CHAPTER 53: MOUNTAIN TRIAL : THE LAST DAY 4

This was the first time they returned to the lodge with the sun still warm in the sky. The golden light spilled through the tall pine windows, casting long shadows across the wooden floors. For the first time all week, the air felt different — lighter, softer, like a gentle exhale after a storm. Like vacation. Like peace.

After nearly five days of relentless blood, sweat, grueling drills, and those infamous cursed food punishments, the fierce fire of competition had finally cooled. The mountain no longer felt like a battlefield. Instead, it breathed the quiet warmth of victory, of camaraderie earned through struggle.

Naturally, the group fragmented into smaller clusters, each drawn to their own corners like planets orbiting a newfound sun.

The table tennis room sprang to life first. Dirga, still riding the adrenaline high of their last victory, trailed Buzz, Masaki, Taiga, and Rei through the door, curiosity pulling him forward.

He’d never held a paddle before.

"Wanna try?" Buzz asked, grinning wide, flicking a paddle to him like a samurai passing his sword.

Dirga caught it awkwardly, fingers stiff. "Uh... I don’t even know the rules—"

"Perfect!" Taiga exclaimed, beaming. "Neither does Masaki!"

"HEY!" Masaki barked, gripping his paddle like it was a katana. "Disrespectful!"

There were no teams here anymore. No rivalry, no scorekeeping. Just players. Brothers. Friends.

The game dissolved into wild, joyful chaos. Buzz shouted exaggerated anime attack names mid-smash, adding a theatrical flair to every serve. Aizawa found a plastic bottle and declared himself the announcer, weaving hilarious commentary that had everyone cracking up.

Dirga laughed so hard he nearly tumbled over when Masaki attempted a diving save—only to faceplant on the edge of the table.

Elsewhere in the lodge, the quiet hum of card games echoed from the corner. Shunpei and Hiroki sat across from Yu and Daichi, shuffling cards with a tension broken only by Hiroki accusing Yu of cheating—not once, but twice.

Nearby, Rikuya lounged serenely on a cushion by the window, sipping hot tea like a basketball monk meditating on the mountain’s wisdom. His calm, steady gaze observed everything, a living embodiment of the mountain’s silent strength.

At one corner, Dirga found himself sitting beside Sota Enami.

"I’ve got to admit," Dirga said, shifting in his seat, "I learned a lot just by watching you."

Sota smiled that composed, almost serene smile. "You’re good, Dirga. But chaos only works when it’s guided. Learn to breathe inside it. Find your tempo. Timing shapes everything."

Dirga nodded. "I’ll remember that."

It wasn’t praise. It was a challenge.

And Dirga accepted it in silence.

As dusk painted the sky in shades of purple and deep orange, they all filed into the hot spring for their final soak. The steam curled up like gentle smoke, wrapping around their tired bodies as warmly as a familiar hug.

Muscles loosened, tension melted. What was once a survival tub of pure necessity had transformed into a place of celebration and camaraderie.

Taiga and Aizawa wrestled playfully in the water like mischievous children, splashing and laughing. Masaru, surprisingly, took on the role of court jester, dropping ridiculous dad jokes that first stunned, then cracked up everyone around him.

Buzz and Masaki? They decided to hold a karaoke contest — right there, in the bath.

The singing was terrible. Horrible, even.

But everyone loved it.

Meanwhile, Dirga drifted to the edge of the bath, settling next to Sota, Kaito, and Yuto. The rocks shimmered faintly under the moonlight as they spoke softly.

"Think we’ll meet again?" Dirga asked, voice low, almost hesitant.

"Of course," Yuto smirked. "Next time, though, no gray food."

Kaito laughed quietly. "And no limitations. Just pure ball."

Sota nodded, eyes gleaming. "I’m looking forward to it."

At exactly 7:30 PM, like clockwork, they all dried off and gathered at the dining room entrance.

Dirga took his place at the front.

This time, there was no battle. No tension. Only joy.

He grinned, raising both arms like a conquering hero, shouting, "OKAY, LET’S EAT!!"

The doors opened to a feast that looked like a banquet fit for gods.

There was no heaven or hell tonight.

Only heaven.

Steaming bowls of ramen filled with savory broth and perfectly cooked noodles. Plates piled high with grilled meats, the smell rich and smoky. Crispy karaage that crackled with every bite. Spicy curry, aromatic and warm. Sushi rolls glistened next to golden tamagoyaki slices. Rice, pickles, and desserts stacked like precious treasures completed the spread.

They stormed the tables like starving warriors finally victorious.

Taiga shouted with childlike awe, "THIS IS THE MEAL OF LEGENDS!"

Rei declared, "I CAN FINALLY TASTE COLORS AGAIN!"

Aizawa danced with his chopsticks as if possessed by the joy of flavor. Buzz and Masaki challenged each other to an eating contest — again — to the delight of everyone watching.

Laughter erupted from every corner of the room.

And no one, not even Coach Reina, tried to stop it.

After dinner, the crowd lingered.

Talking. Laughing. Savoring the final moments of a week that felt both fleeting and eternal.

Because deep down, none of them wanted it to end.

And then —

Buzz stood, clearing his throat with theatrical flair.

"Alright, I’ve got something to say."

The room fell silent.

"I’m officially rejecting the JBL contract offer," Buzz announced, voice steady. "I’m heading to Europe."

A stunned beat of silence.

Then chaos exploded.

"WHAAAAAT?!"

"Yo, for real?!"

"Buzz, you traitor—take me with you!"

"Damn, Europe?? Big dreams, huh?!"

Dirga froze for a moment.

Buzz was that good. He could’ve been the face of the Japanese league. In his past life, Buzz stayed local. But now... he was breaking timelines. Changing the future.

This camp changed everything.

"Let’s get it, Buzz!" Masaru cheered, clapping him on the back.

The college players erupted first, followed by Horizon, then Toyonaka. The room thundered with applause.

Dirga watched, heart pounding.

The fire inside him burned brighter than ever.

He needed to speed up.

He needed to catch up.

He wanted it too.

Not just to reach Japan’s top level — but beyond.

The celebration lasted past midnight.

Slowly, one by one, they drifted back to their rooms.

Morning came quietly.

Birds chirped softly outside the window. The mountain air was crisp, cold, and sharp.

Dirga woke first.

5:30 AM.

The camp wouldn’t end until 8:30.

He tried to fall back asleep.

But sleep refused him.

Instead, he slipped on a jacket and quietly stepped outside.

The forest stood still, peaceful. Sunlight barely piercing the thick canopy. In the distance, a raccoon shuffled by. A bird fluttered from branch to branch. A squirrel darted through the underbrush.

He inhaled deeply.

The scent of fresh pine and damp soil etched itself into his memory.

One day, he promised himself, he would return here.

Stronger.

Wiser.

Better.

When Dirga reentered the lodge, others were already up.

Packing. Folding uniforms. Checking corners.

Some hugged tightly, holding on to the fragile bonds forged on this mountain. Some took photos, preserving memories. Others sat silently, lost in thought.

They shared breakfast together — quietly.

Unlike dinner, this meal held no shouting. No battles.

Just warm rice, soft eggs, comforting miso soup —

And unspoken gratitude.

At 8:30, they gathered in front of the inn.

Bags packed.

Hearts full.

Coach Tsugawa stepped forward, voice rough but proud.

"You all trained hard. You suffered. You grew. I hope you carry this with you — back to your schools. Back to your teams."

Coach Reina added softly, "This wasn’t just training. This was the beginning of your next step."

And just like that, the mountain camp was over.

They said their goodbyes.

Dirga hugged Yuto and Haruto. Clasped hands with Masaki, who smiled and said, "We’ll meet again — on the court."

The Kurama team waved from their car.

Horizon and Toyonaka boarded the same bus.

...

Dirga sat by the window, arms folded, eyes half-lidded as the forest road unwound beneath them.

He glanced at his hands — scarred, scraped, but stronger than ever.

And then —

A soft, clear [ding] echoed in his mind.

...

[Quest Complete!]

Challenge: Kurama Trial

Result:

Win 3 games → Skill fusion unlocked: High Motor + Body Control → Kinetic Drive and 1 item

Win 4 games → 3 item rewards acquired

Win 6 games → Failed

...

Horizon High

Name: Dirgantara Renji

Age: 15

Height: 178 cm

Weight: 70 kg

System Level: High School

Item :

- Injury Reducer x 2

- Stamina Booster x 1

- Training Booster x 1

Skills:

- Maestro’s Pulse (Legendary)

Type: Passive + Triggered

Passive Effect:

Your presence aligns your teammates’ rhythm, subtly improving spacing, reaction, and off-ball movement.

Active Skill 1 – Maestro State:

Usable once per half – 60 seconds

Boosts: Passing precision, Decision-making speed, Team synergy and Flow efficiency (+20%)

Active Skill 2 – Flow State:

Enter a state of extreme focus and physical power. Boosts physical attributes by 50–200%, scaling with game pressuregame pressure. Duration and intensity scale with stress.

- Tempo Sight (Rare)

Type: Active

Effect:

Grants the user 30 seconds of "screen view" per quarter. During activation, the user’s perception shifts as if observing from above.

- Kinetic Drive (Rare)

Type: Passive

Effect:

Enhances overall body coordination and stamina usage during dynamic movements. The player retains better balance and control when fatigued, with increased resistance to physical disruption (e.g., bumps, screens, awkward landings). Slight stamina regen (10%) and reduced stamina consumption on explosive moves.

Attributes:

Inside Scoring: B → B+

Shooting: B+

Playmaking: A → A+

Defense: C+

Physical: A

Mentality: A

...

Dirga sighed.

Before he could ask, Echo replied:

[A+ and S are separated by a mountain. You don’t reach S by playing well. You reach it by evolving.]

He looked out the window again.

This mountain. This trial.

It was just the beginning.

He was stronger now.

Not just in body — but in mindset, leadership, vision.

He wasn’t the same boy who first stepped onto this mountain.

Now... he was closer.

Closer to his dream.

Closer to becoming the Maestro Horizon needs.

Closer to being the player who would conquer the court.

This mountain had tested him.

And now?

Now he was ready to descend — and rise again.