The System Makes Me a Player

Kazana, Dante, and Ian were laughing at some joke, holding disposable juice cups and snack wrappers in their hands. When they noticed Kelvin sitting alone in the bleachers, they changed course and walked over to him.

"There he is, the star", said Dante, lightly patting Kelvin on the shoulder.

"I thought you'd gone off to do something else", commented Ian, sitting beside him.

Kelvin just shook his head, eyes still fixed on the center of the court, where the Yamu players were leaving in silence, without celebrating.

"Were you watching those guys' match?" Ian asked, noticing where he was looking.

Kelvin nodded slowly.

"I saw it… they're good. Really good".

Ian followed his gaze and scoffed.

"You're talking about number 11, right? The short guy with the tied-up hair? Did you see that goal he scored?"

"He plays like he knows the future", said Kelvin, more to himself than to the others.

Kazana took a bite of his snack and commented with his mouth half full:

"They say that Takumi guy was once called up to train with Japan's U-17 national team, you know?"

Kelvin frowned.

"Seriously?"

"Yup. Yamu is an elite school. Half their team already has scouts watching them. But they usually play just among themselves. Like… it's rare for them to come to mixed tournaments like this. They only show up when they're testing something, or playing for the state championship".

Kelvin felt his stomach tighten. Not with fear, but with a burning kind of excitement.

The system blinked again.

[New Mission Available]

[Name: Rising Rivalry]

[Objective: Face and defeat Takumi Hoshino in direct confrontation]

[Reward: Legendary Skill (Unlocked only after the match)]

[Warning: High difficulty]

Kelvin clenched his fist lightly. The name "Takumi" now echoed in his mind. He knew what that meant: the system didn't show names by accident.

"When do we play again?" he asked, turning to his friends.

"You guys play later today, against the duo from Zeltin school", answered Dante. "If you win, and win the match after that, you'll face Yamu in the finals".

"Then that's it", Kelvin murmured, his eyes returning to the empty court. "We're going to win".

Ian looked at him with a crooked grin.

"I like that attitude, Kelvin".

Kelvin stood up, his muscles responding with renewed fluidity. He felt lighter. Faster. More aware.

"By the way, what are you two doing here?" Kelvin asked, eyeing Kazana and Dante.

"Water ran out at school, so they let us out early. It was right after you guys left", Dante replied.

Kelvin made a frustrated face.

"And by the way, Kelvin", Kazana stepped closer to him, "I hope you don't lose this championship, no matter who you face. Because the only person who's ever going to beat you… is me".

Kazana said it with a grin.

Kelvin chuckled, shaking his head.

"Keep dreaming, Kazana. Did you forget our last match?" he replied with a sharp, yet playful look.

"That was only because I wasn't trying seriously…", Kazana retorted, taking a sip of his drink. "Just wait…"

The four of them continued chatting casually as they walked down the bleachers. The sun was already lower, painting the sky a soft orange. The gym was getting busier, with more players arriving, others leaving, and some exchanging notes.

"What time's the match again?" asked Kelvin.

"At exactly 8 PM", replied Ian, checking his phone. "We still have time to rest a bit".

Kelvin nodded. They were walking through the side corridors when they heard noise coming from the table tennis area, where some players were either warming up or just resting between games.

A group was drawing attention. Two boys from the same school, wearing dark gray uniforms with golden accents on the chest, were laughing along with other Zeltin students. One was tall and muscular, with a shaved head and a stern look. The other was shorter, with black hair and blue eyes.

"There they are", said Dante, tilting his chin discreetly.

"Zeltin's duo?" Ian asked.

"Yeah. The tall one is Bruno Rocco. The other's Elias, he used to play field soccer but had a knee injury, now he only plays futsal. They've been playing together since elementary school".

Kelvin studied them carefully. They didn't just look physically strong — they radiated confidence. They laughed loudly, but without arrogance.

The system glowed subtly once more.

[Opponents detected]

[Analysis: Bruno Rocco (high strength), Elias Viana (refined vision and passing)]

[Side Mission Activated: "Pace Control"]

[Objective: Score three goals against Zeltin's duo]

[Reward: +4 points to any skill of your choice]

Kelvin felt his shoulders tense for a second. The system was more active than ever.

"They're good", said Kelvin, firmly. "But we're better".

"Good to hear", Ian replied with a confident smile.

As the opposing duo passed by, Bruno Rocco gave Kelvin and Ian a brief look. It lasted about five seconds. Elias just raised an eyebrow, as if he already knew their names — especially Kelvin's.

"You guys the ones who played against Samuel's team?" asked Bruno, pausing for a moment.

Kelvin nodded, his expression unchanged.

"Heard about it. Congrats. You played well. But don't think we're like them — we're way better".

"Good", Ian replied with a wide smile. "Playing against weak teams was getting boring".

Bruno chuckled subtly and kept walking, Elias right behind him.

Once they disappeared down the hallway, Kazana was the first to speak.

"This is getting interesting… I want front-row seats".

"You'll be on the floor if you show up late", joked Dante.

Kelvin took a deep breath. Less than two hours to go. But the night already felt lit inside him.

***

The clock struck 7:55 PM when Kelvin and Ian stood beside the court entrance, under the lights that were starting to shine brighter. Around them, the gym was packed, with groups of students crammed in the stands, many with phones out, recording, cheering, chatting.

"Ready for another one?", Ian asked, adjusting the armband on his left arm as he stepped firmly onto the rubber floor.

Kelvin drew a slow breath and exhaled through his mouth, feeling his muscles respond like coiled springs. His senses were sharper than ever. The sound of the crowd, the scent of the freshly cleaned court, even the faint jingling of the net in the wind.

"Born ready", he replied with a slight smile.

The main lights flickered twice, like in a theater before the curtain rises. The side entrance was opened, and Kelvin and Ian walked together toward the center of the court. Their sneakers echoed rhythmically on the polished floor. Murmurs followed them wherever they passed. They were no longer unknowns in this tournament.

On the other side, Bruno Rocco and Elias were already waiting, both with calm, almost provocative expressions. Bruno spun the ball on his fingers, while Elias adjusted his socks with calm, disciplined movements.

"Here come the prodigies from Sanu", Elias murmured to his partner, without taking his eyes off Kelvin.

Kelvin, in turn, studied him with clinical attention.

The referee was already at the center, blowing the whistle for the duos to take their positions. Both sides headed to their halves of the court, the crowd's voices rising in anticipation.

Kazana and Dante had managed to get a spot by the side rail, munching on popcorn they'd gotten from some makeshift stand. Kazana was already biting a nail, despite always saying he didn't care about the outcome.

Up in the higher stands, Takumi Hoshino watched. Silent. Expressionless. But alert. He still wore the black headband and held a water bottle in one hand. He was alone.

Kelvin didn't see him. But the system did, and warned him.

[Presence of Takumi Hoshino detected]

Kelvin walked to the center. He met Bruno's eyes. Then Elias's. Brief, firm handshakes. No words exchanged.

The referee raised the whistle.

"Game starts in three… two… one…"

The whistle's sound filled the gym.

The match had begun.