Chapter 9: The Qualifying Match

The atmosphere was thick with tension as Lio and his team gathered on the field for the most important match yet: the tournament qualifier. This was their chance to prove themselves, and the stakes couldn't be higher. The opposing team, Black Crest High, was known for their aggressive playstyle and swift counterattacks.

Lio glanced at his teammates—Kaito, Mia, and the rest of the squad. They were all focused, but the pressure was evident in their expressions. Black Crest wasn't just any team. Their captain, Haze, was a tactical genius with exceptional agility, while their forward, Jiro, had an uncanny ability to slip past defenders unnoticed.

The referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the game.

A Tactical Beginning

The first few minutes were a blur of movement, the ball darting from one side of the field to the other. Black Crest quickly established their dominance, maintaining possession as their players moved in sync. Haze a Black Crest midfielder controlled the midfield, directing the game like a puppeteer.

"They're playing like clockwork," Kaito muttered, his eyes darting between their opponents.

"Let's not get distracted," Lio replied, his voice steady. "We've trained for this."

The ball came to Mia, who intercepted a pass from Black Crest's midfield. She quickly sent it to Lio, who was already sprinting down the left wing. Lio tapped into his Thunder Strike, pushing himself forward with explosive speed. He could feel the magic tech coursing through his legs, amplifying his movements.

"Lio, on your right!" Kaito shouted, running to support him.

As Lio dashed toward the goal, Black Crest's defender, Ren, closed in. With a quick glance, Lio saw Black Crest stricker Jiro hanging back, preparing for a counterattack if they lost the ball. Lio knew he had to act fast.

With a sharp cut inside, Lio evaded Ren's tackle. Now, it was just him and the goalkeeper. Time seemed to slow down. Lio activated Thunder Strike once again, feeling the familiar surge of power as he wound up for the shot.l

He struck the ball with immense force, and it tore through the air like a bullet. The goalkeeper dived, but it was too late. The ball slammed into the top corner of the net.

"Goal!" the announcer's voice echoed throughout the stadium, followed by the deafening cheers of the crowd.

Lio pumped his fist in the air, exhilaration coursing through him. His teammates rushed over to congratulate him. "That was insane!" Kaito shouted, clapping Lio on the back.

"One down, one to go," Lio said, his eyes already scanning the field for the next opportunity.

Black Crest didn't take long to respond. They shifted their tactics, becoming more aggressive. Jiro, their striker, made a series of rapid sprints, constantly changing positions to confuse Lio's team's defense.

The ball came to Jiro at the edge of the penalty box. With a quick turn, he managed to slip past Mia and fire a shot toward the goal. Lio watched in horror as the ball sailed past their goalkeeper, tying the game.

"Damn, we need to tighten up!" Kaito yelled, frustration evident in his voice.

Mia frowned. "They're faster than we thought."

"We're not losing this," Lio said, determination in his voice. He could feel the fire in his veins—the desire to win, not just for himself, but for the team.

The Second Half: More Intense Than Ever

As the second half kicked off, both teams came out with renewed energy. The game became a battlefield, every player pushing themselves to their limits. Black Crest was relentless, but Lio's team wasn't backing down.

Haze sent a through-ball to Jiro, who was already sprinting toward the goal. But Lio was faster this time. Using Thunder Strike for a speed boost, he closed the distance and slid in for a tackle, knocking the ball out of Jiro's control.

"Nice save, Lio!" Kaito called, running to support him.

The ball was quickly sent upfield to Kaito, who passed it to Mia. Mia, using her magic tech to analyze the field, sent a precise long ball over the top to Lio, who had already positioned himself near the opponent's box.

Lio controlled the ball expertly, but this time, Black Crest's defense was ready. Two defenders rushed toward him, cutting off his angles.

The Second Goal: A Moment of Brilliance

Lio smirked. He had anticipated this. As the defenders closed in, he used his body to shield the ball, feinting a shot to the right. Both defenders bit on the fake, leaving him with just enough space.

With a quick pivot, Lio unleashed his Thunder Strike again. The ball rocketed off his foot, curving impossibly around the goalkeeper and slamming into the back of the net with thunderous force.

"GOAL!" the stadium erupted once more as the scoreboard flashed: 2-1.

Lio's teammates swarmed him, their excitement palpable. "That's how it's done!" Kaito shouted, his eyes wide with awe.

Lio allowed himself a brief smile. But he knew the match wasn't over yet.

The Final Minutes: A Fight for Survival

With only ten minutes left on the clock, Black Crest ramped up the pressure. Haze, their captain, orchestrated attack after attack, exploiting every small weakness in Lio's team's defense. Their goalkeeper made two brilliant saves, but Lio knew they were holding on by a thread.

"We need to focus," Lio said, rallying his teammates. "They're going to come at us with everything they've got."

As expected, Black Crest pushed forward in one last, desperate attempt to equalize. Jiro received the ball on the edge of the box, ready to fire.

But Lio was there.

Using the last of his energy reserves, Lio surged forward, intercepting Jiro's shot just in time. The ball deflected off his shin, bouncing out to Mia, who cleared it upfield.

"PHEEEEEEE!!!!!!."

The final whistle blew.

The stadium exploded into cheers as Lio's team secured their place in the tournament. They had done it—through sheer willpower, teamwork, and the power of their magic tech, they had beaten Black Crest.

As the team celebrated, Lio allowed himself to finally breathe. He had scored two goals, using his Thunder Strike to devastating effect. But more than that, they had played as a unit, supporting each other through every challenge.

Chris's team had already qualified, and Lio knew they would face him soon. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. They were one step closer to the championship, and he was ready for whatever came next.

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