"Wait, do I even need this?"
Lin Anran stared at the system panel's rewards, lost in thought for a long time.
Weird, weird... (Factor Inheritance)? And this (Three-Month Paid Vacation · One-Time Use)?
Seriously? It's the same three-month vacation old man Młynar had to work his butt off for ten years to save up?
I get to take his vacation for him? No way, right?
Lin Anran did recall that in Kazimierz's famous scenes, Platinum was the ultimate corporate slave—always working overtime, always fighting monsters stronger than herself.
And Młynar was also a wage slave, with barely any vacation time. It took him a decade to save up just this much.
Honestly, that world is terrifying!
Good thing I transmigrated into this world full of innocent horse girls and harmonious, loving Uma Musume!
Forget making money or taking vacations—on that continent, if you don't have cheats, you'd be lucky just to survive. No wonder my Platinum transformation can win races here...
As for old man Młynar's one-time vacation reward—who wouldn't love that? I can save it for when I want to travel or have an emergency, then head straight to Europe or the U.S. for a full three months!
But the other reward, this [Factor Inheritance], was something Lin Anran completely couldn't wrap his head around.
This system reward... is it actually useful?
"Significantly increases the probability of offspring inheriting the host's superior talents"—but it's not like I have anything worth inheriting.
What even counts as "superior talents"? There's no way to confirm or guarantee anything.
Besides, I'm still young. I need to focus on making money and squeezing coins out of these pure, naive little horse girls first.
Who knows how long it'll be before I even think about marriage or dating, let alone having kids!
Not to mention, even many G1 champion Uma Musume might have offspring that struggle to win even the lowest-tier G3 prizes. So this upgrade probably won't make much difference anyway.
Verdict: Useless reward (maybe)! It'll probably be useless for at least ten years, right?
The unscrupulous young doctor sighed regretfully, completely uninterested in this [Factor Inheritance].
Well, since the rewards are already here, I guess it's better to have them than not.
After reviewing the rewards, Lin Anran's attention shifted.
"Next up, I'll just wait for Teio to drop some coins, then prepare for the final Kikuka Shō."
The Kikuka Shō—that was the real main event. Everything else could be overlooked, but not this race!
Winning that race would mean Pegasus Platinum's Irregular Triple Crown would be complete!
Then, he'd permanently obtain [Intermediate Healing Ability] and two trial uses of [Advanced Healing Ability], officially ascending to miracle doctor status!
At that point, I won't just be treating lightly injured Uma Musume—I might even be able to heal injuries for those elite young ladies from Europe and America!
How amazing does that sound? It filled Lin Anran with anticipation.
No matter what... the Kikuka Shō must be won. There was no room for failure!
And Lin Anran didn't think the Kikuka Shō would be easy. Even without Agnes Tachyon, there'd still be her good friend, Manhattan Cafe!
He didn't know much about foreign coin-dropping Uma Musume, but he was very familiar with the Japanese ones.
During this period, Manhattan Cafe, who seemed ordinary and low-key compared to Agnes Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe, would later become a monster recorded in history!
The Kikuka Shō — Arima Kinen — Spring Tennō Shō: these were Japan's only three major long-distance G1 races.
Manhattan Cafe was the standout who achieved this long-distance Triple Crown in the game's background, accomplishing a feat many legendary Japanese Uma Musume couldn't.
So, when it came to long distance, Manhattan Cafe was often underestimated but was actually terrifyingly strong.
The final Kikuka Shō would undoubtedly be the most difficult!
"Mistaking that Sunday Silence for Manhattan Cafe was such a regret. They look similar, but their abilities must be worlds apart, right?"
To ensure a smooth coin extraction, Lin Anran was being extremely cautious.
"Manhattan Cafe is really strong. I can't let my guard down for the final leg of the Irregular Triple Crown, the Kikuka Shō!"
So...
He couldn't afford carelessness in the Kikuka Shō. He needed to switch to a running style that was easier to win with.
The Chaser style relied on explosive speed to surge from behind to the front, but in a long-distance race like the 3000-meter Kikuka Shō, it often wasn't the best approach.
Plus, Platinum's race outfit had special effects that went beyond the norm, and he wanted to try out other running styles to showcase them!
So, when the time came, he'd need to switch to another style.
"Then... a front runner, or a pacer!"
"Let's give that Manhattan Cafe a surprise!"
--+--
Elsewhere.
In a villa garden of the prestigious Satono family.
Kitasan Black, childhood friend and close companion, sat on the sofa next to Satono Diamond.
Having just visited her friend's home after a long time, the petite, lively young filly was surprised to find the entire living room filled with photos of the Irregular Double Crown winner, Platinum!
At first, Kitasan Black felt a surge of joy, eagerly examining the photos.
After all, both she and Diamond were devoted fans of the Pegasus!
But after looking for a while, taking in the many angles and poses of the Pegasus, Kitasan Black turned back.
She looked at her friend Diamond, still seated on the sofa, head bowed as she tapped away on her phone, seemingly sending something.
Suddenly, Kitasan Black remembered something.
Diamond...
Wasn't she originally a die-hard fan of Mejiro McQueen?
Why are all the photos on the walls and tables of Lady Platinum now?
Kitasan Black recalled that on her last visit, the place had been filled with photos and merchandise of Mejiro McQueen and other stars.
Back then, Mejiro McQueen items had dominated, clearly showing Diamond's preference.
But now, not a single one was visible. Had they all been replaced, monopolized by Lady Platinum??
"Hey, Diamond..."
"Even when you liked Lady McQueen before, it wasn't this extreme!"
The lively, petite Kitasan Black looked at Satono Diamond, utterly bewildered.
Without looking up, Diamond answered seriously, her hands still tapping the phone screen as if replying to something.
"She's not from some famous family, yet she shines so brightly on the track."
"Always underestimated, from winning her debut by only five lengths, to the 'Turn Black' win by ten lengths, to the Derby heavy track win by over ten lengths!"
"Because Lady Platinum is just too dazzling! She's so beautiful, it's like she's not even from this world!"
The more she spoke, the faster Diamond's breathing became, as she continued.
"If I can't get close to Lady Platinum, my looks, my figure, my social graces, my beautiful virtues, even my soul... will all be ruined..."
She even raised her phone, showing Kitasan Black what she'd been busy with.
When Kitasan Black looked...
It was a fan site, titled [Protecting the Best Platinum in the Whole World]?!
And Diamond had just been posting there, singing praises of her love for "Holy Pegasus Platinum."
The content read:
[Dia-chan: In astronomy, there's a concept called the Roche limit. Planets and satellites are drawn together by gravity, but there's a minimum safe distance. Once they exceed the Roche limit, tidal forces will tear that satellite apart.]
[Then that shattered, collapsed star will turn to dust, gradually gathering around the planet, forming a ring that embraces it…]
The bizarre content left Kitasan Black completely baffled, tilting her head in confusion.
"Diamond, what are you even saying? Why don't I get it?"
Diamond closed her eyes, lifted her head, and spread her arms as if to embrace the shining silver-white Pegasus.
"What I mean is: trading being utterly shattered for one eternal embrace from Lady Platinum... seems pretty good too."
Kitasan Black's expression froze, and the next second, she jumped up.
"Don't—don't lose it here!"
--+--
Inside the student council office.
Symboli Rudolf, who had been handling paperwork, suddenly looked up.
She saw a green-hatted woman appearing at the door.
"Ms. Hayakawa?"
"Is something the matter?"
Rudolf saw Hayakawa Tazuna walking in, holding a few sheets of paper.
"Yes, it's about the URA and Platinum."
Hayakawa Tazuna nodded and began explaining.
"The current URA already values that little Pegasus immensely. They're considering the level of promotional resources to allocate for her."
"First, the standard Triple Crown-level promotion—the tier for Triple Crown Uma Musume like Symboli Rudolf and Narita Brian."
"Second, a historical-level gamble: directly [Creating a Goddess], hoping Platinum can achieve an unprecedented feat, just like surpassing you, Symboli Rudolf!"
Symboli Rudolf, once crowned [The Strongest] in Japan, was an all-around powerful Uma Musume who achieved nearly insurmountable records, formerly known as [The Strongest in Japanese History].
Back then, the URA's overwhelming promotional slogans were—[Surpass Symboli Rudolf!]
In the end, the one who achieved that great feat was the Emperor, Symboli Rudolf, who replaced her as the new strongest in Japanese history.
The current URA's regard for Platinum had reached such an exaggerated level that the starting point was Triple Crown Uma Musume tier!
They were even considering giving her the same promotional resources as Symboli Rudolf and Symboli Rudolf, the historical number ones?
If Platinum had already achieved an [Irregular Triple Crown] comparable to a Triple Crown or even an Undefeated Triple Crown, then the URA's decision wouldn't be surprising.
After all, an Irregular Triple Crown was incredibly rare, even in world history!
But right now, Platinum still lacked the final Kikuka Shō—a long-distance G1 that had dashed the dreams of many Dual-Crown Uma Musume, worlds apart from the first two crowns' middle distance.
From running style to distance, and potential dark horse opponents... numerous uncertainties made the Kikuka Shō extremely difficult, and the winners were often astonishingly strong.
The saying, "The fastest Uma Musume wins the Satsuki Shō, the luckiest wins the Derby, the strongest wins the Kikuka Shō"—might be wrong for the Derby, but it's spot on for the Kikuka Shō!
With so many uncertainties, Platinum being so young and possibly not fully matured...
For the URA to start with Triple Crown-level promotion, even considering deification-level resources, was absolutely unprecedented in its decades-long history!
If the deification failed, the negative impact wouldn't be small—it could be huge!
It would be a lose-lose for both Platinum and the URA. Normally, the cautious URA wouldn't take such a risk, but they were making an exception for Platinum.
Even as a senior, Hayakawa Tazuna was rarely this flustered.
This is a first for me!
The wise and mature Hayakawa Tazuna already understood the reason for the URA's bold all-in move.
In any sport, the emergence of a superstar who breaks boundaries and attracts countless fans inevitably boosts the entire industry's development.
Previously, the URA had nurtured figures like Symboli Rudolf and Oguri Cap, who had massive popularity and propelled Japanese Uma Musume forward.
But now... they'd seemingly hit a plateau. Even another standard Triple Crown Uma Musume might not make much difference.
Unless someone could break through that bottleneck and become a world-class Uma Musume on the global stage! Current Platinum possessed that potential!
After hearing Hayakawa Tazuna's explanation, Symboli Rudolf's pupils constricted sharply, clearly quite shocked.
But soon, she nodded in acknowledgment, unable to help but sigh.
"Indeed, the Japanese Uma Musume world has been dreaming of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, dreaming of nurturing a truly world-renowned, world-class Uma Musume for who knows how long."
"Even the URA's stubborn higher-ups are growing impatient. They want to see a Japanese Uma Musume stand on the international G1 stage and win in the eyes of racing fans worldwide within their lifetimes."
"The shining Pegasus now is the final light, the final hope."
Hayakawa Tazuna walked up to Symboli Rudolf and handed over those few pages of documents.
"These are post-Derby evaluation records compiled by the URA, from Uma Musume to ordinary spectators."
"The URA highly values and has high hopes for Platinum, but they're also worried she isn't from a famous school or family, concerned about insufficient educational resources and lack of guidance from excellent seniors."
"So, the URA hopes Tracen Academy can have top Uma Musume who've won GI long-distance races provide guidance to Platinum in training matches."
"Alternatively, have Platinum win another graded stakes race within the next month, proving her adaptability to long distances through continuous hard-fought victories."
"If one of these progresses smoothly, they will promote Platinum with the best resources in history."
Symboli Rudolf nodded slowly. She planned to contact Platinum later to ask the opinion of that unruly little Pegasus.
Would Platinum choose training matches and guidance from seniors, or would she continue her hard-fought streak and win a new graded stakes?
Before that, Symboli Rudolf looked down at the post-Japanese Derby spectator evaluation form.
[SymboliRudolf: Hahaha, what an amusing little filly! Her running style defies common sense—truly outstanding!]
[DaiwaScarlet: With the classic race schedule changed to a one-week difference, an Irregular Triple Crown has never been achieved before. Perhaps Platinum can really accomplish this feat.]
[ManhattanCafe: A very, very frightening Uma Musume. Unprecedented.]
[TokaiTeio: Really looking forward to it]
[MejiroMcQueen: Fly to the world, Pegasus!]
[Kitasan Black: I never thought Lady Platinum could overcome the inner track on a heavy course and win the highly competitive Japanese Derby! I want to become a deep-closing runner like her!]
[SatonoDiamond: I must marry Lady Platinum. It has to be her.]
[If I marry a gentle girl, I'll resent her for not being as hardworking as Lady Platinum.]
[If I marry a hardworking girl, I'll feel she isn't as good at homemaking as Lady Platinum.]
[If I marry a homemaking girl, I'll think she isn't as beautiful as Lady Platinum.]
[No matter what other girl I marry, I won't be satisfied, because I know the final outcome will be cheating with Lady Platinum.]
[KitasanBlack: Diamond, so cringe!]
[KitasanBlack: Diamond, don't lose it here! Lady Platinum belongs to everyone!]
--+--
The form included retired Uma Musume, active ones, and even young fillies who were just spectators yet to debut.
Even the typically highly critical Uma Musume were full of praise for Platinum, proving just how captivating her dazzling, charming presence was to the audience!
After reading the form and reaching the deranged posts about Platinum, the Emperor's eyebrow twitched slightly before quickly returning to composure.
That little Pegasus sure has a lot of fans.
She set it down and spoke finally to the green-hatted woman before her, Hayakawa Tazuna.
"Leave it to me, Ms. Hayakawa."
"I'll inform Platinum later. If she chooses training matches and guidance, I'll arrange suitable G1 long-distance champion Uma Musume."
--+--
The next day.
As Lin Anran prepared to leave his room for work.
Suddenly, he noticed the other phone in his room chime with a notification.
It was the one he'd specially prepared for his Platinum transformation, and it didn't have many contacts yet.
"Who could it be?"
Lin Anran picked up the phone and looked.
[SymboliRudolf: The URA wants to heavily cultivate and promote you. Before that, they hope you can improve your dominance in long distances.]
[SymboliRudolf: You can choose to receive guidance or training matches from G1 long-distance champions, or challenge another graded stakes race within a month.]
[SymboliRudolf: Platinum, think it over. What will you choose? Or do you want it all?]
--+--
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.