After learning about the system's rewards and punishments, Luke's excitement for receiving the talent from the system diminished. The task at hand took precedence, as failure could turn everything from the dream into reality.
Luke, determined to succeed, asked the system how he could exit the spiritual space.
System: The host can simply recite silently to exit, as this is the host's spiritual space. Likewise, when the host wishes to enter, silent recitation will suffice.
Returning to reality, Luke opened his eyes to find it was only 4 o'clock in the morning, with three hours left before school. Despite the early hour, Luke, fueled by doubt, got dressed, grabbed his equipment, and headed to the street court he frequented after school.
On the way, Luke practiced dribbling the ball, sensing a newfound control and understanding of basketball that he couldn't articulate before.
Each dribble revealed previous shortcomings, providing an incredible feeling as if he could suddenly play ball after many years. This realization convinced Luke that what transpired earlier, including the system, was not a dream.
Upon reaching the street court, Luke continued practicing, feeling his skills steadily improve. He focused on layups, dribbling, and shooting in a secluded area, abandoning himself to the training.
As Luke dedicated his energy in honing his skills, he couldn't help but notice the constant growth in his abilities. He marveled at the realization that he possessed 50% of Penny Hardaway's talent.
Reflecting on Penny Hardaway's potential without injuries, Luke acknowledged the player's staggering versatility. Time flew by, and an hour later, deeply engrossed in his training, Luke was interrupted by a voice.
"Hey! 5 is short of 1, are you interested in playing for a while? How about 3v3 or 1v1?"
Luke, initially reluctant, reconsidered, realizing that actual combat is the fastest way to improve his skills.
"OK! 1v1 Turn the ball!"
The two guy's were assigned—one around 1.8 meters and the other about 2 meters. The smaller one took the lead in 1v1. Luke observed that the smaller guy was fast and powerful, while the taller one, around 2 meters, was a sharp shooter. However, both had terrible defense.
With five points determining the outcome, they quickly tied 1:1. The smaller guy lost due to limited scoring means. Initially evenly matched, the opponents took the lead when their shots failed to score.
Luke entered the decisive game, facing skepticism from his opponent. Even the losing opponent muttered something unpleasant as Luke passed by.
Luke's opponent, of similar height but with a strong physique, initiated the defense first. Recognizing his disadvantage, Luke dribbled with rhythm to outmaneuver the opponent, securing an easy basket.
During his turn to defend, the opponent aggressively backed into Luke. Despite the physical disadvantage, Luke skillfully retreated and promptly intercepted him in the middle.
For the second point, Luke relied on rhythm again, breaking through to the free-throw line. A strong breakthrough, followed by a sudden step back, left his opponent off balance. With an open shot, Luke scored effortlessly.
The tall onlooker, about 1.9 meters, even whistled in appreciation. The guy briefly considered protesting but realized it was their teammates who suffered the loss.
On the second ball from the opponent, Luke switched to defense, facing the same opponent determined to play from the back. However, Luke denied him that chance by relying on his long arms and speed to intercept the ball before the opponent could make a move.
As the third point unfolded, Luke, unburdened by psychological pressure, calmly dribbled the ball at the three-point line. The opponent, growing anxious, observed Luke's height and slightly high dribbling center of gravity. Seizing an opportunity, the opponent made a decisive move to recover from the previous intercepted ball.
However, Luke, drawing inspiration from Penny's defensive tactics from the back, saw through his opponent's attempt. Despite being just 17 years old, Luke applied Penny's extensive career experience, even recalling moments from finals.
In terms of movement, deceiving a less experienced opponent proved effortless for Luke. He executed a graceful turn, eluding his rival and delivering a direct dunk in front of the open basket. This action would have been even more spectacular if not for the bounce that was lacking.
In the subsequent plays, fueled by the opponent's increasingly explosive mentality, Luke secured victory in the deciding game with a commanding score of 5-0. Taller teammates approached to embrace him, and even those who had been more casual earlier joined in, declaring themselves as brothers and buddies.
This sports competition illustrates the inherent cruelty and purity of the game, confirming the sayings: "The strong rise to the top, and the mediocre find themselves at the bottom." It is a harsh reality, only misunderstood by those who perceive it as cruel due to their inherent weakness.