The sun burned above the academy field, turning the ground into a furnace.
Five hundred players stood in a massive circle, their breaths heavy, hearts pounding.
Yuta wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"This is it… I can't lose here…"
The loudspeaker cracked on.
CEO (voice booming):
"LISTEN, FALLEN PLAYERS!"
Everyone froze.
CEO:
"The first test was endurance."
His voice thundered like a stadium roar.
"Now comes the REAL beginning…
THE BATTLE OF BEGINNERS!"
A wave of murmurs exploded across the field.
"Battle…?"
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Is it a match? A fight?"
The CEO raised a hand.
CEO:
"Each of you will enter a 1v1 elimination match."
"Win… and move to the next stage."
"Lose… and get out of this academy forever."
The entire field shook with shock.
Yuta (thinking):
1v1…? Against 500 players? That means only 250 survive…
Akashi Ren walked next to him, juggling a ball like he didn't care.
Akashi:
"Heh… sounds fun."
He glanced at Yuta.
"Try not to die out there."
Before Yuta could respond, the CEO shouted:
"MATCH ONE! YUTA HIZASHI… STEP FORWARD!"
Yuta's eyes widened.
"Bro… already?!"
A tall boy with a shaved head walked in front of him.
Veins on his arms. Sharp glare.
Opponent:
"I saw your match yesterday. You're weak."
Yuta clenched his fists.
"This time… I won't lose."
---
🔥 ROUND 1: START
The whistle screamed.
The ball was placed at the center.
Both players dashed forward—
CLASH!
Their feet hit the ball at the same time, sparks of dirt shooting up.
The opponent pushed with raw strength, shoving Yuta back.
Opponent:
"MOVE!"
He flicked the ball past Yuta in a lightning-fast motion.
Yuta stumbled—
But didn't fall.
"I trained for this… No more crying… No more running away!"
Yuta sprinted after him.
His opponent was fast—
But Yuta was faster.
Yuta slid.
The perfect slide tackle.
The ball popped out like it was kicked by a cannon.
The crowd of players watching shouted:
"WOAHHH!"
"That slide was clean!"
"Who is this guy?!"
Yuta jumped up instantly, grabbing the ball.
His opponent rushed from behind—
Yuta feinted left—
Then BURST RIGHT with insane acceleration.
Akashi watching from the crowd smirked.
Akashi:
"Not bad… Yuta Hizashi."
---
🔥 THE FINAL MOVE
Only one shot left.
Yuta felt the entire academy watching.
He lifted his foot—
WHAMMMM!!!
The ball shot through the air like a rocket, curving at the last second—
GOAL!!!
The whistle blew.
"WINNER: YUTA HIZASHI!"
Yuta dropped to his knees.
His hands shook.
"I… won."
He looked up and whispered:
"Mom… Brother… I won…"
---
🔥 ROUND 2: BATTLE OF THE PRODIGY
The CEO suddenly raised his hand.
"Next match… AKASHI REN!"
Akashi stepped forward, tying his hair.
His opponent: a muscular boy with insane dribbling skill.
The whistle blew—
But Akashi didn't run to the ball.
He walked.
Slow.
Calm.
His opponent rushed in—
Akashi tapped the ball once.
Just once.
And the ball slipped between the guy's legs.
"EH?!"
Gasps echoed.
Akashi smiled.
"Don't blink."
What happened next was unreal—
A blur.
A spin.
A step-over.
A heel flick.
He moved like water, like the wind, like he wasn't even touching the ground.
He reached the goal and—
PING!
A soft tap.
The ball gently kissed the net.
GOAL.
Silence.
Then—
"WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
"That guy is insane!"
"He's on another level!"
Akashi pointed at Yuta from across the field.
Akashi:
"Catch up, Yuta."
"Because I'm not waiting."
Yuta's heart pounded.
"Akashi… you monster…"
---