The weather at the practice grounds was a trickster, changing its face like a seasoned actor. One moment, the sun blazed down like a golden furnace; the next, it vanished behind a curtain of silver clouds, the sky cloaking itself in brooding grey. Yet, through this gentle chaos, sun and clouds forming a silent truce, accompanied by the whispering wind, the rhythm of training didn't falter.
"And there it goes! That's a six!" Adam shouted from the non-striker's end, his voice slicing through the breeze with triumph.
Alan, relaxed yet proud, stood tall, his bat lowering gently as a smile bloomed across his face.
"Tch. You let me lose on purpose," Orion muttered, feigning annoyance.
Alan stepped out of the crease, his chuckle light and unapologetic, "Haha, sorry."
Before the moment could settle, Adam came bounding across the pitch and threw his arms around Alan in a sudden embrace. "We did it!" he laughed, exhilarated, "We're unstoppable! I knew it! Best batting duo out here!"
Alan returned the hug with a quiet nod, his smile widening. From the sidelines, Mir called out, clipboard in hand, "Ryan, Noah—you're next for the five overs. Ren's bowling."
"Yes, Coach!" came the chorus from beneath the shelter near the pavilion.
As Adam and Alan made their way back, Seraph was already waiting with chilled energy drinks.
"Well played," Cassiel added, clapping Adam's palm as he reached for his bottle.
"Thanks!" Adam replied, panting but beaming.
Alan's attention wandered past the banter. His eyes landed on Feng, fast asleep amidst the others, The only one snoring. With a tilt of his head, he nudged Xavier, "Must be nice... not a care in the world."
Xavier chuckled, nodding, "Yep. That's Feng for you."
The moment was soon interrupted by a familiar rustle. Little Will, hopped up onto the bench, then scaled Alan's shoulder like it was a throne he rightfully owned.
Alan laughed, rubbing his face against the soft fur, "Someone's been practicing their stunts. Show-off."
Will thumped in delight.
Alan's gaze then shifted. Drawn inevitably, to where Kenzo was now standing. The middle schoolers had clustered around him, hanging on his every word. But after a short exchange, Kenzo broke away and approached the coaches' section.
Nidou sat there, pen twirling lazily between his fingers, his brow arching as Kenzo neared. Their eyes locked. A brief, silent standoff. No hesitation. No fear.
Nidou leaned back with a long exhale, "Well, what is it? Don't just stand there. Get running. Or do you want a penalty, too?"
Kenzo's brow twitched, skeptical, almost amused by the implication but he said nothing. Slinging his gear bag to the side, he broke into a jog, beginning his laps.
Helios watched from nearby, lips curling into a knowing smile, "See that? As if none of it ever happened. Like he's rewritten himself."
Seraph sighed softly, "He's... complicated."
"More like a stubborn monkey king," Ryan muttered on his way to the nets, earning a few muffled laughs.
Cassiel and Alan exchanged a look, their smiles laced with understanding.
Just then, Kazuna's voice rang out from the tent, "Alright boys, let's go. We're discussing player files for the upcoming match. Coach Pedro's got the strategy brief."
"On it!" the middle schoolers responded, rallying together and following him toward the meeting. They gathered on the grass in a wide circle, their files open, the mood shifting into a thoughtful stillness.
"Sigh~" Orion flopped down cross-legged with a dramatic puff of air.
Alan, seated with his back leaning gently against Orion's, flipped through his file silently, brows drawn.
"Galleous has a Realm?!" Heber and Ezekiel blinked in unison.
Pedro nodded, calm but sharp, "Yeah, we saw it in the last match against Lahore. Even though Multan Sultans lost, Galleous took a four wicket haul. Impressive, even in defeat."
"Realm of Irreversibility, huh..." Senri murmured.
"Irreversibility," Helios echoed, tapping his finger, "Something that can't be undone."
"Exactly," Pedro said, looking up from his notes, "The Realm's ability centers around events that become permanent. It could apply to batting, bowling, or fielding. We just don't have enough data yet to predict how he uses it."
"And Senior Haitam?" Ryan asked, glancing at Feng.
"Haitam…" Aaron looked up at the sky briefly, then turned to Haruf with a grin, "Big guy, you tell 'em."
Haruf blinked, "Me?"
"Yeah," Ren nodded, "You've faced him more than any of us."
Alan's gaze flicked toward Haruf, who now rested his chin on his hand, eyes thoughtful, "He's stubborn. An off-spinner who doesn't back down. His skill? Pure perseverance. He doesn't have Realms, Pinnacles, or Doors."
Xavier narrowed his eyes, surprised, "None?"
"Nope," Evan confirmed.
"Not even a pairing ability?" Ryan pressed.
"No," Noah replied, "He's completely on his own. And still one of the strongest PSL leaders we've seen."
The middle schoolers went quiet, their expressions shifting to respect.
Pedro cleared his throat, "And then there's Kirill."
The circle stilled.
"Be cautious. They call him the 'Shadow Man' of Multan Sultans," Pedro continued.
"Shadow Man...?" Cassian glanced at Seraph.
Isa, now resting his head against Zachariah's back, turned the page of the file, "He's a seamer. Just like you guys, a middle schooler who uses shadow manipulation. We lack data but no doubt he's also formidable."
Elias stepped in smoothly, "Their batting jewels are the twins. Kian and Zidan. They have 'Synchro'. Their timing is flawless and if we can't break their rhythm early, they'll carry the game."
Poseidon's eyes narrowed, "So we'll have to dismantle their partnership before it even begins."
"Exactly. Then there are the highschoolers. Multan Sultans Vice-captain, David. He starts slow, but once he settles, he's a nightmare. Nouis is the power hitter. He doesn't care about pressure, he just swings," Pedro added.
Seles walked into the circle with a small wave.
Alan shifted aside to make space as Seles sat next to him, scanning the boys with a knowing look. "As for their fielding—" he started. "They don't drop catches," he said bluntly.
"What…?" Seraph blinked.
"You mean—not even one?!" Adam exclaimed.
Seles nodded, "Top of the PSL tournament. Ninety-five percent fielding accuracy. One silly mistake, and you're gone."
Alan yawned, resting his head against Seles's arm, earning a brief smile.
"The high schoolers know what that means, right?" Seles asked.
Kazuna glanced around. Ren, Senri, Evan, Aaron, Aigou, Isa, Rauf, and Nagi answered with sharp nods. No playfulness this time, only resolve. Helios looked at Kenzo beside him, who was hunched over the file, brows furrowed.
Then Kenzo looked up. "Anything else?" he asked.
A silence.
Then, "Yup, there is," Alan said, lifting his file. He tapped a name, "Milan Uzair. Match starter. We're not skipping him, right, Zachariah?"
Zachariah let out a breath, "Milan Uzair. Highest wicket-taker in the PSL right now."
Cassian added with a nod, "He's taken four wickets in each of the last two matches and three against Lahore. Eleven wickets in just three games."
Kenzo's eyes narrowed. Ezekiel and Adam exhaled deeply. "
So... we're going up against another team of monsters," Ezekiel muttered.
Adam grinned, the adrenaline catching up, "I'm pumped!"
Haruf gave a low hum of agreement.
"We'll be cheering from the sidelines," Poseidon said warmly, glancing at Seraph, Adam, Azazel, and Ezekiel.
"We're gonna win. Just you wait!" Azazel threw up a determined fist.
The high schoolers shared a glance and rose.
"Back to practice then, Coach Pedro? Seles?" Ryan winked.
Pedro laughed under his breath, "Go on, all of you."
The middle schoolers rushed toward the nets. Choosing each other as the makeshift balling and batting partners.
Elias, watching them, spoke softly, "Their energy… it reminds me of our time, doesn't it, Rauf?"
Rauf smirked without turning around, "Our time? When did that even become a memory?"
Elias blinked, then smiled as he followed him, with Ren, Aigou, Haruf and Orion chuckling beside him, "That's our leader for you."
Elias nodded, "Yeah."