After a skill leveled up, there was actually an unexpected bonus?
Shibukawa was thrilled.
He immediately began considering which option to choose.
“Speed or Power?”
He analyzed it carefully and guessed that these two effects only applied to his Swing.
Given his current situation, increasing Power was clearly less worthwhile than increasing Speed.
Moreover, increasing his swing speed could, to some extent, also improve the efficiency of his training.
Shibukawa made his choice immediately, focusing his thoughts on the Rapid Backswing option.
[Trait Rapid Backswing activated]
[Rapid Backswing Lv1: Passive trait.
Increases swing speed by 10%.]
‘A passive skill?
Not bad.’
Shibukawa was quite satisfied.
A 10% increase in backswing speed might not seem like much, but that was only because he wasn’t strong enough yet.
Once his overall strength reached a certain level—someone like Sanada, for example, who had mastered the Wind technique—a 10% increase in backswing speed would be terrifying.
And besides—
He could clearly see the Lv1 designation attached to the trait, which meant it could be leveled up.
He simply didn’t know yet how to increase the level of this type of skill.
‘Come to think of it…’
After a moment, another possibility occurred to Shibukawa.
‘Does every skill awaken a corresponding trait after leveling up?’
If so, that meant the Running, Push-Ups, and Sit-Ups skills he currently possessed would likewise awaken traits once they reached the corresponding level.
When that happened, his strength would undoubtedly undergo a qualitative leap.
Without further delay, Shibukawa began swinging his racket, deliberately using the same amount of force as before.
Sure enough, the speed of his backswing had increased noticeably.
He was extremely excited.
‘If I’d awakened this trait a few days ago when I played Honda, beating him 6–0 wouldn’t have been a problem.’
At the same time, Shibukawa began thinking about what kind of tennis he wanted to pursue in the future.
Speed alone didn’t have a particularly high ceiling.
At least, that was how things had been in the original series.
Kaji Futa was the fastest player at the U-17 camp, yet later on he was little more than a minor player.
The three areas that truly had an impact were Power, Technique, and Mental.
As for Power, both Oni and Watanabe were incredibly imposing, but the ceiling was clearly limited as well.
Technique and Mental were the only two paths that could truly reach the very top.
Of course, the ideal would naturally be to develop all five stats and ultimately become a complete all-rounder.
But for now, he had to be realistic about what he was capable of.
For Shibukawa, the obvious choice right now was to focus on Speed.
Once he had the opportunity later, he could develop his other abilities as well.
With his mind made up, Shibukawa continued practicing his Swing.
Before long, he shook out his aching arm and ended his Swing practice.
“You’ve all performed well these past few days.”
Looking at the ten players in front of him, Uesugi nodded before continuing.
“But at this level, you might manage in ordinary practice matches.
Once you step into an official match, though, it won’t be enough.”
“So…”
He paused, his tone turning serious.
“What comes next will be your first real advanced training.”
At those words, everyone’s expressions grew solemn.
Uesugi had a strict personality and his word was law within the team, giving him an imposing presence.
Since he had put it that way, none of them dared take what came next lightly.
Sure enough, a handsome orange-haired boy soon appeared, walking toward them with a cheerful smile.
“Sengoku?”
“Why him?”
“Wait, don’t tell me this intensive training is going to have them play against Sengoku?”
“Hiss!”
Not far away, the other club members outside the ten selected players couldn’t help sucking in a sharp breath at the thought.
Who was Sengoku?
One of the top two players in the Yamabuki tennis club.
Even Captain Uesugi Kenichi couldn’t say with absolute confidence that he could beat him.
After all, the last time the two had faced each other, Uesugi had only narrowly won 7–6.
And half a year had already passed since that intra-school ranking tournament.
If they faced each other again now, there was no guarantee Uesugi would still be the winner.
“Good afternoon, everyone.”
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Sengoku greeted them with a cheerful smile and a wave.
“You might be wondering if this advanced training means you’ll have to play against me.
Haha, there’s no way.
I’m a regular, you know.
I’m pretty strong.”
As he spoke, he flashed a broad grin, his white teeth gleaming in the sunlight.
The gesture brought a little levity to the previously serious atmosphere.
Several of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Forget Sengoku—even against second-year regulars like Nitobe and Higashikata, who specialized more in doubles, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
Under those circumstances, having Sengoku serve as their practice opponent would be nothing but a waste of time.
“Don’t worry.
The training isn’t that difficult.”
Seeing their reactions, Sengoku spoke with a chuckle.
But then a playful look appeared on his face.
“All you have to do is see whether you can return my Kohō.”
Whoosh!
At those words, everyone’s expressions changed instantly.
You’ve got to be kidding me!!”
Even Honda, who had lost to Shibukawa, laughed in disbelief.
Trying to deal with Sengoku’s Kohō?
How was that any different from facing him head-on?!
“Relax, relax.”
Sengoku waved his hand and explained, “Since this is training, of course I won’t use the real Kohō.”
“But even then…”
“Hm?”
The others were about to protest further when Captain Uesugi frowned and shot them an unfriendly look.
They immediately lowered their heads.
Seeing this, Uesugi announced, “The advanced training assessment will begin now.
There’s only one requirement: return Sengoku’s Kohō serve.”
“Everyone will go in the order on the list.
First, Honda Ryuichi.”
“Sigh…”
Honda sighed after hearing his name and walked forward with a dejected expression.
The others tactfully retreated behind him.
“Be careful, Honda-senpai.”
Across from him, Sengoku pulled a tennis ball from his pocket, bounced it lightly twice, then tossed it high into the air.
Whoosh!
Then, under everyone’s gaze, Sengoku drove both feet hard against the ground and leaped high into the air, rising at least fifty centimeters off the court.
“That high?!”
Everyone stared in shock.
Sengoku, however, had already locked his eyes onto the ball in midair and quickly snapped his racket down.
‘Is it coming?’
Honda’s expression turned solemn.
As a Yamabuki player, he knew very well just how fast and powerful Sengoku’s serve was.
Still, judging from Sengoku’s matches against players from other teams this year, the move wasn’t impossible to counter.
If Honda remembered correctly, during the Metropolitan Tournament semifinals, Sengoku’s Kohō had been easily dealt with by that Seigaku player, Tezuka.
‘So the Kohō isn’t impossible to return.’
Honda took a deep breath, his gaze growing more determined.
‘If that second-year from Seigaku could do it, then I definitely can too.
Besides, this isn’t even Sengoku’s full-power Kohō.
As long as I can read the ball’s path, I can definitely—’
Thud!
But the very next instant, a heavy impact rang out as a dazzling pale-yellow blur exploded into view in front of Honda.
Instinctively, he tried to swing his racket and return it, only to discover that his body had gone rigid, as though frozen in place.
‘I…
I can’t move?!’
Whoosh!
The tennis ball shot past him.
Honda remained frozen in his ready stance as a bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead.