Afternoon – Kagawa Residence, Matsumoto City
Ryota carried the mysterious boxes one by one into a small locked storage room. The air inside was heavy and dry, filled with faint dust swirling through a thin beam of light. He stacked the last box carefully in the corner, staring at them for a long moment before closing the door.
Ryota (Sighing): That should be all of them. I'll never open that again.
He leaned against the wall, exhaling slowly. The silence in the room felt strange, like the boxes carried something unseen.
Ryota (Thinking): The same name, the same size, the same weight as before... Why six this time?
As he stared at the locked door, a soft mechanical tone echoed in his mind.
Rui: System online. Monitoring resumed.
Ryota (Curious): You're back? You've been quiet for hours. What were you doing?
Rui: Running diagnostics. Updating performance parameters. Data stable.
Ryota: Diagnostics, huh? Then what about these boxes? You scanned them, didn't you? What's inside?
Rui: Irrelevant. System function does not include external object analysis. Recommend ignoring inquiry.
Ryota (Frowning): So you can't read them? Or you're just not allowed to tell me?
Rui: Question exceeds access level. Topic redirected. Energy levels optimized at ninety-four percent. Physical condition stable. Continue maintenance routine.
Ryota (Annoyed): You're changing the subject again, Rui.
Rui: Affirmative. Conversation topic adjusted to priority parameters. Upcoming event detected—practice session at Tenkuu Gakuin Highschool in two hours. Preparation recommended.
Ryota (Thinking): She's avoiding it. Or maybe... she really doesn't care.
He sighed and rubbed his neck, glancing once more at the sealed door.
Ryota: Fine. I'll focus on practice then. But Rui, if those boxes ever start... doing something weird again, you better warn me.
Rui: Acknowledged. Monitoring will continue within defined limits.
Ryota (Thinking): Defined limits, huh? That's what I'm afraid of.
He turned the key, locking the door tightly, then stepped back.
Ryota (Thinking): I'll leave them here for now. But something tells me... this isn't over.
He walked away, the lights flickering off behind him as the storage room sank into silence.
Evening – Yori's Laboratory
Machines hummed in a dimly lit underground facility. Electric sparks danced across cables, and mechanical arms shifted, adjusting strange glowing containers. Yori stood in front of a wide glass panel, analyzing a set of brainwave readings displayed on multiple monitors.
Scientist: Sir, the readings are stabilizing again. The neural link between Subject 01 and the system remains active.
Yori: Good. Keep the synchronization steady. Any more fluctuations and the system might reject him.
He adjusted his glasses, studying the graphs on the screen. The patterns pulsed rhythmically—familiar, yet unpredictable.
Suddenly, from the shadows behind him, a low voice echoed.
??? (Voice): He's adapting faster than we expected.
Yori stiffened slightly.
Yori: You again...
From the dark corner of the lab, a figure stepped forward, the faint red glow of his eyes visible in the dim light.
Oli (Grinning): Long time no see, Doctor Kagawa. It's been quite interesting watching your son evolve.
Yori: Watching him? You've been observing him again?
Oli: Of course. He's part of my team, remember? But I've noticed something... peculiar. He talks to himself during games. Sometimes, he stares off like he's hearing someone in his head.
Yori: Rui.
Oli (Smirking): That's what he calls it, huh? You gave him that system, didn't you?
Yori (Coldly): I didn't give it. It chose him.
Oli chuckled, stepping closer to the light.
Oli: You always say that. But we both know the system was built with forbidden algorithms. It shouldn't even exist.
Yori remained silent, his eyes locked on the monitors.
Oli (Whispering): His growth is unnatural. In weeks, he's become someone else entirely.
As Oli spoke, his body began to shift. His smile widened unnaturally, fangs emerging, eyes glowing blood-red, and two short black horns protruding from his forehead.
Oli (Darkly): If this keeps up, he might surpass even us.
The air grew tense. Then, a hand rested on Oli's shoulder.
Kang: Enough, Oli.
Both Yori and Oli looks at him.
Kang (Coldly): You're too noisy. We're not here to interfere. Only observe.
Oli (Mocking): You say that like you're not curious. Even you want to know what that boy will become.
Kang: Curiosity gets people killed. Remember what happened to the last one who interfered?
Oli smirked but fell silent. Yori turned toward them, his expression serious.
Yori: You two are treating this like a game. He's my son.
Kang (Flatly): Then prepare yourself. If the system takes control, you'll have to make a choice.
Yori (Tightening fists): I'll stop it before that happens.
Oli (Grinning again): I hope so, Doctor. Because if you can't... we will.
The lights flickered. In the next instant, both demons vanished into the shadows, leaving Yori alone with the humming of machines.
He looked at the screen again—Ryota's image displayed, his energy level glowing higher than before.
Yori (Thinking): Ryota... what are you becoming?
Morning – Kagawa Residence, Matsumoto City (A few days later)
Ryota opened his eyes to the warm sunlight spilling through his curtains. He stretched, feeling strangely light and energized.
He checked the mirror he saw his eyes sharper, his skin slightly glowing. The system had grown stronger again.
[UPDATED STATS]
Stamina – Level 28
Flexibility – Level 20
Strength – Level 22
Speed – Level 24
IQ – Level 30
Shooting – Level 22
Ancestral Level: 38
Ryota (Smiling): Looks like I've been improving.
He looked at his phone. The group chat was filled with messages—Reiji sending fire emojis, Shi posting memes, Jung shouting "VICTORY TIME!", and Yoshito reminding everyone not to oversleep.
Ryota (Laughing): These guys never change.
He checked the mirror again and froze. His shadow flickered—its shape twisting into a demonic outline before returning to normal.
Ryota (Whispering): What the...
Rui: Something wrong?
Ryota: My shadow just moved on its own.
Rui (Calm): Ignore it. It's just your energy reacting. Nothing to fear.
Ryota (Thinking): Yeah... right.
Ryota decided to try the potions for the 1st time.
Ryota: Let's get stronger.
He drank both potions quickly.
[UPDATED STATS]
Stamina – Level 28
Flexibility – Level 20
Strength – Level 22
Speed – Level 24
IQ – Level 30 + 3
Shooting – Level 22 + 3
Ancestral Level: 38
A rush of power surged through his body.
Ryota (Smirking): That's more like it.
He threw on his black Tenkuu jacket and walked to his car. As he drove, he sipped his chocolate shake and hummed quietly.
When he arrived at school, the campus was eerily empty except for two security guards.
Morning - Tenkuu Gakuin Highschool
Ryota: Huh? Where is everyone?
He walked down the hall until he heard faint noise coming from the gym. The moment he opened the door, roaring cheers hit his ears. Hundreds of students were in the stands, waving banners, shouting, and clapping.
Ryota (Surprised): Woah! This many people came to watch?
A familiar voice came from behind him.
Jung: Took you long enough.
Ryota: Jung! You scared me.
Jung (Laughing): Relax, man. You ready?
Ryota: More than ever.
They walked into the changing room where everyone was waiting it was Reiji, Yoshito, Shi, Chace, Mr. Oli, and Ms. Sheena.
Reiji (Nodding): Finally. You're late.
Yoshito: We were about to warm up without you.
Shi: Bro, we thought you overslept again.
Ryota (Smiling): Come on, give me some credit.
Oli (Clapping hands): Enough talk. Change and get ready. It's time.
The team huddled together as Oli spoke strategy.
Oli: Play smart, play fast. Remember what we practiced. Don't let the pressure shake you.
Sheena (Smiling): And most of all, enjoy it. You're representing Tenkuu.
Ryota (Nodding): We won't disappoint.
Everyone placed their hands together in the middle.
All: Tenkuu Gakuin! Let's go!
They stepped out onto the court as the crowd erupted.
Announcer: Introducing the home team—Tenkuu Gakuin High School!
Ryota waved, the cheers growing louder.
Announcer: And now, their challengers—the visiting team!
Across the court, tall players entered. One had blonde hair, around six-foot-four, smiling confidently. Others followed, a tall, dark-skinned, muscular, their presence intimidating.
Ryota (Thinking): So these are the ones we'll face...
Reiji (Grinning): Don't lose focus, Ryota.
Ryota (Smiling): Wouldn't dream of it.
Both teams locked eyes, the air thick with tension and excitement.
Team Tenkuu moved to the bench. Assistants prepared water bottles while some players stretched. Across the court, the opposing team huddled together, calm and composed, discussing their strategy in low voices.
The whistle blew.
Oli (Commanding): Starting five, on the court!
Ryota, Shi, Jung, Reiji, and Yoshito stepped forward. They walked confidently to the middle, sneakers squeaking against the polished floor. Their opponents followed, bowing slightly.
One of the blonde opponents smiled and spoke respectfully.
Opponent Captain: Good luck. May the best team win.
Ryota blinked, surprised.
Ryota (Thinking): Didn't expect that from them.
Reiji (Nodding): Yeah. Let's make sure we're that best team.
The referee raised the ball. Both centers stepped forward — Yoshito against the tall blonde.
The whistle echoed through the gym.
The 12 minutes 1st quarter starts now.
The ball went up. Yoshito jumped high, fingertips grazing the ball first, tipping it toward Ryota.
He caught it and immediately passed to Jung. The opposing defenders reacted instantly — a double team formed around Jung before he could dribble.
Ryota (Thinking): They already know Jung's our shooter? They studied us...
Ryota (Shouting): Reiji's free!
Jung turned and passed to Reiji, but the blonde intercepted it mid-air.
Ryota (Startled): What the— so fast!
The blonde dribbled hard toward their basket, but Shi appeared out of nowhere, sliding in, stealing the ball cleanly with his speed. The crowd roared.
Shi spun around his defender with a smooth dribble, then did an in-and-out move to fake a shot. The opponent jumped to block, but Shi smirked and slipped a behind-the-back pass straight to Yoshito.
Yoshito caught it, took one step, and slammed the ball into the hoop with power.
The gym exploded with cheers.
Announcer: Home Team: 2 Visitor Team: 0 with 11 minutes and 23 seconds remaining.
Ryota raised his fist, grinning.
Ryota (Thinking): This is it... the start of everything.
Oli (Smiling proudly): That's the spirit! Keep that pace!
The crowd chanted their school's name, banners waving, voices echoing through the air. For the first time in a long while, Ryota felt truly alive, surrounded by teammates, cheers, and the sound of the game that awakened something deep inside him.
To be continued...