Chapter 10: The Tournament

After the thrilling victory over Black Crest High, the team's spirits were sky-high. They had qualified for the tournament, and the excitement buzzed through the air like an electric current. The stadium lights had dimmed, and the once-roaring crowd had slowly trickled out, but the energy among Lio's teammates remained as strong as ever.

Kaito, in his usual energetic fashion, couldn't stop talking about the match as they walked toward the locker room. "Did you see that pass Mia made? That long ball was insane! And Lio, man, those goals were something else. We're gonna crush this tournament!"

Lio smiled but kept his thoughts measured, always cautious. "We've still got a long way to go, Kaito. That was just the qualifier."

Kaito nodded but grinned wide. "Yeah, but it felt like a final to me! You were in beast mode out there."

Behind them, Mia walked in her characteristic quiet manner, though her analytical eyes never stopped scanning their surroundings. Even now, she was thinking about the game. "We need to improve our defense," she commented, her voice calm but serious. "If Black Crest had been sharper, they could've exploited our flanks more. We can't rely on last-minute saves all the time."

Lio appreciated Mia's sharp tactical mind. She was right, of course. The match had been intense, and while they had secured the win, their defense had shown cracks, especially when under pressure. He made a mental note to bring it up with the coach in their next strategy meeting.

As they neared the team bus, Lio's mind drifted away from his teammates' chatter. He found himself thinking of Chris again, the shadow from his past life that had now reemerged, stronger than ever. Chris had already qualified for the tournament with his team, and the prospect of facing him sent a pulse of both anticipation and dread through Lio. Their paths were destined to collide soon.

"Chris…" Lio whispered under his breath. The name lingered in his thoughts as the tournament loomed closer.

---

The Day After the Qualifier

The next day, the school halls buzzed with excitement. Their victory over Black Crest High had spread like wildfire. Students congratulated Lio and his teammates wherever they went, their eyes gleaming with admiration and expectation. It was clear that the upcoming tournament had become the talk of the school. Yet despite the praise, Lio remained focused on what was ahead.

Later that afternoon, he was summoned to the dean's office.

"Lio," the dean greeted him with a firm nod as he entered. "Congratulations on qualifying for the tournament. I knew you'd bring something special to the team."

"Thanks, sir," Lio replied, keeping his tone polite but guarded. "But there's still a lot to do."

The dean leaned back in his chair, his eyes sharpening. "Yes, but remember this tournament isn't just about winning. It's an opportunity—an opportunity to showcase the potential of our school's magic tech program. You're not just representing your team; you're representing our institution."

Lio tensed slightly at the reminder. He had his own reasons for wanting to dominate the tournament, but the pressure of carrying the school's reputation weighed heavy on his shoulders. Everyone was watching him, expecting him to lead them to victory with his Thunder Strike.

"I understand," Lio said, his voice steady but determined. "I'll give it everything I've got."

"Good. We're counting on you, Lio. This is only the beginning."

Lio nodded and left the office, feeling the weight of expectations pressing down on him. It wasn't just about football anymore. His journey, his redemption, was tied up in this tournament—and he had to win.

---

The Training Intensifies

The following week was grueling. Every day, Lio and his teammates trained harder than ever before. Their coach was relentless, pushing them beyond their limits as they drilled through every possible scenario. The stakes had never been higher. The tournament would be brutal, and they needed to be sharper, faster, more cohesive as a unit.

Each player had to hone their magic tech abilities to perfection. Lio's Thunder Strike was already a force to be reckoned with, allowing him to hit the ball with insane power and precision. But it wasn't just his raw strength that made him stand out—Lio had a tactical mind honed from his previous life, allowing him to read the game like few others could. His ability to predict movements before they happened often left his opponents baffled.

During one particularly intense drill, the coach set up a high-pressure simulation. Lio's team was tasked with defending a one-goal lead with five minutes left on the clock. The opposing team, composed of their substitutes, was instructed to push forward aggressively in an all-out attack.

"Pressure's on!" the coach shouted, watching closely as the subs surged forward, looking for a weakness.

Lio stood in midfield, eyes narrowed, analyzing every movement. "Mia, cover the left! Kaito, push forward and watch the counter!" he barked out orders, his mind working several steps ahead.

The ball came from the wing, whipped in with dangerous speed. One of the opposing forwards leaped for a header, but Lio was already there. Using his Thunder Strike's speed boost, he closed the gap, intercepting the cross mid-air with a powerful clearance.

"Nice save, Lio!" Kaito called out, rushing to support.

"Stay sharp!" Lio replied, eyes still locked on the ball. The intensity of the drill mirrored the stakes they would face in the tournament. It was a battle of endurance and focus.

The substitutes pressed harder. For a brief moment, it looked like they might break through the defense, but Lio's team held firm, intercepting passes and blocking shots with precise coordination. As the final whistle blew, they had successfully defended their lead.

"Good work, team," the coach said, clapping his hands. "This is the kind of focus and resilience you'll need in the tournament. Matches can be won or lost in those final minutes."

The team nodded in agreement, sweat dripping from their faces, but their spirits were high. They were coming together, improving with each passing day. But for Lio, there was still something unresolved—Chris.

---

That evening, as Lio walked home from practice, his mind drifted once again to his former friend. How had Chris become so formidable in this new world? In their previous life, they had been equals—rivals on the field but bonded by friendship off it. But now, things were different. Chris had changed.

Lio remembered their last encounter vividly—the cold, calculating look in Chris's eyes, so different from the playful competitiveness he once knew. Chris had become something else, something darker, and it troubled Lio deeply. The tournament would bring them face-to-face, and he had no idea what to expect.

As Lio walked through the empty streets, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows. It was Rina.

"You're thinking about him again, aren't you?" Rina's voice was soft, but there was a knowing glint in her eyes.

Lio stopped in his tracks, surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm keeping an eye on you, of course," Rina replied, her tone calm as she stepped closer. "You're getting stronger, Lio. But so is Chris. The tournament will be your first real test. It won't just be about football."

Lio frowned. "What do you mean?"

Rina's gaze hardened, her eyes glowing faintly with magical energy. "Chris… he's not the same person you once knew. There's something else inside him now, something darker. You'll see it soon enough, but be careful. Trust in your abilities, but be wary of the darkness that surrounds him."

With that, Rina turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Lio alone with his thoughts once more. The tournament was fast approaching, and the stakes were higher than ever. It wasn't just about football—it was about the future. And whatever darkness had consumed Chris, Lio would need to be ready.