Uma Musume Pretty Derby: To The Basement [22]

Tracen Academy

Training Grounds

Ten Uma Musume participating in the selection race warmed up on the track. Haru Urara was among them.

Around the outer edges of the track, new trainers eager to scout their future trainees gathered, alongside friends cheering on the competitors.

The contestants finished their warm-up and entered their starting gates.

The selection race was a 1600-meter grass course. Waiting at the finish line was a blue-haired, dark-skinned Uma Musume named Hishi Amazon, holding a sign marking the finish line.

"The selection race is about to begin! Three, two—"

Beep!

The signal flashed, marking the start of the race. Haru Urara immediately stood out—not because she was leading, but because she was late out of the gate.

All the other contestants bolted out instantly, while Urara lagged a half-step behind, scrambling forward after the rest had already gained several meters.

The commentator began narrating the event:

"In first place is Hinagiku, second is Konankai, followed closely by Happy Meek!"

"Fourth place is... fifth place is…"

"And bringing up the rear is Haru Urara."

"All right, the contestants have now passed the second turn—let's check positions again."

"Now leading is Konankai, with Hinagiku in second. Happy Meek still firmly holding onto third!"

"We've reached the final turn! What will the Uma Musume do now?"

"Happy Meek breaks out! She's challenging Konankai!"

"Happy Meek shows no signs of slowing! Happy Meek crosses the line!"

"First place goes to Happy Meek! Konankai takes second, and Hinagiku is third!"

By the time the commentator was tallying results, Urara had just cleared the fourth corner, far behind everyone else.

Ultimately, Urara finished tenth, trailing ninth place by six full lengths.

As Urara crossed the finish line, she didn't look as composed as the others. She leaned over, gasping heavily, clearly exhausted.

"As expected." Mizuno Sora scratched his head.

Honestly, he wasn't surprised at all.

Perhaps dozens of painful inoculations named [Arima Kinen] had prepared him for this moment, making Urara's last-place finish entirely unsurprising.

No matter how strong you were in a game, reality was different.

As a local-level Uma Musume mistakenly recruited due to an academy system error, Urara simply couldn't compete with the innate talent of the central elites. While you could grind attributes in games, reality had fixed limits—training had its ceiling.

The legend of never winning wasn't a joke. In reality, making Urara win first place was as challenging as scaling the heavens.

Yet life's meaning didn't lie solely in victories.

With countless challenges and strong opponents out there, who could always come first?

Urara's true worth was in her resilience. Despite countless defeats, she never grew dispirited. Instead, she smiled brighter each time, spreading happiness wherever she went.

That was why Sora chose her.

And also because Urara was an angel immune to the taint of cursed fanfiction.

Isn't that right, Tokai Teio?

Sora climbed over the railing, heading toward Urara.

Other new trainers flooded the track, scrambling to recruit the Uma Musume they had their eyes on.

"You're Happy Meek, right? My name's Hiroshima Baoza. I have absolute confidence in my strength. Your talent somewhat matches mine—become my trainee, and you'll want for nothing."

"Greetings, Miss Happy Meek. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Kiryuin Aoi, a freshman trainer and sole daughter of the renowned Kiryuin training dynasty…"

"Miss Hinagiku, my name is Kaneshiro Takeru. Your graceful running deeply touched my heart…"

Recruiting was fierce, particularly around the top three finishers.

Unsurprisingly, Urara, finishing last, attracted no attention and could only gaze wistfully at her classmates being eagerly scouted.

"Urara." A hand tapped her gently on the back.

She turned, seeing Sora.

"Ninja-san!" Urara shouted excitedly.

"Ninja-san..." Sora cringed inwardly. That nickname was beyond embarrassing.

"Just call me Mizuno. After all, a ninja's identity can't be exposed."

"Okay, Mizuno-san!" Urara cheerfully saluted.

"I'm sorry, Mizuno-san—I didn't keep my promise and get first place. But I was faster than last time! Next time, I'll definitely win!"

"I believe you."

"Yay! Urara will try even harder!" Fired up, Urara brimmed with enthusiasm.

"Is Mizuno-san here to recruit an Uma Musume too?"

"Yeah."

"Which one caught your eye? It's Meek-chan, right? She's amazing! I couldn't catch her at all. Hurry, or another trainer will grab her first!"

Urara assumed Sora, like the others, was aiming for the top three finishers, eagerly encouraging him.

But Sora pointed directly at her.

"No, I'm here to recruit you."

"Huh?" Urara froze.

"Me? But I was dead last."

Sora took a deep breath, delivering the speech he'd rehearsed countless times in his head.

"Urara, what do you think the true talent of a ninja is?"

"Talent of a ninja?" Urara tilted her head, puzzled.

"Is it mastering lots of incredible ninja techniques?"

Sora shook his head.

"No, a ninja is someone who endures everything."

"The greatest ninja talent isn't how many techniques you master—it's the perseverance never to give up!"

"No one's life is smooth sailing. Failure is a constant companion. That's just life."

"A true champion faces failures head-on, using them as fuel to tackle the next challenge."

"Urara, in terms of never giving up, you're first place!"

"That's why I choose you—the Uma Musume who wins at perseverance."

Just as Sora thought this speech would bring Urara to tears, she squinted, head wobbling dizzily.

"Trainer-san's words are so deep, Urara doesn't understand…"

"Guh!" Sora nearly coughed up blood.

His meticulously prepared emotional speech was completely lost on Urara!

"But I'm so happy!" Urara flashed a brilliant smile.

"Urara finally has a trainer—and he's the super-amazing Ninja-san! With Trainer-san's help, Urara will definitely become super strong!"

"Ah, well…"

It turned out all he needed was to say he'd be her trainer. The grand speech had been entirely unnecessary.

"I look forward to working together, Trainer-san!" Urara extended her hand.

"Me too." Sora reached out, shaking her hand firmly.

…

[Quest Complete—Become Haru Urara's Trainer]

Quest Grade E

Reward: None

Recommendations:

Remove Doctor's Outfit; reveal your true self to Urara.

Buy a ring, slip it onto Urara's finger, and swear to be together forever.

…

[Main Quest Complete— (Quest #1) Join Tracen Academy And Become The Trainer Of An Uma Musume].

Reward: Doctor's Outfit extended for one week

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