Want to Become a Top Ranker
The Chapter 50 Rigorous Mode

The students hurried to stand up from their seats. I intend to form a team with Leon and Vincent. I quickly turned to the two of them who were in front of me.

  "Vin, Leon." My speech.

  The two of them turned towards me.

  "What's wrong?" ask Leon and Vincent at the same time.

  "One team yuk. I'm confused who the same team is." With a little confusion.

  "May I. I'm not interested in basketball, either" Vincent said.

  Leon also seems to have no objection to forming a team. "Jude, find the rest again. Who do you think would want to get into our team?" ask them both.

  For the rest of the members I should try to recruit someone who has the ability in the field of Sports. Because Vincent and I are not good at basketball. I also don't know Leon's ability to play basketball.

  If one team is filled with someone who is less proficient in basketball, it is certain before starting that the team will lose. I hate what is called defeat.

  "Who is good." I looked around looking for people with great potential.

  Ahh. I saw someone who doesn't seem to have a team yet. To be honest I don't like his attitude a little bit, but he is the right person to join this team. I approached him too.

  "Where are you going Raph?" ask Leon.

  I also returned the favor while walking closer to someone I wanted to recruit. "Just wait, I'll bring 1 person into the team. You guys just find 1 more person," I said.

  He looked confused looking around him. His efforts that seemed to be looking for a team seemed to agree when invited to join. I also tried to call him that seemed confused.

  "Kilnzi!" yell me.

  Kroenzi turned to me for a moment. His eyes were filled with a silver glare that lit up towards me. He raised his hand immediately. "rap!" While shouting.

  We also talked afterwards. It would be easy to invite him to join.

  "Hey buddy, you seem to be confused." I raised my right palm.

  "Yahh. I was a little confused to determine Tim. No one's taking me." Kroenzi stroked his back head and smiled slightly.

  "Don't Reinhart invite you to join a team?" ask me.

  After mentioning Reinhart's name, his eyes were filled with burning embers. It seems like her spirit appeared when I mentioned Reinhart's name.

  "NO! I DON'T WANT A TEAM WITH HIM. BECAUSE WE ARE RIVALS!" kroenzi shouted with excitement and fierce fire.

  It is this over-exaggerated nature that makes me a little dislike being around him. But I can use him to win. His high posture made it easy to earn Points.

  "Hahaha.you haven't changed much since Hit & Run last month huh." I laughed expressionlessly to reply.

  Without much ado, I immediately offered to join the Team I created.

  "Kroenzi, I have an offer for you." Seriously so.

  The excited spirit had started to turn into a calm expression. He tried to look at me seriously.

  "What offer?" His eyebrows raised next to.

  "Inviting you to defeat Reinhart, I will help you to make it happen again." I uttered a word that he might accept.

  "Are you serious? Can you help me beat him again?" ask Kroenzi.

  With a piercingly sharp gaze to show her seriousness. "I didn't say it in origin. It's easy to beat Reinhart with you as the main Pawn and the center of attention" I replied.

  His eyes began to look, looking for if there was a lie in my eyes. He stopped looking at me.

  "By Raph. I'll join your team."

  Because someone is so needed for the team then it's time to come back. I invited him to hang out with Leon and Vincent who seemed to have found one other person.

   "Follow me Kroenzi" take me.

  He followed from behind. I stepped up a little quickly. Groups of people began to hinder me while walking. I walked through the crowds through the narrow gaps between them.

  Arrive where Leon and Vincent stand. There were the two of them and Isaak who were near them both. Looks like Isaak was chosen to join this team. I can't imagine a team composition like this.

  With Kroenzi playing Ace in the team, Isaak and Vincent are in charge of Small Forward and Point Guard. And me and Leon are probably in charge of Defense.

  "I've found 1 more Raph!" said Vincent.

  "Yes I already know. I've also brought Kroenzi as our Team's Leading Role." He pointed towards Kroenzi who was behind me.

  "Ohoo!"

  "That means the team is formed. The rest may be waiting for Mr. Gritz's direction." Leon Said.

   "Have you thought about each other's positions?" ask Isaak.

   "Already, for the part of the attack, just leave it to Kroenzi. While you and Vincent will be in charge in position to help the attack pattern." While pointing towards the three of them one by one.

   "That means I'm with you as Defender huh Raph?" ask Leon.

   "Right, your posture is suitable for defense. As for me, I can dispel the enemy's movements." Say it seriously.

   "Alright, then we will serve in accordance with the position that has been given," replied Leon.

  We all began to stand side by side with each other while waiting for the next direction.

  Mr. Gritz also patted both hands. "Kids! Look at me now" said Mr. Gritz.

  All the students turned to look towards Mr. Gritz. It seems like there is a next direction he wants to give. I also folded my hands on my chest.

  "Everyone has formed their own team?" ask Mr. Gritz.

  We all answered him simultaneously. "Already Sir!"

  "Okay first - tama, I want to ask the remaining 2 people to come forward."

  I don't know who's left. I started looking at the other crowd. Someone also walked forward.

  "I'm the one who's left." Alvian and Joe answered, raising their hands and walking forward.

  Turns out Alvian and Joe were the ones left. For the referee it seems he is the most appropriate. Alvian has a philosophy of Neutral. Which means he won't side with either side.

  "Oke Alvian is the referee and Joe can do anything you want. Next you ask for each team to go forward everything."

   "OK for the first game, it might start with the Team represented by Vincent against the Team represented by Aaron."

   Huh.. My team played in the first round against Aaron's team.Honestly I intend to play in the second round later. But how else, it was Mr. Gritz's choice. I don't want us all to support it.

  "Well sir." said the rest of my team and Aaron's team.

  "For others can see from the above audience bench. Now Disperse!"

  The whole team except Timku and Aaron left the field and went to the stands. Like the formation I gave you, Kroenzi was in the front, Vincent and Isaak were in the middle and I with Leon was in the back.

  "Raphela!! Spirit." Novaria Shouts.

  I looked at him sitting in the audience seat. I raised my hand and smiled at him. I was a little grateful to him for giving me encouragement.

  "Aaron! Spirit too! Defeat Them!" Adrianne Shouts.

  Novaria and Adrianne looked at each other. Emotional turmoil implied in their respective faces. A Blue and White aura was seen between them. I hope the two of them don't clash with each other.

  PRIITTS

  Alvian blew the Whistle. "Representative of each team, please advance to the middle of the field." Alvian said with the Whistle still in his mouth. Kroenzi and Aaron went ahead following the instructions Alvian gave. Alvian held a basketball in his hand.

  "Team Aaron ready?" While pointing his hand towards Tim Aaron. They all seem to nod. "Tim Kroenzi ready?" while pointing towards my team. We all nodded our heads at the ready sign.

  "Okay means we just start the game.. Readyy.." said Alvian as he swung the ball. Kroenzi and Aaron in charge of the front were immediately prepared - ready to jump.

  Alvian started throwing the ball to mark the game. Kroenzi and Aaron, who jumped each other, were scrambling to pick up the ball that floated in the air. Kroenzi's hand threw his basketball towards our Team. The ball is now being held by Vincent.

  Vincent also dribbled the ball while moving slowly. Aaron and Joseph immediately surrounded Vincent's direction of movement. The calm Vincent immediately passed the ball to Isaak who was at the right.

  He threw his ball past Joseph who was standing guard on the right side. Isaak also took the ball that floated to him. He mendrible while running towards the opponent's Ring. However, when almost inside the opponent's field, Gordon was driven in front of him. Isaak who saw Gordon suddenly in front of him immediately moved backwards a little.

  Mendrible in place while searching for the Empty Space. Seeing Kroenzi in front being surrounded by Norman and Richard, Isaak began to be confused about what he should do. Suddenly, beside him was Leon who was running fast without any guard.

  Isaak who saw it immediately passed to Leon who ran ahead of it. Leon was able to catch the ball perfectly without looking back. He moves without any guard from anyone. He put the ball in from outside the box.

  TRACKS

  The ball was entered into the Ring. The first 3 scores for the excellence of Team Raphael. The opposing team began to counterattack afterwards. With Aaron at the center of the attack. Quickly, Raphael dispelled his pace. Using a Box to Box strategy in defense.

  Closing all the Empty Space. Raphael looked at the direction of the ball. Aaron dribbled the ball using both hands in turn. Make the ball change direction. Aaron also tried to take advantage of a gap made by Raphael in his legs. He throws his ball down bouncing past underfoot while performing a Pivot move.

  He broke through and did a dunk afterwards. He wiped the sweat on his cheek using his hands after scoring. Adrianne who saw his heart score past Raphael also shouted in excitement. "YEAY!! Aaron.. Aaron's." Clapping his hands.

   Novaria who saw Adrianne screaming in excitement felt a bit of annoyance in her heart. This is a battle of supporters of the hearts.

  "Sorry!" Raphael told his Team.

  "Luck it off, it's just getting started too." Leon calmed Raphael who was disappointed with his performance.

  Leon takes the ball and throws it at Raphael in front of him. I don't know what was on Raphael's mind, the moment he held the ball, he immediately threw the ball towards the Opponent Ring. He threw as hard as he could sideways. And.. TSS! The ball goes into the ring.

  Everyone who saw that was immediately pensive. Saw the ball coming in after it was thrown from his Team Ring. From end to end. With those serious gazes of his eyes, Raphael was now entering Rigorous Mode. The mode in which he will focus his own views and thoughts without being hindered by others.

  "Damn! I became excited to return to beat him," Frans said from the audience.

   "YES!! My Raphael was indeed the best." Shouted Novaria while glancing towards Adrianne who was beside him. Adrianne who saw the Novaria glance was immediately scrunched his forehead as if annoyed.

  "LAYO!! Aaron's.." Shouted Adrianne cheering.

  They were both filled with hostility. Now the game starts again from Aaron's side. Norman began throwing balls at Richard. The Kroenzi that blocked him could still be passed easily. Then he passed back towards Aaron who was in the opposing area. However, before Aaron had time to take it, Raphael cut the direction of his pass.

  He also ran straight away while vibrating the ball quickly. Although Richard and Norman were already blocking him, Raphael easily passed them both and did a Lay-up Shot. Raphael with his current Rigorous Mode could not be matched with his usual game play.

  "How do we stop him?" ask Norman.

  "I don't know. The way he cut the ball was unusual. Like he'll know how the ball works." Aaron replied with uneasiness.

  They all play as usual. But all that was just in vain, Raphael who was too dominating the course of the game was able to read all the directions of the ball even though it was from the beginning the enemy team gave passes. The level of focus has reached its highest point with the help of the system given Triniade.

  ****************

   "Hahh.hahh.." My irregular breath.

  The score is still 20-7. With my condition forcing my body in the beginning, now I feel very exhausted. But, it seems like Aaron's team is starting to get full of restlessness. I went back to playing as usual without having to force my brain and body.

  "Leon. I leave it to you next." with an irregular breath.

  "Well, you can rest from now on. Let me take care of the next part." Said Leon excitedly while grinning.

  I can count on it this time. I stayed behind and rested my body for a moment. In accordance with the rules given by Mr. Gritz, there was a slight change to his game. 1 game was only given time for 10 minutes. There are 5 minutes left before the game is over.

"LAYO RAPHAEL!!" Shouting Novaria. I looked at him for a moment while watching. My tiredness was not felt to see him encouraging me while putting on his smile face. I just need to hang on for 5 minutes with that 13-win score. Leon also began to advance to help the attack pattern.

  Leon's game is pretty good to watch. He was more prioritizing to pass when he saw an Empty Space. Just now that he was ahead, he immediately gave a classy pass to Kroenzi who had already jumped it. Kroenzi also did a Dunk just above Aaron.

  Maybe it can make the mentality of their players a little bit down. As a result their game will feel collapsed and do not have a strong foundation anymore. Leon started running back into a defensive position.

  ************

  5 Minutes passed.

  PRITTS

  The score turned out to be 45-23 with a win in my team. This is a good result for the beginning. I gave each other a toss.

  "Nice game bro." While doing a tos with Leon.

  "Thanks to Raph, too, their game is a little shaky after seeing your distant shot" Leon said.

  "Haha.."

  "Then I can beat Reinhart again!" Kroenzi said with enthusiasm.

  We all laughed at Kroenzi's passionate attitude.

  "Jaudah, let's go to the stands and see the next game" Isaak said.

  The five of us went to the bleachers to see the Adam vs Reinhart Team match which will be in the offing….