Pegasus? Actually, I'm a doctor!

(Of course, if I can just get her healed...)

(Then she'll willingly give me all her gold coins!)

"Okay."

Agnes Tachyon, having been soothed and calmed, responded with a single, extremely brief word. Her gaze remained fixed on Lin Qianhao.

From her wide white sleeves, she produced paper and a pen from somewhere and quickly wrote down her contact information.

Agnes Tachyon's deep crimson eyes stared at Lin Anran, speaking each word deliberately!

"Doctor Lin, I'll remember you."

After finishing, she handed it to Lin Anran.

"I'll come find you again..."

"Gana!"

Finally, this renowned, historically significant super-genius, widely considered to be on par with Emperor Symboli Rudolf, ceased her run.

Agnes Tachyon disappeared from Lin Anran's sight with a leisurely stroll.

Just half a day later...

A small group of people had gathered in the principal's office at Tracen Academy.

From Principal Akikawa Yayoi and Secretary Shunkawa Tazuna, to Student Council President Symboli Rudolf, and high-ranking officials from URA, they were all present.

Their expressions had collectively turned extremely grave.

Because not long ago, Agnes Tachyon had just announced...

She was withdrawing from all races indefinitely due to injury!

[Indefinite withdrawal from all races]—what a heavy phrase that was.

For Uma Musume and even normal athletes, it often represented uncertainty about their ability to return smoothly, an inability to gauge the timeline, and preparation for retirement!

"Initially, the one who had the hope of becoming the next symbol of Japanese racing... was last year's Teio, but after achieving the undefeated Triple Crown, she lost her chance due to a fracture."

"Furthermore, she suffered a devastating defeat in the Spring Tenno Sho and experienced a second fracture. Even if that Doctor Lin heals her, it's unlikely she can return to her peak."

"And the next one with hope... was precisely Agnes Tachyon. Her talent and strength are undeniable and visible to all. Everyone said that as long as no accidents occurred, she was bound to achieve the undefeated Triple Crown."

"But now—the accident has truly happened!!"

The first to speak in a heavy tone was Symboli Rudolf, her expression a mixture of complex emotions and regret.

"And compared to a fracture, which only requires long-term rest and might lower one's physical ceiling, Hayabusa's injury is tendinitis, a terminal illness hundreds of times more severe than a fracture!"

"Even Doctor Lin, who can heal fractures, is powerless."

And the petite, loli principal Akikawa Yayoi couldn't muster her usual cheerful smile.

"Calm down! I've contacted other renowned doctors in Japan besides Doctor Lin, and they've already begun examinations to see if a perfect treatment plan can be found."

"There might still be a chance for a turnaround; at least it's treatable."

But Akikawa Yayoi knew that was just "might be" and "possibly."

Even if the probability of successful treatment was as low as one in ten thousand, it was still possible. But was there really a chance for it to come true?

Let alone Japan, even if you looked at the much vaster regions of Europe and America, successful cases of top Uma Musume suffering from tendinitis and being cured... could hardly be found!

And this condition had existed for who knows how many years; it was truly the most cruel and terrifying terminal illness, and finding examples of successful treatment worldwide was extremely difficult.

"Surgical treatment, stimulation therapy, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, regenerative therapy..."

"There have been many studies and treatments for tendinitis overseas, but they are far from sufficient. At most, they can achieve [restoration of the majority]."

"With current medical technology, achieving a perfect cure is simply... as difficult as ascending to heaven; it's a true miracle."

This was because Uma Musume were the most extreme, sensitive, and speed-pursuing individuals. In a race, even a difference of [half a second] could result in several places difference in ranking!

Therefore, even if an Uma Musume experienced only a slight impact, theoretically, even if she recovered 95%, it would be enough to drop her from first place to a middle or even last place in a GI race!

So, "treatable" and "perfectly cured" were two completely different situations. The former meant she was healed but could no longer be an Uma Musume.

Agnes Tachyon, the super-new star who had just shown promise of becoming the next face of Japanese racing, had vanished like a fleeting meteor—brilliant but... gone!!

It was imaginable that all Uma Musume in Japan, and then the audience, would suffer a huge shock!

"The highly anticipated [Platinum vs. Agnes Tachyon] will be extremely difficult to stage now,"

A URA executive member said with a hint of regret and concern.

"For future resource promotion, it seems we'll have to distribute them evenly to other Uma Musume in the Derby who have lower popularity rankings."

"We hope... a genius capable of rivaling Agnes Tachyon, who won't disappoint the public's regret, will emerge!"

"Who will be the next? Will it be Platinum? Or Jungle Pocket? Or perhaps the foreign Black Ship?"

First, Platinum competing in the Triple Crown of Transformation and participating early, and then Agnes Tachyon's withdrawal due to injury.

Who, after the disappearance of the two brilliant shooting stars, Tokai Teio and Agnes Tachyon, will take the baton and truly achieve the great feat of rivaling or even surpassing the Emperor to become the strongest in the new era of Japan?

No one in the audience could make a guess at this moment.

After all... who knew if the next super genius would replicate Tokai Teio and Agnes Tachyon, becoming the third shooting star?

Could any Uma Musume really do it?!

Several days later—

In the infirmary, Lin Anran, sitting at his desk, was typing on his keyboard, recording something.

The document open on the screen detailed the strong opponents for Platinum's upcoming Triple Crown of Transformation.

[Triple Crown of Transformation: Oaks, Japanese Derby, Kikuka Sho]

[Oaks Opponents: Mejiro Dober, Kyoei March]

[Japanese Derby Opponents: Agnes Tachyon, Forest Jungle Pocket, Black Ship]

[Kikuka Sho Opponents: ?? (Undecided)]

The black-hearted young doctor regretfully deleted the name "Agnes Tachyon" completely. He then covered his head with his hand and cried out in anguish.

"Hayabusa... Hayabusa..."

Without you, how will I pay my medical fees!

I can only... earn money at the Oaks?

34. Platinum, you are the challenger!

May.

Currently, only one week remained until the Oaks, the longest and most intense GI race in the Fillies' Triple Crown.

Inside the Mejiro residence, several popular and well-known Uma Musume from the Mejiro family were gathered. Desserts and tea were laid out on the table before them.

It was clear that Mejiro Dober, Mejiro Aldan, and Mejiro McQueen were having their regular tea party together.

However, this was not an ordinary tea party. Given the sensitive timing, Mejiro Dober was set to compete in the Oaks in just a week.

Therefore, this seemingly relaxed tea party was primarily for Mejiro McQueen, as the senior, to provide guidance, help Mejiro Dober ease her tension, and adjust her condition to prepare for the Oaks.

As the most senior active Uma Musume in the Mejiro family, Mejiro McQueen was not only experienced and older, but she was also one of the absolute top figures in the Japanese horse racing world today!

This assessment was by no means an exaggeration. After all, it was Mejiro McQueen who personally handed Tokai Teio, the undefeated Twin Crown winner, her second crushing defeat due to a fractured bone.

"Dober, this Oaks... barring any surprises, it will be your stage!"

"Even though Platinum has entered the Oaks, your chances of winning are definitely the highest."

The elegant Mejiro McQueen placed her teacup down and lightly chuckled as she gave her assessment.

This was not blind trust in her family's sister, nor was it flattery to encourage Mejiro Dober.

As the strongest long-distance runner of the current era in Japan, and with the potential to be the strongest long-distance runner in Japanese history, her judgment was incredibly sharp!

Platinum was indeed a monster that shocked Japan.

In her debut race, she achieved a five-length victory against the exceptionally talented rookie Daiwa Scarlet, even with a slow start.

And then, in a graded race just a week later, despite the fatigue of a rookie's previous race, she made a decisive break from the outermost gate and completed a stunning victory by over ten lengths!

Looking back at history, very few could be compared to her with such achievements.

Once Platinum successfully undergoes formalization next year and gradually enters her peak period, achieving an undefeated Triple Crown might not be impossible.

However... Platinum was too hasty. She didn't follow the normal route by debuting next year. By rushing to compete in this year's races, she would inevitably lack race experience and sufficient rest time.

"From her past races to her race experience, both are Platinum's disadvantages. I doubt her formalization is high, and her aura isn't at a level where she can use any skills yet."

"Full of talent and potential, but far too reckless."

"Not to mention, some Uma Musume might choose to switch to the Japanese Derby temporarily. Platinum might do the same."

"So—the advantage is yours!!"

This was the reason, stemming both from Platinum's significant disadvantages and from the Japanese Derby.

One week after the Oaks was the Japanese Derby!

The GI race with the highest prestige in Japanese racing. While the Arima Kinen at the end of the year or the Japan Cup against foreign competitors were also highly regarded, the Japanese Derby often took precedence in terms of viewership, demonstrating its immense influence!

Even with many famous Uma Musume participating in the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen, Japanese fans simply had an obsessive love for the Derby!

And under the formidable threat of Agnes Tachyon, who was expected to win the Triple Crown by default, some Uma Musume were bound to grit their teeth, give up, and choose to avoid challenging the Fillies' Triple Crown.

After the Satsuki Sho, Agnes Tachyon was widely recognized as the monster most likely to rival or even surpass the Emperor!

But now... an accident had occurred!

It was easy to imagine that the news of Agnes Tachyon withdrawing from the Derby, effectively retiring, instantly turned into a storm that swept across the entire nation of Japan!

With the great demon king who would have dominated the Derby gone, some Uma Musume who were originally preparing for the Oaks would undoubtedly choose to abandon the Oaks and switch to the most glorious Japanese Derby!

After all, their chances against Agnes Tachyon might have been less than one in a thousand. But now, they likely had single digits or even more!

"Yes, the Oaks... I will definitely win it for the Mejiro family."

Mejiro Dober also understood the reason behind this. In her opinion, since the difficulty had been lowered, there was no reason for her to lose!

"The only surprise now is probably that mysterious and interesting Heavenly Horse, Platinum."

"She probably believes she has a chance against Agnes Tachyon. But unsure which race to choose, she registered for both the Oaks and the Derby at a high price."

Beside her, the intelligent young girl Mejiro Aldan, known internally within the Mejiro family as the "Strategist," spoke up.

"She'll most likely choose the Derby now! Even if she actually runs in the Oaks... it won't matter."

The silent Mejiro Dober nodded gently, agreeing with their assessment.

She had no reason to lose to a young foal who had only recently begun her Formalization!

"Whether I clash with Platinum or not, I..."

Mejiro Dober declared with firm conviction.

"...will win!"

Don't get the positions wrong.

"Platinum, you are the challenger!"

Meanwhile, at Tracen Academy.

In a spacious laboratory somewhere, the young girl Agnes Tachyon, clad in a white coat, entered.

This rather large room was filled with various experimental equipment; it was her new laboratory, which she had moved into in recent days.