[Update: Host's base stamina +1%, small enhancement to Platinum's special effects]
Staring at the line of text, the unscrupulous young doctor who had just reported the training race results was momentarily stunned.
Had that useless Horse Mint finally maxed out for him?
Though the stamina boost seemed pretty insignificant, it was still better than more Horse Mint, right?
As a doctor, having a bit more endurance meant he could perform more surgeries or see more patients.
So, getting a stamina boost made sense, didn't it?
As for the upgrade to Platinum's special effects, he'd just treat that as a free bonus.
[Treatment: Neko Punch (minor injury)]
[Reward: Host's base stamina +1%]
[Treatment: Michishige Tomoka (minor injury)]
[Reward: Small enhancement to Platinum's special effects]
[Treatment: Haru Urara (minor injury)]
[Reward: Small enhancement to Platinum's special effects]
...
Then, the unscrupulous young doctor claimed all the treatment rewards—over a dozen pages worth.
As a true hoarder, it wasn't just money or dropped gold coins he loved to stockpile. He also held onto the treatment rewards he got from tending to these young horse girls, not claiming them right away.
After all, the rewards for healing minor injuries in a single Uma Musume were usually pitiful—often just a +1% something. But letting them accumulate and claiming them all at once? Now that was a totally different feeling!
Among that long list of treatment rewards, stamina boosts and Platinum special effect upgrades were split about evenly.
After claiming them all, a new line of text appeared.
[Note: Current accumulated Platinum special effects upgraded to — Goddess Illusion Alteration, Domain Environment enhancement, added running effects]
[After activating the Domain, partial characteristics of the Terra world will be added to the environment]
[While running, glowing trails will appear along the path taken]
After reading the last part, Lin Anran's pupils contracted sharply!
As expected, being a hoarder paid off!
This was such a huge surprise! Even without activating it yet, just reading the description told him that Platinum's special effects were about to get a major upgrade.
'What would the Goddess Illusion change into?'
'And the Domain Environment can actually be upgraded too?'
In the unscrupulous young doctor's eyes, Platinum's special effects were already pretty impressive. How could there still be so much room for improvement?
He'd thought that after achieving "open to the world," it would be close to the limit. Yet it could still be upgraded further—definitely a good thing.
After all, who didn't want to make a more impressive and cooler entrance?
Lin Anran thought: the already well-designed Kazimierz Knight Arena could incorporate elements from the Terra world?
But what exactly were the characteristics of the Terra world…?
And now, even running would come with special effects?
The unscrupulous young doctor was immediately intrigued by these enhancements and additions.
But unfortunately…
The Arima Kinen was still so far away!!
A whole month from the Japan Cup!
For many Japanese Uma Musume, the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen were too close together, both being grueling battles. Often, Uma Musume would choose one over the other—either running the Japan Cup and skipping the Arima Kinen, or vice versa.
Countless Uma Musume who entered both ended up exhausted and underperforming in the Arima Kinen after the Japan Cup.
Only those with exceptional physicality and superior footwork could overcome the extreme fatigue of such back-to-back races.
But the unscrupulous young doctor believed that Miss Platinum could definitely handle the overtime and conquer those tough battles.
It wasn't that he was blinded by gold coins and flashy effects—it was because of—
[Collectible: Knight's Vow — As race prizes increase, gradually reduces fatigue from consecutive battles and adds BGM to the race domain]
With the Knight's Vow collectible, Platinum had no fear of consecutive battles. Even if the gap were shorter than a month, she could overcome it!
So, the greedy, unscrupulous young doctor felt a bit regretful that the gap between the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen was so long.
Why couldn't they be closer together, like the Oaks and the Japanese Derby? Well, it was all the URA's fault!
As a Pegasus, how could she fear consecutive battles?
The goal was 63 races, 63 wins—the legend of the Undefeated Strongest Uma Musume!
'When the time comes, I can look forward to seeing her new special effects at the Arima Kinen.'
Platinum's racecourse displays and overtake special effects had already become widely known after gaining worldwide fame.
However, since most spectators weren't Uma Musume—just ordinary people or regular horse girls—they couldn't actually see the special effects, though they'd heard about them.
By the time the Arima Kinen arrived and the effects were publicly displayed, it would surely be a surprise, but probably not too shocking since the audience already had some idea.
But now, with these upgrades and additions, audiences worldwide wouldn't just be pleasantly surprised—they'd be utterly blown away!
But she absolutely couldn't lose after maxing out the effects and achieving true style—that would be a total face-slap!
'So, I must not lose at the Arima Kinen.'
'Tokai Teio, Agnes Tachyon, Manhattan Cafe—each one is a terrifying opponent. Can't let our guard down!'
Steady, must stay steady!
As the unscrupulous young doctor pondered the upcoming Arima Kinen…
Before him, Daiwa Scarlet and Fantastic Light, having just finished their training race, wore complex expressions.
Daiwa Scarlet, dazed after losing by five lengths, was slow to come back to her senses because of this familiar crushing defeat.
Five lengths!
Why was it always this damned five lengths?!
'Haa…'
After taking a few deep breaths, Daiwa Scarlet comforted herself inwardly.
Anyway, her opponent was a world-class Uma Musume in every sense.
As a young Uma Musume who wouldn't even reach her classic year until next year, aiming for the Classic Triple Tiara, losing to a world-class runner by five lengths… shouldn't be too shameful, right?
But then it struck her—this self-comforting line of thought felt way too familiar.
Just like when she'd lost to Galileo before, she'd thought the same thing…
And Daiwa Scarlet knew deep down that she wasn't anywhere near world-class yet.
Last time, Galileo had just gotten off the plane and hadn't adjusted to the Japanese track.
This time, Fantastic Light might have adapted a bit, but she'd just run a heavy-track race a few days ago.
Neither was at full strength, but for a young Uma Musume not even in her classic year, not being completely crushed and only losing by five lengths was actually a pretty decent result.
But Daiwa Scarlet wasn't satisfied with losing by five lengths.
She firmly believed that she could grow stronger, improving through hardship.
As for where that hardship came from… well, thanks to a certain Pegasus for the notoriety.
Anyway, chances to compete against world-class powerhouses, especially those who commanded Zones, were incredibly rare.
In the past, many Japanese Uma Musume who'd won G1 titles never mastered a Zone throughout their entire careers, nor ever faced another Zone-user.
But now, Daiwa Scarlet, with only two career starts and one win, just out of her debut race and preparing for next year's Classic Triple Tiara, had already witnessed three or four Zones!
Was this extreme luck, or extreme misfortune?
Even if the fry was getting battered, she was still growing!
Daiwa Scarlet believed that, in the end, she could become so outstanding that even against a world-class peak performer at their absolute best, she'd only lose by five lengths—or even less!!
In the future, reaching world-class wasn't out of the question.
Just wait—all these seniors who'd beaten her by five lengths, she'd written each one down in her little book.
She'd get her revenge someday!!
As for now…
First, rest a bit, then go to the doctor for a routine check-up. If everything's fine, back to training.
Then, schedule another training race with Vodka!
Hmph, if she can't beat world-class, she can still take on Vodka!
--+--
Nearby, Fantastic Light wore an expression of satisfaction, nodding with a look that said "as expected."
Not going all out, winning by that margin—Fantastic Light was plenty satisfied. Her performance this time was far better than during the recent Japan Cup.
Clearly, her battle-hardened adaptability hadn't failed her in Japan either.
The Japan Cup loss… was mainly because of the [Heavy Track].
One downpour had ruined her Japan Cup dream!
"Alright, time to head back to Europe."
"Next year, aim for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, then come back for another shot at the Japan Cup."
Who knows, maybe she'd run into that Pegasus again at the Arc!
Then, she'd have the home advantage.
Her chances of defeating the Pegasus would skyrocket.
"Will Platinum come for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?"
"Most likely. Japan's obsession with the Arc is world-famous."
As a mysterious Japanese Uma Musume, Platinum must surely dream of the Arc too—she wouldn't avoid it, would she?
Plus, the Sea family might deploy their true [Ace]!
Next year's Arc could be the most spectacular, top-tier battle in decades, maybe even longer?
--+--
On another training field.
Friends Agnes Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe were training together on the same grassy field.
Currently, the dark-haired girl Manhattan Cafe, having already trained for a while, was taking a break.
She watched with slight surprise as Agnes Tachyon continued running without stopping.
As the Uma Musume who spent the most time with Agnes Tachyon at Tracen Academy, Manhattan Cafe knew very well just how talented her friend was—and how eccentric.
Many horse girls said Agnes Tachyon's talent was matched only by her weirdness.
That strangeness came from her research interests. Agnes was always willing to slow her training or even skip some races for the sake of her studies.
She'd even sacrifice training time to conduct research—something most Uma Musume found baffling and unbelievable!
But Manhattan Cafe knew that Tachyon's passion for her favorite research topics burned as brightly as her desire for G1 victories.
That included the gentle Dr. Lin, as well as Platinum's body and speed!
Besides research, Agnes Tachyon did have a genuine interest in racing too.
So, next month's Arima Kinen, satisfying both her research and racing passions, was the race Agnes wanted to win most since her debut.
It was also the most difficult, most incredibly intense race she'd ever faced!
So, to be in peak condition to challenge Platinum at the Arima Kinen, Agnes Tachyon had now become… a normal Uma Musume, temporarily setting aside her research to train with full effort and focus!
Facing a monster like that while splitting her attention—maintaining most other Uma Musume's training routines while also researching and brewing weird potions—would be far too arrogant.
To maximize her chances of defeating Platinum, Agnes had made quite a shift.
'Is the pressure from Platinum that intense?'
Manhattan Cafe watched Agnes's tirelessly running figure.
She suddenly remembered how, at the very beginning, she'd asked Agnes if she could win against the Pegasus.
Back then, Agnes had replied calmly, with cool confidence.
"I'll win."
Later, after Platinum dominated the Derby with a huge margin, she'd asked again.
After a two-second pause, Agnes had answered with heavier emphasis.
"I'll win!"
By the time the Japan Cup ended, she wasn't even hesitating before saying it anymore…
Instead, it became…
"There are no absolutes in racing!"
Her confidence in victory had probably gone from 100% — 50% — 20%?
Stimulated by that, Agnes had finally put her experiments aside to throw herself fully into training. She believed Platinum was definitely training hard too!
Just wait, Platinum—see you at the Arima Kinen!
--+--
In a dorm room at Tracen Academy.
The dark-haired girl Galileo, who still hadn't returned to Europe, was typing away on her computer.
On the large screen, a document title appeared: "Report on Husband-Stealing Cats — Author: Galileo"!
[Note: This is version 1.1, revised. Further modifications will be made as thesituation evolves.]
[Husband-Stealing Cat #1: Tokai Teio]
[Known info: Seems enthusiastic, pure-hearted…]
[Husband-Stealing Cat #2: Agnes Tachyon]
[…]
At the very bottom, a new Uma Musume had been added.
If it were just some random Uma Musume aside from the first two, it wouldn't have warranted Galileo revising to version 1.1 just to watch out for riff-raff.
But this latest husband-stealing cat was far too terrifying and dangerous, to the point where even Galileo felt deeply uneasy.
[Husband-Stealing Cat #5: Platinum]
[Known info: Powerful! Frighteningly strong! Comparable to America's Dahlia!]
[Two or three days ago, when I invited Dr. Lin to come to Europe, he mentioned that his exclusive contract with Platinum lasts until mid-next year. Only then might he leave Japan.]
[After investigating Platinum specifically over the past couple days, I discovered…]
[Platinum's debut race entry fee was paid by Dr. Lin. In fact, Dr. Lin and Platinum both appeared in Japan around the same month, even the same week!]
[There's a significant chance Platinum already knew Dr. Lin from outside Japan before they came together.]
[Maybe it's just coincidence, maybe they met after arriving. But either way, their relationship must be extremely close.]
Typing this, Galileo's eyes remained filled with seriousness.
Even during the Japan Cup a few days ago, her focus and vigilance in battle were about at this level.
It showed just how wary the young lady of the Sea family was of Platinum.
[During my time in Japan, I've met many Japanese Uma Musume. Quite a few have a very favorable impression of Dr. Lin, even inviting him to be their exclusive doctor.]
[Without exception, including Agnes Tachyon, all were refused. No Uma Musume at Tracen Academy has successfully formed an exclusive contract with Dr. Lin.]
[Platinum is most likely the first—and possibly the only—Uma Musume to have an exclusive relationship with Dr. Lin!]
The first!
The only one!
Even her entry fee was paid by Dr. Lin!
With all these points combined, how could Platinum not be included in the husband-stealing cat report?
[Initiative level: ★★★☆ (Medium-high danger)]
[Contact level: ★★★★ (High danger)]
[Overall danger level: ★★★★ (Four stars)]
[Evaluation: Platinum is also extremely powerful and will definitely come to Europe next year.]
[At that time, there's a chance the exclusive contract could be renewed! She is an extremely dangerous, powerful husband-stealing cat—must be guarded against!]
[So far, this is the husband-stealing cat with the most contact and highest danger level regarding Dr. Lin, bar none!]
The entry for "Husband-Stealing Cat: Platinum" had even more content than those for Tokai Teio and Agnes Tachyon combined.
It showed just how invested the Sea family's young lady Galileo was, and how deeply she feared Dr. Lin being stolen away by a husband-stealing cat.
After finishing, the dark-haired girl saved the file and immediately sent it to her sister, Sea the Stars.
After sending it, she reopened the file.
Below the last official entry, Galileo began typing new content she didn't plan to save or send to her sister.
[Exclusive contract?]
[Next year, Sea the Stars will be preparing for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. She'll definitely be strictly supervised and trained by Mother, unlikely to have much time for long contact with Dr. Lin.]
[And Platinum will surely come to Europe too to familiarize herself with the tracks…]
[For Dr. Lin, new to Europe, it'll be the best chance for me to get closer to him!]
[If the exclusive contract still can't be secured and the plan fails, then switch to contacting Little Star and change the goal to inviting Dr. Lin to become the Sea family's household doctor.]
Of course, Galileo hadn't forgotten that her adorable sister had asked her to come to Japan to investigate husband-stealing cats and protect Dr. Lin!
If Dr. Lin became her exclusive, then…
Wouldn't that mean she could protect him up close, even personally?
So, this operation plan was totally reasonable, right?
If it failed, she'd activate [Plan B], changing the target from exclusive doctor to family doctor!
"Don't worry, Little Star, big sister won't hog him all to herself!"
But that was the backup plan. If possible, Galileo still hoped Dr. Lin would have the most contact with her, not split half-and-half with her sister Sea the Stars.
Thinking this, Galileo suddenly saw a notification that the document had been received.
Within minutes, a text came in from Sea the Stars.
[Sea the Stars: !!!]
[Seathe Stars: Whoa?!]
Clearly, even Sea the Stars was shocked, never expecting another Husband-Stealing Cat to appear out of nowhere!
Not only was she incredibly talented, a potential future rival, but she'd also join the battle for Dr. Lin?!
The dark-haired girl Galileo quietly watched as her sister sent grateful thanks.
[Sea theStars: Thank you, big sister!]
[Sea the Stars: Good thing you went to Japan, or Dr. Lin would be in too much danger!!]
Seeing this, the exquisitely beautiful dark-haired beauty curled her lips slightly, a faint smile playing on them.
[Galileo: No need to thank me. It's only right.]
Big sister will take good care of Dr. Lin for you!
--+--
T/N: MY DAUGHTER MENTIONED?!
--+--
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.