Before Dream Weaver could even process her shock, that cold, mechanical voice echoed in her ears once more.
[Initial mission timeline constructed. Current failure count: one.]
"Timeline? Initial mission? What on earth—"
She blurted out her confusion without thinking, and as if in response, a semi-transparent blue panel unfolded before her eyes.
--+--
[Initial Mission: Debut Race]
I. Main Objective
Win the debut race by a dominant margin.
Rewards: 3000 SP + Stage Ticket ×1
II. Stage Objectives
1. Finish within the top three.
Rewards: 500 SP + Potential Stimulant ×1 (E→D rank)
2. Surpass Tokai Teio.
Rewards: 1000 SP + Potential Stimulant ×2 (E→D rank) + Repair Kit ×1
Note: This is the initial mission. The debut race will repeat indefinitely until completed. Current failure count: one.
Note: If unable to complete, you may choose to exit the mission. Repetition will end automatically, and the system will shut down.
--+--
Dream Weaver frowned unconsciously at the sudden blue screen and muttered to herself.
"A system? When did this show up? No, now's not the time to wonder—better figure out what it does first."
"Template? Character card? Status—oh!"
She threw out a few guesses, and as soon as she said "status," another blue panel appeared in her vision.
--+--
[Uma Musume Training System — Status]
Character: Dream Weaver
Speed: E+ [Debut Level]
Stamina: E+ [Debut Level]
Power: E [Entry Level]
Guts: D [Rising Star Level]
Wit: E [Entry Level]
Surface Aptitude: Turf A, Dirt C
Zone: None
Skill: Concentration (Blue)
[Effect: A skill honed through the pressure of two lifetimes' worth of mental fortitude. Allows easier focus during races and occasional perception of subtle shifts on the track.]
--+--
Dream Weaver stared at her stat screen, a hint of bewilderment flickering across her brow. Why did it feel like the unfamiliar terms just kept multiplying?
She tapped experimentally on the panel and found that each item expanded into a detailed explanation. She twitched her ears slightly, confirming that the announcer hadn't yet mentioned Tokai Teio's name, and began reading carefully.
"First favorite! Number twelve! Tokai Teio!"
Soon, when that familiar voice reached Dream Weaver's ears again, she let out a long, slow breath.
"I see… So it quantifies an Uma Musume's abilities into stats. D-rank means you're a rising star capable of placing in the top five in a race. C-rank corresponds to G3 races, B-rank to G2, and if you reach A-rank, you might even place in a G1."
"A Potential Stimulant limited to raising E to D rank… Is this a reward specific to the initial mission? Or will there be higher-grade versions later?"
"As for SP… probably some kind of points, likely used to exchange for items in a shop—"
The moment she said "shop," yet another blue screen unfolded before her eyes.
"It really does come the second you ask."
"But…"
Dream Weaver glanced at the shop list and noticed that this blue screen was bound by chains. Before she could examine it closely, she heard the announcer call her name.
After tying the red ribbon around her wrist, Dream Weaver stepped out of the entrance tunnel once again.
"For now, I'll just give it a try."
Stepping into the rain, she patted her cheeks and muttered to herself, as if giving herself a pep talk.
But she couldn't just run the same way again—what difference would that make from last time?
There was still a little while before the official start. This time, Dream Weaver wasn't distracted by Tokai Teio. Instead, she began planning her strategy.
First, her speed and stamina were decent.
The key was her guts. Though she couldn't make an accurate judgment herself, according to the system's rating, she should be near the top in this race.
In that case… maybe she could try an end-closing running style.
As she pondered, Dream Weaver unconsciously pressed her lips together.
Last time, I chose a stalker position but got boxed in by the main group. All I could do was watch Tokai Teio blaze ahead to win. If I try an end closure, at least I won't get stuck in the middle.
But an end closure is a risky strategy. Betting everything on the final moment is nothing short of gambling. One misstep, and not only would first place be out of reach—she might even end up worse than before.
In that scenario, forget matching her mid-pack finish from last time—she might end up dead last.
But—
Do I really need to fear that kind of risk?
For an Uma Musume with only one chance, such a risk would be enormous.
But for someone like me, with nearly unlimited tries in this debut race… isn't it all about the potential payoff?
If once isn't enough, I'll try again! If twice isn't enough, I'll go ten times!
Dream Weaver had another thought: as the number of races increased, her familiarity with the track and her opponents would grow. Under those circumstances, using a deep-closing strategy might just yield unexpected results.
"All runners, to your marks!"
The instant Dream Weaver settled on the deep-closure strategy, the announcer's voice rang in her ears.
Is it time already?
Fine. Let this be my first attempt. Or… should I call it the second?
As she walked to her position, she instinctively looked around for Nice Nature, who had shown her kindness earlier. But the chestnut-maned Uma Musume had already stepped into the gate ahead of her.
She didn't come over to say hello this time… Is it because I wasn't staring at Tokai Teio? Or did she not want to interrupt my thoughts?
Dream Weaver shook her head, clearing away the scattered thoughts, and focused on the race.
Once again, she stood before the gate. Once again, she looked through the bars at the track ahead. This time, however, her heartbeat was strangely calm. The cheers of the crowd, the announcer's excitement—none of it could distract her now.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
In her mind, scenes from the previous race replayed vividly. In Dream Weaver's eyes, the empty racecourse was already packed with roaring spectators.
The positions of all the other Uma Musume she could see last time were now fixed in her mind like markers.
"Number one's movement pattern should be like this…"
"Number nine will cut in from the middle at that point… which means numbers five and six let their guard down at that moment."
"Number seven struggled when accelerating out of the turn… Was it because the footing was too waterlogged there?"
Taking in all this information, the light in Dream Weaver's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Now, all she needed was the starter's signal!
BANG!
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.