**Chapter 8: The Rules of Hyotei**
*Thud!*
*Thud!*
At the Hyotei Tennis Club.
On one of the courts.
Shinohara Saburo, a tall and well-built figure, was running around the court in a flustered panic.
Despite being a seasoned player, he was being completely overwhelmed.
On the other side of the net.
A young, handsome black-haired boy stood calmly. Each of his seemingly ordinary returns forced his opponent into a frantic scramble.
If not for witnessing it firsthand, no one would believe that just over ten minutes ago, this boy had never even held a tennis racket.
"He's… he's too strong!"
Outside the court.
Suzuki Ryota, Shinohara's friend and a fellow third-year member of Hyotei, spoke with a trembling voice.
After more than ten minutes of play.
His friend, Shinohara, who had privately confided in him about competing for a spot in the second team, hadn't scored a single point.
Not a single game.
Not even a single point or ball!
"This is insane!"
Around the court, the second and third-year members of Hyotei instinctively gaped in shock.
Meanwhile, the newcomers were thrilled.
Who would have thought that this rookie, initially underestimated, would completely dominate a third-year senior!
This made the other newcomers feel a sense of pride.
*Smack!*
At that moment.
Shinohara, forced to run back and forth, lost focus. His form faltered, and his shot went awry, sending the ball too high.
"It's over."
From the referee's position.
Hyotei's regular member, Oshitari, watched the leaping figure and immediately made his judgment.
*Thud!*
Then.
As Ishikawa executed a perfect smash, Oshitari promptly announced, "Game over! Ishikawa Shin wins, 6-0!"
*Thud!*
With that.
Ishikawa landed steadily after the smash.
**[Ding!]**
**[Player has executed a smash, activating the basic smash skill.]**
**[Player has scored with a smash, basic smash experience +3.]**
**[Player has won a practice match, character experience +15.]**
**[Player has completed the task: First Challenge, earning 80 character experience points.]**
Immediately.
A series of game notifications echoed in Ishikawa's mind.
"Not bad."
He was quite satisfied with this **[Newbie Guidance]** task.
Not only did it provide 95 experience points, but it also allowed him to master five basic skills: basic serve, basic smash, basic drive, basic slice, and basic topspin. A fruitful haul!
**[Ding!]**
Just then.
Another system notification sounded in Ishikawa's mind.
**[Player has achieved a milestone: Shutout Victory, skill point +1.]**
"Oh?"
This unexpected bonus surprised Ishikawa.
*Thud!*
But before he could delve into the details of the **[Skill Point]**, Shinohara, who had been struggling to keep up, collapsed to his knees, completely exhausted.
Instantly.
The entire court fell silent.
The upperclassmen no longer carried their previous air of superiority. Instead, they nervously watched the blue-black-haired boy who had just stepped down from the referee's position.
"Shinohara Saburo."
Oshitari glanced at the sweat-drenched Shinohara and spoke impassively, "You know what to do, right?"
"I do."
Shinohara's face paled.
Then, under the confused gazes of the newcomers and the complicated looks of the other second and third-year members, the once-arrogant third-year struggled to his feet, walked over to Ishikawa, and bowed deeply.
"Th-thank you for the match."
After speaking, Shinohara turned and walked to the edge of the court, standing among the group of bewildered newcomers.
"What's this about?"
Ishikawa was puzzled.
He didn't understand what this gesture meant.
"This is the rule of Hyotei."
As if sensing his confusion, Oshitari scanned the surrounding members and spoke sternly, "The weak step down, the strong rise. If you choose to play outside the coach's arranged practice matches, you must take responsibility for losing!"
"Shinohara lost to Ishikawa. Therefore, from now until the next time the coach rearranges the practice match roster, their roles will be swapped."
"Ishikawa will join the practice match group, and Shinohara will take over Ishikawa's ball-collecting duties."
"Huh?"
Hearing this.
The newcomers who had just joined the tennis club widened their eyes in surprise. None of them had expected such an outcome.
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At the same time.
Their hearts burned with ambition.
They imagined themselves defeating an upperclassman and instantly rising in status.
However.
When their eyes met the cold expressions of the upperclassmen, their enthusiasm quickly withered.
"There's a rule like this?"
Ishikawa was also surprised.
Thinking about it, it made sense.
Tennis is a competitive sport, where strength reigns supreme. The tennis club's ultimate goal should be to use a fair system to filter out the strongest players.
Of course.
Cases like his were exceptional.
Such special circumstances only emerged when true geniuses appeared.
"A rule suited for geniuses?"
Ishikawa nodded to himself. "No wonder Hyotei has dominated the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament for so many years."
"Train hard, everyone."
Before leaving, Oshitari addressed the group, especially the newcomers. "Seize the opportunity to improve your basics, build your stamina, practice your swings, and don't waste your time in the tennis club!"
With that, he gave Ishikawa a meaningful look and walked away.
"Whew!"
Once Oshitari left.
The upperclassmen around the court collectively sighed in relief. After all, the pressure from a regular member was no joke.
Then.
They turned their attention to Ishikawa. Many hesitated, but in the end, they decided against lecturing him.
They didn't want to become the next Shinohara. Moreover, the skill this newcomer had displayed was something they could no longer ignore.
Provoking him would be unwise.
Ishikawa, too, was relieved. After the match, his stamina was nearly spent.
Truth be told, his physical fitness was still lacking.
While he was better than most newcomers his age, he couldn't compare to the third-year members.
It was hard to imagine.
Just how formidable were the regular members, especially someone like Hyotei's captain, Atobe, whose stamina was among the best in middle school?
Not to mention, during the national tournament in the original story, even Atobe's stamina was drained by Ryoma, another first-year. How strong was he?
And what about the super rookie from Rikkai, Kirihara Akaya?
Thinking of these players.
Ishikawa glanced at his character stats, and a sense of urgency welled up inside him.
His eyes swept over the corner of the tennis club's rest area, and he walked over, planning to carefully review his experience points and plan his next steps in training.
*Swish!*
As he approached.
The second and third-year members automatically made way, watching him with a mix of awe and respect.
Seeing this.
The other first-year newcomers looked at Ishikawa with admiration.
On his first day at Hyotei's tennis club, he had made such an impact. The last time something like this happened, wasn't it with their captain, Atobe?
Could this guy be… *gasp*!
The thought sent a thrill through their hearts.
**(End of Chapter)**