[Current Maturation Progress: 100%]
[Note: Margaret Nearl, Alternate Version Unlocked]
The young, somewhat unscrupulous doctor froze for a moment, staring blankly at the latest line of text that had appeared before him.
Alternate Version?
Huh? Alternate Nearl?!
First Maturation, and now an Alternate Version?
Lin Anran didn't understand, but he was utterly shocked.
He knew perfectly well that 'Maturation' was equivalent to the several-years-long puberty period in humans. But for Uma Musume, it could take as little as a few months, or at most a year or two, to leap from a child-like elementary schooler to a peak-condition racing Uma Musume.
[Maturation] was a term unique to the Uma Musume of this world.
But [Alternate Version]… that was a term specific to certain characters from the game Arknights he'd played before crossing over.
Like, Alternate Ch'en, Alternate Skadi, Alternate Nearl, and others…
In essence, it signified a massive transformation for the character, where even their weapon, class, and combat style could undergo earth-shattering changes.
And among them was Margaret Nearl, The Radiant Knight, herself!
In the original game, Nearl's initial class was a Defender, using a shield to protect others.
After her Alternate version, she became a Guard operator, wielding a sword-spear to purge evil.
So… the Radiant Knight Nearl he had unlocked from the start, whose decisive race outfit weapon was a sword-spear, should logically have already been the Alternate Version of Nearl…
Plus, those ridiculously high 'stats', that sheer power born of effort and sweat, had made Lin Anran suspect long ago that the Nearl he transformed into was already incredibly close to her complete form, reaching her peak once Maturation fully finished.
To think…
There wouldn't be any "My peak has already ended," but instead, she could become even stronger?
She could actually get an Alternate Version?
"I remember clearly," he muttered. "Platinum's Alternate form gained an additional [Pair of Wings]."
"The current Nearl already has wings, doesn't she? So what could this [Alternate Form]… possibly change?"
The black-haired young doctor immediately grew intrigued.
After all, who didn't love seeing their game characters level up and evolve?
It was like watching Tiga evolve into Glitter Tiga!
What form would Nearl, who already could sprout wings of light, display after fully completing her Maturation and unlocking her Alternate Version?
She wouldn't… get a [Shield] as her new decisive race outfit weapon, would she?
If it really came to that…
She'd practically be [Margaret Pantheon], spear in one hand, shield in the other.
The thought filled Lin Anran with curiosity.
"What a pity, there's still quite some time until the year-end [Breeders' Cup]."
"Have to wait a bit longer."
"But next up, it's time for [Platinum's Challenge for the Strongest Across All Distances]!"
In long distance, there was the Sea Family monster, "The Longest River" Stradivarius, and the supernova, "The Highest Mountain" Kyprios.
In mile races, there was the legendary, mile-dominating GOAT, the Sea Family's strongest, Frankel.
Just thinking about Platinum's next two races, and how the opponents she needed to be most wary of were both from the Sea Family…
A rather peculiar expression couldn't help but cross Lin Anran's face.
Was he just fated to clash with the Sea Family?
Why did it seem… the probability of him encountering Sea Family Uma Musume was… a little too high?
First, on Platinum's first overseas expedition, for the English Epsom Derby, she ran into Galileo.
Then, in the Japan Cup and the Dubai World Cup, she faced Galileo again.
During the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, she dueled Galileo's little sister, Sea the Stars.
Even recently, the European filly Treve, who'd been coming to him for guidance, was recommended by Sea the Stars.
"Right!"
Lin Anran suddenly remembered.
"Seems like, in the Breeders' Cup Classic that Nearl is challenging next, Galileo is also coming?"
You again, Galileo?
"So this is… after Platinum wins against Galileo, it's Nearl's turn to win?"
Fighting left and right, and it's still you?
Just what kind of fate did he have with these Sea Family fillies…?
--+--
In a restaurant, a young lady who appeared elegant, yet carried a touch of endearing fragility, was eating her meal calmly.
When she was nearly finished…
Flightline finally picked up her phone from the side.
"I lost…"
She certainly hadn't forgotten the [Pacific Classic Stakes] that concluded not long ago.
She knew very well just how brilliantly she had performed.
That proof of 'rising to the challenge', Ruffian, had undoubtedly run an excellent race, yet Flightline had beaten her by a massive margin of [five lengths].
In terms of performance, hers was enough to break the past event's time record.
Yet, above Flightline, there existed a record that broke records, a front-running strategy that surpassed front-running!
The dazzling, overwhelming victory of the Radiant Knight, Nearl, left Flightline feeling a pang of unwillingness and regret. And the protection Nearl offered afterwards made Flightline fully acknowledge the Radiant Knight's magnanimity.
Flightline wasn't one to daydream now, either.
"Now, I've already lost to Nearl."
"The chances of defeating both Nearl and Secretariat in the upcoming Breeders' Cup… are probably… a little too small, aren't they?"
Flightline, blessed with ample talent, didn't indulge in fantasies about minuscule possibilities.
In other words, she was already virtually guaranteed a spot in the [Dream Cup].
So, unlike Sunday Silence, Easy Goer, or Ruffian, she wouldn't chase the slim chance of qualifying for the Dream Cup by fantasizing about winning the Breeders' Cup and defeating Nearl and Secretariat.
But… Flightline would still rise to the challenge. Her competitive spirit wouldn't allow her to give up completely after a single defeat.
"I'll treat the Breeders' Cup as a precursor to the Dream Cup. Even with a Dream Cup qualification, it's a race I still have to run."
"Nearl is strong, but Secretariat is definitely no weakling either."
"All this time, in my training race duels with Secretariat, I haven't used my passive ability, so I wasn't going all out, but… Secretariat definitely wasn't using her full power either."
"And in those training races, no matter how hard I tried, I could never catch up, just like in that Pacific Classic."
The clash between Secretariat and Nearl would play out at the Breeders' Cup!
After all, she would meet Nearl again in the Dream Cup anyway; a rematch was inevitable.
Might as well try for revenge at the Breeders' Cup first, or at least get a detailed read on Secretariat's current true full power.
Having made her decision, the clever Flightline…
…Put down her knife and fork, picked up her phone, and scrolled through her contacts until she found [Ruffian].
What if she didn't win the Breeders' Cup?
So, it was better to consider promptly switching tracks to the [Lin Anran Cup].
There was still plenty of time before the Breeders' Cup. Flightline chose to plan ahead, first contacting a familiar friend and junior.
Ruffian!
Dominant on the track, the undefeated champion of the Triple Tiara. Even though she was defeated one-on-one by the Radiant Knight, her performance and strength were still highly recognized.
"Little Ruffian, she's… a bit unreliable outside of races, isn't she?"
"Ah, forget it. No choice, she's the more trustworthy one."
Among the Uma Musume Flightline knew, quite a few were very interested in Dr. Lin.
Some young ladies from prestigious families, who had only met Dr. Lin a month or two ago, had already shamelessly shown up multiple times asking for check-ups!
But thankfully, Dr. Lin had strong moral character!
Being a member of the Nearl family alongside Margaret, and having healed the severely injured Sham, these deeds had made Lin Anran's reputation in US dirt racing circles grow larger and larger. It was only natural that more Uma Musume sought him out for physical exams or treatment.
Because of this, Flightline was feeling more and more of a sense of crisis!
So, in Flightline's view, she absolutely had to prepare two strategies.
If she just assumed victory, thinking winning the race would naturally secure Dr. Lin… that would be overestimating herself.
If she could really lock down Dr. Lin through race results alone, then why did she keep losing training races to Secretariat, and why did she lose the Pacific Classic to Margaret Nearl?
So, pioneering this new avenue was absolutely necessary.
"Finding someone to make a move with, a suitable ally who isn't too greedy… is a bit difficult to choose."
"After much thought, I can only turn to that unreliable little Ruffian."
Having made her decision, Flightline promptly started typing a message.
It was sent soon after.
[Flightline: Ruffian, I've been thinking. We can't rely entirely on winning races and becoming the GOAT to fulfill our agreement.]
[Flightline: You've realized it too, right? It's nearly impossible in front of Nearl and Secretariat. They're like unshakable mountains.]
Before long, a response from Ruffian appeared.
[Ruffian: Flightline, what are you suggesting…?]
[Flightline: Of course… an alliance! Instead of competing with six or seven, or even more people, wouldn't it be better with just the two of us?]
After Flightline sent that message…
A good while passed with no response from Ruffian.
The calm, literary young lady's heartbeat quickened slightly.
"No way… She couldn't be… so foolish, or so possessive, as to think she can defeat all the other rivals and have Dr. Lin all to herself, could she?"
"From what I know of her, she's always had a clear sense of her own abilities."
"Or is it that, specifically when it comes to matters involving Dr. Lin, she's unwilling to share with anyone, even me?"
After a moment's thought, Flightline typed again a few seconds later.
[Flightline: Ruffian, what do you think? Made up your mind?]
Finally, Ruffian's belated reply came.
[Ruffian: Mm. If it's just the two of us sharing Dr. Lin… that doesn't sound too bad.]
[Ruffian: At least it's much better than having so many people, including that European Sea the Stars and all.]
Flightline let out a small sigh of relief.
[Flightline: Good. I already have some ideas.]
[Flightline: Just listen to me, and victory… will definitely be ours!]
What the serious and confident Flightline didn't know was…
In a way, she really could be considered the "last to succeed."
Because before her, three other Uma Musume had already undergone [Guided Training].
And of the first two, from Sham to Secretariat, their [Guided Training]… had gradually lost the "Guided" part…
…until only [XXX Training] remained.
In terms of order, Flightline really was the last to succeed.
But filled with confidence, convinced that with an ally their chances of winning were high, Flightline was also brimming with a sense of crisis!
[Ruffian: Okay. I'll listen to you.]
--+--
At a dirt training track in the US.
A tall, crimson figure stood poised at the finish line ahead.
She stood in the morning light like a vivid painting. The tall, red-haired girl possessed a physique both powerful and graceful, radiating immense presence.
Her hair, like burning flames, was bright and intense, swaying with her slight movements as she came to a stop, exuding an untamed charm.
The crimson hair complemented her tall stature. Her body lines were smooth yet powerful, muscles subtly defined beneath her skin, revealing a healthy, vibrant beauty. Her shoulders were broad, her waist slender, a perfect blend of strength and elegance.
She was the peerless legendary maiden named Secretariat. Her very existence was a symbol of power, impossible to ignore.
And behind Secretariat…
Easy Goer, who was smaller than her in both physique and presence, almost like a scaled-down, third-generation version of the Big Red Monster… lagged behind by what seemed like an enormous margin.
Only a little while after Secretariat stopped did Easy Goer finally dash up beside her.
In other words, it was a training race where Secretariat had effortlessly, crushingly defeated her junior.
She was like a Valkyrie stepping out of myth, possessing both a warrior's ferocity and a goddess's nobility.
"Senior Secretariat, you're… really amazing!!"
"That feeling of boundless, vast strength… I've only felt it before with Nearl!"
Easy Goer, having stopped, leaned on her knees, panting heavily, and couldn't help but voice her admiration.
Beside her, Secretariat remained calm.
"This still isn't enough to defeat Nearl."
"The Radiant Knight, that monster… she can definitely grow stronger still."
"Huh? She still can?"
Secretariat nodded in confirmation.
Secretariat had seen clearly how many confident figures in that little [Rival Group] she had (which excluded Dr. Lin) had initially declared their certain victory.
First, it was Sunday Silence.
Then, Ruffian.
Then it became Flightline.
And Sea the Stars, far across the ocean, was being thoroughly tested by Pegasus Platinum.
Without exception, all of them lost to a Pegasus.
Platinum was a Pegasus, Nearl was a Pegasus!
And now—
The pressure had landed on Secretariat!
She was like the final Demon King in an RPG game, sitting on the castle throne, awaiting the challenge of the hero!
And the Four Heavenly Kings before the Demon King—Sunday Silence, Ruffian, Flightline, Easy Goer…
They had all been defeated by the heroes, Nearl and Platinum, one after another. So, she was next in line, wasn't she?
But Secretariat hated the feeling of losing!
Dr. Lin was still waiting for her!
"Bearing the hope of winning Dr. Lin, I absolutely cannot lose!!"
--+--
The next day.
In a clinic.
The black-haired young doctor was quietly looking down at the newspaper in front of him.
As Margaret Nearl's [Uncle], as the mature, reliable male member of the Nearl family, wasn't it perfectly reasonable for him to enjoy reading the newspaper?
The newspaper's contents were…
[Nearl the Great! An Unprecedented Uma Musume!]
[The Radiant Knight Shoots Down Flightline! Then Shields Flightline?!]
[The Incredible Uma Musume, Great as a Goddess!]
As Lin Anran read on, he suddenly put the newspaper down, a slightly puzzled look on his face.
Because he could hear footsteps outside the clinic, growing rapid.
More than one set!
In the very next second, two familiar figures came fully into Lin Anran's view.
Flightline!
Ruffian!
The stunningly beautiful young lady who seemed fragile and harmless.
The cute yet seemingly reckless little tyrant.
They had… come together?
"Dr. Lin, long time no see!"
--+--
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.