"Okay, awesome!"
**Kuwata** couldn't help shouting.
**Lin Bei** picked up the ball but didn't celebrate at all. Instead, he rubbed his thigh with a pained grimace.
"Ow… I used too much force just now. Feels like I strained my thigh…"
"No way, this level of intensity really isn't suitable for me."
"The captain said just one goal to win."
"I win."
"Carry on, everyone. I'm gonna go lie down on the bench for a bit."
He casually tossed the ball back to **Rukawa Kaede** and waved lazily at the group.
**Rukawa Kaede** stood rooted to the spot, staring down at the basketball in his hands.
That overwhelming sense of powerlessness from just moments ago…
He'd been completely blown past?
One clean step—no contest, no suspense?
An unprecedented frustration surged through him, but at the same time, an even fiercer fighting spirit ignited in his chest.
"Come again!"
**Rukawa Kaede** spun around abruptly and shouted toward **Lin Bei**'s retreating back.
"No."
**Lin Bei** didn't even glance back. He walked straight to the sidelines, grabbed a towel, draped it over his head, and collapsed onto the bench in one smooth, flowing motion.
"It's virtuous to admit defeat gracefully."
"Rukawa-kun, you have to learn to accept beatings from handsome guys like me."
"You…" **Rukawa Kaede** gritted his teeth, fists clenched, and started charging forward.
"Enough!"
**Akagi** stepped in and stopped him.
The Shohoku captain cast a long, deep look at the guy now sprawled out like a corpse.
He knew it—Shohoku might have actually unearthed a real gem this time.
Even if this "gem" was an extremely troublesome, world-class slacker.
"Rukawa, back to training!"
"Since you lost, win it back with sweat!" **Akagi** barked.
"…"
Though **Rukawa Kaede** gave no verbal reply, he turned and threw himself back into drills.
But every time he took a shot, he subconsciously glanced toward the figure in the corner. The fire in his eyes burned brighter with each look.
In the corner.
**Lin Bei** stayed hidden under the towel, quietly listening to the system notifications in his head.
[Ding! Host completes the "Shock the Audience" achievement]
[Shock value earned: 100 points]
[Detected: Rukawa Kaede has developed a strong rival fixation toward the host. Bonus reward: Physical Potion (Small) ×1]
**Lin Bei** gave a wry smile inside.
This body was ridiculously talented, but the skill consumption was way too high.
"Gotta start conserving skills in the future… or I'll drop dead from overexertion one of these days."
**Lin Bei** unscrewed a bottle of mineral water and pretended to take a sip.
In reality, he extracted the physical potion from the system inventory and downed it in one go.
A warm current immediately spread through his body, soothing the aching muscles.
"Hey, sleepyhead."
A sneaky voice whispered right beside him.
**Lin Bei** lifted one corner of the towel and saw an enlarged red face staring back.
**Sakuragi Hanamichi** was squatting next to the bench with a constipated expression.
"What?"
"If you're here to borrow money, don't even bother." **Lin Bei** immediately clutched his pocket protectively.
"Who wants your stupid money!"
**Sakuragi** lowered his voice and glanced left and right.
After making sure **Akagi** wasn't paying attention, he leaned in closer. "Hey… can you teach this genius that move from earlier?"
"Which move?"
"The one where you just—swish!—disappear and then boom, score!"
"If I learn that, Haruko-chan will definitely look at me with starry eyes!"
"When that happens…" "…"
**Sakuragi** started waving his arms wildly, lost in a pink daydream, drool practically dripping from the corner of his mouth.
**Lin Bei** rolled his eyes so hard they nearly fell out.
Teach you?
It's a system skill. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't right now.
But…
Looking at this pure, single-celled organism, **Lin Bei**'s eyes suddenly gleamed with mischief.
If he wanted to fish comfortably in the team from now on, he needed a loyal, durable meat shield.
**Sakuragi Hanamichi**: bottomless stamina, super tanky, obedient (as long as Haruko was the carrot). The perfect tool man!
"Want to learn?" **Lin Bei** crooked his finger.
**Sakuragi** instantly pressed his ear right up close, like an obedient golden retriever.
"This technique is called 『Upanishad: Instant Movement』—extremely profound martial art."
**Lin Bei** spoke with dead-serious gravity. "To master it, you must first build a rock-solid foundation."
"For example… help Master buy water, carry Master's bag, block the captain's line of sight for Master."
"Also, in the future, whenever I don't feel like running on the court, you'll cover my position."
"Don't worry—I'll pay you." **Lin Bei**'s lips curved into a sly grin as he conned the redhead.
"Huh? What kind of training is that?" **Sakuragi** looked suspicious.
"This is called 『mental tempering』."
**Lin Bei** patted **Sakuragi** on the shoulder with utmost solemnity.
"Think about it—why does Rukawa Kaede look so cool?"
"Because no one can stop him."
"As long as you follow my guidance, I promise—in one month you'll become the most handsome guy in the entire school. Haruko-chan will only have eyes for you."
The instant "Haruko" was mentioned, **Sakuragi**'s IQ plummeted to zero.
"Really?!"
"More real than real gold."
"Okay! Master is above!"
"From now on, little errands like buying water are this genius's responsibility!" **Sakuragi** thumped his chest proudly.
Deal sealed.
**Lin Bei** lay back down, thoroughly satisfied.
With this free labor on board, life was about to become significantly more comfortable.
Training dragged on until evening.
When **Akagi** finally announced disbandment, all the first-years collapsed to the floor like dead dogs.
Only **Lin Bei**—having already napped through most of practice thanks to his bet win—grabbed his schoolbag full of energy.
"You guys worked hard. See you tomorrow."
He was the first one sprinting out the door, under a storm of envious, jealous, and hateful stares.
That speed was at least three times faster than when he'd lazily jogged back on defense earlier.
Up on the second-floor stands.
A short, chubby old man with glasses watched **Lin Bei**'s departing figure with a gentle smile.
At that moment, **Akagi Takenori** walked up, drenched in sweat, expression complicated.
"Coach Anzai, that kid…"
"The talent is incredible, but the attitude…"
"He's basically a tumor on the team. Should I beat some discipline into him?"
Coach **Anzai** pushed up his glasses; a faint reflection glinted across the lenses.
"Ho ho ho…"
He let out his signature soft chuckle. "Akagi-kun, don't be in such a hurry."
"This is an uncarved rough diamond."
"And…"
Coach **Anzai** gazed toward the empty doorway, his eyes deepening with interest.
"Because of these eccentric first-years, this year's Shohoku is going to become very, very interesting."
"Ho ho ho…"
Meanwhile.
Behind a large tree outside the gym.
A boy in a **Ryōnan High School** uniform clutched a small notebook, hands trembling like someone with Parkinson's.
**Aida Hikoichi**.
First-year member of Ryōnan's basketball team and their most enthusiastic intelligence scout.
He'd originally come to observe **Rukawa Kaede**.
But he never expected to witness such a terrifying scene.
"T-t-too scary!"
**Aida** stared at the frantic notes in his book, cold sweat pouring down his face.
"That guy named **Lin Bei**… that kind of shot, that kind of breakthrough speed!"
"I have to report this to Coach Taoka right away!"
"Shohoku… a monster has appeared!"
"Keep it down! Keep it down!"
**Aida** snapped his notebook shut, jumped on his bicycle, and pedaled furiously into the sunset.
His breathless exclamation faded into the wind:
"Unbelievable!!!"
**