Chapter 30 : 2nd Selection Begins!

Isagi, along with everyone else, stepped into the Underground Central Area. As the heavy metal doors creaked open, they were greeted by a dimly lit passage. The group moved cautiously through the dark, narrow tunnel, their footsteps echoing in the confined space. Gradually, a faint glow appeared at the tunnel's end, growing brighter with each step. Emerging into a large, brightly illuminated room, before them stood 125 young individuals, all under the age of 20, scattered across the space, their faces a mixture of anticipation and unease.

Everyone appeared visibly fatigued, their heavy breaths and slouched postures revealing the grueling toll of the hellish training they had endured. It became clear to them that every individual in the room had been through the same relentless ordeal. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, and as he took in the faces around him, recognition dawned—these were the key characters of Blue Lock, the ones he knew so well. Yet, some familiar faces were missing. He frowned, unsure if they were absent or simply hidden amidst the chaotic clusters of people forming throughout the room, their murmurs blending into a tense atmosphere of exhaustion and anticipation. 

As Isagi's gaze landed on Rin Itoshi, the figure exuding an aura of calm intensity, a sudden flicker drew his attention. The large screen ahead of them blinked to life, and the sharp, calculating visage of Ego Jinpachi appeared, commanding the room's focus. Ego's voice, cold and precise, echoed through the space as he began to explain the fundamentals of Blue Lock. He described the facility's structure, emphasizing the five wings, collectively known as Wing-5, each designed to mold and push its players to their absolute limits. His words carried a weight of both challenge and promise, igniting a spark of tension and curiosity among the already weary group. 

A wave of murmurs spread through the room as a few disgruntled voices rose in protest, accusing Ego of deceiving them about the concept of the Wings. The frustration was palpable, but Ego's cold glare silenced them almost immediately. With a calculated smirk, he used the life story of Noel Noa as a striking example—a player who clawed his way to the top with an insatiable hunger for goals. Ego's explanation was sharp and unapologetic, driving home his intent: the entire ruse was orchestrated to instill a relentless desire for success, a "goal hunger" essential for greatness. 

As the room fell into an uneasy silence, Ego seized the moment to shift gears. He began outlining the details of the Second Selection. His tone grew sharper, almost taunting, as he described its five grueling stages. Only those who managed to conquer each stage would earn the coveted opportunity to join a Special Training Camp—a once-in-a-lifetime chance to train alongside the world's top players, personally handpicked by Ego himself. The air grew heavier with anticipation, the gravity of the challenge settling on every participant like a storm cloud. 

Just as Ego's image was about to fade from the screen, a mechanical whirring filled the room, drawing everyone's attention downward. Four square holes opened in the floor, and from each, a basket filled with pristine footballs rose smoothly to the surface. Ego's voice returned, crisp and commanding. "Warm up however you like," he instructed, his gaze piercing even through the screen. "Once you're ready, approach the gate—one at a time." 

Without hesitation, Isagi began walking toward one of the baskets, determination burning in his eyes. He could feel the weight of a hundred gazes on his back, but he welcomed it. This was his moment to make an impression, to ensure his presence was etched into everyone's mind. 

Reaching the basket, he grabbed two footballs, one in each hand, and carefully set them on the ground. Taking a deep breath, he planted his right foot and launched the first ball with a precise, fast curve shot, sending it soaring high into the air. Without breaking his rhythm, he swung his left foot at the second ball, sending it hurtling upward with a matching curve shot. 

The room watched in stunned silence as the two balls ascended in perfect arcs, their paths destined to intersect. And then, with a sharp *clap*, the balls collided mid-air, spiraling away in opposite directions. The spectacle was met with gasps of amazement and murmurs of awe. Isagi straightened, his heart pounding but his face calm. He had done it—he had marked his presence in this high-stakes arena.

The room fell into a stunned silence, the echoes of the mid-air collision lingering like a thunderclap. Even Team Z, who had been playing alongside Isagi since the very beginning, were taken aback. They had always known about his exceptional shooting prowess, but this? This display of precision and control was on an entirely different level. 

Rin Itoshi, who had been preparing to make his move, froze mid-step, his sharp eyes locked onto the aftermath of Isagi's stunt. For a moment, he stood in a daze, his mind racing. He couldn't deny the brilliance of what he had just witnessed. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew that his current skill set wouldn't allow him to replicate such a feat. His left leg lacked the finesse and control to pull off a curved shot like that, let alone two consecutive ones timed to collide mid-air. The thought was a bitter pill to swallow, but it only fueled the fire within him. 

As the last remnants of the spectacle faded, Isagi turned back toward his previous teammates. A small but confident smile played on his lips, his gaze steady and assured. It wasn't just a smile of camaraderie—it was a declaration. A reminder that he was no longer the player they once knew.

"I'll be going. Let's meet on the other side," Isagi said with a calm but determined tone, his voice carrying through the room. Without waiting for a response, he turned toward the gate, his expression shifting to an awkward smile as he scratched the back of his head. 

As he stepped inside, leaving the crowd behind, he kept his eyes fixed ahead, his thoughts swirling. 

'Didn't think that would actually work. Well, that fluke should keep me in their minds until the end of this stage.' 

Replaying the moment in his head, Isagi reflected on how it had all come together. Back in the Underground Central Area, when he first walked toward the basket, his original plan had been simple—to mimic Rin's impressive demonstration from the original timeline. But the relentless training he had undergone over the past days sparked a new idea, one that felt daring yet just within his grasp. He had decided to push the boundaries, to elevate the performance beyond what Rin had done. 

It had been a gamble, a calculated risk that relied on the skills he had honed through sweat and persistence. Though he wasn't entirely confident he could replicate the move consistently—his left foot still required refinement—he had seized the moment, and it had paid off. 

Now, as he walked through the door and approached the pitch, the anticipation within him grew. He was ready to face whatever lay ahead, his mind focused and his resolve unshaken. This was only the beginning.

[Do you want to receive the Ambipedal Talent

Y/N]

Isagi halted abruptly near the entrance, his breath hitching as a screen materialized before him. Without a second thought, he clicked "Yes," his eagerness overriding any hesitation. This was exhilarating—an opportunity he couldn't afford to pass up. 

All his relentless training had paid off, sharpening his skills to the point where his weak foot had nearly reached the level of a 4-Star rating. But now, this quest promised something extraordinary: the chance to elevate his left foot to equal dominance with his right, achieving a rare mastery known as the Ambipedal Talent. The thought of wielding such balanced precision sent a thrill coursing through him.

[Finish the given Quest

Task: Make 100 Goals with your Left-Foot in the next 2nd Selection's 1st Stage

Reward: Ambipedal Talent]

Isagi's grin stretched wide across his face, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. The idea of embarking on a quest to earn this Talent filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction, a reward that resonated with the countless hours he had poured into relentless training. Yet, the mere thought of having the Talent handed to him effortlessly, like a prize on a silver platter, felt strangely hollow—as if it would rob the achievement of its true value and leave him yearning for the struggle that gave it meaning.

Now, all that stood between him and the coveted talent was the challenge ahead—he had to drive those balls into the back of the net with precision and determination. 

As the heavy doors creaked open, Isagi stepped forward, his steps echoing against the vast, empty field. He strode confidently to the center, his gaze sharp and focused, preparing himself for the moment when the ball would come hurtling toward him. In mere seconds, the goalie materialized—a towering figure brimming with presence—followed by the screen lighting up with detailed instructions for the task ahead.

The sound of mechanisms whirring filled the air as the wall ahead split open, revealing a ball hurtling toward him at high speed. With seamless precision, Isagi met it with his left foot. His technique was flawless, his ball control and timing impeccable as the shot soared past the 'so-called' World-Class Goalie and slammed into the back of the net. A triumphant grin spread across his face—this was just the beginning.

He pressed on, each shot fueled by his ambition and inching him closer to the transformative Ambipedal Talent. The stakes were high, but his resolve burned brighter.

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Isagi strode through another dimly lit tunnel, his footsteps echoing softly off the narrow walls. Pushing open yet another heavy door, a strange sensation coursed through him—a faint, foreign feeling in his legs that lingered briefly before settling into a natural rhythm. The Ambipedal Talent was his now, and though it felt unfamiliar for a moment, it quickly became as instinctive as breathing, like it had always been part of him. 

He stepped into the room beyond, only to be greeted by silence and emptiness. Isagi froze, his brow furrowing in confusion. He had expected Rin to be here—he was certain of it. Yet, somehow, he had arrived first. It didn't make sense. Rin, relying on his dominant leg, should have been faster. But Isagi, scoring only with his left foot, had beaten him here. The thought brought a flicker of pride, though it left him wondering how he'd managed to outpace everyone. 

The room felt eerily quiet, its emptiness amplifying his unease. Shrugging it off, Isagi lowered himself to the ground, leaning back against the cool floor. His gaze lingered on the door, anticipating movement. Minutes ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last. Finally, the door creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped in. 

It was Rin. His sharp eyes swept across the room, narrowing slightly as they landed on Isagi. A deep frown carved into his face, but there was no hint of defeat in his expression. Whatever Rin thought of Isagi's earlier performance, it wasn't enough to deter him. He was the kind of player who thrived on competition, seeing rivals as nothing more than obstacles to crush on his way to the top. 

Isagi glanced up briefly, meeting Rin's gaze before shutting his eyes and tilting his head back to stare at the room's ceiling. Rin's arrogance was palpable, a force that could inspire awe or irritation depending on the moment. Watching him dominate others with that unwavering confidence was thrilling, but the thought of being on the receiving end of his haughty remarks made Isagi's short temper simmer. For now, he let it go, though the tension between them was as tangible as the air in the room.

Rin noticed Isagi's gaze shift away from him, an action that was the complete opposite of what usually happened. He expected the usual challenge people had with him in Isagi's eyes, but instead, Isagi seemed lost in his own thoughts, barely acknowledging his presence. Rin raised an eyebrow but didn't linger on it. His attention quickly shifted to the screen that flickered to life in front of them, displaying the instructions to begin the second stage of the 2nd Selection.

Rin's mind raced with anticipation. He needed two more spots to complete his team and set his plans into motion. The itch to compete was overwhelming—he couldn't wait to dive into the next phase and crush the competition. This was his chance to face off against the world-class players he had only heard of, to test himself on a global stage. What he didn't realize, however, was that one such player was already sitting in the room with him, someone who was quietly observing but could very well be a rival in the making. Isagi, with his newly acquired Ambipedal Talent, was more than just another player in the room.

The door behind them swung open once again, revealing another figure—Aryu Jyubei. His eyes sparkled with a playful gleam as he took in the sight of the two players already present.

"Ah, two are here already," he remarked with a sly smile. "This could be fun."

Aryu's gaze shifted between Isagi and Rin, assessing them with a curious interest, before he turned to read the instructions displayed on the screen. Rin, undeterred by Aryu's arrival, stepped forward, walking toward the door that would lead him into the second stage. He paused for a moment, glancing back at both Aryu and Isagi. 

With a determined expression, Rin spoke, "I need two players to fill the spots, and now you're both here."

Rin's words hung in the air as he looked back at the door, knowing this was the moment to move forward. The selection was about to begin, and with two more players to choose from, his next move would set the course for the challenge ahead.

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