The scoreboard of Aurelia's National League pulsed like a living heartbeat.
Names shimmered in holographic gold, shifting with every new victory and loss.
And tonight, for the first time, one name that had never belonged finally glowed there—
#99 Tachibana Ren
The crowd outside the arena erupted. Neon banners scrolled Messiah of the Masses! while fans pressed against the glass walls, chanting his name into the night.
Inside the locker tunnel, Ren sat on the bench, staring at the projection. His hands still shook, bandages frayed, but he couldn't look away. He had clawed his way into a space that didn't forgive mistakes.
Shizuka stood at the other end of the tunnel, towel draped around her shoulders. She glanced over, eyes softer than usual. "...Don't let it get to your head. This is only the starting line."
Ren almost laughed. "Says the prodigy ranked twenty-two."
Her ears flushed faintly, but she turned away before he could press.
Maria swept in next, dropping onto the bench beside him without permission. She wore her flamenco-red warmup jacket, half-zipped, sweat clinging to her skin like glitter. "Top 100 already, cariño? You're making the headlines too fast. Maybe I should slow you down."
Ren sputtered. "You—you carried me earlier! Don't act like—"
She leaned close, whispering, "Don't act like you didn't grit your teeth when I held your hand on court. You fight ugly, but you fight real. That's why even dragons looked your way."
Ren's chest tightened at her words. Was that admiration... or just teasing?
Before he could answer, the League chime blared. All three turned toward the massive holo-screen in the center of the complex.
National Main League — Entry Invitations Released.
Dozens of names scrolled. Stars, legends, prodigies.
And at the very bottom—highlighted, almost as if mocking:
Wildcard Entry: Tachibana Ren (#99).
The tunnel filled with gasps. Players who had walked by turned to stare, some in disbelief, others in disgust. Whispers spread like wildfire:
"That substitute? In the Main League?"
"Politics. Sponsors. Can't be real."
"He'll die in the first round."
Ren felt the weight of every sneer. Yet over the noise, another chant began outside, swelling through the glass:
"Messiah! Messiah! Messiah!"
He stood slowly, legs aching, heart hammering. This wasn't just another step. This was the edge of a cliff.
Shizuka looked at him with narrowed eyes, unreadable. Maria grinned like fire catching dry wood.
And above them, unnoticed until the spotlight found him, Ryuji remained in the stands. He didn't move. Didn't clap.
He simply watched, eyes sharp, as though saying without words—
The Main League is mine. Step in if you dare.
Ren's HUD blinked alive:
[System Update: League Progression Unlocked. Access Key: 2/5 → Active.]
Ren exhaled. For once, it wasn't despair that filled him, but resolve.
He was no longer just surviving.
He was about to challenge destiny itself.