Aoba Johsai still lost the practice match in the end. Even though Oikawa managed to serve three consecutive points to temporarily take the lead, the overwhelming strength gap between them and the university team was too great to overcome for now. Still, Coach Irihata was already quite satisfied—the purpose of the training match had been fulfilled.
"Losing a practice match isn't scary. We still have time to train. Don't wait until we lose in the Inter-High or Spring High tournaments to regret it." Coach Irihata swept his gaze over the players, who still looked a bit unwilling to accept the loss. "If you want to go to Nationals, your opponents will only get tougher from here. Third-years, you know exactly what I mean."
Oikawa, Iwaizumi, and the other third-years clenched their fists upon hearing that. Of course they understood. This was their final year, and in the past two years, they hadn't even made it to Nationals.
"Now, everyone start technical drills. Improve your serve-receive quality. Then we'll split into groups to work on organizing offense, defense transitions, and tactical coordination. Taichi, do five laps of diving rolls before joining the drills."
"Yes, sir." That petty coach actually remembered the punishment.
Receiving, serving, setting, and spiking—the basic skills in volleyball training might seem repetitive and dull, but they are the essential path to reaching higher competitive levels.
Every prediction and movement when receiving a ball, every adjustment in power and angle when serving, every technique and sightline during setting, and every jump and swing when spiking—all of these demand meticulous attention to detail. It's a comprehensive test of physical ability, skill, and tactical understanding.
These seemingly monotonous drills are actually honing the athletes' patience, perseverance, and focus.
"Ding! Beginner training mode activated for host. For every completed training task, your corresponding stats will increase. Side effect: fatigue will double after training. Please prepare mentally."
Perfect. Real effort equals real growth. Taichi Kazuhara was full of confidence. As for the side effect—he's young, what can't be solved with a good night's sleep?
"Task 1: Diving rolls x10. Reward: Stamina +1, Receive +1."
This system really went the extra mile—adding five more laps on top of his punishment. Taichi had every reason to believe it just didn't want him getting free gains.
Putting aside his random thoughts, Taichi walked to the edge of the court and began his diving drills.
In volleyball, the "diving roll" is a defensive move used to handle fast, low-angle, or off-body shots from the opponent.
After reading the trajectory, the player moves quickly, pushes off the ground and stretches out as much as possible. Their body, arms, and even fingers get close to the floor to maximize contact with the ball. Using the flexibility of their wrists and fingers, they aim to direct the ball to a spot where a teammate can easily receive it.
After the dig, players roll upon landing to cushion the impact and prevent injury.
The team's regular diving drills aim to build a player's anticipation, reflexes, coordination, accuracy in contact, and landing safety awareness—key skills to expand defensive range and create counterattack opportunities in a match.
As time passed, one lap after another slowly drained Taichi's stamina. His once-light steps grew heavier, muscle fatigue spread from limbs to spine, and sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Hasn't he already done more than five laps?"
"Why's he still going… wait, is he actually grinding this?" Some were already wondering whether they should join him for laps.
"This guy is scary." Before anyone noticed, quite a few people were watching Taichi's solo training.
Taichi was still immersed in his drills, completely unaware of the attention. He had gone from fatigue to total focus. Watching the system display "Diving Rolls: 9/10," he clenched his teeth and looked forward with steely determination.
His body felt heavier, but his will grew stronger. He tried to perform each dive to perfection. Each jump came with the thump of his heartbeat and the rhythm of deep breathing.
As the final lap approached, Taichi summoned his remaining strength for one last jump. It wasn't as light as the first, but it was filled with power and grit. When he landed, he lay flat on the ground, unwilling to move.
"Task complete. Stamina +1, Receive +1."
"Now activating phase training goals for host."
"Goal 1: Every 1000 serve-receive reps = Receive +1, Serve +1 (until average stat reaches 60).""Goal 2: Every 1000 spikes = Spike +1 (until average stat reaches 60)."
Taichi lifted his head, panting, but with a grin on his face that he couldn't suppress. This feeling of direct power-up was amazing—he could feel strength bubbling up inside him.
Seeing Taichi lying there with a goofy smile, his teammates shuddered.
They glanced at each other, thinking: "This guy's a total masochist."
"Hey, Taichi, are you okay?" A teammate still kindly asked.
"I'm fine!" Thanks to the beginner mode, after lying down a bit, Taichi had recovered most of his stamina.
"Coach, can I join the serve-receive training now?"
"Go ahead!" Coach Irihata was quite pleased—looks like their team had a stamina monster in the making.
Taichi partnered with fellow first-year Kunimi Akira. Taichi remembered he was an efficient type—always looking half-asleep, but never slacking when it counted. On top of that, Kunimi had well-rounded skills, making him the perfect partner for Taichi's early training.
One hour later...
Kunimi bent over, hugging a volleyball, panting heavily.
"Kunimi, what's wrong? Hurry and serve." Taichi was still bursting with energy.
"This guy was exhausted just a while ago. How's he still acting like a beast?" Kunimi looked around instinctively. He couldn't train with him anymore—who the hell trains nonstop without breaks? At this rate, he was going to die. He needed to swap in another "beast" of equal caliber.
Kunimi's gaze scanned the crowd and finally locked onto someone—Kindaichi. They had both been on the Kitagawa Daiichi volleyball team in middle school, and Kunimi knew his stamina could match this monster's.
"Kindaichi, you train with Taichi. I need a break." Without waiting for a response, Kunimi headed to the sidelines, found an empty spot, and collapsed, desperate for a moment of peace and recovery.
"What's with him?" Kindaichi asked in confusion, but didn't refuse. He nodded slightly and jumped into training with Taichi.
Another hour passed...
"Taichi, your stamina is insane." Kindaichi was gasping, his shirt soaked in sweat, but he still served with no hesitation—sending a powerful ball rocketing toward Taichi.
Taichi barely managed to receive it: "You've got decent stamina too."
Both were panting now. Only those who trained with him would understand—Taichi was only holding on thanks to the system. He hadn't expected Kindaichi to last this long either.
Taichi glanced at the system stats for Kindaichi:
"Kindaichi Yuutarou — Speed: 75, Power: 83, Stamina: 88, Jump: 75."
Stamina and strength were solid, but his speed and jumping weren't great. That's why he completely failed to block Hinata Shouyou when they faced Karasuno in the future...