It wasn't long before all the players were summoned to a dark, spacious indoor arena.
Its floor was divided by red lines, and the atmosphere was unlike any previous test.
It was clear that this was… a special test.
A test designed to crush the unworthy… and elevate the resilient.
Ego stood in the center, a small device clutched in his hand, his eyes gleaming with fury.
He spoke in a sharp voice:
"You bastards… it's time to test you in what defines a true striker:
How do you react when the world collapses around you?"
The players gasped.
But Asaf remained silent… because the system had given a new alert:
[Principle 2 ready to activate: The Path Principle]
[Activation condition: Physical pressure + Mental pressure + Unexpected speed]
"This test… is the key," Asaf whispered to himself.
"This test… is the key." ---
The Test Begins – Hell Circle
Ego pressed the device…
Dozens of red lights flashed, and balls began flying from all directions at breakneck speed.
Ego shouted:
"Your mission is simple:
Catch as many balls as possible… But!
If a red light touches you, you're dead."
Everyone started running.
Chaos reigned.
Balls rained down from above and the sides, and the lights moved sharply as if searching for a victim.
Asaf moved one step… then froze.
The system displayed:
[Path Analysis…
Movement Mapping…
Path Principle Unlocking…]
Suddenly…
Transparent lines appeared before his eyes, representing the balls' trajectories before they hit the ground.
"Wow… this is powerful," Asaf said in a low voice.
---
The pressure increases – and the skill is born.
A red light rapidly approached him.
Any other player would have jumped without thinking… But Asaf closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the paths to converge in his mind.
Then he moved.
Just one step… but it placed the light behind him.
At the same instant, he caught a ball that was on a trajectory invisible to the naked eye.
Isagi, who had been watching from afar, shouted:
"Shinji! How did you dodge the light?! It was right in front of you!"
Asaf didn't reply.
The system was glowing:
[Principle 2 – Unlocked]
[Acquired Skill: Hunter's Path]
**- Predict the ball's position 0.7 seconds before it arrives
Read the opponent's direction with 25% accuracy]**
Asaf smiled faintly:
"Now… I'm ready."
---
Blast – End of Test
With the last two minutes… Ego began increasing the speed of the lights.
The players fell one by one.
Run, scream, confusion… But amidst the chaos, Asaf moved with astonishing composure.
No one understood how he slipped through the lights without being touched by any of them.
In the end…
Only four players remained:
Asaf Shinji
Isagi
Bauchi
Rynoso
Ego raised his hand and stopped the system.
"Excellent… Four survivors out of seventeen."
Everyone gasped.
Asaf touched his chest, feeling the heat rising inside him.
The system displayed:
[Principles 1 & 2 Active]
[Ready for the next phase: Principle of Possession]
---
The End – The Beginning of the Real
After the test was over, Isagi approached Asaf, panting:
"Shinji… you're completely different.
I don't know what's going on… but your presence makes me feel like Blue Lock is going to ignite."
Asaf simply smiled:
"And you… you'll be a part of it."
While Ego watched from afar, smiling:
"This player… Asaf Shinji… is getting close to something dangerous."