boyutpedia Chapter 165 Even the King is Human, and He Can Lose.
Chapter 165 Even the King is Human, and He Can Lose.
After the words were spoken, the entire room fell silent for a moment, then all the members responded in unison, "Yes!"
The sound was so loud that it made people's eardrums vibrate.
Ryo Mochizuki stood next to Taro Sakaki and waited for him to finish making that gesture before taking a step forward while holding Luna.
Sunlight fell on the top of his head, gilding it with a golden-red edge. He stood there, exuding an air of nonchalant nobility, yet his gaze carried an overwhelming sense of pressure.
As if sensing her owner's emotions, Luna clung to his arm and slowly stood up.
It carefully tucked its injured right paw to its chest, supporting itself on Wangyue Ling's forearm with only its left paw, its little back straight.
A pair of heterochromatic eyes followed their owner's gaze, slowly sweeping over the lined-up team members. The little chin was raised high, and the two soft "Doritos" trembled solemnly.
He looked just like a miniature version of Wangyue Ling.
The same gaze, the same aura.
It's clearly a three-week-old kitten, but it stands there with the air of a king surveying his territory.
The Hyotei team members below caught a glimpse of this scene and almost burst out laughing, but seeing Mochizuki Ryo's expression, they quickly held it in, their shoulders trembling slightly.
They all secretly marveled: As expected of their Ice Emperor Demon King's little spirit cat, she is indeed extraordinary.
Wang Yueling didn't notice their little actions and helped Luna straighten its Elizabethan collar.
When he looked up again, the playful expression on his face was gone; his expression was solemn, and his azure eyes were like a calm sea, clear and sharp.
Every team member whose gaze swept over him unconsciously straightened their backs, clenched their fists, and their fighting spirit was almost overflowing in their eyes.
"I don't have much to say about tomorrow's game. You've practiced the tactics countless times. As for what happens on the field, you'll know how to play once you're on the court."
He paused, and his gaze softened.
"I'll just say one thing."
"Yesterday, I met with the entire Rikkai University tennis club... and in front of them, I challenged their captain, Yukimura Seiichi."
These words caused a slight commotion in the group.
A challenge? The acting coach actually went to Rikkai University to issue a challenge?
The team members looked at each other, and they all saw surprise in each other's eyes, followed by an indescribable excitement.
But no one whispered; they all waited quietly for him to continue.
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they will be the champions in this year's Kanto Tournament finals and the National Tournament finals again."
Mochizuki Ryo paused, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces, his tone filled with unwavering certainty, "And Hyotei will definitely be Rikkai's only competitor."
That's incredibly arrogant.
If someone had said this two months ago, the team members would have thought it was a pipe dream.
But now, no one laughs, and no one questions it.
"Don't think I'm being too absolute."
Wang Yueling's tone turned serious. "All the laps you've run, the rackets you've swung, and the sweat you've shed these past two months won't be in vain. You've lost face for yourselves, so you have to earn it back. Those schools that laughed at Hyotei before, starting tomorrow, we'll give them a piece of our minds one by one."
He paused, then gently scratched the kitten's chin with his fingertips. Luna meowed contentedly, her voice soft and sweet, as if agreeing with him.
"There are no invincible myths in my eyes. Hyotei should not only beat Seigaku, but also be satisfied with just reaching the semifinals."
"Hyotei's goal is to make it all the way to the finals and snatch all the championship trophies from Rikkai."
He took half a step forward, exuding an aura of power.
"In sports, there is no such thing as a narrow defeat, nor is there any such thing as a glorious defeat. You either win, or you go back and train twice as hard until you can win."
With each sentence he spoke, Luna would meow in perfect sync, earnestly echoing his words.
Wang Yueling looked down at Luna in her arms and smiled slightly.
"Of course, it's too early to say these things now. But it's better to let you know sooner rather than later when you've stumbled and fallen."
He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the entire team, his voice deepening.
"Stagnation is regression."
"If you want to stand at the top, you have to run faster, train harder, and endure longer than others. From now on, you have to be on high alert every day. You need to practice your technique, your physical fitness, and your mentality."
"Don't think that your current level is enough. Rikkai's strength is much greater than you imagine."
He paused, a casual smile playing on his lips.
"But don't be afraid of them."
"You are not alone. You have an excellent minister, reliable teammates, and Coach Sakaki who sits on the coaching bench and makes gestures."
Sakaki Taro glanced at him helplessly.
Wang Yueling smiled, then turned back and continued:
"And me... um... and the cat supervisor..."
"Even champions are human, and they can lose. So... the Kanto and National Championships. Hyotei is determined to win both of those trophies this year."
"I do not accept any team other than Hyotei standing on the final stage."
He looked up at the crowd, his confidence unstoppable: "Are you all up to the task?"
"OK!"
Everyone's face was filled with fighting spirit, and their eyes were dazzlingly bright.
Luna seemed startled by the sound, her little ears twitched, and she raised her voice, "Meow..."
The long, drawn-out tone was full of momentum, like a junior teaching assistant giving a lecture.
What was originally a very serious and solemn scene instantly became more lively and interesting after the kitten chimed in.
No one laughed. Everyone looked at Coach Dai, who was standing straight in front of them, and the serious little black cat in his arms, and the fire in their hearts burned even brighter.
Everyone present, including Sakaki Taro and Atobe, understood.
Ryo Mochizuki's ambition never stopped at short-term goals like "winning against Seigaku tomorrow." What he set his sights on was the highest trophy.
The members' gazes towards him shifted from playful to serious, and then from serious to resolute.
They know best how intense the training has been lately. Every day they run until their legs are sore, swing their rackets until their arms can't lift anymore, and they want to give up countless times, but they grit their teeth and persevere.
All for the sake of winning every game, all for the sake of standing on the highest podium, and all for the sake of gradually reclaiming the glory that was lost at the Games.
So what if Rikkai University is a powerhouse? So what if they're the best? If it's a real fight, the outcome is still uncertain.
They all still remember how many schools laughed at Hyotei when they were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the National Games, saying that Hyotei was just a powerhouse team with a hollow reputation, and that it would crumble when it came to tough opponents.
On the day of the Kanto Tournament draw, their minister was ridiculed and scorned by students from other schools for his inaction.
The tennis club members had all heard about the "elite schools," "rich kids," and "things built on money" to varying degrees.
They all kept these words in mind, and everyone was holding their breath.
I've been holding it in ever since I lost to Fudomine...
They wanted to prove themselves.
It's not about proving something to those who mock them, but about proving something to themselves.
This proves that their hard work over the past three years was not in vain, that they are no longer a dull knife, and that they can stand at the highest point.
This proves that their Hyotei captain should always be high above, always glamorous and dazzling.
Hyotei can win.
It's not about luck, it's about ability.
Now, this feeling surged up from my chest, burning hot.