[Phase One Mission Complete]
[Rewards Distributed]
The cold, mechanical voice echoed repeatedly in Dream Weaver's mind, leaving her momentarily dazed.
Suddenly, a chilly, damp sensation on her cheek jolted her back to reality. She turned her head and saw Narita Top Road smiling at her, holding a cold bottle of mineral water.
"Not going to the cafeteria during lunch break? What's on your mind?"
After handing the water to Dream Weaver, Narita Top Road slowly sat down beside her.
Dream Weaver twisted off the cap and took a big gulp.
After winning the G3 championship, she had completed Phase One Mission and received 1000 SP and a pair of Potential Detection Glasses. It was this reward that had left her so lost in thought she hadn't even heard Narita Top Road approaching.
Several days had passed since completing the mission, yet Dream Weaver still hadn't mustered the courage to use the glasses on herself.
Thanks to her skills and training, she had effortlessly won her debut race and the G3 event with absolute dominance. Such results would inevitably bring expectations—expectations she called the "genius" label.
Maybe, just maybe, this Uma Musume named Dream Weaver truly was a genius. The setbacks she faced in the real world were simply because she started training too late. In this scripted world where training began earlier, Dream Weaver's brilliance was finally shining through.
But deep down, she knew it was all an illusion.
She had always been aware of the gap between herself and true geniuses. Training alongside King Halo for years had taught her what real talent looked like.
Dream Weaver's only advantage was what they called "precocity."
Even if she won these two races, the truth would eventually reveal itself in future competitions.
The truth of mediocrity.
So, even though she knew it was a fantasy, even though she knew it was just an illusion, Dream Weaver subconsciously clung to this dream of being a genius.
The icy mineral water rushed down her throat, the intense chill causing her to cough uncontrollably.
"Are you okay? Don't drink so fast!"
Startled by the commotion, Narita Top Road, sitting beside her, patted her back while speaking.
"Cough cough… hack…"
Dream Weaver coughed so hard she couldn't straighten up, as if she were coughing up something more than just water.
"Top Road…"
Her voice was hoarse from the violent coughing.
"Have you ever thought about what would happen if one day you had to carry everyone's expectations to win a G1 championship… but ended up failing?"
Hearing this question, Narita Top Road looked puzzled, but she poked her cheek with a finger and answered while thinking.
"I'd probably cry from frustration."
After saying this, she scratched her rosy cheek somewhat sheepishly.
Finally stopping her cough, Dream Weaver slowly lifted her head from her knees and said weakly,
"What are you, a kid?"
"Hey, you—"
Hearing this, Narita Top Road's face reddened even more, and she retorted with a hint of defiance,
"Then what would you do if you failed?"
"I can't afford to fail."
Dream Weaver stated resolutely.
Hearing this answer, Narita Top Road glanced at her curiously, wanting to see the expression on the face of someone who could give such a confident response.
Unfortunately, Dream Weaver's bangs had grown somewhat long, covering her eyes, and Narita Top Road couldn't see anything.
For some reason, those few wispy black strands seemed as hard and cold as steel to Narita Top Road, like a high wall blocking everyone's scrutiny.
"Never failing, huh? Is that the pride of a genius?"
Giving up on trying to read Dream Weaver's expression, Narita Top Road plopped down onto the grass beneath them.
Dream Weaver watched Narita Top Road lying on the grass, gazing at the clouds, blinked, and lay down beside her.
Smelling the blend of sunlight and grass, Dream Weaver suddenly felt an itch on her cheek. She turned her head and saw golden hair and tender green blades swaying gently in the breeze.
"What do people think geniuses are like?"
Hearing this question, Narita Top Road thought Dream Weaver was asking about how others viewed her. After a moment's thought, she said,
"Confident… and strong, right? Not just in ability, but more in inner strength. It makes people can't help but marvel."
"Is that so."
Hearing Narita Top Road's words, Dream Weaver recalled the geniuses she had met.
Whether it was Tokai Teio or King Halo, they both seemed to possess that inner strength.
Tokai Teio, who could still smile and congratulate her even after losing her debut race. And King Halo, who, despite a whole year of losses, could confidently smile and call herself a top-tier Uma Musume.
Come to think of it, weren't Narita Top Road and Admire Vega the same?
Someone as warm as Narita Top Road—just being near her, you could feel the resilience within. Though she said she might cry if she failed, Dream Weaver believed that after any setback, she would surely step back onto the stage and shine again.
As for Admire Vega, Dream Weaver hadn't spoken with her much, but perhaps because of their slight similarities, she could sense the determination within her.
So many geniuses gathered here, Dream Weaver sighed silently to herself.
But this was the racetrack. The higher you climbed, the stronger your opponents became, each one capable of winning. Only the Uma Musume who stood out among them could ultimately achieve glory.
"So amazing, geniuses and all…"
Dream Weaver counted the clouds in the sky, murmuring as if to herself.
"What's this? Singing your own praises?"
Hearing this, Narita Top Road lying beside her grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"I was complimenting you."
"What's someone who won her debut race by a huge margin saying that for?"
Hearing this, Dream Weaver let out a soft, inexplicable chuckle. She hadn't expected Narita Top Road to say that.
Being called a genius by a genius? Perhaps that's really how it seemed to them.
Silently calling up the item in her mind, she pretended to pull a pair of black-rimmed glasses from her pocket.
--+--
[Potential Detection Glasses]
[Description: A seemingly ordinary pair of black-rimmed glasses that, for some reason, can reveal the potential an Uma Musume possesses.
Note: "Combat power... oh wait, potential is only E-grade, trash!" — A certain spiky-haired Uma Musume wearing strange mechanical glasses.]
--+--
After taking them out, Dream Weaver handed them to Narita Top Road, saying with feigned seriousness,
"Then why don't you confirm it for yourself? My 'combat power' or whatever."
Narita Top Road suspiciously took the glasses, put them on, blinked, and said somewhat helplessly,
"Don't take anime stuff so seriously."
"You still put them on and looked."
Hearing Narita Top Road's words, Dream Weaver chuckled and took the glasses off her face.
Through the Potential Detection Glasses, Dream Weaver saw a semi-transparent blue panel appear beside the flustered and annoyed Narita Top Road.
--+--
[Uma Musume: Narita Top Road
Potential Ceiling: A+ Grade (Legendary Uma Musume)
Description: A remarkably talented Uma Musume. Barring unforeseen circumstances, she will certainly achieve G1 victories.]
--+--
This result was no surprise to Dream Weaver.
Next, she shifted her gaze to her own hand. Another blue semi-transparent panel appeared within the glasses.
--+--
[Uma Musume: Dream Weaver
Potential Ceiling: B Grade (Elite Uma Musume)
Description: A somewhat talented Uma Musume. With diligent training reaching her ceiling, she might possibly win a G2 championship.]
--+--
This result was also unsurprising to Dream Weaver.
--+--
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.