Chapter 4: Training
Aoba Johsai ultimately lost the training match. Despite Oikawa Tooru scoring three consecutive points with his serves to briefly take the lead, the stark gap in overall strength against the university team was undeniable, and they couldn't break through. Still, Coach Irihata was satisfied—the training match had served its purpose.
"Losing a training match isn't a big deal. We have time to practice. Don't wait until you lose at the Inter-High or Spring High to regret it," Coach Irihata said, scanning the players, who were visibly frustrated. "If you want to reach nationals, the opponents you'll face will be even tougher than today's. The third-years know exactly what I'm talking about."
Oikawa Tooru, Iwaizumi Hajime, and the other third-years clenched their fists. They knew all too well. This was their final year, and in the past two, they hadn't even made it to nationals.
"Now, everyone, start technical training. Focus on improving your serve receive quality, then split into groups to practice offensive organization, defensive transitions, and tactical coordination. Taiichi, do your five laps of diving drills, then join the practice."
"Yes, sir." That petty coach still remembered the punishment.
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Volleyball training involves a series of fundamental movements—receiving, serving, passing, spiking—that, while repetitive and seemingly monotonous, are the essential path to higher competitive levels.
Every judgment and movement during a receive, every control of force and angle in a serve, every technique and vision in a pass, every jump and swing in a spike—these are meticulous refinements of technical details, testing an athlete's physical conditioning, skills, and tactical understanding.
These seemingly uniform drills hone an athlete's patience, perseverance, and focus.
Ding! "Activating Beginner Training Mode for the host. Completing each training task will increase the corresponding ability score. Side effect: Fatigue will double after training ends. Host, please prepare mentally."
Perfect—this was straightforward training leading to growth. Kaedehara Taiichi was brimming with confidence. As for the side effect? He was young—what couldn't a good nap fix?
"Task 1: Complete 10 laps of diving drills. Reward: Stamina +1, Receiving +1."
…This system! It added five extra laps to the original punishment. Taiichi had every reason to suspect it was preventing him from gaming the tasks.
Pushing aside his wandering thoughts, Kaedehara Taiichi stepped to the sidelines and began his diving drill journey.
In volleyball, the "dive" is a defensive technique used to counter fast, low-angle, or distant attacks.
Players judge the ball's trajectory, move swiftly, and leap while extending their body to maximize contact with the ball. Using wrist and finger flexibility, they control the direction and force of the receive, directing the ball to a teammate's ideal position.
After receiving, athletes roll to cushion the impact and protect themselves from injury.
Daily diving drills in the volleyball club aim to develop players' anticipation, quick reactions, full-body coordination, precise ball contact, and landing awareness, expanding defensive range and creating counterattack opportunities.
As time passed, lap after lap of diving drained Kaedehara Taiichi's stamina. His once-light steps grew heavy, muscle soreness spread from his limbs to his back, and sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Hasn't he done more than five laps already?"
"Why's he still going… No way, is he that intense?" Some teammates were already considering joining him in diving laps.
"This guy's terrifying." At some point, many started watching Taiichi's training.
Oblivious to the attention, Taiichi was immersed in his drills. From initial exhaustion to a state of flow, he checked the system: Diving Drills (9/10 laps). Gritting his teeth, he fixed his determined gaze ahead.
His body felt heavy, but his resolve grew stronger. He strove to perfect each dive, every leap accompanied by a pounding heartbeat and deep breaths.
Nearing the end, Taiichi mustered his remaining strength for one final, forceful dive. Though less graceful than his first, it was imbued with power and resilience. After landing, he collapsed, too spent to move.
"Task completed: Host's Stamina +1, Receiving +1."
"Now activating staged training objectives."
"Objective 1: Complete 1,000 serve receives. Reward: Receiving +1, Serving +1 (until host's average ability score reaches 60)."
"Objective 2: Complete 1,000 spikes. Reward: Spiking +1 (until host's average ability score reaches 60)."
Lifting his head, panting, Taiichi couldn't suppress a grin. The feeling of leveling up was exhilarating, like power surging through his body.
His teammates, seeing him collapsed yet grinning like a maniac, shivered. They exchanged glances, thinking, This masochist.
"Hey, Taiichi, you okay?" a teammate asked kindly.
"I'm fine!" Thanks to Beginner Training Mode, Taiichi's stamina recovered quickly after resting.
"Coach, can I join the serve receive training now?"
"Go ahead!" Coach Irihata was pleased. It seemed they had their own stamina monster.
Taiichi's practice partner was fellow first-year Kunimi Akira. Taiichi recalled him as an efficiency-driven player—seemingly listless but never slacking when it counted. With balanced skills, Kunimi was the perfect partner for a beginner.
One hour later…
Kunimi Akira, hunched over, clutching a volleyball, gasped for air.
"Kunimi, what's wrong? Serve already!" Taiichi was still bursting with energy.
This guy was half-dead earlier—how's he still so lively, like a beast? Kunimi glanced around. He couldn't keep up. Who trains without breaks? He'd burn out. He needed another "beast" to take over.
Scanning the crowd, Kunimi's eyes landed on Kindaichi Yutaro. They'd played together at Kitagawa Daiichi in junior high—Kindaichi's stamina should match this guy's.
"Kindaichi, take over for Taiichi. I need a break." Without waiting for a reply, Kunimi shuffled to the sidelines, collapsing onto an empty spot for some much-needed rest.
"What's up with you?" Kindaichi asked, puzzled, but nodded and joined Taiichi's practice.
Another hour later…
"Taiichi, your stamina's insane," Kindaichi panted, sweat soaking his shirt. Yet his movements didn't falter, launching another powerful serve at Taiichi.
Taiichi barely received it. "Your stamina's not bad either."
Breathing heavily, Taiichi marveled. With the system's training mode, he could keep going, but Kindaichi matching him was impressive.
Checking Kindaichi's stats on the system: Kindaichi Yutaro: Speed 75, Strength 83, Stamina 88, Jump 75.
Solid stamina and strength, but his speed and jump were lacking. No wonder he couldn't stop Hinata Shoyo's attacks when facing Karasuno later…