[Ding! Congratulations, Master, for leading Seigaku to victory in the Nationals! Rewards: Random Rune ×1, Skill Upgrade Card ×1, Skill Evolution Card ×1, +1 Bindable Slot.]
[Congratulations, Master, for completing the hidden achievement 'First Nationals Victory'! Reward: Formation System unlocked.]
"Huh?"
"I get the rest, but what's this 'Formation System'?"
[The Formation System allows the Master to receive stat bonuses from other 'Fate-Chosen' players. For example, if QP is set as the Primary Formation Slot, the Master gains a full multiplier of his base five stats. The Secondary Slot provides 10%, and the Tertiary Slot provides 5%. (Note: Tennis skill bonuses are unaffected and will always take the highest value.)]
[Shall I automatically assign the Fate-Chosen for you?]
"Uh… sure."
Before Yoru could fully grasp the situation, he nodded reflexively.
A virtual screen appeared.
QP's photo was placed in the Primary Slot (1st Position), granting 100% base stat feedback.
Ryoma's photo appeared in the Secondary Slot (2nd Position), granting 10% base stat feedback.
[Ding! Detected that Master's Tennis Fundamentals have risen to Lv. 12! The Three Great Realms have also risen to Lv. 12!]
"This feeling…"
Yoru could clearly sense his body growing stronger, along with his foundational comprehension.
He quickly checked his stats panel.
His previously Lv. 12 base stats now showed a breakdown: 11.7 (from QP) + 0.6 (from Ryoma).
"Holy crap, this is amazing!"
Yoru was ecstatic.
This was an unexpected windfall.
After binding QP, his base stats had far surpassed Ryoma's. Since his own fundamentals elevated his skill levels, Ryoma had become practically "useless scrap", offering no real benefit.
But now, with the Formation System, even the "little workhorse" Ryoma had a purpose again.
[Detected bindable Fate-Chosen 'Oni Juujirou'! Bind?]
[Detected bindable Fate-Chosen 'Kiriya'! Bind?]
[Detected bindable Fate-Chosen 'Yamato Yuudai'! Bind?]
[Detected bindable Fate-Chosen 'Shiraishi Kuranosuke'! Bind?]
...
There were quite a few bindable players within a 5-meter radius, but after Shiraishi and the others left, only Oni, Kiriya, and Yamato remained.
Yoru immediately chose to bind Oni Juujirou.
The others weren't even worth considering.
Kiriya and Yamato? Forget it.
As for someone like Byoudouin (Phoenix), his self-destructive playstyle was useless—his ultimate move was literally suicidal. No thanks.
Oni's talent, base stats, and techniques were far more aligned with Yoru's needs.
---
[Name]: Oni Juujirou
[Age]: 15
[Techniques]:
- Personal Five Stats (Lv. 10)
- Tennis Fundamentals (Lv. 10)
- Vertical Jump Strike (Lv. 10)
- Shindou: Oni God's Power (Lv. 6, Unstable)
- Sweet Spot Technique (Lv. 6)
- Axe Smash (Lv. 8)
[Talent]: Peerless Strength
[Combat Power]: 11 Stars
[Peerless Strength]: Born with monstrous power, far exceeding ordinary humans. Strength increases by a percentage in battle based on condition.
"Oh? The early version of Black Axe is already developed—just needs the Sweet Spot integration to complete it."
Yoru was impressed.
"Bind Oni for me."
[Scanning… Target has remained within 5 meters for 10 minutes!]
[Ding! Binding successful!]
[Please assign Oni's Formation Slot!]
"Shift Ryoma to the 3rd Slot, QP to the 2nd, and put Oni in Primary."
[Adjustment complete!]
[Bonus feedback activated!]
- [Lv. 10 Tennis Fundamentals → Lv. 12!]
- [Lv. 10 Base Five Stats → Lv. 12!]
- [Lv. 10 Vertical Jump Strike → Lv. 12!]
- [Sweet Spot Technique feedback failed.]
- [Lv. 8 Axe Smash → Lv. 10!]
- [Talent 'Peerless Strength' → 'Herculean Might'!]
[Herculean Might]: Born with divine strength, far surpassing ordinary humans. Power increases dramatically in battle based on condition.
[Ding! 'Shindou: Oni God's Power' cannot be normally replicated. Converted into your exclusive 'Shindou: Three Pure Heavens'!]
[Feedback multiplying… You have mastered Shindou: Three Pure Heavens (Lv. 8)!]
"Th-Three Pure Heavens?!"
Yoru's eyes widened.
If this was the "Three Pure Heavens" from mythology, this was beyond insane.
He wanted to test it immediately, but now wasn't the time.
[You used a Skill Upgrade Card on 'Shindou: Three Pure Heavens'! Skill upgraded to Lv. 14!]
(Note: Skill Upgrade Cards synchronize a skill's level with your base stats. Cannot be used on base stats themselves.)
The moment Shindou evolved, an overwhelming aura erupted.
In the stands, Echizen Nanjirou suddenly stood up, wiping foam from his mouth.
His gaze sharpened as he muttered, "He actually stepped into that realm…"
Asura Shindou.
He could sense Yoru's Shindou energy was unnaturally stable—as if it had been refined through years of meditation.
Yet it had manifested instantly, already at an overwhelming level upon awakening.
"Talent, huh…" Nanjirou took a deep breath.
His estimation of Yoru's monstrous potential had just risen another tier.
Below the podium, Oni Juujirou also sensed something strange but couldn't pinpoint it.
Yoru, unaware of Nanjirou's thoughts, focused as the system notifications continued.
[You used a Skill Evolution Card on 'Sweet Spot Technique'!]
[Sweet Spot Technique → Lv. 14!]
[New form unlocked: 'Light Strike: Void's End'!]
(Note: Skill Evolution Cards upgrade a skill to match base stats and unlock a new form. Cannot be used on base stats or condition-based skills.)
[Light Strike: Void's End → Lv. 14!]
[Due to base stat increase, 'Swift as the Wind' → Lv. 12!]
['Super Vertical Serve' → Lv. 12!]
...
The notifications kept coming.
Yoru only checked the major upgrades, ignoring the minor ones.
But one thing was certain—
He was terrifyingly strong now.
This wasn't some minor boost. It was a quantum leap.
Yoru smirked.
If Byoudouin challenged him again, he was confident he could kill him in one shot. No need for drawn-out battles.
"System, open my status panel!"
[Ding!...]
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