A White Trench Coat!
Knight's Armor!
And that massive, human-sized gleaming lance-sword!
All of this was the [Racing Outfit] revealed before Margaret Nearl after receiving the blessings of the Three Goddesses.
In total, two racing outfits and one weapon.
Beside the young Nearl, the once calm and steady craftsman had finally fallen silent after his earlier flurry of incoherent words.
Then, a long silence ensued.
"This…"
This craftsman, who had been in the trade for a fair while, had personally witnessed no fewer than a thousand blessed racing outfits.
Among them, the number of young fillies lucky enough to receive small weapons like pistols or daggers as part of their racing outfits could be counted on one hand— barely approaching double digits.
As for larger weapons like blades, swords, or even bows— half-human height racing outfit weapons— he had never seen such a thing. Even among his peers crafting racing outfits in other cities or countries, few had ever laid eyes on anything like it.
Thus, the bow carried by the Pegasus Platinum had always been an extremely rare case, whether in Europe or America.
In this craftsman's understanding, a half-human height large weapon should theoretically be the limit for an Uma Musume's racing outfit weapon!!
"How… how could the Three Goddesses bestow such an out-of-spec weapon??"
"It shouldn't be possible, in principle."
"Doesn't this count as a [forbidden] weapon?"
Once the craftsman gathered his wits, his gaze fixed intently on the nearly two-meter-long lance-sword.
Out of spec!
Forbidden!
These were his assessments of this [impossible] lance-sword.
Why say that?
Because Uma Musume competitions must be based on fair play.
That's precisely why there are specific requirements like wearing standardized training outfits for non-G1 races and consistent racing outfits for G1 races.
If any kind of clothing were freely allowed, it could lead to situations where young ladies from prestigious families might wear high-end custom-made outfits optimized for running, gaining a slight edge.
In some non-Uma Musume competitions, a handful of seemingly unbelievable world records were actually achieved using such custom outfits or gear to gain an extra advantage.
Though the cost might be high and the effect minimal, in matches between evenly matched top-tier competitors, it could disrupt fairness.
That's why racing outfits are designed to convert the weight of different garments into a uniform weight— allowing Uma Musume to showcase their best while maintaining competitive fairness.
But that near human-sized lance-sword… that's a different story!
Even if the weight of the blessed weapon has no impact during races, its length could lead to highly unusual situations.
In Uma Musume competitions, it's common for several girls using certain running styles to cluster together, sometimes even trapping those who didn't secure good positions— like being boxed in.
A super-sized lance-sword like this, even if carried on the back, might accidentally injure nearby Uma Musume packed closely together during a run, right?
Wouldn't it be possible for such a weapon to scare all the Uma Musume on the track into keeping their distance?
In a way, doesn't that undermine the fairness of the competition?
So the craftsman was deeply puzzled, unable to understand why the Three Goddesses would bestow such an oversized, heavyweight weapon!
But what this craftsman couldn't see was…
On the face of the young Nearl— heroic yet delicate— there was still no trace of surprise.
She raised her head, gazing at the system panel only she could see, where new text had appeared.
[Glory Reborn: A new-style armor modified from a Campaign Knight's gear. Margaret Nearl's exclusive racing outfit.]
[When on the racetrack, the armor's weight reduces to that of a standard training outfit.]
…
[Lance-Sword: A super-sized weapon. Margaret Nearl's exclusive racing outfit weapon.]
[When on the racetrack, the lance-sword cannot be touched by anyone except Margaret Nearl.]
[Note: As Radiant Knight's race earnings increase, exclusive visual effects for the lance-sword will unlock and enhance.]
The two segments on the system panel introduced both the armor racing outfit and the lance-sword.
After reading them, a spark of pleasant surprise flickered in Nearl's amber eyes!
Even the steady and composed Radiant Knight felt a flicker of joy.
Originally, she had been somewhat concerned about fairness— what if some fillies were too afraid of the lance-sword to get close? That could compromise the race's fairness and competitive value.
But since no one except herself could touch the lance-sword on the track, there was no need to worry about affecting opponents, even during close-quarters racing.
And besides…
This lance-sword would actually unlock and enhance exclusive visual effects based on race earnings?
Nearl suddenly recalled a collectible she had acquired before.
[Knight's Vow (Collectible): The more race earnings, the more it reduces battle fatigue and adds BGM to the race domain.]
From the lance-sword to the collectible Knight's Vow, it seemed like both were encouraging her to embark on a campaign of battles!
Though these might not motivate a certain work-shy Platinum-ranked individual…
They could very well inspire the Radiant Knight from the Nearl Family, whose very body and DNA were etched with seriousness and determination!
Everything was just to Nearl's liking.
In the next moment, she grasped the lance-sword.
Its blade glinted coldly, sharp and imposing, while the long shaft had a substantial feel, full of metallic coolness— like a weapon capable of tearing through any obstacle or defense line on the battlefield.
Anyone seeing this lance-sword would find it hard to estimate its weight.
But the golden-haired girl holding it calmly hefted the human-sized super weapon as if it were neither unfamiliar nor heavy to her.
Then, holding the lance-sword, Nearl stepped forward and reached out her other hand to touch the white trench coat and the knight armor named [Glory Reborn].
An inexplicable and anticipatory fighting spirit began to rise in Nearl's heart.
'Well then… time to go back and see what races I can enter!'
--+--
In the hospital.
"Miss Sham, are you sure you want to check out now?"
"Yes, now."
A black-haired girl with both legs bandaged was signing her name, head bowed.
This delicate and elegant black-haired girl looked pale, the wild aggression and fighting spirit she once had during races completely gone. Leaning on crutches, she was ready to leave the hospital.
That Belmont Stakes… the American Triple Crown showdown against Secretariat… had been nothing short of a nightmare!
The girl known as Sham, once a genius, had already learned the full extent of her injuries from the doctors.
It was… a fracture! And a fairly serious one at that— a [Major Injury] highly likely to impact her career as an Uma Musume.
Even the daily recovery phase could take two to three months, possibly longer.
Once the injury healed and she could resume training, it would still take time to readjust to racing.
The recovery and rehabilitation period alone was long enough. While other racehorse girls in her cohort would keep training, racing, and growing stronger, she would be stuck in place…
Maybe even regressing!
And her ceiling? Most likely chopped down a notch by this fracture.
In this situation of others advancing while she stagnates, Sham was filled with anxiety.
In the past, she had been hailed as a super talent with the potential to challenge for the [American Triple Crown], a historical performer in her classic year! The outside world debated how many G1 races she would win in her career!
But now, forget about revenge against Secretariat— she wasn't even sure if she could win a regular G1 race without Secretariat in the field.
This was why injuries were the nightmare haunting every racehorse girl— the impact was just too terrifying.
Even so-called super talents and monsters were powerless against injuries, left only to hope for good health and avoiding misfortune.
'Since… even the hospital can't provide a perfect treatment, I might as well check out.'
'During this long recovery period, I should go thank [Dr. Lin] properly first.'
The black-haired girl Sham had already made up her mind.
From the time she was admitted to the hospital until today, she had replayed the moment she crossed the finish line injured almost daily…
Pushed to her limit, she collapsed right after crossing the line, about to crash heavily to the ground and add new injuries— only to be caught in a warm, secure embrace!!
That skilled and handsome young doctor had provided immediate first aid, offering encouragement and comfort!
Unlike other staff who marveled at Secretariat's greatness and the new American Triple Crown champion, that black-haired doctor had held her and started treatment right away!
So even now, knowing her career might be over… Sham didn't feel completely hopeless.
At least, she had genuinely received warmth from that young doctor.
'I already got Dr. Lin's contact info from Seabiscuit senior.'
'After heading home, I'll start chatting with Dr. Lin!'
Sham had decided: she would get to know Dr. Lin properly.
And ask if he'd be willing to take her on as a patient!
Even if perfect treatment wasn't possible, Sham had prepared a large sum for medical fees, intending to thank Dr. Lin no matter what.
If she could never beat Secretariat on the track, then…
She'd beat that Big Red Monster focused only on victory in romance instead!!
With her mind made up, Sham finished the discharge procedures and prepared to leave the hospital on crutches.
She had only taken a few steps when…
Her phone buzzed with a text message.
It was from her family, the prestigious house Sham belonged to.
[We're here at the hospital to pick you up.]
[By the way, we've confirmed the identity of the Pegasus's exclusive doctor, Margaret Nearl's Uncle.]
[His medical skills might be worth looking into. We've already sent a treatment request.]
Reading the message, Sham paused.
The identity of that mysterious doctor contracted by the Pegasus was confirmed?
But she kind of wanted to see Dr. Lin first.
[Who is the doctor?]
Sham asked casually.
The next second, her eyes widened in surprise and delight.
[Lin Anran.]
!!
So… that gentle doctor was the one even Platinum acknowledged? Not surprising, it's him!
--+--
In the room.
A tall golden-haired girl was carefully arranging her white trench coat and knight armor.
Then, she murmured softly to herself.
"Original self, activate!"
In the next moment, a scheming young doctor appeared in the room.
Fresh from the transformation, Lin Anran picked up his phone from the computer desk.
As soon as he turned on the screen, he saw dozens of text messages and missed calls.
The messages fell into three categories.
The first were invitations from American Uma Musume Academies asking him to join, almost mirroring the choice he had with Tracen Academy.
The second were offers from Uma Musume Hospitals inviting him to become a staff doctor.
The third were injured Uma Musume from well-informed prestigious families wanting him to take over their treatment.
"The efficiency is really something."
"Even though I didn't explicitly name myself during the post-race interview while transformed as Nearl."
"Just a few days, and so many people already know?"
Initially, Lin Anran had only told a few people that his exclusively contracted Uma Musume was Platinum.
But don't forget, during her interview, Nearl mentioned that her uncle had just arrived in America and was highly renowned in Japan!
And he was a young doctor!
There weren't many young doctors who enjoyed great reputations worldwide, especially in a small place like Japan, and who had just arrived in America…
How many could meet all these criteria?
After connecting the dots, and given the immense popularity of the Pegasus Platinum, it was natural that some in the Uma Musume industry would take notice.
Even if it wasn't common knowledge yet and hadn't fully spread, some people were already aware and reaching out to him.
Lin Anran wasn't too worried; he never thought there was much need to hide it.
As a doctor, if you had no reputation, who would seek you out for treatment?
For an Uma Musume doctor looking to make money, you either treat a large number of Uma Musume (quantity) or treat those with excellent results (quality).
And the scheming young doctor had high ambitions— he wanted both quality and quantity.
In other words… he wanted to connect with lots of American fillies and young ladies from prestigious families! He wanted to build good relationships!
Just one or two big names like Secretariat or Sham couldn't satisfy Lin Anran.
So Lin Anran started replying to messages, initially stating that he had time and could treat injured racehorse girls.
—Including Sham! Accepted without a second thought!!
After replying to all and putting down his phone, Lin Anran seemed to remember something.
He took one last look at the current date and time.
"It's… almost next month already?"
"Good, then it's time to sign up for some races."
Lin Anran could currently transform into more than one Uma Musume.
Platinum · Centaurea!
The Radiant Knight · Margaret Nearl!
So he'd be entering more than one race.
[Late-Stage Schedule:]
[Eclipse Stakes (European turf)]
[King George VI Stakes (European turf)]
[Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (European turf)]
[Kentucky Derby…]
Time-wise, the next three races in the task schedule were all European turf events for the Pegasus Platinum!
The European Triple Crown, plus the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe!
As for the Radiant Knight's American Triple Crown campaign, that was next year's business.
But that didn't mean Nearl had no races to enter! The Radiant Knight wasn't some lazy filly only thinking about slacking off and clocking out!
So Lin Anran quickly logged into Platinum's account and signed up for the [Eclipse Stakes].
After successfully registering, he switched accounts.
"There are plenty of races here in America, as I recall."
"Even in the new horse year, there's still more than one G1 race to run."
Lin Anran glanced at the dashing white trench coat and the long, cold lance-sword, feeling a stir of anticipation.
Golden Pegasus! The Radiant Knight's racing outfit!
If she just entered some low to mid-level graded stakes like G3 or G2, wouldn't this new racing outfit go unworn?
So…
"Then… I'll pick a G1 race coming up soon!!"
After switching to the [Margaret Nearl] account.
A dazzling array of races appeared on the list, enough to make anyone's head spin at first glance.
He selected the option to filter only [G1 races], making it clear what was coming up soon.
[G1 · Dirt · Hopeful Stakes]! In just a week!
And the [G1 · Turf · Eclipse Stakes] was also coming up soon.
"So next…"
This [One Soul, Two Bodies] setup was about to come into full play.
Silver-White Pegasus galloping on European turf, golden Pegasus dominating American dirt!
Which meant— double the prize money!! Who wouldn't love that?
In high spirits, the scheming young doctor clicked the entry button.
[Hopeful Stakes], entry confirmed!
With Lin Anran switching between two accounts and two simple clicks…
The shocking news that the world-renowned Platinum and the already high-profile Nearl in America had confirmed their race entries would sweep through like a tornado!
--+--
Europe.
On a training field, a young girl not very well-known in Europe was galloping freely.
This girl had chosen a racing name for herself that spoke of immense ambition!
Yet, her current record didn't quite match up.
—[Harbinger]!
That was the name of this stunningly beautiful girl. With a name like that, her current record was…
G1 wins: Zero.
That's right, zero wins. So far, Harbinger hadn't won any G1 race.
But few mocked her for not living up to the name.
Because previously, Harbinger had won a G2 race impressively, achieving a margin of victory that even some G1 winners might not manage.
So, in the eyes of the public, Harbinger was only one step away from the invincibility her name suggested— she just needed to challenge a G1 race and begin her journey.
"Next… I'll enter the [King George VI Stakes]."
"After winning, I'll challenge Sea the Stars and Platinum in the Arc."
Harbinger murmured to herself, voicing her ambitions.
She slowed her pace, preparing to rest for a bit.
As she walked to a nearby bench and picked up her phone.
The moment she turned it on, she saw promoted racehorse girl news.
It was…
[Eclipse! Pegasus Platinum! Enters the Eclipse Stakes!!]
[Golden Pegasus, Radiant Knight Nearl, confirms entry in the American Hopeful Stakes!]
Seeing the first item made Harbinger's eyes widen.
On the surface, [Eclipse] entering a race commemorating an eclipse didn't seem strange— it might even be seen as a tribute to legendary predecessors.
Probably countless Platinum fans in Europe would be eager to watch Platinum's second European campaign!
But the sharp-minded Harbinger knew the real, heavyweight meaning behind this move!
"So, the races the Pegasus Platinum aims to conquer aren't limited to just the Arc?!"
Historically, Japanese Uma Musume challenging Europe always aimed for only one race— the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The Arc? For Japanese Uma Musume, it had become synonymous with [obsession].
And Platinum had already announced she would challenge the Arc. But now, entering the Eclipse Stakes… indicated her ambitions went beyond that!
"It seems the Pegasus's goals are grander— not just winning the Arc. So my showdown with her doesn't have to wait until the Arc."
"The [King George VI Stakes] will be where I meet Platinum!"
The King George VI Stakes was one of the few European races comparable to the Arc in prestige.
If she was challenging the Eclipse Stakes, signaling ambitions beyond the Arc, how could the Pegasus skip the upcoming King George VI Stakes?
And currently, Harbinger was tuning her condition to peak form, aiming to charge into the King George VI Stakes at her strongest and best!
The sharp-eyed girl took a deep breath.
"Come on, Eclipse! Platinum!"
"After you win the Eclipse Stakes, it'll be time for our battle!"
--+--
A few days later.
Hopeful Stakes, race day.
The solemn-faced golden-haired girl Nearl draped herself in her dashing white trench coat racing outfit.
For her first G1 race in a racing outfit, Nearl chose to wear this white trench coat.
As for [Glory Reborn], the knight armor, she would save it for later races.
This heroic, tall golden-haired girl, her trench coat swaying slightly in the breeze, gripped her lance-sword with a serious expression.
She looked… every bit like a knight charging into battle!
And in a way, it wasn't far from the truth.
Who said the racetrack wasn't a battlefield?
Dressed in her racing outfit, about to make her G1 debut, the young Nearl's amber eyes held a mix of seriousness and anticipation.
In the Radiant Knight's view, underestimating opponents due to overconfidence would be disrespectful to the race.
"First G1 race— can't afford to be careless."
"Now… let's go!"
In the next moment, Nearl stepped forward with firm, decisive strides, heading toward the racetrack!
--+--
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.
There should be... around 70+ advanced chapters?
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.