Aoba Johsai ultimately lost the practice match. Even though Oikawa's serves earned three consecutive points to temporarily take the lead, the hard gap in overall strength against the university students was undeniable and couldn't be overcome immediately. However, Coach Irihata was already very satisfied; the purpose of this practice match had been achieved.
“Losing a practice match isn't scary. We still have time to practice. Don't wait until you lose at the IH (National High School Comprehensive Sports Tournament) and Spring High to regret it,” Coach Irihata said, scanning the slightly reluctant players. “If you want to advance to the National stage, the opponents you'll face will only be stronger than today's opponents. The third-years should be very clear about what I'm saying.”
Oikawa, Iwaizumi, and the other third-year players couldn't help but clench their fists upon hearing this. Of course, they knew. This was their last year, and in the previous two years, they hadn't even made it to the National Tournament.
“Now, everyone will undergo technical training to improve the quality of receiving and serving. Then, we'll split into groups to practice offensive organization, defensive transitions, and tactical coordination. Taiichi will join the practice after completing five dives.”
“Yes,” Taiichi thought. This petty Coach actually remembered the punishment.
A series of basic actions in volleyball training, such as intercepting, serving, setting, and spiking, though repetitive and seemingly tedious, are essential paths to a higher competitive level.
Every prediction and movement during an intercept, every control of power and angle during a serve, every technique and gaze during a set, and every jump and arm swing during a spike, are all meticulous refinements of technical details, and a comprehensive test of physical fitness, skill, and tactical understanding.
These seemingly monotonous training sessions are, in fact, a Sharpening of an athlete's patience, perseverance, and focus.
“Ding, activating novice training mode for the host. For every training task completed by the host, the corresponding ability value will be enhanced. Side effect: Fatigue value doubles after completion. Please prepare yourself mentally, host.”
“Great, so this is how real training makes you stronger!” Maple Field Taiichi was full of confidence. As for the side effects, “Young man, what can't be solved with a good night's sleep?”
“Task One: Complete 10 dives. After completing the task, Stamina +1, intercept +1.”
...This system added 5 more circles on top of the original punishment. Maple Field Taiichi had reason to believe the system didn't want him to get free tasks.
Putting aside his wild thoughts, Maple Field Taiichi walked to the side of the court and began his diving journey.
The “dive” in volleyball training is a defensive technique used to counter fast, low-angle, or out-of-reach attack balls from the opponent.
After judging the incoming ball, players move quickly, pushing off the ground to leap and extend their bodies as much as possible, bringing their body, arms, and even fingers close to the ground to maximize contact with the ball's surface. When touching the ball with one or both hands, they use wrist and finger flexibility to control the direction and force of the receive, directing the ball to a position easy for teammates to intercept.
After completing the receive, athletes land with a roll to cushion the impact and protect themselves from injury.
The daily diving training in the volleyball club aims to cultivate players' predictive ability, quick reactions, full-body coordination, accurate ball-touching techniques, and landing protection awareness, thereby effectively expanding the defensive range in matches and creating counterattack opportunities for the team.
As time passed, circle after circle of dives gradually consumed Maple Field Taiichi's stamina. His originally light steps became heavy, and muscle soreness began to spread from his limbs to his back, with glistening beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
“Has he already exceeded five circles?”
“Then why is he still doing it... No way, is he trying to outdo everyone?” Someone was already considering whether to join him in diving around the court.
“This kid is truly terrifying.” Unbeknownst to them, many had started paying attention to Maple Field Taiichi's training.
Maple Field Taiichi remained immersed in his training, completely unaware of the surrounding gazes. From the initial fatigue to his current state of selflessness, he looked at the system display showing “Dive (9/10 circles),” gritted his teeth, and cast a determined gaze forward.
Maple Field Taiichi felt his body's heaviness, but his resolve grew stronger. He tried his best to make every dive movement standard, and each of his leaps was accompanied by a strong heartbeat and deep breaths.
As he neared the end, Maple Field Taiichi gathered his remaining strength and leaped up with all his might once more. Though his posture was no longer as light as it had been initially, it was filled with even more power and tenacity. After landing from the final leap, Maple Field Taiichi was sprawled on the ground, unwilling to move.
“Task Completed: Host Stamina +1, intercept +1.”
“Now activating phased training goals for the host.”
“Training Goal One: For every 1000 receives and serves completed, intercept +1, Serve +1 (until the host reaches an average ability value of 60).”
“Training Goal Two: For every 1000 spikes completed, spike +1 (until the host reaches an average ability value of 60).”
Maple Field Taiichi lifted his head, a smile he couldn't suppress playing on his lips as he panted. This feeling of directly leveling up was truly amazing, and he felt power continuously surging from his body.
Seeing Maple Field Taiichi sprawled on the ground, still grinning foolishly, his teammates couldn't help but feel a chill. They exchanged glances, thinking to themselves, “What a masochist.”
“Hey, Taiichi, are you okay?” a teammate kindly asked.
“I'm fine!” Thanks to the novice training mode, Maple Field Taiichi recovered a good deal of stamina after lying down for a while.
“Coach, can I join the receive and serve training now?”
“Go ahead!” Coach Irihata was very satisfied; it seemed his team was about to have a stamina monster as well.
Partnering with Maple Field Taiichi for practice was Kunimi Akira, also a first-year. Maple Field Taiichi remembered him as an efficiency-type player; although he usually seemed listless, he would never slack off when effort was required. Furthermore, Kunimi's skills in all aspects were well-balanced, making him a perfect choice for Maple Field Taiichi's initial practice partner.
One hour later...
Kunimi Akira stood bent over, holding a volleyball, panting heavily.
“Kunimi, what's wrong? Serve quickly!” Maple Field Taiichi still looked full of energy.
“This guy, wasn't he exhausted just now? How is he still as energetic as an ox...” Kunimi subconsciously looked around. He couldn't train with him anymore; who trains without taking breaks in the middle? He'd be exhausted to death if this continued. He needed to find an “ox” of the same level.
Kunimi Akira's gaze drifted through the crowd, finally settling on one person—Kindaichi. They were both in the Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High volleyball club, and he knew Kindaichi's stamina should be on par with this guy's.
“Kindaichi, you practice with Taiichi for a bit. I'm going to rest.” As soon as he finished speaking, he didn't wait for a response, walking straight to the side of the court, finding an empty spot, and lying down, eagerly seeking a moment of peace and recovery.
“What's wrong with you?” Kindaichi asked, puzzled, but he didn't refuse, just nodded slightly, then immediately threw himself into practice with Maple Field Taiichi.
Another hour passed...
“Taiichi, your stamina is incredible,” Kindaichi panted, his clothes soaked with sweat, but his movements showed no sign of slackening. Another powerful serve whistled out, directly targeting Maple Field Taiichi.
Maple Field Taiichi barely managed to intercept the serve. “Your stamina isn't bad either.”
Maple Field Taiichi also panted heavily. It was truly a case of “only those who train know.” He could still endure thanks to the system's training mode, but he hadn't expected Kindaichi to last this long.
Maple Field Taiichi looked at the data the system provided for Kindaichi—“Kindaichi Yutaro, Speed 75, Power 83, Stamina 88, Jump 75.”
His stamina and power were decent, but unfortunately, his speed and jump were lacking, which is why he couldn't completely defend against Hinata Shoyo when they played against Karasuno later...
