At first, they instinctively assumed Platinum would enter whichever races she could, then choose one of the two G1 races.
Until—
A female staff member thought it over carefully, then spoke up.
"Could it be..."
"Triple Crown of Transformation? Is Platinum challenging the nightmare schedule that surpasses the Undefeated Triple Crown?!"
In an instant, the entire room fell silent.
The Triple Crown of Transformation!
It had existed only in the past, a piece of history recounted to younger generations by their seniors to show off their knowledge. No one had ever believed this special Triple Crown could be won!
"Th-that's insane!!"
"Should we persuade Platinum to calm down and withdraw her application so she can prepare for next year's Triple Crown, or do nothing and let her take on the Triple Crown of Transformation, which is even harder than the Undefeated Triple Crown?"
At last, the senior official responsible for making the decision spoke.
"For now... contact Tracen's student council president and chairperson, and ask what they think!"
21. An Open Day for Platinum
The influence of that shining, silver-white Pegasus—
From race spectators to numerous Uma Musume, and even URA, the race organizer, everyone learned of her and was deeply shaken by her presence.
The Triple Crown of Transformation! After the race schedule was changed in the past, all of Japan had agreed that it was a "mythical Triple Crown" that could never be replicated!
That rarest of all Triple Crowns, existing only in legend... had finally found a challenger: Platinum, hailed as the Pegasus!
Even within URA, people couldn't help wavering and debating. They decided to ask Tracen Academy's student council president and chairperson for their opinions and advice.
And so...
The focus of the meeting shifted from Agnes Tachyon to Platinum, and the heated discussion began anew!
The influence of the Pegasus would continue to spread.
The next day.
Inside the chairperson's office at Tracen Academy.
An incredibly tiny, adorable girl sat at the desk, stroking a kitten.
Standing beside the girl was a mature woman dressed in green from head to toe, including her hat.
If a stranger who didn't know them saw this scene, they might have assumed they were "mother and daughter," and thought the mature woman in the green hat, who was the chairperson, was letting her daughter sit in her place.
It wouldn't have been hard to mistake it for a heartwarming family scene.
But that wasn't the case. The tiny, adorable girl was the big boss of Tracen Academy, one of the most famous schools in Japan and even all of Asia. She was the chairperson!
The chairperson's name was Akikawa Yayoi, while the mature-looking woman in the green hat was Shunkawa Tazuna, the chairperson's secretary.
In the game, Shunkawa Tazuna was also called the Green Demon! She was a terrifying demon in the hearts of countless players!
"Question! Have you contacted Symboli Rudolf?"
Akikawa Yayoi continued stroking the kitten as she asked her assistant, Shunkawa Tazuna.
"I've informed her. She'll be here shortly."
Clearly, there was an extremely important matter for the chairperson herself and Symboli Rudolf, Japan's Strongest in History, to discuss together.
And that matter revolved around Platinum!
Not long after Shunkawa Tazuna had spoken, footsteps sounded in the corridor outside.
Then, someone gently knocked on the door.
"Come in."
At Shunkawa Tazuna's invitation, Symboli Rudolf hurried in.
Symboli Rudolf had retired long ago and had long since become the picture of composure, yet this time she had hurried over for the first time in ages!
The Emperor pushed open the door and, without even sitting down, immediately asked,
"Ms. Tazuna, Chairperson, what do you think... Should we approve Platinum's choice?"
"Or should we try to persuade her to calm down first?"
Symboli Rudolf asked not only Chairperson Akikawa Yayoi, but also Shunkawa Tazuna, the chairperson's assistant and secretary.
That was because this mature senior in the green hat wasn't an ordinary staff member. Long ago, she had raced under the name Harvest Moment, and her remarkable record had earned her the title "Above All."
She had also broken numerous records of the time and won consecutive races in the Classic Triple Crown. When she was one win away from completing it, with only the Kikuka Sho left... disaster struck! She suffered an incurable injury, forcing her to end her career and retire early.
Thus, she had another title—the Phantom Triple Crown. It meant that if nothing had gone wrong, if she'd just kept running, the Triple Crown would have been within her grasp!
Agnes Tachyon, who had just won the Satsuki Sho, was likewise regarded by the public as "a monster who'd win the Triple Crown as long as nothing went wrong." She was being compared to none other than Symboli Rudolf and Harvest Moment.
Such achievements and formidable ability, along with her seniority, demanded respect even from Symboli Rudolf, the Emperor.
The petite chairperson spoke first.
"Hmm..."
"Maybe it's better to keep the two monsters apart?"
"Platinum is indeed very strong! But she's only been racing for a short time, and facing Tachyon puts her at a huge disadvantage."
"What's more, she isn't competing in the Derby first. She'll only race in the Derby after the Oaks, so she definitely won't be in good condition by then."
"Even if her talent and ability might match Tachyon's, it'll be incredibly difficult when she's tired and worn down from so many races."
In other words, Akikawa Yayoi wanted to look out for Platinum. She didn't want anything to happen to such a promising young talent.
If the Derby came first, Platinum might still have a chance, but it came a week later!
"Mm, I agree."
"The Triple Crown of Transformation is practically an impossible schedule to complete. And her opponent is Agnes Tachyon, whose talent is so extraordinary she'll go down in history and may even reach the world stage."
Symboli Rudolf nodded gently and gave her opinion as well.
No matter how exceptional Platinum's talent or how strong her physical condition was, the combination of a nightmare schedule and a terrifying opponent made success all but impossible, didn't it?
So it would be safer to challenge the Undefeated Triple Crown next year instead.
"But I think... that child didn't make this choice on a whim."
"Platinum may have her own reasons for challenging it. Neither we nor URA have any reason or authority to stop her from racing."
The smiling Green Demon, Shunkawa Tazuna, spoke up from the side.
Akikawa Yayoi and Symboli Rudolf fell silent for a moment.
That was true. They could say all they wanted about looking out for a junior, or looking out for a child... but they weren't Platinum's mother or sister. What right did they have to make decisions for someone else?
The seemingly carefree chairperson's smile returned. She picked up the cat on the desk and hugged it, chuckling softly.
"Then let's find some excuse to hold an open day in two days and open the school to the public."
"Then invite Platinum to visit Tracen. You two can meet the little filly face-to-face and see if you can talk her out of it."
"If that doesn't work, then all we can do is look forward to a world-shaking showdown!"
And so, the chairperson, with money to burn, made the call.
"Anyway, let's prepare an open day for Platinum. Lure her over! It's not like our Tracen Academy is short on money!"
One day later, in the morning.
In the infirmary, Lin Anran gave his top patron, Tokai Teio, her final treatment.
"Now... it's finally over!"
"Remember to take the last medicine at the same times as before."
Lin Anran explained this to Tokai Teio.
The petite Teio's eyes sparkled, and she let out a long sigh of relief.
"Finally!! Thank you, Doctor Lin!"
"Now I can focus on preparing for the race. It's a shame we have to get ready for the school open day today, so I can't train for long..."
After thanking him, Tokai Teio looked a little regretful.
Lin Anran, standing nearby, froze.
"Huh? Open day? What's that?"
22. Platinum Runs Into Agnes Tachyon
"Open day? What's that?"
Lin Anran's expression stiffened. He hadn't expected to hear that.
Over the past few days, aside from transforming into Platinum and competing twice, Lin Anran had had plenty of free time.
After all, this was one of the most prestigious schools in Japan and even Asia. It had thousands of Uma Musume and a huge number of staff, so the total number of people coming and going was enormous.
Naturally, there wasn't just one or two school doctors. There were regular Japanese school doctors, as well as foreign doctors specially invited to work there, among others. The number of doctors was by no means small.
Tracen Academy also covered and reduced a set amount of the Uma Musume's medical expenses. It was generous with all kinds of benefits and discounts, and on top of that, it offered excellent training resources. That was how it had become a giant in Uma Musume development!
With enough doctors on hand, most of them naturally had fairly light workloads.
So whenever Lin Anran had free time over the past few days, he'd been reading about Japanese races, the opponents in the Triple Crown, and Tracen Academy's rules and regulations.
The school rules he'd looked through before seemed to say that the school festival wasn't tomorrow, didn't they?
"The president said it's to celebrate... to celebrate how many years it's been since she won the Undefeated Triple Crown!"
"I just don't know why they didn't hold it last year, but are holding it this year. I really don't get it."
Tokai Teio tilted her little head and smiled. After all, Symboli Rudolf was her idol, the one she admired most.
"But it doesn't matter. The president is Japan's strongest Uma Musume in history, so she deserves to be celebrated every year!"
"Then the president asked me to tell you, Doctor Lin, that Tracen will be open to the public tomorrow, and she hopes you'll invite Platinum to come."
"And I, Lady Teio, will be her guide! I'll show Platinum around properly!"
After Tokai Teio finished explaining, the expression of the shady young doctor in front of her turned complicated.
They hadn't held it last year, but were suddenly holding it this year?
And even if they were going to hold it, shouldn't it be after the Kikuka Sho? Why was it happening before the Derby?
Could they have arranged this just to get me to go?
As soon as the thought occurred to him, Lin Anran dismissed it.
How could that be possible?
Even if they were only holding a small open day at short notice, inviting only outside Uma Musume and not ordinary people, the expenses would still be substantial.
Platinum had only been a debuting filly for a week, and she'd only competed twice. Why would Tracen Academy spend so much money on her?
"All right, I'll pass it on."
"You're welcome..."
Lin Anran nodded, stood up, and saw his top patron, Tokai Teio, out.
As he walked her to the door...
Before you continue