(For those still confused about the lineup system, this is my final explanation—there's no suppression or weakening, only increased strength ╮(╯▽╰)╭.)
(Chapter 168 mentioned Oni Juujirou's base five stats at Level 10, which doubled to Level 12 after feedback.)
(Chapter 169 detailed the breakdown: Oni, as the main combatant, provided a full doubling effect, raising his base stats to 12.7.
QP, as the secondary support, contributed 10% (a +1 boost).
Ryoma, as the third support, contributed 5% (a +0.3 boost).
Combined, this resulted in Level 14 base stats, with all individual stats reaching Level 14.)
(To those saying Ryoma no longer provides feedback after binding with QP—when QP was bound, Yoru's base stats were already at Level 10. What could Ryoma's stats possibly contribute at that point?
Yoru's own stats had long surpassed the range of Ryoma's doubling effect—there was a 4-level gap.)
(I also wrote before that the doubling feedback is based on the highest stat difference among bound characters. By then, Ryoma's base stats couldn't provide any further feedback.)
---
Time flies, swift as a white steed galloping past a crack.
Half a month after their championship victory, QP returned to Germany, planning to come back at the start of the next school year.
The Seigaku regulars threw themselves into intense exam preparation, and tennis club training came to an abrupt halt.
Japan's education system differs from China's.
Entrance exams are held between February and March of the following year.
While public and private schools may vary slightly, the general structure remains similar.
After exams, students enjoy a month-long break until the new school year begins in early April.
Thus, club activities were suspended after the Nationals.
Once exams ended, there would be 3-4 days for clubs to hold leadership handover ceremonies and confirm new regulars.
However, since Yoru was already the captain—and a first-year—there was no need for a leadership transition.
As for regular selections, Yoru chose to postpone the decision.
With players like Tezuka soon enrolling, there was no point "digging for steel in a trash bin."
---
Early March, Graduation Season—
Seigaku Tennis Club.
"Man, time really flies. Before we know it, we're graduating."
"Yeah~ Feels like winning Nationals was just yesterday."
"Graduating as national champs? We'll definitely be popular with the girls in the high school tennis club!"
"Hahaha, my thoughts exactly."
That morning, Kawasaki, Kaedou, and others chatted in the clubroom.
By tradition, today should've been the day for handing over the captaincy and regular positions. But due to Yoru's unique circumstances, it became a farewell ceremony for the graduating members.
No grand speeches—just simple, heartfelt goodbyes.
Yoru smiled as he watched them.
Suddenly remembering something, he silently asked the system: "Once they graduate, will they lose the rune buffs?"
[System: Yes, but the effects won't vanish immediately. They'll enter a "fade-out" period lasting one year, during which the runes' influence gradually integrates into their growth, making the transition natural.]
[If they stop training during this time, the effects will fade completely.]
[You may also manually remove someone from the fade-out list, instantly nullifying the runes' effects. Would you like to proceed?]
"No."
Yoru shook his head.
He hadn't expected the system to be so considerate.
The fade-out period would soften the adjustment, making it easier to accept.
Opening the rune interface, he saw many members—including Kirihara, Kawasaki, Kaedou, and Konishi—were now in the fade-out phase.
Worth noting:
After winning Nationals, they acquired the [Control Rune].
[Control Rune]:
- All members gain +10% ball control.
- Regular members gain +10% slicing ability (reducing shot power).
- Yoru gains +15%.
"Slicing ability"—think of how Phoenix countered Yoru's "Glow Shot" by using a slice return to dissipate its force.
But the real game-changer was the +10% control boost.
In the hands of technical players like Tezuka or Fuji, this would be a massive buff.
---
"Captain!"
Kirihara and the others approached.
Yoru nodded. "How were exams? No major issues, I hope?"
Seigaku had its own high school division.
As long as their grades weren't abysmal, most would advance smoothly.
Kawasaki and the others weren't worrisome… but Kirihara's brain?
Maybe those beatings at Houkou had left lasting damage.
"Relax, Captain. I sat next to him during the test," Kawasaki said with a smirk.
…So cheating it is.
Kirihara grinned. "Hey, Captain… have you heard of U17? I got an invitation to their training camp."
U17?
Yoru paused.
That was fast.
Then again, Kirihara had shone at Nationals. Now that he was entering high school, an invitation made sense.
Yoru had checked the schedule:
- October: Group stage qualifiers.
- December: French Open World Cup main event.
"Funny you mention that—I got one too," Kawasaki chimed in.
Yoru gave him a skeptical look. "You did?"
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Kawasaki rolled his eyes. "But I've already decided—no more training or matches. I'm going home to help with the family business. I know my limits. Better to focus on studies than waste time on tennis."
Kaedou and Konishi echoed similar plans.
Konishi sighed. "My family's sending me abroad. Doubt I'll have time for tennis anymore."
Kaedou looked downcast. "I'm not leaving the country, but I've got responsibilities at home. Without Konishi, there's no point playing anyway."
This duo had been the brightest doubles pair at Nationals.
Yet now, they were parting ways.
Such was life—no feast lasted forever.
Still, wherever they went, their tenacity would ensure they excelled.
(Note: Kaedou Juu is Kaoru Kaidou's cousin in canon. His family situation is far tougher than Kaidou's, hence his need to prioritize work and studies. Yoru, aware of this, already has plans to help.)
"Captain!" Kirihara interjected. "Which country's U17 are you joining? Take me with you!"
Yoru blinked. Since when was Kirihara this perceptive?
After a moment, he replied, "Not sure yet. Train hard with Japan's U17 for now. I'll let you know once I've decided."
QP had asked the same question before leaving.
If Yoru chose Germany, their U17 would handle all arrangements.
But Yoru hadn't committed.
Last month, he'd visited China—and what he saw there crushed any thought of starting his journey there.
(The sports environment was… less than ideal.)
That left Germany and the U.S. as options.
But then, Johanna Langmann paid him a visit, bringing an offer from Switzerland.
Their terms were exceptional:
- Generous financial support.
- Authority to bring additional players directly into their team.
While Germany and the U.S. were strong choices, neither offered him the same freedom to bring teammates.
So now, Switzerland had entered the equation.
"Where should I go…?"
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