Second Selection: First Stage
Center of Blue Lock
In front of us, The Center of Blue Lock
Numerous people were passing through the other four gates as we entered the gate from our stratum. We were all exhausted and perspiring profusely, and our eyes were worn out.
What was unusual was that the other players wore uniforms that indicated that they were also on Team X.
"Hey there, unpolished gems. Good work with all the physical training."
"Those of you who are very smart have already noticed it by now. But the truth is that only the Fifth Stratum existed." "You all fought like idiots in the first selection because you thought you were the bottom-ranked teams." Ego said as he appeared on the screen.
"You lied to us?! So you made us train like dogs... Are u trying to kill us?" shouted one of the players.
The other players were furious that they had to undergo a hellish training for 10 days because the other stratum were still playing, just for it all to be a lie.
"Yes, I did!" Ego responded with a sinister grin.
"It was for the sake of killing any shred of confidence you softies might have had. I devised this trick to nurture a hungry mindset in each of you." Ego added.
"Look here. Take Noel Noa, for example. Even the striker who is regarded as the best striker was raised in the slums of France. While growing up poor and surrounded by crime and violence... that means he had to change his fate. Football was his only option." Ego said as he was explaining why he had to instill a hungry mindset in us.
When I heard about Noel Noa's story, I was reminded of my past life. I grew up with no parents while living in the slums of Verona. While I grew up in Italy, I was separated from my parents during a civil war in Spain. I was exposed to street crime and violence when I was just 5 years old. As poverty and desperation seemed to be my only companions, it was a constant struggle to survive.
But amidst the chaos, I found some peace in football. Though I had to play football without shoes on the street, I still had fun.
My past life didn't have players like Noel Noa, one striker who was considered the best. We had Zidane, Ronaldinho, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar, whom I adored growing up.
Their skills and passion for the game inspired me to dream big and believe in myself. On the worn-out streets that served as my makeshift field, I would spend hours practicing their moves and attempting to imitate their style. I never let the lack of adequate tools and facilities stop me from pursuing my passion for football.
I developed my abilities through tenacious perseverance and a strong desire to flee the oppressive realities of my surroundings. As time went on, local coaches and scouts began to notice my talent and recognize the potential I had.
At an early age of 11, I signed a youth contract with FC Barcelona's youth academy team, La Masia.
It was a surreal experience that fueled my ambition even further. I realized at that point that football was not just a means of escape for me; it was my ticket out of poverty and into a better life. With each game, I pushed myself harder, constantly striving to improve and prove that I belonged there.
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"In the first selection, you grew from level 0 to 1. Using state-of-the-art training facilities...you will grow from level 1 to 100," Ego said as all 127 players from Blue Lock gathered. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as the players leaned in, their eyes gleaming.
He then began to explain the second selection.
"The second selection consists of 5 stages. Those who manage to clear the second selection will participate in a training camp with some of the world's best players." Ego's voice resonated as he outlined the second selection.
"After the second selection, only the real egoist will be left of you trash." Ego's final words cut through the tension like a knife, reminding them that only those who possessed unwavering self-belief and individual talents would survive.
"Go through the door to the Second Selection only when you are mentally prepared."
"Best of Luck."
Ego concluded without giving any real details about what each stage entails.
In the Blue Lock Manga, The first stage featured a one-on-one contest between a striker and Blue Lock Man, a holographic goalkeeper. Players must score 100 goals within 90 minutes to pass within a limited area. After 30 goals, the difficulty increases as more holograms that are stationary are added. The additional holograms start moving quickly after scoring 60 goals, and the balls that are sent are also faster and spinning.
The rest of the players wondered what the second selection posed, and others refused to enter first. Just then, a ball was kicked up with a powerful shot that made a loud noise that caught everyone's attention. It was Itoshi Rin.
Just then, he shot another ball that went into the air with incredible speed and hit the latter ball while it was in mid-air.
"Huh!?" The other players gasped.
"Damn! He's good," Otsuka said, as we had all just witnessed something spectacular.
"Yeah, he's the real deal," Kora added.
"Open the door. I'm done warming up." Itoshi Rin said as he proceeded to the gate.
'Ding'
The surround sound echoed as a new window popped up.
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[Permanent Challenge]
Second Selection Challenges
Successfully clear the first stage (3000 system points, 900 system cash)
Successfully clear the second stage (5000 system points, 1500 system cash)
Successfully clear the third stage (7000 system points, 2100 system cash)
Successfully clear the fourth stage (9000 system points, 2700 system cash)
Successfully clear the fifth stage (15000 system points, 9000 system cash)
While I was looking up the permanent challenges and rewards, I noticed that a few players had gone through the gate. I closed off the window quickly and entered the gate just after Chigiri entered.
...
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Second Selection
1st Stage
As I walked in, I noticed a goalpost and the holographic Blue Lock Man. The floor suddenly surfaced with a circled radius that was growing smaller over time. Then, a ball was fired from the building's top corner, and it was aimed directly at me.
Pa!
The ball was straight in the net after it connected to my feet. With an A+ finesse shot, the first 30 goals were easily scored with a breeze.
I then saw the lettering on top of the goal post change from LV. 1 to LV 2. After that, more holograms popped up, but they were stationary. Because this field was set up to respond with each individual's weapon, more than normal holograms were up near the goalpost.
A new ball was thrown from the other corner, and I dived and kicked it while it was still approaching me. This time the ball went and hit off the post.
I remained calm and was not discouraged. I then calculated the time the launched balls got to me, the pattern of the direction the balls came from, and how the goalkeeper reacted to my shots. After getting everything down, the next shots were a lot easier.
The intensity of the holograms increased as I kept on scoring goals. They started to move as though they were defenders attempting to deflect my shots. However, I had the upper hand, eluding their virtual presence with my precise aim and exceptional vision.
After putting in the required goals in the net, the lettering changed once again from LV.2 to LV.MAX.
Another ball was launched with crazy spin and speed. I then performed a bicycle kick, sending it soaring toward the top corner of the net. The holograms around the goalpost seemed to react to my acrobatic moves. It appeared as though the playing surface was dynamically changing based on my every move.
With each successful shot, I could feel my strength growing. The holograms became more challenging, their movements unpredictable and quick. But after using my exceptional vision, they became much easier.
I concluded my 90-minute timer earlier, and I exited the door.
1st Stage Cleared
100 goals
65:20 Left...