[Player level increased. Current level: 17]
[Player level increased. Current level: 18]
After the day's matches concluded, Ishikawa allocated the experience points he gained from defeating Oshitari, as well as the bonus experience from securing a regular spot on the team, into his character level. With two consecutive level-ups and the 2 skill points awarded for becoming a regular, Ishikawa earned a total of 8 skill points from Friday's matches.
Combined with the skill points he had saved from previous level-ups, his total skill points now amounted to 16. While it wasn't a huge amount, it was enough to upgrade his basic techniques by two levels. For Ishikawa, this was a hidden trump card he could rely on.
Meanwhile, as Hyotei finalized its regular lineup, other schools in Tokyo were also wrapping up their own team selections.
---
**Seigaku Tennis Club**
At Seigaku's tennis courts, a match between two regulars was underway. On one side was a tall, bespectacled boy with spiky hair, and on the other was a black-haired boy with a green-striped headband and a sharp, intense gaze.
"H-how is this possible?" A player in a light blue jacket exclaimed in disbelief. "Inui-senpai… is actually losing?"
"Kaido-senpai… is so strong!" The first-years in red-and-white T-shirts watched in awe.
The two players on the court were Seigaku's regulars: third-year Inui Sadaharu and second-year Kaido Kaoru. Logically, Inui, as the more experienced player and a master of data tennis, should have had the upper hand. But as the match progressed, Kaido had pushed Inui to the brink.
In the end, Kaido narrowly defeated Inui, securing his spot as the second representative for their group.
"Huff… huff…" On the court, Inui bent over, gasping for breath.
He had lost.
Losing to two underclassmen in a row left Inui questioning himself. After calming down, he realized the issue wasn't a coincidence. His reliance on data tennis had become a weakness.
"What do you think, Tezuka?" Nearby, a wrinkled, brown-haired woman in a pink tracksuit asked.
Ryuzaki Sumire, 63, was Seigaku's math teacher for the third-years and the tennis club's coach.
"Inui relies too much on data," replied the boy standing beside her. With his oval glasses and calm demeanor, he added, "These losses might not be entirely bad for him."
Tezuka Kunimitsu, 14, was Seigaku's third-year captain.
"Only you, Tezuka, could see it that way," Ryuzaki chuckled. "How about this? Let's have Inui serve as the team's advisor. His sensitivity to data could help maximize the team's potential."
"And what about you, Coach?" Tezuka asked, surprised.
Ryuzaki shook her head. "This old lady is getting too old to manage the team effectively. From now on, I'll leave it to you, Oishi, and Inui."
"I… understand," Tezuka replied after a moment of thought.
"Good," Ryuzaki nodded, satisfied. "I trust you all with the team. And if I can see you make it to Nationals before I retire, I'll be content."
Nationals? Even the usually stoic Tezuka felt a spark of excitement at the thought.
"Don't worry," Tezuka said, his gaze sweeping over the Seigaku team members before settling on a boy in a white cap. "This year, we'll definitely make it to Nationals."
Not only was it Ryuzaki's last chance, but it was also Tezuka's final opportunity. And this year, Seigaku's lineup was stronger than ever.
---
**Yamabuki Middle School Tennis Club**
At Yamabuki, the regular selections had just concluded. However, the atmosphere was tense as the team members glanced at a pale-skinned boy with ash-gray hair, their expressions uneasy.
"Excellent!" Coach Banji, a plump, elderly man with a kind smile, stepped forward to address the eight newly selected regulars.
Though Banji appeared gentle and grandfatherly, those who knew him understood that he was a shrewd and formidable figure. Despite his age, he had a sharp eye for talent and strategy.
Today, however, Banji was genuinely pleased. After much persuasion and even some reverse psychology, he had finally convinced a once-in-a-decade athletic prodigy to join the tennis club. While the boy didn't seem to mesh well with the team yet, Banji wasn't worried.
In his eyes, this boy had the potential to become a national-level singles player, significantly boosting Yamabuki's chances of reaching Nationals. More importantly, Banji believed that, under his guidance, this boy could one day rival the legendary Samurai of tennis.
---
**Fudomine Tennis Club**
At Fudomine, the tennis club's setup was far more modest compared to Hyotei or Seigaku. With only two makeshift courts, it was a far cry from the luxurious facilities of other schools. However, this was not the original Fudomine tennis club but a new one established after a rebellion led by the current captain.
As such, the regulars were already fixed, and there was no need for internal selection matches. At the moment, the team, led by Captain Tachibana, was deep in training. Their goal was clear: win the regional preliminaries, secure a spot in the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament, and ultimately advance to Nationals.
"Great work, everyone!" A cheerful voice rang out as a girl in a sailor uniform appeared, carrying a box of water bottles.
Setting the box down, she smiled. "Take a break and grab some water."
"Thanks," replied a handsome boy with short black hair and a red dot between his eyebrows. The others quickly stopped their drills and headed over to hydrate.
"Big bro," the girl, Tachibana Kachiro, said as she handed a bottle to her brother. "Have you thought about what I asked you last time?"
"Last time… the street tennis court?" Tachibana frowned, his sharp brows knitting together. "I won't play until after the regional preliminaries."
Each player had their own training methods, and for Tachibana, it was about suppressing his competitive drive. To him, street tennis was child's play. In two weeks, at the regional preliminaries, he would face an opponent who demanded his full focus. Until then, he needed to keep his fighting spirit at its peak.
"Oh, okay," Kachiro pouted, handing him the water before turning to leave. As a member of the girls' tennis team, she couldn't stay too long, even if her brother was the captain.
"Wait, Kachiro," a voice called out. A boy with wine-red hair and bangs covering one eye approached her with a smile. "What's this about a street tennis court? I mean… could you take me there?"
(End of Chapter)