Chapter 6: This is Talent
The tension in the gym was palpable as Vorpal Basket faced off against the Orlando Hoops. The crowd roared with every play, but the energy was noticeably one-sided. Orlando Hoops was dominating, and it was evident to everyone watching, including Lucas Graves, who sat on the bench, his fingers tapping impatiently on his knees.
Lucas's heart pounded in sync with the dribbles echoing through the court. His eyes were locked onto the game, analyzing every movement, every decision, every mistake. The Vorpal Basket starters were struggling, outclassed by the sheer talent and precision of their opponents. The scoreboard reflected the harsh reality—Vorpal Basket was being thoroughly outplayed.
(At this rate, we will lose. Our seniors can't beat them.) Lucas thought, frustration gnawing at him. He watched as Evan Cooper, the team's point guard, tried desperately to break through Orlando's ironclad defense, only to be stifled time and again. Alec Storm and his teammates moved with a fluidity and confidence that made it seem like they were playing a different game entirely.
Lucas's gaze swept over the starting lineup—Evan Cooper, Josh Turner, Aiden White, Ryan Taylor, and Brandon Young. They were all giving it their best, but it was clear that their best wasn't enough. They lacked the spark, the precision, the raw talent needed to challenge a team like Orlando Hoops.
"(I need to observe and mimic their moves.)" Lucas thought, his eyes narrowing with determination. "(I need to copy it and enhance it with my Absolute Mimicry abilities.)"
Lucas's power, Absolute Mimicry, had become his secret weapon. Since receiving this extraordinary ability from the mysterious old man just day ago, he had discovered its true potential. Absolute Mimicry wasn't just about copying the skills and techniques of others; it was about mastering them. Lucas could replicate any move he saw, but that was only the beginning. With each move, he added his own touch, refining and enhancing the skills until they surpassed the original. Though new to this power, Lucas had spent years training his mind and body despite being untalented, as he was preparing for the day he could truly unleash his worth on the court.
As he watched Alec Storm effortlessly guide his team, controlling the game with a calm authority that spoke of years of experience, Lucas's resolve hardened. "I can do that. I can be better than that." he told himself, his eyes gleaming with determination.
Every dribble, every pass, every shot was a lesson. Lucas absorbed it all, his mind working at lightning speed to break down the mechanics, the strategy, the timing. He could feel the familiar itch in his muscles, the urge to get on the court and show what he was capable of.
The game was slipping away from Vorpal Basket, but Lucas knew that he could change that. He just needed a chance to get on the court, to show what he could do. And when that moment came, he would be ready.
Lucas's impatience grew with each passing second, but he forced himself to remain calm. His time would come, and when it did, he would show everyone—his teammates, his opponents, and even himself—what basketball looked like.
This was just the beginning, and Lucas Graves was determined to seize his moment, no matter what it took.
.....
[Ethan Albarado Pov]
Ding...!
"Quest completed."
My eyes widened at the sudden notification ringing in my head.
"(What? Completed? Since when?)" I thought, confused.
[Quest: Watch the Game – Completed]
Reward: 600 SP
I blinked, momentarily distracted, but then shook my head. This wasn't the time to dwell on it.
Then I watched Lucas sitting on the bench, a wide grin spread across his face, his eyes locked onto the game. It was like he was itching to get in there, ready to prove himself.
"(He really loves basketball, huh?)" I thought, my gaze fixed on him. "(I know exactly what he's thinking. He wants to step onto that court and show everyone what he's made of. He wants to prove his worth. Truly, he's the protagonist of this novel.)"
I clenched my fists, feeling the heat of anticipation rising in my chest.
(But Lucas… you're not the only one eager to show his worth.)
I took a deep breath, clearing my mind. If I wanted to make an impact, I needed to know exactly where I stood. Without hesitation, I called out in my mind—
"(System, show me my status.)"
A familiar chime echoed in my head as a transparent blue window materialized in front of me. The glowing text displayed my current stats:
I stared at the number for a moment, then exhaled. "(Thank you… whoever gave me this quest.)"
...
[Basketball Power System]
Status:
Name: Ethan Albarado
Level: Rookie
Upgrade Points (UP): 20
Shop Points (SP): 600
...
[Core Attributes]
[Offensive Attributes:]
Shooting Accuracy: 6Layup Skill: 4Dunk Skill: 3Dribbling Skill: 9 (+5 upgraded)Passing Skill: 5
[Defensive Attributes:]
Defense: 3Blocking Ability: 3Steal Skill: 4
[Physical Attributes:]
Stamina: 4Endurance: 4Speed: 9 (+5 upgraded)
...
[Skills:]
Basic Power Shot – Allows for standard shooting with average accuracy.Basic Precision Pass – Enhances accuracy in simple passes.Basic Dribble – Fundamental ball-handling skills.Magic Johnson Passing Vision (Intermediate Level) – Significantly improves court vision and playmaking abilities.
I exhaled sharply as I scanned the stats. My dribbling and speed had improved significantly after spending Upgrade Points, making me one of the fastest on the team.
"(With my current attributes, I may not be the best scorer, but I can become the best playmaker on this court.)"
As I stared at my status screen, my mind racing. The Orlando Hoops were dominating, and if we wanted any chance at turning this game around, I had to step up as the playmaker.
"(Lucas has Absolute Mimicry, so he can adapt and copy moves… but that alone won't be enough to win. If I want to lead this team to victory, I need to make sure everyone plays better.)"
I took a deep breath, clenching my fists.
"(System, open the Shop.)"
A shimmering blue screen appeared before me, listing various skills and items available for purchase. My 600 SP sat at the top, a reminder that I had resources to use.
.....
[Shop List]
🔹 Playmaker's Vision (Advanced) – 500 SP
- Upgrades passing accuracy, decision-making, and assists, making teammates more effective.
🔹 Floor General's Command – 500 SP
- Increases team coordination, improving movement and shot selection of teammates while on the court.
🔹 Ankle Breaker (Intermediate) – 400 SP
- Enhances dribbling moves, making it easier to break past defenders.
🔹 Speed Boost Card – 100 SP
-Temporarily increases speed by +2 for 5 minutes.
🔹 Team Synergy Card – 200 SP
- Increases the overall effectiveness of teammates for 10 minutes.
🔹 Flash Pass – 200 SP
- Enables fast and unpredictable passes, making it harder for defenders to intercept.
More...
I scrolled through the list, weighing my options. My focus was clear as hell—I needed something that would boost the entire team, not just myself.
My eyes locked onto two skills:
▶ Playmaker's Vision (Advanced) – 500 SP
▶ Floor General's Command – 500 SP
Both were powerful, but I could only afford one.
(If I get Playmaker's Vision, I can ensure my passes are sharper, leading to better scoring opportunities. But if I pick Floor General's Command, I can boost the entire team's performance, making them more efficient overall.)
I gritted my teeth, debating my choice.
After a moment, I made my decision.
"(System, purchase Floor General's Command.)"
[500 SP deducted. Skill acquired: Floor General's Command (Advanced)]
As soon as I confirmed the purchase, a surge of energy pulsed through my body. My vision sharpened, and I felt an intuitive understanding of my teammates' positioning, strengths, and weaknesses.
I smirked.
With this, I won't just be a playmaker… I'll be the one controlling the flow of the game.
.....
[3rd POV]
The game pressed on, the crowd's energy rippling through the gym as Vorpal Basket desperately tried to close the gap. The Orlando Hoops remained dominant, their defense suffocating every passing lane, their offense methodical and efficient.
Josh Turner, Vorpal Basket's starting shooting guard (#8), took position beyond the three-point line. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he squared his shoulders, gripping the ball tightly. His heart pounded as he focused on the basket, knowing they needed points—badly.
With a deep breath, Josh rose for the shot.
But before he could fully extend his arms—
BAM!
A blur of blue crashed into him.
Mason Hayes, Orlando Hoops' elite shooting guard, bodied him mid-air, sending Josh tumbling onto the hardwood floor. The loud thud echoed across the gym as a collective gasp rippled through the audience.
Josh clutched his ankle, his face twisting in pain. The referee's whistle shrieked through the air, signaling an immediate stop in play.
Ethan Albarado, sitting on the bench, narrowed his eyes.
"As expected… one of our players would get injured."
Josh winced, trying to push himself up, but the pain in his ankle was unbearable. He gritted his teeth, his breathing ragged.
The coach stomped onto the court, hands on his hips. His expression twisted in frustration as he assessed the situation.
Ethan leaned back, crossing his arms.
"(I guess fate decided to start things up.)"
His eyes flicked toward the bench, where Lucas was already stretching his arms, preparing himself.
"This is his moment. His Turning Point."
Ethan smirked slightly. He already knew what Lucas was capable of. After all, he had read the novel. But watching it unfold in real life? That was something entirely different.
He glanced at the coach.
"(Another player on our team will get injured soon… and when that happens, I'll make sure that fatass coach puts me in.)" He clenched his fists, determination burning in his gaze.
"(I don't care what the original story says. This is my chance, and I'll change everything)."
For now, he would watch Lucas Graves step onto the court and shake the entire game.
.....
The gym remained tense as Josh Turner was helped off the court, his face twisted in pain. The whistle echoed through the air, signaling a substitution.
From the bench, Lucas Graves stood up, rolling his shoulders. His black hair glistened under the bright gym lights, and his yellow eyes burned with determination. He knew—this was his moment.
The murmurs from the crowd grew louder as the coach hesitated, glancing at his roster.
Ethan Albarado smirked. (Go on, Coach… you know who to put in.)
Sure enough, the coach's frustrated sigh filled the air.
"Lucas! Get in there!"
Lucas nodded, stepping onto the court. As he walked past Ethan, he noticed his teammate watching him closely.
"Go kill it, men." Ethan said, his voice calm but firm.
Lucas gave a small nod before jogging onto the court, his jersey lightly bouncing with each step.
The scoreboard read:
Orlando Hoops – 32
Vorpal Basket – 12
A 20-point deficit.
A murmur swept through the crowd.
Lucas Graves?
The benchwarmer? The water boy?
Some of the Vorpal Basket starters exchanged looks. Evan Cooper furrowed his brows, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Lucas?" Evan muttered under his breath.
Ryan Taylor, the power forward, raised an eyebrow.
"Wait, wait, wait—hold up. Coach, you're putting him in?"
Aiden White scoffed, adjusting his jersey.
"We're already getting destroyed, and now we're just giving up?"
From the bench, Ethan Albarado simply grinned.
(Oh, you guys have no idea what's coming.)
The Orlando players watched Lucas enter, their expressions barely changing. They didn't see him as a threat.
Alec Storm, Orlando's star point guard, scoffed, looking at Mason Hayes.
"They're subbing in someone?" Alec muttered.
Mason chuckled.
"This game's already over."
Lucas ignored them. He adjusted his wristbands, bouncing lightly on his feet. His muscles were loose, his breathing controlled. His mind? Focused.
"This is it. The moment where everything changes."
Lucas adjusted his wristbands and walked onto the court, his expression calm. He barely acknowledged his own teammates, let alone the opposition.
The referee handed the ball to Vorpal Basket for the inbound.
Evan hesitated, then passed it to Lucas.
And then—
Something shifted.
The second Lucas caught the ball, his stance changed.
His posture. His balance. His control over the ball.
It was different.
Evan's eyes widened.
"What the hell?"
Aiden White, who had been skeptical seconds ago, felt a chill run down his spine.
"Wait… why does he suddenly look… legit?"
Orlando's players were watching, unimpressed.
Alec yawned.
"Tch. Whatever."
Lucas took his first dribble. A sharp, controlled bounce.
Then another.
Then—
BAM!
Lucas executed a lightning-fast crossover, the ball snapping between his hands like a blur.
Alec's body reacted a half-second too late.
His foot shifted—off balance.
Lucas saw it. He exploited it.
With a quick burst of speed, Lucas blew past Alec like he was standing still.
Alec's eyes went wide.
"What—?!"
Mason Hayes, standing at the wing, immediately rotated to stop Lucas's drive.
"I got him—"
Lucas didn't even hesitate.
A perfect step-back dribble, mimicking Alec's own movement from earlier in the game.
Mason reacted too slow.
Lucas launched up a mid-range shot.
The ball sailed smoothly—
SWISH!
The crowd erupted.
On the bench, Ethan leaned forward, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Heh. They're speechless."
Julian Cross looked at the scoreboard, blinking.
"That actually went in?"
Alec's jaw clenched.
"Tch… lucky shot."
But Lucas was already getting back on defense.
There was no celebration. No reaction. Just pure focus.
Mason turned to Alec.
"Dude… how did he just cook you?"
Alec scowled.
"He didn't cook me. I wasn't paying attention."
Mason smirked.
"Uh-huh. Sure."
Meanwhile, Evan was still staring at Lucas.
"Wait a damn minute… when did he learn to play like this?"
Ryan Taylor, still skeptical, shook his head.
"Nah… this doesn't make sense. He was just a bench player. You're telling me he's suddenly better than half our team?"
Aiden White, who had been doubting Lucas moments ago, finally spoke up.
"I don't know how… but something's different about him."
On the sideline, Coach Fred Mason was stunned.
His usual lazy expression was gone. He leaned forward, gripping his clipboard.
"What the hell…?"
Orlando Hoops quickly inbounded the ball.
Alec Storm was pissed. He caught the pass and immediately drove up the court.
Lucas shadowed him.
Every step. Every movement. Every hesitation.
Lucas was mirroring him.
Alec's frustration grew.
"Why is he keeping up with me?"
He went for a quick dribble hesitation move.
Lucas didn't fall for it.
Alec tried a step-back jumper.
Lucas was already contesting the shot.
"No way—"
Alec forced the shot.
BRICK!
The ball bounced off the rim.
Lucas immediately snatched the rebound.
In one motion—
A no-look pass straight to Evan Cooper.
Evan barely caught it.
He turned—wide open three.
SWISH!
The entire gym exploded.
Orlando Hoops – 32
Vorpal Basket – 17
The bench erupted.
"HOLY SHIT! DID YOU SEE THAT?!"
"LUCAS, WHAT WAS THAT PASS?!"
Evan looked at Lucas in disbelief.
"Dude—what the hell?!"
Lucas simply walked past him, his voice calm.
"Just make the shot next time."
Alec, stunned, turned toward Mason.
"Hey. Are we… actually in trouble?"
Mason was silent for a moment. Then—
"…Yeah. I think we are."
Meanwhile, Ethan watched from the bench, his fingers gripping his knees.
"Damn… it's even crazier watching it happen."
Lucas wasn't just playing well.
He was changing the entire flow of the game.
To be continue