Now that he'd successfully secured his trainee and extended his life by another week, Mizuno Sora could finally allow himself a mont to breathe.
But the system, seemingly determined to deprive him of even the briefest respite, imdiately issued a new task.
---
[Main Quest—(Quest #2) Help Your Trainee Achieve First Place In An Official Race.]
Reward: Doctor's Outfit extended for one week
Penalty: None.
---
"First place in an official race?"
Sora glanced at Haru Urara, who'd just finished dead last, and thoughtfully stroked his chin.
Hmm… To be completely honest… This task's difficulty… might actually… be manageable?
Though admittedly challenging to get Urara into first place, it wasn't impossible.
The solution lay in the book he'd studied last night—[From Getting Started as a Trainer! (Basent Ending)].
Sure, the first half of that cursed book practically guaranteed you a swift descent into the basent. But the second half was genuinely useful. Mastering its contents would undoubtedly produce an expert trainer.
Sora had finished reading the latter half, and while he'd understood only about twenty percent, it was still extrely informative.
Watching Urara's earlier performance, he'd already identified several issues with her running posture, tactics, and muscle strength. Addressing these would significantly improve her performance.
Winning the [Arima Kinen] might still be a pipe dream, but securing first place in an OP-level race? Completely doable.
Yet, alongside this confidence, Sora felt a twinge of sorrow.
The book had inexplicably included a chapter titled [Postpartum Care for Uma Musu].
Whoever authored this guide had likely ended up in a sorry state—considering the absurdly detailed postpartum advice, he'd probably suffered greatly at the hooves of nurous Uma Musu. Poor soul.
But back to the task at hand. The difficulty wasn't just achieving first place—it was the hidden ti limit.
If no additional tasks surfaced, his Doctor's Outfit would only last him another week.
He wasn't so ani protagonist trainer pulling miracles from thin air, and Urara certainly wasn't the legendary Special Week. To win an official debut race in one week was just delusional.
How to resolve this conundrum?
System, any side quests available?
Sora decided to pursue a strategy of Work-Study.
If training Urara to victory within a week was unrealistic, extending that week by completing side quests seed like the smarter approach.
"Certainly." The system promptly listed several options:
---
[Side Quest—Declaration of Independence]
Description: In front of at least ten Uma Musu, remove your Doctor's Outfit, raise your hands, and loudly shout, "I'm a handso boy!"
Reward: Doctor's Outfit duration extended by one month.
---
[Side Quest—God of Honey]
Description: Convince Tokai Teio and jiro McQueen that you're capable of making an S-Rank Honey Special Drink, and accept their invitation to visit their ho.
Reward: Doctor's Outfit duration extended by ten months.
---
[Side Quest—Friendship Training]
Description: Befriend a fellow freshman trainer and train your Uma Musu together.
Reward: Doctor's Outfit duration extended by three days.
---
Why was there effectively only one viable side quest here? (Annoyed).
"Befriend a fellow trainer, huh?"
Sora turned toward the group of rookie trainers, pondering whom he should approach.
The recruitnt frenzy among new trainers had largely concluded:
Kiryuin Aoi, heir of the prestigious training family, had triumphed over Hiroshima Baoza, securing Happy ek, the winner of the debut race.
The explosively-haired Hiroshima Baoza settled for second-best, using sheer arrogance to successfully recruit runner-up Konankai.
The gentle Kaneshiro Takeru had recruited Hinagiku, who'd placed third.
Other less notable trainers had also chosen their Uma Musu, leaving only a few proud newcors empty-handed.
After so consideration, Sora identified a potential friend.
But rather than imdiately approaching, he decided to wait.
If he approached too soon, it would look too obvious—like he was desperately clinging to soone stronger. "He recruited the weakest Uma Musu and is cozying up for favors," they'd surely think.
Better to wait until that trainer encountered difficulties in training, then offer advice gleaned from the guidebook. That approach would seem natural and less suspicious, improving his chances of success.
For now, Sora's priority was clear—focus solely on training Urara.
"Urara, let's register your information first, then begin training."
"Okay~!" Urara obediently nodded.
Once recruited, an Uma Musu needed to register alongside her trainer, officially notifying the academy and gaining clearance to compete in races.
Tracen's student council oversaw these registrations, aning Sora would soon et Student Council President Symboli Rudolf.
eting Rudolf didn't worry Sora—she was famously busy, unlikely to notice him personally. No, the real danger was encountering her devoted admirer, Tokai Teio.
During their last eting, Sora had introduced himself under the pseudonym Hokuto Seiji. He'd assud they'd never et again, so the lie seed harmless enough.
But now, he'd have to use his real na for official registration. If Tokai Teio was present, his earlier deception would instantly be exposed, triggering consequences he couldn't possibly predict.
"I can only hope she won't be there."
Sora sighed, heading toward the council office alongside an excited Urara.
They hadn't gone far before a soft, gentle voice called out to Urara.
"Urara-chan~!"
"Ah, Rice-chan!" Urara happily responded.
Rice Shower?!
"Ah… uhh…" Recognizing Rice Shower, Sora—being an Onii-sama—nearly suffered cardiac arrest.
"Calm down… Deep breaths…" Sora composed himself and quietly stayed to the side.
"Rice-chan, did you see my race? Running feels so good!" Urara eagerly looked at Rice Shower.
"I saw it," Rice Shower softly replied.
In truth, she'd watched from afar, too shy to openly cheer. But as soon as the race concluded, she'd hurried over to find Urara.
"I lost again, though. Everyone's so strong!" Urara laughed cheerfully.
"You ran wonderfully, Urara-chan. Next ti, you'll definitely win," Rice Shower comforted her gently.
"Really? Next ti, I promise I'll win first place!" Urara proclaid.
"Go for it, Urara-chan—ganbatte~ oh~!" Rice Shower sweetly raised her hand to cheer.
"Ganbatte~ oh~!" Urara imitated her, enthusiastically raising her hand.
"Gah!" Sora staggered, overwheld by the sheer adorableness, collapsing to his knees.
I'm losing blood here! dic!
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