The autumn morning carried a slight chill, and the sky was just beginning to lighten at six o'clock—the most pleasant time of the year. While most people were still lost in their dreams, one room in the Komori Orphanage was already stirring.
The room was simply furnished, even sparse: a rough but sturdy wooden bed with plain-colored bedding, a brown writing desk placed beside it that also seemed to serve as a nightstand.
Neatly arranged on the desk were various study books, while skincare products—the kind most girls would have—were surprisingly few.
To the right of the bed stood a wardrobe, painted white but cracked and peeling in places. A single round light was fixed to the ceiling; countless nights, it had faithfully provided illumination for the room's occupant.
Beyond these, there was no other furniture. Yet at this moment, no lavish room could compare to this humble space—because the one who lived here possessed a charm far greater than any expensive decoration.
As the clock neared six, the figure on the bed began to stir. Her eyelids fluttered slightly before opening gently. Her light brown eyes shone like gold in the morning sun. After just a second or two of faint disorientation, her gaze quickly grew alert and serious.
'Haa…'
Nearl let out a slow breath and rose from bed without hesitation, ignoring the cool morning air. She picked up the alarm clock beside her bed and checked the time. She didn't need an alarm to wake her; her body had long memorized its rhythm of rest and awakening. For Nearl, this was far more reliable than any clock.
Checking the time was more of a ritual—a way of telling herself that a new day had begun.
She got up, changed out of her simple sleepwear into a slightly faded blue tracksuit, and within a minute, neatly made the bed, smoothed out the sheets, and arranged the pillows. Then she pushed open the window to let fresh air flow into the room.
Compared to tidying the bed, her morning wash took a bit longer—though it was still about half the time most girls her age would spend.
Washing her face, brushing her teeth, combing her long hair, applying moisturizer… each step was carried out with practiced efficiency. There was a precision to her movements that felt unlike most fourteen-year-olds.
Yes, Nearl had spent fourteen years in this world already, and she held no dissatisfaction with her current identity or life.
Her memories from her previous life had gradually returned as she grew up in this one. Thanks to that, she never struggled with her sense of identity—after all, this was also a life she was living. The only real surprise had been about this body itself.
Not that she was troubled about being a girl. In her past life, she'd been confined to a hospital bed, fighting just to stay alive—she hadn't had the luxury to worry about gender. What puzzled her was her appearance. She knew exactly who this face belonged to: Margaret Nearl.
A character from a mobile game she'd played in her past life—a knight who held glory in her heart and charged fearlessly into darkness and injustice. Her radiance was a beacon for countless people, and she tirelessly worked to aid those suffering.
When she first realized she looked exactly like that Nearl, she'd clung to the hope that it was just a coincidence. But that hope shattered when, at ten years old, she felt a glow awaken within her heart.
She couldn't manifest it outwardly, but the warmth that enveloped her body was unmistakable. She had truly become Margaret Nearl—The Radiant Knight.
When that realization settled in, what filled her wasn't panic or fear, but a sense of mission: 'I must become someone like the Radiant Knight. I can't do anything that would dishonor this face.'
She, too, wanted to be a light in people's hearts. Just as Tokai Teio from Uma Musume had inspired and given her hope in her previous life, she wanted to give others something to dream for—to use her own light to dispel the shadows in their hearts.
With that conviction, she began striving tirelessly. To illuminate others, she first had to become light and fire herself. Guided by this belief, Nearl started honing every aspect of herself.
First came speech and knowledge. Coarse, rude words would only push people away; without knowledge, well-meaning advice would be as empty as bubbles. So Nearl threw herself into learning—not just school subjects, but a wide range of knowledge.
She'd formed her own philosophy about study: depth wasn't as important as breadth, so that when she encountered someone in need, she'd know where to begin digging deeper.
Next was character. Here, surprisingly, Nearl found she didn't have to worry much. Her personality now was almost a perfect replica of the Radiant Knight's: serious, diligent, holding herself to high standards while being forgiving of others' shortcomings. Eager to help, yet firm against malice. Stern when teaching, but not stingy with smiles during breaks. A supportive presence in others' lives.
Over the years, not just the orphanage, but the whole town had come to know this sun-like young Uma Musume.
Lastly, there was her body. Though it might sound boastful, physical training was actually where Nearl had to put in the least effort.
The inner glow within her grew stronger as she did, and it brought tangible benefits—the light circulated through her, washing away fatigue and healing injuries. It was why she could push herself daily without ever getting hurt.
Moreover, while her body seemed no different from any other Uma Musume's on the surface, she was in truth a Golden Pegasus. Even with ordinary daily training, her abilities kept steadily improving.
She could now say with certainty that even in pure speed—at fourteen, before even entering her peak years—she could hold her own against graduated Uma Musume from Central Tracen Academy. And that wasn't even considering her stamina or strength.
Four years had passed since that day at ten when she first sensed the light within. All that time, Nearl had diligently polished herself, drawing closer to the image of Margaret Nearl from her memories. Though she still felt far from perfect, she had unwittingly become a role model for the entire orphanage.
The younger children were drawn to her kindness and reliability, naturally leaning on her and emulating her. The adults trusted her words and actions, relying on her for matters big and small, and including her in discussions.
Today, Nearl was already one of the two pillars of the Komori Orphanage. No one carried more weight there except the director herself.
Now, back to the present—Nearl was about to begin another day.
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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!
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