Physical Test (1)

The afternoon sun streamed through the window lattices, casting dappled patterns across the basketball court. Each ray of light seemed to add a touch of tension and anticipation to the upcoming freshman physical tests. With a whistle from Shuzo Nijimura, the freshman physicals officially began. The newcomers were divided into two groups: one to undergo physical testing first, and the other to begin basketball skill tests.

Ken Kaneki and Daiki Aomine watched the crowd of people lining up for physical tests with bored expressions. Ken Kaneki's mind suddenly recalled an old saying: "Thirteen that year, at my alma mater's physicals, standing like a nobody."

Just as Ken Kaneki's imagination was running wild, Daiki Aomine, picking his nose, sneakily leaned closer.

"These guys don't seem that great," Daiki Aomine said indifferently. "None of them are faster than me. Kaneki, let's go see how their basketball skills test is going over there?"

Ken Kaneki inwardly scoffed: You dark-skinned guy, that sounds like bragging. If they're faster than you, they should join a sprint race, not play basketball!

Despite his thoughts, Ken Kaneki smiled and refused, "Let's wait patiently for a bit, Aomine. It wouldn't be good if the seniors call our names and we're not here when it's our turn."

"Ah, why are you talking like Momoi, that nagging old woman, now?" Daiki Aomine pouted. "Let's just go watch for a bit, and we can come back when they call us. How about it? Wanna go? Wanna go?"

"Forget it, Aomine. It's almost your turn," Ken Kaneki said, pointing at the line and shaking his head. As soon as he finished speaking, the senior in charge glanced at the list, looked around, and called out loudly, "Number seven, Daiki Aomine! Daiki Aomine, are you here? It's your turn."

"Go on, it's your turn," Ken Kaneki said, patting Daiki Aomine on the back.

"Coming, coming!" Daiki Aomine excitedly walked forward. "Senior, I'm Daiki Aomine."

"Mm, come over here and let's measure your height and weight," the supervising senior said, looking Daiki Aomine up and down and pointing at the equipment. "Yes." Daiki Aomine stepped up to the equipment and took off his shoes. A senior recording the data looked up at the readings and jotted them down.

"Daiki Aomine, 175cm, 60kg, wingspan 190cm. Not bad, quite sturdy. Good static talent." The recording senior patted Daiki Aomine's arm, handed him a number tag labeled "7," and pointed to the side. "Go line up over there for the baseline shuttle run and 3/4 court sprint."

"Okay, thank you, senior!" Daiki Aomine took the tag and went to line up obediently. The recording senior nodded and continued, "Number eight, Ken Kaneki..." Before he could call a second time, Ken Kaneki raised his hand. "Senior, I'm here." The senior nodded. "Alright, come on. Let's start."

Just then, a system notification chimed: "Daily mission issued: Make a splash. Complete this test with the top score among freshmen. Reward: Two general attribute points." Hearing the system announce the mission, Ken Kaneki's expression shifted slightly. He had initially planned to just go through the motions and then dominate the First String seniors to be promoted to the First String. Now, it seemed he needed to take this seriously.

The process was the same as for Daiki Aomine, but the senior's attitude towards Ken Kaneki was noticeably better. "Not bad, newcomer. 180cm, 85kg, wingspan 2 meters. Even more impressive is that you don't look bulky at all; the signs of training are obvious. Practice well, newcomer. You'll definitely be a good prospect for a center in the future. Go test your bench press over there, and then do the shuttle run. I have a feeling you'll make it into the Second String after this."

"Thank you, senior," Ken Kaneki said with a smile, taking the number 8 tag from the senior and heading to the bench press station. It was perfect timing; the previous freshman had just finished his test, and his results were very disappointing, unable to even push the weights.

"Hello, senior. I'm here for the bench press," Ken Kaneki said, handing his tag to the recording senior. After a brief warm-up, he took off his hoodie and lay down, signaling the two spotters that they could begin.

"Ken Kaneki, right?" the senior in charge of adding weight asked. "Looking at your physique, you've clearly been training. Shall we start with your body weight?"

"Let's start with 100 kilograms, senior," Ken Kaneki said with a smile, joking. "My usual training involves no less than 140 kilograms."

"Don't joke around, Kaneki. Based on your physique, I believe 100 kilograms. Even the First String centers can't do 140 kilograms right now." The senior adding weight was also talkative. Soon, he adjusted the barbell to 100 kilograms and signaled Ken Kaneki to begin, reminding him beforehand, "Don't push yourself too hard. Tell us immediately if you feel it's too much."

Ken Kaneki smiled and said nothing. He moved his wrists and began his first bench press. In the blink of an eye, he completed ten reps at 100 kilograms.

"Hmm, good, next..." Just as the recorder was about to call the next person, Ken Kaneki's voice reached everyone's ears: "Sorry, could you add another 20 kilograms, please!"

Everyone seemed to disbelieve their ears and looked at Ken Kaneki with serious expressions. "Kaneki, are you sure you want to add 20 kilograms?"

"Yes, senior. I feel I still have some strength left," Ken Kaneki said with a humble expression, but to everyone watching, it began to sound a bit like bragging.

Unable to resist Ken Kaneki's repeated requests, the senior adjusting the weights finally set it to 120 kilograms, repeatedly warning Ken Kaneki with a worried look, "Be very careful not to get injured. If you can't handle it, tell us immediately." Ken Kaneki just gave a shy smile and said nothing. It was almost a repeat of the previous scene; Ken Kaneki easily completed ten reps at 120 kilograms.

This time, the recording senior didn't rush to call the next person. Instead, he looked at Ken Kaneki with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. "Do you want to add more?"

"Add another 20 kilograms for me, I can do it, senior," Ken Kaneki said with a slightly helpless smile. He had already tested himself privately; with his current strength, bench pressing around 140 to 145 kilograms was normal. However, to those conducting the physical tests, it seemed incredible.

Amidst the astonished gazes of everyone present, the barbell was adjusted to 140 kilograms again. This time, Ken Kaneki showed a slight strain, but he still steadily completed ten reps. By the time Ken Kaneki clapped his hands and prepared to get up, a crowd of curious freshmen had already gathered around.

"Oh my god, 140 kilograms! Is he really only 13 years old like us?"

"He doesn't even look like a big gorilla..." The onlookers whispered amongst themselves. This scene also caught Shuzo Nijimura's attention.

Just as Shuzo Nijimura was about to walk closer to see what was happening, a shout of amazement came from the adjacent field: "This kid has incredible speed!"