The whistle blew sharp and clear in Karasuno's gym.
"Alright, first-years, into position!" Daichi barked, his commanding voice filling the air.
The team was split into two groups for a practice match—starters against the first-years plus a mix of substitutes. Arata stood in the front row beside Hinata, with Kageyama taking the setter's spot. Sweat already glistened on his brow, but it wasn't just nerves—it was excitement.
This was his first true test.
---
The System's Challenge
As Arata crouched into his ready stance, the familiar digital chime echoed.
> [Mission Unlocked!]
Title: Trial by Fire
Objective: Score 3 points through spikes before the match ends.
Reward: +15 Attack Power, +10 Jump, [Skill: Spike Instinct Lv.1]
Failure: None
Arata's fists clenched unconsciously. Three points… sounds simple. But with this level of competition, it won't be easy.
Across the net, Nishinoya crouched low, eyes sharp and unblinking like a predator ready to hunt. Beside him, Tanaka grinned, flexing his arms. Even Asahi, the ace, radiated quiet intimidation.
"This isn't gonna be easy," Arata muttered.
Hinata shot him an encouraging smile. "Don't worry! If you mess up, just jump again! That's what I do!"
Arata chuckled lightly. "You're way too optimistic…"
---
The First Rally
The serve flew across the net, sharp and spinning. Arata tracked it, but it was Hinata who darted forward.
"Got it!" Hinata shouted, barely managing a clean receive.
Kageyama was already moving, hands poised. His eyes cut toward Arata for the briefest second before snapping back to the ball. The set went high—too high for Hinata, but perfect for Arata.
My chance!
He sprinted, legs pounding against the court. His body felt light, his approach smoother than yesterday. As he leapt, the world slowed.
His arm swung—
BAM!
The ball screamed past Nishinoya's diving form, slamming into the corner.
"One point!" Daichi called out.
Arata landed, chest heaving. That one spike sent adrenaline coursing through him, but it also lit a fire in the opposition.
Nishinoya grinned like a wolf. "Nice hit, rookie. Don't think you'll get another so easily."
Arata smirked. "We'll see about that."
> [Mission Progress: 1/3 Points Scored]
---
Pressure from the Defense
The rallies grew more intense. Tanaka blocked Arata's second attempt, the ball bouncing off his arms like a brick wall.
"Not so fast!" Tanaka roared, pumping his fist.
Arata grit his teeth. His timing had been off—no, not just timing. The pressure of Karasuno's experienced defenders was suffocating. They read his movements, anticipated his angles.
Kageyama frowned. "You need to adjust. Don't just rely on raw power."
Hinata chimed in, "Yeah! Sometimes you gotta aim tricky, like a cross shot or a feint!"
Arata nodded. "Right. Let's try again."
---
The Second Spike
The next rally began with a clean receive from Daichi. The ball soared to Kageyama, who immediately set it backward to Arata.
But this time, Arata remembered Hinata's words. Instead of slamming down the middle, he twisted his wrist, sending the ball slicing cross-court.
"Dammit!" Nishinoya dove, but the ball slipped past his fingertips, landing just inside the line.
"Point!"
Arata exhaled sharply. Two down. One more to go.
> [Mission Progress: 2/3 Points Scored]
---
The Clash with Asahi
But Karasuno's ace was not going to let him have the last one so easily.
Asahi's spikes thundered like cannon shots, breaking through even double blocks. The first-years scrambled, Hinata diving desperately, Arata barely keeping the ball alive. Their side struggled to stay afloat.
Finally, an opening came—Kageyama set high, and Arata launched once again.
But this time, Asahi was waiting. The ace rose like a shadow, hands stretched impossibly high.
He's huge…!
BAM!
Arata's spike was met with Asahi's block, the ball ricocheting back.
"Denied," Asahi said softly, but with an intensity that shook Arata's core.
---
Pushing Beyond Limits
Arata landed, gritting his teeth. If I can't break through… then I'll never move forward.
The system's chime rang again, almost mocking.
> [Optional Sub-Mission Triggered!]
Break past the Ace's block.
Reward: [Skill: Smash Break Lv.1]
Arata's heart pounded. His body screamed from exhaustion, but his will burned brighter.
When the next rally came, he was ready.
Kageyama's set was sharp and fast. Arata sprinted, eyes locked on Asahi. As the ace rose again, Arata twisted midair, shifting his swing at the last second.
The ball slammed past the edge of Asahi's block, cutting diagonally down.
"Out of reach!" Hinata shouted.
The ball landed. Cheers erupted.
Arata landed, gasping, but with a triumphant grin.
"Point!"
> [Mission Complete!]
+15 Attack Power
+10 Jump
New Skill: Spike Instinct Lv.1
Rank Progress: D → C
> [Optional Mission Complete!]
New Skill: Smash Break Lv.1
Arata nearly staggered. His entire body thrummed with new strength, his vision sharper, his instincts honed. It was intoxicating.
Kageyama eyed him seriously. "You're not normal."
Arata smirked. "Neither are you."
---
After Practice
When the whistle finally blew to end practice, Arata collapsed onto the bench, drenched in sweat. Hinata flopped down beside him, grinning ear to ear.
"You were awesome out there! I thought Asahi-san was unbeatable, but you—bam!" Hinata mimicked a spike with his hands.
Arata chuckled, shaking his head. "I barely managed it."
Nishinoya plopped down nearby. "Hey, rookie. You've got guts. Keep that fire burning, and maybe you'll survive here."
Daichi, overhearing, smiled. "Good work today. But remember—volleyball isn't about one person. It's about the whole team."
Arata nodded firmly. "Understood, captain."
But deep inside, he knew his journey was only beginning. The system, the missions, the battles on the court—they were shaping him into something far beyond the player he used to be.
---
Closing Scene
That night, lying in his futon, Arata replayed the day's events in his mind. The sound of the spike, the thrill of the block, the system's rewards—it was everything he had dreamed of and more.
He opened his status window one last time before sleep.
> [Status Screen]
Name: Arata Shimizu
Rank: C
Skills: [Basic Jump], [Basic Receive], [Power Smash Lv.1], [Spike Instinct Lv.1], [Smash Break Lv.1]
Stats:
Jump: 48
Attack: 52
Defense: 34
Stamina: 37
Accuracy: 30
Arata smiled faintly.
Tomorrow… I'll be even stronger.
And with that thought, he drifted off to sleep, ready for whatever trial awaited him next.