[True Name: Centaurea (Alternate)]
[Codename: Platinum]
[Race: Kuranta · Pegasus]
[Height: 163cm]
[Current Maturation Progress: 100%]
[Track Affinity: Turf (A), Dirt (A)]
[Distance Affinity: Sprint (A), Mile (A), Medium…]
[Note: Further growth can be perceived through competition.]
A shift in her lineage made the silver-haired girl's eyes widen in shock!
She remembered clearly—her registered race had initially been Kuranta.
But later, after winning races and treating injured Uma Musume, her honmei progress increased, and she grew.
For a long time, her designation had changed from simply "Kuranta" to [Kuranta (???)].
It was something that had puzzled and intrigued Platinum back then. And now, after fully completing her Maturation—
Her race had finally shifted from those question marks, revealing itself as… Pegasus?
'Hold on, I remember Arknights lore mentioned that the Kuranta are descendants of the Pegasus?'
'So both Margaret Nearl and "I" carry Pegasus blood?'
'Is this an evolution… or awakening an ancient heritage?!'
But what truly left Platinum stunned was…
On her personal status screen, the original character portrait of [Platinum · Centaurea] had also transformed.
At the top corner of the illustration, a line of text now glowed:
Alternate · Platinum?!
From her height to the longbow she carried, everything had subtly changed.
Her height had increased slightly, though not noticeably—probably only she herself, along with die-hard fans, would spot those extra three centimeters.
As for her weapon, it was visibly more refined and beautiful, like the bow a lunar goddess might wield on the hunt.
Coupled with the text in the illustration, it was clear… This was her after fully completing her Maturation, as a Pegasus, in her Alternate form!
And in that illustration—!!
A girl with a waterfall of silver-white hair, a crescent-moon longbow slung across her back, eyes deep jade like amber, a cool detachment etched across her exquisite features.
Notably, the silver-haired girl in the image wasn't wearing her current race uniform, but rather… a more ornate set of half-body light armor, with a long, dazzling golden cape flowing behind her.
Even the bow in her hand was more intricate and magnificent, clearly different from the current Platinum's.
The overall redesign made her look less like an assassin and more like… a knight?
But not exactly a battle-hardened warrior—there was an idol-like radiance and charm to her, yet she retained the calm, unwavering aura of a lethal assassin.
An Idol Knight?
But not quite?
In that instant, the silver-haired girl's eyes widened as a realization struck her.
[Alternate]!!
"Alternate" was originally a chess term referring to opposite-colored bishops—two bishops on different-colored squares that could never meet.
It hit her—in the Arknights game, players interpreted [Alternate] as… an alternate form of an operator, representing either growth or another aspect of their character.
For example, Margaret Nearl's original form was a stalwart defender who shielded her allies with a shield after leaving Kazimierz, her skills focused on healing.
But her Alternate form was The Radiant Knight, Nearl, reflecting her major growth after returning to Kazimierz and winning the Knight Championship tournament.
Hence, Alternate Nearl wielded a lance instead of her original shield.
As for Centaurea in Arknights, she joined the Armorless Union as the assassin Platinum, hunting down knight targets as a knight-slayer.
Her major growth and transformation… was actually the shift from a glamorous Idol Knight to a professional knight-killer.
Centaurea's most significant change was transitioning from being an idol knight to taking on the high-risk role of Platinum!
So if she, as Platinum, was unlocking an Alternate form… wouldn't that be like 'reversing the natural order,' turning back into something like the Idol Knight Centaurea?
Platinum's amber eyes filled with astonishment.
But it didn't seem entirely that either—after all, she'd grown slightly taller, and the cool, fierce expression in the illustration showed this wasn't some idol focused solely on pleasing fans for profit.
An Idol, but not quite.
A Knight, but not quite.
An Assassin, but not quite.
So… this was a fusion of both the idol knight and Platinum's traits—
[Platinum · Centaurea · Pro Max Version]?
After fully processing it all, the silver-haired girl blinked.
"So… where's my bow?"
"And what about this cool light armor and cape?"
Originally, Platinum had been quite satisfied with her white race uniform—lightweight, flexible, and sleek.
But… the moment she saw that knightly light armor, her eyes lit up.
It wasn't that she was obsessed with knight armor or couldn't let go of her past.
It was—she didn't have to wear it, but she needed to have it!
How would the world know she'd severed all mortal ties and drained the golden sea… without wearing this armor?
The next second, a new line of text appeared on the system panel before her.
[Note: Please proceed to the Race Uniform Workshop to claim]
"Huh?"
Does that mean… this is a [Race Uniform]?
A new race uniform? And she could go claim it now?
"??"
Seeing that notification, Platinum was stunned.
Wait!
How could her new illustration already be in the system, labeled as a race uniform?
Was this… predicting that the Three Goddesses would bless her with a new set? Or was there another reason?
With a slightly puzzled expression, the silver-haired girl didn't dwell on it further.
She began walking, heading briskly toward the racecourse with a hint of regret.
"Ah, what a shame…"
"I'll have to wait until the next race, the King George, to wear that new uniform."
Margaret Nearl had two race uniforms.
And now, Miss Platinum was just one trip to the uniform shop away from claiming her second one too.
But there definitely wasn't enough time now—it would have to wait until the next race, the King George.
For now… it was time to move forward and take on the Eclipse Stakes!
After walking for a while, the silver-haired girl suddenly glanced back at her status panel, noting her height had increased from 160cm to 163cm…
Then, as if struck by an interesting thought, she mused:
'Speaking of which, I remember Nearl's profile says she's 171cm!'
'Her Maturation is still really low, so she definitely has room to grow too. Will she also gain 3cm like me?'
If the growth rate is the same…
Then the Radiant Knight, Nearl, would be—174cm?
--+--
A short while later.
Eclipse Stakes, racecourse entrance.
The bustling queue was packed with countless spectators.
Fans from all over Europe—representing double-digit countries—were lined up, waiting to enter.
This year's Eclipse Stakes was even more lively than any edition in recent memory.
In terms of popularity, it was undeniable—not only had spectator numbers hit a record high…
But the number of competitors was also exceptional, with a full nine entrants!
In past runnings of the Eclipse, two editions combined might barely reach nine participants—this was practically a doubling.
Around the entrance, heated discussions buzzed incessantly.
"Blimey, in all my years watching races in Europe, I've never seen the Eclipse this packed!"
"Yeah, and it's not just the crowd—even the number of runners is insane this time."
"Can Eclipse actually win a super race named after the legendary Eclipse, on its memorial day?"
"I'm not so sure. Even if she wins, Platinum's margin will be razor-thin. The closest Uma Musume to her in the Hall of Fame might shift from Daiwa Scarlet to someone else!"
"I agree. After all… the Coolmore Group has gone all-in this time. That profit-driven corporation wouldn't make a move without confidence."
"Will Daiwa Scarlet's legendary five-length defeat be broken today?"
Amid all the chatter…
No one noticed that, somewhere in the queue, a group of talented young fillies from Tracen Academy in Asia were waiting together.
Among them was a blushing-faced girl wearing a face mask.
She was none other than… [Daiwa Scarlet], the Japanese dual classic winner famed for being the Hall of Fame's #1, known only for losing to the Pegasus Platinum by five lengths!!
That's right—Daiwa Scarlet had already achieved impressive results, capturing two of the three fillies' classics!
But overseas, people still defined her by three keywords: "#1 in the Pegasus Hall of Fame," "the Uma Musume closest to the Pegasus," and "five lengths."
As for her Japanese dual classic titles?
Sorry, not familiar.
So… to avoid being recognized and swarmed by fans asking how she got so close to the Pegasus, Daiwa Scarlet chose to wear a mask.
Beside her were other young fillies—some from her same classic generation, others younger, from the new blood year.
Along with her former rival Vodka, there was another masked girl nearby.
That was Orfevre, a standout in Japan's current Classic Triple Crown races, having already won the first two.
Both Daiwa Scarlet and Orfevre were aiming for the triple crown, but their ambitions didn't stop there—after achieving that feat, they planned to challenge Japan's strongest Pegasus in history!
To witness Platinum's true peak form in her older years, now on her European campaign, they'd even traveled abroad to watch.
Fortunately, Japan's triple crown schedule was unique—after the second leg, the final crown race wasn't until late November, leaving several months for rest and growth.
That's why Daiwa Scarlet and other classic-year runners could spare a few days to fly to Europe and watch up close.
Older fillies like Agnes Tachyon and Tokai Teio couldn't free up time—they were busy preparing for the Fall Tenno Sho and Japan Cup.
"Platinum…"
"Just how much has she grown now?"
Daiwa Scarlet clenched her fist, brimming with fighting spirit.
She wanted to face Platinum after her return, in the Japan Cup or Arima Kinen.
With two classic wins under her belt, Daiwa Scarlet wanted to prove to Platinum that she was different now!!
And before their rematch, Platinum absolutely couldn't afford to lose, right?
--+--
Japan.
The URA headquarters was brightly lit.
Senior members had gathered despite the time difference, deep in discussion over an important topic while waiting to watch the race.
"Since Platinum's race hasn't started yet, let's finalize the [race date], [race name], [race grade], and announcement timeline for that event?"
"Right, the timing and name are crucial. We need to show the world—and Platinum herself—how much Japan adores her."
"The name… why overcomplicate it? Let's just put it to a vote."
"The most fitting names are obviously one of two options, right?"
"Either follow Japan's naming tradition and call it [Platinum Kinen]!"
"Or follow Europe's King George and Eclipse Stakes, and name it [Pegasus Stakes]! As for [Eclipse Stakes]… let's not. It has to be one of those two."
That's right—!
Platinum's career wasn't even halfway done, yet the URA was already planning a race named in her honor.
But there was still considerable debate over the name, grade, and other details.
After ruling out "Eclipse Stakes," the URA was torn between "Platinum Kinen" and "Pegasus Stakes."
After all, the Eclipse Stakes already existed—a historic, world-renowned race with decades of prestige that Platinum was challenging right now.
By comparison, a memorial race for Platinum would likely take years to match the Eclipse Stakes' status. Naming it as a direct counterpart might invite unfavorable comparisons.
The race grade was also a delicate matter worth discussing.
If Japanese racing fans found out about this, it would cause an uproar—even legendary Japanese champions would be wide-eyed in shock.
Out of all Japan's hundreds of races, very few were permanently named after Uma Musume.
Even the previous strongest in Japan, the "Emperor" Symboli Rudolf—who still held the title of "Vice-GOAT"—hadn't been honored with a memorial race by the URA, even years after retirement.
Before the Emperor, the strongest was a great predecessor named Shinzan, who drove URA's growth and won five crowns.
The race commemorating Shinzan was only a Grade 3 turf race—the lowest tier among major prizes.
Two generations of Japan's strongest—one with a G3 memorial, one with nothing! And that was after years of retirement.
But Platinum?
Her career might not even be halfway over! Yet the URA was already planning a race in her name!
They were even debating the grade—not just settling for a Shinzan Kinen G3.
For the slow-moving, traditional URA, this was unbelievable—enough to make a certain emperor completely lose it.
Because right now, the URA was filled with a sense of urgency.
They worried day and night that Platinum might not return after her overseas campaign!
They had to show how deeply Japan valued and adored the Pegasus Platinum!
And this memorial race had to happen soon—because the URA knew.
If they didn't create one, racing authorities elsewhere in the world would be quick to establish their own memorial races.
Right, Dubai…?
To avoid being beaten to the punch and facing criticism from Japanese fans—"Japan finally produced a superstar, but foreign countries honored her first? What was the URA doing?"—
And to show their commitment! So the memorial race was a must!
Suddenly…
A dedicated Platinum fan among the staff suggested:
"Why not approve both [Platinum Kinen] and [Pegasus Stakes] as races honoring the Pegasus Platinum?"
"She's the strongest dual-surface runner in history, so one turf race and one dirt race to commemorate her achievements…"
"Sounds reasonable, right?"
--+--
Eclipse Stakes, inside the racecourse.
The languid silver-haired girl pushed open the backstage door.
With her bow case on her back, she stepped inside.
Every gaze in the room turned toward Platinum.
The four Coolmore Group fillies in the corner stiffened and sat up straight.
'Platinum… she's finally here!!'
'You shouldn't have come. Withdrawing and conceding one G1 wouldn't have hurt you—why seek your own doom?'
'The prey has arrived! But why… do I have a bad feeling about this?'
Ignoring the stares, Platinum calmly drew her bow from its case.
It'd been too long since she'd dominated European fillies! This time, these foreign ponies… were in for a target practice!
--+--
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.