Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: First Serve Ace
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“You got dumped by Weiber?”
At lunchtime, Logan stammered in disbelief upon meeting up as promised. And as promised, Lilian Karain was there with him.
“Is that a problem?”
“It’s not a problem—it’s normal! That coward Weiber, with his filthy personality... You’re better off without him.”
But Lilian offered a calm counterpoint, differing from the excited Logan.
“Still, Weiber’s an essential pick. He’s Lionheart’s starting setter, right?”
Logan had no choice but to agree.
Weiber’s position was setter.
Not only was he great at volleyball, but his court-reading skills were top-notch too, earning him a starting spot as a first-year.
“I learned the basics at the academy since I was a kid, but that’s it. Weiber’s been through specialized training and real games since coming to school—he’s definitely key firepower.”
“But he said no, so what can we do...”
Logan’s voice trembled whenever he spoke to Lilian. Rain smirked and shoved his back toward the gym.
“We’ll have to find the other one separately. Let’s head to the gym first. The rest are coming too.”
He turned to Lilian and bowed politely.
“And Lilian, thanks for helping out. You saved my skin.”
Lilian let out a faint smile—barely visible, just for herself—and shrugged it off.
“This much is nothing. I owe you one.”
“Owe me? For what?”
“Doesn’t matter. Don’t be petty about it.”
He wondered what debt she meant, but there was no time to ask. The other three were waiting by the gym door.
As usual, Nora waved with a big grin, Kaiden stayed stoic... Huh, and someone else was there.
Weiber from Rohwinen Academy. His sourpuss face was even worse than usual.
“What’s up, Weiber? Here to help?”
Rain greeted him warmly, but Weiber snorted and turned away coldly, as if to show off.
“Help? I’m just here to watch.”
“Watch what?”
“They say you’re working so hard. I came to see if it’s real or bullshit. That’s it.”
Truth be told, Weiber himself couldn’t fully grasp why he was there. It started during the break after second period.
- Why the hell would you help a guy like that? I can’t wrap my head around it, Kaiden. You hate nobles too!
After Weiber’s outburst, Kaiden stroked his chin thoughtfully and jotted something in his notebook.
[Rain Ludwig’s different somehow.]
- Different how?
[No noble disdain when he deals with us. Feels genuine lol.]
Ridiculous.
That guy’s...
He started to snap back, then froze as a memory flashed by.
‘Come to think of it, has he ever looked down on me?’
He’d gotten mad once or twice, sure, but that was just normal cadet stuff.
If anything, it felt sincere—treating him as an equal.
A typical noble would’ve called it rude and forced him to kneel.
[Plus, Mr. Personality set up the student council for commoners. True motives unknown, but it’s real—so we help.]
That’s why I’m here—to check his true intentions... and sort fact from fiction between what he and others say.
Nothing more. Not to help. Besides, even if I did, the guy’s not Griffinballer.
‘But how do they plan to win with this ragtag team?’
Lilian and Kaiden learned basics at their academies, but no club activity since school started—they’re not immediate assets.
Worse, Mr. Personality’s a total newbie.
If this isn’t a joke and they’re serious, what’s their ace up the sleeve... He sighed, then Nora approached with a grin.
“Then Lionheart’s first-year super setter Weiber can consult for the team now★”
“What? No way. Why me?”
He could’ve brushed off Nora alone, but inexplicably, Lilian chimed in.
“Hm, agreed. Your goal’s to gauge Mr. Personality’s sincerity, right?”
“...?”
“So, make them give it their all—win or lose—and judge the result?”
Logan nodded, flexing his pecs, and even ally Kaiden added:
[Can’t argue lol]
What the hell, all of them...
Pushed by the mood, Weiber checked their skills in 2v2 practice. Watching Rain closely, he finally gave his verdict.
“Not bad.”
He knew Logan and Nora from Lionheart, but Lilian and Kaiden surprised him too.
“Not bad’s all it is—this lineup couldn’t beat Griffinballer dead or alive.”
“Why?”
“No setter.”
Setter?
The Eight Great Academies’ first-years gathered, tilting heads one by one.
“Isn’t that you?”
“Right♣”
“Huh, I assumed you’d setter too.”
[Lol...]
Weiber didn’t chuckle in disbelief—he exploded.
“You think I will? I yield anything else, but not this. I only set for wizards I respect.”
“There it is, Weiber’s dirty personality★”
“Shut it! I could compromise for you idiots, but not him. So no need for me to set. Not serious anyway.”
Weiber drew a firm line with a provocative glare at Rain. Tension hung thick, but Rain took it breezily.
“That’s setter, right? Tossing to spikers. Not hard?”
“You’re clueless enough to make me sigh. Setter’s not that simple.”
Irked, Weiber explained as Rain tilted his head; Logan jumped in.
“If hard-receiver’s defense core, setter’s attack core.”
[Setter shakes off blocks for spikers.]
“Dict says just tossing, but broadly, they’re the field general directing all attacks♬”
Lilian nodded, sharing her knowledge.
“That’s why they say magic volleyball’s a setter’s game.”
When did they get so chummy with Mr. Personality? Ignoring his doubt, Weiber continued.
“Spikers vary in style and personality. Setter coordinates them all.”
“Oh.”
“And Griffinballer’s Maya Snark’s a nationally dominant setter. No contest.”
“...”
“Get it now—who you’re messing with?”
His sarcasm peaked, but Rain stroked his chin, staring into space thoughtfully.
“Setter’s that crucial, huh. Griffinballer’s so strong thanks to Maya Snark.”
“...”
“Must be tough too, right?”
Logan, bouncing a magic ball off the wall, nodded.
“Court sense and athleticism go without saying, but magic reasons make setter hardest.”
“Magic reasons?”
“Great setters mentally compute equations for spikers.”
“Compute for them?”
Rain knew equations came in two cases:
1. Receiving or blocking opponent’s serve/spike—solve their equation.
2. Serving or spiking team’s toss—enchant the ball.
Proxy computing? New to him.
“Spikers normally chant attack equation right before strike, but setter pre-computes 90% in setup toss♬”
“...!”
“Spiker just adds the last 10% easily. More time means better block evasion♬”
Lilian, listening intently like Rain, raised a point.
“But doesn’t setter compute coordinate equations for toss accuracy?”
“Hence two setter types.”
Precise toss via coordinates, or fuzzy toss but equation-built.
“Elite setters blend both situationally★”
Lilian got it, nodding.
“Strong setter dominates—undeniable. No way to bridge the gap, no win.”
So who among us four... Me or Kaiden lack experience—out. Nora or Logan then.
But Logan’s a power wing spiker from his build; Nora’s flexible receive specialist locking defense.
Tricky. Recruit more? Then—
“Sounds fun.”
Unexpected voice.
Rain Ludwig, naturally.
“I’ll setter.”
Silence poured like cold water. Then chaos erupted.
“Sir, did you even listen?!”
“You never played as a kid! Trying to lose?”
[Lol...]
“Ahaha, I’m for it★”
Rain raised hands to calm the frenzy.
“I started this—I can’t dump the key role on you.”
“Even so...”
“And we’ve got first-year’s best setter. Learn from him for ten days?”
He nodded at Weiber; all eyes snapped there. Before Weiber panicked, Rain grinned and offered a hand.
“Weiber, can’t play setter, but you can teach? We’re teammates now.”
* * *
“So, preparations going well?”
Kasena Page asked.
Rain had been swamped with volleyball from dawn to dusk, so sitting in class felt like ages.
Kasena was busy too—exec committee duties. Missing one student council officer made it worse.
“Dunno.”
Rain raised his bruise-covered arms as proof.
“Feels like hard work, but not sure if it’s working.”
Kasena eyed the wounds worriedly, then cleared her throat imperiously.
She glanced at other cadets—especially Weiber—then whispered in Rain’s ear.
“Secret?”
“?”
“Absolute secret?! Don’t tell anyone!”
Why yell so loud then... His head rang.
“Mom’s out briefly—I’m acting chancellor.”
“Acting chancellor? Where’d she go?”
“Shh! No idea. Dragged all admins out for something big—still gone.”
Admins? Eyes narrowed.
Not school—city issue? Maybe Ribarden and special task force bodies found.
Trouble brewing. But Kasena grinned reassuringly.
“Don’t worry! If you lose festival rights, I’ll veto it! Chancellor authority—acting!”
She thumbs-upped trust-me style, crutched up. Exec committee time.
Kasena now walked with one crutch. Rehab and Chaihak magic-protein sped recovery.
Watching her go, Rain chuckled absurdly.
‘So honest—she means it.’
She’d veto a loss flat-out, consequences be damned.
‘To avoid that, win the match in a week.’
A week later, showdown day arrived.
* * *
Griffinballer forfeit match, so tradition: their Gym 1.
First-timers gaped.
“Whoa, huge...!”
“Shiny everywhere...!”
“Latest magic gear...!”
Five Great Houses and Ten Families’ heirs trained here—OB donations made facilities unmatched.
Evening drew crowds, but noble cadets drilled orderly.
Spikers practicing, servers, tossers...
“Core tight! That a spike? Again!”
Under second-year Tiger prof Elin Ludwig, Griffinballer moved like clockwork. Spectators were impressed.
“Can Mr. Personality win?”
“Griffinballer’s stacked this year...”
“Idiot! That’s why we’re cheering! Don’t wimp out first?”
Overhearing, Rowinbelt Kanwer smirked.
“Our Ludwig young master’s a commoner hero now?”
Big, friendly-faced third-year Yors Bautel replied.
“Expected this. Just the idol changed.”
Yors Bautel.
Ten Families member too.
Bench, Maya Snark kneed her pads, tsking irritably.
“Plebs yapping changes nothing. Crush their high noses.”
Cheers spiked at doors. Reckless challengers entered.
Expected lazy cheers, but gasps hushed instead.
Annoyed Maya.
“What the—?!”
“Those six a team...?!”
“First-year golden generation together...?!”
Even Maya twitched, stunned. Unforeseen lineup.
Weiber, Rohwinen.
Lilian, Rivendel.
Logan, Chaihak.
Nora, Melev.
Kaiden, Harimun.
Eight Academies’ top first-years assembled... But the center leader shocked more.
“How’d Mr. Personality assemble that squad...?!”
Rain Ludwig—should rally academy disciples as scion, not oppose.
“...Sigh.”
Elin sighed at nephew, then whistled lineup.
Griffinballer’s starting 11: elite unbeatable.
Lionheart captain Bradley sighed knowingly.
“Maya Snark setter, Yors Bautel middle blocker, wing spikers Sandra Kepel, Gertrude Fenton... Aces anywhere.”
Rest still fearsome. Christa Warden skipping for student council—small mercy...
Opposing: bare-bones.
Weiber, Logan, Nora skilled, but volleyball’s six-player—not three.
‘Kaiden music club, Lilian no club... Mr. Personality ten days in.’
Hard-receivers etc.—11 vs. six total.
“Even layman sees the mismatch.”
Voice startled Christa.
“P-President...?!”
Student council president Valensidis.
With VP Felix Drake, who quipped oddly.
“So, who you rooting for?”
“Huh?”
“You seemed pissed at that punk last time. Curious why you’re hiding here.”
“H-Hiding? No!”
“Pissed, though?”
Christa bit lip miserably.
“...Not pissed.”
Unclear if at him—or herself.
Why couldn’t she step up like Rain then? As officer, when council ignored.
Rain tossed badge without hesitation—for council over glory. But her...
“...”
Valensidis smiled quietly. Worthy noble.
“Teams, greet!”
Around then, Ivan prof saluted squads. Gym 3 Magic Volleyball advisor, Snakemaster.
Neutral ref: not noble rep Elin or academy Owen—natural.
Perfunctory handshakes, no sincerity. Captains differed.
“Rain, so excited I couldn’t sleep! Let’s have fun!”
Tradition: high-rank captain. Second-year Five Houses scion Sandra Kepel.
“Disappoint after hype, I’ll be pretty mad!”
“Not my fault if you faint.”
“Ahahaha! Rain’s the best! Oh, Bell Sidias foul, right?”
“Yes. No magic eyes.”
“Good boy! Always smart—love it!”
Sandra slapped Rain’s back laughing; Ivan tossed coin.
Tails.
Challengers serve first.
Routine so far—then hush fell.
“First serve... Mr. Personality?!”
Rain activated ball’s mana from Ivan.
Vmmm...!
Blue field erupted; ball bounced firmly to his hand.
“Him first serve...”
Christa pondered; Valensidis raised brow.
“Not standard?”
“First sets momentum tone.”
“Preempt control, huh.”
“Yeah. No rookies usually.”
One scenario: Sacrifice turn now, avoid later momentum loss on his turn.
But mocking that, Rain stepped five back from endline.
“Crazy, no way...?”
“Jump serve...?!”
Owen, with Lionheart players in stands, narrowed eyes.
‘Jump serve’s expert realm. Beyond basics?’
Magic volleyball saying:
Receive 3 months, spike 6, jump serve 12.
Doubly: learned last, mastered longest.
‘You, barely walking it, Rain Ludwig?’
Griffinballer knew difficulty best.
Rear three crept forward, reforming.
Experience: no ten-day newbie jump serves.
Weiber, hands clasped behind, nodded approval.
‘Obvious choice. Standard.’
I thought so once.
Before coaching that monster.
“Sir, nice serve!”
Logan’s cheer cued: Rain lofted ball high, stepped forward.
One, two.
Third: stomped ground, launching skyward. Fluid perfection.
‘Perfect approach...?!’
Maya’s spine chilled.
“Back, one step—!”
Before finish, over.
Blue trail crossed air, slammed corner line, sparked agony, bounced huge to second rail.
Gertrude stared blankly at mark; sweat beaded.
‘No joke...’
God stole sound; dead silence.
“...In!”
Line judges called from endline.
“No touch, ace—!!!”
Logan’s fist-pump shattered quiet; gym erupted.
‘Talent?’
Owen, knowing Rain’s newbie status best, chuckled wryly.
‘Talent—this overwhelming, violent talent?’
Elin, anticipating similar, smiled complexly—then hid.
“Rowin.”
Boy lounged on bench; rose, hopped lightly.
Rowinbelt Kanwer.
Short third-year; uniform inverted colors.
White base brown/gold normal—his reverse.
Hard-receiver mark, special.
“Same serve—you’d snag easy?”
Rowinbelt glanced Rain, grinned cockily.
“After two-three reps? Dig it half-asleep, EASY.”