Morning sunlight spilled across the Karasuno gym floor.
Dust floated through the golden light coming from the tall windows. The faint smell of wood polish and sweat filled the air.
Krish Rai arrived earlier than everyone else.
His bag rested against the wall while he stretched his legs slowly.
Yesterday's practice match still replayed in his mind.
His spikes.
Tsukishima's blocks.
The moment he created his first skill.
Angle Spike.
Krish clenched his fist slightly.
I'm getting stronger…
But he knew something important.
He was still slower than the other players.
Especially the orange-haired speed demon from Haikyuu!!.
Krish looked toward the gym entrance.
Right on cue—
"GOOD MORNING!!"
The loud voice echoed through the gym as Shoyo Hinata burst inside like a rocket.
Krish blinked.
"…You're early."
Hinata grinned widely.
"I always come early!"
He dropped his bag and immediately started doing jump practice.
Krish watched carefully.
Hinata's movements were incredibly fast.
His approach.
His footwork.
His reaction speed.
Everything looked explosive.
Krish's Genius Volleyball IQ immediately started analyzing.
His first step is ridiculously fast.
That's why he reaches the ball before blockers react.
Suddenly—
DING
A blue screen appeared.
SYSTEM QUEST
Speed Training Quest Activated
Objective: Improve movement speed.
Tasks:
Sprint across court × 100
Approach jump drills × 80
Reaction drills × 50
Reward:
+15 Speed
Chance to create new skill
Time Limit: 3 days
Krish's eyes widened.
+15 speed?!
That was huge.
His current speed stat was only 46.
This quest could change everything.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Let's start.
The First Sprint
Krish walked to one end of the court.
He bent forward slightly.
Then he ran.
THUD THUD THUD
His shoes slammed against the floor as he sprinted across the gym.
But halfway through—
He already felt his legs burning.
Krish stopped and breathed heavily.
Hinata tilted his head.
"What are you doing?"
"…Speed training."
Hinata's eyes sparkled.
"OH!! Let's race!!"
Before Krish could answer—
Hinata ran across the court like lightning.
Krish stared in disbelief.
"…That's not fair."
Hinata laughed.
"You're slow!"
Krish sighed.
But his competitive spirit started rising.
"Alright."
"Again."
Endless Drills
For the next hour, Krish repeated the same movement again and again.
Sprint.
Stop.
Turn.
Sprint again.
His breathing became heavier with every run.
Sweat dripped from his forehead.
The system continued counting.
Sprint Progress: 32 / 100
Hinata watched with curiosity.
"You're really serious."
Krish wiped sweat from his face.
"I want to become the best spiker."
Hinata's grin widened.
"Same here!!"
Then Hinata suddenly ran to the net.
"Let's do approach jumps!"
Krish walked over.
Approach jumping was one of the most important skills for a spiker.
It combined speed, timing, and jumping power.
Hinata demonstrated first.
Step.
Step.
Jump.
BOOM
He launched into the air like a rocket.
Krish nodded slowly.
Then he tried.
Step.
Step.
Jump.
His jump wasn't nearly as explosive.
But he kept repeating it.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The system counted every repetition.
Approach Jumps: 27 / 80
Krish's legs began shaking.
But he didn't stop.
Because every movement brought him closer to his goal.
The Team Arrives
Soon the rest of the Karasuno team entered the gym.
Daichi Sawamura walked in first.
He blinked when he saw Krish and Hinata already training.
"You two started early?"
Hinata shouted proudly.
"Speed training!!"
Behind him, Tobio Kageyama watched silently.
He studied Krish's movements.
"…Your approach steps are too wide."
Krish paused.
Kageyama walked closer.
"If you shorten your second step, you'll accelerate faster."
Krish nodded.
"Got it."
He tried again.
Step.
Step.
Jump.
This time the movement felt smoother.
Kageyama crossed his arms.
"…Better."
Tsukishima watched from the side.
"…Looks like the rookie is working hard."
Krish ignored the comment.
He continued training.
Reaction Drills
The final part of the quest involved reaction speed.
Kageyama tossed random balls across the court.
Krish had to react instantly and receive them.
Left.
Right.
Forward.
Back.
Krish dove across the floor repeatedly.
THUD
SMACK
SLIDE
The drills were exhausting.
But his reaction speed slowly improved.
The system counted.
Reaction Drills: 49 / 50
One final ball flew toward him.
Krish reacted instantly.
He slid across the floor and saved it.
THUMP
The ball popped perfectly into the air.
Hinata cheered.
"Nice receive!!"
Then—
DING
QUEST COMPLETE
Speed Training Quest Finished
Rewards:
+15 Speed
New Skill Creation Chance
Krish froze.
His system screen opened.
LEVEL UP
Level 4 → Level 5
Speed: 46 → 61
Krish's eyes widened.
That's a huge increase…
Then another notification appeared.
SKILL CREATED
Fast Approach (Lv 1)
Effect:
Increases spike approach speed and acceleration.
Krish stood up slowly.
His body felt lighter.
Faster.
Hinata stared at him.
"Woah… you look different."
Krish smiled slightly.
"Just training."
Across the gym, Kageyama watched carefully.
"…Your movement improved."
Krish grabbed a volleyball.
"Want to test it?"
Kageyama nodded.
He tossed the ball high.
Krish ran forward.
His new skill activated.
His feet moved faster than before.
He reached the ball quicker.
Jumped higher.
Then—
SMACK
The spike slammed onto the floor.
Everyone stared.
Tsukishima adjusted his glasses.
"…That was faster."
Hinata grinned.
"You're getting stronger!"
Krish looked down at his hands.
His system screen appeared again.
Player: Krish Rai
Level: 5
Power: 45
Speed: 61
Jump: 53
Game Sense: 80
Stamina: 46
Technique: 39
Skills:
Angle Spike Lv1
Fast Approach Lv1
Player Scan Lv1
Krish smiled.
His growth had begun.
And with his Unlimited Growth talent, this was only the beginning.
Somewhere in Japan…
Future rivals were waiting.
Stronger players.
National level monsters.
But Krish wasn't afraid.