Prologue

Enviousness and admiration. That's how I feel about people who are capable of doing things, such as sports. Unlikely, I am incapable of doing tedious things. Because as far as I remember, the last time I made myself exhausted, I got taken away on the hospital.

Though, if you're going to ask me about my physical health, positively thinking, I'm completely fine. That's what I believed, because I didn't see and feel anything was wrong with me, or with my body. However, I had nothing else to do, but to gratify my parents and follow the doctor's advice.

It's such a waste, honestly. Because people often praised me for having long legs; "You should join track and field club! That was they always told me, but I just can't.

Sometimes I feel hopeless, wondering what could've been. Thankfully, I had a supportive, empathetic, and dependable friend's like Pasha and Rhys. That's why I'm so grateful and happy to have them in my life.

Today, our university's annual sports event was in full swing. Pasha and me were at the campus stadium, cheering on Rhys as he took to the court for his final game in men's volleyball league. We were seated in the second tier, giving us a perfect view of the entire match.

Pasha shrieked, "Go, Caspian! Beat them up more!" Her voice laced with hatred, echoing inside the stadium.

Well, I could understand her indignation at the opposing team, as their spikes seemed to be relentlessly targeting Rhys. I couldn't help but to concur with Pasha, though, it's just a game and it might be just a coincidence.

I inhaled deeply, holding the air in my lungs. When I deemed myself ready, I finally unleashed a thunderous scream. "GO RHYS! BASH THEM INTO THE GROUND!" I bellowed, my eyes blazed with fervour.

"DON'T GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO GET A SCORE!"

Pasha joined in, her voice echoing mine. YEAAAAAAAH!" Then I let out another deafening yell, "YEAAAAAAAH!"

We continued our intermittent cheers, trading taunts with the opposing team's supporters until our voices grew hoarse.

"VIPERS ARE ONLY STRONG!"

"VIKING LOSERS!"

Our booming voice rang out, making us stand out amidst the cheering crowd. It was only then that I realized my loud voice had drawn attention to myself, and I felt a twinged of self-consciousness about being a man who cheered so enthusiastically.

My eyes widened in shock and began panicking, as we got the attention of the crowd and even the both teams.

I scanned the stadium, and realized that the nearby audience was all staring at our direction. Their faces etched with confusion, as if they were saying; "What these guy is doing?"

"AH!" I groaned, losing my senses in embarrassment.

Pasha hollered, "HEY, IDIOTS! FOCUSED ON THE GAME!" Her words snapped me back in my senses. "DON'T JUST STARE AT IT!"

I swiftly looked over the court, and Rhys seemed to be waiting for my attention, as I overtook him looking at me. A smile spreading across his face, then throw a flying kiss towards my direction.

I furrowed my brow. Confusion swirling in my mind. What the hell is he doing?!

But then, a sudden realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Huh? Huh?! No! That's definitely not for me!

A burst of laughter scaped my lips, and I giggled uncontrollably. "Hahaha!"

Pasha blurted, her face etched with disgusted look, "Yuck! Eeew! You are disgusting, Caspian!"

Before Rhys returned to the game, he repeated his gesture again. This time, our eyes met, but I immediately looked away.

I quipped in my mind. You'll be dead to me later, Rhys!

"That fucking jerk! Is he referring to you, Vaughn?!" Pasha blustered, her tone firm, clenching her fist. "You're going to get it from me later, you dumbass!"

I let out a sigh. You are really be dead later, Rhys! I will just pray that your soul will cross safely to the spirit realm.

I sat down, peeved at Rhys. But Pasha seemed to notice my annoyance. "What happen to you, Vaughn?" she asked, furrowing her brow in concern. "Were you affected by what Caspian did?" Pasha's voice is in rage, and her eyes lingering with exasperation.

I shooked my head and force a smile. "N-no, I'm not! I'll just gonna drink some water," I lied, because the truth is I'm really annoyed with Rhys.

To convinced Pasha, I swiftly grabbed the bottle of water and took a sip, pretending to quench my thirst.

Pasha's face lit up, "Okay, just tell me if you need anything, huh?" she reminded.

I nodded. "Yeah," I uttered and flashed a smile, then Pasha went back on cheering.

I let out a sigh, feeling a mix of relief and lingering frustration. I needed some time to think. Why were we doing this? Though I knew that nothing would change, no matter how much we cheered for him and his team. Because the outcome of the game was inevitable; it's either they'd win or lose.

Besides, he should just stop playing volleyball, actually. Because It was just a distraction for his studies. Moreover, as a Criminology major, he needed to focused more on academics. But of course, he's not me nor not like me, a Special Class Student. Unlike them, I have lots of free time, cause my schedule isn't hectic as them.

After a while, people screamed out, so I was thrown out of my seat.

"Shit! What are you doing, Caspian?!" Pasha exclaimed, her tone was tinged with disappointment.

I stood up immediately and asked Pasha, "What happen, Pash?" My voice laced with confusion as I spoke.

"Caspian's teammate tried to block the quick attack of the opposing team's MB," she answered, her voice is enraged, "He couldn't withstand the impact, so maybe his right hand is dislocated. He's probably cannot get back to the game," she explained, her tone dripped with exasperation.

My eyes widened and my jaw drop as she spoke. Just how strong that impact could be?!

I swallowed hard before querying, "But.. he could be replace by the substitutes, right?" My voice's mixed with nervousness, fearing to materialized my thoughts.

"Yeah," she answered, mollifying my distress.

"But I don't know if it's allowed to substitute two players at the same time." My brow furrowed, puzzled at what she just said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean, Caspian hasn't ask for a substitution yet. It's just actually a miracle that he can still stand."

My eyes widened in shock because of what I found out. "What?!"

"Yeah, he's probably thinking about this possibility to happen, and it seems that his calculation is on point."

I didn't notice that Rhys haven't taking break yet, that's why I'm wondering about his unusual game behavior. So it means, it's not just a coincident that the ball is always towards him, and also not intentional.

I asked Pasha, my voice tinged with trepidation, "So, what will gonna happen now?"

Pasha's eyes sparkled, smirking before she spoke, "They will continue the game with the remaining five active players of their team."

My brow furrowed, "Huh? Is that allowed?" I asked confusedly.

Pasha answered, "Actually no, because Vipers can request an emergency substitution, but I believe that they won't do that."

"I can't understand," I murmured.

"To make it simple, their chance to finish the game is now," Pasha said, her face still etched with excitement, "They've got the ball on their side, thanks to their OPP's successful block, though I feel sorry for what happened to him."

I shook my head in disagreement. "How they can win? It's a 5 against 6, they can't beat the Vikings!" I exclaimed, but Pasha just chuckled over my korero, and her smile teasing. "You're underestimating them, Vaughn."

I retorted, "I'm not underestimating them, It's just obvious that they can't win!"

Pasha glanced at me, her expression thoughtful. "Well, you're somewhat right," she said.

"Caspian's team is all about offense, but the opposing team has focused on defense to counter their tactics."

"These two teams are natural enemies, each with strengths that play to the other's weaknesses," Pasha elaborated, and she's right about it.

I raised my eyebrow. "Okay, let's say they were allowed to play even though they lacked active players, do you think there's a chance for them to win the game?" I asked definitely.

"Caspian team's setter is a threat for the opposing team, proven on the first set. If they hadn't adopted defensive tactics, the Vipers might have won already."

"However, the decision still rests with their couch, but I'm sure Jim wouldn't agree to that. He'll prefer to submit, rather than taking risk."

I couldn't say anything more about Pasha's explanation, she's like a couch in her ability to analyze the game.

"Thank you for your patient waiting, RORA's. VOLA allowed RORA: Vipers to finish the game with their remaining five active players, meaning there will be no more emergency substitutions. Meanwhile, the injured player from the Vipers is now currently in good condition, so we have nothing to worry about."

My brow furrowed, and my eyes widened in shock while listening on the announcement.

"What? Seriously?!" I exclaimed in a dissatisfaction tone.

But Pasha said, "Don't worry, Vaughn." Her words is with a hint of unwavering confidence as she reassured me, echoing in my mind as I gaze out at the field. "They'll gonna win this fight!"

This was it— the final set, with both teams tied at one wins apiece, and with a standing points of 24-24 in the decisive set. It means, whichever claimed this set would be the winner.

Just a few moments more, and the game would begin. The ball was poised in the setter's hand, ready to be served. The opposing team is in positioned, bracing themselves for the impending battle.

The libero, defense specialist, and the outside hitter were all at the back row of their court, a full defense positioning to receive the ball. While the setter, middle blocker, and the opposite hitter were at the front row for a possible counter attack.

On the other hand, Caspian's team was position into a balance defense and offence. The opposite hitter and the middle blocker are position in the front row, while Rhys and the libero are position at the back row.

And the setter who stood poised, his calmed demeanor a mask of focused intensity. His deep-breating was the only visible sign of the pressure he carried— the weight of the games outcome rested squarely on his shoulder.

Suppositionally, the setter's role was just as crucial as the spiker, if not more so. One miscalculation, one misstep, and the game would slip through their fingers like sand.

As the setter took his time, the air thickened with anticipation. the crowd held its collective breath, sensing the gravity of the moment.

As the setter finally deemed himself ready, he sprinted forward. His feet pounding the court in a swift, calculated rhyme. Then he launched the ball into the air, his body coiling in a precise position before unleasing a devastating spike, and — WHACK!

The ball exploded off his hand, spewing forth with an ultrasonic-like speed that left the opposing team reeling.

Pasha's reaction was instantaneous disdainful, "Tch!"

I swiftly looked over her. My brow furrowed in confusion as my vision reached her clenching teeth. Her eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and disappointment, I wanted to ask her, but I chose to focused on the game.

The ball reached the Vikings precisely, breaking their positioning. The libero was able to received the ball, but its trajectory changed as it landed on his arms because of the intensity.

The ball fleeched towards the middle blocker, but because of its speed he has to position for a bump pass to slowdown the momentum. This time, they have to make a direct spike, or the Vipers will claim the set.

The middle blocker managed to retrieve the trajectory of the ball, passing it to their outside hitter.

Vipers setter delivered a crucial serve that proved to be a game changer. Thanks to him, they managed to force the opposing team's ace player out of the position, removing a major thorn from their side.

The outside hitter's feet pounded the court in a furious sprint, as the ball soared, he jumped to reach it, gathering all the strength from his body and — WHACK!

The ball hurtled towards the left side of the Vipers' court, where the Libero is strategically positioned. He expertly maneuvered into bump pass, allowing the ball to make contact with his forarm.

The libero received the spike successfully. and then the setter sprinted towards the ball. Positioning himself to execute an overhead pass, setting up a quick attack. While the ball is soaring, Rhys and the other middle blocker sprinted towards it, surprising the opposing team.

Everyone was confused on what's going on, even me. "Who's gonna spike it?" I murmured.

Pasha let out a dismissive "Tch!" and whispered, "Showy as always." My eyes widened because an idea entered my head. "Could it be—."

As what I'm thinking, the other middle blocker jumped, bluffing the three front rower of the opposing team. The was just a dump spike, he didn't hit the ball. And because of that, Rhys is now free to spike.

Rhys lowered his body, twisting his feet in a blur of motion, his feet pounding the court with a resounding thud. The air was electric with anticipation as Rhys coiled his muscle, ready to unleash a devastating counterattack.

As the ball drew closer towards Rhys, an electromagnetic aura surrounded him, crackling with anticipation. He spread his arms and jumped, synchronizing the speed of the ball's trajectory with precision. His eyes blazed with determination, and his face set in a fierce grimace. He then gathered all of his strength, channeling it from his core to his right hand. The air seem to vibrate with tension. And then— WHACK!

The ball exploaded off Rhys' hand, soaring through the air like a comet, leaving a trail of chaos in its wake. The crowd erupted in to cheers, their voice echoing off the rafters.

The positioning of Vikings are still in plight, their blockers scrambling to recover from the dump spike. Rhys' strike was a blazing inferno, bustling with unstoppable force towards the open middle area of their court. The ball hurdled downwards, its trajectory unwavering, and hit the ground with a rumbling impact that resonated through the air. The crowd cheers thundered through the stadium, as if the very foundation of the stadium were shaking.

Pasha began to gambol in rejoice, her eyes aglow with unbridled excitement, screaming in jubilant abandon, "YES! YES! YES! LET'S GO!" Her voice echoed off the rafters, mingling with the chant of the Vipers' fans.

"You're awesome, Vipers! Get out of there, Vikings, you losers!" she exclaimed, her words dripping with pride and triumph.

Confetti rained down on the court, swirling around the celebrating players like colorful tornadoes.