The way Uma Musume looks at me is so scary!

When the two figures crossed the finish line together, everyone couldn't help but wonder.

Who is the champion in the end?

Their confusion didn't last long; soon, two characters appeared on the huge screen.

First place: Embroidered Star Dream.

Second place: Emperor of the East Sea.

Xiu Xingmeng turned her head and looked at the East Sea Emperor beside her, who was panting heavily. She had never seen her so disheveled before. It seemed that she had been pushed to her limit.

Xiu Xingmeng opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found that the figure of the East Sea Emperor was gradually becoming blurred.

has it ended?

She simply closed her eyes and quietly waited for the system to calculate the results.

Phase Two Task Completed

[Rewards have been distributed]

When she opened her eyes again, she was back in the empty contestant passage. Xiu Xingmeng silently looked at the ticking red alarm clock in front of her and silently read the mission panel in her mind.

[Initial Mission: Debut Battle]

I. Main Objective:

Winning the debut race championship with an absolute advantage

Reward: 3000 SP + 1 stage ticket

Looking at the four large characters 'Absolute Advantage' on the mission panel, Xiu Xingmeng repeatedly pondered the word 'absolute' in her heart, and then muttered to herself.

"System, use the potential-enhancing potion to boost my speed and intelligence."

Before the guide could call out her name, Xiu Xingmeng tied the ribbon and returned to the rain.

Let me confirm what exactly constitutes "absolute".

Chapter Six: The Real Debut Battle

Tokyo Racecourse, rain, Shigebaba.

The oppressive summer air, mixed with irritating raindrops, converged amidst the overwhelming crowd, creating a scene of scorching heat that seemed ready to evaporate at any moment.

Wet clothes, sticky skin, strangers colliding with each other, causing hot blood to surge through their bodies, transmitting this burning heat indiscriminately to everyone.

No one would feel happy in such an environment.

However, even more intense than the atmosphere was the heartfelt cheers of the people.

"Ooh ooh ooh ooh————!"

"Go, Emperor of the East Sea!"

"Let's win our debut match!"

People waved their fists with enthusiasm, their shouts piercing through the rain. Compared to the passion in their hearts that seemed to ignite them completely, what was this little bit of stuffiness?

"Next up is the racehorse girl—!"

A passionate female voice echoed throughout the arena through the broadcasting equipment. She seemed even more excited than the audience, ignoring the tedious opening script and her companion's reminders. She picked up the microphone in front of her and stood up abruptly.

As the chair creaked as it was moved, her enthusiastic introduction began.

"A genius who has shown exceptional talent since childhood, aiming for an undefeated three-time world championship!"

"Rejoice! Praise! This is the rising star even the emperor acknowledges!"

"Number 12! The Emperor of the East Sea!"

"Let us witness the starting point of your glorious path!"

Following the female host's passionate and energetic introduction, which seemed to draw all the air from her lungs, the entire audience at Tokyo Racecourse erupted in another deafening cheer.

"Oooooo ...

The rain curtain was torn apart, and the heavens and earth roared; even nature could not resist the passion of the people.

Amidst thunderous cheers from the audience, a petite figure emerged from the dimly lit passageway.

She was a petite racehorse girl with chestnut hair, a white crescent-shaped fringe swaying with her bouncy movements. In her elfin-like, light dance steps, she radiated a smile as bright as the sun, enough to dispel the surrounding dullness and gloom, waving to the audience.

His name is—Emperor of the East Sea.

"Everyone, keep your eyes peeled for my victory!"

The East Sea Emperor smiled and waved to the audience who were cheering for her, her tone still carrying the coquettishness unique to young girls, but the meaning conveyed by her words was extremely certain, as if she had already picked up the trophy and arrived at the live thank-you segment after the competition.

Her sky-blue eyes shone with unwavering confidence.

Ever since I was a child, I've witnessed the legendary racehorse Rudolph the Great winning the Triple Crown.

The little East Sea Emperor has already made up her mind to become a racehorse girl like her idol.

Even further! Achieve an unprecedented and astonishing feat of an undefeated treble.

Today's debut match is just the beginning of the legendary journey.

She will win, without a doubt!

Because she is an undisputed genius!

This petite and adorable racehorse possesses a power that can be described as genius. Her supple ankles and body make even her casual warm-up movements appear to outsiders as a beautiful dance.

Such talent made the Emperor of the East Sea the focus of attention from a young age, and he was even destined early on to be the heavy and glorious successor to the throne.

After all, normally speaking, it would be impossible for a Uma Musume debut race to have such an enthusiastic audience in this kind of weather.

But today is different; the genius racehorse girl, the East Sea Emperor, will officially step onto the stage.

What the audience wants to see here today is witness the horse racer named Donghai Diwang embark on her glorious journey.

Of course, even with such amazing enthusiasm, it's impossible to infect everyone.

For example--

Standing on the racetrack at this moment are the rivals that the Emperor of the East Sea is about to face.

"Ha... to race against an opponent like that..."

The reddish-brown-haired woman rubbed her rain-soaked, droopy hair while secretly glancing at today's protagonist out of the corner of her eye.

"Is this the unique radiance of a protagonist?"

"I'm about to get sunburned... even though it's a rainy day."

The brown-haired, brown-eyed racehorse girl sighed helplessly, then subconsciously made a joke about her somewhat depressing words. Using self-deprecation to protect herself seemed to have become an instinct.

"Even though the name is something like 'Excellent Qualities,' it can only be 'excellent' at best. It's impossible for it to compete with a protagonist like this..."

As she spoke, Excellent Quality couldn't help but sigh again.

But then, as if remembering something, she shook her head vigorously, as if to shake off the negative emotions in her mind, and patted her cheeks, muttering to herself.

"But... for everyone in the shopping district, we have to keep going, no matter what."

After exhaling and slightly invigorating himself, Excellent Quality withdrew his peripheral vision.

After all, if I keep watching, the confidence I've just managed to build up will be crushed again.

Just as she began to take a deep breath and prepare herself mentally, her excellent ears, wrapped in red and green ribbons, noticed the announcer's voice introducing the next racehorse.

A calm, middle-aged male voice rang out, as if the female host needed to calm her overly excited emotions and handed the task of introducing the topic over to her partner.

"Ahem, now please welcome the next contestant, number thirteen, Xiu Xingmeng."

"This seems to be a racehorse girl who has just enrolled in Treisen. Her entrance exam results look quite ordinary, and she doesn't seem to be very popular. Hopefully, she can shine in today's race."

Upon hearing this, the person with excellent qualities twitched their ears.

"Eh?"

Hearing this, she couldn't help but shift her attention away from herself, and was slightly taken aback. This was just too unlucky!

Not only did he appear after the East Sea Emperor, today's absolute protagonist, but he also pitifully ranked last in popularity. Can there really be such a chosen unlucky guy in this world?!

Without realizing it, the excellent woman silently mourned for the unfortunate racehorse girl, while her curiosity led her to secretly glance towards the entrance passage.

My gaze followed the eyes of someone with excellent qualities.

In the rain, a petite racehorse girl emerged from the tunnel. She appeared to be a little taller than the Emperor of the East Sea. Her black hair was casually tied into a single ponytail with a red ribbon, swaying gently in the rain with each step.

Her face became blurred by the rain, and all that could be seen were her fair skin, which stood out starkly against the dark sky, and her strikingly black eyes.

The rain seemed to wash away all emotions, but even with excellent qualities, one could not see anything clearly in those dark eyes.

Looking at the figure that was almost entirely composed of black and white, a strange sense of familiarity arose in her. While her brain was considering whether to go up and comfort her, her feet had already unconsciously walked towards the racehorse girl named Xiuxingmeng.

As they drew closer, Excellent Manners finally figured out how to greet her after a period of wild brainstorming.

However, when she actually got closer to Xiu Xingmeng, she found that the look in those dark eyes was completely different from everything she had imagined—

They are all different.

There was no frustration, no disappointment, not even the slightest bit of unease.

As a horse girl making her debut on the racetrack, and as an unknown nobody appearing behind the protagonist, her eyes were remarkably calm.

Chapter Seven: Who is the Genius?

"Excellent qualities?"

It's a question, but the tone sounds very certain.

When the racehorse girl in front of her suddenly called out her name, she was a little flustered. She rubbed her already tangled hair and said...

"Oh, oh. Do you know me?"

Upon hearing the question about excellent qualities, the racehorse girl suddenly laughed and said...

"I've heard of her; she's a very talented racehorse girl."

"Huh?! Me? Me? No, that's not true. I'm just an ordinary racehorse girl."

Suddenly praised for her excellent qualities, her cheeks flushed, her fingers couldn't help but twirl around in her hair, and her eyes became unfocused.

Unexpectedly, the racehorse girl, after seeing the excellent qualities and becoming shy, still wouldn't let her go, and continued to say...

"Excellent qualities, your name suits you very well."

Looking at You Yuzhi's face, which was so flushed it was almost steaming, she chuckled, patted You Yuzhi on the shoulder, and walked towards the gate alone.

"What kind of stranger compliments someone like that right off the bat? I don't know if they're just too oblivious or too malicious."

Gazing at the striking red ribbon against the gray rain, Excellent Quality covered his cheek and muttered to himself.

Xiu Xingmeng was unaware of the self-talk of someone with excellent qualities; she was simply expressing her truest thoughts.

In the replay of the initial mission, this shy horse racing girl always managed to get third place. If that's not considered excellent, then Xiu Xingmeng really doesn't know what excellence is.

Back in reality, seeing the excellent qualities that were once again walking towards her, Xiu Xingmeng couldn't help but encourage this racehorse girl who was clearly outstanding but liked to make fun of herself.

To possess such strength, one must have undergone rigorous training. Xiu Xingmeng admires hardworking people, and such individuals deserve recognition.

As she approached the gate, Xiu Xingmeng looked around and then glanced up at the gray sky.

It's time for this Tokyo racetrack, this sky, to come to an end.

"All players, please take your positions!"

As she heard the familiar, enthusiastic shouts of the commentator, Xiu Xingmeng stepped through the gate.

Meanwhile, in the VIP room of Tokyo Racecourse, a tall racehorse girl wearing a Tresson school uniform and with long chestnut hair and a white crescent-shaped fringe similar to that of the Emperor of the East Sea was also watching the racecourse through the rain.

"The student council president shouldn't be doing her job, but instead running off to watch the debut competition?"

Behind her, a tall, black-haired racehorse girl, also wearing the Tresson school uniform, spoke in an unhappy tone.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing her."

The horse girl, referred to as the president, didn't turn around, but stared at the racetrack and spoke.

"A racehorse that can make the emperor skip work must be an unparalleled genius."

Seeing that she didn't even turn her head, the horse girl standing behind her became even more displeased.

The chairman, or rather Rudolf, then turned around with a wry smile and said.