Chapter 63: Hellish Physical Training? Already Used to It!
"Damn… damn…"
Meanwhile, in Team V's dormitory, Mikage Reo still hadn't recovered from the defeat, muttering in frustration over and over.
Around him, the others looked puzzled.
Even if they lost the match, they still advanced. Whether they placed first or second didn't change anything.
But for Mikage Reo, experiencing his first-ever career loss was an unbearable stain.
"My—my undefeated record with Nagi was broken! Damn it! Damn it, Kira Ryosuke!"
Mikage Reo screamed hysterically, while Nagi Seishiro beside him was remarkably calm.
His mind kept replaying Kira Ryosuke's movements and the words he said during the match.
...
In the lobby of Building Five, the players of the other three teams held their heads and wept—they were about to leave Blue Lock.
Team Z advanced as group leader with a perfect record. Team V advanced second. The remaining three teams were fully eliminated.
In a corner of the hall, Niko Ikki stood with his arms folded, leaning against the wall, watching his teammates leave Blue Lock with a grim expression.
As the top scorer of Team Y, Niko Ikki earned the right to stay. After facing Kira Ryosuke, he realized deeply how lacking he was. To survive, he had to go all out in the subsequent matches, and ultimately secured his place.
Though he felt some guilt and even a trace of relief watching his teammates leave, what he felt most was frustration—and a burning desire for revenge.
Even though Team Y lost two matches total, the pressure Kira Ryosuke exerted on him far surpassed even Team V's "Big Three."
"Kira Ryosuke… I will definitely take revenge."
Elsewhere, in Team X's training field, Barou Shouei continued practicing alone. As Team X's top scorer, he too could stay.
He had no emotional attachment to the teammates who left and didn't bother to see them off. To Barou, they were just worthless trash without talent—because they were useless, Team X never won a match.
Every teammate was merely a prop or servant to him.
"Kira Ryosuke… I will crush you. You'll become my servant!"
Barou clenched his fist, teeth grinding, as if endless rage boiled inside him.
Unnoticed, Kira Ryosuke had already become the public enemy of many players.
...
Night soon fell.
After dinner and a long chat with Riko, Kira Ryosuke once again headed to the training field.
Advancing in first place counted as completing the first step.
There was still a long road ahead.
According to the original story, what followed would be a long period of physical training and a simple solo shooting test—then the real Second Selection would begin: the "steal-players battle."
Teams of three would be formed, fighting against other three-man teams. The winner could pick one player from the opposing team to join them. Teams that reached five members first would fully advance. Anyone left alone would be eliminated.
This wasn't just a technical challenge—it ruthlessly provoked competition between people. Partners from the previous round could become enemies in the next.
The cruelty of the game became clearer.
"I'll need to choose teammates… well, I'll think about it when the time comes."
Kira Ryosuke muttered, opening his system menu.
Including points earned from the match and evening training, he now had 230 Points. His skills "Thunder Swarm" and "Rice Spirit" had both reached 100% proficiency and were ready for upgrade.
His dribbling technique and curve-ball control were also about to improve again.
[Upgrade successful! Football Skill: Thunder Breathing – Second Form: Rice Spirit has reached LV3. Proficiency reset.]
[Upgrade successful! Football Skill: Thunder Breathing – Third Form: Thunder Swarm has reached LV2. Proficiency reset.]
With proficiency reset after upgrading, Kira Ryosuke could keep training.
"The first round is over and he's still training! My legs are jelly already."
"That's why Kira is so strong!"
"We can't let you train in secret!"
At that moment, the rest of Team Z entered the training field.
Even though they were exhausted from today's match, seeing Kira training again inspired them—they joined him on the field.
"Then let's train together!"
"Next round we all advance as a team!"
"But remember, the world's No.1 striker will be me! You all can fight for second!"
...
The next morning.
The large screen lit up again—Ego Jinpachi's face appeared.
"Congratulations, gems. You've cleared the First Selection."
He pushed his glasses up.
"However, the Second Selection will have to wait. The matches in the other buildings aren't finished yet."
"What? We have to wait for them?!"
Raichi Jingo shouted unhappily.
"So annoying! While you wait, you'll obediently undergo physical-skill reinforcement training. No ball use is allowed. Break the rules or fall behind and you're eliminated."
"What kind of joke is that?! Why should we wait for the other buildings?!"
Raichi jabbed his finger at the screen, furious.
"You lot only survived the lowest building, Building Five. Don't get cocky, trash!"
Ego spat mercilessly.
"No need for such childish lies anymore."
At that moment, Kunigami Rensuke spoke.
"Oh?"
Ego raised a brow.
"If you want us to do physical training, you don't need to lie. We all know—there are no higher buildings. Every building is a 'Building Five.' All teams are VWXYZ. The rankings mean nothing."
Kunigami's gaze was firm. These were things Kira Ryosuke had already told everyone—the ranking system was meaningless.
Even without Kira's explanation, many could have guessed.
"And how did you come to that conclusion?" Ego asked, intrigued.
"Because I do not believe there are over two hundred players stronger than Kira."
As Kunigami said this, everyone turned toward Kira Ryosuke.
To them, his strength was incomparable. Even Nagi Seishiro and Barou Shouei—monsters in their own right—couldn't compare.
So they fully believed it was impossible for Blue Lock to have 200+ players stronger than him.
"I see. So that's how you reasoned it."
Ego smiled briefly—but then his expression turned severe.
"You're right, so there's no need to hide it. Rankings are meaningless. What comes next is high-intensity physical training—training meant to crush your pathetic confidence. Rank or no rank, you're all trash. Train until I say stop!"
"Fine! Bring it on!"
Instead of fear, Team Z roared with excitement at Ego's threat-like declaration.
"Very well—let's see if you can keep up."
The screen went dark.
'If I remember correctly, the physical training lasts ten days…'
Kira thought.
'We won't be allowed to touch a ball during that time, so skills likeRice Spirit and Thunder Swarm will be hard to train. I'll need to use the Practice Space. Still, I can at least improve my physical abilities. Might as well take advantage of the opportunity.'
"Team Z members, proceed to the gym for physical assessment and training."
The cold announcement echoed through the room. They followed instructions and headed to the gym, where brutal physical training awaited them.
High-pace long-distance running, flexibility training, vertical leap training… The intensity was extreme, testing not just stamina but willpower. Fall behind and you were out. In such exhaustion, average people couldn't even eat—they'd throw up before their bodies could absorb the energy.
But for Team Z, this wasn't THAT big of a challenge.
They trained daily with Kira Ryosuke. Their bodies were already conditioned to intense regimens—compared to that, Ego's training was almost nothing.
Even Isagi Yoichi, whose physique was among the weakest, could keep up.
...
Ten days flew by, and finally, they received the long-awaited announcement that physical training was over.
"All personnel, gather in the main hall."
At six in the morning, Ego's voice echoed over the speakers.
"Finally! It's over!"
Raichi cheered, excited.
Team Z could endure the training, but what they wanted most was to play matches again.
Kira opened his system.
[Host: Kira Ryosuke]
[Current Points: 50]
[Football Skill: Thunder Breathing – Total Concentration LV3 | Proficiency 100% | Upgrade Cost: 150 Points]
[Thunder Breathing – First Form: Thunderclap and Flash LV3 | Proficiency 73.7%]
[Thunder Breathing – Second Form: Rice Spirit LV3 | Proficiency 50.3%]
[Thunder Breathing – Third Form: Thunder Swarm LV2 | Proficiency 100% | Upgrade Cost: 100 Points]
After these days, his skills had improved greatly. Gathering Thunder Swarm and Total Concentration reached 100% and were ready for upgrade.
He had only been able to earn 20 Competitive Points per day through training, using them to buy time in the Competitive Space to practice his skills. Once matches began again, he could upgrade everything instantly.
"Everyone, let's go."
Kira closed the system and led Team Z toward the main hall.
It was a wide pentagonal hall. Doors on each wall opened as players from all five buildings gathered.
Only 125 players remained. More than half had already been eliminated. The survivors didn't look happy—mostly exhausted after ten days of draining physical training.
Which, of course, was Ego's intention.
Only Team Z still looked somewhat lively.
"Hey, just like Kira said."
Isagi scanned the room. As Kira said, there were no higher buildings or higher-ranked players. Everyone came from "Building Five," all with rankings above 200.
"Well, well, gems—good job surviving the physical training."
The central screen lit up—Ego Jinpachi appeared.
"Here stand the 125 who cleared the First Selection. And as some of you have already noticed, there are no higher-level players among you…"
As Ego spoke, his gaze lingered briefly on Kira Ryosuke before he launched into another speech about strikers and egoists. After several minutes, he finally returned to the point.
"You will now proceed into the Second Selection. The Second Selection has five stages. Only by clearing one stage can you move to the next."
"Those who pass the Second Selection will have the opportunity to train with world-class players I have chosen."
"If you're prepared—step through that door alone. Stage One is a solo battle. Once you enter, you cannot turn back."
Everyone turned to look.
A dark, ominous door stood before them—like a gateway to hell waiting for volunteers.
"SECOND SELECTION," the words gleamed on the door.