Seventh Sense: Manas Consciousness

Akutsu seemed to have found a way to deal with the Dream Illusion, and retreated back to the backfield to prepare to receive the ball.

Yamato didn't show anything unusual after hearing Akutsu's words, and turned back to the baseline to prepare to serve.

He tossed the ball up, swung the racket, and hit it, just like before.

Akutsu, unfazed by the situation, also increased the power of his shot.

The tennis ball was successfully returned, and Akutsu appeared in front of the net at that moment.

He gripped his racket and aimed at the incoming tennis ball, trying to return it before it hit the ground.

The idea was good, but the result was unexpected.

The tennis ball, which hadn't even hit the ground, still managed to pass through Akutsu's racket, while on the other side, the real tennis ball had already landed.

Thump...

"Score for Court No. 3, 15-0"

Akutsu froze on the spot, not expecting that a ball that didn't bounce could fool him.

"It seems that even net play isn't working; that 'Dream Illusion' move took effect the moment it was used."

Akutsu is in a somewhat dangerous situation.

Yamato's Dream Illusion once again shattered everyone's understanding.

"It's no use. Once an illusion exists, it will always exist and won't change just because you shorten the distance."

"Stop talking nonsense! If you've got the guts, try hitting me again."

Pulled back to reality by Yamato's words, Akutsu was somewhat annoyed and turned back to the backfield with a very unfriendly expression.

Thump...

"Score in Court No. 3 3, 3-1"

Under Yamato's Dream Illusion offensive, the fourth inning also ended quickly.

Akutsu was almost completely overwhelmed by this move and had no chance to fight back.

In order to replace the Dream Illusion, he even used his well-developed motor skills to receive the real ball after eliminating the fake ball in the first shot.

But no matter how well-developed his motor skills are, he can't keep escaping the Dream Illusion.

Is this what you wanted to show me?

Just as the two sides were changing sides, Akutsu passed by Horio's location, and Horio's words made him stop.

"What?"

"I said, is this what you wanted to show me? With your current skill level, you can't even beat him, yet you think you can beat me?"

"Little brat..."

"I really don't know what you've been doing lately. You've degenerated to this extent. It's truly disappointing."

Horio's words were extremely sarcastic, Akutsu felt a surge of anger.

However, it was precisely Horio's blunt words that brought him to his senses.

"Although I hate to admit it, that guy is right. After all, the opponent is just a high school student. It's too much of a stretch to return the ball with two swings."

As he walked, Akutsu pondered Horio's words.

Even after reaching the baseline, he didn't immediately serve.

Seeing Akutsu's reaction, Yamato didn't interrupt him.

He had overheard Horio and Akutsu's conversation and knew that Horio was a junior with considerable strength.

"Hahaha... How boring. This kind of playstyle is truly garbage."

About a minute later, Akutsu suddenly burst into laughter.

Seeing Akutsu's reaction, Yamato's expression finally changed.

"That move of yours was indeed quite good; it's very suitable for exploiting loopholes. However, I won't let you score another point."

After saying that, Akutsu's aura suddenly changed.

A dark red aura covered his body, and at the same time, a red light flashed in his eyes.

"Yoshihira, this is..."

"Yes, it does give me the feeling of Beast's Aura, but... it's also somewhat different."

Off the field, Chitose saw Akutsu's imposing aura and immediately turned to look at Tachibana Kippei.

Tachibana Kippei also sensed Akutsu's change the moment it occurred, but there was something different mixed in with that aura.

"That is..."

At this moment, the ghost beside him also frowned, as if it had seen something extraordinary.

"It seems he's made rapid progress lately; he's already reached this level."

Why do I feel that his aura is mixed with power from another dimension?

"Because that guy is a bit special, his current state is like gathering power for a future interdimensional transfer."

In other words, his current state is the Seventh Sense, the Manas Consciousness.

The demon didn't fully understand Horio's explanation.

However, having also reached the Otherworld Domain, he could sense Akutsu's power.

On the court, after Akutsu activated his Manas Consciousness, he became completely different from before.

He tossed the ball up and Akutsu swung his racket.

A dull thud was heard, and the tennis ball had vanished without a trace.

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, 15-0"

Akutsu's sudden change stunned Yamato for a moment; he hadn't even seen the ball's trajectory clearly.

After being scored on, he could only quickly adjust his mindset and focus more intently.

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, 30-0"

Another shot, and Yamato still couldn't see the ball's trajectory.

"What's wrong? Should I slow it down a bit more?"

Looking at Yamato, who was pinned to the spot, Akutsu) face.

After saying that, he hit the ball again.

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, 40-0"

"Calm down, really feel the tennis ball, and you'll definitely be able to track its trajectory."

Yamato closed his eyes after Akutsu scored three consecutive points with her serve.

After taking several deep breaths, Yamato opened his eyes again, his gaze regaining its previous composure.

"What, you think you can catch the ball just by calming yourself down?"

Seeing that Akutsu didn't seem to care and continued what he was doing.

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, score 2-3"

"We've won a round. Akutsu is really powerful when he activates that state."

"Our opponent is no match for Akutsu, who has reverted to his wild playing style. It seems we've won this match again."

"The Dream Illusion has been shattered; the opponent no longer has anything that can threaten Akutsu."

The junior high school student breathed a sigh of relief after winning the game with a serve.

At the same time, they also began to be wary of Akutsu's awakened Manas Consciousness.

Especially Atobe and Yukimura, who were not far away, could not easily see Akutsu's flaws even with their superior insight.

Yukimura, on the other hand, sensed a power emanating from Akutsu that could resist his spiritual energy, causing him to frown slightly.

"That's really embarrassing, not even being able to return the ball. But as long as you hold your serve, there's still hope for victory."

On the baseline, Yamato holds the ball in his hand.

After thinking about it for a while, I typed it out.

Akutsu shifted his body and instantly arrived at the ball's landing point, swinging a backhand.

The tennis ball accelerated twice and flew straight towards Yamato.

This time, Yamato finally caught the trajectory of the tennis ball and hit it out of his Dream Illusion.

Just as the crowd outside the court saw the tennis ball fly to Akutsu's left, Akutsu's figure rushed to the right.

Stand still and swing your racket into the air.

The sound of the ball being struck rang out, Akutsu knocked Yamato's Dream Illusion back into the air.

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, 15-0"

"It's cracked! Akutsu has broken the Dream Illusion!"

"Abandoning rational analysis and choosing to trust one's wildest intuition—that's the true tennis of Akutsu."

After what seemed like the umpteenth time he had faced Yamato's Dream Illusion, Akutsu finally managed to break through this move squarely.

"There's no suspense anymore; Akutsu can't beat Akutsu now."

Seeing the situation on the field, Horio gave his assessment.

"The two players in doubles can go warm up now; this match won't last much longer."

At this moment, Oni turned to look at Chitose and Tachibana. The two exchanged a glance, then picked up their rackets and left the players' area.

The game on the field continued, but it was less of a game and more of a scoring spectacle by Akutsu.

Yamato had done his best, but he was still no match for Akutsu had awakened his Manas Consciousness.

Akutsu gradually caught up with the score, eventually taking the lead.

Under the pressure of Akutsu's wild tennis, Yamato eventually couldn't catch up with Akutsu's returns.

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, the score is 6-3, Court No. 5 wins."

Akutsu returned the final ball, the tennis ball passing between Okabe's feet.

With the referee's decision, Akutsu won, and Court No. 5 took another victory, bringing the overall score to 2-1.

"Great, the advantage is now in our hands."

"If we can hold onto our Second Doubles, then Court No. 5 will be promoted to Court No. 3!"

"Tachibana and Chitose should be back by now, the two former Twin Heroes of Kyushu, they're sure to win."

Akutsu's victory was like a boulder thrown into the water, creating a ripple.

Just then, Tachibana and Chitose, who had gone to warm up, returned. Upon learning of Akutsu's victory, the two felt even more pressure.

Their opponents were Suzuki Shun and Mukaichi Issa, both alumni of Shishiraku Junior High School, who were also their Senpai.

The ghost didn't explain anything to the two of them, and simply let them go on stage after they had warmed up.

"I never expected to run into Senpai from Shishiraku in a place like this, don't you think, Yoshihira?"

"That's right."

On the field, Chitose and Tachibana looked at the two people opposite them, both filled with fighting spirit.

"You two seem to have made some progress."

"Play seriously, at least make us happy."

Suzuki Shun and Mukaichi Issa felt somewhat gratified as they faced their two junior classmates.

Without much small talk, the two sides quickly began the official match.

On the baseline, Ju delivers a high-speed serve.

Suzuki Shun reacted immediately, taking a few steps to the side and swinging his racket.

The tennis ball was returned, Chitose was already waiting at the net.

However, Mukaichi Issa was no pushover either, and he returned the favor with a net shot when facing Chitose's net play.

Bang...

"Score for Court No. 3, 15-0"

Mukaichi Issa performed what a doubles attacker should do, giving Chitose, who is also an attacker, Chitose of his own medicine.

"You two need to be serious, you can't beat us like this."

"What, are you letting us have our way just because we're the Senpai? That won't do."