The Karasuno gym was loud.
Volleyballs bounced across the wooden floor as players practiced their drills. The sound of sneakers squeaking echoed through the air.
Krish Rai stood near the sideline, holding a volleyball.
This was his first official practice with the team from Haikyuu!!.
His heart was beating fast.
This is real…
He looked around the gym.
There was the captain Daichi Sawamura organizing the practice.
Near the net, the tall blond blocker Kei Tsukishima was lazily stretching.
On the other side, the ace Asahi Azumane was practicing powerful spikes.
And in the center of the court—
The orange-haired jumping monster.
Shoyo Hinata.
"HEY!!"
Hinata suddenly ran toward Krish.
"You're the new guy!!"
Krish blinked.
Hinata pointed at him excitedly.
"Let's compete!"
"…Compete?"
Hinata grinned.
"Jump contest!"
Krish raised an eyebrow.
Before he could answer, another voice spoke from behind.
"That's not a bad idea."
Krish turned.
The serious setter Tobio Kageyama was holding a volleyball.
"If he's a spiker, we should test his jumping ability."
Daichi sighed but smiled.
"Alright. Quick jump test."
The team gathered near the net.
Krish stepped forward.
His system suddenly appeared.
SYSTEM SCREEN
Player: Krish Rai
Level: 3
EXP: 10 / 90
Power: 42
Speed: 46
Jump: 52
Game Sense: 80
Stamina: 42
Technique: 37
Krish looked at Hinata.
Another system window appeared.
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Name: Shoyo Hinata
Jump: 98
Krish gulped.
Yeah… I'm definitely losing this.
Hinata stepped to the net first.
"Watch this!"
He bent his knees.
Then—
BOOM
Hinata launched into the air like a rocket.
The team watched as his hand easily cleared the top of the net.
Tanaka whistled loudly.
"Still crazy…"
Krish rubbed the back of his neck.
That jump is illegal.
Hinata landed and pointed at Krish.
"Your turn!"
Krish walked forward.
His heart beat faster.
Alright… let's see what I can do.
He bent his knees.
Focused.
Then jumped.
THUMP
Krish rose into the air.
Not as high as Hinata.
But still pretty good.
Tsukishima adjusted his glasses.
"…Decent."
Kageyama nodded slightly.
"For a beginner, that's not bad."
Hinata grinned.
"You're pretty good!"
Krish scratched his cheek shyly.
"Thanks…"
Suddenly—
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Training detected.
Reward: +10 EXP
EXP: 20 / 90
Krish's eyes lit up.
So training gives EXP too.
Kageyama suddenly tossed a volleyball toward him.
"Spiker."
Krish caught it.
"Try hitting my set."
Hinata gasped.
"Woah! The King is testing you!"
Krish stepped onto the court again.
Kageyama bounced the ball once.
Then he tossed it high.
The ball floated perfectly toward the net.
Krish jumped.
For a split second his Genius Volleyball IQ activated.
He instantly saw the best angle.
Left corner.
He swung.
SMACK!
The volleyball slammed onto the floor.
Tanaka shouted.
"Nice hit!!"
Asahi smiled warmly.
"Good spike."
Even Kageyama looked slightly impressed.
"…Your timing is good."
Krish landed and breathed heavily.
Suddenly—
SYSTEM ALERT
New Skill Available.
Skill Unlocked:
Sharp Angle Spike (Lv 1)
Allows user to hit difficult angles.
Krish blinked.
A skill… already?
Hinata suddenly grabbed his shoulders.
"You're fun!!"
Krish froze awkwardly.
"…Thanks."
Hinata grinned.
"Let's get stronger together!"
Krish looked around the gym.
At the team.
At the court.
At the net.
Then he smiled slightly.
This is only the beginning.
One day…
He would become the strongest spiker in the world.