**Chapter 19: Rapid Leveling, Street King**

Could he really win like that?

Everyone witnessing this for the first time stared in astonishment at Ishikawa on the court.

"This guy called X... he's incredible!"

After the initial shock, Ishikawa's dominant performance in the previous match quickly turned into a sense of awe among the crowd.

This was the unspoken rule of the tennis court.

The strong must be respected!

"It's our turn now!"

However, not everyone was intimidated by Ishikawa's performance.

Two more players stepped forward, confident in their own abilities and thinking that Ishikawa's stamina might be running low, giving them an opportunity.

But reality was harsh.

The fate of this doubles pair was no different from that of Yoshida and Kijima earlier. Their confidence crumbled as Ishikawa broke their spirits in just five minutes.

"How could this happen...?"

Outside the court, Fukawa and Izumi exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

Three matches in a row.

Three doubles pairs, six players in total, had all lost to this mysterious player called "X."

While everyone else was mentally crushed, this guy was still full of energy.

"Hmm... we can't let this continue."

Watching the exhausted challengers leave the court, Izumi thought for a moment and spoke up: "We need to change the rules. Since he's playing alone, let him handle all the serves and returns."

"Uh, that might not be... Wait, I get it!"

Fukawa initially wanted to object but suddenly realized what Izumi was getting at. "Right, the reason he's been able to maintain his stamina is because he gets a breather during the second serve."

He wasn't stupid.

He understood that Ishikawa had been using the gap between the opponent's second serves to sneak in some rest.

On the other hand, the challengers, who had to serve continuously, had no time to recover. Over time, they were the ones being worn down.

Immediately, the two of them proposed their idea.

Some felt it was unfair, thinking it would give this "X" guy an advantage. But others stopped them, believing that as top players from Tamagawa Middle School, Izumi and Fukawa must have their reasons.

"Not bad, they caught on."

Seeing his plan exposed, Ishikawa glanced at the two from Tamagawa Middle School.

In the original story, these two had barely more screen time than background characters. But now, it seemed they weren't just simple extras.

Still, this was within Ishikawa's expectations.

He was here to level up, after all. The faster a match ended, the quicker he could level.

So, he agreed to the rule change.

*Thud!*

A moment later, the match resumed.

This time, Ishikawa didn't immediately score with half-volleys. Instead, he used the match to test his proficiency with spin shots.

The skill level of these players was only slightly better than the weakest second-years at Hyotei Academy.

As a result, Ishikawa could completely control the pace of the match based on his ball control.

After about ten minutes, he had already gone through three rounds of opponents, yet he remained firmly in the擂主 position.

The experience points from these matches were equivalent to completing two daily tasks at Hyotei.

Lost in his leveling spree, Ishikawa felt no sense of fatigue.

And so, for the next five hours, including Izumi and Fukawa from Tamagawa Middle School, every player at the street tennis court took turns challenging him, but none could dethrone Ishikawa from his擂主 position.

By the end, even Ishikawa, despite controlling the pace, was running on empty.

Of course, the others were in even worse shape.

The street tennis court was now littered with exhausted middle schoolers.

*Thud!*

With one final smash from Ishikawa, the ball hit the ground like a cannonball, sending a cloud of dust into the air. On the other side, Izumi and Fukawa were bent over, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat.

"Ma-match over!"

"Player X wins!"

The referee's voice trembled, partly from the shock of the situation and partly from holding his bladder for five hours.

He hadn't even dared to move from his seat, fearing it might upset the challengers.

"No more..."

"We give up."

On the other side, Izumi and Fukawa simply collapsed onto the ground.

At this point, any lingering resentment in their hearts had completely vanished. Ishikawa's final smash had shattered any last illusions they had.

"What about you?"

Sweat pouring down his face, Ishikawa pointed his racket at the other players sprawled on the ground.

"No more..."

"We surrender."

"From now on, you're the boss here."

Under Ishikawa's gaze, their faces turned bitter, and they quickly begged for mercy, their earlier confidence completely gone.

**[Ding!]**

**[Player has defeated opponents at the street tennis court, earning 5 experience points.]**

**[Ding!]**

**[Player has gained the recognition of the street tennis court players, fulfilling a hidden condition. Obtained special title: Street King.]**

**[Street King: A special title symbolizing the player's dominance over the street tennis court.]**

**[Effect: Gain +20% experience when playing at this street tennis court.]**

"Nice!"

Seeing this special title, Ishikawa's eyes lit up. He suddenly felt like he could keep playing for another five hours.

Of course, that was just a thought.

His stamina was already at its limit.

Besides, even if he whipped these guys, they probably wouldn't want to play anymore.

"That's enough for today."

Ishikawa packed up his racket and, under the mixed gazes of awe and fear from the crowd, slung his tennis bag over his shoulder and left.

"Phew..."

Seeing him finally leave, everyone let out a deep sigh of relief, their faces showing pure relief.

"He's... finally gone."

Izumi and Fukawa exchanged looks, both wearing bitter expressions.

Who would have thought?

Their street tennis court had been completely dominated by someone who looked to be around their age.

But no matter who it was, after witnessing the absolute dominance Ishikawa had displayed throughout the matches, no one could doubt his strength.

In fact, if they ever faced him again in the future, they probably wouldn't even be able to muster the will to resist.

Still, at least for now, he was gone.

*Thud!*

*Thud!*

But before they could rest for long, footsteps echoed from the steps above.

"No way..."

"He's back?"

Everyone's faces turned pale.

"Huh?"

But when Izumi and Fukawa looked up, they saw a petite girl in a blue-gray school uniform standing on the steps.

"Excuse me..."

The girl, none other than Tachibana An from Fudomine Girls' Tennis Club, frowned. "What happened here just now?"

She couldn't understand.

The usually lively and energetic street tennis court now looked like it had been ravaged by a monster.

**(End of Chapter)**