"New Encounter?"

Team Z's Monitoring Room hummed with quiet tension.

The room was small but had an open, minimalist feel.

The huge screen at the front displayed match replays, strategies, and stats.

Tonight, it was replaying Team V's previous matches.

Each showing the same brutal dominance.

Team Y? Annihilated 8-0.

Team W? Crushed 5-1.

Team X? Overrun 5-2.

The players of Team Z sat in a circle.

Watching the replays.

Some looked focused, others anxious.

Isagi stood at the front.

Arms crossed, deep in thought.

"Alright, let's break this down. We've got three players from Team V we need to watch closely."

He clicked a button.

The screen froze on Zantetsu Tsurugi, mid-sprint, leaving defenders in the dust.

"First up, Zantetsu Tsurugi."

Isagi said.

"His weapon? Acceleration. He's a rocket on short bursts."

"He reacts faster than anyone else and can close gaps before you even realize."

The screen showed Tsurugi zooming past defenders as if they were standing still.

Isagi looked at Chigiri.

"Within ten meters, even you can't beat him."

Chigiri leaned forward.

Narrowing his eyes.

"So he's quick in short bursts... but what about long sprints?"

Isagi nodded.

"He's lethal in short bursts, but once it stretches out, you've got the edge."

Chigiri grinned.

"Let's see if he can catch a blur that doesn't stop."

Isagi couldn't help but frown.

Thinking about Tsurugi's talent—Extreme Acceleration (S)—a terrifying ability.

But one that only Chigiri could really match.

Next, the screen shifted to Reo Mikage.

Effortlessly controlling the ball and setting up a goal.

"Next, Reo Mikage."

Isagi continued.

"He's a Jack-of-All-Trades. Passing, shooting, dribbling, stamina—he's got it all."

"Sounds boring."

Gagamaru snorted.

"Does he do anything flashy?"

Isagi shook his head.

"Not really. Reo's strength is his adaptability. He's always consistent, always reliable."

Imamura leaned in.

"So he's the glue guy. Break the play, break the player."

Isagi nodded.

"Exactly. If we disrupt his rhythm, we can throw him off."

Internally, Isagi thought about Reo's hidden talent—The Chameleon (S).

Which apparently Reo hadn't unlocked yet, but when he does.

He'd be able to adapt to any playstyle.

For now, Team Z could still take advantage of Reo's predictability.

Finally, the screen showed Seishiro Nagi.

Twisting through defenders with ease before scoring.

"And last, Seishiro Nagi."

Isagi said.

"The most dangerous player on Team V. His weapon is pure brilliance—flawless ball control and unpredictable creativity."

The room was silent as they watched Nagi turn a hopeless situation into a masterpiece.

"Okay, that's flashy."

Gagamaru whistled.

Naruhaya wiped sweat from his brow.

"His control is insane! How do we stop that?"

Isagi's eyes hardened.

"He's amazing, but he's still human."

"He thrives on chaos and space. If we deny him the ball and limit his options, we can neutralize him."

Then, he thought about Nagi's talent—Indomitable Genius (W)—a W-rated talent.

The first Isagi had encountered.

It made Nagi a massive threat.

Isagi also had the idea about devouring it.

But the talent required 5,000 points.

Double the cost of an S-rated talent.

Isagi smiled wryly.

"Not yet. Maybe someday…"

The room fell silent as everyone processed the challenge ahead.

Raichi clapped his hands loudly.

Breaking the tension.

"So what if they're good?"

He grinned.

"Let's grind them into the dirt!"

"Exactly."

Kuon stood up.

Fire in his eyes.

"They're strong, but they're not unbeatable. Let's focus on the game plan and show them what we've got."

The players nodded.

Determination spreading across their faces.

The screen switched to their own replays.

And Team Z began crafting their strategy.

Preparing to face Team V head-on.

…

Later, in the shared room.

The only sound was the faint hum of everyone snoring.

Isagi lay at the edge of his bed.

Deep in thought as he stared at his status screen.

[Name: Yoichi Isagi]

Status -

(1) Physical Fitness: A

(2) Soccer Technique: A-

(3) Game Intelligence: A

(4) Talents: (2/~)

(5) Devour Shop: 520 Points

He tapped his chin.

After all the special training.

He felt good about his progress.

For Physical Fitness, everyone was solid.

Lemon, Imamura, Naruhaya, and Kuon had reached B+.

While most others were at A-.

Only Kunigami, Isagi, Kira, and Raichi stood at A.

In Soccer Technique, Bachira and Kunigami were at the top with A.

With the others close behind.

Isagi, Kira, Chigiri, Kuon, Raichi, and Gagamaru were all A-.

As for Game Intelligence, Isagi stood alone at A.

With Kuon slightly below him at A-.

Comparing Team Z's stats to Team V's, he saw the difference.

[Zantetsu Tsurugi]

(1) Physical Fitness: A-

(2) Soccer Technique: A

(3) Game Intelligence: B+

[Mikage Reo]

(1) Physical Fitness: A-

(2) Soccer Technique: A

(3) Game Intelligence: A-

[Seishiro Nagi]

(1) Physical Fitness: B+

(2) Soccer Technique: S

(3) Game Intelligence: C+

Team V's core players—Tsurugi, Reo, and Nagi—are strong.

And everybody else are rated B+ or below in stats.

But Team Z still had the numerical edge in individual strength.

However one thing stood out like a sore thumb.

Nagi Seishiro's game intelligence was rated at C+. 

A stark contrast to his soccer technique, rated at S.

"How can someone be so technically gifted yet lack game intelligence?"

Isagi thought.

His eyes narrowed as he recalled Nagi's seemingly effortless skill.

During the replay of Team V's previous matches.

"It's almost like he's just... reacting instinctively"

Then it hit him.

"Wait a second..."

Isagi muttered to himself.

Sitting up straight.

His thoughts were racing

Reo's game intelligence was rated at A-.

It seemed like he was the brains of their team.

Orchestrating plays and providing Nagi with the perfect setups to unleash his insane technique.

Then Isagi's grin widened.

"If Nagi relies on Reo's guidance, then maybe we don't need to stop Nagi directly..."

He paused.

"All we have to do is take... Mikage Reo down!"

…

In Team V's Changing Room.

It was quiet.

The only sound being the soft.

"Pew, Pew, Pew…"

Coming from Nagi's phone.

He was sprawled out on a bench.

Completely absorbed in his FPS game.

Feet pedaling lazily behind him.

As he shot down virtual enemies with the precision.

Of someone who hadn't moved from his spot in hours.

Tsurugi, wiping the sweat off his face with a towel.

Raised an eyebrow.

He glanced over at Nagi.

Who hadn't moved a muscle since the training started.

"Hey, Nagi."

Tsurugi called out, voice dry.

"Did you really skip our training today as well?"

Nagi didn't even look up from the screen.

His fingers tapping away.

"Yeah... it's just gotten annoying."

He muttered.

Completely uninterested.

Tsurugi, pushing his glasses up with a deliberate motion, sighed.

"And you're okay with that?"

He paused, eyeing Nagi.

"If you keep slacking, you won't keep your lactic acid levels steady, your knees will get all messed up, and not even glucosamine will help you with that."

Nagi, still not bothering to lift his head.

Lazily pedaled his feet behind him.

He barely seemed to notice Tsurugi's concern.

Tsurugi stared at him.

Before letting out a resigned sigh.

"Well, let's see if I can at least help with that."

He abruptly dropped to his knees and started stretching Nagi's leg for him.

His hands moving with careful precision.

"How does this feel? Nice?"

Tsurugi asked.

Still watching Nagi's lack of reaction.

Nagi didn't even flinch.

Eyes glued to his phone.

"Yeah, it's good. All good…"

He muttered.

Totally absorbed in the game.

At that moment, Reo walked in.

His usual carefree grin plastered on his face.

He slung an arm around Tsurugi's shoulders.

Looking at him with amusement.

"What are you saying, Dumb Zantetsu?"

Reo teased, his voice light.

"Nagi will be fine even if he skips practice!"

Tsurugi shot him an incredulous look.

His glasses glinting as he pushed them up again.

"Reo... you're far too protective of Nagi."

Reo simply shrugged.

His smile never fading.

"Well, of course!"

He glanced over at Nagi.

Who was still glued to his game.

"You see, this guy here is my own gem."

Tsurugi rolled his eyes.

"A gem who refuses to lift a finger in training."

Reo grinned, unbothered.

"That's what makes him even more special…"

He paused.

"Not everyone can pull off doing nothing and still be a genius."