[Ding! You have watched the match between Sanada Genichirou and Tezuka Kunimitsu. Completion of serendipity quest confirmed. Reward obtained: Skill Evolution Card x1!]
[Skill Evolution Card]: Can be used on any tennis technique. The skill's level will rise to match the user's base level and evolve into a new form, with the new form's strength tied to the original skill's rank. (Note: Cannot be used on basic skills, Five Dimensions, or state-based techniques.)
"So it evolves a specific technique?"
"First, pull up my stats."
A virtual panel materialized before him.
[Host]: Yoru
[Age]: 12
[Techniques]:
Personal Five Dimensions (Lv. 8) Tennis Fundamentals (Lv. 8) Twist Serve (Lv. 8) Two-Handed Style (Lv. 8) Split-Step (Lv. 8) Zone (Lv. 5) Muga no Kyouchi (Lv. 7) Pinnacle of Hard Work (Lv. 3) Near-Ace Drive (Lv. 8)
[Combat Power]: 9 Stars
[Talents]: Ten Senses Control, Perfect Copy
Since the card couldn't be used on basics, Five Dimensions, or state skills, his options narrowed down to Twist Serve, Zone, and Near-Ace Drive. Techniques like Two-Handed Style were instantly dismissed.
Without hesitation, Yoru commanded: "Use the Evolution Card on Zone."
[Congratulations! Your Zone has been upgraded to Lv. 8!]
[Congratulations! You have comprehended Reverse Zone (Lv. 8)!]
"Reverse Zone, huh?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Yoru's eyes.
Reverse Zone functioned identically to Tezuka's future Tezuka Phantom—applying 60% more spin than the standard Zone to forcibly eject the ball out of bounds. Of course, this required predicting the opponent's return and countering with opposing rotation.
With this, his strength had just ascended another tier.
"Tezuka, how'd the match feel?"
Yamato's voice snapped Yoru back to reality.
Tezuka had just stepped off the court, and Yamato handed him a drink with a grin.
"Sanada was strong. Far superior to previous opponents," Tezuka acknowledged with a nod.
"As long as you enjoyed it. One more match, and you'll clinch the championship!" Kirihara chimed in, buzzing as if he were the one about to win.
Yoru, however, fell into thought.
In the original timeline, Yukimura Seiichi had won the JR. Nationals—but his duel with Tezuka occurred after the tournament. By that logic, Tezuka shouldn't have played the finals.
What could've stopped him?
The answer arrived swiftly.
"Excuse me, Tezuka Kunimitsu? May we have a word?"
A heavily accented Japanese sentence cut through their conversation.
The group turned to see two figures approaching—one lean, one rotund, their foreign features unmistakable. Yoru's eyes narrowed.
These were the German scouts who'd been observing Tezuka, clad in the insignia of Germany's Elite Tennis Academy.
The lean one was unfamiliar, but the portly man?
That's Schneider.
One-half of Germany's pro doubles lineup in the series—the Akimichi-clan lookalike of the tennis world.
"I am Tezuka Kunimitsu. How may I assist you?" Tezuka replied, polite but guarded.
The slender man smiled. "I'm Harro Adler, a coach at Germany's Elite Tennis Academy. We've watched your matches and would like to invite you for a trial training session."
"If you pass, you'll gain direct entry into our pro development program, with the German Tennis Association endorsing your path to becoming a professional."
(Author's Note: Consolidated lore here—Tezuka wasn't directly scouted in canon. Even during U-17, he only went for trials, initially struggled, and was only retained after Borg [Burg] witnessed his Zone.)
Silence.
Except for Yoru, the other three were stunned.
The Elite Tennis Academy needed no introduction. It was a global powerhouse, a cradle of champions. Germany's national team—currently on an eight-year winning streak—was almost entirely composed of its alumni.
"A trial... in Germany?"
For the first time, Tezuka's icy composure wavered.
"Indeed." Adler produced an embossed letter. "If interested, you may depart with us in a week. How does that sound?"
His confidence was unshakable. No one refused the Academy. It was a golden ticket—even failures could stay on as well-paid sparring partners.
"This is..."
Tezuka accepted the letter, his breathing uneven. But at his age, flying across the world seemed... rash.
"Is Germany's Elite Academy truly that impressive?"
Yoru's sudden interjection drew Adler's frown.
Was this backwater really questioning their prestige?
"Senpai?" Tezuka blinked.
Yoru pressed on. "A hub of geniuses. Realistically, how much resources would they allocate to you now? At your age, would your family even approve?"
"If you were older, perhaps. But as things stand, it's premature."
His words doused Tezuka's fervor.
Yesterday's crushing defeat by Kirihara had been a wake-up call. If a single older player could dismantle him, how would he fare in a nation of prodigies?
"You seem to doubt our academy's caliber," the hitherto silent Schneider finally rumbled in English.
"I'm Dankmar Schneider, 15. Graduate of the Elite Academy, currently in pro training. I've cleared the preliminary pro licensing trials."
Fifteen. Pro-bound.
Yamato's jaw dropped. Kirihara, who barely understood English, just scratched his head.
"Since you're carrying a racket," Schneider smirked, hefting his bag, "if you distrust our standards... shall we settle this on the court?"