[+100 XP]
[Current level: Enigma (593/600]
Kai's eyes widened. Only seven points and he would finally achieve another level! If he practiced more, then he might be able to upgrade before their next game.
The locker room felt like the animal kingdom. They had done the impossible. China's underdog team had clawed their way into the quarterfinals, securing a spot no one had believed they could reach.
Kai sat slumped on the bench, his chest still heaving as he caught his breath, his mind processing the magnitude of what they had just achieved.
"We did it," he murmured, his voice inaudible over the chatter and cheers of his teammates.
Marcus, standing nearby with a towel slung over his shoulder, gave him a rare smile. "Yeah, kid. We did."
Zheng stretched out his legs, leaning back against the lockers with a grin. "We're at the bottom of the bracket, sure, but hey, better than nothing, right?"
