Listening to the sound of popping champagne from the commentators' booth, Dream Weaver, who had come to a halt, untied the red ribbon from her ponytail. She wrapped it around her hand and waved to the crowd.
Each wave of her hand was met, quite naturally, with roaring cheers.
This wasn't just any G1 victory—this was the Satsuki Sho, the starting point of the Classic Triple Crown. Every Uma Musume who wins this title sets foot on the path toward the Triple Crown. What's more, Dream Weaver was still undefeated, which only fueled the crowd's excitement and imagination.
And even setting aside the significance of the championship, just look at how Dream Weaver ran this race.
Not only did she seize victory with a bold Great Escape—a thrilling, long-absent tactic in the coldly calculated central circuit—but even more strikingly, a country girl had broken into the central racing scene and dethroned a star from the elite ranks, pulling down a reigning champion from her G1 throne—
And that star was none other than Orfevre.
What did it all mean? The crowd, too exhilarated to think, could only cheer. They wanted to shout and applaud, to release the restless excitement burning inside.
Even ignoring all those extra layers, it was a breathtaking, dramatic race from start to finish—and as spectators, they naturally wanted to offer their applause to the winner.
As Dream Weaver absorbed the tsunami of cheers rolling from the stands, the thunderous applause echoing through Tokyo Racecourse, a cold, mechanical voice interrupted her wave to the crowd.
[Stage One Mission Completed]
[Rewards Issued]
Hearing the prompt, Dream Weaver suddenly realized she had completed Stage Mission One: Defeat Orfevre in a fair race.
Without even leaving the track, excited, she silently thought:
'System, open the inventory.'
As soon as the thought formed, a semi-transparent blue screen appeared in her vision.
Her inventory grid still held a few training items with remaining durability from before. Dream Weaver skimmed past them and immediately spotted the reward for completing Stage Mission One.
With another thought, the details of the item—marked with a badge icon—appeared before her eyes.
--+--
[Challenger's Badge]
[Description: A reward for Uma Musume with the courage to challenge strong rivals. Each badge symbolizes a story of passion and struggle. When facing an overwhelmingly powerful opponent, all stats receive a certain boost.]
[Badge-type items do not need to be equipped; effects are active simply by possessing them in your inventory.]
[The definition of "strong rival" is based on the gap in base stats between you and your opponent. If the opponent exceeds your rank by a full tier (e.g., B to A) and surpasses you in three or more attributes, they are recognized as a strong rival.]
Note: "There's… nothing left to fear now." — A cheerful golden twin-tailed Uma Musume once said.]
--+--
Dream Weaver stared at the reward, momentarily stunned, then immediately grasped how useful it could be.
Given the rate of improvement Orfevre had shown in today's race, her base abilities would likely far surpass Dream Weaver's by the time of the Japan Derby.
Even with her Zone and multiple skills, Dream Weaver didn't dare say victory was guaranteed.
Now, with this Challenger's Badge, the gap between her and Orfevre would narrow. She didn't know exactly how much of a boost "a certain amount" meant, but some help was better than none.
It seemed her choice had been right. If she'd followed Chizuru Haibara's plan and avoided the Satsuki Sho, the Japan Derby might have been even tougher.
The Japan Derby was 2400 meters—400 meters longer than the Satsuki Sho. If she had to face Orfevre at her current level, Dream Weaver really couldn't say who would come out on top.
With that thought, she quietly clenched her fists.
The joy of victory was enough for now. Next, she had to focus on the Japan Derby, just over a month away.
"Weaver! Over here, over here!"
Just as Dream Weaver was deep in thought, a familiar voice called out from above. She looked up instinctively and was surprised to see Sumire Nanno—who had somehow slipped past the crowd—leaning over the railing at the closest section of stands.
And she wasn't alone. The whole group from Kasamatsu Tracen was there, along with Tagami Kan and Rin Akasaka.
While Dream Weaver was still taking it in, Koutarou Haibara suddenly broke down in tears right there at the track, crying openly.
"Weaver! I knew you could do it! This is Kasamatsu Tracen's first G1 title! You'll always be our pride and joy!"
Seeing the half-grayed headmaster so emotional and messy, Dream Weaver flustered. Waving her hands nervously, she said, "Principal, please calm down! I-I'm probably not the first—what about Oguri Cap, senior?"
"Of course Oguri Cap is Kasamatsu's pride too! But she was already at Central Tracen when she won her G1! So strictly speaking, you're the first G1 winner from Kasamatsu Tracen!"
"And such an important one—the Satsuki Sho! I could die happy after seeing this, I tell ya!"
Watching the tearful principal pounding his chest, Dream Weaver was at a loss.
She couldn't even imagine how much pressure this old headmaster—who had carried Kasamatsu Tracen on his back for so long—had endured through those years without support or hope.
After all that struggle, today—at the Satsuki Sho—it all finally poured out.
It made Dream Weaver sigh softly, but she had no idea how to respond. Her life experience didn't include comforting a long-struggling, pressure-bearing headmaster.
Just as she stood there helpless, Kitahara Jo smiled and patted Principal Haibara's shoulder, saying to Dream Weaver:
"Let the old man have his moment. A young person's victory calls for a proper celebration!"
"Who're you calling old, huh? Kitahara! If I don't drink you under the table tonight, I'm not the headmaster of Kasamatsu Tracen!"
Watching the two banter, Dream Weaver finally relaxed a little. It was then that Sumire, who had been watching for a while, spoke up.
She poked Chizuru Haibara in the side and said with a grin, "See? I told you she wouldn't make me lose."
Hearing how smug she sounded, Chizuru immediately called her out:
"Then who was it that asked me earlier who was going to win?"
"Who indeed? Sure wasn't me!"
Dream Weaver tilted her head in confusion, watching the two bicker for no apparent reason.
--+--
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.