
The horse Aidan had brought today was an excellent one, blessed with remarkable speed, but he mentioned it had a particular aversion to being handled. The way Aidan described it, you’d think the animal was downright difficult.
“Our horses have never been this docile. The stable hands who look after them every day can barely touch them without getting bitten.”
But Meliot was skilled. The way he’d calmed that temperamental animal in mere moments was extraordinary.
“Of course, if I put out word for a talented handler, I’d find plenty. But finding someone who truly understands the competition itself? That’s harder. His father apparently competed a few times, so he might have valuable information to share.”
“Oh, so you thought all that through? You did it on purpose?”
“Negotiation is push and pull. Make them wait, and they want it more.”
He was far more calculating than I’d given him credit for.
Either way, I’d finally found a lead to the second Core.
I had to obtain it, no matter what it took.
What followed was intensive training. Aidan rode far better than I’d expected—his posture clean and assured as he cleared obstacles from horseback with grace.
“How is it?”
“You’re doing well.”
“Mm.”
While I offered earnest praise, Meliot remained clinical.
“Your hips are too high.”
Or maybe that was what being professional meant?
“When you rise that much over an obstacle, your weight destabilizes the horse’s center.”
Aidan gathered the reins and leaned forward deeper into the saddle.
“Like this?”
“A bit more. Yes, that’s it.”
When Aidan cleared the obstacle in the posture Meliot suggested, the descent was noticeably more stable than before.
“Shall we try the full course now?”
“Already?”
This Equestrian competition consisted of three distinct courses. First came a two-mile gallop across open prairie, scattered with log obstacles—nothing too daunting, easy to clear at speed before the real gauntlet appeared: a series of fences of varying heights, the tallest reaching four feet.
After clearing ten fences, came the final phase: an agility section.
A sharp turn led into a steep incline; crest that and the finish line lay just beyond.
“Do you think we’re ready to run the full course?”
“But we only have two weeks left until the competition.”
At Meliot’s words, Aidan stared at the obstacles for a moment before nodding and adjusting his grip on the reins.
“All right. Let’s give it a try.”

At Aidan’s command, the horse surged forward with power.
“Three minutes and five seconds to here.”
Meliot marveled as he recorded the time before entering the obstacle course.
“Last year’s champion horse did two miles in three minutes, so with proper training, you’ve got a real shot!”
It must have been an impressive time. The horse’s momentum built as it cleared each fence.
“Looking good!”
The horse was moving with far more stability than before when it launched powerfully toward the final obstacle, but the moment it landed, its hooves skidded through the loose earth.
“Ah!”
“Sir!”
The horse twisted to regain its footing quickly, but the violent shift was too much. Aidan’s body lurched sharply to the side.
Thud.
He tumbled to the ground starting from his shoulder, striking hard.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————