Returning to the entrance tunnel, Dream Weaver instinctively gasped for air, but after a few breaths, she realized her body wasn't actually tired. This reset had come too quickly, leaving her mind still lingering on that track.
She soon became aware of this, though. Turning around, she pressed her forehead against the cold wall, trying to cool herself down physically and regain her composure.
Her black bangs fell before her eyes. Through the gaps in her hair, she stared at the wall and muttered to herself.
"When Tokai Teio reached the finish line, I was still about ten meters away… so that's roughly six or seven lengths behind."
"Six or seven lengths, huh…"
(T/N: 67…)
Dream Weaver lowered her voice and repeated the words.
"A gap like that…"
"It's almost like declaring to all the competitors—'You stand no chance against me.'"
She suddenly let out a long sigh, then turned around and patted her cheeks, shaking off the disappointment from her recent failure.
"If I only had one chance, maybe it really would be impossible."
"But for someone like me, with endless opportunities, it's just a goal I'll eventually achieve."
"What I need to do now is review the last race."
Unconsciously pursing her lips, she began to ponder.
"First, the late chasing strategy was effective. It not only helped me break away from the pack of slower Uma Musume but also allowed me to use what I learned in the first race."
"Although my unfamiliarity with the style meant I couldn't find the optimal path, my D-level Guts came through for me once again."
"Without those factors combined, there's no way I could've completed Stage Mission One on just my second attempt."
"Right now, the biggest gap between me and Tokai Teio is our base stats."
"To overtake the second place by six or seven lengths, her main attributes must already be at D-rank. To have that kind of ability in her debut race… she's truly a genius."
As this thought crossed her mind, she silently called up "System" in her head. Just as she imagined, the blue screen appeared before her eyes.
Dream Weaver swiped across the screen and noticed that, aside from the already familiar panels—Status, Missions, and Shop—there was now an option labeled "Items." The reward from completing Stage Mission One should be here.
She opened the inventory and found a vial glowing with a strange blue light displayed as an image. Holding it down brought up a detailed description.
--+--
[Potential Stimulant (E → D Rank)]
[Description: A mysterious potion found only in initial mission rewards. It can upgrade one of an Uma Musume's attributes from E-rank to E+-rank, or from E+-rank to D-rank.
Note: "Way easier than training!" —An anonymous Uma Musume still stuck at D+ rank to this day.]
--+--
Reading the last line, Dream Weaver gave a wry smile. She'd always thought the system was pretty serious, never expecting it to include notes like this on items.
"Number thirteen, Dream Weaver!"
Before she could fully process this contrast, she heard her name called by the announcer.
Is it time already?
After tying her ribbon, Dream Weaver stepped back into the rain.
As she walked, she continued pondering which attribute to use the Potential Stimulant on.
E-rank represented the minimum requirement for admission to Tracen Academy, while E+-rank meant an Uma Musume had the ability to finish in the top five in a debut race.
D-rank symbolized top-tier strength in debut-level competitions. Even in the lowest tier of official races, stats at this level would make one stand out among undeveloped Uma Musume, like a crane among chickens.
Therefore, Tokai Teio, whom Dream Weaver deduced had D-rank main attributes, possessed such terrifying dominance.
For her, the wisest choice was undoubtedly to upgrade an E+-rank attribute to D-rank.
But which one should it be?
Standing in the rain, Dream Weaver stroked her chin and silently called up her Status panel. She stared at her E+-rank Speed and E+-rank Stamina, deep in thought.
Speed? Or Stamina?
In the previous race, she could clearly feel her stamina running out. If she raised her Stamina to D-rank, she might be able to sprint all the way to the finish.
But her Guts were already at D-rank. When her stamina was nearly depleted, it granted her an extra burst of power, helping her push further. If her Speed had been at D-rank back then, perhaps she could've taken the victory.
Both options offered a path to victory, but which was the best choice?
"All contestants, please take your positions!"
The announcer couldn't possibly know about Dream Weaver's dilemma. The brief interval after all the contestants had entered was over, and it was time to call them to their positions.
Seeing that time was short, Dream Weaver simply gave up on deliberating.
Questions born on the track should be resolved on the track.
She'd race again—her instincts would provide the right answer.
Following the group of Uma Musume, Dream Weaver entered the starting gate. Facing this track for the third time, she was surprised to find that she could now simulate the trajectories of most Uma Musume after the start in her mind.
'Don't tell me—'
A thrill of excitement surged within her. Although she had guessed that the reset mechanism would benefit the end closer strategy, only upon returning to the track did she truly feel the magnitude of this improvement.
'I thought the boost from the second race was nearing its limit, but now, on the third attempt, it's actually increased instead?'
'If this rate of improvement continues, eventually I'll have the entire race memorized. I'll perfectly grasp every opponent's path and the ideal moments to overtake on the curves.'
Dream Weaver narrowed her eyes, lost in thought.
'After this reset, I've been so focused on the attribute gap… Did Tokai Teio's overwhelming lead affect me that much? I didn't even remember this ability until I stepped onto the track.'
Recalling the lone skill on her Status panel, she reached a conclusion.
'It has to be the Concentration skill. Did I underestimate it?'
'And what about Intelligence? If it synergizes with Concentration, maybe the combined effect is greater than the sum of its parts.'
This sudden piece of good news made her unconsciously relax her furrowed brow, and her thoughts even began to wander a bit.
'Am I… an intelligence-type Uma Musume?'
After calming herself slightly, Dream Weaver fixed her deep, determined eyes on the starting gate ahead.
Now, all she needed was to keep gathering information—victory was within reach!
BANG!
The starting gun fired, and thirteen Uma Musume burst out of the gates.
--+--
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.