The three Seigaku players who had taken the court so far were each more terrifying than the last.
Compared to them, Yamato's performance seemed almost mediocre.
Kirihara's displayed strength surpassed even Tetsujin's.
And now, QP stood on the court.
Though only one point had been played, the sheer presence radiating from both players was enough to unsettle anyone watching.
That last shot—even if he had been on the court, scoring off it wouldn't have been easy.
---
"Ralph, you're strong."
QP's voice was solemn as he stared across the net. "I won't waste time."
Huh?
Ralph Reinhardt blinked in confusion.
But in the next second, he witnessed something that would haunt him like constipation.
A ghostly aura flickered around QP's body—visible even under the blazing sun.
"Ah?"
"OH SHIT—"
Ralph's mind short-circuited.
Yesterday, I got wrecked by this same technique. Now I have to face it AGAIN?!
---
Off-Court Reactions
Ryoma pointed excitedly. "Big bro! He's using the same 'state' as you! Who copied who?!"
Yoru ruffled his hair. "We're just walking the same path."
Copying? Pfft. Know your place, little pony~
Chikako Baliantyin's eyes widened. "Yoru… You and QP share the same growth trajectory?"
"Didn't see it last night. Perfect timing to witness it today."
Dudu Obando cracked his knuckles, grinning at Hopkins. "Your turn to babysit Ryoma~"
"Unnecessary."
Yoru's voice was flat. "My brother isn't that stupid."
He already learned his lesson yesterday. Repeating it would be pathetic.
Ryoma tilted his head. "...Are you complimenting me? Feels weird."
"Of course. You're the genius of the Echizen family."
(A/N: Baby Ryoma's still adorably clueless.)
---
Phoenix's Silent Crisis
Byakuya Kujō's frown deepened.
He'd already held QP in high regard, but this level was unexpected. That eerie glow alone made his instincts scream danger.
And judging by their banter, Yoru was cut from the same cloth.
Seigaku's strength is monstrous.
Yamato. Kirihara. QP. And now Yoru—an enigma exuding overwhelming aura.
If current Rikkai faced them without perfect lineup adjustments…
A straight 3-0 sweep wouldn't be impossible.
Beside him, Tetsujin wore a similarly grave expression.
As Rikkai's future captain, Phoenix had drilled leadership into him—including how to assess threats.
Today's observation was crucial. Without it, they'd have underestimated Seigaku's terror.
Nationals are still far off. There's time to adapt.
Tetsujin hesitated, then whispered: "Captain… Maybe we should prioritize power over 'philosophy fits' for new recruits."
Normally, Phoenix would've shut that down instantly.
But now?
Silence.
Because he knew—Tetsujin was right. To secure Rikkai's back-to-back championship, they needed raw strength.
---
The Match Intensifies
BANG—!
BANG—!
With Twin Auras active, QP bulldozed Ralph into a corner, racking up points at breakneck speed.
"QP scores! 1-0!"
"QP scores! 2-0!"
"QP scores! 3-0!"
…
"QP scores! 4-0!"
Only ten minutes in, QP dominated.
But he didn't relax.
Because by Game 3, Ralph had started adapting—blocking shots (poorly, but still).
By Game 4?
Ralph's returns gained teeth, trading blows with QP for full rallies before losing.
Each loss showcased visible growth—chilling Phoenix further.
And Yoru shut this monster out 6-0?!
---
Ralph's Revelation
"Same form, but Yoru version hits harder."
Ralph panted, drenched yet grinning. "Guess technique potency scales with base stats!"
QP, locked in hyper-focus, didn't process the taunt.
The battle escalated.
BANG—!
"QP scores! 5-0!"
…
BANG—!
"Ralph Reinhardt scores! 2-5!"
---
The Turning Point
From Game 6 onward, Ralph fully adjusted—matching QP blow-for-blow, even pressing him.
The match stretched to 6-6, hurtling into a tiebreaker.
Kirihara frowned. "Captain… How is QP's stamina holding up? Shouldn't his 'state' drain him?"
"It does. Just minimally."
Yoru eyed the group. "You're misunderstanding. This isn't a 'mode'—it's refined experience feeding back into real-time play. The only 'cost' is mental focus and muscle efficiency deception. Sustain it, and you could theoretically go indefinitely."
"Post-match recovery takes longer, but in-game? No drop-off."
Gulp.
Awed silence.
Meanwhile, Phoenix and Tetsujin internally screamed at this intel.
---
The Final Tally
41-39.
QP lost.
Yoru sighed. "Pity. 'Indomitable Radiance' would've sealed it. But we'll need Oni Juujiro for that."
(A/N: "Indomitable Radiance" = Gōki no Hikari, the rarest aura. Only Oni (and maybe Nanjiroh) possess it canonically.)
Realistically?
QP vs. Nanjiroh = death.
And current Oni hasn't awakened his yet—in canon, it triggers during U17's Byodoin match, then gets sealed until Kintarō reignites it.
No shortcuts here.
Yoru refused to let his thoroughbred stagnate. Stat growth alone? Boring.
So while QP hunted for Gōki candidates, Yoru worked behind the scenes.
---
Post-Match
QP staggered off, pale and drenched. "Apologies. I failed."
Yoru channeled Walter's cadence: "No matter. Battling Ralph is the path to perfection."
Ralph approached, exhaling. "That match fixed so many gaps. I feel—"
Then he remembered last night's trauma and snapped his mouth shut.
---