[Ding...]
[To surmount your rivals, you must first surpass your confederates. The ability to exceed one's teammates is a fundamental characteristic of a genuine champion.]
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully executing a low-level internal competition protocol by exceeding your teammates' scheduled training volume by double in the daily long-distance running exercise.]
[Acquired Stamina/Champion Value +0.1.]
The sudden system notification instantly startled Akashi Asuka. Regaining his awareness, he was shocked to find that, apart from himself, every other member of the volleyball squad had vacated the training grounds.
Simultaneously, on the system data panel, a plus sign ("+") had appeared adjacent to both "Endurance" and "Cardiopulmonary Capacity" within the Stamina section.
Akashi Asuka's disposition immediately brightened. He sensed he had fortuitously stumbled upon the precise mechanism for acquiring experience points within this remarkable system. With a simple, non-complex mental command, the 0.1 stamina/champion value on his panel instantly vanished, corresponding with an increase in his Endurance score from 70 to 70.1.
In the ensuing second, a subtle warmth briefly permeated his body. Akashi Asuka registered the sensation but experienced no dramatic surge of power. After all, a marginal increase of 0.1 was hardly expected to grant him the strength to fell an ox with a single blow; such an outcome would be anomalous.
"Training twice the amount of my teammates constitutes low-level involution, but what happens if the multiplier is even higher?"
Sensing the system's core acquisition method, Akashi Asuka maintained his running pace. Today's club session was not overtly strenuous, so even after completing ten circuits of the 400-meter track, he retained reserve stamina.
Nevertheless, as the distance accumulated, Akashi Asuka's respiration grew heavier, and his legs felt like dead weight.
Yet, the idea of cessation never crossed his mind.
This resolve stemmed not from an exceptionally strong constitution, but from the principle known to any seasoned athlete: the moment the body reaches perceived exhaustion is, in reality, the genesis of productive training.
[Ding...]
[Congratulations, Host, you have successfully completed an intermediate-level involution test in your daily training—long-distance running—by surpassing your teammates' scheduled training volume by more than double.]
[Acquired Stamina and Involution Value +0.2.]
The system notification sounded again after Akashi Asuka successfully completed fifteen laps.
Upon hearing the notification this time, Akashi Asuka slowly decelerated his pace, placed his hands on his knees, and began to gasp intensely.
While he was eager to ascertain the required training volume for an advanced involution test, it was evident that Akashi Asuka's current stamina reserve was insufficient for further continuation.
Furthermore, Akashi Asuka intended to conserve some energy to explore novel techniques for system development.
Having just acquired 0.2 Involution Value, Akashi Asuka promptly allocated it all to his Stamina attribute, elevating his Endurance to 70.3.
Extending the Training Protocol
After recuperating for several minutes, Akashi Asuka dragged his sweat-drenched body back toward the main volleyball hall.
It was now well past 5 PM. Though the season was approaching summer, and daylight lingered, the evening was beginning to descend.
Upon re-entering the gymnasium, nearly all members of the volleyball squad had departed, with the notable exception of Tomohiko Nishimori, the first junior Akashi Asuka had encountered post-transmigration, who was diligently engaged in cleaning and organizing the equipment.
As Akashi Asuka entered, Nishimori was preparing to wheel the final container of volleyballs into the storage room.
Observing this, Akashi Asuka quickly interjected, "Nishimori, hold on a moment; do not store that basket of balls just yet. Leave it here; I will handle the cleanup later!"
Nishimori Tomohiko questioned with surprise, "Eh? Akashi-senpai, are you intending to continue practice?"
Akashi Asuka affirmed, saying, "Yes, I plan to practice for a little longer. You are free to leave now! I will take care of these balls presently."
With that, Akashi Asuka maneuvered the equipment cart, preparing to move to a secluded area to explore the system's advanced features.
However, just at that moment...
He was addressed by Tomohiko Nishimori from behind: "Um... if, if Akashi-senpai does not object, I could assist you with retrieving the balls."
"Hmm?"
Akashi Asuka turned, observing Nishimori Tomohiko, who appeared hesitant and nervous. He inquired, "Are you a setter?"
"Y-yes... I am. Although I am not as proficient as Mikasa-senpai, I should be adequate for a simple practice session." Nishimori Tomohiko lowered his gaze, appearing timid and uncertain, his voice diminishing with each word.
Akashi Asuka felt a slight surge of speechlessness.
The hierarchical relationship between "senior" and "junior" in Japanese academic settings is considerably more rigid than in many other nations, effectively establishing a form of internal caste system.
When factoring in Akashi Asuka's inherent "bad boy" persona and Nishimori Tomohiko's clearly introverted disposition, it was apparent that this simple offer had likely expended the entirety of Nishimori's immediate courage.
In truth, Nishimori Tomohiko's internal distress was far more profound than Akashi Asuka realized.
"Oh no, oh no! I impulsively addressed Akashi-senpai! What recourse do I have? The coach and everyone else have already gone home. What if Akashi-senpai becomes enraged? It will be just the two of us here!"
"I am utterly doomed, Mother! I believe I have navigated myself into an immense predicament!" Just as Nishimori Tomohiko was contemplating the location of his impending burial, a voice cut through his panic.
"In that case, I will rely on your assistance. We will focus on spiking drills from now on. Your role will simply be to position yourself to the side and toss the balls to me."
"Huh!" Hearing the response, Nishimori Tomohiko was momentarily stunned.
"What are you waiting for? Time is of the essence. Let us expedite the practice." Akashi Asuka pushed the ball cart toward the net and urged him forward.
"Okay... okay, I am coming immediately."
Tomohiko Nishimori snapped out of his daze and swiftly approached the net. Looking at Asuka Akashi, who was performing shoulder stretches nearby, Tomohiko suddenly concluded, "Akashi-senpai does not seem as fearsome as I was told!"
While pondering this revelation, Tomohiko tossed a ball into the air, simultaneously with Asuka Akashi's forceful leap.
In the next moment...
Bang!!!
The silent volleyball hall seemed to detonate with a crack of thunder. The volleyball, traveling with the velocity of a projectile, struck the floor and ricocheted high into the air, crashing directly against the wall.
Tomohiko Nishimori, having witnessed Asuka Akashi's spike at close range for the first time, was instantly paralyzed with shock.
"...Mother, I rescind my previous thought. Akashi-senpai truly is terrifying."
...
"That sensation is satisfying; engaging in volleyball seems quite enjoyable!"
Asuka Akashi stretched his arms, thoroughly pleased with the execution of his spike.
In fact, had Nishimori Tomohiko not offered his assistance, Akashi Asuka had originally intended to practice his overhand serving technique. However, with a setter now available, Akashi Asuka naturally prioritized the refinement of his spiking technique.
This tactical decision was informed by his inherited memory, which indicated that less than one month remained until the commencement of the Miyagi Prefecture Sports Games Junior High School Boys' Volleyball Tournament.
Given such a constrained timeline, focusing on the augmentation of his primary strengths would evidently yield a more substantial increase in combat effectiveness than attempting to rectify deeply ingrained weaknesses.
"Akashi-senpai, what is the required volume for spiking drills?"
"We shall commence with one hundred!"
"What? Senpai intends to hit that many balls?" Nishimori Tomohiko's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Is that excessive? The mastery of these fundamental techniques demands a quantifiable accumulation for qualitative transformation. One hundred balls is merely a baseline!"
"I comprehend!"
Nishimori Tomohiko's expression shifted into one of deep contemplation.
...
Half an hour elapsed.
[Ding...]
[Undertaking supplementary, covert practice is an indispensable trait for an elite player.]
[Congratulations, Host! You have successfully completed a low-level competitive exercise by doubling your teammates' scheduled training volume in the daily spiking drill.]
[You have successfully acquired Spiking King Value +0.1.]