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[Ding…]
If you want to out-grind your opponents, you must first out-grind your teammates. Out-grinding your teammates is the most basic quality of a true grind king.”
Congratulations, Host. During daily long-distance training, you exceeded your teammates’ training volume, completing a Low-Level Involution.
Obtained: Stamina · Involution Grind Value +0.1
…
The system notification sound that suddenly popped up startled Akashi Asuto once again. Coming to his senses, he suddenly realized that the entire track field had become empty without his noticing; all the other members of the volleyball club had disappeared without a trace.
At the same time, on the system panel, a “+” sign appeared behind both Endurance and Cardiopulmonary Fitness in the box representing Stamina.
Seeing this, Asuto’s spirits immediately lifted.
He felt like he had finally figured out the stupid ox-horse system’s XP.
It was a simple, idiot-proof operation. With just a thought, the 0.1 Stamina Involution Grind Value on the panel quickly vanished. In its place, the Endurance value changed from 70 to 70.1.
The next second…
A faint, barely noticeable warm current flowed through the depths of his body for a brief moment.
Asuto sensed it carefully but felt nothing at all.
After all, it was only an increase of 0.1. If he had suddenly felt his body tremble and his strength skyrocket to the point where he could punch a bull to death with one hit, that would have been abnormal.
“So exceeding my teammates’ training volume by one time counts as low-level involution… then what about exceeding it by two times?”
Having vaguely grasped the system’s XP, Asuto kept running. Today’s club training load wasn’t very heavy, so after jogging ten laps around the 400-meter track, he still had stamina left.
However, as the distance increased, Asuto’s breathing became heavier and his legs felt like lead.
Yet, the thought of giving up never crossed his mind.
It wasn’t because Asuto had extraordinary willpower; it was because anyone who had participated in athletic training knew that the moment your stamina is exhausted is when the real training begins.
[Ding…]
[Congratulations, Host. During daily long-distance running training, you exceeded your teammates’ training volume by two times and completed a Mid-Level Involution.
[Obtained: Stamina · Involution Grind Value +0.2]
After Asuto finished fifteen laps, the system’s notification sound rang out once again.
This time, Asuto slowly came to a stop after hearing it. He placed both hands on his knees and began gasping heavily for air.
He really wanted to know how many times the training volume was required for a high-level Involution, but it was obvious that his current physical condition could no longer support him grinding.
Besides,
Asuto also planned to save some strength and try developing the system through other “postures.”
Having just obtained 0.2 Involution Grind Value, Asuto added it all to Endurance, raising it to 70.3.
After resting for a few minutes, he finally dragged his sweat-drenched body back toward the volleyball gym step by step.
It was a little past five in the evening. Although summer was approaching and the sun was setting later, it was beginning to get dark.
By the time he returned to the gym, most of the volleyball club members had left. The only one remaining was Nishison Tomohiko, the first junior Asuto had met after reincarnating, who was still diligently cleaning and organizing the equipment.
As Asuto entered, Nishison was just about to put the last basket of volleyballs into the storage room.
Seeing this, Asuto hurriedly said, “Wait a moment, Nishison. Don’t put that basket of balls away yet; just leave it there. I’ll take care of it later!”
Surprised, Nishison Tomohiko asked, “Eh? Asuto-Senpai, are you going to keep practicing?”
Asuto nodded. “Yeah, I’m planning to practice a bit more. You should head back first. I’ll clean up these balls later.”
After saying that, he pulled the cart and prepared to head to the side, ready to develop a new way to use the system.
However, just at that moment, Nishison Tomohiko suddenly spoke up from behind him.
“Um… If Asuto-Senpai doesn’t mind, I can help set up the balls for you.”
“Hm?”
Asuto turned around. Seeing that Nishison was looking both awkward and nervous, Asuto asked, “You’re a setter?”
“Y-Yes… although I’m still not as good as Mishita-senpai, but if it’s just for practice, there shouldn’t be any problem.”
Tomohiko kept his head lowered, looking timid and shrinking back as he spoke. His voice grew quieter and quieter.
Seeing this, Asuto was slightly speechless.
The relationship between “Senpai” and “Kouhai” in Japanese schools is far stricter than in many other countries and feels almost like a rigid class system.
On top of that, Asuto himself came with a built-in “delinquent” aura.
Nishison Tomohiko’s personality clearly wasn’t outgoing either.
It could be said that just mustering up the courage to speak that one sentence earlier had already nearly used up all the bravery he had.
In truth, Nishison Tomohiko’s inner turmoil at that moment was far more intense than Asuto had imagined.
“Oh no! I got carried away and greeted Asuto-Senpai. What should I do now? The coach and everyone else have already gone home. If Asuto-Senpai gets angry, it’ll just be the two of us here!”
“I’m done for. Mom, I think I’ve caused a huge disaster!”
Just as Tomohiko Nishisoni was wondering where his mother would bury him, a voice suddenly rang out.
“Then I’ll be counting on you. Next, we’ll practice spikes. Just stand nearby and toss the ball to me.”
“Eh?!” Hearing this, Tomohiko froze in place.
“What are you spacing out for? We don’t have much time. Let’s hurry up and practice.” Asuto urged, pushing the ball cart over to the net.
“Okay! I’m coming right away.”
Nishison Tomohiko snapped back to his senses and quickly walked to the net. Looking at Asuto warming up his shoulders not far away, Nishison Tomohiko suddenly realized,
“Asuto-Senpai doesn’t seem as scary as they said!”
With that thought, he set the ball upward into the air. At the same time, Asuto leaped high into the air.
The next second…
BANG!
The silent volleyball gym felt as if thunder had exploded out of nowhere. The volleyball slammed into the floor like a bullet, bounced high after hitting the ground, and crashed into the wall.
Seeing Asuto’s spike up close for the first time, Tomohiko Nishison’s eyes instantly went blank.
“Mom, I was wrong. Asuto-Senpai really is terrifying after all.”
…
“This feels pretty good! Playing volleyball is actually kind of awesome!”
Asuto rolled his arm and felt satisfied with that spike.
If Nishison Tomohiko hadn’t spoken up earlier, Asuto would have practiced overhand serves. Now that he had a setter helping him, though, Asuto would focus on strengthening his spiking technique.
Because in the original body’s memories, there was less than a month left until the Miyagi Prefecture National Sports Tournament – Boys’ Junior High Division Volleyball Competition.
With such little time remaining, strengthening his strong points would obviously increase his combat power much faster than patching up weak techniques.
“Asuto-Senpai, how many spikes are we doing?”
“Let’s start with one hundred.”
“What? Do you want to spike that many?” Nishison Tomohiko’s eyes widened.
“Is that a lot? Basic techniques like this rely on repetition. Only after enough repetition can you produce a qualitative change. It’s only one hundred balls. How is that a lot?”
“I see!”
Hearing this, a thoughtful look appeared in Nishison Tomohiko’s eyes.
…
Half an hour later:
[Ding…]
[“Secret extra training is a necessary quality for a true grind king.”]
[“Congratulations, Host. During daily training, you exceeded your teammates’ training volume by one time, completing a low-level involution.”]
[Successfully obtained: Spike · Involution Grind Value +0.1.]
(End of Chapter)
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