After the warm-up, under Ishikawa's arrangent, each group began their training in an orderly manner. Unlike before, Ishikawa reduced the focus on racket swings and instead increased the emphasis on physical conditioning.
Push-ups, shuttle runs, pull-ups, and more—training that targeted the upper body, lower body, and core. This high-intensity regin naturally left everyone exhausted.
However, since quitting ant leaving the club, everyone pushed through, refusing to fall behind.
The newcors didn't want to miss this opportunity to improve their skills, and they also wanted to prove that they weren't inferior to their seniors.
As for the second and third-years, they didn't want to lose to the newcors either. Everyone gritted their teeth and persevered until the end. Except for so mbers of the second team and the regulars, most of the team collapsed to the ground after the first half of the training session.
"Everyone, take a break."
During this ti, Ishikawa called out, "Regulars and second-team mbers, begin the next phase of training."
"Huh?"
Hearing this, so second-team mbers looked uneasy. "We haven't even rested yet, and now we have to train again?"
"That's right."
Ishikawa didn't mince words. "Since you've earned a status and honor that others don't have, you must also shoulder a training load that others don't have to bear."
"Of course," he added, "you can choose to quit. But let make this clear—anyone, including regulars, who fails to complete their training tasks will either lose their regular status or face punishnt."
At these words, the group's expressions changed.
Despite being a first-year, Ishikawa's authority was no less intimidating than that of a seasoned third-year senior.
With the backing of Coach Sakaki Taro and Atobe, no one dared to challenge his authority at this mont.
"Um... excuse ," one of the second-team mbers hesitated before asking softly, "What exactly is the punishnt?"
"Actually, it's not really a punishnt."
At this point, Ishikawa pulled out a large bottle of murky, dark green liquid. "This is a drink I developed based on soone else's recipe. You can call it herbal tea. Anyone who fails to et the training requirents must drink 50 milliliters of this."
"C-can this even be consud?"
Seeing the so-called "punishnt tea," Mukahi gulped, his voice trembling slightly.
His stamina was notoriously poor within Hyotei, and the warm-up training had already worn him out. However, out of pride as a regular, he hadn't shown it.
But now, with Ishikawa announcing that there would be no rest, he couldn't help but speak up.
"Of course it can."
Ishikawa smiled and, to everyone's astonishnt, poured himself a cup of the punishnt tea and drank it in one go.
*Gulp.*
The group collectively swallowed hard, their respect for Ishikawa growing even more.
"What a tough guy!"
Hiyoshi thought to himself, impressed. No wonder this guy had defeated him. He could drink sothing that looked so terrifying without hesitation.
"By the way," Ishikawa added as if rembering sothing, "this drink can help quickly recover stamina and reduce fatigue after intense exercise. It's very helpful for training."
"I see."
Ootori nodded, as if his doubts had been resolved. "In that case, this drink—er, herbal tea—should be fine."
"But... but..."
Mukahi, Akutagawa, and others still looked terrified.
"What's there to be afraid of?"
A bold voice rang out.
Then, a boy with short brown hair and a light blue baseball cap walked toward Ishikawa.
It was none other than Shishido, who, after losing to Ishikawa and Oshitari, had cut his long hair as a sign of determination.
Being straightforward by nature, Shishido didn't care about the color of the "herbal tea."
In his mind, if Ishikawa could drink it, so could he.
"Here," he said loudly as he approached Ishikawa, "give a cup."
"Sure."
Ishikawa smiled, poured a full cup, and handed it to him.
"Hmph, it's just a drink. Look how scared you all are!"
Shishido scoffed at the others before downing the 50 milliliters of "herbal tea" in one go.
"Amazing!"
"That's our Shishido-senpai!"
"Right, this is what a third-year should be like!"
Seeing Shishido's actions, the others secretly cheered him on.
"Huh?"
However, after swallowing the "herbal tea," Shishido's eyes widened as the liquid hit his taste buds. A mix of sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty flavors exploded in his mouth, overwhelming his senses.
His eyes visibly reddened as an indescribable sensation washed over him.
"ARGHHH!!!"
Then, with a scream, Shishido spat out the herbal tea. Ishikawa, anticipating this, dodged just in ti to avoid being splashed.
"Water... I need water..."
Shishido looked at Ishikawa, his voice weak and hoarse. "Give... give so water..."
"Sorry, senpai," Ishikawa replied with a smile. "This training area doesn't provide water. Only those who complete their tasks can replenish their fluids."
"D-damn it..."
Shishido's face paled. He pushed Ishikawa aside and bolted toward the exit of the court.
"I... I can't..."
*Thud!*
But after just two steps, he collapsed to the ground, as if all his strength had been drained.
Silence.
The entire court fell into an eerie quiet as everyone stared at the fallen Shishido.
"Um... is Shishido-senpai okay?" Ootori finally broke the silence, unable to hold back his concern.
"He's fine. He won't die."
Ishikawa's response was calm. "His taste buds were overstimulated, and his mind couldn't handle it, causing him to faint. He'll be fine in a bit."
"I... see..."
Ootori's mouth twitched. At this mont, he realized how naive he had been earlier. Deep down, he began to feel a sense of fear toward Ishikawa.
This guy was ruthless!
Not just to others, but to himself as well!
"Alright, let's start training."
Ishikawa looked up at the others. Imdiately, everyone except Atobe, including Oshitari, straightened up.
Even the second-team mbers who had been complaining earlier now seed energized. Mukahi, in particular, felt as if he had an endless supply of strength.
Everyone displayed a level of enthusiasm they had never shown before.
"This kid's got quite the thod!"
Watching the team's morale skyrocket under Ishikawa's leadership and supervision, Coach Sakaki Taro smiled with satisfaction.
At this rate, Hyotei's overall strength would undoubtedly improve faster than before.
This gave him a glimr of hope. In the upcoming Kantō Tournant, Hyotei might just have a chance against Rikkai!
Ti flew by.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
The Tokyo tropolitan Tournant was just one day away.
Under Ishikawa's supervision, Hyotei's training had settled into a steady rhythm. After overcoming the initial difficulties and adapting to the training load, even Suzuki and Uesugi no longer resisted the regin.
On the contrary.
The high-intensity training had given them stronger, healthier bodies. Feeling the tangible improvents in themselves, they now refused to stop training, even if Ishikawa told them to.
Evening.
After finishing the day's training, Ishikawa waited until everyone had left before heading to a secluded corner of the court. There, he began practicing his ancient martial arts routines.
Fists, feet, body, and mind—as he moved through the slow, deliberate forms, an indescribable sense of comfort spread through his entire being.
*Buzz!*
Suddenly, as if a light had switched on in his mind, Ishikawa felt a barrier he had been struggling with finally break.
**[Ding!]**
At the sa ti, the system's voice rang out.
**[Player's secondary profession, Ancient Martial Arts, has broken through. Current level: Lv3.]**
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**End of Chapter**
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