The National League entry hall was unlike anything Ren had ever seen. Stained-glass banners hung from the rafters, each etched with the sigil of a past champion. The air buzzed with voices—reporters, priests, agents, scouts—all orbiting the courts like moths to flame.
Ren's stomach twisted. He tugged his cap lower, hoping the crowd wouldn't notice him. No such luck.
"Substitute Messiah!" Cameras flashed. "Is it true you copied Minase's shot? Can you show us again?"
"Ren Tachibana, are you ready to face the National stage?"
He stammered, sweat breaking down his spine. They're looking at me again... but this time, not just to laugh.
A familiar voice cut through the noise, crisp and lively.
"Ayaka Nanase, courtside commentator. Mind if I steal a word?"
Ren blinked as Ayaka's drone camera hovered near his shoulder, recording every bead of sweat.
"Why do you play, Tachibana Ren?" she asked, smile sharp but curious.
The crowd hushed. Reporters leaned in. Even Shizuka paused, eyes flicking toward him.
Ren's mouth went dry. He looked down at the racket in his blistered hands.
"...To lose for a reason," he whispered. His voice grew stronger. "...Until I can win for one."
Silence, then a ripple of murmurs.
Ayaka's grin widened. "Not bad. The Underdog Messiah has a tongue after all."
Later, Daigo met them at the registration table. His gaze lingered on Ren, unreadable as always, then on the entry board as the bracket scrolled into place.
Dozens of names, dozens of ranks. But one burned brighter than the rest.
Chen Liang — Rank #52, National Seed.
Ren's blood ran cold. Shizuka's eyes narrowed, jaw tight.
Daigo grunted. "That's your path. Walls get taller the further you climb."
Ren's hand clenched around the entry slip. His chest still trembled, but his voice didn't.
"...Then I'll climb."
Padel Knowledge Break #6 — Pro Levels & Rankings
Padel rankings climb from local street courts to regional leagues, then into the National League. Beyond that lies the World Tour, where legends like Kazama Ryuji reign. In our world, the World Padel Tour (WPT) crowns champions across Spain, Mexico, Argentina. In Aurelia, rankings are broadcast like scripture, burned into glass for all to see. To climb is to be seen. To fall is to vanish. For Ren, entering Nationals means stepping onto the same ladder as gods.