Classes were over, and it was now time for gym class.
Ethan Jones and Johnathan were on the basketball team. Although they have never played a single game ever since they joined the school. The reason is that this game isn't like usual basketball, where the players just bounce around and score.
This one is a more typical, intense , and dangerous kind.
The players put on a full auto bot while playing this game. They do anything to get the ball away from their opponent, and anything to score, even if they need to blast the player off.
So, since the two boys didn't have an auto bot, they were placed on the bench.
Although it's not compulsory to use an auto bot during the game, the auto bot serves as a boost to them.
But today's training was different. Coach Hendrix decided to put on the players without an auto -bot to test out their skills and see if they are worthy of playing the current game.
That included Ethan and Johnathan of course. Even if Johnathan won't be so lucky cause he had nothing, Ethan on the other hand was confident about himself.
"Let's see what this bad boy can really do"Ethan whispers to himself as he was referring to his internal bot.
At the school, Ethan and Johnathan were called out to the basketball pitch.
There were a total of 15 students with no auto bot on them. Although , there are more with no bots in the school, but they just don't play basketball.
Coach Hendrix gave out the instruction to the students, that they needed to prevent the students with bots from scoring in their court for a total of five minutes. And any one who managed to score one goal will automatically make the team, bot or no bot.
Suddenly the boy screen displayed a notification for Ethan to see.
"NEW QUEST : MAKE THE TEAM"
" REWARD : 50 percent "
After receiving the message , Ethan Jones knew he had to give it his all to get the ball into the net. The main reason was, if he gets an extra 50 percent means he'll hit 100 percent.
"Alright then... let's do it"Ethan Jones said to himself, his eyes filled with determination.
Ethan is so curious to see what happens then, maybe the bot would move from a grade f- to a grade f , and maybe unlock a skill. He just couldn't wait to find out, and the only way to fulfill that wish was for him to score a single goal.
A lot of students filled the sides of the pitch to spectate today's training, since it wasn't like the usuals.
Ethan Jones stood at the back like a defender and by his side was a girl who's also playing defense.
Ethan knew the girl from class, even if they don't get along, it was hard to forget a pretty face when you see one.
Her name was Zoey Blair. Long jet black hair that's braided in two nice braids .
Her eyes were the same color as her hair ,and she also has a nice body that every guy could call pretty.
Based on her appearance , she looks like a rich kid . But the question is why doesn't she have a bot?
While Ethan Jones was staring at her, she turned her head and both of their eyes locked for some seconds before the whistle was heard, meaning the game had started.
Without stress, the opposing team with bots bullied Ethan Jones players that attacked them easily and was now heading towards Ethan Jones and zoey.
"Don't just stand there, GET THE BALL!" coach Hendrix shouted as he watched the player get past Zoey also and was now heading towards Ethan.
Ethan Jones took a deep breath before charging forward towards the robotic guy.
Without stopping, both of their bodies clashed together.
The students watching from the sides and even the players, including Hendrix, closed their eyes, they knew the pain Ethan would be going through right now cause he just clashed against an iron robot.
The impact was intense, but to the surprise of everyone present, Ethan remained on his feet, seemingly unaffected by the force of the collision. Meanwhile, the player with the bot stumbled backward, their mechanical enhancement failing under the strain of the collision until it finally broke down with a shower of sparks.
The scene sparked murmurs of amazement and confusion among the players and spectators alike.
How could Ethan Jones, without any bot enhancements, withstand the collision while the player with the bot fell and was injured along with his bot broken and damaged? It was a moment that defied explanation, leaving everyone perplexed yet impressed by Ethan's unexpected display of resilience.
"Hey man, are you okay? I am sorry", Ethan said to the other player who was on the ground.
"Impossible, how are you still standing and unscratched, not injured?" The boy whose name was coy said in surprise.
Ethan was still standing tall, while the other guy was on the floor with a damaged bot.
"Well, I guess miracles do exist,"Ethan Jones said as he let out a smile.
"Nonesense!" Coy replied.
For Ethan, the experience was both exhilarating and puzzling. He couldn't fully comprehend how he had managed to endure the collision without the aid of external technology.
Yet, as he absorbed the astonished reactions around him, he couldn't deny the newfound sense of confidence and determination that welled up within him.
Mr Hendrix, who had witnessed what happened became suspicious and uncertain as to why Ethan Jones was still standing after the collision.
"He is hiding something, I need to keep an eye on him,"Mr Hendrix said with a dark tone.
As the game resumed, Ethan's focus sharpened, his resolve strengthened by the realization that his own inner strength and skill were formidable assets, independent of external enhancements.
With each move he made on the court, he embraced the challenge before him with renewed vigor, ready to confront whatever obstacles came his way.