Chapter 63: Hellish Physical Training!

"Damnit..."

At the same time, inside Team V's dormitory, Mikage Reo had not yet recovered from his defeat and kept complaining.

Beside him, the other members of the team looked at Mikage Reo with puzzled expressions.

Even if they lost the match, they had already successfully advanced, and whether they finished first or second didn't really matter.

But for Mikage Reo, the first failure in his career was an unacceptable stain.

"My... my undefeated record with Nagi has been broken! Damn it! Fuck you, Kira Ryosuke!"

Mikage Reo shouted hysterically, while Nagi next to him remained calm.

In his mind, Nagi kept recalling Kira's actions and words.

...

In the lobby of Building No. 5, the players of the other three teams were crying with their heads in their hands, as they were about to leave the Blue lock.

Team Z advanced as the first-place undefeated team in the group, Team V advanced as the second-place team, while the remaining three teams were eliminated.

In a corner of the lobby, Niko Ikki stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall, looking at his teammates leaving the Blue lock with a serious expression.

Niko Ikki, as the top scorer of Team Y, stayed in the Blue lock. Since his match against Kira, he deeply realized his own inadequacies. In order to stay in the Blue lock, he went all out in the subsequent matches and ultimately earned the qualification to stay in the Blue lock.

Although he felt a twinge of guilt for his teammates' departure, what he felt the most was unwillingness along with a desire for revenge.

Although Team Y lost two matches in total, the pressure that Kira brought to Niko Ikki was unmatched even by the big three of Team V.

"Kira Ryosuke, I will definitely seek revenge."

On the other side of Building No. 5, in Team X's training field, Baro Shoei was still practicing. As the top scorer of Team X, he could continue to stay here.

He didn't have any attachment to his departing teammates, so he didn't bid them farewell. For Baro Shoei, these people were nothing more than talentless trash. It was precisely because these people were useless that Team X didn't win a match.

All his teammates were just his foils and servant.

"Kira Ryosuke, I will crush you and make you my subordinate!"

Baro Shoei clenched his fists tightly and gritted his teeth, as if an endless fury was spreading.

Unbeknownst to him, Kira had become the enemy in the hearts of many.

...

Soon, it was evening.

After finishing dinner and chatting with Riko for a long time, Kira returned to the training field.

Successfully advancing as the first-place team in the group was the first step for him.

There was still a long way to go.

According to the original plot, there would be a period of intense physical training and a relatively easy individual shooting assessment. After that would be the true second round of selection, the battle for recruits.

Initially, three people would form a team and compete against teams with the same number of players. If they won, they could choose one person from the opposing team to join their own team. The five-person team to be formed would advance. While the lone player would be eliminated.

This not only tested football skills but also further stimulated the spirit of competition among individuals.

Teammates from the previous round could potentially become enemies in this round, which highlighted the cruelty of the competition.

"I have to choose teammates at that time... I don't know who to choose. I'll decide when the time comes."

Kira muttered to himself and then opened the system menu.

[Competitiveness Points: 210] ⇾ [Competitiveness Points: 60]

[Rice Spirit LV2] -100 Points ⇾ [Rice Spirit LV3]

[Thunder Swarm LV1] -50 Points⇾ [Thunder Swarm LV2]

The skill upgrades, and Proficiency have been reset, Kira can continue practicing.

"You're still training even after completing the first round of matches! My legs are starting to feel weak."

"We can't let you train in secret."

At that moment, the other members of Team Z also entered the training ground.

Although they were all exhausted after today's battle, seeing Kira training again, they were inspired and joined him on the training field.

"Then let's train together."

"We should all advance together in the next round!"

"But let's make it clear, the title of the world's number one forward is definitely mine! You guys can strive for second place!"

....

The next day, early morning.

The large screen lit up again, and the face of Ego appeared.

"Congratulations, all you raw talents. You have passed the first round of selection."

Ego pushed his glasses up.

"But we still need to wait for the second round of selection. The matches in the other buildings haven't finished yet."

"What? We have to wait for them?!"

Raichi Jingo expressed his dissatisfaction.

"So annoying. During this waiting period for the second selection, you will obediently undergo training to enhance your physical skills. You are not allowed to use the ball during training. Violating this rule or failing to keep up with the training will be considered as quitting."

"What a joke?! Why do we have to wait for the other buildings?"

Raichi Jingo pointed at the screen, showing his extreme displeasure with Ego.

"You only won from the lowest-ranked Building No. 5. Don't get too proud, you pieces of trash!"

Ego said without any mercy.

"There's no need to continue with such low-level lies."

At that moment, Rensuke, who was nearby, also spoke up.

"Oh?"

Ego raised an eyebrow slightly.

"If you want us to undergo physical training, there's no need for such low-level lies. We are well aware that there are no higher-level buildings. All the buildings are Building No. 5, and all the teams are VWXYZ. The rankings also hold no meaning."

Rensuke's expression was serious. Kira had told everyone about this. The so-called rankings held no significance.

Even if Kira hadn't said it, many people would have guessed it.

"How did you come to this conclusion?"

Ego asked with curiosity.

"Because I don't believe that there can be over two hundred people stronger than Kira."

As Rensuke finished speaking, everyone's gaze fell on Kira.

Both Nagi and Baro Shoei were unexpectedly powerful.

But even so, they have no comparability to Kira.

So, everyone in the Team Z believes that there can't be over two hundred people in the Blue lock who can surpass Kira.

"That's how you came to that conclusion."

Ego smiled, but in the next moment, his expression became very grave.

"Indeed, now that you all know, there's no need for me to hide it anymore. The rankings truly hold no meaning. I will now arrange high-intensity physical training for you, to completely crush your insignificant confidence. Even without rankings, you are just a bunch of trash, and there's no difference in that. Train obediently until I say stop!"

"Great, bring it on!"

Facing Ego's threatening words, the members of Team Z became even more spirited.

"Very well, then come and see if you can keep up."

After Ego finished speaking, the screen went dark.

"If I remember correctly, the physical training should last for ten days."

Kira thought to himself at this moment.

"In these ten days, we can't touch the ball, so it will be difficult to practice the skills of Rice Spirit and Thunder Swarm. I can only rely on the practice Space to improve. However, we can still train our physical fitness in normal circumstances. This is a good opportunity to improve ourselves."

"Please have all members of Team Z proceed to the fitness room for physical testing and training."

At that moment, a cold broadcast sounded in the room, and everyone could only follow the instructions and go to the designated location to begin a series of physical training.

High-speed long-distance running, flexibility training, vertical jump training... The intensity of these exercises was extremely high. This training not only tested their physical endurance but also their willpower. In a state of extreme exhaustion, an ordinary person might even lose their appetite temporarily, even though this was the time when they needed to eat to replenish energy. They might end up vomiting soon after.

However, the level of training was not that overwhelming for the members of Team Z at this point.

Almost every day, they trained with Kira at a very high intensity, so they had already adapted to this training style. Compared to that, the physical training arranged by Ego was not that significant.

Even Isagi Yoichi, who had the low physical fitness, could manage to hold on.

...

The ten days flew by, and the members finally received the notification that the physical training had ended.

"Gather in the hall."

It was just 6 a.m., and Ego's voice echoed through the broadcast.

"Damn, it's finally over."

Raichi Jingo shouted with excitement.

Although almost all members of Team Z could handle this high-intensity training, what they longed for the most at this moment was to get on the field and compete.

At this time, Kira also opened his own system interface.

[Host: Kira Ryosuke]

[Competitiveness Points: 50]

[Current Skills:]

[Thunder Breath - Full Concentration Breathing LV3 Proficiency: 100%(Upgrade: 150 Points)]

[Thunder Breath - Thunderclap Flash LV3 Proficiency: 73.7% ]

[Thunder Breath - Rice Spirit LV3 Proficiency: 50.3% ]

[Thunder Breath - Thunder Swarm LV2 Proficiency: 100% (Upgrade: 100 Points)]

After this period of training, Kira's proficiency in all skills has improved significantly. Both Thunder Swarm and Full Concentration Breathing have reached 100%, and he will soon be able to further upgrade them.

During this time, he could only earn 20 points through training each day, and he prioritized exchanging them for training time in the practice space to practice his skills. When there are upcoming matches scheduled, he can upgrade his skills.

"Everyone, get ready."

Kira closed the system interface and led all members of Team Z out of the room, heading towards the main hall.

It was a spacious pentagonal hall, with doors embedded in the five walls, gathering players from five different buildings.

There were only a total of 125 players who made it to this stage. More than half of the people had already left the Blue lock, and those who remained didn't have much joy on their faces. Instead, they appeared exhausted, as the ten consecutive days of intense physical training had pushed them to the brink of collapse.

And that was Ego's intention.

Only the members of Team Z, including Kira, seemed relatively spirited.

"Hey, it's just as Kira said."

Isagi Yoichi's gaze swept across the people around him. Just as Kira had mentioned earlier, there were no higher floors or rankings. Everyone hailed from "Building 5,"

"Well, you raw gems, you've really endured the training this time."

The central screen lit up, and the slender figure of Ego appeared before everyone.

"Now, here present are the 125 passers from the first round of selection, coming from the five buildings. Of course, some of you have already noticed that there are no participants from higher-level buildings among you..."

While saying these words, Ego's gaze seemed to linger on Kira for a moment. Then he went on to talk about forwards and selfish players. After a few minutes, he finally shifted the topic back on track.

"You will now proceed to the second round of selection. The second round consists of five levels, and only by passing the current level can you advance to the next round."

"Once you pass the second round of selection, you will have the opportunity to train with the world's top players selected by me."

"For those who are mentally prepared, go to that door alone. The first level is a solo battle, and once you enter, there is no turning back."

Following Ego's guidance, the gaze of the crowd turned to a pitch-black door, resembling a hellish trap awaiting their voluntary entry.

The words "Second Round of Selection" were boldly printed on the door.