Shadow Mirage (Part 1)

"Thunder Demon, huh? Seems to me that you can't even handle a newbie properly. Perhaps you should just change your name to Thunder Boy instead. Hur, hur, hur", the boy spoke condescendingly as he laughed in a weird manner.

Kyotaro's face grew even more uglier as he heard the boy's words. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to smash that glasses over his head.

This was his biggest rival in this challenge, the "Shadow Mirage."

"Shut up, four-eyes! You're still gonna lose to me so don't get over your head!", Kyotaro insulted back.

Crack!

Veins bulged on the Shadow Mirage's forehead as he heard Kyotaro's insult.

Four-eyes! The most hated nickname for every person that wore glasses in Japan!

"Huh?! Do you want to fight?! Do you really want to see the power of my four-eyes?!", Shadow Mirage blew up instantly.

"What?! You think I'm afraid of you?! Bring it on four-eyes!"

Soon, both of them were gritting teeth and spewing fire out of their eyes as they locked eyes with each other with their foreheads connected.

Each of them, trying to use their head to push the other out as no one gave an inch.

At the sidelines, those that saw this, couldn't help but laugh.

This sight had long become common for those who were regular witnesses to these challenges.

"Looks like they're at it again! Boy, they sure are lively!"

"What do you expect? They've been fighting each other in the finals almost every single time!"

"That's for sure. They're the two star attractions for the Street Ball Rumble after all!"

As the crowd discussed about these two local superstars, Belial was already initiating the Talent Scan on the Shadow Mirage.

[Talent Scan Initiating....]

[Target Acquired!]

[Name: Mité Reiji

Height: 180 cm

Talent:

•Advanced-Grade Fundamentals

•Rare Grade(Developing): Natural Fakes

Remark: Is it illusion? Or is it reality? Just pick a choice and you might get it right.]

Another talent and it seems that he is even higher than Kyotaro.

A Rare grade talent.

Considering that he was Kyotaro's long term rival, it seemed that what 'Altair' said was true.

If used properly, that Rare Grade Skill would surely allow Kyotaro to win against even a higher grade talent.

Unfortunately, it looks like being able to win against Rare talent was more than enough for Kyotaro since he couldn't even use his head properly.

[Natural Fakes....It looks like he is someone who specializes in fakes. This is really quite a surprise]

[Not many people specialize in fakes since it is quite hard to have that as their main skill. However, if done properly, it can make them nearly unbeatable!]

Belial tilted his head to the side in confusion.

"How does fakes make one unbeatable? The most it can do is help players escape from a block or take a shot properly"

[You are still naive, boy! Fakes can make many things possible if used correctly!]

[For example, having a good fake will make it look like you're stealing from the right which in turn, makes your opponent shift the ball over to the left. However, your real steal direction would have always been on the right, making your opponent walk perfectly into your trap!]

As Belial heard [Altair] explain more about fakes, he felt his worldview widened.

He never thought that fakes could be used for so much more than just escaping and shooting.

Looks like some things can't be just learned from watching the screen after all.

Seems like he only thought of himself to be an expert when in reality, he still had a lot more to learn.

In the meantime, more and more rounds were played as more and more players got eliminated.

Soon, it was time for another major event.

"Yo, yo, yo, now it's the time for the next major round!"

"On the right, we have one of our regular challengers while on the left, you've seen him disappear before your own eyes and if you blink, you just might miss him!"

"Give it up for....The Shadow Mirage, Mité Reiji!"

The DJ gave another enthusiastic welcome speech to another one of the challenge's main players.

As expected, the crowd soon cheered along following the DJ's introduction.

Of course, the "Shadow Mirage" was a fan favorite like the "Thunder Demon."

[Finally! I really want to see how this kid plays!]

[Hopefully, he knows how to play better than that idiot over there! Otherwise....I will have you go up and kick him in my steed!]

Belial felt his vision darkening as he nearly fell over after hearing [Altair].

He couldn't help but feel like this system was plotting against him.

Forget getting arrested. If he actually kicked the "Shadow Mirage" in front of everyone, he would just get beaten up by the crowd instead.

As Belial was still thinking about this, he heard the referee make his call to start the game.

"Ready?! Go!"

Finally, the match was underway!