Chapter 1 : New Beginning

"Alright, kids, remember to keep their striker in check and don't let him get past you. Also..."

In the locker room, a middle-aged man stood at the center, addressing a group of 16 to 18-year-olds who were gathered around him, listening intently to his instructions.

Among them was a black-haired boy with striking blue eyes, who appeared detached from the scene. He stared blankly ahead, his expression distant and dazed.

In truth, he wasn't paying attention to the coach or his teammates. The words being spoken barely registered in his mind. His thoughts were elsewhere, consumed by the whirlwind of his current predicament.

After a few minutes of deep, intense reflection, he finally calmed himself. Taking a steadying breath, he shifted his gaze forward, focusing on the glowing screen that floated in front of him.

[System Initialization Complete]

[The system has been successfully established with the user.]

[You may now access it.]

[Good luck with your journey.]

"...It's about time. Now go out there and bring back the trophy, so we can play for Nationals."

"Yeah!"

"...Hey, someone fell! Look, it's Isagi!"

"What happened to him? Hey, Isagi! Answer me!!"

"The referee is about to reach the pitch. Obu, you're in for Isagi's spot!"

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Inside the infirmary, Isagi lay on the bed, his mind slowly waking up after five minutes of unconsciousness.

'...So, how do I get back to my world?'

[...??...]

'...What's with that reply?'

[Requesting Help…]

[This world is the User's new and final reality.]

'...Yeah, I kind of figured that out. I just wanted to be sure. So, why was I unconscious?'

[While the System integration isn't a strain on the User's brain, after it was completed, we flooded your mind with the System's basic functions and Isagi Yoichi's memories. This caused the fainting.]

Isagi paused, processing the explanation. He had already suspected what had happened. He recalled the moment when the coach had been giving instructions to the team. That's when the takeover had occurred. Isagi had stumbled slightly, trying to adjust to the unfamiliar, much younger body he now inhabited.

He glanced into the mirror behind the coach and saw the face he recognized as his own, confirming his thoughts. Then, when the blue screen appeared before him, it all became clear. The flood of knowledge that poured into his brain—his own memories, along with the new ones—was the reason for his sudden collapse.

'What do I do now..?'

[Quest: Get selected for the Blue Lock Project

Reward: Based on Performance

Repercussion of Failure: Erectile Dysfunction]

Isagi took another minute to think, then scoffed and let out a small laugh. Initially, he had been a little scared, but now he understood the intention behind the System—or whoever was controlling it.

'If someone went through the trouble of bringing a football player from another world and placing him in a reality that might not even exist, but was just a story, they'd definitely want him to go through the same struggles the main character of this world went through. Guess I'll have to go to Blue Lock.'

From Isagi's memories, he knew that this was the final match. Unlike the previous games, this one was being broadcasted because it would determine which team would represent Saitama Prefecture in the Nationals. And according to Ego's judgment, Isagi had ranked second to last. If he didn't play in this match and show his worth, he wouldn't make it.

Isagi gasped, glancing at the time, relieved that the second half of the game was just about to start. Fortunately, no one was around to keep an eye on him.

He quickly left the infirmary and headed straight for the coach.

The coach, biting his nails nervously, was trying to figure out the lineup. He had substituted another forward for Isagi, but the new player, while not bad, wasn't good enough to make a difference. The opposing team was exploiting their weaknesses, and their forwards were capitalizing on it.

Now, Ichinan was trailing 0-1.

As the coach nervously chewed his pinky fingernail, he saw Isagi entering the stands. The second half had started, and while the same lineup was still on the field, the coach was both happy and anxious to see Isagi return.

He signaled for Isagi to sit next to him, which Isagi did.

"How's your health?"

"I'm good. Just couldn't sleep because of the excitement last night, which took a toll on my body."

Isagi said, his gaze fixed on the pitch. He scanned the field and spotted the blonde kid—Kira.

"Okay, when I put you in, I want you to—"

The coach began instructing Isagi. They needed at least two goals in the remaining time, or their dream of going to the Nationals would be over.

After the coach's instructions, Isagi began warming up. But before he could get into the game, Kira, the blonde genius, scored. Isagi could visualize it: Kira had positioned himself perfectly just outside the penalty box and slotted the ball into the net.

The coach facepalmed as the score turned to 0-2. Now they needed to score three goals to either win or take the game to extra time—or worse, penalties. Without wasting any time, the coach made substitutions. A defender and a defensive midfielder were brought in, and Isagi was placed as the striker.

They high-fived the players who were substituted out and took their positions. The right-winger for Ichinan saw Isagi and waved at him. It was Tada—the one who had cost his team the Nationals in the manga. Isagi smiled and exchanged greetings, then focused on the game.

Isagi stood in front of Kira as he prepared for the kick-off. The second half was underway, and he began his run into the opposition's half.

Kira, Matsukaze Kokuo's striker, was a star player, famous for being called the treasure of Japanese soccer. He had scored both goals against the Ichinan team.

Tada received the ball and passed it back. It wasn't that there weren't better passes available, but the marking from their opponents was aggressive. The opposition was fiercely pressing, running after the ball with intense expressions.

Even though they were leading, scoring against Ichinan wasn't easy, but it wasn't impossible either. Now, backed into a corner, Ichinan appeared pathetic, but there was one thing they wanted from this final match: their main striker and the star of their team, Kira Ryosuke, to score a hat-trick. Scoring a hat-trick in the finals would be a huge achievement, bringing immense attention.

Amidst all of this, Isagi stood between the midfield and defensive lines, applying pressure while constantly moving as if breaking through. But he wasn't doing it for the reasons others might think. He was just happy to be young again.

'Wow, this body isn't bad! Feels really good to be young again!'

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