Want to Become a Top Ranker
Chapter 52 A Miracle Happened

My team walked past Team Reinhart, we passed. Kroenzi greeted the gloomy looking Reinhart.

   "Don't be so moody, I'll avenge your defeat later." Kroenzi patted Reinhart's chest.

   "Who's the moody one. I used to be!" reinhart Refusal.

   It seemed like he did not want to show his weak side in front of Kroenzi. Well we would also be like that if our team lost.

    "Just calm down Gar. I'll avenge it later," said Leon.

    "Hahaha.please respond to our defeat" Gary replied.

    "Later to finish playing basketball game together. Xavier, Gary." Said Leon while patting the shoulders of the two of them.

   They both seem to have accepted Leon's request. Leon and the others walked back.

    "Please!" Tom held my shoulder.

    "I'll try!" My reply.

   Now a push is given by them. I became more excited plus those who relied on me. I'll definitely give them an interesting match to see.

   I left them and headed down. There, it looks like Team Adam is waiting for us with his spirit.

   Get to the bottom…

   We all sat on the sidelines to wait for the game to start. Give time for Team Adam to rest for a moment after the crucial match. With a long chair of 5 people, I sat facing the audience bench.

   We discussed strategy a little bit during the game break.

  "So, how do we play now? Has nothing changed?" ask Kroenzi.

  I thought for a moment to come up with a proper strategy to counter them. With Adam being their foundation, we will definitely put more pressure on Adam's movements so that he can not move freely.

     "For now all you have to look out for is Adam. Jump shot he has a fairly high accuracy. Once he jumps, then they'll get a score," I reply.

     "But if we focus too much on Adam, the mercurial Luci can move freely later. The combination between Luci and Michael also cannot be underestimated" said Leon.

    His words are right too. It is quite difficult to determine how our strategy is to counter them. Their team composition is very good. They can get a score from anywhere. Coupled with Frans who sometimes desperate to throw the ball from the end.

    "The difficulty is much higher than Tim Aaron." I stood in front of them all. "You know, it's better to play quietly. No need to rush to get a score" I said to give encouragement to them.

    "Surely, too, said Raphael. The important thing is that we play quietly." Keep Vincent on his feet like me.

    "In that case, we'll play as freely as possible?" ask Isaak.

    "You could say so. The philosophy of our game to get past them is Fly through the Clouds" I said.

   "Fly through the clouds? What does that philosophy mean?" ask them all.

  That is the philosophy I got from a Book I forgot its title. The meaning of the word is none other than Moving Past the Pressure.

   "Moving freely through the pressures that prevent us. Moving like a bird through the clouds" I replied.

    They all seemed to be amazed by the philosophy I gave them. They all started to stand up from their seats.

   "In that case, we must exert all our abilities. Like a bird flapping its wings." Isaak.

   We also point one hand at the Middle. Doing a Toss to get the spirit flaring.

   "For victory." Said Leon leading a Toss.

   "For Reinhart's victory and vengeance!" kroenzi shouted with Excitement.

   "Haha..To victory." Laughing Isaak.

   Our hands all started to gather in one place. Overlap each other. With the same vision, we all began to mention Philosophy simultaneously.

   "Fly Through the Clouds!" Shouted us all while raising our hands.

    "WOO!" Shouted Vincent.

    Our team is very excited to win. 

   PRIITTTES

    The whistle sounded long. The match will start soon. Both teams began to head to the middle of the field.

   We all started marching against each other. I'm dealing Frans, Vincent with Luci, Isaak with Raymond, Leon with Luci and Kroenzi with Adam.

   The situation is now starting to heat up due to the voltage. 

   "I'll beat you here, Raphael!" chirps Frans.

   "Well! Try it if you can. I'm the one who's gonna beat you." Reply with my head slightly lowered to the back.

   I will try to make Frans lose his spirit in the game. Cheers began to be heard from the audience bench. This is the last game for today. Everyone mustered each other all their energy from now on..

   Alvian is now walking in our middle. Passing by and looking at our faces with a basketball he was holding. He was too enthusiastic when he became a referee.

  "For the last game, there were a few rules that were changed. We'll play 2 sets with 1 set given 10 minutes." Alvian said as he passed us all.

   2 sets. Enough time for the last game. Maybe there will be an event to reply to each other later. I'd better play a little relaxed for set 1. But I also won't play too casually to keep the Point difference later.

   "Is there anything I want to ask you about the match?" alvian asked us all.

   One of their team raised his hand. 

   "Are we now able to use our skills?" ask Raymond.

   True, throughout the game, there is a rule not to use each Skill. Will this last match be given a waiver to use our skills? I felt that it would be easy to win if allowed to wear a Skill.

   "No! We will play a Basketball Game that purely relies on Physical strength rather than using your abilities" Alvian declined.

   Yahh. very unfortunate. I thought that we would all be given permission to use our skills.In that case, I would have to rely on Kroenzi who has a fairly strong physique.

   "Is there another question?" Alvian looked at all of us. Judging from the look on his other face, no one seemed to want to ask back. "Then maybe we start the game. For both sides, please greet each other to uphold sportsmanship" said Alvian.

   We all began to greet each other while walking to the Area of each team.

  "Please on the Sportivity." said Adam as he shook Leon's hand. 

  "Yes." reply Leon.

  Now it's my turn to shake hands with Adam. I don't know why his grip looks so tight. I could also feel the sensation of her hands looking rough. As if he had been trained everyday.

   I also have a good night with Frans. He seemed to hold my hand tightly. I also tried to reply to him. Now a feud is going on between me and her. He looked grinning in front of my face. 

   I replied with a half-smile towards him. Then I went back to shake hands with the others. 

   Now my team and I are getting ready for the Away Field Area. Team Adam became Home. 

   I also did a movement to stretch my legs with my right leg bent forward slightly. As well as both hands holding tightly with the palm pointing upwards for 5 seconds.

    Then I spread my legs as wide as my shoulders and hands holding my hips. I also move my hips forward and then rotate clockwise for 3 rounds. I also finished stretching so that my muscles are not too tense later.

   Kroenzi who seemed to have also finished doing the stretch jumped up a few times. Since he takes care of the front, I will try to help him in scoring.

   Now Alvian was standing right in the middle of the circle of the field. Looks like he'll start soon.

   "Both representatives are begging to come closer here." Moving his palm towards her.

    Kroenzi and Adam went ahead as Alvian ordered.

    "Okay, the two representatives are ready, right?" alvian said while making sure each team.

    "Okay, it starts right away. 1.." Kroenzi and Adam immediately get ready to jump. "2...3!" Alvian threw the ball up. Adam and Kroenzi jumped to reach the ball. Fortunately Kroenzi's high posture made it quite easy to reach him.

   The ball is now on my team with Isaak holding it. Leon immediately moved forward quickly towards the Opponent Area. Raymond and Michael tried to stop him. Now, Leon looks a little difficult with 2 people who block him simultaneously.

   Isaak also advanced while mendrible the ball calmly. Vincent also tried to open a space in front. He drove out Luci who was going to confront Isaak. Isaak is now one-on-one with Adam. The two looked at each other. 

   Isaak tried to move towards the right. However, Adam also moved a step to Right to try to hit it back. Isaak also immediately did a Pivot to escape from Adam. Unfortunately, Adam directly touched the ball that was under him. Now the ball is rolling on the floor to my Team Area Direction. Adam quickly chased the ball.

   Because I was left alone, I ran to chase the ball. But baby, the ball was first to be taken by Adam. I stopped my steps too. Apparently, Adam was planning to do a Jump Shot. I also ran back to him. 

   He jumped up and immediately threw the ball. I jumped in to get to the ball. When he threw the ball, luckily my hand was already in front of the ball. The ball was blocked by my hand. I also tried to push the ball forward.

   The ball is now free with no one holding it. The situation is starting to change. Leon who was in the guard was off and held the ball. Kroenzi is already under the Ring with Frans trying to press Kroenzi. But unfortunately, given his much smaller posture, Kroenzi easily escaped the pressure exerted by Frans. Leon gave the ball to him. Kroenzi immediately jumped after getting the ball and did a Dunk.

   This is a good start. My team immediately ran back to the Area. Luci immediately took over the ball. He was confronted by Vincent. Adam is driven by Leon and Kroenzi. Luci started to look - look towards his team members while dribbling the ball. He looked calm and did not show the slightest expression of doubt on his face. 

   He also moved slowly back. He did a dribble through the slit of his foot. Back and forward repeatedly. Vincent approached him. But, he immediately did a dribble quickly which made Vincent look confused. A Dribble between his legs very quickly. To the extent that when he bounced his ball over the sidelines of Vincent's Foot, no one noticed. He got away from Vincent's guard.

   I also approached and confronted him. Suddenly the ball disappeared. From behind his body, the ball was thrown towards Michael. Michael also received the ball well and immediately threw the ball towards the Ring. They also score.

   "What kind of Dribble is that! I can't see the ball." My word.

   "He-hey..." Vincent with a slightly frightened face. "I can see him passing by using his elbows from behind his body" Vincent said.

   We were all surprised. How could he make such an pass. Leon calmed down instantly.

     "Street basketball games yeah, I think I can get in the way of it." Leon Said.

     "Can you?" ask me.

       "I've seen Street Basketball many times. So I know enough how to fight it. You can leave Luci to me." Leon said.

    We all agreed and gave Leon to look after Luci. The game started with us. I gave the ball to Isaak. Isaak also gave back the ball to Leon who was in the middle of the field. Leon is currently dealing with Luci. Leon also appears to be doing the same Dribble as Luci did earlier. The difference was, he could do that quickly surpass Luci. 

   He moved forward a little and then back. Luci lost his balance and fell. It was Ankle Break.. Shit, Leon can do Ankle Break. It was beyond my expectations with him. Leon ran straight to the corner. Michael and Adam blocked him who was running while mendribble it. He also did a movement to rotate his body in a narrow gap. He also got away. He immediately moved his body to the side and immediately jumped and threw the ball. The ball went into the ring. 

   He returned while wiping the sweat on his lips. With a sharp look, I found out that now he had entered into his Rigorous Mode. 

   {Hahaha!! Damnit damnit!! Now you're the star of Leon!} In my heart while laughing.

   Minutes per minute passed. With Leon who is still his star with his magical Movement. He always managed to break through the opposition's defence with ease and gave us enough help to score. Until the remaining 3 minutes, the score has shown 35-21 a score that is quite far. And also, Leon could still hold his Rigorous mode all this time. Stamina is really a lot.

   With him being like that, it seemed like he could still wear that mode until the end of this set of 1. I will try to play calm while saving my stamina. Unexpectedly when I rested, Leon also lost the ball when dealing with Adam. I immediately put up a position ready to block him back. However, before I got near her, she immediately jumped up without stopping first. Throw the ball so perfectly that it enters without touching the Ring at all. Uhh!! Now Adam has also entered Rigorous mode.

    2 People have entered Rigorous mode at the same time. It's a pretty terrible match..

   3 Minutes passed. there was only 5 seconds left. Isaak was still in the middle while holding the ball was immediately throw the ball into the ring without much time. The ball touched the ring and did not enter. Kroenzi who was at the bottom was immediately rebounded and put the ball into the Ring.

    PRIITTS

   Whistle sound sign set finished. We all returned to our seats outside the pitch to rest for a while waiting for the 2nd set to begin. Leon seemed to be exhausted with sweat drenching his body. I also tried to get close to him.

   "Aren't you papa Leon?" ask me. "You look so exhausted.." 

   "Hah.I'm okay Raph. Don't worry about me." reply Leon.

   His breathless breathing made him look like a heavy fatigue. It seemed like for the next Set, he would not be able to move freely anymore with such stamina. I also tried to help him to move to a chair outside the Field. 

   I grabbed him using my shoulder and carried him out. I also put her exhausted body to sit down. His head that lowered down was followed by sweat pouring down on the floor. I immediately picked up a towel available on the sidelines and placed it over Leon's head.

   "Thank you Raphael" Leon said in a tired tone.

   I stood up and tried to look at Tim Adam. Adam also looked exhausted. There is still a way to win without Leon moving freely with the same Adam condition as Leon. 

    Vincent went silent without saying a word. I think it's weird, Vincent used to open the conversation. And his gaze seemed empty without any light at all. I also tried to pat her on the shoulder tightly.

   TEKKEN

   "Ouch!" chirped Vincent. He also looked angry afterwards. "Why Raph! Hit it hard," snapped Vincent.

   "Don't shut up like that. What makes you look sad?" ask me.

   "No, there's nothing." With eyes moving around.

   It seems like he lied to me. When viewed from his bragging, he seemed to look gloomy because he was easily passed by Luci. So he felt that he was just a burden in the team. I tried to make it Spirit again.

   "Hahh. There is no burden on this team. Everyone played well." I said to restore Vincent's spirit.

    Vincent seems to realize it. He is no longer sad. Well, I hope this way he can maximize his game later.

   10 Minutes passed….

   The match starts again. With Leon exhausted, it looks like I'm going to switch roles with him. Kroenzi and Adam began jumping to pick up the ball that Alvian had thrown.

   I also came forward to help the attack. I also put up a gesture to ask Vincent for the ball. Vincent gave me the ball. As I held the ball, Frans, Adam and Luci surrounded me. There's no way for me to move. However, I could see from that gap that Kroenzi was already below the Ring. I lowered my head to distract them and threw the ball up to Kroenzi.

   Their attention was on the ball thrown. Kroenzi immediately jumped up and did Dunk again. The score changed back. I also returned to my area. When I got to my area, I turned around. To my surprise the ball flashed directly beside me quickly. 

   Luci was already ahead without me noticing. The ball he got and immediately did a Lay-up. The score changed back.

********

   5 Minutes walk.no tense situation happened from earlier. Both teams played as usual. Just mendribble, shoot and sometimes Foul. The scoreboard shows the numbers 51-48 with my Team advantage. The ball was still held by Luci with his dangerous Dribble. With the man to man defense, it seemed like it would be difficult for them to break through. 

   Vincent kept Luci very tight. Luci who moves to the right can be followed by Vincent. Luci did Dribble just like he did with Vincent. He quickly catches the reflected ball through his legs. Until at one time, the ball began to enter between the legs of Vincent. However, unexpectedly, Vincent had already prepared one hand between his legs. The ball was blocked by Vincent's hand. 

  The ball is now within his grasp. He threw the ball up with one hand. The ball went into the Ring even though he threw from the Middle of the Field. He also turned around. Ahh. That look in his eyes, it seemed like he had also entered into his Rigorous Mode. This is what I'm waiting for, so Vincent is interested in his basketball. It seemed like I also had to use Rigorous Mode as well. I started to slowly close my eyes and began to imagine that there was only me and the ball inside this Field.

   I managed to enter it again, now in my view there is only me and the ball. Followed by the white lights standing in the Square. The ball started moving forward. I ran as hard as I could to chase after him. However, there was one yellow light that seemed to be chasing the ball as well.

  The ball moved back. Quickly, the yellow light that was chasing him immediately took the ball. I immediately ran to the front of the Ring to attack. The ball is now pointed at me after it was thrown by the Light. I quickly threw the ball sideways at the Ring. The ball also came in.

  As I scored, 2 more white lights turned into Gold and Dark Blue. The Golden Light threw the ball from end to end and it went in. Hahahaha.it's getting fun…

   ************

   A few moments passed..

  Me and the Yellow Light fought constantly with the Gold and the Blue. The blue one seemed to hold the ball by looking past me and the other white light. A fierce fight ensued between the four of us. Attack each other without caring about defending. 

   The Blue was prevented by the Yellow. The two of them moved with each other for quite a while, until the Blue One made it past the Yellow. But I had expected it so I was directly in front of him in an instant. I immediately moved my hand to reach for the ball. Naas, the ball I can't grab and get inside the Ring. 

   I felt exhausted.My sight started to return while I was in the Field. I saw them looking panicked. I saw the scoreboard too.. HUH! how surprised I am. There were only 10 seconds left and a score of 71-72. Shit, I have to attack again. 

   My legs feel numb and I can't deliver. Why should at a time like this. Come on my body, please force yourself.time goes quickly until the remaining 7 seconds. Luci was already on guard in front of my ring. Isaak looked confused about who to pass to.

   Time goes on fast, I try to get the ball from him.

    "OPER ME!" I shouted for the ball to Isaak.

   Isaak gave me the ball. FUCKIN' SHIT! only 3 seconds left. There's nothing I can do anymore. I don't want to have to rely on luck anymore. I also directly threw the ball as hard as possible leading to the opponent Ring from my Area.

   {Please Login!} while praying in the heart.

   The gaze was fixed on the Ball with time running.. HELP ME!! I was hoping for that shot….

   TSSS

  Ahh. Finally. Thank you God for answering my prayer. Time is up. I can breathe a sigh of relief for a moment because the Ball that was thrown earlier went into the Ring. The cheers of the audience began to sound. Victory has been confirmed to my team. I feel a pleasure at this moment. 

   "WOOO!! Raphael!!" Tom shouted from the audience.

   My team started running towards me