At the very start, the Silver-White Pegasus mused over the differences and characteristics of various running styles.
Come-from-behind… a strategy of biding one's time, holding back until the final stretch to unleash a devastating burst of speed for victory.
Platinum wanted to try out all four running styles one by one, then pick the one that was easiest, most efficient—or better yet, the one that would let her clock out early.
Right now, she was still in the experimental phase!
She burst from the gate quickly, securing the inside lane. Everything seemed perfect, smooth sailing…
But then—the group of come-from-behind runners closing in, also charging toward the inner lane, made Platinum sense danger.
It wasn't the fear of being boxed in, unable to break free.
It was… simpler than that. She just hated being hemmed in like that—to the point where she couldn't even accelerate early if she wanted to, forced to wait for the other horses around her to pick up the pace before she could move.
If that happened, saying goodbye to an early finish!
In a longer race like this that relied on a strong finish, the come-from-behind strategy had its advantages. But when multiple horses chose this style, the one on the innermost lane could easily get trapped—boxed in from the front, back, even the sides!
In situations like that, it all came down to judgment—waiting for the right moment, then bursting through the moment an opening appeared.
Unwilling to let that happen, not wanting to overthink it, and downright detesting that trapped feeling, Platinum didn't hesitate. She abandoned the come-from-behind approach outright and recklessly switched tactics, accelerating early!
You could say—
The front-runners and pace-setters only had to focus on the race itself, fighting for the lead. But us come-from-behind runners? We had to worry about so much more.
Not wanting to overcomplicate things, Platinum kicked into gear, ignoring the stunned look from Mejiro Dober beside her, and charged toward the leading pack.
From matching the speed of the other come-from-behind runners to suddenly accelerating, she blew past a whole group of horses in what felt like an instant.
That unrestrained, almost inhuman surge of power caught the attention of a certain scientist-horse in the stands, who kept her eyes glued to the track for several seconds.
—'If only I had legs like that… a body so healthy it's almost oppressive…'
--+--
Meanwhile, Mejiro Dober, the favorite to win running beside Platinum, was left utterly bewildered.
'Hah—?!'
'Her break from the gate was so fast! Isn't it almost on par with monsters like top-tier horses nowadays?!'
'And why didn't she accelerate from the start? Instead, she waited until the front-runners had pulled ahead before kicking into gear?'
The mysteries surrounding that silver-white figure were something Mejiro Dober never saw coming.
But in Dober's eyes, this… might actually be a good thing!
A densely packed come-from-behind group, horses blocking and interfering with each other—it happened all the time. As an expert in this running style, Dober was used to it.
If a powerhouse like Platinum stayed right beside her, Dober would have to worry about whether to mark her closely or stay on guard.
But since Platinum was now inexplicably accelerating from behind the come-from-behind pack, charging toward the front-runners… well, that was just perfect!
That way, Dober could conserve her stamina perfectly, lying in wait at the back—a patient hunter!
In a long race like this 2400-meter, the longest of the Filly Triple Crown races, taking the lead early wasn't necessarily a good idea!
'The temporary lead… I'll leave it to Kyoei March and Platinum.'
'But the final victory? That belongs to me alone!'
--+--
Second turn—just past the halfway point of the race!
The young horse girl named Kyoei March had taken the lead, setting the pace as the front-runner.
She was one of the top contenders in the Filly Triple Crown, widely recognized as one of the few strong enough to compete with Mejiro Dober.
Her explosive power was excellent, but her stamina wasn't as strong—she lacked the confidence to sustain a final kick down the long homestretch.
"I hope I can build enough of a lead without burning out!"
"There's still a chance, right?"
Kyoei March, whose stamina couldn't support a full-on breakaway, didn't notice the commotion brewing in the front-running pack not far behind her…
All because of a certain swift figure crashing into their midst, causing quite the stir!
The Pegasus from behind was accelerating, reaching the side of the front-running pack before the race was even halfway over!
And without the slightest pause or hesitation, she began overtaking them one by one, leaving them in the dust!
The storm stirred up by Platinum's terrifying sprint began to sweep across the vast track.
"Uwoooh?!"
"Wait, isn't Platinum a come-from-behind runner? Why is she going as fast as a breakaway leader?"
"Who even changes their running style mid-race…"
"At 2400 meters, accelerating this early in such a long race?"
"No need to go as wild as this monster. Just keep pace and wait for her to burn out."
Some horses were startled; others stayed calm and composed. A few even felt a flicker of delight at the sight.
After all, most of the horses challenging the Filly Triple Crown weren't exactly known for their stamina…
In their minds, if a horse had outstanding endurance, they'd aim for the Classic Triple Crown instead. Those going for the Filly Triple Crown usually relied more on explosive power, with stamina often being a weaker point.
With Agnes Tachyon nearly retired due to injury and withdrawing from the Japanese Derby, Platinum still chose the Oaks over the Derby!
To the outside world—and even to these competing horses—Platinum's stamina couldn't possibly be that exceptional!
Otherwise, why would she, already registered for the Derby, give up the Oaks to focus on Derby preparations?
Meanwhile, in the middle pack, Mejiro Dober, with her sharp judgment and momentum, gradually secured a favorable position.
All she had to do now was wait for the right moment to unleash her power and accelerate.
Dober's gaze, however, was fixed on Platinum, a hint of unexpected surprise flashing in her eyes.
'Her momentum… it's still increasing?'
'Wait, so her target isn't the front-runners—it's the breakaway leader? Is she aiming straight for first place and won't stop until she gets it?'
Staring at that silver-white retreating figure, Dober felt a slight deviation from her calculations beginning to form.
She didn't know if it was just her imagination!
Logically speaking, no matter how talented Platinum was, her physical maturation had definitely only just begun!
Even if she was precocious, even if her stamina was impressive…
Before this, the longest race she'd ever run was 2000 meters. She lacked experience, and she'd only rested a mere two weeks!
And she still had the confidence to keep pushing like this?
The breakaway leader Kyoei March… was about to be overtaken by the Pegasus even before the third turn?!
But Dober's expression remained calm as she turned her attention to Kyoei March's retreating figure at the very front.
'But Platinum… you've miscalculated!'
'Kyoei March has already completed her physical maturation—she's fully mastered her Aura and can activate her skills now!'
A stats monster versus a mechanics monster? The former would have to admit defeat!
'Even if it's far from the level of a true domain, for a fledgling still early in her maturation, it's nothing short of overwhelming.'
Time to teach the Pegasus a lesson!
--+--
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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.