After the check-up with the family doctor, the verdict was clear: no serious injuries beyond a mild concussion.
Relieved, Symboli Rudolf personally escorted Diamente back to her room.
The grand estate of the Symboli family was something out of a fairytale—white marble floors, warm amber lighting, and corridors lined with portraits of umamusume who made history. To an outsider, it felt almost like walking through a hall of legends.
To Diamente, however, it was something else entirely.
'This room… it's bigger than my entire apartment back then.' The thought ran through her mind as she stepped inside her quarters.
Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of a four-poster bed, a chandelier hanging above, and even a balcony overlooking the garden. The sheer scale of luxury made her chest tighten with a mix of awe and guilt.
Before she could lose herself in thought again, Rudolf's gentle voice called her back to reality.
"Do you need my help—or perhaps one of the maids'—to prepare your clothes for bed?"
Diamente blinked, startled for a moment, then shook her head quickly. "Ah, no, Rudolf-nee. I can handle it myself. You've done enough for me already… I don't want to trouble you any further."
Rudolf chuckled softly and reached out to ruffle the younger girl's hair. "You shouldn't worry about 'troubling' adults, Dia... It's our job to look after you—especially after an incident like that."
Her eyes softened, carrying that familiar imperial calm that once inspired generations of umamusume. "It's also my responsibility to make sure every one of my juniors—and every umamusume in my care—finds happiness and reaches her dreams through her own strength."
Then, as if realizing something, Rudolf tilted her head slightly. "Speaking of dreams, I just realized I've never asked you properly before."
Diamente blinked. "Eh?"
"What kind of dream do you have for yourself?" Rudolf asked with a faint, curious smile. "You've been living here for a few months now, but I haven't heard your answer yet."
Her words struck Diamente still.
My dream, huh…
In her past life, she had long stopped chasing dreams. Between emergency shifts, sleepless nights, and the endless pressure of perfection, she had simply worked to survive. But now—standing here, in the presence of the legendary Symboli Rudolf—she couldn't help but feel something stir within her.
Before she could answer, however, Rudolf added kindly, "Though you're still far from maturation, so there's no need to rush. You have time to think about it."
She smiled warmly, turning toward the door. "Rest well tonight, Dia."
"Good night, Rudolf-nee," Diamente replied softly, watching as the door closed behind her with a gentle click.
The room fell quiet.
With a small sigh, Diamente stood and wandered toward the bathroom. A large mirror awaited her above the marble sink, and for the first time since awakening, she really looked at herself.
The reflection staring back was… stunning, in a surreal way.
Dark brown hair fell to her shoulders, the tips fading into deep gold. A small black diamond mark glimmered faintly on her bangs, and a pair of brown horse ears twitched gently atop her head—each lined with three thin, golden stripes as ear covers.
Turning slightly, she caught sight of her tail, the same color as her hair with those same golden ends.
"So this is me now…" she murmured, running a hand through her hair. "I really became an umamusume."
Her tone carried both disbelief and a tinge of wonder.
Being a long-time player and fan of Umamusume in her past life, she had seen countless girls like this on the screen—bright, cheerful, powerful. But never had she imagined seeing one in the mirror, let alone being one.
Then, as she pondered the absurdity of her situation, something flickered in front of her.
A translucent white box appeared midair, glowing softly with a faint hum.
Green text shimmered across its surface:
[Start the Tutorial Process?]
Her eyes widened.
No way… this is—this is the in-game interface!
Memories resurfaced—of the last night she spent before waking up here. She had been multitasking, as usual: playing Umamusume Pretty Derby while watching the 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe live.
She had even placed a bet—on Daryz-Minnie Hauk, a longshot favorite who had miraculously won.
She remembered the thrill, the victory, the laughter—
—and then, nothing.
"Don't tell me I… died from overexcitement?" she muttered, pressing a hand to her face. "That's such a ridiculous way to go out…"
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she stared at her reflection again.
Her small stature, and childlike features were all telltale signs—she was still far from maturation. Rudolf's words earlier echoed faintly in her mind.
You still have time to think about your dream.
As she studied her own features again—the golden ends of her hair, the markings on her ears—she noticed something else. Those details weren't random.
The gold tones, the markings—they were unmistakable. They bore resemblance to both the Symboli and Gold families.
So I really… belong to their lineage.
The realization left her breathless for a moment. Two legendary bloodlines—two families that defined Japan's greatest racers.
And somehow, she was connected to both.
Her expression softened as she exhaled slowly. "If I was brought here, it must be for a reason."
She thought of the sleepless nights, the stress, the endless grind of her old world.
This time, things could be different. She could live freely, chase something greater—something meaningful.
There's no more regrets.
Her gaze shifted back to the floating message box before her. A faint smile tugged at her lips.
"Alright then," she whispered. "Let's begin."
With a steady hand, she reached forward.
"System—start the tutorial process."
The moment she confirmed her words, a soft, warm light enveloped her whole body. Diamente instinctively closed her eyes, expecting to feel the cold touch of her bathroom tiles, but when she opened them again, what greeted her was not her bathroom.
An endless expanse of white stretched in every direction. There was no horizon, no ceiling, no walls, and only an infinite blankness that somehow felt comforting rather than empty.
In front of her floated the same translucent window she saw earlier, flickering with faint distortions, its edges glitching as if struggling to stabilize.
And then, from within that flickering light, something. Or rather, someone emerged.
A young umamusume stepped forth, her hair flowing like strands of cobalt silk under unseen currents. The white cloak that wrapped around her figure seemed to shimmer with the same purity as the surrounding light. Her long blue ears twitched softly, adorned with faint streaks of silver that pulsed with divine radiance.
Even with her eyes closed, Diamente could feel the overwhelming presence emanating from her — dignified, sacred, and serene.
When the blue-haired umamusume finally opened her eyes, Diamente was momentarily breathless. They glowed with an ethereal azure light, both tranquil and piercing, as if they could see directly through her thoughts and soul alike.
The divine being smiled gently.
"Are you feeling alright, young one?"
The soft, melodic tone of her voice carried across the void like a breeze over spring water. Diamente's throat tightened before she managed to nod.
"Y-Yes, I think so… I'm still adjusting, but I'm fine."
The goddess' smile deepened, her gaze softening. "That is good. I am relieved to hear it."
There was a quiet pause before the divine figure inclined her head slightly, introducing herself in a voice filled with light and reverence.
"I am Godolphin Barb, one of the Three Goddesses who watch over this world. You may have known me under another form… from the world you came from."
Diamente blinked, her mind struggling to process what she'd just heard.
Godolphin Barb…?
The realization struck her almost immediately. The same name that echoed through centuries of racing history — one of the three foundation sires of the Thoroughbred line.
"That's… unbelievable," she whispered. "Then, it really is true… this world—"
"—is one you've long cherished," Godolphin finished softly. "A world born from the dreams of many who once loved these children called umamusume."
Diamente's expression softened, and a faint laugh escaped her lips.
'I suppose that makes sense. Though if I'm being honest, I didn't become a doctor out of any divine calling. It was more… because it paid well enough to support my hobbies.' she thought to herself.
"And yet, such honesty is what makes your soul so radiant."
"Radiant?"
"Yes," Godolphin said, stepping closer.
"Even selfish dreams like the pursuit of victory, fame, or passion, are but another form of devotion. They are faith turned inward, a reflection of one's own belief in effort, persistence, and love. Even a certain someone's obsession with achieving the Undefeated Triple Crown, born of admiration and desire, is in itself a prayer we receive."
The goddess' serene expression never wavered as she continued, "Do not belittle your own desires, Diamente. They are what led us to find you in the first place."
Diamente's lips parted slightly in awe. "You… you can hear my thoughts?"
"I can," Godolphin replied with a nod. "This realm reflects your mind. Every doubt, every hope, every question echoes here. And I have come not only to guide you but to awaken the gift that bridges your two worlds."
The flickering window behind her stabilized, its symbols rearranging themselves into neat, glowing lines of text.
Godolphin turned her gaze toward it, her tone growing clearer — gentle, yet commanding.
"It is time you learn how to live as both yourself and the umamusume you have become."
The divine light around her pulsed brighter, enveloping the entire white space in brilliance.
"This," she said, turning back to Diamente with a knowing smile, "is the beginning of your System Tutorial."
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