But even Emperor Symboli Rudolf, hailed as the strongest Uma Musume Japan had ever seen, with seven GI victories and an undefeated Triple Crown, had once failed to reach the world-class level.
In Japan, the only open middle-distance GI Race was the Japan Cup. Symboli Rudolf had competed in it twice, finishing with one win and one loss.
After that, carrying the boundless hopes of Japanese fans, she had set out for America to prove how far Japanese Uma Musume could go beyond their homeland. In the end... she returned in defeat, utterly crushed!
Some people believed the Emperor's international record wasn't bad at all, but Symboli Rudolf thought it fell far short.
If she couldn't achieve her dream herself, then she would leave it to the next generation to fulfill!
What Japanese Uma Musume had lost in the past, the strongest Japanese Uma Musume of the future would win back!
That was why she cared so much about once-in-a-generation talents like Tokai Teio, Agnes Tachyon, and Platinum, practically treating them like her daughters and devoting herself to their development.
Judging from the current situation, Platinum might well be the biggest "problem child" of them all. After all... what normal Uma Musume would choose to take on something like the Triple Crown of Transformation?
Symboli Rudolf was now waiting for Platinum to come see her. She wanted to have a good talk with that seemingly cold yet soft and adorable Little Heavenly Horse, and find out what was going through her mind.
Why pass up the Undefeated Triple Crown, which would be within reach next year, and choose the Triple Crown of Transformation instead? And why this year, when her rival was Agnes Tachyon, a talent who came along once in a decade and was herself at the level of an Undefeated Triple Crown contender?
Why not choose easy mode? Or even hard mode? Why pick the most difficult nightmare mode of all?
"Phew..."
Symboli Rudolf couldn't make sense of it. She couldn't understand the young fillies these days, and couldn't help wondering if this was a "generation gap."
She was still young, wasn't she?
After she had worked for who knew how long...
She signed her name on yet another document, then deftly moved on to the next one.
Just then, her phone rang.
When she saw the caller was Tokai Teio, the Emperor's brows drew together slightly. She had a bad feeling about this.
"At this hour... Teio should be waiting for Platinum at the entrance, right? Or she should have met Platinum by now and be bringing her over."
"Did something happen that she had to call me?"
Symboli Rudolf answered at once, her expression turning serious.
"Student Council President, something unexpected happened."
"Platinum might be a little late."
Just as she'd feared—
"On the way here, Platinum ran into Agnes Tachyon, who was training at the track."
"?!"
Symboli Rudolf's pupils shrank sharply.
Had they really collided like planets right out of the gate?
Wasn't this happening a little too fast?!
"What... happened between them?"
"Tachyon seems very interested in Platinum. After praising her, she challenged her to a Training Race!"
At that, Symboli Rudolf stood up without hesitation and immediately headed downstairs toward the track.
Still holding her phone, she spoke to Tokai Teio.
"I'm on my way. They really shouldn't be having a Training Race!"
(Um... why did Tachyon praise Platinum so much, then say she'd go easy on her?)
(Is it a case of being polite before turning hostile? Or has she spotted some fatal weakness in Platinum that will let her win easily?)
The bewildered Daiwa Scarlet was beginning to sense something was off.
If Platinum's explosive power and strength—both crucial qualities for an Uma Musume—were already nearly on par with those of a Classic GI Champion, then she should qualify to face Tachyon, shouldn't she?
So why praise her and then say she'd go easy on her?
"You have a wonderful pair of legs. Strong and resilient... they're practically brimming with limitless potential."
"For all this time, I haven't limited my research into the potential of Uma Musume to Japan alone."
"From the champions of Britain, Australia, Ireland, and France to those of America, I've studied them all."
"Even Lintailai and Star of Kaido from Europe are only a little stronger than you physically. Their overall physiques are at roughly the same level."
Agnes Tachyon stroked her chin, then continued speaking to herself, looking like a mad "Uma Musume scientist."
"I'm afraid the only ones who could surpass you physically are once-in-a-century legends from history, and..."
"The American Dirt Monster I studied a few months ago!"
After marveling at Platinum, Agnes Tachyon gave her assessment.
"In short, physically, you rank among... the top five active Uma Musume in the entire world!"
"Among Japanese Uma Musume, you're the most valuable subject for research."
And that was exactly why—
"So, how about a Training Race with me? I can't wait to see your true potential, Platinum."
"In return, I'll give you some proper guidance."
Agnes Tachyon still didn't know Platinum planned to challenge this year's Classic Races. She thought of her as a junior who would be competing next year.
From an ordinary perspective, then, Agnes Tachyon was the senior and Platinum the junior. How lucky was it to get a chance to compete in a Training Race against a senior who had won a GI Race?
Especially since that senior was considered a possible contender for the Undefeated Triple Crown!
And everyone knew that winning or losing a Training Race wasn't important. What mattered was whether it helped you improve.
For an ordinary Uma Musume, arranging a Training Race with Agnes Tachyon was incredibly difficult. Even a GI Champion might not be able to get her to agree.
So in theory, the Training Race Agnes Tachyon had offered was tremendously valuable to a newcomer. She had made an offer that was "hard to refuse."
What's more... Agnes Tachyon had promised to hold back appropriately! Who could possibly turn down a Training Race like that?
"So, Platinum, are you willing?"
She was here to look around, not to work—or work overtime!
In response to Agnes Tachyon's question, the languid Miss Heavenly Horse tilted her head slightly before answering.
Besides, it was only a Training Race, which meant there was no prize money!!!
"No thanks~"
25. The Gap Between Them: A Stat Monster and a Mechanic Monster?
"No thanks~"
There was a hint of languor in Platinum's voice, but her reluctance was unmistakable.
As soon as she answered, the whole area fell silent once more.
This time, even Agnes Tachyon, who had been completely calm and sure of victory, showed the slightest change in her expression.
No?
She was refusing a Training Race challenge from her?
Why?
In the minds of nearly all Uma Musume, the more outstanding someone was, the harder she worked, the more talented she was, and the more competitive she became.
So an Uma Musume with talent as astonishing and strength as frightening as Platinum's had to be training with unimaginable rigor behind the scenes.
But training often hit plateaus, or brought progress only slowly.
And an Uma Musume like Platinum, who wasn't from Tracen Academy, would surely struggle to find an active GI Champion willing to race against her in a Training Race.
So, by Agnes Tachyon's initial reckoning, Platinum had no reason to refuse...
Then why had Miss Heavenly Horse shaken her head without a moment's hesitation?
Even Agnes Tachyon, who was quite interested in Platinum, was briefly taken aback.
Could it be... that Platinum had no interest in races, training, or getting stronger?
If that were true, she might be even more extraordinary than Van Gogh, the all-around European powerhouse she'd heard about; Lintailai, the astonishingly gifted talent; or Star of Kaido, the perfect Uma Musume who appeared only once in a lifetime.
Those European monsters, like the American ones, hadn't debuted yet or had only just done so, but their talent was impossible to hide!
In Tachyon's view, only fools with poor judgment might fail to recognize it. As a "scientist" devoted to studying the potential of Uma Musume, she could see it with perfect clarity!
"You're refusing..."
"Is it because you're not interested?"
Agnes Tachyon quickly regained her composure. She wasn't overly surprised, and calmly asked a follow-up question.
The white-haired girl nodded without hesitation.
She couldn't very well say she didn't want to work overtime because Training Races didn't pay, could she?
Not being interested... that was certainly a good reason!
After Platinum nodded, Agnes Tachyon indicated that she understood. Her gaze fixed on Platinum grew even more intense.
After all, she herself wasn't an Uma Musume who made racing her primary goal. Instead, racing was a means of supporting her research into experiments that interested her.
Who would have thought there was finally another "odd one" besides herself?
And for an odd one to display that kind of strength...
That meant—
Her earlier assessment was probably inaccurate. She might have even underestimated Platinum a little.
If this Heavenly Horse girl was willing to give it her all and apply herself seriously to training, she might well have a real chance of becoming the world's champion!
Just as Agnes Tachyon was about to ask another question...
Tokai Teio had already turned around and was waving repeatedly at a mature Uma Musume senior approaching from the distance.
"Student Council President, we're over here!"
The Student Council President, Symboli Rudolf, had hurried over!
As soon as Symboli Rudolf got close, Tokai Teio finished telling her that Platinum had refused the Training Race.
After hearing it, Symboli Rudolf let out a slight sigh of relief.
She had been afraid she'd arrived too late, and that Platinum and Agnes Tachyon would already have started their One-on-One Duel in a Training Race.
Most Uma Musume would be delighted to get a Training Race.
But Symboli Rudolf knew perfectly well that Platinum didn't want to be anyone's junior! She wanted to become the Triple Crown of Transformation who defeated Agnes Tachyon!
If the Training Race went ahead, losing could have a major impact on Platinum. She might grow afraid of facing Agnes Tachyon in the Japanese Derby! A loss could seriously affect her state of mind!
Platinum was simply too young right now. She had also just won a graded race after a hard-fought run two or three days ago, and her body was exhausted.
Against Agnes Tachyon, who was well rested and had far more racing experience, Platinum's odds of winning really were extremely low.
So it was all for the best that she'd refused the Training Race.
If the two of them were going to face off, it should be in the Japanese Derby three weeks from now!
"By the way..."
"Why were you planning to hold back in the Training Race, Miss Agnes Tachyon?"
Even though the languid Heavenly Horse girl had no interest in a Training Race, she was still curious about something Agnes Tachyon had said earlier and pressed on.
Agnes Tachyon had praised her physique, yet seemed so confident she could defeat her.
Where did that confidence come from?
Before you continue