Pegasus? Actually, I'm a Doctor!

But even the Emperor Symbol of Rudolf, hailed as the strongest Uma Musume in Japanese history with seven GI wins and an Undefeated Triple Crown, had once failed to reach the world-class level.

In Japan, the only open mid-distance GI race was the Japan Cup, and Rudolf had contested it twice, with a record of one win and one loss.

Afterward, burdened by the endless expectations of Japanese fans, Rudolf set out to prove the ceiling of Japanese Uma Musume abroad, embarking on an expedition to America... only to return in crushing defeat, a disastrous failure!

Even if some argued that the Emperor's overseas record wasn't terrible, in Rudolf's eyes, it was far from enough.

The dream she couldn't achieve—she would leave it to her future juniors to fulfill!

What past Japanese Uma Musume had lost, the future strongest Japanese Uma Musume would reclaim!

Thus, for prodigies like Tokai Teio, Agnes Tachyon, and even Platinum—rare talents that emerged once in a generation—Rudolf treated them almost like her own daughters, pouring immense care into their development.

From the current situation, though, Platinum seemed likely to be the biggest "problem child." After all... what normal Uma Musume would challenge something like the Triple Crown of Transformation?

Right now, Rudolf was just waiting for Platinum to come before her. She wanted to have a proper talk with that seemingly cold yet soft and adorable Little Heavenly Horse, to understand what she was really thinking.

Why would she pass up the Undefeated Triple Crown, practically within reach next year, and instead choose the Triple Crown of Transformation—and against a generation featuring Agnes Tachyon, a rival of the same Undefeated Triple Crown caliber, a once-in-a-decade talent?

Why not pick easy mode, or even hard mode, but insist on the most, most, most difficult nightmare difficulty?

"Hah..."

Rudolf was utterly baffled, unable to comprehend the young fillies of today, and couldn't help wondering if there was a "generational gap."

She was still young, wasn't she?

After who knows how long of continuing her paperwork...

Signing another document with practiced ease, Rudolf was about to seamlessly switch to the next file.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID—Tokai Teio—the Emperor's brow furrowed slightly, a vague sense of unease creeping in.

"At this hour... Teio should be waiting at the entrance for Platinum, right? Or she should have already met Platinum and be bringing her here."

"Did something happen that made her call me?"

Rudolf answered immediately, her expression turning serious.

"President, there's been a little incident."

"It looks like Platinum will be delayed for a while."

Sure enough—

"On the way here, Platinum ran straight into Agnes Tachyon, who was training on the practice track."

"?!"

In an instant, Rudolf's pupils sharply contracted.

Was this a clash of titans from the very start?

Wasn't that a bit too fast?!

"What happened between them?"

"Tachyon seemed really interested in Platinum. After praising her, she challenged her to a Training Race!"

Hearing this, Rudolf stood up without hesitation, immediately heading downstairs toward the training track.

Clutching her phone, she spoke to Tokai Teio.

"I'm coming right now. Those two are not suited for a Training Race!"

(Huh... Why did Senior Tachyon praise Platinum like that, but still say she'd go easy on her?)

(Is it courtesy before force? Or did she see through some fatal weakness in Platinum that she could easily exploit?)

Bewildered and confused, Daiwa Scarlet sensed something was off.

If Platinum's explosive power and strength—crucial attributes for any Uma Musume—could nearly match a senior Classic GI Champion, then she should have the qualifications to face Senior Tachyon, right?

So why praise her while talking about going easy?

"Truly fine legs—tough, powerful... brimming with endless possibilities."

"For so long, in my research into the potential of Uma Musume, I haven't limited myself to just Japan."

"From the champions of Britain, Australia, Ireland, France, to America—all fall within my scope of understanding."

"Even Europe's Lintailai and Star of Kaido are only slightly above you in physique, but broadly on the same level."

Agnes Tachyon stroked her chin, then muttered to herself, her demeanor like that of a mad "Uma Musume scientist."

"The only ones who could completely surpass you in physique are the once-in-a-century legends of history, and..."

"The American Dirt Monster I studied a few months ago!"

After her musings, Agnes Tachyon delivered her verdict.

"In short, your physique alone ranks you among... the top five active Uma Musume worldwide!"

"In terms of research value, you're the highest among Japanese Uma Musume."

And that was why—

"So, would you like to have a training race with me? I can't wait to see your true potential, Platinum."

"As repayment, I'll give you proper guidance."

At present, Agnes Tachyon still didn't know that Platinum intended to challenge this year's classic races, and regarded her as a junior for next year.

So from a normal perspective, Tachyon was the senior, Platinum the junior—how fortunate it was to be able to have a training race against a GI champion senior!

Not to mention, this senior was someone hailed as a potential contender for the Undefeated Triple Crown!

And as everyone knew, winning or losing a training race didn't matter; what mattered was whether it made you stronger.

For an ordinary Uma Musume, even scheduling a training race with Agnes Tachyon was nearly impossible—even a GI champion might not be able to secure one.

Thus, the training race Tachyon proposed was, in theory, incredibly valuable for a rookie Uma Musume, an "offer too good to refuse."

What's more... Tachyon had even promised to hold back appropriately! Who could resist such a training race?

"So, Platinum, are you willing?"

She was here to observe, not to work—and definitely not to work overtime!

Faced with Tachyon's question, the languid Miss Heavenly Horse tilted her head slightly, then gave her answer.

And since it was a training race, that meant no prize money!!!

"No way~"

25. The Gap Between Them: Stat Monster vs. Mechanic Monster?

"No way~"

Though Platinum's voice carried a hint of laziness, the refusal within it was unmistakable.

The moment her response landed, silence once again fell over the entire scene.

This time, even Agnes Tachyon—calm and confident as she was—had a subtle shift in her expression.

No?

Refusing a training race with her?

Why...?

In almost every Uma Musume's understanding, the better the Uma Musume, the harder they worked, the more talented they were, and the more competitive.

So someone like Platinum, with such astonishing talent and terrifying strength, must surely be putting in unimaginably grueling training behind the scenes.

But often, training hit plateaus or yielded slow progress.

And for an Uma Musume like Platinum, who wasn't from Tracen Academy, finding an active GI champion to train with would be extremely difficult.

So in Tachyon's initial judgment, Platinum should have had no reason to refuse...

But why had this Miss Heavenly Horse shaken her head without a moment's hesitation?

This left Tachyon, who had taken a keen interest in Platinum, momentarily surprised.

Could it be... that Platinum was actually an Uma Musume with little interest in races, training, or getting stronger?!

If that were true, then she might be even more extraordinary than the rumored all-around unmatched Van Gogh, the bizarrely talented freak Lintailai, or the once-in-a-lifetime perfect Uma Musume Star of Kaido?

Though those European monsters—along with the American ones—had either not yet debuted or had just debuted, their talent was impossible to hide!

In Tachyon's view, only some blind fools might fail to recognize them. As a "scientist" dedicated to studying the potential of Uma Musume, she saw with razor-sharp precision!

"Refused, huh..."

"Is it because you're not interested?"

Agnes Tachyon quickly regained her composure, not overly surprised, and pressed on calmly.

The white-haired girl nodded without hesitation.

She couldn't exactly say it was because training races had no prize money and she didn't want to work overtime for nothing.

Not interested... That was indeed a good reason!

After Platinum nodded, Tachyon indicated she understood, and her gaze at Platinum grew even more intense.

After all, she herself wasn't an Uma Musume who treated races as her primary goal—they were merely a means and necessary condition to support her research into topics that interested her.

She hadn't expected that, aside from herself, there would finally be another "odd one out."

And for an odd one to display such strength...

That meant—

Her earlier judgment might not have been accurate; perhaps she had even slightly underestimated Platinum.

If this Miss Heavenly Horse was willing to go all out, to train seriously and diligently, it was entirely possible she could even become the world's Horse King!

Just as Tachyon was about to ask another question...

Tokai Teio, standing nearby, had already turned around and was waving vigorously at a certain mature senior Uma Musume approaching from afar.

"President, we're over here!"

Symboli Rudolf, the student council president, was hurrying over!

As she approached, Rudolf had just caught the tail end of Tokai Teio's explanation about Platinum refusing the training race.

After hearing it, Rudolf let out a slight sigh of relief.

She had been worried she might arrive too late, only to find Platinum and Agnes Tachyon already locked in a One-on-One Duel.

For most Uma Musume, a Training Race should be a welcome thing.

But Rudolf knew full well that Platinum had no desire to play the junior! She wanted to defeat Agnes Tachyon and claim the Triple Crown of Transformation!

Thus, if this Training Race went ahead, a loss for Platinum would have serious repercussions. She might even face Agnes Tachyon at the Japanese Derby with fear in her heart! A defeat now could severely impact her condition!

Platinum was still too young, and just two or three days ago, she had fought hard to win a prestigious race through Experienced Battles, leaving her utterly exhausted.

Against Agnes Tachyon, who was well-rested and far more seasoned in competition, her chances of victory were indeed slim.

So refusing the Training Race... that was for the best.

If a showdown had to happen, it should be at the Japanese Derby three weeks from now!

"By the way..."

"Why were you, Miss Agnes Tachyon, planning to hold back in the Training Race?"

The languid Pegasus girl, though utterly uninterested in the Training Race, still pressed on with her question about what Tachyon had said earlier.

Agnes Tachyon, who had praised her body, seemed so confident in defeating her?

Where did that confidence come from?