Getting back in shape

"I feel bad for Team V." Yanagi voiced out with a smug smile as he looked at the final score.

"If Jude stays so pissed then we will absolutely destroy them. That shitty crow better get ready." Akira added with bright starry lights flashing in his eyes. 

"It's rare, but I do agree with you this time. We might really have a chance." Miyata chimed in. 

Everyone's eyes were locked onto the scoreboard presenting the final score.

9-0.

All 9 of them were scored by Jude alone. He scored 4 goals in the first half, and 5 more in the second half. 

By then Team Y's spirit was so crushed that they almost stopped playing whenever Team X was on the offense.

Only a few still had the energy and mental fortitude to hang on. As for the others — the ones who had no hope of scoring goals and qualifying for the second selection — they all gave up.

For some, the thought of scoring a goal didn't exist anymore. It was nothing more than an empty dream. 

"This doesn't even count as a warm up compared to what we'll face against Team V, so don't get too happy." Jude denied. He was the only one unaffected by this outcome. 

In reality he was even slightly disappointed. They won way too easily for him to even feel a sense of achievement.

He didn't even have to use his special weapon. 

"You might be right, but we still have time until then. Maybe you should try to relax as well, even if we lose against Team V, we might still be one of the top 2 teams." Yanagi argued as he laid down on the artificial grass and closed his eyes to rest. 

"Don't infect me with your weakling attitude. If I was okay with losing then I wouldn't have any reason to be here." Jude scoffed. 

"I understand you, but maybe you should still give yourself some rest. You've been way too tense ever since meeting with those two guys. Having a day or two of rest wouldn't hurt you." Miyata coaxed. 

"I will rest once our last game is over." Jude responded resolutely. "We still have a long way to go if we want to beat them."

With those parting words, Jude was the first to leave the pitch. 

[Congratulations on completing the side quest, "collateral damage"!]

[You have obtained a new special weapon slot and 5 pro points.]

***

"He really isn't planning to take any break?" Yanagi asked, his whole body was drenched in sweat — proof of the how hard he had been pushing himself in his training. 

"Doesn't look like that's part of his plans." Miyata commented as he observed Jude relentlessly pushing his body to its limits, doing dribbling drills over and over again. 

"Yesterday it was shooting drills for hours without a break, and now this? Only someone with stamina as crazy as his can follow up with that kind of training. He doesn't show it during games, but he's a true monster when it comes to that."

"You might be right, but now's not the time for him to exhaust himself." Miyata said before ultimately standing up. 

He calmly walked up to Jude, awaiting the end of his drill before finally speaking.

"Listen, Jude. I know how you feel. I understand why you've been punishing yourself so hard, but tomorrow's the match against Team V. We can't afford to waste our energy today." Miyata said sternly.

"You're... right." Jude muttered in between deep breaths. 

"Huh? I didn't expect you to agree so fast." Miyata was left at a loss for word.

In the past week he kept asking Jude to take it easy, yet it was as if he was talking to a wall. At some point he started to believe that even the wall might be less stubborn.

"I knew I shouldn't train today, I was just lost in thoughts." He admitted quietly.

Jude's answer was satisfying enough for Miyata.

Albeit it wasn't entirely the truth. 

[Dribbling: 49 -> 50]

Seeing the system's notification and his stat go up was his sign to finally stop. 

For the past week — ever since the game against Team Y — he have been relentlessly training, pushing his body as much as physically possible. 

Not only did he improve most of his stats, but he also spent a large amount of his time brainstorming new ways to beat Team V. When he wasn't in the training ground, he was viewing the tapes of Team V's previous matches. 

For him it wasn't a match to win. It wasn't even a way for him to get through the first selection, the number of goals he scored was already more than enough for that. 

His sole purpose in trying so hard was to prove his own worth. That was also the reason which led him to come to Japan.

Blue Lock had challenges no other training ground could offer, and he was going to make the best use of them.

Because of his weaker body and constitution, he was forced to live both of his lives with his head down, he was inherently inferior to everyone.

He was unable to hold the same dreams as others, he didn't have the necessary means to compete with people his age, which only led to the birth of an obsession.

An obsession with superiority. 

'If I don't become the best, then I don't deserve this body.'

This thought seeped into his mind ever since he received the system. Each time he was faced with adversity, he clung to this thought to push himself harder and harder. 

He had to make his parents proud. He had to show the world that he was deserving of his gift.

Albeit his thoughts were shaken up in the past when he met Itoshi Sae, he barely started playing for a few months at the time. Sae being older also served as an excuse which allowed Jude to stay grounded. 

But this time it was different. He had no excuse. If he lost then he wasn't going to use his team or lack of time as an excuse.

It's this very thought which allowed him to manifest yet another quest. One similar to the one he received when facing Itoshi Sae back in Spain — a special quest.

[Special quest: payback. 

Difficulty: ?? 

Description:

After losing a duel against Karasu, seeds of doubt were planted in the player's mind. Destroy those doubts by imposing your superiority on the field. 

Reward: ?? (Rewards will vary depending on the player's actions.)]