Chapter 635: Skill Upgraded
Inside a quiet room, Hiro sat cross-legged.
With the lights turned off, the room was rather dark. However, the light from the outside world was dimly illuminating the room like the moonlight illuminating the dark sky.
It had been quite some time since the match had ended.
[Phantom Steps]
[Grants the user a sudden burst of acceleration. Creates visual "afterimages" or deceptive movements to confuse defenders.]
[Consumes +10 stamina per usage]
The "Lightning Step" skill had been upgraded as a reward for completing the quest. Now, the skill had been converted to a talent he could use frequently rather than once or twice a game. However, he couldn't spam the talent carelessly.
"10 stamina points per game? Isn't it a little excessive?" Hiro exasperated.
Though Hiro was satisfied with the upgrade, he didn't feel good about the consumption point. Disgruntled, he heaved a deep sigh, "I'll have to be more calculative from now on."
"At most, I can use it four/five times per game," Hiro figured.
"I can't wait to test its efficiency," Hiro muttered, his eyes glistening with excitement. Then again, he frowned, "But I'll have to wait."
Since they had only completed the Group matches, they didn't have any training scheduled for the time being. Hence, to test out the efficiency of the newly acquired talent, he'll have to wait.
Hiro was like a kid who had received a new pair of cleats, eager to try out the cleats as fast as possible.
********
After two days, everybody gathered at the field.
It might be due to their recent performances or the two days they had been given off, the players appeared to be in high spirits.
The sun hung relatively low on the sky, spreading its warm brilliance across the surface. The vast space above was like a canvas painted in blue with a few wisps of clouds floating aimlessly.
It was a pleasant day.
Even the atmosphere on the field was cheerful, filled with laughter and chatter of the players.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
On one side of the pitch, Hiro with gleaming eyes was tying his laces. He had been looking forward to this day for the past two days.
He was used to sprinting but even Hiro found it difficult to sprint while being tied to weights. It was much harder than he imagined.
Previously, Hiro used to train with ankle weights or a weighted vest. But pulling a shit ton of weight, he didn't do it frequently.
So, he was having trouble adjusting.
During the training, he realized he was lacking in the strength department. But he also found
out that he had become faster than before.
The change wasn't groundbreaking but he could feel he had changed.
Soon after the drills ended, the coach allowed them to rest.
"Now, let's take a short rest. Then we'll play a 5v5 game," Nanami announced.
"A match?"
Many of them wailed, their expression full of hesitation. Drenched in sweat, they were gasping heavily. To many even standing was proving to be challenging. But now, the coach suddenly announced they were playing a mini-game.
"Isn't the session over?"
"Please, no more."
They continued to complain. However, they didn't dare to complain before Nanami. They complained behind his back.
Despite being exhausted, Hiro's eyes perked up upon hearing the mention of the mini-game. He had been waiting for this moment.
Wiping the bead-like sweat, Hiro began to stabilize his breath. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, The tried to regain his energy.
"Isn't it enough coach?" The assistant coach asked. "I mean they are already exhausted. So, it
might cause injuries."
The assistant coach was correct. At this stage, they needed to avoid injuries. So, intense
training like this wasn't optimal.
However, Nanami thought otherwise. He didn't carelessly shove this regime in their face. He had designed this routine alongside their physician and physical coach.
After taking their condition into account, he had carefully devised this drill session.