Ryo's stats had completely transformed since he began using The System. Though The System was powerful—maybe even a cheat—the sheer amount of effort he had put into improving himself was impressive. It rewarded his hard work with bonus stats, accelerating his growth and allowing him to target his weaker areas.
He had invested the most Stat Points into his Vision components. Vision was especially difficult to level up without playing in actual matches; after all, there's no better way to learn to track players than by being on the pitch. Since he couldn't participate in games yet, he made sure his Vision was strong through dedicated stat allocation. Meanwhile, his commitment to both daily quests and extra training had caused massive gains in Physicality, Agility, Ball Control, and Shooting.
Ren, who trained with him every day, was improving just as rapidly. After the first team lost in the regional semifinals, Ren, who showed a lot of potential, made it onto the first team at the beginning of the following school year.
And with all his effort, the first team had reached the regional finals before falling short of winning the game. Even with the loss, Ren was already establishing himself as one of the top strikers in the region.
However, one thing still puzzled Ryo: his Fame stat had jumped from Unknown to Newbie. Had Ren mentioned him to his teammates or coach? Or had someone simply noticed him practicing?
Regardless of how it happened, the growth excited Ryo. With his upgraded stats, he could finally imagine himself stepping onto a pitch in a team jersey, the crowd cheering, ready to play the game he had long dreamed of.
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"Ryo, are you coming? You're going to make me late for the first day," Ren called from the doorway, tapping his foot impatiently. April 3rd marked the start of the school year, and the two were eager to get going.
"I'm coming," Ryo replied. He had spent extra time getting ready, packing both his football gear and his school supplies. Even though it was elementary school, he didn't want to forget anything on his first day. With everything in hand, he hurried to the front door.
"All set, Ren-nii. Let's go," he said, sliding his shoes on. Their parents had already left for work, and since Ren knew the way, he could take care of Ryo.
The two of them set off, moving briskly toward school. They were a little behind schedule because of Ryo, but there was still time. The streets were calm, the air crisp with the freshness of spring, and Ryo took a moment to soak it all in. For years, he had longed to see the world around him, and now he refused to let a single detail escape his attention.
As they neared the school, the grounds were already lively. Parents were saying goodbye to their children, and groups of students lingered near the entrance, chatting and laughing as they headed to class.
Ryo took in the campus. With over 1,500 students enrolled, Ryusei Elementary was not only the largest elementary school in Nagano but also one of the largest in the country. The campus carried a quiet grandeur that set it apart from typical schools of its size, proving that a large student body should not come at the cost of quality education.
Even though the school exuded a sense of grandeur, it was still a public institution, so families who were not well-off, like Ryo's, could attend. He scanned the campus, noting its impressive layout. Who said public schools couldn't be beautiful?
A tall metal fence ran along the road, punctuated by grand concrete pillars spaced evenly apart. The fence stretched roughly 100 meters, with a sliding gate at its center. Instead of opening inward, the gate glided along its track, controlled from a small concrete outpost where a security guard kept watch.
A concrete path led from the sidewalk through the gate. For the first fifty meters, it was flanked by trees and shrubbery before finally opening up to the main building. The structure loomed above, casting long shadows across the path.
Its wide, horseshoe-shaped design and symmetrical rows of windows lent it an imposing, majestic air. A large genkan at the entrance reinforced its grandeur.
To the right of the main building, connected both externally and by two breezeways, stood the gymnasium. The concrete structure had no windows, but its arched metal roof made it immediately recognizable. Within the horseshoe's enclosure lay a courtyard, with a playground just beyond, and further still, two football pitches and a baseball field.
On the left side of the main building was a smaller, rectangular structure dedicated to creative learning. Inside were music and art rooms, along with several club-specific spaces, all well-maintained and inviting.
After taking in the campus, Ryo followed Ren to the posted class rosters at the entrance, where a small crowd had gathered. Once they confirmed their classes, Ryo headed to his footlocker to change shoes, leaving his football gear alongside his outdoor shoes.
Ren rejoined him, and together they made their way to the gym for the opening ceremony. The walk wasn't long, so Ryo took his time observing the wide, spacious halls. Rooms lined both sides, painted white with matching tiles, yet the space didn't feel sterile. The main building rose five floors high, housing students from all grades. Rather than assigning each grade to a separate floor, the school placed two classes from each grade on every floor, encouraging interaction among students of different ages.
The first breezeway leading to the gym began at the corner of the main building, while the second started further down the hallway, between two classrooms near the tip of the horseshoe. Outside, nestled between the two breezeways, was a small, park-like area with a few trees and benches. A path cut through the greenery, connecting the breezeways and running from the front to the back of the main building.
It's incredible seeing all of this for real, Ryo thought. It's even grander than I remembered. In his previous life, navigating such spaces had been a challenge. Being blind, he had often relied on guidance from others, experiencing the world through sounds, textures, and descriptions rather than sight.
Stepping into the gym, Ryo paused briefly to take in the interior before finding a seat. Since students were separated by year, he couldn't sit next to Ren, but he knew exactly where to go, so it didn't bother him.
He quickly located an empty seat in his section, clearly labeled with his homeroom number. Before long, the principal took the stage and began the welcome speech.