Chapter 57

Inside the locker room.

The expressions of everyone at Bai Shui Hall were somewhat strange, no longer showing the excitement of yesterday's victory.

Perhaps it was because the two consecutive days of matches were tiring, or perhaps because everyone had broken through the first round for the first time yesterday; anyway... it felt strange.

"How weird. We clearly won the match, yet we don't feel that excited." Sato Daisuke rested his hands behind his head, leaning against the locker behind him, and suddenly spoke.

"Of course, we confirmed it yesterday, right? We are no longer just a team that 'passes through' the All-Japan tournament."

"Hahaha..."

"True, but why do you sound so weak? Did you collapse from exhaustion after playing two matches in a row?"

As the conversation between Haru Yutani and Sato Daisuke continued, a bit of vitality slowly returned to the locker room.

It lasted until a low voice cut in, and the atmosphere in the entire locker room was abruptly broken again.

"In a tournament where losing means the end of the entire summer, they showed no will to fight to the very end. Defeating a team like that naturally isn't as satisfying as yesterday; after all, although we were ahead by so many points yesterday, we fought until the very end."

The speaker was Takehito Masaki. As the team captain, he was also one of the few players who had failed to produce good results yet persisted in training and held on until their third year; he was the most qualified to speak on this.

"They clearly lost the game..."

"... but felt no disappointment or resentment. Such a team can only be said to have made no effort at all."

"Made no effort..."

"... so naturally, no other emotions arose; they could accept defeat calmly and without a ripple."

Takehito Masaki's tone was very steady, with little emotional fluctuation as he spoke, as if he found this nothing new and had seen through it long ago; combined with his neatly combed hair after the match, the atmosphere of lecturing suited him perfectly.

After he finished speaking, everyone in the locker room fell silent.

Because everyone finally understood why, despite defeating Zuojia Middle School today, they felt no excitement at all.

At the same time, many people were recalling whether they had ever had such a shameful moment in the past; if they had, did their opponents feel... somewhat strange, just like themselves today?

Coach Xinsongzhi listened quietly to everyone's words, his gaze flickering slightly.

And Yukimiya Kazuma, sitting in the corner, had no reaction to this, because he was busy studying the new badge he had just obtained.

【Rookie Ace's Battle Cry (Green): After successfully completing a defense, unleashing a morale-boosting roar can effectively increase the shooting accuracy of teammates on the court by 10% and slightly restore their stamina. (Limited to once per match, each duration lasting 5 turns)】

Yukimiya Kazuma: "..."

Tsk!

Put in so much effort, yet it's only Green.

Moreover, it feels a bit useless; it can only be used once per match and lasts only five turns. The so-called "slight restoration of the entire team's stamina" is also described somewhat vaguely.

Yukimiya Kazuma felt speechless.

Who would have thought the 'shooting accuracy and stamina-related badges' the System mentioned were related in this way.

Thinking of him, Yukimiya Kazuma, a proper transmigrator with the System by his side, regardless of whether it's realistic at this stage, he had silently set his sights on the Generation of Miracles.

However, now, such a precious formal match where badges can be farmed, a match that gets fewer and fewer as time goes on, ended up giving him such a green badge, which made people feel quite embarrassed.

What Generation of Miracles... feels like it's drifting far away...

Couldn't there be a badge that improves offensive ability? Don't give me some 'Rookie Ace's Battle Cry'; it feels like the System is subtly mocking me.

Yukimiya Kazuma silently calculated: as the preliminary round progresses and they encounter stronger teams, will a badge that improves offensive ability be farmed?

Probably.

Seeing today's badge, it feels like nothing can be certain anymore.

What if they give me an entire 'Rookie Series'? Then I'd rather not have it at all.

Yukimiya Kazuma: "..."

Tsk!

If I have to take it, I'll take it; if it's given, I'll take it!

Yukimiya Kazuma played only three quarters today, recording comprehensive stats of 14 points, 21 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 9 blocks.

Now, he is considered a small focal point in the Tokyo district of the All-Japan preliminary tournament; Bai Shui Hall Middle School hadn't even left the locker room when reporters came knocking.

Under Coach Xinsongzhi's intimidating gaze, Yukimiya Kazuma seriously dealt with the reporters, and when leaving the gymnasium with everyone, a few spectators gathered around to ask Yukimiya Kazuma for autographs.

Among them, a few uncles, with serious expressions, told Yukimiya Kazuma that he would definitely become famous nationwide in the future, and getting an autograph now was worth far more than its price.

Yukimiya Kazuma very patiently signed for them, and then enthusiastically shook hands with several female middle school students.

Due to his delicate appearance, the proportion of female fans for Yukimiya Kazuma was quite high, which made Takehito Masaki, with a stern face, quietly stare at Yukimiya Kazuma's face and subtly raise an eyebrow.

Seeing this scene, Liang Huayin, standing nearby, shook his head with a smile.

Finally.

Everyone boarded the school bus.

After returning to school and everyone dispersed, the coach no longer told Yukimiya to train cautiously.

Because Bai Shui Hall Middle School's next match is this weekend; that is to say, until the start of the third round, Yukimiya Kazuma still has four days to conduct meditation training.

Regarding this.

Yukimiya Kazuma's training plan has already been formulated.

For the coming week.

He will train hard.

Many of his attributes are hovering just above 80, not reaching 85; having had the System for so long, based on his experience, 85 will be a threshold where a player's attributes show a significant leap in external performance.

If, in the coming days, he can break through a few of these, then his strength on the court will become even greater.

The clear attribute values give Yukimiya Kazuma a very clear goal.

Just...

Plans are often just plans; problems always arise during implementation.