Chapter 1: Traveled Through Time?
"Wake up, wake up… How can you fall asleep standing up? The coach is calling you!"
Haruki was pushed forward from behind, blinking at the slightly irritated middle-aged man in front of him. His mind jolted, and the memories in his head gradually became clearer. He was at a training camp for Aoba Johsai in Seijoh, apparently a substitute player, and… he had fallen asleep on the sidelines!
"Taiichi, after the match, you're doing five laps of fish jumps around the court. For now, go sub in for Matsukawa. Use your speed to support the first pass—don't let the opponent score on their serve."
The moment he heard the name "Taiichi," Haruki's body moved instinctively. But as the coach's instructions sank in, a realization hit him like a lightning bolt—he had transmigrated into the world of Haikyuu!!
The problem was, aside from some basic volleyball skills he'd picked up in college PE class, Haruki didn't actually know how to play volleyball… Stumbling onto the court in a daze, he couldn't fathom how he was supposed to compete with the monsters from Haikyuu!!
Just then, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Genius All-Rounder System activating… Please wait, host…"
"Welcome, host, to the All-Rounder System. Now calibrating to the standards of the Japanese High School Volleyball League."
Huh? As a decade-long avid reader of transmigration novels, Haruki was no stranger to the "transmigration plus system" trope. But experiencing it firsthand left him momentarily stunned.
Ding. "Data calibration complete. Now explaining the ability standards for the High School Volleyball League: The average ability score is 60. School team players can reach up to 100, while scores below 50 indicate an amateur hobbyist. Scores of 60–69 represent average school team players, 70–79 are mid-tier players, 80–89 are excellent players, and 90–99 are top-tier players… The host's current ability score is 65."
"No players with an ability score of 100?"
"A score of 100 is reserved for top-tier players during peak performance bursts."
Somewhat grasping his situation, Haruki looked at the panel that suddenly appeared before his eyes:
Host: Haruki
Height/Weight: 183cm/72kg
Ability Score:65
Speed: 90
Strength:75
Stamina: 60
Jump: 60
Technique: 40 (Technique is a composite score of serving, receiving, passing, spiking, and blocking; standards vary by position)
"…" Well, great. Aside from his physical stats, he was basically useless. What was the point of stepping onto the court like this? If he got completely crushed, the coach might bench him for good, and he'd never get another chance to play. Ugh! This was too pathetic. Right, System-san?
"…"
"Now providing the host with a one-time Newbie Gift Package."
Haruki couldn't tell if it was his imagination, but he swore the system emphasized "one-time" a bit too much.
Newbie Gift Package:
1. One Mid-Tier, Excellent, and Top-Tier Player Experience Card each
(Player Experience Card: The host can temporarily gain the abilities of the selected player for five minutes).
2. Newbie Training Mode: Until the host's technique scores reach an average of 60, stamina recovery during training will be enhanced, preventing exhaustion.
3. 10 Stamina Potions
(Stamina Potion: Restores the host's stamina to half-full per use).
Haruki stared at the spinning gift package in front of him, his heart racing. This was his chance to make a splash. But which card should he use? Mid-tier might be too average, and he didn't want to waste the top-tier card just yet, so…
"System-san, use the Excellent Player Experience Card."
"Understood."
Haruki watched expectantly as a golden card appeared before him, spinning wildly after he confirmed his choice.
"Ten pulls for gold, no duds. Ten pulls for gold, no duds…" Though he knew it wouldn't help, chanting this during a card draw was a habit Haruki couldn't shake.
"…" The card's spinning slowed, finally stopping with a soft ding. The card revealed a boy with spiky red hair and a mischievous grin.
"Tendo Satori!"
It couldn't be because they both had "Ori" in their names, right? Haruki studied the card—overall ability score 88, just shy of top-tier. Not bad, not bad. And one stat in the technique category glowed with golden light—Blocking: 92! Haruki's fingers twitched with excitement; he was itching to throw up a block and show off.
"Taiichi, you've got some nerve, sleeping on the bench. Did you dream of anything fun~?" Oikawa Tooru turned around with a teasing smile the moment Haruki stepped onto the court.
I dreamed of you getting smacked by Iwaizumi, Haruki thought to himself, though his face showed a sheepish, apologetic look.
"Ignore him and focus on the game," came Iwaizumi Hajime's steady voice. It was hard to believe the captain wasn't Iwaizumi but that guy instead.
"Yes, sir." Haruki straightened up and took his position on the court.
Today, Aoba Johsai's opponent was a university team from Miyagi University. To help the first-years better understand their weaknesses, this training match was set up as a 6v6 between the university team and Aoba Johsai.
Aoba Johsai's lineup was anchored by third-years Oikawa Tooru, Iwaizumi Hajime, and Hanamaki Takahiro, with first- and second-years rotating every five points. This allowed the new players to experience a strong opponent while the coaching staff tested lineups for the school year.
The current score was Miyagi University 15 vs. Aoba Johsai 9.
Miyagi University's main attacker, Maeda, had just scored two consecutive points with his serves. On the third serve, Aoba Johsai managed a first pass, but it was far from perfect, giving the opponent an opportunity ball. Miyagi's ace delivered a powerful spike that left Aoba Johsai defenseless.
Three points lost in a row—and it was still the opponent's serving turn. Even though Haruki had just stepped onto the court, he could feel the heavy atmosphere.
The whistle blew, signaling Miyagi's serve.
Maeda stood five meters behind the serving line, calmly bouncing the volleyball. After finding his rhythm, he crouched slightly, tossed the ball up, and charged forward. Just one step from the line, Maeda leaped, his right hand slamming the ball with force. The volleyball shot toward Aoba Johsai like a cannonball.
So fast! Haruki couldn't react at all. Watching the ace serve from the court felt even more intimidating!
"I've got it!" Aoba Johsai's second-year libero, Watari Shinji, sprang into action. With the experience of the last three serves, he accurately judged the ball's landing spot and received it. But it was just a receive—the ball ricocheted off Watari's arms and flew back to Miyagi's back row.
"Opportunity ball!" Miyagi cleanly executed their first pass, the setter quickly following up. Maeda, brimming with confidence, dashed to the net and jumped. This was his rhythm! Even if they could receive his serve, if they couldn't do it well, this point was still his.
When the ball bounced back to Miyagi's side, Haruki quickly positioned himself at the front row, his eyes locked on Maeda's movements. As if guided by a mysterious force, Haruki's mind instantly calculated the direction of Maeda's spike. The moment Maeda jumped, Haruki leaped as well.
Bang! That was the sound of Maeda's spike.
Smack! That was the sound of the ball hitting Haruki's hands.
Tap, tap, tap… That was the sound of the volleyball hitting the ground.
Coach Irihata stood up, stunned by the block that scored a point out of nowhere! It looked like pure instinct. Could this year's first-years include a blocking genius?!
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Newbie Translator Here!
What are your thoughts...?