The morning paper holo floated above Aurelia Prime's plaza, blaring headlines in crimson fonts:
BREAKING: DAIGO SUSPENDED — ALLEGED VIOLATION OF LEAGUE CONDUCT
Ren nearly dropped his breakfast bun when he saw it. Crowds were already buzzing, voices overlapping like a swarm:
"Messiah's coach is finished?"
"League politics—of course they'd go after him."
"Without Daigo, #99 is nothing."
Ren shoved through, heart hammering. By the time he reached the academy's lobby, Shizuka was already waiting—arms folded, jaw tight.
"It's official," she said flatly. "They're suspending him for the next three matches. 'Improper influence.'"
Ren's stomach sank. "That's ridiculous. Daigo doesn't even talk to officials half the time!"
"Doesn't matter," Shizuka snapped. "They want to cripple you. That's the point."
From the corner, Maria sauntered over, holding a glossy fashion bag in one hand and a smoothie in the other. "Well, well. The League is finally showing its claws. I told you, cariño, this world doesn't only run on rallies." She sipped. "It runs on politics."
Ren clenched his fists. "So what now? Just... play without him?"
Maria's eyes glittered with mischief. "Exactly. And maybe that's what they're testing. Can the Messiah survive without his shepherd?"
Ren stormed into the League chamber, where cold glass walls projected endless stats. At the center sat three officials in pale uniforms, faces like masks.
"Coach Daigo is my lifeline," Ren protested. "You can't just bench him because of rumors!"
The eldest official adjusted his spectacles, voice monotone:
"Tachibana Ren. The National League upholds integrity above all else. If your victories cannot stand without external crutches, then perhaps you do not belong in the Top 100."
Ren's HUD flickered violently.
[Warning: Stress Load ↑]
[Oracle Glitch Detected → 'Protocol: Isolation']
He gritted his teeth. For once, he couldn't lean on Daigo's gravel voice telling him "calm down, kid."
Mio found him slumped on the bench, staring at his racket.
"They're not wrong," he muttered bitterly. "Without Daigo... I don't know if I can do this."
Mio shook her head, sitting beside him. "No. They're wrong. You've already survived worse. With or without a coach, you're still you." She tapped the cracked frame of his 「Fallen Star」 racket. "This thing glows when you're on the edge, doesn't it? Then prove it again."
Ren looked at her, then at the neon-lit courts ahead. The crowd was already gathering for his match tomorrow. Coachless. Vulnerable.
But maybe... not broken.
His HUD blinked again, stabilizing into a single line of text:
[New Trial Unlocked: Survive without Guidance.]
Ren exhaled slowly.
"Fine. If they want me coachless, I'll show them what #99 can do."
The city roared as if it already knew—tomorrow, the Messiah would walk into the storm alone.