Project: Bland King

Chapter 71: Clash of Geniuses

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Kiyotaka Flashback

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Ego: I wouldn't recommend pulling that kind of stunt again. Even for you, this could end your career.

Kiyotaka was in a medical room, his calves and ankles bandaged up along with an IV injection. After the grueling ending to the match against the World Five, he knew his ankles and calves were swollen, so he went to the medical room for assessment when everyone else went to sleep.

Kiyotaka: I had no other choice. The gap was too great, and I wanted to win.

Ego sighed.

Ego: You and your Whiteroom genetics. I don't know what kind of training you underwent and I don't care. I forbid you from doing that again.

He poked at Kiyotaka's ankles with a pen.

Kiyotaka: Ow.

Ego: The MRI scans showed your legs underwent similar muscle trauma to car crash victims. I'm surprised you dragged yourself back here after that little party with your team.

Kiyotaka: It's been a while since I needed to use it, so my legs aren't adapted to it.

Ego: You lasted 10 minutes at 100 percent muscle capacity function. Is that a new record best for you?

Kiyotaka: Yeah, the most I was allowed in the Whiteroom was 5 minutes. Anymore and my father feared I'd risk long-term damage.

Ego: This isn't sustainable. It might have allowed you to surpass your limits and show off against the World Five but it's just stupid.

Kiyotaka: I thought it was egotistical.

Ego: There's Ego and then there's stupidity. You aren't ignorant to the dangers and this ego was misplaced in a game you were supposed to lose. So that just leaves stupidity.

Kiyotaka: So how much time will I be missing?

Ego scoffed and hit Kiyotaka across the forehead with his pen.

Ego: None actually. There is a couple weeks of remission before we start the 3rd selection. Ankles, ACL, MCL, Achilles tendon, calves, nothing broke or tore. Steer off physical training for a bit and the swelling should go away.

Kiyotaka: That's a relief.

Ego: Now that you know, using this again, for anything, is forbidden.

Kiyotaka: I shouldn't be relying on such a physical gamble, so I agree. I won't be using it again. But it's strange.

Ego: Hm?

Kiyotaka: Your disdain for it... it's almost like you're not shocked I'm capable of doing it. Did you happen to experien-

Ego: That's enough. Out of my sight. Shoo, shoo.

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Loki Flashback

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A young genius, no older than 12, was given one of the best birthday presents a child could ever get: a one-on-one meeting with one of the best strikers in the world, Noel Noa. Being a Frenchman himself, Loki really admired this striker who represented what French Football looked like at its peak.

His parents drove him to Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena, where he saw the players training for their upcoming match against Frankfurt on Sunday.

Loki's eyes sparkled when he saw Noel Noa dive and head the ball right through the goal in one attempt. He then shot a volley with his left foot and a bicycle kick with his right foot to finish off a hat trick in the small scrimmage.