The sun beat down on the deserted court, casting long shadows across the cracked asphalt.
He decided to return to the basketball court where he had met Aria. He wanted to see her again, to share his newfound strength and skills, to show her how much he had grown.
As he walked towards the court, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
He was also eager to see how his new talents would affect his gameplay.
He was ready to put his skills to the test, to prove himself, to show the world what he was capable of.
As he approached the court, he saw Aria standing on the sideline, watching the kids play. She was talking to a group of boys, her voice filled with laughter and encouragement.
She looked up and saw Belial, her smile widening as she waved him over.
"Hey, Belial! I'm so glad you're back!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy. "We were just talking about you."
Belial blushed, remembering he didn't someone before worrying about him.
"I'm doing great," he said, his voice filled with confidence. "I'm feeling stronger than ever."
"That's awesome!" Aria said, her eyes filled with admiration. "I knew you had it in you."
"I've been training," Belial said, his voice filled with pride. "I've been working on my skills, and I'm ready to play."
"Well, then, let's see what you've got," Aria said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Come on, let's play a game."
Belial nodded, his heart pounding with anticipation. He was ready to show her what he could do.
But then Belial stood awkwardly, clutching the basketball in his hands, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Just this morning, he received another quest about the Main Quest and it's a one on one match.
"Hmm, another quest," he mutter to himself, tapping the hologram projection screen. The notification reads:
[Ding! New Main Quest triggered:
[One-on-One Fundamentals]
[To master the basics of basketball, you need to practice your one-on-one skills.
Condition:
Complete the 1-on-1 Match: 0/1
Reward: - Random Training Manual(x1), Game Chemistry: Aria (Skill), Increased affinity with Aria]
Of course, he instantly thought of his childhood friend, Aria to help him.
She was the one who had first introduced him to basketball, patiently teaching him the basics.
But this one-on-one game was a different beast entirely.
He was about to face her, the girl who had always been a natural at basketball, a girl whose talent seemed to flow effortlessly from her.
Then he went to her, a mix of nerves and determination churning in his stomach.
He knew he had a lot to prove.
He was about to face his childhood friend, the girl who had always been a natural at basketball, a girl whose talent seemed to flow effortlessly from her.
"You ready, Belial?" Aria asked, her sapphire eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.
She bounced the ball lightly, her movements fluid and graceful, a testament to years of dedicated practice.
A slight smirk played on her lips, a hint of playful challenge in her gaze.
Belial nodded, trying to mask his nervousness. He had to prove himself, to show Aria that he was more than just a clumsy kid who had stumbled into this world.
He had to show her that he was capable of learning, of growing, of becoming something more. He had to show her that he was, in his own way, worthy of standing beside her on the court.
"Wait a minute!" Belial said, a sudden realization hitting him. "If we're playing, where's our referee?"
Aria chuckled, a lighthearted sound that only amplified Belial's anxiety. "Aiya, I forgot. Wait a minute, okay? I'll get someone."
She tossed him the ball, her smile unwavering, and dashed off towards the park's entrance.
A few moments later, she returned with a girl with turquoise hair and eyes, her stoic expression and piercing gaze making Belial feel a sudden chill.
She had a whistle dangling from her neck, a silent declaration of her authority.
"This is Rio," Aria said, her voice filled with a casual confidence. "She's going to be our referee."
Belial couldn't help but scan Rio, his "Gamer System" kicking into gear.
'Scan'
『Name: Rio Sumire
Age: 10
Height: 138cm
Weight: ??
Talents:
Appraisal Eye (Innate - Sealed)
Cloudy Drive (Level 1)
Basic Fundamentals (Level 3)
Basketball Basic Theory (Level 5) 』
"What?" Belial muttered, his mind reeling. "Appraisal Eye? That means she can also use her eyes to scan for talents? Wait, maybe if I strain my eyes more, I can see further information."
He focused his gaze on Rio, trying to penetrate her sealed talent.
'Extra Skill Scan'
[Appraisal Eye]
(Innate - Sealed) Innate skills cannot be identified. Attempts to do so will result in a backlash.
[Passive]: Greatly increased perception and visual acuity. Immunity to illusions or fakes depending on user.
[Active]: Can see details or information on a person by activating it, but it greatly consumes mental strength.
"Ouch," Belial hissed, feeling a sharp pain shoot through his eyes. "It's like there's a needle poking my eyes. It really hurts."
He froze in place, his mind overwhelmed. This girl was also a badass. Was there no justice in this world? He didn't even have a single skill yet.
"Hai, referee get!" Aria said, her voice surprisingly cheerful, her stoic expression melting into a playful grin. "Then let's start."
"Hmm," Rio said, her gaze fixed on them. "We're playing one-on-one, so it's best of five. Three-pointers and two-pointers are counted as one, and fouls are rewarded with free throws. Alright?"
"Now," Rio said, her voice filled with a quiet authority, "let's tip off."
Belial and Aria jumped simultaneously, both reaching for the ball. But Aria was quicker, her reflexes honed by years of practice.
She gained possession of the ball, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"Let's go, Belial!" she said, her voice filled with a competitive spirit. "Don't hold back, show me what you've got!"
The whistle blew, and Aria exploded into motion.
The ball, a blur of orange, danced between her fingers as she weaved through the court.
Her crossovers were lightning-fast, her spin moves deceptive, leaving Belial struggling to keep up.
He could hear the squeak of her sneakers against the asphalt, the rhythmic bounce of the ball, the whoosh of air as she moved with a speed that seemed to defy gravity.
He felt a surge of frustration, but also a spark of determination.
He had to find a way to match her, to push himself to his limits, to become the player he was destined to be.
He felt like he was watching a masterclass in basketball, a performance that was both awe-inspiring and humbling.
"She's like a beast," Belial thought, trying to track her movements. "How can she move so fast? It's like she's casually strolling!"
He tried to anticipate her moves, to read her body language, but Aria was too quick, too unpredictable.
She seemed to move with an ease that defied logic, her every step a calculated move designed to throw him off balance.
He felt a surge of frustration, but also a flicker of determination. He was going to learn from this, to grow from this experience.
"I need to focus," Belial thought, trying to calm his racing heart. "I need to analyze her movements, to understand her patterns. I need to find a way to break through her defense."
He tried to remember what Aria had taught him, the basic principles of offense and defense.
He tried to apply those principles, but it was like trying to swim against a current.
Aria was too strong, too skilled.
She easily intercepted his passes, blocked his shots, and anticipated his every move.
The first point came quickly.
Aria drove towards the basket, her movements a blur of motion. Belial tried to block her shot, but she was too quick, too agile.
She leaped into the air, her body contorting in a way that defied gravity, and released the ball with a flick of her wrist.
The ball arced through the air, a perfect parabola, and sank through the net with a satisfying swish.
"One-nil!" Rio announced, her whistle piercing the air.
Belial stood there, his jaw slack, his mind reeling. He had never seen anyone move so fast, so effortlessly. Aria's play was a symphony of speed, grace, and precision.
It was like she was dancing with the ball, her movements fluid and unpredictable.
He felt a surge of admiration, but also a pang of frustration.
He was so far behind.
The game continued, and Belial's frustration grew with each passing moment.
He tried to keep up with Aria, to match her speed and agility, but it was like trying to catch a shadow.
He felt like he was constantly one step behind, always reacting to her moves instead of anticipating them.
"Swift as lightning," he thought, trying to analyze her movements, "Elusive as wind, Fluid as water."
He tried to regain his composure, to focus on the game, but Aria's speed and agility were overwhelming.
He dribbled the ball, his movements stiff and awkward, his confidence waning with each passing second.
He tried to break through her defense, but she was always a step ahead, intercepting his passes, blocking his shots, anticipating his every move.
He tried to shoot from the mid-range, but she blocked his shot with ease, her hand deflecting the ball with a powerful force.
She caught the ball, her movements fluid and graceful, and dribbled it with a nonchalant ease that made Belial feel even more inadequate.
"Four points!" Rio announced, her whistle piercing the air.
Belial felt a wave of frustration wash over him. He was losing, and he was losing badly. He was sweating, his breathing was ragged, and his legs were starting to shake. He was outmatched, outplayed, outclassed.
"Not yet, not yet," he muttered to himself, trying to regain his focus. "I'm still not done."
"Hehe," Aria said, her smile widening, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.
"You should try a little harder next time, Belial. I'm going to finish this round already."
"The game's not over yet," Belial said, his voice filled with a stubborn determination.
"Yeah, right," Aria said, her voice filled with a playful confidence. "But don't worry, I'll give you a chance to catch up. Maybe."
She dribbled the ball towards him, her movements a blur of motion.
Belial tried to catch the ball, but his legs were shaking, and he was sweating profusely.
He slipped on the slick surface, his feet sliding out from under him.
"I've got.....," he said, reaching out for the ball.
*Boingg!*
".....it?"
He was holding the ball, but it felt different. It was soft, almost squishy, a sensation that sent a shiver down his spine.
He looked at Aria, her face flushed with a deep crimson, her eyes wide with a mixture of embarrassment and anger.
"Kyaa! Belial, you smelly pervert!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of fury and shame.
Belial felt a wave of confusion wash over him. He had no idea what he had done.
He had just tried to catch the ball, but somehow, he had ended up touching her chest.
He felt a surge of embarrassment, but also a sense of relief.
He had never been good with girls, and he had always been afraid of making them uncomfortable.
He was just trying to play basketball.
"Whistle!" Rio announced, her voice filled with a mixture of amusement and shock. She had never seen Aria react like this before.
She had always been so cool and collected, but now she was blushing and stammering, her normally stoic expression replaced with a mixture of embarrassment and anger.
Aria felt like steam was coming out of her ears. She was so embarrassed, so angry.
She wanted to quit the game, to find a hole to hide in, but her anger was stronger than her shame.
She was going to finish this game, and she was going to humiliate Belial for what he had done.
And then something unexpected happened.
Aria entered an ethereal state, a state of enlightenment.
Her view suddenly became clearer, her body felt lighter, and her movements became more fluid and precise.
She unconsciously did a sharp, quick crossover, her footwork flawless, her movements a blur of motion.
Belial, caught off guard by her sudden shift in skill, tried to step to the side to guard her, but he lost control of his pivot foot.
He slipped, his balance disrupted, and he fell to the ground.
Aria, seeing her chance, quickly shot the ball towards the ring.
She had never been able to perform that maneuver before, not until now. She was shocked by her own sudden burst of skill, but she was also thrilled.
She had never played so well, so effortlessly.
The ball swished through the net, the sound echoing through the empty court.
"Five-nil!" Rio announced, her whistle piercing the air.
The game was over. Aria had won, and she had won decisively. She had humiliated Belial, and she had done it with a grace and skill that left him speechless.
Belial lay on the ground, his body aching, his mind reeling. He had never felt so defeated, so humiliated. He had been outplayed, outmaneuvered, outclassed.
He had been shown the true meaning of talent, and he had been shown how far he had to go.
He looked up at Aria, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of triumph and amusement. She was standing over him, her smile a mixture of victory and satisfaction.
He could see the pride in her eyes, the joy of her victory. He could see the talent that flowed effortlessly from her, a talent that he could only dream of possessing.
He felt a surge of anger, but also a surge of determination. He had been humbled, but he was not defeated.
He was going to learn from this experience, to train harder, to push himself to his limits. He was going to become better, stronger, faster. He was going to prove himself, to show Aria that he was worthy of her respect.
He was Belial Scarlet, and he was not going to let his dreams die.
Rio approached Belial, her expression a mix of concern and amusement. "You alright, Belial?" she asked, her voice soft. "You took a pretty hard fall there."
Belial sat up, rubbing his bruised arm. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said, his voice a bit shaky. "Just a little sore."
He looked at Aria, who was still standing there, her expression unreadable. He wanted to say something, to apologize for the incident, but the words wouldn't come. He felt a wave of shame wash over him.
"Hey, Belial," Aria said, her voice a bit softer than before. "I'm sorry for overreacting back there. I just... I've never had anyone touch me like that before."
Belial's eyes widened in surprise. He had never thought of it that way. He had been so focused on the game, on proving himself, that he hadn't considered her feelings. He felt a surge of guilt.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice sincere. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Aria nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's okay," she said. "I understand. It was just... unexpected."
She looked at Rio, who was watching them with a knowing smile. "Rio, you can go now," she said. "I'll handle things from here."
Rio nodded and walked away, leaving Belial and Aria alone on the court.
"You know," Aria said, her voice a bit more serious now, "you're not a bad player, Belial. You just need to work on your fundamentals. You need to learn how to control your body, how to move with grace and precision. You need to learn how to use your strength and speed to your advantage. You have potential, but you need to refine it."
Belial nodded, his eyes fixed on the ground. He knew she was right.He had a lot to learn, a lot to improve on. He had been humbled, but he was not defeated.He was going to prove himself, to show Aria that he was worthy of her respect.
"I'll work on it," he said, his voice filled with determination."I'll become a better player. I promise."
Aria smiled, her eyes sparkling with a newfound respect.
"I believe you," she said.
"But you're going to have to work hard.You're going to have to push yourself to your limits.You're going to have to learn how to overcome your challenges.You're going to have to learn how to play with passion, with heart."
[Ding! Main Quest has been successfully completed!
•One-on-One Fundamental
Reward:
You obtained Random Training Manual(x1), Game Chemistry: Aria (Skill), Increased affinity with Aria]
『Ding!
Random Training Manual(x1) has been stored to your inventory.
Game Chemistry: Aria (Skill) has been acquired.
[Game Chemistry: Aria] (Level 1)
Rating: Uncommon
Description: A skill that enhances Belial's understanding and connection with Aria's playing style.This skill grants Belial a deeper insight into Aria's movements, strategies, and even her emotions on the court. It allows him to anticipate her passes, predict her shots, and react instinctively to her plays, creating a seamless flow and synergy between their gameplay.
Effects:
Enhanced Communication: Belial can understand Aria's unspoken cues and signals on the court, even if they haven't explicitly discussed them.
Improved Teamwork: Belial can anticipate Aria's moves and react accordingly, leading to smoother transitions and more effective plays.
Increased Synergy: Belial and Aria's gameplay becomes more fluid and instinctive, as if they are reading each other's minds.
You have increased your affinity rating rate, your affinity with Aria has increased by +10.
[Affinity with Streetballer 'Aria Brightman' has reached 30.]』
Belial nodded, his heart filled with a newfound sense of purpose. He was going to become a better player. He was going to prove himself.
He was going to show Aria, and the world, that he was more than just a clumsy kid who had stumbled into this world.