Pegasus? Actually, I'm a doctor!

3. The Legendary Triple Crown of Transformation

The next day, at a racecourse.

For what was merely a debut race, a considerable number of spectators filled the stands.

Enthusiasts familiar with racing knew it was unusual for so many people to attend a debut race, unless... a highly anticipated newcomer was debuting.

The excited chatter was constant.

"Daiwa Scarlet? The junior that Agnes Tachyon, who recently won the Satsuki Sho, has her eye on?"

"I've heard she's very strong. She has a good chance at the Fillies' Triple Crown next year."

"This debut race is a sure thing. We just need to see how many lengths this famous top student will win by."

"If she's favored by Agnes Tachyon, who's guaranteed to win the Triple Crown, then this Daiwa Scarlet must surely win beautifully."

Listening to the surrounding discussions, a white-haired girl with a relaxed gait suddenly stopped. Even the tail behind her ceased its sway.

It seemed the young Kulantta girl, who was about to head backstage, realized something was amiss.

Platinum's pupils contracted sharply, her ears twitching slightly.

"Huh? The first race of the Classic Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho..."

"Just a short while ago—"

"Was won by Agnes Tachyon?!"

Then...

This Triple Crown??

How could she win it now?! The Satsuki Sho was already over. Only the Japanese Derby and Kikuka Sho remained for the Classic Triple Crown!

Even if she won both, it would only be two crowns. She couldn't possibly wait until next year to run the Japanese Triple Crown races, could she? That would delay things by a year.

How much money would she lose by waiting a year?

In that instant, Platinum understood what it meant to die before her ambitions could be realized. She felt as if her eyes were vacant and her entire body had turned to ash.

But soon, Platinum forced herself to remain calm. She reopened her system mission panel and looked again.

[Mission Schedule: Win the Triple Crown races]

[Transformation can be activated]

[Mission Reward: Permanent upgrade to intermediate injury treatment ability, two uses of advanced injury treatment]

Looking again, Platinum seemed to have grasped some unknown detail.

Wait a minute!!

The mission required winning the Triple Crown, not a specific, complete [Classic Triple Crown]!

The races in the Classic year challenge were not just the Classic Triple Crown! Wasn't the Fillies' Triple Crown also a Triple Crown?

And the first race of the Fillies' Triple Crown was also over, but theoretically, she could achieve a mixed Triple Crown by winning the remaining races of the Classic Triple Crown and the Fillies' Triple Crown.

To aim for the combined Triple Crown of Transformation, she would have to compete in the Classic Triple Crown just a week after winning a race in the Fillies' Triple Crown, in a fatigued, battle-hardened state, against another group of well-rested Uma Musume.

To win consecutively in that unprecedented nightmare schedule was considered impossible by all Uma Musume worldwide!

Since Platinum had missed the first race, her only options were to challenge the legendary Triple Crown of Transformation or wait another year to challenge the complete regular Triple Crown!

"Wait another year? No way!"

A look of resistance flashed across Platinum's delicate, languid face.

Since it was a "business" to be completed, Platinum felt it was best to finish it quickly.

What if she waited another year and still lost next year... wouldn't that be terrible?

If she started battling now and challenged the Triple Crown of Transformation, which was considered unmatched, even if she lost, it wouldn't be shameful. Moreover, if she lost, she could just slack off!

Besides, if she waited a year to improve her treatment ability... how much money would she lose?

No matter what, time is money! She absolutely couldn't wait until next year.

So, should she choose the [Triple Crown of Transformation]? Choose to challenge that miracle that was theoretically impossible to achieve?

The white-haired girl's languid face now exuded a sharp aura, the powerful fighting spirit finally ignited.

The path of the Classic Triple Crown was no longer viable, so she would choose a new, unprecedented path!

"Then I must—challenge the [Triple Crown of Transformation]?!"

After a rookie Uma Musume debuts, she can choose to challenge the classic races in her first or second year. She only gets one chance in her lifetime.

The Classic Triple Crown and the Fillies' Triple Crown are only a week apart, so the Uma Musume qualified to participate often choose only one.

As for the Triple Crown of Transformation, it's not on any Uma Musume's challenge list. Winning in that nightmare schedule is even more difficult than an undefeated Triple Crown! Therefore, in the eyes of countless people, the [Triple Crown of Transformation] is an honor that only exists in past history, long considered a legend that would never be realized!

The small, white-haired girl's languid expression showed a hint of composure.

But in reality, Miss Platinum couldn't help but feel a bit doubtful. The Triple Crown of Transformation, which is more difficult than an undefeated Triple Crown... does she really have a chance to win it?

In the nearly hundred years of Japanese Uma Musume racing, the Triple Crown of Transformation has only been achieved once, known as "unmatched."

Why is this considered a legendary feat that cannot be replicated? Because… the race schedule was changed!

The senior Uma Musume who uniquely achieved the Triple Crown of Transformation was Kurifuji. Her era had different race schedules and timings compared to now. The Japanese Derby she won was in June, and the Oaks was in October, a four-month gap.

But now, the same Japanese Derby and Oaks are before this Kulantta girl, yet there's only a one-week difference!

Because of this, even the original creator of the Triple Crown of Transformation would be absolutely powerless if they came to this era! This is a miracle sealed by time, impossible to recreate!

However! Miss Platinum is different; she doesn't pursue honor much, neither before nor after her transformation.

So — "Win everything, or have nothing!!"

Because of her laziness and a desire to earn a lot of money quickly, Platinum doesn't plan to wait until next year.

Thus, Miss Heavenly Horse made preparations to challenge the unprecedented Triple Crown of Transformation. Without further hesitation, she stepped into this racecourse.

Before participating in the Triple Crown of Transformation, she first had to complete this debut race!

"Let's go~"

The lazy Miss Heavenly Horse quickened her pace.

In the spectator stands, a black-haired Uma Musume named Vodka sat in the front row, watching the race.

She was a rival to the race's favorite, Daiwa Scarlet, and had participated in more than one practice race against her back in school.

As for the results of those duels, they had each won some and lost some, so Vodka was very interested in her rival Daiwa Scarlet's debut performance.

What caught Vodka's attention was seeing a familiar senior appear.

That senior was none other than Tokai Teio!

Tokai Teio had a good relationship with them, so it wasn't surprising that she would show up to watch.

But the key point was… Tokai Teio had fractured her leg again not long ago!

So, shouldn't she be seeing a doctor or resting? Why was she here, and why were the bandages on her leg already unwrapped?

"Senior Teio, did you come to watch Akagi too?"

"Is your body okay now? Why aren't you resting properly?"

Vodka couldn't help but ask, which caused Tokai Teio beside her to smile and make a "V" sign.

"I met a really great doctor. The treatment was effective right after it was done, and now I can walk around freely."

"Don't worry, Lady Teio will be back to full health soon! Let's watch Akagi's race together now~"

Then, from Vodka to Tokai Teio, their gazes unified towards a certain gate.

Inside that gate, Daiwa Scarlet, a young girl with crimson hair and a figure far more voluptuous than her peers, was stretching her body, earnestly awaiting the final opening of the race.

And in a corner no one was paying attention to, a white-haired girl with a waterfall of snow-white hair cascading down, had no trace of nervousness on her youthful face as she stepped into her designated gate, Number 8.

It seemed this Kulantta girl was just making a symbolic appearance, not having much desire to win.

Finally—

The race entered its final countdown.

"Huh? Is that… Da-Daiwa Scarlet??"

The girl, Platinum, who had entered the gate, looked calm and composed on the outside, but her gaze had already landed on the gate that almost everyone in the venue was watching. Inside it was Daiwa Scarlet, whom she found familiar!

Earlier, her attention had been on the Triple Crown races. It was only now that she remembered the audience mentioning Daiwa Scarlet.

That was the super genius who was qualified to join the protagonist team in the Uma Musume anime, the apex of her generation!

Considering the many spectators present, most of them were probably here for Daiwa Scarlet, which proved her potential and extraordinary strength.

Miss Heavenly Horse, seemingly nonchalant, couldn't help but feel suspicious.

"Eh, I'm going against Daiwa Scarlet? Is that for real?"

"Can I win?"

4. The Utterly Confident Top Student!

Can I win?

After her initial daze, Platinum couldn't help but feel a bit doubtful.

She had indeed played Arknights before she transmigrated, but only played and watched others play; she wasn't a seasoned expert.

She didn't know the specifics of combat power or background stories very well, mostly just jumping into whatever was available.

Therefore, she only knew that she had transformed into a girl from the Kulantta tribe, who were skilled runners from the land of Arknights. Originally an idol knight, she later "chose the wrong major" and transferred to the Reunion's assassin unit as Platinum David.

And she was the one who uttered the famous line, "Laugh if you want to laugh," a pitiful, weak, and helpless little Heavenly Horse.

Undoubtedly, compared to being a diligent worker or an assassin, becoming an Uma Musume was much more relaxed and enjoyable.

But the problem was, her appearance didn't look like a physically strong warrior at all. When she transformed, she held a bow and arrow. As an archer assassin, she was like a fragile ADC in a MOBA game!

To pit a pitiful, weak, and helpless ADC, who hadn't undergone any training in running, against a heavyweight opponent like Daiwa Scarlet, who could make it into the protagonist team of an anime!

Although her body wasn't that of a seasoned warrior, the Kulantta race seemed similar to Uma Musume, as they were naturally gifted runners. She shouldn't be too far behind, right?

Platinum thought to herself, raising her chances of winning from 0 to... a question mark?

(Perhaps I have a slight chance of winning too?)

But she had no idea what her actual chances were.

Before Platinum could react much, the race was about to begin, and the countdown started.

[3!]

The Uma Musume inside the gates were almost all staring intently ahead, waiting for the moment they would break out.

Platinum snapped back to attention, stopping her train of thought. Positioned in Gate 8, leaning towards the outside, she knew she had to focus.

(Looks like it's finally time to get to work...)

(I need to win this race quickly, get the prize money, and then I can clock out.)

For some reason, Miss Platinum had a bit of an obsession with "work," always wanting to finish her tasks as soon as possible and leave early.

Making money was important, but so was leaving work!

So...

It was better to settle this quickly and win the race as soon as possible!

[2!]

[1!]

[Race Start!]

All the gates opened simultaneously.