(Part 12)

"Anyway," Aaron cut in, "As obvious as your pairing ability seems, it shouldn't be this hard to activate. But seeing how thick-headed you both are, even your ability isn't giving in."

The two raised their brows, visibly annoyed by the teasing.

"Oh really?" Helios countered, "Then why don't you show us instead of just talking big? Prove you seniors can back up your words."

Aaron chuckled, appreciating Helios's spirit.

"Haha, I had always liked your spirit boy. Alright, let's go!" Noah said, giving Helios a hearty pat on the shoulder.

"Both of you, start bowling to us now. Your problem isn't in the activation of Unseal or Dominance. Those abilities only awaken when you're truly ready to embrace them. You might understand each other inside out, but do you understand yourselves that well?" Aaron asked.

Helios and Poseidon leaned in, listening intently.

"If you think you're flawed and not good enough, your ability will think the same. It reflects your mindset," Aaron added, walking toward the batting crease, "Doubt yourself, and it'll prove your doubt right." 

Helios narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, repeating, "So we need to be content with our performance first?"

"Exactly," Noah affirmed. He then gestured toward the practice nets, "Now, let's polish that confidence. Get ready!"

As Noah and Aaron positioned themselves inside different nets, Helios exchanged a confident glance with Poseidon. Without a word, they each chose their opponent: Helios walked to Noah's net, and Poseidon headed to Aaron's. Noah and Aaron shared a look of surprise.

"You sure you don't want to swap?" Noah asked.

Helios grinned, "No. We won't get anything out of taking the easy route. If we're going to improve, we need to face our worst matchups head-on."

Poseidon nodded, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "You're here to help us, but we won't make it easy for you either."

Noah and Aaron smirked, clearly amused, "These little brats..." 

As the two prepared their first deliveries, Poseidon suddenly called out, "Heli."

"Yes?" Helios replied, polite as always.

"No matter what happens, whether I fall, scream, or groan in pain. You won't interfere," Poseidon said firmly, his voice filled with determination.

Helios froze for a moment, his eyes wide in surprise.

Poseidon's plea sincere, he added quietly, "I need to do this on my own,"

Helios lowered his head, his expression obscured by his hair.

Poseidon hesitated, reaching out to nudge him, but before he could, Helios let out a faint chuckle. "I respect your decision," he replied softly. Then, lifting his gaze, he added with a faint grin, "But the same goes for me."

Poseidon blinked, momentarily taken aback. He pouted, "Hm… I don't think I can stay uninvolved that easily..."

Helios placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "If you're asking me to be the only cruel one here, that's not fair, is it? Let's both try. No matter what happens."

Poseidon hesitated, but then nodded, "Yeah."

With determination burning in their eyes, they bumped fists and turned to face their seniors, ready to begin.

_____

Meanwhile, Ryan raised his bat, standing firm before Musa. His expression was nothing short of determination. "Are you doing this or not?" he demanded.

Musa sighed, settling onto a nearby bench as the floodlights flickered overhead, "Seriously? You dragged me out here at night for this? Where's your head at, kid?"

Ryan's gaze unwavering, he simply repeated, "Are you going to bowl to me or not?"

Leaning forward with elbows on his knees, Musa let a mischievous smirk spread across his face, "And what if I don't?"

Ryan's brow twitched at the response, but he didn't argue. Instead, he turned sharply on his heel, muttering, "Then I don't have time to waste with you."

Just as Ryan began walking away, a fast delivery whizzed past his ear, striking the stumps on a distant pitch. He froze, turning back to see Musa casually tossing the ball in the air before catching it again.

"Is that any way to talk to your father?" Musa teased. "Honestly, Alan isn't setting the best example for you, is he?" he then gestured at the fallen wicket, "Or is that how you're planning to lose again?"

Ryan gritted his teeth, thoughts racing, "So it's true... he can bowl pace deliveries too, and with such accuracy. But how? He's supposed to be a spinner, a spin specialist. Back at home, why did he never bowl them to me?"

Reading Ryan's thoughts with ease, Musa grinned, "Time and experience, little phoenix. No batsman only faces one kind of bowler in a real match. Learning to overcome your weaknesses is the key to unlocking new skills. A pacer can learn to spin, and a batsman can learn to handle any ball thrown at him. To become the best, you have to stand strong against everything."

Ryan smirked, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "I knew it... He's the best there is." His determination reignited as he turned back to the pitch. "Let's see, Phoenix Spinner Musa," Ryan challenged, "Either I'll figure you out, or you'll stop bowling me pace deliveries tonight."

Musa burst into laughter, "Haha, you've got guts, brat! But don't underestimate my pace just because I'm known for my spin."

As the overs began ticking by. Ryan's wicket fell repeatedly, but his resolve only grew with each misstep. Sweat dripped from his brow as he panted heavily, yet his eyes burned with unrelenting determination.

"Play closer to your body, Ryan!" Musa shouted from the other end, "Keep your bat and pad aligned for defensive shots. Use the ball's pace to guide it into the gaps instead of going for power. And stop hitting too high!"

Ryan adjusted his stance, listening carefully. Musa delivered an outswinger, and Ryan executed a smooth cover drive, keeping the ball grounded.

Musa grinned, "That's it! For slower deliveries, wait for the ball to come to you—don't lunge forward. Only step out if you're sure you can reach the pitch of the ball. And if it doesn't come, stay calm and adjust mid-shot. Got it?"

"Yes… huff, huff," Ryan replied, straightening up and wiping his face with his sleeve.

After a sequence of slower deliveries, Musa observed Ryan carefully.

Ryan, taking a sip of his sports drink, wiped his face with a towel, grabbing his bat again with renewed vigor. "What's next?" Ryan asked, his smirk brimming with confidence.

Musa smiled, "Still not tired?"

"Tired? Every vein in my body is itching for more, Dad. Do you think the World Cup is going to demand anything less than this?"

Musa nodded, his pride evident. "Alright, then. Let's focus on reading the ball straight from my hand. I'll mix faster and slower deliveries. Don't try to predict—just react. For the next few balls, focus on placement over power and aim for specific zones. Think you're ready?"

"Yes," Ryan replied firmly, his stance steady and eyes sharp.