[Reward: Golden Chalice (Collectible), Maturation Progress 5%]
[Current Maturation Progress: 90%]
[Once Maturation Progress reaches 100%, the Platinum Alter Form will be unlocked, activating the innate skill.]
After reading the information displayed on the system panel before her, the Silver-White Maiden felt a faint stir of surprise.
Her Maturation Progress had finally reached 90%!
Next, after running the Spring Tennō Shō and the Takarazuka Kinen, this [Mid-Season Campaign] would be completely finished, and she could unlock the next stage.
Surely, after those two G1 races, her Maturation Progress should hit 100%!
"Wait... huh?"
"An Alter form... for me?"
Before her transmigration, as an Arknights player with decent luck—always barely managing to pull limited characters from the banners—she had encountered several Alter operators.
In the game, these Alters essentially meant a change in outfit, sometimes even weapons, reappearing as new operator characters.
And most Alter operators were even stronger than their original forms! That was what she remembered about [Alter].
And now, once her Maturation Progress maxed out, was she going to get a new form too?
The Alter operators that left the deepest impression on her were W, Nearl the Radiant Knight, and Ch'en the Holungday—all embodying the beauty of pure strength!
Many Alter operators were comparable to a certain King of Knights Alter servant from another game, or peak K'Sante from League of Legends!
But as far as she could recall, there had never been a [Platinum Alter] in the game.
"Whatever. I'm already a Pegasus running races in the Uma Musume world, even carrying speakers and shooting arrows past little fillies."
"The competition isn't even over yet, and those European fillies are already being immortalized as statues in a hall of fame—it's almost like Alien Hipporit wiping out Ultraman!"
"Since all that's already happened, what's the big deal about unlocking an Alter form?"
The highly adaptable Silver-White Maiden accepted this reality in just a few seconds.
Anyway, it probably wasn't a bad thing.
She'd likely become cooler and more powerful, right?
She couldn't help feeling curious: would she change "class types" like the other Alter operators in Arknights?
For example, Nearl originally wielded a shield as a Defender, but as Nearl the Radiant Knight, she traded it for a sharp, long lance and became a Guard.
If she, originally a Sniper using a bow, unlocked her Alter form, would she also become a different type of operator and get a new weapon?
Or would she remain a Sniper? Maybe with an upgraded bow?
The Silver-White Maiden gently stroked the bow case she had just placed on the table, gazing thoughtfully at the bow inside with keen interest.
But then—
"Wait a second..."
Platinum blinked, suddenly realizing something felt off.
Didn't this mean… she'd have to work overtime and keep racing?
If she was going to get an Alter form and become even cooler and stronger, it was unlikely she'd be done after the Takarazuka Kinen, right? Probably not.
That seemed impossible. So… the chances of heading to Europe after the Takarazuka Kinen had just jumped from "highly likely" to 100%!
But since the Silver-White Maiden had long been mentally prepared, she let out a slightly regretful sigh but didn't dwell on it further.
The [Mid-Season Campaign] ending with the Takarazuka Kinen was already a pretty clear hint—both because it was the "mid-season" and because of the nature of the Takarazuka Kinen itself.
Winning the Takarazuka Kinen directly earned you a ticket to compete in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe overseas. Many Uma Musume flew to Europe right after this race.
At this point, Platinum had already won most of the Japanese G1 races. If she was unlocking an Alter form to continue competing, and assuming she wasn't running on dirt, the natural choice was the vast, more competitive European circuit!
"Makes sense. The little Pegasus runs in less intense Japan, then unlocks her Alter form to tackle the tougher European scene."
At that thought, the lazy Silver-White Maiden stretched languidly.
Then, Platinum lowered her head again, shifting her gaze from the Maturation Progress text to her race reward collectible: the Golden Chalice.
The Golden Chalice? Nice!
This was also a famous, widely loved collectible in the game. It increased attack speed based on accumulated resources, making it the same type of item as the previously acquired [Knight's Vow].
But obviously, in this Uma Musume world, there was no need for attack speed boosts. It would surely be converted into some other effect, just like the Knight's Vow.
Platinum soon noticed a new "Collectibles Interface" on the system panel.
Clicking into it, she immediately saw all the collectibles she had acquired.
[Current Collectibles: Knight's Vow, Golden Chalice]
[Knight's Vow (Collectible): The more race earnings accumulated, the more it gradually reduces fatigue from repeated battles and enhances the BGM in the racing domain.]
[Golden Chalice (Collectible): Based on the number of loser statues in the Pegasus Hall of Fame, it gradually increases the host's original body's attack speed and stamina, while significantly reducing the risk of full-body injuries.]
Huh?
Wait!!
"Hold on, the Golden Chalice really does boost attack speed? But why is it increasing… my original body's?"
"I'm a doctor, for goodness' sake! Needing stamina I can understand—like for long, draining surgeries."
"But increasing attack speed? Does that mean I'll give injections to little fillies more efficiently?"
Confusion. Nothing but confusion.
But at least she could be sure the reward was a good one. Aside from the puzzling attack speed boost, both the stamina increase and the reduced risk of injury were valuable rewards.
After all, physicians can't always heal themselves.
Even though the black-hearted young doctor—before his transformation—had previously gained slight boosts to stamina, strength, and other attributes from the powerful Arknights operator [Młynar Nearl],
Those were still just "slight" improvements. He probably couldn't compare to an Uma Musume.
Even Uma Musume with their excellent physical conditioning got injured from time to time, let alone an ordinary human like him.
So, reducing the risk of injury was always a good thing. Even if he might never need it, having it was better than not!
A hoarder couldn't be without collectibles!
Even if they might never be used, more was always better!
"Not bad at all. I'd say the World Cup ended perfectly!"
"Time for a break, then off to tackle the last two races in Japan. After that, we'll see which character I get to pull."
With overtime work done, she could finally enjoy Dubai a bit more—consider it sightseeing.
The lazy Silver-White Maiden closed the system interface, ready to end her transformation.
"Original body, activate!!"
--+--
The next day.
Dubai, official race building.
In a conference room on one floor, the gathered decision-makers were all wearing pleased expressions.
"Based on the data, this year's [Dubai World Cup] has surpassed mere perfection."
"To boost the Dubai World Cup's influence this much… we couldn't have dreamed this even in our wildest fantasies. This level of popularity and discussion… it's making history!"
"According to our initial estimates, even if we increased the prize money year after year and promoted the World Cup heavily, it would've taken at least seven to ten years to reach this level."
"And now, aside from awarding Pegasus Platinum the prize money for her two race wins, we absolutely must give her the top tier 70% share of the originally planned 50% to 70% popularity promotion fee. She's worth every bit of it!"
In other words, in just one day, Platinum earned—from race prizes and shares combined—the equivalent of what she'd make winning several G1 races in Japan over half a year.
That was why the Pegasus lady, who had zero interest in dirt tracks, was willing to work overtime.
Dubai was simply paying too much!
And in the eyes of the Dubai race officials, it was worth it—so worth it!
They had been worried about insufficient event influence and attention. If money could solve it, it was no problem at all!
With this mutually beneficial World Cup concluding perfectly, the response Platinum handed in left the Dubai race officials utterly satisfied.
"Never has there been such a magnificent World Cup!"
After the group of high-level decision-makers finished marveling, the Dubai Race Association president, who had been on a call in the corner of the conference room, ended his conversation.
Hanging up, the president broke into an ecstatic smile and slammed the table.
"The royal family loved it and hopes to see the Pegasus again next year."
"They even want to send gifts and red envelopes to Platinum, and get her autograph."
"And next year's World Cup budget increase is higher than the total increases of the past several years combined!!"
The reason the Dubai World Cup prize money was absurdly, unreasonably high was largely because… the Royal Family loved watching Uma Musume races!
But even Royal Family members rarely became outstanding Uma Musume themselves, so they turned to hosting races to chase their stars!
And now, that Pegasus had become a mega-star known throughout Dubai and the entire world. To invite Platinum back for the next World Cup, they really needed to significantly raise the race budget again.
"That Pegasus is truly our lucky star!"
"Next year, if we can invite Pegasus Platinum, along with other emerging super monsters like Secretariat, Sea the Stars, Dahlia, etc…. we could reach even greater heights, right?!"
"Rising and thriving!!"
--+--
"Report on Thieving Cats—by Galileo"
[Note: This is version 1.2, revised. Future modifications will be made based on changing circumstances.]
Because of this trip to Dubai, Galileo, who had once again come into contact with Dr. Lin, began making adjustments to her intelligence on Platinum.
[Thieving Cat No. 5: Platinum]
[Known Intel: Scarily, absurdly strong! No chance of revenge on the track!]
[Initiative Level: ★ (Low Danger)]
[Contact Level: ★★ (Medium Danger)]
[Overall Danger Level: ★★ (Two Stars)]
[Evaluation: Platinum's strength is still immense. After the Takarazuka Kinen, she will definitely head to Europe, and her exclusive contract with Dr. Lin will end.]
[Fortunately, she seems to be the type of Uma Musume solely focused on running. During my time in Dubai, while chatting with Dr. Lin and gathering intel, I confirmed that Platinum only sought him out for health check-ups upon arriving in Dubai and before the races.]
[Conclusion: Men would only slow her down!]
In her room, a stunning black-haired beauty sat cross-legged, a slight smile on her lips as she tapped away at her keyboard, making yet another revision.
After finishing, she completed the edits for this "Version 1.2."
"Too bad I lost the side quest…"
"But the good news is… I didn't get second place again! And the main quest didn't completely fail either—there was at least some progress!"
"Best of all, I confirmed that Pegasus isn't a thieving cat. She's not an opponent I need to face!"
Side Quest: Win the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Main Quest: Improve her relationship with Dr. Lin to a better, closer level, all to secure a charming brother-in-law for Little Star.
These were the two tasks Galileo had wanted to accomplish even before arriving in Dubai.
Which one was more important went without saying.
In this Report on Thieving Cats, Galileo wrote that she had chatted with Dr. Lin and gathered intel.
But in reality, she had actually… gone on a date with Dr. Lin! The so-called chatting and intel gathering were just things brought up casually during their date while shopping.
But at least it really helped her little sister, right? Helped Little Star obtain important intel?
What a good older sister she was!
Even before the race, Galileo had managed to ask Dr. Lin out for shopping and coffee.
She'd even accidentally finished Dr. Lin's coffee, achieving an indirect kiss!
Back then, a flustered Galileo ended the date. But upon later reflection and serious thought… she reached a conclusion!
Dr. Lin must have a pretty good impression of her!
Secondly, his relationship with Platinum really seemed to be just a standard contract!
After all, she could ask Dr. Lin out shopping, but Platinum didn't.
It seemed that Pegasus was a cold, running-obsessed Uma Musume with no interest in anything beyond races and running.
Maybe one was all about patients, the other all about running?
At least it was good news. The theoretically most threatening exclusive contract Uma Musume, Platinum, was now suddenly no threat at all.
And Galileo hadn't expected to complete the main quest in just a week or two in Dubai. Making decent progress and discovering this intel was satisfying enough.
After all, she'd made less progress in two months in Japan. This Dubai World Cup trip was already quite successful for Galileo!
"From the main quest to the side quest, even though neither was a complete success, neither reached the worst possible outcome either."
"Losing the race… it's fine. At least I didn't get another second place."
As for the side quest race, the main goals were earning the high Dubai prize money and testing if there was any chance for revenge.
Yesterday, the moment she saw the rain, Galileo's heart sank. She silently changed her goal from winning the race to keeping second place!
After all, one was a Pegasus unfazed by any conditions, another was a Heavy Track Demon, and she was just the "daughter of the former heavy track demon."
Though in the end, she didn't even keep second place—lost the runner-up spot to Montjeu…
But now, whenever Galileo thought about the [Pegasus Hall of Fame] she witnessed during the Dubai World Cup dirt race…
A subtle sense of relief washed over her!!
"I've already been the closest runner-up to the Pegasus twice before. There are already two statues of me in the Pegasus Hall of Fame…"
"People online won't stop bringing it up!"
"But thankfully, in discussions about the Pegasus Hall of Fame, I'm not mentioned as often as Daiwa Scarlet (No. 1), or Manhattan Cafe and Dubai Millennium (last and second last)."
The fact that her discussion frequency and heat weren't as high as Daiwa Scarlet's, Manhattan Cafe's, or Dubai Millennium's was satisfactory enough for Galileo.
If she had kept second place, there would be three statues of her in the Pegasus Hall of Fame!!
Then, probably even Daiwa Scarlet (beaten by five lengths) or the bottom-ranked Manhattan Cafe and Dubai Millennium couldn't steal her "spotlight," right?
But it was attention Galileo didn't want at all, making her feel that third place this time wasn't so bad.
"Alright, since the Dubai World Cup is over, it's time to prepare to return to Europe. I'll pack today."
"Next time I see Dr. Lin… it'll definitely be a few months from now, after the Takarazuka Kinen."
At that thought, battle intent flickered in the eyes of this peerless black-haired beauty.
It was a fighting spirit even more intense than what she felt during races.
"By then, I can't let the other thieving cats get ahead of me."
That's right, the words were "other" and "get ahead."
Because… she was the number one thieving cat, the most eager to make a move!
In the room, Galileo's soft, final words echoed.
"By then, the Report on Thieving Cats should have a secret version too, one that includes Little Star as a cautionary thieving cat~"
--+--
At a training ground.
A dark-haired girl was using a towel to wipe sweat from her forehead.
Around her were several other stamina-focused, long-distance specialist Uma Musume who had lost the training race.
"So, so strong!!"
"Is this a Zone? The pressure is terrifying."
"This isn't a temporary Zone anymore—it's a real, formidable one suited for long distances, right?"
"With this strength, compared to most long-distance G1 Champion Uma Musume aside from McQueen and Platinum, she's definitely upper mid-tier at least!"
"Congratulations, Manhattan Cafe. Now you can put up a fight against Mejiro McQueen-senpai in the Spring Tennō Shō, right?"
They had just finished a long-distance training race, and Manhattan Cafe won with an absolute advantage.
Not only that, Manhattan Cafe had completely and permanently mastered her Zone, unlike the temporary one during the Kikuka-shō, propelling herself into the ranks of Japan's top Uma Musume.
Manhattan Cafe, in her older horse year, was entering her peak!
Facing the praise and encouragement from the other Uma Musume, Manhattan Cafe just shook her head, frowning slightly as if still not quite satisfied.
"No, it's not enough yet."
"Right now, facing McQueen-senpai, who achieved back-to-back Spring Tennō Shō wins, I only have a fighting chance."
"Not to mention… the Pegasus Platinum might return to challenge the Spring Tennō Shō!"
Unlike the Monarch of Charm, Galileo, who had completely given up on revenge fearing a third statue and switched to the [Lin Anran Cup], the current Manhattan Cafe was filled with resentment.
She vividly remembered that [31-Length] crushing defeat!
Yesterday, while watching the race and noticing herself enshrined in the Pegasus Hall of Fame—and in the farthest corner, lagging behind all other Japanese Uma Musume…
It was a significant blow to the seemingly quiet but deeply proud Manhattan Cafe.
And she only excelled at long distances. Aside from the classic triple crown's Kikuka-shō, Japan's annual long-distance races were only the 3200m Spring Tennō Shō and the 2500m Arima Kinen!
As for the Arima Kinen, forget it—it perfectly suited the Pegasus's explosiveness and stamina. She had just lost there not long ago.
The only possible race to regain face and prove herself against the Pegasus was the Spring Tennō Shō.
It was the last, and most hopeful, battle!
"Alright, I'm going back to rest now. I have more training this afternoon."
After the training race, Manhattan Cafe stood up, picked up a printed poster that had been weighed down by her phone on the bench, and started walking off with it.
--+--
Not long after.
On her way back to the dorm.
The dark-haired girl Manhattan Cafe ran into her close friend and roommate, Agnes Tachyon.
The young scientist in a white coat had already recovered from her leg injury and was gradually resuming training for the Takarazuka Kinen, which didn't conflict with her own Spring Tennō Shō.
"Hmm?"
"Cafe, what's that you're holding…"
As Agnes Tachyon walked up to Manhattan Cafe, familiar with her friend, she was instantly intrigued.
Curious, she bent down to look at the poster in Manhattan Cafe's hand.
The next second, what Agnes Tachyon saw was… the Pegasus Hall of Fame, the full image!
The popular Pegasus Hall of Fame had gone viral across the internet in just one day. Even though the race happened in Dubai, because it involved the pegasus, it was already famous throughout Japan.
Agnes Tachyon didn't expect Manhattan Cafe to be carrying a Pegasus Hall of Fame poster back to the dorm?
Noticing her friend had seen the poster's content, Manhattan Cafe's face stiffened, and she turned away.
"Laugh if you want."
In the poster, there in the corner, was her statue.
"I'm going to put this poster above my bed to motivate myself for revenge in the Spring Tennō Shō."
It was a determination to turn resentment into fighting spirit!
Seeing this, Agnes Tachyon maintained her signature smile, not really in the mood for jokes.
Because…
She was in the Pegasus Hall of Fame too!!!
Though not as badly off as Manhattan Cafe in the corner, her statue was placed in the middle.
Meanwhile, the young junior she had high hopes for, Daiwa Scarlet, whom many saw as Tachyon's successor, was right at the front…
Even if Agnes Tachyon said she didn't care about being enshrined, nobody would believe her.
"Such terrifying resolve… Well then, Cafe, good luck in your race!"
--+--
Some time later.
The black-hearted young doctor returned to Japan.
After spending just two days readjusting to work life,
Lin Anran, during his lunch break, prepared to pick up his keys and head back to the infirmary.
"Hmm?"
Just as he stood up, he heard the ringtone from Platinum's phone in the drawer.
Ever since he last ignored the URA's call before the race in Dubai, it had been a while since they called.
Now that he'd won two G1 races in one day, he should have given the URA another shock. They must have come to their senses by now, right?
Thinking this, the black-hearted young doctor knew it was about time to answer the phone.
"Platinum, activate!"
The next second—
The Silver-White Maiden's slender hand retrieved the phone and answered immediately.
Old fogey, time to cough up the coins!
--+--