Only One Year Left—I'll Become a Legendary Uma Musume!

"The race begins! First out of the gates is our white comet, the proud Uma Musume—Twilight Song!"

"Yes, that was a dazzling, flawless start! She didn't waste a millisecond, accelerating the instant the gates opened!"

Proud white comet?

What a strange nickname—but Twilight Song didn't have the leisure to care right now.

As an Uma Musume stepping onto the track for the very first time, she had a much more pressing matter to focus on:

Taming her own body.

It wasn't exactly surprising. After all, she'd just transmigrated. Even with incredible talent and extensive training experience, these belonged to her new body, not her mind.

How could her spirit and habitual movements instantly align with her body's instincts?

Even that spectacular start had been entirely due to instinct, purely relying on innate talent.

As expected, despite leading the pack at the start, that advantage vanished almost immediately.

Twilight Song's stride was messy, her rhythm unclear, and her center of gravity awkwardly high.

Only one outcome could result from that.

"Oh! Is Twilight Song having trouble today despite her fantastic start?"

"Yes, something seems off—or is this a deliberate change in tactics? The second favorite is already closing in! What will Twilight Song do?"

"Can this proud elite rise to the occasion?!"

Even if commentary was meant to hype the crowd, this was depressing to hear!

I have to lower my center of gravity…

And I need to swing my arms more naturally. Damn it, racing as an Uma Musume is completely different from human running, isn't it?

Twilight Song took deep breaths, letting the cool air sharpen her focus.

How exactly did the Uma Musume from the anime manage to run so fluidly?

Veteran transmigrators probably got the hang of it easily, but unfortunately, this was Twilight Song's first in every possible way. She had no choice but to adapt slowly.

Yet she couldn't be too cautious either.

After all…

If she recklessly lowered her center of gravity beyond her control, it'd be completely normal for her to crash spectacularly onto the track, right?

A fall at this speed… given how fast she was currently running, it might land her straight in a hospital bed.

No way. Time was the one thing Twilight Song couldn't afford to waste.

Not even the time spent recovering from her debut race.

She had to win—right here, right now.

Failure was absolutely unacceptable.

Twilight Song couldn't see it herself, but in her bright teal eyes, flames were already igniting fiercely.

"Twilight Song has fallen to the very back—it can't be helped! Is she having trouble with the race pace, or is something else wrong? Could it be that this prestigious Uma Musume will shock us all by losing today?"

"I wouldn't say that yet. The race is only half over, and there's still one big curve and a long final straight ahead. What if Twilight Song deliberately sprinted hard at the start to throw off everyone's pacing, only to make a dramatic late-stage comeback?"

"If that's the case, it would be terrifying! But here comes the final curve—what will each Uma Musume do now?"

Twilight Song heard the commentators clearly. Overall, it was a rather ordinary race—aside from the prestigious favorite currently lagging in last place.

But isn't this enough?

Twilight Song refused to accept defeat. It wasn't pride or anything trivial—it was because her debut race had a strict timeline.

She didn't have the luxury of hesitation.

The young fillies ahead were already approaching the final curve. Was it finally time to gamble with her life?

No more wishful thinking!

She decisively lowered her center of gravity to the lowest point she felt manageable—and then bet everything on her body not collapsing. Even if she stumbled, this body's strength should keep her safe!

No, wait… she hardly had any time left anyway. Wasn't life itself meant to be gambled when the time was right?

This was exactly the moment to push everything to the limit!

[Oh, I forgot something earlier… Are you alright?]

Huh? Speak quickly, don't waste my time!

[Fine, fine. Long story short, you have the ability to activate a Skill, but there's also a price.]

[The price is—]

Shut up and activate it!

[You really don't listen. I'll give you the ability, but the consequences are yours alone.]

[Skill: [Unnamed] acquired. Please name it.]

Seriously, this now? She didn't have time to ponder a name…

Blaze Fiercely—My Life Itself Is Fuel!

[Skill name confirmed. Updating skill data.]

Activate! Activate! Activate!

Give me everything!

[Activated]

[Blaze Fiercely—My Life itself Is Fuel!: Pushes physical control to the absolute limit, greatly increasing speed. Negates all pain, fatigue, and negative effects from other Uma Musume skills.]

[Upon activation, life expectancy decreases at twice the normal rate for the duration.]

[Note: This skill can only be activated during a race and cannot be canceled voluntarily. Activating twice in one race may result in immediate death. Exercise caution.]

[If victory demands life and time, take it all!]

[If it guarantees triumph, then so be it!]

[Life exists solely to burn bright, blazing to the very limit!]

[If greatness costs life, if carving a legacy into history costs time, take them both—take everything!]

[There's barely anything left anyway, so why not gamble it all?]

Twilight Song had activated her [Skill] before even fully knowing its effects. Admittedly, losing lifespan made her pause briefly, but—

She needed this.

She needed victory.

Rounding the final curve, Twilight Song made an impossibly extreme maneuver, practically hugging the grass as she lowered herself to an incredibly risky angle, then immediately pushed into a second burst of explosive acceleration.

The proud white comet now burned scarlet, baring arrogant fangs to every observer.

Yes—the sluggishness at the start had been a trap!

And now, Twilight Song was ready to show what true power looked like.

When Twilight's determination colored the earth, who could possibly stand in her way?!

No one could. If anyone dared block Twilight Song, she'd charge right through them.

She would smash every obstacle, then seize victory with overwhelming pride!

"She's catching up—she's catching up! Twilight Song, it's Twilight Song! She's reached the front pack of Uma Musume!"

"The finish line is in sight! She's taking the lead! The unstoppable comet!"

"Crossing first—she's done it! She's claimed victory!"

"The debut race winner—Twilight Song!"