Chapter 2: "Saitama Prefecture Pt. 1"
The world felt different.
Luke—no, Isagi Yoichi—stood on the soccer field.
Feeling as though he had just woken from a strange dream.
His body felt lighter, more agile than his own, yet somehow… not quite his.
He glanced down at his hands, noticing their slender and youthful appearance.
As if someone had pressed reset on his life.
But it wasn't just his hands, everything was new—his posture, the way his body moved.
Isagi Yoichi.
The name rushed into his mind.
It wasn't his name, not in the life he remembered.
But it was his identity now.
The way it rolled off his tongue felt strangely natural.
As though it had always been there, buried deep in his consciousness.
But where was he?
A whistle blew in the distance, cutting through his confusion.
A football match.
Isagi—felt the jolt of reality hit him.
He wasn't dreaming.
This was real.
He was standing on a football field.
His feet planted firmly on the perfectly groomed green turf of Saitama Stadium.
The crowd stretched out in waves around him.
The grandstands filled with cheering fans waving flags and scarves in shades of green and white.
Banners of support hung from every corner.
And the roar of hundreds of voices created a hum of excitement that pulsed through the stadium.
It was the Saitama Prefecture finals.
One of the last qualifiers for the national high school football championships.
This was the dream of high school players across Japan—a shot at the Nationals.Where only the strongest and most dedicated teams would compete.
To get there, Ichinan High School, Isagi's team, had to win this match.
And they were up against one of the strongest teams in the prefecture.
Matsukaze Kokuo High School, with a reputation as a powerhouse.
Isagi took in his surroundings, feeling the weight of the moment settle over him.
The scoreboard displayed the countdown to kickoff.
And he could already sense the electricity in the air.
His teammates, clad in their black and white jerseys.
Were stretching and jogging along the sidelines.
Their expressions a mix of nerves and determination.
On the opposite side of the field stood the players of Matsukaze Kokuo High School.
All wearing sharp green jerseys, their faces set with cool confidence.
The rivalry between Ichinan High and Matsukaze High was well-known in Saitama.But this year, it felt even more intense.
Matsukaze's ace forward, Ryosuke Kira, was one of the most formidable players in the region.
People called him the "Sniper" for his ability to hit his target from nearly any angle.
Kira stood on the field with an aura of calm.
His gaze unwavering as he surveyed the pitch.
Saitama Stadium itself felt like a gladiatorial arena.
Each player under the bright floodlights illuminating the field.
Casting long shadows across the grass.
The stadium's open roof showcased the deepening twilight sky above.
Where a few stars had started to blink through the fading daylight.
Around the field, massive digital screens displayed the team names, scores, and close-up shots of the players.
Capturing every detail for the audience in the stands and the cameras broadcasting the game nationwide.
The air was heavy with anticipation.
The chill of autumn creeping in with a slight breeze that sent a shiver through the crowd.
The excitement was almost tangible; fans were seated on the edge of their seats.
While some waved handheld flags emblazoned with school logos.
The thudding bass from the stadium speakers reverberated as an announcer's voice boomed through the arena, introducing the teams.
Isagi's heart pounded in the midst of all this.
According to his understanding.
If Ichinan High could win this match, they would advance to Nationals.
It was the dream of every high school soccer player in Japan—a chance to prove themselves on the grand stage.
To be scouted by universities, or even professional teams.
But standing in their way was Matsukaze Kokuo High School.
Led by the formidable Ryosuke Kira.
This was more than a game; it was a battle of futures.
Where every pass, every sprint, every shot would determine who would move forward and whose journey would end here.
But for Isagi, this wasn't just about the championship anymore.
His focus was on the strange, glowing screen in front of him.
[Name: Yoichi Isagi]
- Status -
(1) Physical Fitness: C+
(2) Soccer Technique: B-
(3) Game Intelligence: A
(4) Talents: ?/~ (Locked)
(5) Devour Shop: 0 Points (Locked)
It was like something out of a video game.
A System.
He stared at the interface, his curiosity piqued.
"This is... kinda convenient." Isagi muttered under his breath.
Glancing around to see if anyone else could see what he was seeing.
The other players continued warming up or adjusting their jerseys, oblivious.
The screen was his alone.
He tilted his head.
A slight grin forming.
Whatever was happening.
He didn't care, he just wants to make the most out of it.
He looks back at the screen.
"If this thing actually works, it could give me a better understanding of where I stand."
My strengths... and my weaknesses.
Driven by curiosity, Isagi tentatively reached out.
Tapping the bold "Physical Fitness" section on the screen.
[Physical Fitness: C+]
-Balance and Coordination: B
-Strength: C
-Stamina: B
-Agility: B-
Isagi studied his physical fitness breakdown carefully.
Each stat giving him a clearer picture of his athletic capabilities.
His coordination and stamina were solid.
But his strength lagged slightly behind.
Still, the C+ rating was a decent baseline, and it gave him room to grow.
His gaze then shifted to the players around him, curiosity sparking another idea.
If he could see his own stats, could he see theirs?
Focusing on one of his teammates, the screen responded instantly, pulling up their physical fitness stats.
It wasn't detailed—just an overall rating—but it was enough.
"C," Isagi muttered, glancing at another. "C+."
One by one, he scanned through both his team and the opposing Matsukaze Kokuo players.
The results were consistent—C+ or below, across the board.
That is, until his focus landed on Matsukaze's ace, Ryosuke Kira.
His physical fitness rating stood at a solid A-, significantly superior to Isagi's C+.
Investigating further, Isagi noted that Kira's stamina was particularly impressive.
Surpassing not only his own but everyone else on the field.
"Huh," Isagi mumbled to himself, scratching his head.
"Kira's built like a tank, but the rest of them... they're not much better than me."
A wave of relief washed over him.
"At least I don't have to worry about getting outmuscled by the entire team. It's just him."
Satisfied for the moment, Isagi turned his attention back to his screen.
His finger hovered over the next section—Soccer Technique.
Tapping it, the display shifted.
[Soccer Technique: B-]
-Shooting Power: C+
-Dribbling Control: B
-Passing Accuracy: A
The new set of stats filled the screen.
His passing accuracy stood out as his strongest asset.
While his shooting power was decent but unremarkable.
His dribbling control sat comfortably in the middle, solid but not exceptional.
"So this is what makes up my B- rating," he muttered.
But what about the others?
The results were almost identical: C or C+ for everyone else.
And then, his gaze landed on Ryosuke Kira.
B+.
Isagi blinked.
An A rating for shooting power.
Isagi's own shooting power was still stuck at C+—far from elite.
In comparison, Kira's A rating meant that his shots would be deadly.
Whether it was from the edge of the box or an impossible angle.
Kira would be a constant threat in front of goal.
Then there was the dribbling control.
Both Kira and Isagi shared a B rating here.
Kira might have the advantage in other areas, but in this, they were equals.
Finally, Isagi looked at the passing accuracy.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw that Kira's passing accuracy was only rated B—lower than his own A.
If he could get into the right positions, he could dictate the game with his passes.
Something Kira, despite his remarkable shooting, might struggle with.
"If I can keep the ball moving, make quick decisions, and avoid getting into physical confrontations, I can play my game." Isagi thought.
"Kira's dangerous, but the rest of the team doesn't seem too different from mine."
Isagi's eyes flicked back to the screen.
After studying his physical fitness and soccer techniques.
He couldn't help but wonder about his most crucial attribute—his game intelligence.
With a thought, his finger hovered over the "Game Intelligence" section.
He tapped it, and the display shifted, revealing the new set of stats.
[Game Intelligence: A]
-Visionary Playmaking: A
-Tactical Knowledge: A-
-Spatial Awareness: A
-Positional Sense: A-
A small smile crept across his face as he took in the breakdown.
"Now this… this is where it counts."
After investigating his own stats.
Isagi had already taken a quick glance at the Game Intelligence of his teammates and opponents.
As expected, the ratings across the board were mostly in the C+ or lower range for everyone else.
Except for one player, Ryosuke Kira, whose Game Intelligence was rated at B.
"Just Kira, huh," Isagi muttered to himself.
With this, Isagi had a clear picture of the overall situation.
His team could hold their own against Matsukaze High, and while Kira's intelligence was impressive.
Isagi's edge in his overall understanding of the game would level the playing field.
"The outcome of this game... it's up to us." Isagi said quietly.
His eyes narrowing as he looked across the field at Kira.
"It's me versus Kira. Whoever can control the flow of the game will decide everything."