[Race: Travers Stakes]
[Reward: Special Effect "Stellar Descent" enhanced and perfected, Maturation Growth Progress +5%]
[Stellar Descent: After breaking from the gate, hurl a spectral lance and soar to the finish line. Special effects are now visible to external observers.]
[Current Maturation Growth Progress: 20%]
--+--
The rewards from the prestigious G1 race, The Travers Stakes, were being claimed by Nearl just before she entered the racetrack!
Now was the moment to shine!
The time for the gates to fly open on the track was steadily approaching.
[3!]
[2!]
[1!]
Amid the raging storm of sleet and rain!
The final countdown came to a complete end.
In the next instant, before a live audience of over a hundred thousand and millions more watching from around the world, all the starting gates swung open.
Among the thirteen Uma Musume on the field, not a single one reacted slowly or fell behind.
Every one of them had a clean break!
It was worth remembering that this was under the most miserable conditions—a mix of rain and snow—far beyond what could be described as merely a heavy track.
Yet every Uma Musume on the field reacted swiftly, breaking from the gates with speed, proof enough of the outstanding caliber of those daring to compete in this year's Kentucky Derby.
And in one of the inner gates, a dazzling golden-haired girl burst forth with a momentum that seemed capable of tearing through everything, charging forward the moment she left the gate.
The Radiant Knight, Margaret Nearl!
She felt a flicker of surprise, though not because of her own break or the historically rare, extremely heavy track conditions.
Rather… it was her luck, or more precisely, the gate number she had drawn.
It was, unexpectedly, a good one.
For the longest time, that certain black-hearted young doctor seemed to have uncanny luck when it came to drawing Uma Musume roles, having pulled two Pegasus types in a row.
But in return, whenever he transformed into an Uma Musume, his gate draws—and even the strength of his opponents—often left him with poor gates and fierce competition.
Ending up in the far outside gate had become almost routine. For Nearl and Platinum, drawing a middle gate was already considered pretty good luck.
A better position? They honestly hadn't seen much of that.
Even on the rare occasion they got a decent gate, the other popular favorites often drew even better, more inside positions!
But no matter the gate, from the world's strongest undefeated Silver White Pegasus, Platinum, to the battle-hardened Radiant Knight Nearl, who'd already won multiple races since her debut—neither had ever lost.
Those two Pegasus types, regardless of conditions, distance, or gate, had achieved spectacular victories.
Because of this, a certain saying had begun to spread far and wide:
—"A true champion won't let any disadvantage become the reason for her defeat!"
But in reality, many active and retired Uma Musume felt this saying was a bit unfair.
Take Platinum's run in the Arima Kinen, for example, where she drew gate number 20, way on the outside. Among the dozens of Uma Musume who'd started from that gate before her, the best result ever achieved was… third place!
Gate position, terrible conditions—these factors absolutely mattered. You couldn't seriously claim that every single one of those dozens of Uma Musume before Platinum weren't strong, could you?
So, it was a feat only those above mere strength, the best of the best, could hope to achieve—overcoming every unfavorable condition!
The world's first Silver White Pegasus had already proven herself, and now it was the turn of the shining Golden Pegasus!
And now, the golden-haired girl Nearl, who had always grown accustomed to breaking from the far outside, found herself with a favorable position for the very first time.
That already formidable advantage now had the potential to grow even greater.
Gate four—an inner gate!
Not only that, the pattern of her lucky-but-highly-popular rivals drawing better gates didn't repeat this time.
Easy Goer, gate ten—outside.
Sunday Silence, gate thirteen—far outside.
Those two super-talented contenders, both with the potential to compete for the Triple Crown in a standard year, were assigned unfavorable outside or far outside gates.
It was as if all the accumulated misfortune from past races had transformed into one moment of extreme luck.
Lady Luck had finally smiled upon the Radiant Knight!
Amid the swirling sleet and rain, on the cold, muddy track,
The golden-haired girl shone like burnished gold. From her inner gate, she stretched out her stride, launching into her characteristic dash with the powerful posture of a cavalry charge.
Generally speaking, many top-tier Uma Musume skilled in multiple running styles possessed what could be called "the luxury of strength."
This "luxury" meant they could adapt their strategy based on gate position and race dynamics, switching running styles and shifting their acceleration rhythm as needed.
If an Uma Musume only mastered one running style, then her success heavily relied on luck and her ability to secure position.
For example, front-running or come-from-behind styles both required good positioning and favorable gates. If stuck on the outside, unable to break to the front or secure an inner path early on…
Then that familiar, singular running style would be difficult to execute.
Thus, specializing in only one style made a runner extremely dependent on the gate draw—at the very least, she had to pray not to be assigned an outside gate, hope her luck wasn't too bad, and rely heavily on her ability to claim a good position.
But no Uma Musume could always succeed in both these aspects; there would always be times when luck was against her.
And in those moments, that single running style would face misfortune. Most top contenders would try to master a second running style to bolster their "arsenal."
Nearl, who had managed to win with a front-running strategy even from the far outside, in the eyes of her growing fanbase, since she could accomplish such a feat…she surely couldn't lack power or explosiveness! Perhaps she could expertly master other classic styles like stalker or come-from-behind.
And now, with Nearl enjoying exceptionally good luck for once, drawing an inner gate where securing position wasn't difficult, she should be able to confidently employ the most winning, most stable running style.
So, in the view of many observers, to maximize her chances of victory, Nearl might very well switch to a more conservative strategy!
After all, this was an extremely heavy track under a mix of snow and rain—an exceptionally difficult surface that would strain most Uma Musume.
A Great Escape victory in the snow? Unheard of!
But… whether in the outside gates of the past or the rare inner gate of today, neither would make Nearl hesitate in her choice!
Styles like stalker or closer, staying back to conserve energy and then striking at the opponents' weaknesses—that wasn't the kind of victory that interested Nearl.
Hoping for opponents to show weakness, or only seizing a narrow advantage at the very end—that wasn't the victory young Nearl desired.
Only staying at the front, leading the pack, was the running style the Radiant Knight preferred!
In an instant, the golden-haired girl in the inner gate leaned forward into her charging posture, as if ready to trample everything ahead, and unleashed her signature accelerating dash!
The massive crowd of over a hundred thousand spectators lining the track erupted into roars as the race began.
And it was worth noting—
High in the deep yet strangely clear sky, from where the snow and rain fell incessantly!
At that very moment, nearly a third of the audience quietly lifted their heads, as if anticipating something.
"That legend about altering the weather… is it true?"
"Is it coming?"
"That special effect—like hurling a lance, an arrow piercing through everything, even changing the sky itself… Nearl, also called a Pegasus, she…"
Then, in the very next moment!
In the cold weather, high above, the thick layers of clouds that had blocked most of the sun's rays, allowing only a few strands of blue sky to show through…
Suddenly, from Nearl's direction, a golden radiance began to shimmer.
The layers of clouds shedding snow and rain seemed to lose their power to veil the sun.
It was the sun itself, shining from on high, its brilliance so intense that countless spectators instinctively shut their eyes.
Then, completely capturing their attention, pulling their focus away from their beloved, singly-supported Uma Musume, the dazzling rays of the sun spilled freely onto the path ahead of Nearl.
"Huh?"
"Sunlight? Sunlight in this snow and rain? When did that happen?!"
"The special effect—it's real. Even more incredible than in the videos."
And in the next instant, the brilliant light manifested around the Radiant Knight! Under the stunned, dumbfounded gazes of the several Uma Musume nearby and the countless spectators in the stands…
From within that light, golden particles shimmered into form, not as a statue from the Silver Pegasus Hall, but as the phantom of a golden-haired girl clad in knight's armor!
A Golden Phantom identical to Margaret Nearl, who had just burst from the gate ahead.
The moment the Knightly Phantom fully materialized, the sunless sky from before the race seemed to drape a layer of golden light over the figure, making her appear even more radiant, towering proudly over the field!
The stance of that Knightly Phantom from another world stood there as if she were a bolt of lightning capable of tearing through everything, or a true knight offering protection to all!
And in the hands of the Knightly Phantom, she tightly gripped the unique, imposing cold lance that was strapped to the dashing Nearl's back…!
Pouring strength into her arms, the lance in her grasp seemed to come alive, golden lightning crawling along its length, emitting a low hum of vibration.
Even more astonishing, the Knightly Phantom, her feet touching the muddy ground, her posture one of full commitment, seemed to make the entire vast course tremble slightly.
In the next moment, the lance left the Knightly Phantom's hands entirely. Hurled by this golden-armored figure, it became a brilliant, dazzling meteor!
Its speed was so great that the air itself whistled with a sharp, clear cry!
That utterly shocking scene, even for the many classic-year Uma Musume who had studied Nearl's past races countless times, including Easy Goer on the outside and Sunday Silence on the far outside—they all stared in equal astonishment.
Every Uma Musume on the field, even as they ran, witnessed that lance piercing through the air, tearing through the clouds, as if ripping a hole through the vast sky itself!
In the next instant, those layers of clouds that had blocked most of the sunlight completely shattered under the impact of the lance, revealing the blue sky and blazing sun behind the curtain of rain and snow!
The blazing sunlight reflected brilliantly off the metal surface of the lance, as if illuminating the path for every Uma Musume on the field, allowing the sun to shine down upon everything!
In a flash, the lance shot down from the sky like a meteor… toward the final finish line!!
And this time, after hurling the lance, the dazzling golden glow on the Knightly Phantom, which usually would have faded immediately, dimmed slightly, as if it would soon dissipate.
But instead, the Knightly Phantom lifted her graceful neck at that moment, gazing into the distance toward the finish line.
From behind the phantom's knightly armor, from where a black cape fluttered, something emerged—transforming into holy wings! Her orange, authoritative eyes locked onto the point where the lance had fallen, the finish line.
With brilliant wings spread, she leaped into the air in an instant. Though she resembled a charging knight, she didn't run like an Uma Musume, but rather… truly soared!
Unfathomable, beyond imagination.
Before the minds of the spectators, the fans in the stands, could collectively reboot and process what was happening…!
That winged Knightly Phantom had already reached the finish line, her back to the countless viewers, reclaiming the lance that had been thrown like a meteor.
Hurl the lance, spread her wings, and soar to the finish!
The legendary [Stellar Descent] was openly displayed before every Uma Musume on the field and countless spectators!
Gasp—!!
"My god, am I still dreaming?"
"Wait, it's not just the weather change—we can actually see the legendary lance being thrown?!"
"It's become just like with the Pegasus Platinum! Even us ordinary people, non-Uma Musume, can see the special effects!!"
"Yes! Seeing something like this, even dying would be worth the price of admission!"
The sun was still shrouded by layers of clouds—sunlight should have been nearly impossible to see!
But beyond that, compared to the inherently incredible weather alteration, what really made the massive audience erupt was the sight of the Knightly Phantom and the trail of the lance tearing across the sky.
The special effects were manifesting for the world to see, reaching a level visible to external observers!!
"What—what am I seeing? Wings? And actual flight?"
"So dazzling, that figure… It's like a species beyond Uma Musume. Only a true Pegasus could achieve such a feat!"
"Even if it's just a scene you might only see in movies, it's enough to leave you awestruck."
"Could that be—the height Nearl might reach in the future, as she keeps evolving and growing stronger?"
Among the spectators, there were more than just Nearl fans or Easy Goer fans.
Many active Uma Musume and retired top-tier veterans were also there, having watched plenty of thrilling races, here to witness this one.
But now…
From active top contenders like Sham and Holy Bull in the stands, to Seabiscuit as a temporary guest commentator in the announcer's booth!
They were all collectively stunned, as if witnessing something unbelievable.
Even a legendary figure, a once-in-a-century phenomenon like Seabiscuit, had never heard of special effects on this level!
That vast racetrack… spreading wings, leaping into the air, and soaring to the finish!
Could… could an Uma Musume's special effect really be like that? Wasn't it a bit too exaggerated, like something out of myth, the kind of feat only a Pegasus from legend could achieve!
That Knightly Phantom… it was as if a truly real, immensely powerful Nearl from another world was proclaiming—this was the true upper limit of Margaret Nearl, the height she might reach in the future.
"This!"
Sigh— "Thank goodness."
Holy Bull, a contemporary star Uma Musume, let out a slightly rushed breath, feeling an inexplicable sense of relief.
Because she felt a strange sense of relief.
Nearl's previous G1 victory had been in the [G1 Travers Stakes]—the very race Holy Bull had run in.
Back then, the special effect Nearl displayed after breaking from the gate was the "incomplete Stellar Descent."
That is, the dazzling Knightly Phantom would throw the lance, pierce the sky to reveal the blue, and then fade away.
There was none of the subsequent wing manifestation, none of the soaring to the finish.
None of that world-witnessing, crowd-stunning spectacle!
It was truly… a blessing in disguise!
In Holy Bull's mind, she recalled the world's first Pegasus, Platinum, and that [Arima Kinen] with hundreds of millions of views across various platforms combined!
Yes, the Arima Kinen.
Genuinely, without exaggeration, watched by audiences from all over the world, accumulating tens of billions of views—the Arima Kinen from two years ago!
That single race far surpassed any world-class super event. Not only that, it even exceeded the combined viewership of dozens of past Arima Kinens.
Why did that Arima Kinen have such impact?
Because… it was the first time worldwide that an Uma Musume's special effects were visible to all. A historic moment, satisfying the curiosity of countless viewers who wanted to witness the extraordinary scenes on the track, making it a must-watch event.
Thus, even though the Arima Kinen was only influential in Japan and unknown overseas, it achieved a terrifying viewership that surpassed even the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and was promptly included in newly compiled Uma Musume racing textbooks in various countries.
And Agnes Tachyon, who finished second by a huge margin in that race, was no less famous than her friend Manhattan Cafe (who lost to the Pegasus Platinum in the Kikuka Shō). She also gained a certain level of international recognition as a stepping stone…
And now—!
The Radiant Knight, Margaret Nearl, was displaying special effects visible to the world, just like the legendary Pegasus Platinum, in the first leg of the American Triple Crown, the world's premier Triple Crown!
How could Holy Bull not feel relieved?
A few months ago, when she lost the G1 Travers Stakes, she had been full of regret, resentment, and bitter disappointment.
As a classic-year runner, how could she lose to a super-filly who was still a rookie, only a few months into her debut?
But now, things were different.
Losing was better. Far better than losing when Nearl's effects were visible, much better than being like Agnes Tachyon when the effects were visible, or like Montjeu and Dubai Millennium who were enshrined in the Pegasus Hall!
Compared to having the doors and windows torn off, Holy Bull felt that having a window opened was much preferable.
Her resentment vanished in an instant.
Holy Bull was suddenly very, very content.
--+--
Also in the stands, Sham's eyes sparkled with fascination as she stared, captivated, at the scene at the finish line.
Because she wasn't a victim here; from a spectator's perspective, she could fully appreciate the shock of it all!
"This is… even that once-in-a-century legendary monster Secretariat, even the great 'Big Red' herself couldn't produce effects like this!"
Suddenly, Sham's gaze shifted back to the dazzling golden figure speeding along the inner track.
In her heart, she silently recited Nearl's full name.
Margaret Nearl.
The niece of that young doctor she adored!
In other words, Lin Anran should have a similar name, sharing the Nearl surname.
Lin Anran ought to share the same bloodline as the world's second Pegasus, Margaret Nearl from Poland.
So—
'That means my future descendants with Dr. Lin…'
The highly imaginative Sham instantly entered [Fantasy Time]!
'Our daughter, as an Uma Musume, should be able to have cool special effects like this too, right?'
--+--
On the vast dirt track!
In the far outside gate.
A dark, seemingly petite yet immensely powerful figure surveyed her surroundings with a predatory gaze.
Sunday Silence, one of the top three contenders, was glaring intently ahead.
'Pegasus… lives up to the name!'
'But Dr. Lin is watching personally. I absolutely cannot lose to you, his [niece]!'
Sunday Silence refused to lose to Dr. Lin's niece!
If that happened…
In the future, when she and Dr. Lin married, she would lack the dignity befitting an "elder"!
By all reason, she absolutely could not lose to Margaret Nearl!
--+--
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.