In the Team X training room, a figure relentlessly struck the ball toward the goal. Every shot was heavy and precise, slamming into the back of the net.
"Whew."
The boy sported a sharp, spiked hairstyle and a physique every bit as robust as Kunigami's. Sweat sprayed across the turf with his every move. This was the highest-ranked player on Team X, the 250th-ranked Barou Shoei. Even late into the night, he trained as if fatigue was a foreign concept, muttering to himself, "To think someone is ranked above me. I'm only 250th... I'll kill them!"
Inside the monitoring center, Anri Teieri pushed open the door to find Ego Jinpachi exactly where she had left him: perched on his chair, eyes glued to the screens.
"At least get some rest," Anri urged, impressed by his dedication. "It's late, and the selection matches start tomorrow. You'll be watching for a long time."
"I rested while you were out," Ego replied without looking back. "There are still players training. As their guide, how can I sleep?"
"Who is it? Kira Ryosuke again?" Anri leaned in, surprised to see a different face. "Oh? I remember this one. During intake, he had that arrogant air, like a king on vacation."
"Exactly," Ego's lips curled into a slight smirk. "He's a king on the pitch—or at least, he believes he is."
"Right, I remember now," Anri realized. "His opponent tomorrow is Team Z."
"Indeed. Interesting... let's see which 'unpolished gem' holds more value.
The next day, the members of Team Z emerged from the tunnel in their blue jerseys, led by Kira.
The pitch... I'm back.
Kira felt like a gladiator entering the arena, his eyes burning with battle-lust. Behind him, his teammates stood with firm resolve. They knew this was the first battle to decide their football careers, and none intended to lose.
As they began their warm-up, the opposing locker room opened. A group in white jerseys marched toward them.
"Team X is here."
Kira's gaze immediately locked onto the man at the front: Barou Shoei. He's massive—same build as Kunigami.
[Detectable Attribute Found. Absorb?]
Dribbling +15 (Decaying)Strength +15 (Decaying)Speed +15 (Decaying)Shooting +15 (Decaying)
Absorb.
[Absorption Successful. Obtained: Barou Shoei Attribute Card.]
Kira felt a surge of satisfaction. He had intentionally left an attribute slot open for Barou after absorbing cards from Kunigami, Isagi, and Bachira earlier that morning. This "King" was currently a level above everyone else in Team Z.
"Yikes... that big number 10 has a terrifying aura," Igarashi whispered. Isagi and Kunigami both felt the pressure, with Kunigami recognizing a fellow power-type player. They all realized Barou was the primary obstacle to their victory.
"The match between Team X and Team Z will begin in ten minutes," the speakers announced. "The lower-ranked team will kick off first. All fouls will be decided by VAR."
"Everyone, play exactly as we discussed yesterday. Warm up first," Kira commanded, taking his role as captain seriously.
"Kira, are you nervous?" Bachira asked while stretching. Kira nodded, then smiled. "Let's just enjoy the match."
Kickoff
"Whistle! Match start."
Team Z held their disciplined 4-4-2 formation. In contrast, Team X appeared to be in a loose 4-2-3-1 with Barou as the lone striker, though their positioning was disorganized—as if the formation was a mere formality they were forced to endure.
Kira trapped the ball, observing the opposition. I'll take a goal before they even settle in, he thought.
He kicked off, passing back to Isagi, and immediately sprinted forward. Isagi broke through the center without hesitation, realizing his role as a central midfielder was to link the play. However, the opponents didn't play a standard game. As soon as Isagi touched the ball, three Team X players swarmed him like madmen.
Triple-teamed? No, they just want the ball for themselves. What is this?
Isagi didn't overthink. He sent a crisp diagonal pass to the unmarked Kira. "Beautiful, Isagi!" Kira took the ball in stride.
"Stop him!" the Team X defenders panicked, urging their midfielders to intercept. Facing the two incoming players, Kira looked sharply to the left. Kunigami was already charging down the flank. Kira prepared to strike a long ball.
"Watch the left!" the defenders shouted, reaching out to block the passing lane.
But it was a ruse. Using his eyes to deceive them, Kira paused and flicked the ball to the wide-open right side. The defenders were baffled—there was no one there.
Suddenly, a blue blur burst into the space. It was Bachira, who had been lurking on the right wing since the kickoff. He reached the ball first, executing a beautiful turn that left the scrambling defender in the dust.
"Nice, Bachira!" the teammates cheered as Bachira bypassed another two defenders, dancing down the sideline.
"The Team X penalty area isn't that easy to enter!" the white-jerseyed defenders growled, closing in to force him out of bounds.
Bachira just stuck out his tongue. "You fell for it."
While in mid-motion, he executed a back-heel cut-back pass. He sent the ball perfectly into the heart of the box where no one was guarding.
"Bachira, great ball!"
"Damn, everyone was drawn to number 8!"
Players from both sides screamed as the ball rolled into the wide-open gap in the center of the box.