Arwin could see Jack thinking things through for one there was no way Jack could beat two of the best members of the basketball team even though he was one of them himself. Jack sighed before going on to say "One chance" and with that Arwin nodded and said "That's all I need" his voice still as emotionless as ever.
Jack and Orez stepped on to the court Arwin could see the stress and tension on Jack's face but choose not to mind it instead he wondered what its effect on the match would be.
The rules of the match were simple first to six points wins which Arwin found fair since both teams had long range shooters so each team had that advantage so the only problem now was Stephen's team mate.
Micheal was a short boy with bulky build his orang hair was cut extremely short barely reaching his ears. From what Orez had heard he was the best defender of the basketball team "Best defender huh, maybe I can use that"
The match kicked off with Stephen receiving the ball Jack raced forward only for Stephen to get past him and head straight for Arwin, he already knew this was coming but for his plan to go through this game needed stakes and he soon gave it stakes.
Stephen reached Arwin and before he could react the handsome basketballer leaped and tossed the ball in to the hoop scoring for his team Arwin flinched stumbling back from Stephen who gave him a curios gaze as he reciprocated with one of his own.
Soon after Stephen scored another two points for his team making the score five to zero. Arwin sighed from the outside perspective it seemed like Stephen was over powering Jack but Arwin knew otherwise he could see the uneasiness in Jack's movements the fear in his eyes he was not moving like he should but with fear instead.
Arwin moved towards a sweating Jack and stood by his side "I thought you were supposed to beat your rival and pass me the ball"
Jack's head jerked towards Arwin with a disgusted expression on his face "Can't you see am trying" Arwin turned his eyes to face him and said "Yeah you are trying, trying not to lose am not a basketballer but even I know that's the best way to lose, if you really don't want to lose then play with the intention of not losing play with the intention of beating him into the ground"
Arwin gave Jack one last glance before continuing to say "I'll be waiting for your pass".
Arwin could see the a spark of determination set a lit inside Jack he knew that's all he needed it was a miracle what a few words could do to a person .Arwin passed the ball to Jack who bolted forward towards the opponent's hoop Stephen raced towards Jack who moved with precision this time his eyes held no fear and his moves were calculated getting past Stephen with extreme skill he bolted to Micheal who more than ready for him Jack reached Micheal and circled around him there was no stopping him as he shot the ball scoring them their first goal.
The game now had stakes and these stakes were high Stephen bolted across the field with speed aiming to finally end this match Jack barred his way they went toe to toe each person trying to outcompete each other Jack finally stole the ball from Stephen and continued towards Micheal but this time the defender was ready for him.
Jack tried his best but even Arwin could see that this feud was going to end in the defender's favor
"Guess it's my time on stage" the stoic boy raced forward he may not be as skill as the others on this court but he was the most tactical and hence the only one who would truly raise the stakes even higher.
Jack continued to struggle until he saw something from the corner of his eye and passed the ball, he had no talent and he had no skill and that made the others treat him like he was invisible letting get to the right position he needed to be in Arwin received the ball as he stood right in front of the hoop a trick that could only work once lucky for him there were more where that came from.
Arwin leapt shooting the ball as he held his breath and soon enough the ball went through the hoop as Arwin landed. The entire gymnasium went silent and Arwin knew why the most talentless guy on the court had just scored he strolled away his eyes emotionless as ever he felt Stephen's gaze upon him again but this time ignored it.
Arwin returned to Stephen as the game kicked off again the stakes were high and the game more intense than any played in this gym today, Jack kept stopping Stepen from getting passed him even though Arwin had scored those points it still didn't change the fact that he was still a talentless fool pling among elites and he knew his opponents knew that too.
Stephen and Jack competed for the ball with Stephen trying his best to get past but something was off Stephen was planning something Arwin stroked his cheek only to realize that he was about to find out the plan.
Micheal bolted past stealing the ball from his own teammate and racing towards Arwin who knew very well that he couldn't do anything once Micheal got to him the short boy made his move and shot the ball Arwin didn't move because he simply didn't have to Jack came running as he leaped up and deflected the ball landing as he panted rapidly "So what now you won the bet didn't you"
Arwin came to Jack and held his shoulder saying "First we can't try the other move again it was a one time thing instead this time we'll play them differently" Jack stared at him blankly saying "how different" Arwin tilted his head slightly before his indifferent voice burst forth "let me borrow your rival" Jack looked stunned but before he could say much Arwin continued "Trust your team mate" Jack sighed before continuing to say "Okay as long you don't lose"
The two teams had one more stand off before everything spiraled Stephen raced towards them only to see Arwin coming towards him he had a look of confusion as he saw Arwin approach as a cautious look then came to his face.
The other three on this court were stars of the basketball team meanwhile Arwin was nothing at least when it came to basketball but he did have a talent the ability to read people like a book and use that to his advantage and today he would use the only gift he had to achieve the outcome he wanted.
The human brain was known to use feedback from the past and present in order to predict the future and know how each muscle should move to provide balance and basing off this if you are able to control the state of a person through your own movements you could essential limit their options hence moving them to a future you predict control their past and present and you'll know their future a trick he leant from a friend"
And so Arwin did just that he moved in specific patterns limiting Stephen's options place your leg there and block his leg from getting past move your hand there and he won't risk passing the ball in this trajectory so even though he couldn't steal the ball he could predict its future Stephen felt blocked from all corners and decided to pass back the ball to Micheal. There it was the future Arwin had led Stephen to too bad he couldn't feel sorry for him.
A minute later Arwin had already reached the ball but so had Micheal the short defender tried to reach for the ball but sadly for him his future was already been predicted and strategized a ripple effect where affecting person's future affected them all even that of his own allies.
Arwin shifted at once and blocked Micheal as soon Jack received the ball stealing a glance of the emotionless boy as he did and without waiting for a moment, he shot the ball a future he controlled and determined that was his preferred outcome and this was a test.
The ball fell into the hoop as the entire crowd stood there confused and the teacher announced "Jack's team wins" a huge smile spread across Jack's face as he ran and offered a high five to Arwin who reluctantly accepted it even though he felt nothing at least now he could feel satisfied with this outcome.