23 Worth (6)
"Strike!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Everything became silent as they watched Rei strike out Minho after a 12 grueling at-bat between the cleanup hitter and a monster rookie.
"Good job." Minho nodded toward Rei before heading toward the dugout.
Rei nodded back as he saw Coach Helios about to talk.
"Okay, so we've seen your batting and hitting; I'm sure we don't need to see your fielding. You'll be our new shortstop, with Dawson being second and Minho at first," Coach Helios then looked at Dawson, who was talking with Minho, "Dawson, you still want that race with Rei?"
Hearing Coach Helios, Dawson stopped talking as a smile appeared on his face, "Hell yeah!!"
Coach Helios nodded to look at Rei to see if he would agree.
Rei nodded as he took off his glove.
"Okay." Coach Helios nodded with a smile on his face.
"Okay, everyone, bring it in. We're witnessing a show today!" suddenly, Coach Helios's voice boomed through the air like thunder, catching the attention of even the players practicing in the outfield.
The players in the outfield turned their heads toward the source of the voice and saw Coach Helios standing on the pitcher's mound. He had a commanding presence that could be felt even from a distance.
They started running towards the mound, with Coach Smith jogging behind.
After everyone gathered around, he spoke, "Okay, we'll take a quick break to watch a good show between two cheetahs, so everyone drink some water and scatter around. Just keep away from the in-field dirt."
Everyone nodded and started moving.
"You two will start at home plate and round all the bases. For the first round, you'll go simultaneously; for the second round, you'll go individually, and we'll time it."
The two nodded as they made their way to home plate.
Rei saw most players, including Sora, Minho, Leo, Kai, and Yue, standing behind home plate, with the coaches lined up near the third baseline.
The tension became palpable as they lined up, feet planted firmly on the ground on home plate, ready to launch themselves into the race.
The countdown began, and as soon as the final number was called out, they took off like lightning, their feet pounding the ground in a blur. Rei's movements were smooth and fluid, his cold face hiding his intense focus on winning. On the other hand, Dawson was fierce and determined as he rushed forward.
The spectators could barely keep up with the sheer speed and intensity of the race as they rounded the first base in a flash.
Rei was in the lead by a hair's breadth, and he held onto it with all his might, his feet barely touching the ground as he sprinted towards the finish line.
Dawson was not far behind, his fierce personality pushing him to go faster and harder.
In the end, Rei emerged victorious as he touched home plate first, rounding all the bases. The players cheered as he crossed the finish line, his cold demeanor finally cracking into a victorious smile.
Dawson narrowly trailed behind as he crossed home plate too.
"Tsk." Dawson clicked his tongue but held a smile on his face.
"Okay, Dawson, since you lost, you go first." Coach Helios spoke as he brought out a stopwatch.
Dawson nodded and got set once more.
Dawson's muscles were tense, his heart pounding with anticipation as he prepared to take off.
"Go!"
With a sudden burst of energy, he was off, his long legs propelling him forward with incredible speed.
As he rounded first base, his determination was evident on his face. He was in this to win, and nothing would stop him. The crowd cheered him on as he continued around the diamond, his feet pounding against the dirt with each stride. By the time he reached third base, he was a blur of motion, his body moving so fast it was as if he was defying the laws of physics. And then, with a final burst of strength, he crossed home plate.
"13.2 seconds."
Claps resounded through the field, some even whistling in support.
Rei didn't clap, his mind focusing as he lined up on the home plate.
Rei stood near home plate, his cold and unemotional expression giving nothing away.
The air was thick with anticipation, and Rei could feel his heart racing. He took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand.
"Go!"
Rei took off, his muscles tensing as he rounded first base in a blur of speed. The players erupted into cheers as he zoomed past second base, his eyes fixed on the prize. Rei was a machine, his body moving with precision and grace as he approached third base. He pushed himself harder, his legs pumping faster as he made his way to home plate. The seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. Finally, he crossed the finish line, panting and covered in sweat.
"10.5"
The players went wild, cheering, clapping, and whistling as Dawson gave a deprecating sigh but nodded.
"Okay, good job, you two; now, let's return to work. Pitchers will go with Coach Tatum. Outfielders will go with Coach Elliot. Infielders will have a hitting practice; after an hour, we'll switch; pitchers and catchers will join the hitting session after an hour in the bullpen." Coach Helios spoke seriously as he gave everyone instructions.
"Yes, Coach!" Everyone responded with zest as they started running around, while Rei walked towards Coach Tatum and was met by Yue, Kai, Sora, and another guy he didn't know.
They all greeted Rei, Yue being obnoxious but a good guy, and Kai, with his bubbly personality, somehow made him more annoying to Rei, Sora making jokes, and the other guy with a simple nod.
Rei only nodded to them, not paying attention as he waited for Coach Tatum and Coach Elliot's discussion about some stuff.
"Okay, you five, let's go." Coach Tatum focused on the five after discussing them with Coach Elliot.
-----------
Yo! Heaven here, just wanting all to know that I created a Ko-fi account for donation.
Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/heavenscreation
Extra chapters with same-day release:
+1 chapter: 20 Power stones
+2 chapter: 30 Power stones
