Though many were worried about Rice Shower's choice, people were later surprised to discover that Rice Shower had actually completed all the necessary procedures for her debut race entirely on her own.
Rice Shower possessed the experience of the all-capable young lady McQueen, as well as the experience of the Student Council President's successor Teio. These two's experiences gave Rice Shower the ability to handle such matters.
After seeing Rice Shower manage everything in an orderly fashion, the Student Council decided not to force a trainer assignment on her.
Soon, the day of the debut race arrived. Rice Shower carefully navigated around a series of accidents to reach the venue.
Rice Shower had chosen a 2000-meter mid-distance track for her debut race.
There were no ultra-long distance tracks available for debut races—otherwise, Rice Shower might have chosen a longer course.
Because the area where Rice Shower had the most confidence was her statistical advantages. The longer the distance, the more confident she was in claiming victory.
Compared to the Overlord and Teio, who were more self-assured about their abilities, Rice Shower's racing mentality was closer to McQueen's careful caution. She would instinctively choose options that gave her better odds of winning.
In this regard, she was more like McQueen.
Unlike her original counterpart, Rice Shower hadn't become an Uma Musume to change herself. She had a more concrete dream—to become the "hero" in everyone's hearts.
She genuinely wanted to dominate the track like those three before her, drawing all eyes, becoming an Uma Musume who could bring smiles to everyone.
Therefore, claiming victory was absolutely necessary. Just performing well or placing high wasn't enough. She needed definitive victory—nothing less than first place would do!
She couldn't lose. Anything other than first place was defeat. This was what Rice Shower demanded of herself.
It was precisely because she possessed this obsession that she could use ZONE's power like her dark personality.
Completely different from the other debut race competitors, Rice Shower's overwhelming presence made nearby competitors feel shock and unease just from her standing at the gate.
So this is an Uma Musume from the central circuit?
No—what kind of monster is she?!
First-time competitors from regional circuits thought this was the gap between them and central competitors. But those participating in their second debut race felt something completely different.
They'd faced central competitors before, but none of them could compare to this one in terms of presence.
This competitor seemed like an entirely different existence, occupying a higher realm than them.
...
In the spectator stands, Trainer P surveyed the audience around him. He spotted numerous high-level trainers and already-famous active Uma Musume competitors.
Since Rice Shower had no trainer, many trainers were waiting for a chance to sign this hidden genius.
Unlike those geniuses whose talent was recognized early and who grew up under everyone's expectations and attention—
Rice Shower was a hidden genius who hadn't been discovered until now.
If not for her performance at the selection race, many people probably still wouldn't know that this seemingly timid, small, and slender Uma Musume possessed such strength.
An Uma Musume who had self-awakened ZONE before debuting, entering monster-class territory!
That alone was enough to conclude that Rice Shower possessed talent rivaling any genius.
So Rice Shower had gone from being overlooked by everyone to becoming the hottest commodity in every trainer's eyes.
If she wanted to, Rice Shower probably had the opportunity to join any team at Tracen Academy. But she'd chosen to participate in her debut race alone.
This battle was crucial for Rice Shower's future development.
If Rice Shower could win this debut race beautifully, it would prove her talent was genuine—not some fleeting flash in the pan.
But if her performance in this debut race wasn't "monstrous" enough, it would certainly affect people's evaluation of her going forward.
She'll be fine. With that child's love for racing and obsession with winning, she'll definitely deliver an excellent performance.
P wasn't worried at all about Rice Shower failing her debut race. Having observed her all this time, he could declare with certainty that Rice Shower was the type of competitor who would absolutely win.
...
In the front-row seats, "Teio" and "McQueen" were watching. The biggest difference between this world and the original was that this world's "Teio" hadn't suffered a leg injury.
"Teio" and "McQueen" were among this world's top Uma Musume—active competitors who had truly mastered the supreme realms of ZONE and Flow.
They even possessed the strength to challenge the world's greatest race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
They had come specifically to observe Rice Shower's debut race today. Their trainer and other team members had gone elsewhere to watch Mihono Bourbon's debut race.
In the coming year, Mihono Bourbon and Rice Shower would be the greatest rivals for them, the current strongest. This was already certain.
"That's right—it's the aura of ZONE. And it feels like quite a troublesome type at that."
"Tokai Teio" wore a serious expression.
Possessing ZONE herself, she could more directly perceive the dominance and domain emanating from Rice Shower. She could declare with certainty that this Uma Musume would definitely become a major threat in her future.
Moreover, Rice Shower's ZONE was very close to the President's type—completely different from hers and "McQueen's" ZONEs.
"The presence is powerful. This state is nothing like a newcomer who just entered this realm."
"Mejiro McQueen" found this hard to believe.
Because this conclusion was truly astonishing and incredible.
They, with two years of racing experience, were actually inferior to a newcomer in ZONE intensity? No one would believe such a thing.
They were undoubtedly this country's strongest Uma Musume right now—competitors who would immediately enter the Hall of Fame and Dream League Series the moment they retired from the Triple Tiara series.
"I wonder what the newcomer on the trainer's side looks like. Surely they can't be this strong too?"
"Tokai Teio" was starting to feel pressure. She'd only just claimed the title of strongest not long ago, and already newcomers of this caliber were appearing in this country.
Though the audience here was sparse compared to Mihono Bourbon's debut race, many heavyweight figures were present.
First-rate trainers of this country, and active strongest-class Uma Musume competitors, among others.
Some reporters who'd chosen to come here felt certain they'd made the right call.
...
As preparation time ended, competitors at the venue stepped into their starting gates. Rice Shower's position wasn't favorable—the inner Gate 9.
For front-running competitors, both the innermost and outermost lanes were bad draws. The outermost made starting more difficult, while the innermost would affect the subsequent breakaway.
Simply put, Rice Shower was at a disadvantage in the gate draw.
This showed Rice Shower wasn't the type blessed with great luck. To claim victory, she needed sufficient real ability!
While this result wasn't good for Rice Shower personally, for spectators wanting to assess her strength, it was actually excellent.
This way, they could get a clearer view of Rice Shower's true capabilities.
Was she a flash in the pan, or talent with genuine potential? Let them confirm it through this debut race.
The signal light lit up.
The gates opened.
Bang!
Synchronized footsteps echoed across the venue. Competitors burst from the gates simultaneously. The leading front-runners immediately entered sprint mode, competing fiercely for forward positions.
Because Rice Shower hadn't used any speed skills at the start, she fell slightly behind coming out of the gate. Combined with her poor position, she was nearly trapped at the very back of the pack.
But thanks to her superior base physical abilities and small frame, Rice Shower managed to work her way from the rear back to the middle.
This one doesn't seem as strong as she looks?
Many competitors had noticed the intimidating Rice Shower before the race started.
But after the race began, Rice Shower's performance wasn't particularly impressive—quite average, even.
Is she all presence with no actual substance?
Even now, Rice Shower's aura still made nearby competitors nervous. But aside from that, her actual performance was too weak.
Rice Shower's running form looked like it had been drilled extensively, but it was completely unremarkable—nothing that made eyes light up.
With truly strong competitors or geniuses, you could tell something was different just from watching their movements—a distinctive style.
But Rice Shower had none of that.
Her performance was too ordinary. She didn't seem like a central circuit genius at all.
Then again, not all central competitors were geniuses.
Some Uma Musume were accepted by the central circuit for special skills or talent in specific areas—like the perpetually-losing Haru Urara.
So maybe she's that type of competitor?
The competitors near Rice Shower speculated among themselves.
They didn't connect Rice Shower's aura to ZONE. After all, for competitors at their level, ZONE was a legendary ultimate realm.
And news that Rice Shower possessed ZONE only circulated among higher circles. Before reaching that level, there was no way to learn such information.
"Her running style is indeed quite ordinary."
"Tokai Teio" gave her assessment.
"But her fundamentals are solid."
This was "Mejiro McQueen's" addition.
Unlike the competitors on the track, the wariness in their eyes had deepened.
Solid fundamentals plus high-level ZONE—these two things combined meant she absolutely couldn't be underestimated.
...
The race passed through the first two curves and reached the middle straightaway. At this point, the leading competitors stopped sprinting, choosing to conserve stamina and skills for the final push.
Rear competitors also began pressing forward. This was the most difficult moment for front-runners—they had to maintain their rhythm.
They needed to quickly analyze which lanes they could take, control their breathing and pace, and break from the pack at the optimal moment.
Rice Shower's eyes, occasionally flickering with dark blue flames, darted rapidly, gathering information about competitors ahead and beside her.
The Number 3 leader still has stamina reserves. She should maintain her lead.
Second-place Number 4 is showing unnatural breathing. Her stamina is running out. She'll slow down later, so I need to avoid that position when making my move.
Numbers 5 and 7 are already fighting for position. That spot could work for breaking through, but if I choose it, those two will definitely try to block me...
Countless pieces of information flowed rapidly through Rice Shower's mind. To achieve this, she'd put in untold hours of training.
For a genius like Teio, with her photographic memory and superhuman perception, this came naturally—and she could do it even better.
But Rice Shower couldn't do that. In the past, she couldn't think about anything else while running. Her field of vision could only see directly ahead, unable to perceive the broader picture.
To overcome this, Rice Shower had forced herself to recite textbook passages while running. After years of effort, she'd finally achieved a breakthrough.
Actually, there was an easier method—using ZONE's power.
Fusion had the ability to absorb opponents' racing experience and running techniques. The ZONE Rice Shower possessed was truly a power capable of defying fate.
But thinking about Fusion's "side effects," Rice Shower was unwilling to use this power. She wanted to race joyfully, not "kill" opponents for the sake of victory.
"Here we go! The curve is just ahead—the race is more than halfway done!"
The instant the announcer's voice rang out.
Competitors near Rice Shower immediately made new moves.
They competed for breakaway positions. As golden flashes appeared, their speeds increased with skill activations.
But rear competitors also surged forward at this moment.
And some competitors ahead dropped back due to insufficient speed.
Some competitors in poor positions were forcibly trapped in the middle, their skill bursts rendered meaningless.
Rice Shower did nothing. She was currently in the innermost position.
This position wasn't great, but right now, neither competitors surging from behind nor dropping from ahead could affect her.
True, her timing for breaking out was blocked—she couldn't move to the outer lane now, and entering the curve meant no extra space to push through on the inside.
But facing this situation, Rice Shower's eyes remained calm. This was her own choice.
She'd actually had a chance to move to the outer lane earlier. But doing so would have cost more stamina and time—one slip and she might have fallen behind.
And she'd noticed Number 4 ahead would slow down.
Once Number 4 slowed, competitors behind that position would inevitably face danger.
Even doing nothing, she could maintain a top-five position through the curve.
And the instant they exited the curve, space would definitely open on the inside.
At that moment, competitors ahead—having just expended energy in their burst—would struggle to accelerate again. That gap would be her chance!
The race unfolded exactly as Rice Shower had predicted.
So just as they were about to exit the curve, Rice Shower suddenly accelerated. With a terrifying sonic boom, she shot directly from the innermost position to the very front.
Competitors who'd just exited the curve hadn't even reacted when they felt a powerful gust rush past them. A pitch-black figure burst through and charged even further ahead.
A clear path.
Rice Shower's small frame became an advantage here. The competitors ahead couldn't block her in time. In the blink of an eye, Rice Shower had surged to the leading position.
"At the curve's exit, Rice Shower bursts through in one breath!"
The announcer shouted excitedly.
Spectators in the stands wore expressions of surprise.
Though many had guessed Rice Shower would make her move, they hadn't expected her to choose such a dangerous timing.
And they hadn't expected Rice Shower could hold her breath and sprint this far. This determination and explosive power were truly extraordinary.
Rice Shower then claimed victory in her debut race with a six-length lead over second place. This result proved her strength was no illusion.
At the same time, Mihono Bourbon also won her debut race with an overwhelming eight-length lead over second place.
In the next day's newspapers, the headline photos showed "The Chestnut Express" and "The Pitch-Black Assassin" winning their debut races.
Rice Shower was given the title "Pitch-Black Assassin."
This was because her running style in both races resembled that of an assassin—carrying a completely different meaning from her original counterpart's title.
And in this world, Rice Shower and Mihono Bourbon—who debuted at the same time and currently possessed comparable strength—were treated as equals.
...
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