-277- Seal and Restraint

From that point on, there was essentially nothing more to say.

From the beginning of the match, Nanaya Hori had been solely focused on defense, neutralizing Nagumo Miyabi's attacks, depleting his stamina, and appearing extremely composed.

Suddenly, Hori changed tactics, abandoning defense entirely and launching an all-out offense.

Under Hori's strikes, the volleyball turned into a cannonball, leaving only a fleeting shadow visible to the naked eye. Each time, it would narrowly graze Miyabi's cheek and land in the water behind him, creating a spectacular splash.

Poor Miyabi, whose athletic abilities were on par with Horikita Manabu and could stand among the top in Advanced Nurturing High School, perhaps second only to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and Kouenji Rokusuke, had no time to react. He couldn't even move, let alone return the ball.

Every time, he could only watch as a black shadow flashed before his eyes, feeling the painful gust of wind brush past his cheek, followed by an explosion of water behind him, drenching him in a shower of water droplets.

These direct and powerful attacks gradually instilled a sense of fear in Miyabi.

Yes, fear.

Miyabi was finally afraid.

The powerful spikes that could barely be seen but could still blast the water surface open were scenarios straight out of TV shows and movies.

Despite the formidable power of these spikes, Hori was able to control them with such precision, each time narrowly missing Miyabi's face. Miyabi felt his face was about to catch fire from the friction, the pain unbearable.

Miyabi knew that this was Hori's deliberate intention.

The fact that Hori could execute such precise control over the ball was nothing short of unbelievable.

However, could such control remain accurate indefinitely?

If there was even a slight miscalculation, causing such a powerful ball to hit his face, what would his fate be?

Miyabi didn't know.

He only knew that with each consecutive spike, the fear within him had gradually accumulated to a point of utter despair.

Miyabi was still holding on, entirely because of his pride.

It was his unwillingness to admit inferiority and his unyielding ambition that kept Miyabi going, despite the intense fear he felt inside.

Perhaps Hori saw through this, observing Miyabi's shaky and stubborn stance. A cold gleam gradually accumulated in Hori's eyes.

In his heart, a cold emotion arose.

Inside his body, his blood gradually heated up.

Since entering this school, Hori had suppressed his "assassin" nature, utilizing the concept of "rules" to restrain himself, in order to enjoy school life.

Now, this "seal" and "restraint" were slowly being lifted.

Hori knew that if he shifted the angle of his serve by just one centimeter, he could make this annoying person in front of him disappear from the world.

Even with only a volleyball in his hand, he could strike it directly at the opponent's head, causing a fatal concussion.

For Hori, human beings were just that fragile.

As he had said before, the human body had far too many weaknesses.

In Hori's eyes, these weaknesses were fatal points.

Killing someone was as easy as turning over a hand.

Therefore, if Hori had the thought, the man named Nagumo Miyabi would vanish from the world.

But…

"Nanaya-kun..."

"Nanaya-kun..."

The voices of Ichinose Honami and Sakura Airi, filled with surprise and worry, faintly reached Hori's ears.

Upon hearing these voices, Hori's impulse gradually faded.

Killing Miyabi was indeed an extremely easy task.

Given Hori's identity and status as the future ruler of the underground world and the heir to the Nanaya clan, no one would hold him accountable, nor could they.

However, if he did, even if he could handle all other troubles, his relationship with Ichinose Honami and Sakura Airi would be irrevocably altered, and his life at this school would never be the same.

In that case, coming to this school would have been meaningless.

So…

"Consider yourself lucky."

Hori once again spiked the ball.

With a loud "bang," the volleyball smashed into the water, not behind Miyabi this time, but right beside him.

The close-range water explosion, with water rushing at high speed, caused Miyabi's body to ache all over, finally breaking him down.

"…!"

With a splash, Miyabi collapsed into the water, as if all his strength had been drained.

"Ha… ha… ha… ha…"

Heavy breaths came from his mouth, not due to exhaustion, but sheer fear.

Kneeling in the water with a pale face, Miyabi gasped, unable to stand.

Coldly watching Miyabi, Hori spoke emotionlessly.

"Don't forget my one million points."

Leaving this declaration of his victory, Hori stepped out of the pool as the referee blew the whistle.

Around the pool, the spectators voluntarily made way for Hori, their eyes filled with fear, shock, and admiration.

To have rendered Nagumo Miyabi utterly powerless and on his knees, all Hori received were looks of awe.

After today, Hori's reputation would undoubtedly soar, and no one would question his standing against Horikita Manabu and Miyabi again.

From now on, Hori would be recognized as one of the top students at Advanced Nurturing High School.

However, Hori had no interest in any of this.

He merely returned to the group of stunned spectators, speaking as if he had done something trivial.

"Alright, let's go."

Without giving them time to react, Hori turned and walked away.

Only then did the others snap out of it and hurriedly follow.

Watching Hori and his group leave, the surrounding crowd finally erupted in excited chatter.

"That's… that's amazing!"

"To think he could do that to that Nagumo…!?"

"No wonder even the student council president couldn't beat that first-year!"

"I finally believe he didn't give his all in the races against the student council president and the track team!"

"Truely… incredible…!"

The crowd buzzed with excitement, marveling at Hori's performance.

Nagumo Miyabi, once the center of attention, was now ignored by everyone, save for those close to him, who watched him with complicated expressions.

As for Miyabi, looking at Hori's departing figure, his handsome face twisted slightly.

Then, Miyabi laughed.

A somewhat mad laugh.

"Nanaya…"

Miyabi remembered the name well.

"Good, it seems that after President Horikita graduates, I won't be bored."

In the pool, his murmur echoed, unheard by anyone.