The Almighty Chuunibyou Expert

However, he was able to handle it!

However, as he took his position early, preparing to strike the ball.

He saw.

The tennis ball that had originally landed on the ground spun violently like a top, and then flew up at an angle he never expected!

"Nani!?"

This greatly startled Kawamura Kentaro, and he instinctively took a step back, just enough for the tennis ball to graze past his eyes.

A wave of fear washed over him, and a drop of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

Am I sure I'm playing tennis?

What kind of shot is this? Why is the bounce angle so weird?

Does physics not exist anymore?!

"1... 15-0, Hasegawa scores on his serve!"

The umpire was the first to snap out of his shock and made the call.

While he wasn't a tennis specialist, he did know a bit. He had only seen similar shots in 'highlight reels' before, but this was the first time he'd seen it in person.

There was an uproar from outside the court.

"Whoa! Did I see that right? Did that ball just curve in the opposite direction?"

"Is this the outward spin serve Hasegawa was talking about?"

"Give me a break, that must have been an accident! Or maybe he put some high-tech gadget on the tennis ball to make it do that."

"Hey, hey, this doesn't look good. He couldn't even return the first serve. Is Hasegawa going to win again?"

This whole display left everyone else stunned.

"Hmph hmph hmph, this is the power of 'skill.' It's a level that mortals cannot comprehend."

Takanashi Rikka's pronouncements were as unique as ever.

Uh, no matter what, as long as he wins, that's fine!

Fujiwara Chika blinked, then began to clap.

"Clap clap clap..."

The others joined in, marveling at the intimidating display of skill.

How many things has Izumi kept from me! Damn it!

Eriri lowered her head slightly, gritting her teeth as she grumbled internally.

Kawamura Kentaro threw back the tennis ball he had picked up.

"This time, I don't believe you can pull off that shot again!"

He refused to believe it, thinking the bizarre serve was just a fluke.

"Then watch closely. This time, it's still an outward spin serve!"

Hasegawa Izumi didn't argue. He assumed the same posture and made the same swing.

Whoosh!!

This time, Kawamura Kentaro focused even more intently on the ball as it landed.

He was astonished to find the tennis ball wobbling at a speed beyond his imagination.

So that's why it curved in the opposite direction?

But... is this something a human can do?!

"Thump."

He was thinking too much and didn't manage to dodge this attack. The tennis ball hit him squarely on the chin.

The pain was intense.

Fortunately, he was well-trained and tough, otherwise, this shot would have had him crying and begging.

"Sorry, should I go easier? I'm already trying my best to match your level."

Seeing this, Hasegawa Izumi said with a merciless expression.

If it escalated to the level of killing tennis, he'd probably end up in jail.

It was best to avoid such troublesome things.

"No way! There's a limit to how much you can look down on someone! I've been to the national tournament and played singles number one. If it weren't for the others dragging me down, we might have made it to the finals... So, bring it on! This much force is just a tickle. Do you really think you can win with this? You're still a long way off!"

Kawamura Kentaro flicked his racket, quickly regaining his composure without a hint of fear.

"It seems what you said was true, but... what I said is also true."

Seeing that the other party's spirit was still strong, Hasegawa Izumi made his judgment, then lightly left a sentence and turned back to the serving area.

I remember someone saying that it's hard to control the strength needed to step on an ant without crushing it.

Right now, he's trying his best to control the power he's releasing.

"Is Izumi-chan really this cold? It feels like he's a completely different person."

Fujiwara Chika on the bench looked astonished.

"Isn't that normal? It's natural to be different when you're in combat mode, and isn't this cooler?"

Takanashi Rikka tilted her head.

Is it really normal?

Outside the net, Eriri's lips twitched. She found it hard to comment.

He's seriously ill!

He readjusted his stance.

"I've figured it out. The secret to your bizarre serve is actually an outward spin, right? This kind of ball is theoretically impossible to achieve, as the spin is too powerful for a normal person to control. However, it's actually possible. I think you must have the talent for 'Absolute Control'... There are always monsters in this world that surpass imagination, and it seems I've had the good fortune to meet one."

"But it's just a bizarre serve. Once I get used to it, I can still return it!"

Before he could serve, Kawamura Kentaro suddenly began his analysis with a serious expression, full of confidence.

You know, he actually has a point.

It seems he had underestimated this person's skill.

At this moment, Hasegawa Izumi finally felt a sliver of anticipation.

"Come on, receive this ball, and then you'll see real hell!"

He tossed the tennis ball high into the air and served an outward spin serve once more.

23 Faint Thunder

"Crack!"

With a collision sound, the tall figure staggered a few steps before collapsing steadily, his wide-open eyes filled with bewilderment.

"40-0!"

The umpire announced loudly.

Hasegawa Izumi turned around, glancing sideways. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kawamura Kentaro lying on the court and shook his head.

I thought you could actually receive that ball.

This is ridiculous!

"But your courage is commendable. You still dared to face this shot head-on and even made a reasonable attempt to respond. You just couldn't see the direction of the spin. It looks like you'll have a chance to adapt on the next one."

From his vantage point, he could completely see through the opponent's thoughts and progress.

This Human World isn't so unbearable after all.

Perhaps, the future might hold even more unexpected excitement!

"Go, big brother playing tennis! Don't get defeated like this! Never give up!"

This suddenly inserted sentence, like a boulder dropped into a deep pool, made the now silent court and its surroundings burst into awkward laughter and embarrassed sighs.

Did she mistake the target?

Who exactly is the weak one?

Everyone's gaze immediately fell upon the speaker, causing her to fearfully cover her mouth with her hand.

Judging from her school uniform, she was a middle schooler, likely curious to see the high school grounds and stumbled upon the current scene, ultimately reaching a conclusion different from everyone else's.

Although there was a difference in physique, the seemingly frail Hasegawa held an overwhelming advantage, even giving the impression of bullying the weak.

This was completely different from what everyone had initially imagined, defying everyone's expectations.

Who could have imagined that the captain of the tennis club, whom everyone had placed their hopes on, would be so easily crushed.

Kawamura Kentaro was definitely not convinced. He snapped out of his dazed state and stood up again.

"Little girl, don't be mistaken! He's the challenger! I was just caught off guard and got hit like this."

He pointed at the opponent.

"Pfft."

In the crowd, some girls couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He didn't blush at all and instead looked at Hasegawa, saying, "Come on, let's continue! This time, I'll definitely hit the ball successfully!"

From this statement, Hasegawa Izumi clearly noticed that the opponent had lowered his goal.

Previously, he wanted to return the shot, but now, just... touching the ball would be considered a success!

The other spectators didn't find it strange either. After all, that outward spin serve didn't seem like something a human could hit, and they didn't believe someone who could do that wouldn't have other skills.

It seemed that in everyone's minds, he had successfully upgraded from an elite NPC to a higher rank: a boss.

"Crack... crack..."

The only sound on the court was the thwack of the tennis ball hitting the ground, over and over. Everyone held their breath in anticipation.

"Here it comes, watch out."

Hasegawa Izumi called out, leaped into the air, and swung his right hand, sending the tennis ball flying out again, straight into the opposite court.

At this moment, Kawamura Kentaro's expression was solemn. He stared intently at the direction the tennis ball was spinning on the ground. In an instant of perception...

Time seemed to stop.

"This way!"

He made his judgment, moving one extra step as he swung the tennis racket in his hand.

Crack!

A crisp striking sound rang out.

His face was filled with ecstasy.

He finally hit it!

"Out of bounds! Therefore, Hasegawa wins this game, leading 1-0! We will now switch sides."

The umpire made the call, watching the tennis ball fly into the sky.

Clap, clap, clap...

Even though he hadn't managed to return it, he had still hit the ball. His effort earned the audience's recognition, and warm applause erupted.

"Congratulations, you hit it."

Hasegawa Izumi offered his congratulations as well.

"Hahaha..."

Kawamura Kentaro scratched his hair, blushing slightly.