—Host Data Profile
| Attribute | Value | Sub-Attributes |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 73 | Core Strength 71, Arm Strength 75 |
| Speed | 69 | Explosive Speed 68, Reaction Speed 70 |
| Stamina | 71 | Endurance 70, Cardiopulmonary Capacity 72 |
| Jumping | 67 | Vertical Jump 72, Hang Time 62 |
| Basic Techniques | 55.6 | Serve 50, Pass 54, Set 48, Spike 70, Block 66, Defense 46 |
| Advanced Techniques | [None] | |
—A system notification abruptly manifested in his mind, yet Akashi Asuka remained remarkably composed, exhibiting little astonishment.
He had already been thrust into this transmigration; what was the addition of a system?
"Proceed, System, initiate your self-introduction," Akashi Asuka articulated mentally with polite inquiry.
However, he received no immediate response.
Evidently, this system lacked advanced artificial intelligence.
Beep!
Just then, the sharp sound of the referee's whistle redirected Akashi Asuka's focus back to the ongoing match.
The Blue Team's second-year substitute served the volleyball toward the backcourt; the velocity was moderate. Given that junior high athletes' physiques are still in a developmental phase, receiving teams generally hold a slight advantage in controlling the ball at this level.
The primary opposite hitter, Oda Miki, with her soft, flowing hair, effortlessly managed the receive. Observing this, Akashi Asuka quickly retreated two paces, initiated his run-up, and executed a forceful jump...
The recently displayed data panel clearly indicated that Akashi Asuka's strength, stamina, vertical leaping ability, and spiking prowess were already exceptional among his age group.
His arm strength, in particular, was near the apex for a junior high athlete.
The system defined 60 points as the global average score for all volleyball players of the same age. Based on this metric, Akashi Asuka immediately realized that this body did not inherently possess a natural aptitude for the sport.
In Akashi Asuka's original memories, while he was not exceptionally zealous, he rarely missed fundamental club training sessions.
Nevertheless, after two years, aside from improvements in a few basic physical attributes, progress in the six core volleyball skills had been excruciatingly slow, and more complex, advanced techniques remained completely untouched.
Even currently, apart from spiking and blocking, his other four volleyball skills failed to meet the calculated average score.
Akashi Asuka was acutely aware of this limitation; had it not been for Alex's abrupt arrival, the original Akashi Asuka would have resigned from volleyball upon entering senior high school.
The starting setter, Mishita Ryuhei, had coordinated with Akashi Asuka countless times. The moment he observed Akashi Asuka's ascent, he immediately and delicately lifted the ball with both hands, sending it flying precisely above Akashi Asuka's head.
The ensuing strike was devoid of intricate technique.
Or rather, the current Akashi Asuka was incapable of executing a sophisticated spike. All he could do was target a narrow gap in the opposing middle blockers' hands and unleash a maximal arm swing.
Bang!
A deafening impact.
The ball tore through the gap between four arms, tracing a straight, violent trajectory before slamming onto the court floor.
The air in the gym became instantaneously silent.
A moment later...
"Ugh~~~"
On the sidelines, the utterly defeated Nishimori Tomohiko shuddered involuntarily, hugging his arms, and swallowed hard. "That was terrifying! Why does Akashi-senpai's spike feel even more potent?"
Akashi Asuka's spikes were already one of the few characteristics that earned notoriety for the relatively obscure Senkoku Middle School volleyball team among rival schools.
Thus, the fact that Akashi Asuka could pierce a double block was not entirely shocking to his teammates.
However, that last spike possessed a truly frightening quality.
Not only was the sheer force greater than any they had previously witnessed, but more significantly, there was an imposing intent behind the strike. The two main middle blockers who directly confronted Akashi Asuka were the most qualified to comment:
How to articulate it?
When facing that spike, they felt as if the attacker's intention was not merely to hit the ball, but to obliterate it onto their heads.
That aggressive momentum made them momentarily want to recoil their arms and protect their faces.
In other words, Akashi Asuka lacks the ability to read minds or decipher expressions.
Otherwise, if he knew their thoughts, he would undoubtedly confirm that their feeling was not illusory, as Akashi Asuka had subconsciously utilized the same powerful core engagement technique he employed for slam dunking in basketball.
All athletic techniques involving aerial maneuvers share one fundamental principle: the proficient engagement of the abdominal muscles, or core strength.
Propulsion on the ground originates from the feet, while power generation in the air stems from the core. The body's original owner had never mastered this crucial skill of generating power from the core while airborne; his previous spikes relied predominantly on arm strength.
But Alex possessed extensive experience in this area, which allowed him to execute a spike with substantially greater power than the original owner.
"Oh?"
On the bench adjacent to the court, the ordinary-looking middle-aged coach's eyes immediately brightened. He naturally perceived the mechanical nuance behind Akashi Asuka's strike, yet he remained uncertain whether this enhanced spike was the result of a deliberate, mastered technique or merely an accidental occurrence.
Akashi Asuka's sudden performance surge did indeed momentarily disconcert the Blue Team.
But this did not fundamentally alter the trajectory of the game.
It can be observed that every strength has a corresponding weakness. While Akashi Asuka utilized his basketball expertise from his former life to augment his attacking ability, his already deficient volleyball experience concurrently dragged down the minimum functional standard of his body's receiving, passing, and defensive skills.
If Akashi Asuka was an "unrivaled force" while rotating into the front row for offense, he became "a liability" when rotating to the back row for defense.
Twenty minutes later, the practice match concluded.
Thanks to Akashi Asuka's explosive offensive demonstration, the Red Team secured a narrow victory in the intra-squad scrimmage with a final score of 25-23.
"That concludes today's technical training. Everyone, proceed to the track for the final five laps of conditioning, after which you are dismissed."
"Yes, Coach!"
After the coach's announcement, the volleyball team members swiftly lined up and exited the gymnasium.
With everyone gone, the volleyball coach observed Akashi Asuka's retreating back and fell into deep contemplation.
If the coach had been skeptical that the first powerful spike was coincidental, he was now convinced, post-match, that their primary attacker had indeed acquired a more advanced spiking technique.
If this was the case, the forthcoming training regimen might necessitate significant recalibrations.
...
Running on the track, Akashi Asuka's consciousness was completely engrossed in the system interface, contemplating the optimal methodology for its utilization.
No one understood the critical importance of "talent" in competitive athletics better than Alex.
It constituted an almost insurmountable threshold.
Ordinary athletes might ascend to the level of ninety-nine through relentless effort and training, but that final, cruel membrane isolated them from true greatness.
Nearly all team sports emphasize synergy and cooperation, yet the inescapable reality is that, whether in football or basketball, when the match reaches its decisive moment, it is frequently a single individual who steps forward to seize control.
And these individuals invariably share a common trait—transcendent, innate talent.
Without some form of exceptional advantage, even as a transmigrator, Alex was not confident in his ability to overcome the future "monsters" of the "Demon Clan Era," such as Kageyama Tobio and Hyuga Shoyo.
Aha!
That is correct; not long ago, Akashi Asuka finally recalled the setting into which he had been transported.
This was the narrative world of the Haikyuu!! anime that he had watched in his previous life.
"Hey! Akashi, training is officially over, are you intending to continue running?" Ōmae Masato called out to Akashi Asuka, who had already completed his five laps but showed no sign of stopping.
However, Akashi Asuka was utterly oblivious to the call.
"We are departing now!"
Ōmae Masato repeated his call when he received no response, then departed the field with the remaining teammates.
Completely immersed in the system interface, Akashi Asuka failed to register the departure of the others. He was intensely focused on determining the prerequisites for operating this so-called "Involution System."
A considerable duration passed after the others had left.
Suddenly, a clear notification chime resonated within Akashi Asuka's mind.
[Ding...]