The day had come.
Karasuno's gym was alive before sunrise. Sweat dripped from foreheads, sneakers squeaked against the hardwood, and the scent of resin filled the air. Energy buzzed in every direction—but beneath the adrenaline, something else pulsed.
Anticipation.
For Riku Amagami, it was more than just a tournament.
It was a debut.
A test of everything he had built.
6:00 AM – Karasuno Gymnasium
Daichi gathered the team in a tight huddle.
"This isn't just a practice match anymore," he said, voice steady but fierce. "This is the start of our climb back to the top. We're not the 'Flightless Crows' anymore. We've been training. We've got new blood. We've got heart."
"And data," Riku added, half-joking.
Everyone chuckled.
"Yeah, and that," Daichi smirked. "So let's give them a taste of what this team is really about. Got it?"
"YEAH!" the team roared.
[System Notice – Tournament Quest: 'Ascension Begins']
Stage 1 Objective: Win your first tournament match.
Bonus Objective: Score 10+ points personally.
Difficulty: C
Reward: 500 XP | Bonus Trait – "Court Momentum" (Temporary Boost)
Failure Penalty: XP Loss / Team Confidence -1
7:45 AM – Miyagi Prefectural Gymnasium
The gym was massive—cold concrete and bright lights, polished courts stretching into the distance. Teams bustled in every direction, warming up, jogging, calling plays. Banners hung proudly along the walls: Shiratorizawa, Aoba Johsai, Date Tech.
And there, under the Karasuno name, stood Riku.
He adjusted his knee pads and exhaled.
"Breathe. Focus. You've got this."
Hinata bounced on his toes next to him, practically vibrating.
"This is gonna be awesome!"
Kageyama scoffed. "Not if you mess up your receives again."
"I won't!!"
Riku smiled. The chaos was familiar now—almost comforting.
"Let's make this court ours," he said quietly.
Karasuno vs Kuroyama Technical High
Their first opponent was solid but unspectacular—tall middle blockers, a reliable setter, and a captain with a mean jump float. Their coach eyed Karasuno with mild disinterest.
"Flightless crows," he muttered. "Overrated comeback story."
Set One – The System Awakens
The whistle blew.
And Riku's system came alive.
[System Mode: Live Match Combat]
Sync: 74%
Enhanced Processing Active
Threat Detected: Kuroyama MB#5 – Block Focus Lv.2 | Setter AI Pattern: Basic
First serve: Karasuno.
Kageyama launched it like a missile.
Kuroyama struggled but passed.
Their middle spiked—and Kuroda and Daichi went up for a double block.
BOOM.
Point, Karasuno.
The bench erupted.
Riku's turn came next rotation. He took his spot at the net, watching the opposing middle blocker carefully.
[Analyze]
Blocker Anticipation Bias: Right-Side Spikers
Suggested Move: Feint Jump → Delayed Spike
Suga's toss came wide.
Riku jumped—hesitated—then smashed a slow curve over the block.
Point.
[Point Scored – Personal Tally: 1]
XP +50
A few points later, Kuroyama caught up, capitalizing on a rotation error and scoring two quick aces on Karasuno. Their wing spiker sneered as he walked past Riku.
"Not so hot now, are you, system boy?"
Riku's lips curled upward.
"Watch the next serve."
[System Ability: Echo Read – Active]
Predicts opponent serve target within 0.3s based on muscle memory scan
As predicted, the ball came screaming toward Tanaka.
But Riku was already there.
He dove, dug it clean, and Nishinoya transitioned it perfectly.
Kageyama set—Hinata rocketed forward—and they scored.
Momentum shifted instantly.
Kuroyama began scrambling.
Karasuno went on a 7-point run.
Riku scored two kills and assisted a tip with Kuroda that left their blockers spinning.
Set One: Karasuno wins, 25–16.
[Quest Progress: 6/10 Points Scored]
Team Confidence +1
XP +200
Set Two – Trouble in the Air
Kuroyama adapted fast.
Their coach shouted new formations—specifically targeting Riku with double blocks and pressure serves.
He missed his first attack.
Then got blocked on the second.
His system lit red.
[Temporary Penalty – Flow Disruption]
Processing Lag: +0.2s
Confidence Drop Detected
Trait Activated: "Resolve of the Fallen" – Fear Debuff Nullified
No. I've fallen before. I'm not falling again.
He took a deep breath.
Kiyoko was watching from the side. Calm. Focused.
She believes in me. That's enough.
He called out to Suga.
"Short toss. Low left. I'll go over them."
Suga nodded once.
Kageyama blinked, surprised by the read.
The play started.
Riku dashed in, leapt at full force—
BOOM.
The spike ripped past the blocker's wrist.
Point.
Then another.
And another.
He was back.
[Quest Complete: Score 10+ Points]
XP +250 | Bonus Trait Acquired – "Court Momentum" (Passive: Attack Power +3% when on a streak)
System Sync: 76%
Final point: Riku faked a spike, then sent a cross-court tip directly into the libero's blind spot.
25–17. Set Two. Game Over. Karasuno wins.
Post-Match – Locker Room
Daichi clapped Riku's shoulder.
"You proved yourself today."
"You all carried me when I slipped."
"Still. You fought through. That's what matters."
Hinata grinned. "That spike at the end was SO cool!"
Even Kageyama nodded begrudgingly. "You're getting faster."
Then Kiyoko appeared by the door.
"Coach wants a team meeting in the hall," she said.
But she looked at Riku a second longer.
Then walked away.
[System Message – New Relationship Flag Raised]
Shimizu Kiyoko – Trust Level 2/5
Trait Hint: "Iron Maiden's Softness" Unlocked at Level 3
Riku smirked.
One match down.
A hundred more to go.
Next Chapter: "The Eagle's Shadow – Date Tech Awaits"
In the next round, Karasuno faces Date Tech—known for their infamous Iron Wall. But Date Tech's new middle blocker has a mysterious connection to Riku's past life… and a power that no amount of logic can predict.