Shun arrived home exhausted after playing one game and watching two more, but that didn't stop him from completing his workout routine in the yard. He couldn't help but feel relieved that he no longer had to pitch 100 times and take 500 swings every day, because after finishing his exercises, he had no energy left for anything else.
Well, almost nothing, he still found the energy to eat a hearty dinner before taking a shower and lying down.
[DING]
[Rest mode activated]
[The user can access rest mode functions]
"Arena!" - Shun said in his mind as soon as he heard the system notifications. As tired as he was, he still needed to check one of his rewards.
Shun felt his consciousness being transported elsewhere, and when he opened his eyes, he saw the familiar empty stadium with a transparent screen in front of him.
[Arena Missions]
[Training Center]
[Arena Tournaments]
"Hey, old man! Where do I go to see my training partner?" - Shun asked quickly.
[Hahaha! Enter the Training Center, kid.] - The old man responded enthusiastically.
"Hm." - Shun nodded, a bit dissatisfied. While the old man loved the Training Center, Shun hated it. In the Training Center, not only did he have to endure the old man's annoying voice, but he also had to look at his ghostly figure.
"Training Center!" - Shun said reluctantly, and his consciousness was swiftly transported to the Training Center.
[Hahaha! Finally! I was getting tired of not being able to move!] - The old man said cheerfully.
"This old man..." - Shun sighed, watching the old man laugh by himself. This annoying old man did the same thing every time Shun entered the Training Center.
"Do you mind showing me my training partner now?" - Shun asked irritably.
[Oh! Of course, hahaha!] - The old man just noticed Shun's presence and laughed shamelessly. He began walking toward the bullpen with Shun following behind, feeling suspicious.
The moment Shun stepped into the bullpen, a system notification echoed in his mind.
[DING]
"You..." - Shun grumbled, furious at the old man's laughter. But he was too frustrated to come up with a response. Determined not to leave things like this, he threw another pitch. Your next read is at m v|l-e'-novelhall.net
WOOSH
DOOOONG
[DING]
[Estimated hit result: Home Run
Estimated distance: 517 feet]
WOOSH
DOOOONG
[DING]
[Estimated hit result: Home Run
Estimated distance: 509 feet]
WOOSH
DOOOONG
[DING]
[Estimated hit result: Home Run
Estimated distance: 521 feet]
[Hahahahaha! How many meatballs can you serve up in a row, kid?] - The old man was now in hysterics, holding his belly as he laughed.
"Fuck! How is this a training partner?! What kind of ridiculous training is this?!" - Shun yelled, more frustrated than ever in his life.
He had thrown his best pitches, all in excellent locations, a difficult feat for someone with poor control like him. Yet, the José Martínez hologram had effortlessly blasted each pitch over 500 feet.
It was more than any pitcher could bear. On top of that, the old man was laughing uncontrollably beside the bullpen. Shun, too exhausted to deal with it, quickly exited the Arena, leaving the old man disappointed.
His consciousness returned to his room, and Shun closed his eyes, waiting for the system to put him to sleep. This was definitely a humbling experience.