"Excuse me, do you accept the [Duel] invitation from Ruffian?"
The voice of an official from the American racing authorities came through the phone.
It was a mature, somewhat playful female voice, giving Nearl an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
A Duel! A challenge!!
This was a grand tradition unique to America, a special exception adored and celebrated by countless American fans and Uma Musume alike.
One must understand, the first legend in American history, the original Big Red Monster, Man o' War, established her revered status by decisively winning a [Duel] against the first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton.
The second legend, Seabiscuit, engaged in a duel with the Triple Crown champion War Admiral and also achieved a stunning, unexpected victory, ascending to the hall of legends.
One could say that for those two earliest legendary Uma Musume, the most talked-about race of their careers—the one over half their fans would unanimously shout—is the "Duel!"
Not only that, and quite consistently, both Man o' War and Seabiscuit defeated Triple Crown winners, and not by narrow margins, but by overwhelming victories.
Those two legendary duels of the past are already classic tales permanently etched into American, and indeed dirt track, history. Countless Uma Musume since have dreamed of replicating them.
But… none have yet succeeded.
The reason is simple: this is an event that demands extreme, all-around perfection in every sense to succeed, an incredibly difficult scenario to replicate.
The core reason is that it is a [Race]!
Since it's a race, it naturally has requirements in many aspects, such as… the participating Uma Musume, the prize money, spectator numbers, venue conditions, etc.
If the Uma Musume lack popularity or sufficient strength, they won't even qualify for official recognition as a formal race by the racing authorities.
After all, even if it's a special race, it's still a race. It requires venue preparation, promotion, commentary, broadcasting, and more. If the Uma Musume aren't of a high enough caliber, wouldn't that just waste human resources?
Prize money is also a major issue.
Typically, a portion is funded by sponsors; another portion is supplemented by the American racing authorities based on their assessment of the dueling Uma Musume's strength, popularity, and the duel's potential.
Therefore, Uma Musume without enough popularity and strength can't even secure the prize money—the race ends before it even begins…
If popularity is sufficient but strength is lacking, or vice versa, strength is excellent but popularity is low,
Perhaps a duel event could be held, but after assessment by the American authorities, it might only be rated as a G2-level major race, with correspondingly lower prize money and promotion.
Only when so many stringent conditions are met simultaneously, when both Uma Musume are exceptionally outstanding, can it be formally established as an officially recognized [G1 Race] level duel!
In the vast world of American Uma Musume, the one thing they are not short of is Uma Musume.
If the hosting conditions were loosened, the American racing authorities simply couldn't bear the burden.
Furthermore, it would greatly diminish the impact of future heavyweight duels, making the audience feel jaded and accustomed to them.
Hence, [Strict control: either don't hold one, or go all out!] This is the choice of the American Uma Musume authorities regarding this special tradition.
And now, Ruffian, the Undefeated Triple Tiara tyrant, has issued a challenge to Nearl!
Two Undefeated Triple Crown winners! An unprecedented, luxurious duel lineup!
Without a doubt, within just a few hours, this news will spread across America, even sparking strong interest among overseas Uma Musume fans.
One can imagine that even turf fans overseas, who typically have little interest in dirt races, would likely be drawn to pay attention.
After all, the title of Legendary Uma Musume is enough to transcend categories and countries.
And America's first two legendary dirt Uma Musume both used their duel victories as the pinnacle of their careers.
So even turf racing enthusiasts who don't follow dirt events must have heard of America's [Duel] tradition!
It's worth noting that neither Man o' War nor Seabiscuit were Triple Crown winners themselves. It was their defeated opponents who were Triple Crown winners.
But Ruffian and Nearl are not only both Triple Crown winners, they are both undefeated!
The first-ever duel between two Triple Crown winners!
One of the two Undefeated Uma Musume will have her golden aura shattered!
With such a hook, who wouldn't anticipate it, who wouldn't want to see it?
No one doubts that this duel will be on par with, if not surpass, the legendary duels of Man o' War and Seabiscuit! It might even… achieve a level beyond!
And now, the only thing standing between the present and that future [Duel] destined to be remembered for generations, is the nod of agreement from The Radiant Knight, Margaret Nearl!
"A challenge from Ruffian?"
"How interesting. She's willing to set the location at Belmont Park?"
Nearl, holding the phone, had a strange glint flash in her eyes, followed by a pleased smile.
To dare choose Belmont Park, where The Radiant Knight secured her Classic Triple Crown, a familiar territory for Nearl.
It seemed she had somewhat underestimated that tyrant's confidence.
"And the race distance set by Ruffian?"
Nearl asked the female staff member about this other crucial point.
Distance selection was also a very important part.
In Nearl's view, it was most likely the mile distance of 1800 meters, or the shortest middle distance of 2000 meters.
'Ruffian wouldn't challenge the 2400 meters. If her stamina could perfectly handle it, she would have challenged the Classic Triple Crown, not the Triple Tiara.'
Typically, American races also focus on mile and middle distances. Compared to European racing, the difference is that they aren't strictly separated; many American Uma Musume are adept at both mile and middle distances, unlike in Europe where the divisions are rigid.
Take Sea the Stars, for example. With her immense potential, she clearly possessed talent for both the mile and even long distances, a truly near-perfect innate ability. It wasn't impossible for her to attempt domination over various distances and win G1s.
But Sea the Stars stubbornly stuck to middle distances, never considering other race lengths. Whether it was the third leg of the British Triple Crown, a long-distance G1, or other mile G1s, she showed no interest in challenging them.
The reasoning was actually quite simple: middle distance itself is the most prestigious, influential, and valuable race category. Why spend extra time condescending to challenge other distances that couldn't possibly surpass middle distance? Just eating the largest, sweetest piece of the cake is enough!
That's why cross-distance challenges are extremely rare in Europe.
But America is different. Here, mile and middle distances aren't separate families. This is evident from the American Triple Crown races, which are run at mile, 2000m, and 2400m distances.
But Ruffian, who can handle the mile, gave up on the Classic Triple Crown early to pursue the Triple Tiara. This must be due to the 2400m being too long for her.
What distance would that undefeated, arrogant tyrant queen choose to challenge her? This interested The Radiant Knight.
"2200 meters."
The female staff member provided the answer.
2200 meters?
Not a mile or 2000 meters?
This distance made Nearl's expression become one of keen interest.
This was a rather 'uncommon' distance, a track length Nearl herself had never raced over.
Not just her, Ruffian hadn't raced it either.
Soon, Miss Radiant Knight nodded slightly and gave her decision.
"How interesting… I have no reason to refuse such a fascinating duel."
But in the next moment, her sharp senses shifted, and she spoke her next line.
"A very familiar voice."
"Is that—Ms. Seabiscuit on the phone?"
In truth, Nearl had recognized the voice as somewhat familiar not long after answering the call. It lacked the usual seriousness of official staff, instead having a playful, relaxed quality.
But compared to that, more than Seabiscuit, Nearl was more focused on Ruffian, who issued the challenge.
After all, she couldn't have Seabiscuit. At least… not before the Dream Cup arrives.
But that tyrant, that queen-like, maiden, was a delicacy she could savor in detail in the upcoming duel.
Which was more important? It was obvious at a glance.
"You recognized me?"
"Well, I am the most popular Uma Musume in American history."
"Do your best, little Nearl."
"If you win this duel, I might have to add 'one of the' to my 'most popular' title."
After the golden-haired Nearl complimented this senior's popularity, Seabiscuit didn't hesitate to return the praise in kind.
"Your popularity is quite formidable. If you win this, the popularity advantage I've built up over all these years will vanish before you."
"I will do my best."
Nearl responded in a calm tone.
Even facing the praise of a legendary senior, and the fighting spirit for an impending legendary duel, this Radiant Knight could maintain her composure, which satisfied the 'Customer Service Biscuit' on the other end of the line.
"Both Man o' War Senior and I will be there in person to greet the final winner."
"Will it be you, or will it be Ruffian?"
At this point, Seabiscuit paused finally, her tone turning serious again.
"Well, I'll stop here for now. I need to get back to overtime work, trying to make your duel with Ruffian the most spectacular one ever."
"2200 meters is no easy distance. Be prepared, Radiant Knight!"
Finally, Nearl ended the call.
The tall blonde maiden, bathed in the sunlight streaming through the window, nodded slightly. She resembled a knight about to take the stage, her golden strands of hair gently floating.
"Good, the first race after the Triple Crown…"
"Let it begin with Ruffian."
--+--
A few days later.
Europe.
A silvery-white, slightly petite girl was picking up her suitcase again.
Platinum was looking down at her phone, preparing to leave.
Not long ago, Platinum had returned to Europe after a major victory in Australia's The Everest sprint race. Currently, she was feeling rather bored.
Even though Platinum would soon face "The Longest River of Long Distances" Stradivarius and "The Highest Mountain of Long Distances" Kyprios in the upcoming [Long Distance G1 Race · Goodwood Cup], she didn't feel particularly tense.
After all, during her time in Japan, Platinum had already undertaken a grueling campaign that broke many people's expectations, running four or five races within just two months.
Moreover, she was the world's only holder of the [Irregular Quadruple Crown], which included two races of 2400 meters and one of 3000 meters!
So for the upcoming Goodwood Cup, the Pegasus felt no nervousness, unlike before The Everest where she feared something going wrong.
"This duel has caused quite a stir, hasn't it?"
"These past few days, over half the Uma Musume news pushed to my phone has been heatedly discussing [Nearl VS Ruffian], [Undefeated Triple Tiara VS Undefeated Triple Crown]."
Even she became interested.
Platinum wanted to see what "another version of herself" looked like on the dirt track, in a duel setting.
Watching "herself" show off in front of others and surpass an opponent live… would that count as [narcissism], or… wanting to see the strength of "her own rival, Nearl"?
Platinum couldn't figure it out right away, and couldn't be bothered to. Might as well take it easy when possible! The Goodwood Cup isn't that soon anyway!
First, reward herself with a live match!
As she dragged her suitcase, about to temporarily make a run for the US, Platinum looked down and saw a new message on her phone screen from a new friend she'd added a few days prior.
[Winx: Miss Platinum, the dolls you sent have arrived.]
[Winx: Thank you, Miss Platinum! I could never repay your kindness in this lifetime!]
In person, she was a somewhat socially anxious, otaku-like fan girl.
But online, she became someone who could chat with Platinum quite readily.
"How did this end up like I gave her some dolls and she's taken out a [Kindness Loan]?"
Platinum's expression turned slightly complicated.
This esteemed Platinum wasn't aware that her charm was enough to make certain little foreign fan fillies dream of her, even to the extent of being able to perform 'incantation-less water-based forbidden arts'.
"Whatever, I should just get going."
"Watching the match in a few days is most important!"
Just as Platinum made to put away her phone and depart, a new message arrived from Winx.
This time, the content made even the silvery-white girl somewhat surprised, causing her to tilt her head slightly.
[Winx: Miss Platinum, after you run the long-distance Goodwood Cup, your next race will definitely be a European mile G1, right?]
[Winx: For you, I'm willing to leave Australia and come to Europe to see Miss Platinum again!!]
Huh?
The world-famous "super otaku", "the Lonely Empress of Australia"…
Was actually willing to follow her and enter the same mile G1?
Was this for revenge? Or what did it mean?
As an assassin, Platinum's first thought was that Winx wanted revenge, to assassinate her.
And while she was lazy, she wouldn't refuse any challenge.
So…
[Platinum: Welcome to come.]
--+--
USA, a certain training ground.
The majestic girl with eyes dark as night halted her steps.
The time for the agreed-upon [Duel] was drawing nearer, only a few short days away.
Like a tyrant, aloof and majestic, her fighting spirit was currently reaching its peak.
"Radiant Knight!"
"Margaret Nearl!"
It's worth noting that Ruffian particularly emphasized the final [Nearl].
She wasn't like the fan audiences, fixated on the golden-haired girl's "Radiant Knight" title.
She also wasn't like the fans who adored Margaret Nearl, wanting to say her given name, Margaret.
From beginning to end, Ruffian cared about "Nearl", because the young man she favored came from the same family.
"Dr. Lin must have another name, also using [Nearl] as his surname, since he is Margaret's uncle."
"But Dr. Lin, he never told me his other names, or about his family situation."
This was what Ruffian felt resentful and concerned about.
What was there to hide? Nothing, of course.
Therefore, it meant their relationship wasn't intimate enough to share everything.
"And our promise was…"
"To become the [GOAT]! Then Dr. Lin would fulfill the [Wish] of the strongest one."
"And that wish… has no limits!"
Anything goes!
For this reason, Ruffian had firmly set her sights on the Radiant Knight.
"Currently, Secretariat is almost on par with Man o' War-senpai, even stronger than Seabiscuit-senpai."
"She's also older than me, raced a full year earlier than me. Even if I could match her or surpass her, it would take a long time!"
Time, the most precious thing is time.
The only shortcut to catch up, to erase the time gap, is to achieve a feat recognized by the world, something never before accomplished in the entire history of dirt track Uma Musume.
Namely… a duel victory that surpasses the legendary Uma Musume!
To fulfill the promise with Dr. Lin, she must find a way to surpass Margaret and [ascend]!
"Sorry, my future little niece."
--+--
T/N: Lowkey i should have known from two chaps ago but Winx a freak
--+--
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.