"Miss Platinum... that gate break was so fast?"
Winx's pupils contracted sharply. It was as if she had witnessed something utterly staggering, a scene that defied all expectation.
Theoretically, Platinum's gate break wasn't considered slow, a fact known to many.
This, of course, included Winx herself, who was secretly a fan of the Pegasus.
There were times before when Platinum had clearly been slow out of the gate, and other times she'd broken smoothly, a constant flip-flop that led many to believe it was a deliberate tactic, a choice to start behind due to changes in her running style.
But now... this was Australia's pinnacle of sprint racing, [The Everest]!
Winx knew that what seemed like a simple [gate break] might not be crucial or fatal in other race distances.
As long as it wasn't one of Platinum's occasionally severe delays, a minor slow start wouldn't necessarily make victory impossible. Its importance was relatively low.
But in a sprint, it was completely different, especially in The Everest.
With the incredibly high entry fee, the presence of the sprinting powerhouse Black Caviar, Winx's own rare return to sprinting, and the Pegasus, Platinum...
The horse girls who still dared to challenge this race, who dared to risk winning less prize money than the entry fee... how could they possibly be ordinary?
No horse girl wanted to lose the race and effectively pay the event organizers for the privilege. Entering this race was a statement of confidence in one's own ability!
'I've reviewed the data on these dozen-plus horse girls. Only Platinum and I aren't sprinting specialists.'
'The rest are all dedicated sprinters, each having won at least a GII-level major stakes race, and [over half] are even GI sprint champions!!'
'They're all types with immense power and an obsession with [a swift gate break]. Uma Musume from other distances would find it difficult to match them!'
Having suddenly switched to sprinting, she shouldn't have had much time to focus on the specific training regimens unique to sprinters! So, in Winx's view, the idol Pegasus running her first sprint… should be similar to herself, or perhaps slightly better.
But what was this??
When the snow-white, graceful girl's stunned gaze fixed upon the silver-white girl bursting from the middle gate, noting the incredible speed of her break that surpassed every other horse girl around her...
All that was left for Winx was sheer astonishment and shock!
This world where only she was slow out of the gate... what was going on?
'Then what about me—'
It wasn't a break inferior to the sprint elites like hers? Nor was it merely on par with theirs?
But... a break that surpassed the entire field, a swift burst that put her ahead of everyone else right from the start?!
'So incredible...'
Just how much effort had she put in during her rest time to achieve that kind of reaction and explosion? It was truly terrifying!
But after the surprise, Winx quickly forced herself to calm down.
As a bona fide homebody, she had managed to turn every major race in Australia into her own home turf.
Her break was a moment slow, but fortunately, her gate position was excellent, naturally placing her on the inside rail.
Now then...
'Keep to my own rhythm, and stick close to the Pegasus!'
As the most experienced Uma Musume in the field, Winx abruptly began her dash along the inner rail.
Her eyes were locked intently on Black Caviar beside her, and further out, on the Pegasus, Platinum.
'The main event... hasn't even started yet!'
--+--
In Europe.
In the Sea family home.
Sea the Stars, Galileo, and two other young Sea family horse girls were seated on the sofa, watching the live broadcast of [The Everest] on the living room TV.
Aside from the sisters Sea the Stars and Galileo, the other two horse girls were anything but ordinary.
The first was named Frankel, a [Legend] universally acknowledged as in a class of her own in mile races, who had already claimed the great title of [GOAT of the Mile].
She was a black-haired girl who seemed the embodiment of perfection, imposing with an almost mature aura, yet when she smiled, she could look sweet and adorable, making her utterly enigmatic.
But in reality, she was equally enigmatic on the track, impossibly, perfectly strong.
The second was Stradivarius, who had consecutively dominated the top-class long-distance GI Goodwood Cup three times, hailed as the "Longest River" in long-distance racing.
In long-distance, the polar opposite of sprints, which tests endurance to the extreme, this girl with an "instrument" as her name had delicate features, appearing almost fragile, yet possessed a resolve so romantic it bordered on steadfastness.
She was like a romantic, young female musician from a great family, who practiced her instrument indoors, seldom seeing the sun.
These two were also the contemporary top contenders, the favorites Platinum was scheduled to face in the two races following her [Final Campaign]...
But because their race schedules differed from the classic middle-distance focus of sisters Galileo and Sea the Stars, Stradivarius and Frankel usually trained separately, practicing and having trial races with other horse girls of similar types.
With not many races lately, and today's event being one that even Frankel and Stradivarius were interested in, these girls had found themselves gathered together rather unusually to watch.
"A famous reputation is well-deserved! I believe the Pegasus will be strong in sprints too," Galileo said, not stinting on her praise for the Pegasus Platinum just as the countdown began, seconds before the race started.
After all... she had been thoroughly beaten three times.
Defeated by Platinum thrice, with two of those losses seeing Platinum ascend to the Pegasus's peak, known to all the world.
If Platinum kept getting stronger, then her own losses to her wouldn't seem so embarrassing, right?
They might even be considered an honor!
Beside Galileo, the smaller chestnut-haired girl, Sea the Stars, pursed her lips, silent and utterly serious as she looked up at the close-up of Platinum on the screen.
Unlike her completely resigned older sister, the fiercely competitive Sea the Stars had not surrendered entirely.
So she'd lost one Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe? She'd just win it back next time!
That had been her thought months ago, after the defeat.
But who would have thought that now, instead of continuing her challenge in Europe's middle-distance GIs, Platinum had suddenly embarked on an expedition to the sprinting paradise of Australia?
'It's not...'
She couldn't possibly follow Platinum to compete in The Everest just for revenge, could she?
How was she supposed to get her revenge like this?
With a complex expression, caught between tears and laughter, Sea the Stars could only focus on watching the race intently, thinking about what events Platinum might challenge next.
Then...
When the four Sea family girls collectively witnessed Platinum's gate break!
That efficiency surpassing a dozen Australian sprinting prodigies, that shining silver-white figure charging out ahead of everyone else!
The first one who couldn't help but clap was Stradivarius, who didn't hold back her utterly astonished praise.
"This is a sprint race, and Miss Platinum's break can be this impressive?"
"That's amazing!"
So-called sprint races might be defined differently in various horse girl communities, but the distance is generally set between 1000 to 1400 or 1500 meters.
The classic sprint events are mostly 1200 meters! Compared to the classic middle-distance of 2400 meters like the Arc, the Epsom Derby, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, or the Japan Cup, it's only half the distance!
Therefore, many believe that a moment lost in a sprint might be equivalent to a double disadvantage in a standard middle-distance race. The impact of the gate break is significantly heavier in sprints.
Mile, middle-distance, and long-distance horse girls must all balance endurance, universally believing that preventing slowdown is far more important than a slight lead from the break.
Sprinters can save that bulk of time to train for power, explosiveness, and the break itself—completely different training content.
This intensified focus results in these specialized sprinters having exceptionally good breaks, to the point where Winx had no confidence that with her far inferior break training, she could achieve a break on their level.
This was why, despite her immense talent and being in sprint-happy Australia, Winx didn't run sprints very often.
And even someone as skilled as Stradivarius wasn't absolutely confident she could achieve the best, most perfect break in The Everest, a race filled with sprinting stars!
After all, her daily training necessarily focused on [endurance]. Training specifically for the break was a poor trade-off, a mistaken choice where the cost outweighed the benefit.
And on the world stage, the Pegasus Platinum, like her, was known as a super monster renowned for outstanding endurance!
Stradivarius couldn't free up the time and energy to deliberately prepare for the minor advantage of a better break. She had thought Platinum would be the same...
After all, the middle distance Platinum mastered most required not only endurance but also immense power, demanding a considerable training load.
But who would have thought that, compared to the tall, robust Australian sprinters...
The Pegasus Platinum, whose appearance was so deceptive, seemingly somewhat petite with a slender waist and fair skin beneath... could have a start reaction and explosiveness, a resulting break, so perfect that it surpassed even these seasoned Australian sprinters?
How was that possible?!
It wasn't just Stradivarius; even Sea the Stars and Frankel, these two Sea family legends, visibly had their pupils contract, their beautiful eyes flashing with surprise.
"What incredible physicality..."
"What kind of stats are those?"
"The deceptive nature under that cute, peerlessly beautiful appearance is truly fearsome. She's literally an assassin! A killer!"
In their expressions, each held the same anticipation.
The desire to face Platinum wasn't unique to Sea the Stars!
Currently, Frankel and Stradivarius felt the same way!
Frankel was utterly invincible in the mile. Every notable strong mile runner had been swept aside by her; she was the universally acknowledged [GOAT]!
She was so lonely she had even considered [increasing her distance] to try middle-distance GI races.
As for Stradivarius beside Frankel, her expression was complex, as if she wanted to say something but stopped.
It seemed she faintly felt that this [Platinum's First Sprint], with its perfect performance, was strangely familiar!
As for Stradivarius herself, she had been almost undefeated for years, with a remarkably long peak. Even if her level of invincibility didn't match the undefeated shock of Frankel or Platinum...
There were always few monsters in long-distance, making it a "niche" like sprinting. Therefore, Stradivarius was also crowned [GOAT] by many outside!
That's right, two of the four major distance categories—half of them—were occupied by their Sea family!
But compared to the truly invincible, undefeated Frankel, the current Stradivarius faced a challenge.
This elegant girl, like a musician, had a suddenly emerging, invincible junior named..."Kyprios"! A horse girl with such an abstract name, who stepped onto the track with a casual, nonchalant air.
That Kyprios, in the recent [Long-Distance GI - 4000m - Ascot Gold Cup], as a "newcomer" challenging a long-distance GI for the first time, had defeated the highly-ranked long-distance GOAT Stradivarius!!
Kyprios, a super talented girl with zero GI wins before, surpassed the king Stradivarius, who had dominated numerous GIs for three or four consecutive years, in her very first attempt!
And Stradivarius felt uneasy. She knew all too well that Kyprios was no lucky horse girl who burned out after one great race.
That Kyprios, with only one GI win to her name now, was absolutely a peerless monster whose talent was no less than her own, capable of seizing the [Long-Distance GOAT] title Stradivarius had only recently claimed!
Therefore, Stradivarius intended to seek revenge and defeat Kyprios in the upcoming [Goodwood Cup]! To show that young junior that her era wasn't over yet, that the future belonged to her!
Thus, the Goodwood Cup would feature two monsters: Stradivarius and Kyprios! If Platinum were to come and challenge as well...
Wouldn't it be just like... the current situation with Winx and Black Caviar in this Australian Everest!
Familiar, all too familiar!
If Platinum challenged The Everest and then came for the Goodwood Cup... that would be too interesting!
Another three-king battle? If she could win that race, her not-entirely-stable [Long-Distance GOAT] throne would become truly deserved, leaving the second place far behind, right?
As for fearing Platinum, hoping she wouldn't come to make winning easier...
An Uma Musume who thought like that, who shied away from a fight, could never stand at the pinnacle of all Uma Musume!
The romantic girl who loved instruments narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled cheerfully.
"The Pegasus who would compete for the [Sprint GOAT] might truly be interested in the mile and long distance."
"Frankel, let's wait quietly."
"For now... let's see if she can seize the supreme crown of sprinting!"
--+--
Inside the racecourse, on the dirt track, near the front.
"So, so fast!"
Black Caviar, the second favorite and a top contender whose popularity votes were extremely close to the Pegasus Platinum's, keenly sensed the smell of danger.
Her hawk-like, cold, and ruthless pupils were firmly fixed on Platinum.
Although before the race, this Everest was considered a potential three-king battle that could end in a draw, in reality, Black Caviar had a clear order of priority in her mind. She believed only Platinum was the one most likely to bring an upset.
Before the race, Black Caviar had specifically analyzed the strengths of her two main opponents, Platinum and Winx.
'Platinum's race record shows wins from 2000m to 3200m, dominating middle and long distances.'
'She is famous for recklessly accelerating early, for huge come-from-behind wins and leading from the front. Her endurance is tremendously strong, and her explosiveness is no less than any middle-distance horse girl conserving stamina.'
'But... this is a mere 1200-meter race, a sprint where no horse girl could possibly fade!'
'The possibility of victory absolutely exists!'
In other words, one of Platinum's usual major advantages—never fading, early acceleration...
Would be greatly compressed in this Everest.
Generally, the shorter the distance a horse girl specializes in, the less time she spends training stamina, and the more time she spends honing power.
And Winx, among her numerous GI victories, typically raced between 1400m and 2000m, perfectly avoiding Platinum's preferred distances.
This meant Winx should, in theory, have far less stamina than Platinum, but being able to run from sprints up to the minimum middle-distance of 2000m, she must be very strong in power and explosiveness.
But in the eyes of Black Caviar, the current strongest sprinter, she wasn't afraid of an opponent with such an explosive advantage.
Because no matter how strong, even if stronger than the middle/long-distance specialist Platinum, could it surpass her, the dedicated sprinter?
Instead, it was the Pegasus Platinum, whose stamina advantage seemed significantly reduced here, that Black Caviar had never faced before—such an unusual horse girl with exceptionally imposing presence and endurance.
Underestimating Platinum might lead to being caught off guard and defeated!
Towards that strongest middle-distance Pegasus, Black Caviar held a great deal of respect!
'If it were a middle-distance race, my chances against her wouldn't be one percent... no, not even one in a thousand.'
'But the sprint... this is my home turf! A legend of the classic distances cannot possibly display legendary power on a niche track!'
How could a legendary middle-distance horse girl also be a legend in the sprint?
That seemed utterly impossible!
And the reason middle-distance was the classic distance was because it offered the most spectacle, requiring an almost balanced "hourglass" need for both stamina and power.
Run well, and it's hugely spectacular and awe-inspiring. Run poorly, and you might fade.
That great contrast and top-tier spectacle are what made [middle distance] deservedly the best race category in the hearts of most horse girl communities worldwide.
That's also why the ultimate [Legendary] horse girls were mostly middle-distance specialists. A minority were mile specialists.
As for the two niche categories, sprint and long distance, well, sorry, but there were simply no legends there.
The lack of extreme competition and excellent opponents in those less popular categories made it difficult for even the most talented horse girls to cross that final hurdle.
And in Black Caviar's view, this Everest might be her best chance in this lifetime to ascend to legend!
She had to consider if this was her one and only opportunity!
'—To restore the glory of sprinting is our duty!!!'
Under the surge of fervent emotion, this tall, wild girl, fierce and swift as a hawk, locked her gaze completely on Platinum's figure.
Then, in the next moment—
That shining, somewhat petite silver-white figure abruptly began to accelerate.
Accelerating right out of the gate? That signature move?
"Just as I thought?!"
"That guy, her acceleration is so quick!"
Without the slightest hesitation!
The Australian champion, Black Caviar, also launched her acceleration in pursuit.
Even in a 1200-meter sprint, it was rare to see acceleration in the first half, let alone acceleration starting right at the beginning.
'The Zone... it's not time for that yet.'
'I'll wait until Platinum starts her signature second acceleration before confronting her!'
The tall, vibrant wild girl had her own plan!
But in the very next second...
The degree of acceleration from the Pegasus Platinum, the only one she was focused on, exceeded all expectations!
It wasn't just Black Caviar who was stunned; even Winx, and...
—The tens of thousands of spectators in the venue instantly widened their eyes, as if witnessing something utterly unbelievable!!
That silver-white girl in the middle gate, behind her...
Actually manifested particles of silver and black interweaving!
Then, they coalesced into a pair of wings, black as night, on the back of this silver-white Pegasus!
The blazing sun hanging high in the sky was imperceptibly replaced by a... [Twin Eclipse] that Platinum characteristically summoned!
--+--
[Innate Skill: Activated]
[Pegasus Form (Passive): Greatly increases Power and Acceleration. Significantly enhances Presence. Randomly seals 1 to 3 Zone Skills of opponents based on difference in Presence strength. Moderately enhances all subsequent personal skills.]
[Pegasus Wings (Active): Deploys wings. Slightly increases Stamina consumption. While active, moderately increases Explosiveness, and assesses the average strength of all horse girls on the field. The stronger the average opponent strength, the greater the boost to own Fighting Spirit, Stamina recovery, and Speed increase.]
--+--
That... wasn't a Zone Skill requiring a deployed Zone, but an independent Innate Skill! And not just one; it was almost reaching the total number of skills some horse girls possessed!
And that was just Platinum's Innate Skills, equivalent to passive abilities, not even her full-power Zone!
The deepest night, black yet dazzling wings, unfolded from the silver-white girl's shoulder blades, transforming into exquisitely beautiful wings black as night! They shimmered with a mysterious and captivating luster!
The appearance of those night-black wings created an extreme contrast with the silver-white girl, Platinum!
Her skin, whiter than snow, embodying the pure white radiance of her "Platinum" name, now set against the ink-black, profound wings spreading behind her, seemed to add unimaginable impetus to her speed, making her image seem like a mythical creature, transcendent and mysterious!
Before this, many Australian spectators were insular, like an upgraded version of the Japanese horse girl scene, only interested in their local Australian horse girls.
Among them, some knew of Platinum's reputation and knew horse girls could have special effects; they might have seen some of her races but not necessarily all of them, unaware of the Pegasus's many new visual traits.
"Eh? Wait, isn't it just that arrow-shooting overtaking effect?"
"Hold on, Platinum has wings that cool?"
"Is she actually flying?! Can she really fly?!"
"Urgh... I'm not a Platinum fan, I support Black Caviar and Winx. Gotta admit, those effects are way too flashy and handsome."
"The Three Goddesses are so biased! Why didn't they give Winx winged flight effects like that?!"
"Did the Three Goddesses open a window for Platinum, and then also open the skylight and the front door??"
Now, this scene directly subverted the imagination of many Australians!
Pegasus Platinum? Just a nickname? That notion of a mere title was utterly negated by the pair of black wings rising from Platinum's back!
Without a doubt, this was... a true Pegasus!
Platinum's acceleration was extremely fierce!
The silver-white girl showed no sign of satisfaction. With wings spread as if flying low, she did not forget...
The memento!
Among the previous rewards was her exclusive Uma Musume memento.
--+--
[Platinum Exclusive Memento - Solo Travel Kit]
[Adds a new skill. Slightly increases Stamina, slightly increases Power.]
[The longer the interval since the last skill activation, the next skill's effect will be enhanced from a small to a large degree.]
--+--
It seemed perfectly suited to pair with her perpetual Zone, allowing her to activate some compatible skills early in the race!
Activating a new skill after a long interval, massively boosted by the exclusive memento—this was the perfect application!
And when the excellent horse girls pushed hard to catch up with their late-race acceleration...
–The BOSS has entered Phase Two!!
Or, equivalently...
–W, has activated Dawnbreak!!
The sharp, formidable silver-white girl on the track hesitated not a single bit. An astonishing presence continuously surged from her body.
In the sky, the original sun was unknowingly overshadowed and replaced by the dark Terra Twin Moons!
And Platinum, with her black wings fully deployed, completely transformed into the most striking and mysterious Pegasus under the twin moons!
In an instant—!
[Zone: Deploy!]
[Pegasian Sight Activated!]
Now, this is the first form of BOSS Platinum Alter!
--+--
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.