Lin Anran stared at the delicate foot he was holding, then at the petite, dark-haired girl standing in the doorway, maintaining a subtly awkward silence.
From Easy Goer to Sunday Silence—each one was a formidable rival from the American Triple Crown races.
It was one thing for them to show up at his clinic almost simultaneously.
But to both be injured???
--+--
[Uma Musume: Easy Goer]
[Injuries: Osteoma, Quarter Crack (Worsening) (Approaching Major Injury)]
[Uma Musume: Sunday Silence]
[Injuries: Foot Injury (Minor)]
--+--
Two of the three top contenders, both wounded?
After a brief moment of surprise, Lin Anran didn't ponder long. Drawing on information he'd gathered before, he understood immediately.
From Sunday Silence to Easy Goer, it seemed their competitive spirit was a bit too… overwhelming.
Long before the Kentucky Derby, they had already adopted training methods centered around frequent, high-stakes races—using competition as practice, fueling growth through battle.
Take Sunday Silence, for example. Before the Derby, she had already scored three impressive graded-stakes wins in a row, making her one of the favorites heading into the race.
This approach—using races as training—meant focusing on competition itself, engaging in high-frequency campaigns to squeeze out every bit of potential from their bodies, pushing themselves to their limits.
Growth through racing often far surpassed what training alone could achieve. But the risks and physical toll were also much greater—a true double-edged sword.
In Japan, such an extreme campaign—running more than eight or nine races a year, even reaching double digits—would likely be seen as reckless, blind, even exploitative. It might draw criticism from fans and the public alike.
But on the European turf and American dirt circuits—two of the world's top racing environments—this high-risk method was considered mainstream.
After all, the peak competitive period of an Uma Musume is hard to predict and control, especially in Europe and America where training systems are highly developed. Some peak for just a few months; others maintain top form for two or three years.
Many elite European and American stables believe that if an Uma Musume is allowed to develop at her own pace, those who aren't early bloomers might only hit their peak during their older years.
But what if, just as they reach that peak, they run into a new generation of precocious monsters? Even at their best, they'd effectively have one less year of prime racing.
It's entirely possible for a classic-year monster—an outstanding, early-maturing three-year-old—to dominate the second half of the season, wiping out older competitors who've only just found their best form.
Those who peak later not only lack a competitive edge but might also win fewer races than the new-generation phenom. The comparison is… sobering.
But training? Every Uma Musume trains. Simply increasing training load to force early maturity doesn't have a high success rate.
Thus, "using races as training" and "growing through battle" became the best—or only—choice for many Uma Musume.
Even if this approach carries a high risk of defeat early in their careers, most American Uma Musume don't mind too much.
Even the legendary Seabiscuit maintained a long period of this race-as-training method, suffering more than a few losses.
And even Secretariat lost her debut race, didn't she? She had other defeats too. But that didn't stop her from becoming an American racing legend.
This is also why the undefeated campaigns of the [original Big Red Monster: Man o' War] and [The Radiant Knight: Nearl] are so widely discussed and respected among Uma Musume.
An undefeated record over a few races is impressive. But remaining undefeated through a long, grueling campaign? That's almost unheard of.
The more Uma Musume adopt this method, the more it creates a cycle of intense competition, forcing others to also take on high-risk campaigns in pursuit of the Triple Crown or an earlier, longer peak.
In the eyes of many Uma Musume, if they get injured from frequent racing, it might mean a few months off.
But there's also a chance they won't get injured at all.
If they don't adopt this battle-hardened approach, they might get crushed during their classic year by rivals who peaked early through intense campaigning… only to be tortured by precocious juniors when they finally reach their older years.
In today's American Uma Musume scene, this has become the norm.
And now, the injured third-generation Big Red, Easy Goer, and the dark monster Sunday Silence have both chosen this high-risk path of frequent racing and race-as-training.
The results have been strikingly clear.
Just look at how easily they dominated the other rising stars in the demanding, heavy-going conditions of the Kentucky Derby.
As for the cost? That's also painfully obvious.
Just look at the stunned expression of the somewhat unscrupulous young doctor holding that delicate foot, staring blankly at the [System Treatment Panel] before him.
So it's really come to this—two of the three Triple Crown favorites are down, leaving only the Pegasus?
And judging from their current injuries, the one who'll be in better shape for the upcoming Preakness Stakes… might still be Sunday Silence!
"I'm sorry…"
"Even after rechecking, the results haven't changed."
Lin Anran first addressed the red-haired twin-tailed girl, Easy Goer, reiterating the unchanged diagnosis after her reexamination.
This was both a response to Easy Goer and a subtle hint to the small, dark-haired girl still standing suspiciously by the door.
'What are you still staring at? After she's done, it's your turn!'
Two little gold mines, both showing up at once!
"Gulp…"
Several seconds later, Easy Goer finally snapped back to reality.
The crimson in the red-haired girl's eyes was filled with shock and disbelief.
"R-Really? It's gotten worse?"
According to her pre-Kentucky Derby check-ups, both her family doctor and top specialists from international hospitals had assured her that given her excellent physical condition, the injury shouldn't worsen easily.
Many racing injuries aren't "career-ending," but in terms of treatment, some can feel almost like it.
That's because many conditions require long treatment cycles—sometimes months, even half a year. Easy Goer's situation was just like that.
If this had happened before her debut or early in her career, it wouldn't have been a big deal. She could have taken time off, delayed her early races.
But unfortunately, Easy Goer had the bad luck of facing this during her classic year.
In this situation, taking even two or three months off for treatment would be fatal for an Uma Musume aiming for the American Triple Crown.
After all, the American Triple Crown is famously run over a short period—three intensely demanding GI races all within just five weeks.
That's why, even knowing she had leg issues, Easy Goer had only wanted to schedule a [routine check-up] to assess the situation, not jump straight into treatment.
The red-haired twin-tailed young lady had already seen over a dozen famous doctors. Every single one told her after the examination that she needed several months of treatment to fully recover.
Taking months off would mean missing the once-in-a-lifetime American Triple Crown. Who could bear that cost?
That long treatment cycle, even if not a major injury, was almost as bad as a fracture. The silver lining was that she could grit her teeth and push through, keep running.
So in Easy Goer's mind, rather than give up her chance to emulate the original Big Red's Dual Crown or the second Big Red's Triple Crown achievement, she'd try to endure and persevere.
That's why, despite knowing she was injured, she'd only come to check if the injury had worsened.
But now… Lin Anran's straightforward assessment of her condition, and the news that it had deteriorated nearly to the level of a major fracture, shocked Easy Goer to her core.
She hadn't felt this panicked even during the Kentucky Derby.
Only when The Radiant Knight, Margaret Nearl, crushed her by a massive margin had she felt this level of fear and turmoil. And now, just days later, that feeling was back.
Easy Goer had thought that even though the previous race—the Kentucky Derby where The Radiant Knight dominated—was unexpectedly tough, she'd at least be able to maintain her current condition, even if she couldn't improve short-term.
But now…
Just one day after the Kentucky Derby, her body was already giving out? Her pre-existing leg injury had worsened?
Unbelievable!
This nightmare scenario completely captured her attention, so much so that even the sudden appearance of her wild rival Sunday Silence didn't register.
Compared to one of her rivals—and not even the most formidable one, the Pegasus—she cared far more about her own condition.
"If you only run in non-G1 graded stakes next, you might hold on for one or two races."
"But if you maintain the same intensity as your last race…"
"I can say with certainty you won't make it to the third crown, the Belmont Stakes."
Lin Anran stated his judgment frankly.
"In other words, for the second race, the Preakness Stakes, and the third, the Belmont Stakes…"
"Given your physical condition, you can only choose one."
"Please prepare yourself and make your choice."
After all, it wasn't just a routine minor injury anymore. Combined with the long campaign and the extremely high-intensity duel in the snowy Kentucky Derby…
It was only because Easy Goer was in good physical shape that she hadn't already suffered a major fracture.
But if she pushed through one or two more G1 races without giving her body time to recover, she'd be dangerously close to a major injury.
That was Lin Anran's assessment, and it made Easy Goer clench her silver teeth tightly.
Meanwhile, the dark-haired girl Sunday Silence had already stepped forward.
Sunday Silence, who usually showed no interest in anything outside racing, only glanced at Easy Goer briefly before feeling a slight sense of relief.
Not because she was happy her rival might be sidelined or need time off.
But because…
Of the black-haired young doctor before her!
'Thank goodness, Easy Goer doesn't have any special relationship with Dr. Lin.'
'Seems like it's just a standard doctor-patient dynamic.'
Sunday Silence felt somewhat reassured.
And then…
"Long time no see."
Lin Anran greeted her.
"Your race just ended too, so let's get you checked."
"Come over here."
The somewhat unscrupulous young doctor showed his enthusiastic side.
Sunday Silence nodded slightly. As she moved closer, finally sitting down before Lin Anran, she extended her delicate foot for his examination.
Her foot was slender and exquisitely shaped, with skin as smooth as fine jade, soft yet toned from training.
The petite dark-haired girl placed her foot gently on the white examination table, toes slightly curled like a budding flower. Only when Lin Anran reached out did they slowly relax.
But suddenly, the small girl's breathing grew slightly rapid.
For her, it wasn't just because Dr. Lin was touching her again. It was also because of what she had just smelled… a familiar scent.
Familiar, and enticing!
'Dr. Lin, after his trip to Japan… why does he smell so good now?'
'This isn't some perfume.'
As an Uma Musume with a sense of smell far beyond ordinary people's, and one who paid extremely close attention to this young doctor, Sunday Silence clearly sensed that Lin Anran had become even more alluring.
So alluring that… the seemingly cold yet volatile petite dark-haired girl parted her cherry lips several times, revealing her small fangs.
It was as if she might any moment be unable to resist gently tasting the young doctor bent over examining her legs.
'Finally—'
'I get to see Dr. Lin touching my legs again, treating me with such gentle care.'
For a moment, Sunday Silence gazed with excitement, anticipation, and barely restrained desire at the focused Lin Anran.
'Tch.'
'What a nuisance, Easy Goer.'
The next moment, she turned her head, eyes cold as an assassin's, a killer's, a terrifying beast's, glaring at Easy Goer who shouldn't be here.
But unfortunately, Easy Goer wasn't about to vanish.
The third-generation Big Red, focused on her racing, was still gritting her teeth in thought, still sitting there with no intention of leaving.
Just because the examination was over didn't mean there was no follow-up. Easy Goer hadn't even paid the consultation fee yet. How could she just disappear and make room?
If she could, Sunday Silence would have fiercely pulled out her race earnings to pay Easy Goer's fee on the spot and make her vanish.
So Sunday Silence savored the feeling of Dr. Lin's touch once more, her breathing still slightly quickened. Meanwhile, after much hesitation, Easy Goer finally began to solidify her choice.
Just then, Lin Anran let go, releasing the slender, exquisite foot.
Before Sunday Silence could speak, before Easy Goer could announce her decision, Lin Anran's voice echoed through the clinic.
"Sunday Silence, you…"
"You're injured too."
"But it's still within controllable range—a minor leg injury, not too serious."
Lin Anran stated the key point decisively.
As his words landed, the usually silent girl who'd been solely focused on Dr. Lin widened her eyes instantly.
"???"
"Huh? Me too…?"
She'd come this time mainly to see Dr. Lin again, using the check-up as an excuse to replenish her "Lin Anran energy"!
How could this…
A mere pretext for a [physical examination] turn into an actual injury??
Sunday Silence trusted Lin Anran completely. The moment she heard, she believed without question.
"Will it affect my racing?"
Sunday Silence pressed seriously.
To her relief, the black-haired doctor in the white coat thought for a few seconds, then shook his head.
"We can start short-term treatment right away. It shouldn't affect the Preakness much; you can still race."
"As for the Belmont Stakes, if you rest immediately after the race, you'll be fine."
"Overall, your injury is less severe than Easy Goer's."
In other words, Easy Goer could only choose one of the next two crown races to challenge, while Sunday Silence could run both.
After the Triple Crown, both would need a fairly long rest period.
But silver lining: at least they wouldn't have to skip the entire Triple Crown. They still had a chance to challenge and win this once-in-a-lifetime classic series.
"Good, that's a relief."
Sunday Silence let out a small sigh.
The next moment, the dark-haired girl turned her gaze back to Easy Goer.
"What about you? Which one will you challenge?"
The twin-tailed young lady smiled faintly, crossing her arms and striking an imposing pose.
Theoretically, she could refuse to answer.
She could first release news of her injury and potential withdrawal, pretend to skip the Preakness, then probe the condition of her biggest threats—Margaret Nearl and Sunday Silence.
She could act as a "dark horse," freely choosing between the Preakness or the Belmont based on her rivals' condition and track conditions. It was entirely feasible.
But—who was she? She was the third-generation Big Red!
Such cunning, tactical cleverness meant nothing to Easy Goer.
After all, Easy Goer was a warrior who, despite knowing her poor adaptability to heavy tracks, had challenged The Radiant Knight and Sunday Silence head-on from the outside post without flinching.
Even after losing, when interviewed by certain media outlets, Easy Goer never mentioned track or conditions, calmly stating, "She was the better horse," and "This time, she was stronger."
True to her name, Easy Goer—a true sportsman.
True to her title, Big Red—a champion's spirit.
To Easy Goer, her relationship with Sunday Silence and Nearl was that of rivals, not friends.
Rivals didn't have to be friends, didn't have to understand each other. That was for TV dramas and comics.
Enemies were enemies!
Of course, there was a difference between rivals worthy of respect and serious competition, and those not worth attention.
To the current third-generation Big Red, the only contemporaries she considered worthy opponents were Nearl, Sunday Silence, and Ruffian.
She wanted to defeat these geniuses fairly, with her own strength!
"The Belmont Stakes."
Full of fighting spirit, Easy Goer stated her choice calmly, without any attempt to hide or deceive.
"I will defeat both you and Nearl in the final race, known as the [Wall of Despair]."
"Be prepared."
In the final Belmont Stakes!
Having lost the first crown and skipping the second, she would give her absolute best performance and end all her rivals!
After declaring her challenge with imposing dignity, Easy Goer then turned with a slight smile to the black-haired young doctor beside her.
"Well then… Nearl's [Uncle]. Could I add your social media account?"
"I didn't bring cash. Let me add you and transfer the consultation fee."
Instantly, Sunday Silence's face stiffened again.
The petite dark-haired girl's deep, cold eyes gleamed with frost.
An almost domineering aura spread from her, unconsciously filling the entire clinic.
Even if it were the second-generation Big Red, Secretariat herself, Sunday Silence wouldn't allow her to seize an opportunity to get close to Dr. Lin right in front of her.
Let alone this third-generation Big Red—she wasn't even close!
"No need. I brought cash."
Sunday Silence's voice—identical to the one Lin Anran had heard from Manhattan Cafe in Japan—was cold and resistant, yet somehow soft and almost sweet.
Yes, exactly like Ogura Yui's voice.
"I finished a bit higher than you yesterday, so my prize money is a bit more. Let me cover it for you."
Without a doubt, this was Sunday Silence's near-total declaration.
As if saying—
Since you're only third place, don't try to get close to the [Uncle] [Doctor] that first and second place are closer to!
The two rivals, who never got along, locked eyes once again.
"Tch…"
This time, it was Easy Goer's turn to be visibly affected.
And she knew arguing with Sunday Silence now was pointless.
'Better not waste energy bickering with Sunday Silence.'
'Unlike her, this is my first time meeting Dr. Lin.'
Forced to back down for now, Easy Goer chose to ignore Sunday Silence.
"Well then, Uncle, please add me quickly."
"I've got your consultation fee and future treatment costs ready."
Unconsciously, it was actually Easy Goer who first called him "Uncle."
Easy Goer smiled slightly, addressing Lin Anran again.
At the words "consultation fee" and "treatment costs"!
Instantly, Lin Anran pulled out his phone, ready to add her. As a mature adult, he kept his expression perfectly calm.
The generosity of this elite young lady, this super foreign talent, pleased the somewhat unscrupulous young doctor greatly.
"Well then…"
A moment later, after adding her, a slightly cheered-up Easy Goer stood.
She put away her phone, giving Lin Anran a final farewell.
"Well then, Uncle, see you next time~"
--+--
Some time later.
Easy Goer, slightly nervous, gently touched her ample chest.
Before her stood an elderly doctor with very little hair—a retired physician her family had heavily recruited from an international Uma Musume hospital.
After returning home, she'd explained the check-up results to her family elders. They somewhat trusted Lin Anran's judgment but also had doubts.
"He's reliable. I know the Sham family; all their current and future Uma Musume go straight to Dr. Lin for any problems."
"He detected the worsening injury that quickly?"
"And the recheck was very fast?"
"Let's have the family doctor take another look. She specializes in injuries like yours. She should be more reliable than some young outside doctor."
And now—
"You are indeed injured. Roughly from the original symptoms…"
"The required treatment time is nearly six months…"
The elderly doctor frowned slightly, but her assessment of the injury's progression was identical to Lin Anran's.
The main difference was the examination took much longer. And the estimated time for complete recovery was one or two months longer than Dr. Lin's estimate.
Easy Goer's eyes widened.
'No wonder… Dr. Lin could perfectly treat Sham senior's major fracture and even cure tendonitis in another field—a veritable miracle.'
'His legendary all-around medical skill is truly well-deserved. I'll stick with him!!'
The third-generation Big Red made a decision right then.
From now on, not only would she see Dr. Lin for treatments, but even routine check-ups would be with him alone!
--+--
Two hours later.
After bidding farewell to the family doctor and returning to her room, Easy Goer answered a phone call.
It was from the registration office for the Preakness Stakes.
"I'm injured."
"Can't make it. Withdrawing."
Easy Goer responded immediately.
But what slightly surprised her was…
"Ah… Miss Easy Goer, you too?"
The staff member's voice held disbelief and regret.
This made Easy Goer pause.
"[Too]? Who else?"
"Originally fourth to seventh, and ninth to eleventh—six popular Uma Musume. Half cited injuries requiring rest; the other half chose to focus fully on preparing for the Belmont Stakes."
"[Snipering] is about to begin."
The staff's words made everything clear to Easy Goer.
So she wasn't the only one who'd been pushed to the limit and injured.
And besides that… the "snipering" was starting!
The pressure from the Pegasus Nearl was simply too overwhelming.
Could the final "Wall of Despair" in the Triple Crown successfully block Nearl's path to the triple crown?
And now, due to her injury, she too would become part of this sniping effort!
After this realization…
A short while later,
Something suddenly occurred to Easy Goer.
"That's right."
"Dr. Lin's name… I feel like I've heard it somewhere before?"
Easy Goer suddenly recalled the handsome young doctor she'd seen yesterday, who'd made her breath catch.
Someone her rival Sunday Silence cared deeply about…
Possessing incredibly superb medical skills that could save any Uma Musume!
Even she felt a strong urge to learn more about this Dr. Lin.
"That's it, from—"
Easy Goer raised an eyebrow, as if remembering something.
"Secretariat senior?!"
At this thought, her pupils constricted sharply.
Months ago, she'd asked to observe Secretariat's training and even have a practice race.
After easily defeating her, the Triple Crown winner, a tall, red-haired beauty, drank deeply from a water bottle on a bench and muttered with some regret.
"Still a ways from fulfilling the [promise]…"
"When will Dr. Lin return?"
That Dr. Lin!
It had to be the handsome uncle/doctor of the Pegasus Nearl she'd just met yesterday, Lin Anran, right?
Almost certainly!
It was rare enough to have a doctor mentioned and cared about by a legendary Uma Musume, let alone one with a Chinese surname. Finding a second would be nearly impossible.
"Dr. Lin, promise…"
Remembering these keywords, Easy Goer's curiosity grew even stronger.
"Seems like I'll need to investigate their relationship further, either through Secretariat senior or Dr. Lin himself."
Could it be…
That the senior she admired, Secretariat, and her rival Sunday Silence were actually… love rivals??
--+--
American Racing Authority Building.
In an office.
The legendary Uma Musume Seabiscuit looked with great interest at a freshly released list.
It was a heavily discussed entry list that had immediately made headlines across American news and sparked debate overseas upon release.
The content: [American Triple Crown Second Leg · Preakness Stakes · Entry List]
[#1 Popularity: (Declared) Margaret Nearl]
[#2 Popularity: (Withdrawn) Easy Goer]
[#3 Popularity: (Declared) Sunday Silence]
[#4 Popularity: (Withdrawn) …]
[#5 Popularity: (Withdrawn) …]
It was an utterly unbelievable entry situation.
The top five most popular Uma Musume—each had won multiple graded stakes, all capable of competing for regular G1 victories, all future superstars qualified for top G1s.
And now, three of them had collectively withdrawn?
Extending further down the list, even up to tenth place, more withdrawals could be seen.
"Incredible, incredible."
As a legendary Uma Musume with vast experience and a senior official in the racing authority, Seabiscuit couldn't help but sigh repeatedly.
"More than half of the top ten finishers from the last race have collectively withdrawn."
"Just how much pressure did Margaret Nearl put on those other fillies?"
Clearly, the pressure Nearl exerted on many elite young ladies in the first leg was immense, causing them to lose confidence in challenging or seeking revenge in the second leg.
Thus, they chose—[waiting at ease, conserving strength]!
From the first leg, the Kentucky Derby, to the final leg, the Belmont Stakes, there was a rest period of over four weeks.
But if they challenged the Preakness, that rest would be split—only two weeks before facing that battle-hardened golden Pegasus, the fearsome Radiant Knight!
That Radiant Knight had already proven her adaptability and stamina by dominating the Kentucky Derby on a heavy track with a massive margin.
So seeking revenge in the Preakness would indeed be extremely difficult.
This led some Uma Musume to grit their teeth and withdraw, opting to use the full four weeks of rest to challenge Nearl, who would only have two weeks of rest after the Preakness!
Even if they couldn't win head-to-head, with double the rest time, their chances would improve significantly.
This was why the Belmont Stakes was called the "Wall of Sighs." Most Uma Musume aiming for the Triple Crown foundered in this final race!
"Actually, it's unlikely that so many would withdraw specifically to conserve strength."
The sharp-eyed Seabiscuit knew it was improbable for so many to make that choice.
Some should still be content with finishing in the top five, even top three.
But the high number of withdrawals suggested… besides collective strategizing, there was also collective injury.
When race intensity is too high, and those behind push too hard to keep up, resulting in widespread overexertion and [collective injury], it's not unheard of in history.
For example, in Japanese turf racing history, there was a famous race.
The Spring Tennō Shō featuring Mayano Top Gun, Sakura Laurel, and others. The pace was too fast, the intensity too high. Almost every Uma Musume ran beyond her limits, posting unbelievable times.
Afterward, an unprecedented nine Uma Musume had beaten the Spring Tennō Shō time record.
The cost?—Six of them never recovered, having permanently drained themselves, effectively ending their careers.
Even the winner, Mayano Top Gun, developed physical problems and retired soon after.
And Margaret Nearl, The Radiant Knight!
That dazzling golden Pegasus had not only forced some Uma Musume to withdraw but also pushed others to injury trying in vain to keep up. Her brilliance was almost despair-inducing!
That Nearl could still compete proved the Kentucky Derby wasn't her limit. It wasn't a case of burning out, squeezing her body's full potential in one race!
"Nearl… a monster like this is definitely on par with Secretariat, someone who could challenge Man o' War and Eclipse for the [GOAT] title."
Seabiscuit narrowed her eyes, even feeling a sense of crisis.
After all, the legendary [Dream Cup] was returning at year's end! She wouldn't miss it.
And Margaret Nearl would undoubtedly qualify, ranking within the historical top twenty, likely even higher!
"I wonder, how much has her true potential awakening progressed now?"
"Probably… around 65%—80%."
Seabiscuit made a firm judgment based on her extensive experience, certain it fell within that range.
Otherwise, how could she keep improving while campaigning so intensely?
She couldn't have already surpassed the [Uma Musume] species, could she?
That was impossible, right?
—But the truth was…
[Nearl's Maturation Awakening Progress: 35%]
Then, Seabiscuit set down the race entry report that had caused such a stir.
"Well, the Preakness is only a week away. Just waiting for the race to start."
"This time… without a doubt, the [Three Strong Rivals] will become a [One-on-One Duel] like Secretariat and Sham."
"So—who will be Secretariat? And who will be Sham?"
Several days later.
The American Triple Crown, famous for its extremely short rest periods and intense campaigning…
Began again!
The day of the second crown, the Preakness Stakes.
The entrance was packed with dense crowds of spectators.
"Radiant Knight! Radiant Knight! Radiant Knight!"
"Miss Nearl is the best! First beat the third-gen Big Red, then defeat the second-gen, finally win against the first-gen!!"
"Wah, Big Red, my Big Red… actually injured."
"Last Kentucky Derby was so exciting, I've almost become obsessed with heavy track racing. Pity it's a fast track today."
"That golden Pegasus is too terrifying, actually broke so many Uma Musume."
"Nearl, go!! Nearl, go!! The second crown is within reach!"
"Sunday Silence isn't simple; she won't let Nearl win easily!"
Cheers and discussions never ceased.
Worth noting: Margaret Nearl was the pre-race favorite.
Even if Easy Goer hadn't withdrawn, the top spot would likely have been conceded.
Nearl was marching down the path to the Triple Crown!
Backstage.
The tall, golden-haired knight pushed open the door, her lance-sword on her back.
As she entered, she noticed the number of competitors had visibly shrunk compared to the previous Kentucky Derby.
And before her, the most imposing figure was the expressionless, cold petite dark-haired girl in the corner.
Sunday Silence gazed intently at Nearl, issuing her challenge.
"I will create a new future."
This time, she must win!
She'd already disappointed Dr. Lin once; there wouldn't be a second time!
"If the future is yours…"
A slight smile graced Margaret Nearl's handsome, refined features.
"Prove it to me!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
There should be... around 70+ advanced chapters?
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.